Monday, August 30, 2010

Paris Hilton Denies Underpants Ownership

In other news, Paris Hilton was pictured getting out of a black SUV wearing underpants. According to Ms. Hilton, 'Those underpants were not mine. I was wearing them for a friend.'



For even more news, see The Day Paris Hilton Went To Rehab.


Saturday, August 28, 2010

Incredible Turnout at Beck's Rally



Why is being able to hold Beck's rally in his chosen location despite its offense to a certain group of people different from being able to build a Muslim community center in THAT location despite its offense to a certain group of people? It's not; it's called FREEDOM.

More background regarding this allegory: Beck Tweets for White Power

Originally posted here but so good I wanted to reiterate. Thanks devilgrrl.


Sunday, August 22, 2010

Brady Gaga Loves San Jose

I made a t-shirt, for Christ's sake. I was so excited to see Lady Gaga at the Monster Ball (HP Pavillion, Aug. 16, 2010) that I made a t-shirt. The last time I made a t-shirt for a concert I was 16 and went to see Heart on their first tour. It was a blue tank top onto which I had ironed red glitter letters that read Magic Man.



This time the shirt was white and extra large to cover my cell and my camera (on either side of my belt) and my paunch (right behind the buckle). The iron-on was Brady Gaga, an homage to the Lady herself as seen through the iconic Brady Bunch layout and font. (The photograph came on The Fame Monster USB Edition. Puff, puff.)



To put it simply, Lady Gaga was amazing. Forget about the excellent music and lyrics, the incredible production, the really phenomenal costumes, her poseur style of dancing and that she ACTUALLY SINGS AND PLAYS THE PIANO, Gaga, if I may be so bold, is this century's Aimee Semple McPherson (without the faked kidnapping and accidental overdose, of course). She preaches with a new medium, this Monster Ball. The Monster Ball will set you free.



Tonight is for everyone who has ever felt like a freak. My whole life, I was told that I wasn't pretty enough, wasn't thin enough, couldn't dance well enough, couldn't sing well enough. This is for all of you out there who have been rejected, marginalized, or cast out because someone thought you were a freak. Well, let me tell you what. Tonight, the freaks are all OUTSIDE, and I'VE LOCKED THE DOORS!


Montage from the Monster Ball Aug 16, 2010


She calls us by name too. Hello, San Jose. I didn't used to be brave. In fact, I wasn't brave at all. You have made me brave. Thank you so much for buying a ticket to the Monster Ball, San Jose, because you are what make it.



And every performance of the Monster Ball, her corporate sponsor gives $20,000 to Gaga's favorite charity, The RE*generation Campaign to help homeless GLBT youth. It is pretty incredible to be a fan and have your fan-dom validated by, arguably, the biggest star on the planet.



There is a sincerity behind Gaga and what she says. It made me feel good to hear an artist appreciate her fans so much. Gaga did more for me that night then some therapists I've known (and I've known some). And she's coming back to the Bay Area in March, 2011. I already bought myself a ticket. Yes, this 52 (by then) year old man is making another iron-on t-shirt because I'm going to see Lady Gaga at the Monster Ball again. And, even though I don't live in Oakland, I know she'll be glad to see San Jose. Paws up, little monsters!

Set List

Intro
Dance in the Dark
Glitter and Grease
Just Dance
Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
Vanity
Vanity (outro)
The Fame
LoveGame
Inspirational talk
Boys Boys Boys
Boys Boys Boys (outro)
Money Honey
Charity, tank top, thrown gifts and fan phone call
Telephone
Speechless
Piano talk, new album
You and I
So Happy I Could Die (costume change)
So Happy I Could Die
Put Your Paws Up (video)
Monster
Teeth
Alejandro
Poker Face
Paparrazi
Bad Romance (encore)


Friday, August 20, 2010

Never Ship Air!

This past weekend I went into the garage to empty some boxes still packed for our move from Denver two years ago. Inside one of them, I found a box of band-aids - which was perfect timing because we needed band-aids.

When I opened the box, I saw an excellent representation of the mantra of good packing: never ship air.


No bird has been harmed in the packing of these band-aids.



Wednesday, August 18, 2010

There Was No Body

I brought my car into the shop the other day and took the bus home. This particular bus route passed by the downtown San Jose County Court and Jail. At the stop in front of the building, two disheveled men and one trashy looking woman boarded and sat down in the seats behind me. I was oblivious to their conversation until I heard the woman say, "Yea, they let me out. There was no body. There was no weapon. What else could they do?"