First off, let me just give some news that I heard on yesterday. Cathy Delaleu called me and told me that she is in the hospital. She said that she had a stroke and will be hospitalized for a couple of days. For those who know her, let's call her. I am planning on going to see her sometime on Saturday if anyone is interested.
Finally
As some of you know, I have been talking about my job moving from Parsippany to Morristown. And you know a bruh was stressed since I am now over the website and graphics area. My boss wanted a zero downtime or as close as possible knowing that we are locally hosted. I was a nervous wreck but we did the move on yesterday and it went through without a hitch. So that is half my stress gone. Now I am in preparation for the trade show in Orlando in less than two weeks. OMG. Anyway, I finally have my own office with a door. Yeah, I am so excited and I love the area that the office is located. So anyway, here are some pics undecorated and the view. I'll post more after I get settled in. I love it.
News On Cathy Delaleu / Finally
Wii Fit May Be PC Un-Fit
I have been laughing my ass off at this article.
"A number of parents have expressed concerns over Nintendo creating bad body images after a concerned family member complained that Wii Fit labeled her relative overweight.
"My [relative] came round this weekend and we let her play on our Wii Fit", a member of the DISBoards wrote. "We have all laughed and joked about being told that we're fat and need to lose weight but I was gobsmacked when it told her that she is overweight."
According to the poster, the girl in question is a healthy 4"9 10-year-old who swims, dances and weighs only six stone. "She is solidly built," the poster adds, "but not fat."
But she "was devastated to be called fat," the poster said, "and we had to work hard to convince her that she isn't. I know it is just a game but seriously we already have to worry about young girls starving themselves to look like the magazine models and now we have a game that tells them they're fat."
Shocked forum users responded angrily, spurring the user on to write an email to Nintendo. At the time of writing, they have yet to reply.
We reckon this could make a good story line in an upcoming episode of Hollyoaks. 'Good' by Hollyoaks' standard anyway..."
But that wasn't the best part. I just had to see what this game looked like and see what's up. So I go to the website to investigate and this is what you see:
I can't stop laughing.
New Intro
This is a piece that I created for my job as the opening for the demo. Tell me what you think so far. This will be playing at the tradeshows. Again, this is just the opening, I will post other sections as they come. Just click on the image below to view in QuickTime.
Taboo
We as Americans treat such a normal part of life as sex as taboo. When in secret, it is one of the driving forces in our culture and has driven technology trends for over a century. Pornography was the first to really capitalize on the first photography and video camera as an avenue of circulation. The first printed material without words to go into circulation was of erotic pictures. And stag films were the most widely distrubuted independent films during the early part of last century. Some of which are some of the most creative and visually stunning pieces that I've seen.
It is also noteworthy to say the back in the 80's when we had the VHS vs BETA wars, that it was because of the lucrative porn industry that switched to VHS that abruptly lead the to the fall of the BETA. It is even rumored that it helped swing the Blu Ray vs HDDVD fight. 
It is interesting that even when it comes to computers, sexuality has lead its evolution. In the 1920's, the first computer was created and man quickly personalized the inanimate object. How did they personalize it? ... as a woman as seen in the movie "Metropolis" in 1927. The woman was fashioned after a very beautiful woman and moved very seductively. Of course, part of this was patterned after the idea that a robot is like a woman and is supposed to cater to a man's every need and desire. It has evolved into an even more erotic scenario as seen by this video by Bjork. Yes it's another Bjork video but if you haven't seen it before, it is worth watching.
On top of that, more and more studies prove that people use their computers for porn more than any other use. So if all of this is the case, why are we so prudent when it comes to the discussion of sex?
Bloggers Unite!!!
Well, didn't we have a time this weekend. Above are some pics from last weekend's festivities where I and some of the other bloggers met up in Baltimore. They were Fuzzy, ShawnQt, Warren, X, Joey, Norris, CocoaRican, E, Jared, Andre and Darius.
There are so many things that can be said about this weekend but I will try to make it quick. I have to first say that for so many gay people to be together for a whole weekend, there was no shade (that I seen anyway) and I can honestly say that I enjoyed EVERYONE's company. You guys know that Fuzzy, Shawn and X are my boys but I love me some Cocoa, and Jared for their quick wits and matter of fact sensibility. Not to mention that they are funny as all get-out. Warren for his cool, collected, giving and will disappear on your ass personality. lol. Norris with his fine, country (oh I mean southern) self. Darius is just so sincere, loveable and huggable. I love he. I thought E would be more talkative than he was based on his blog but he would say little things on the sly that was too funny. Joey is just a crazy nut but yet regal. Don't get it twisted though he will have you cracking up and don't get him and Jared together.
My favorite quotes from this weekend:
"And let that be the reason."
"Honey, you can mix that alcohol with some juicy-juice if you want to but I'm telling you, you'll only have Dimetap."
"You can have those eggs too but those bitches didn't crack when I bought them."
"Florida. Why is my name Florida?!? That's the name of a state."
On another note, this is still too funny to me.
Fuzzy's B-Day Bash/Fighting Sides/Update
Fuzzy's B-Day Bash
Fighting Sides
Ok, sorry that it took me so long to post this topic but had to think about how to word everything. For those who read the "Wanderlust" post. Here are the words to the song. This will better lead into my post.
"I am leaving this harbour,
giving urban a farewell.
Its habitants seem too keen on God
I cannot stomach their rights and wrong.
I have lost my origin,
and I don't want to find it again
Rather sailing into nature's laws
and be held by ocean's paws
Wanderlust!
relentlessly craving
Wanderlust—
peel off the layers until you get to the core.
Did i imagine it would be like this?
Was it something like this i wished for,
or will i want more?
Lust for comfort suffocates the soul
this relentless, restlessness
liberates me.
I feel at home whenever
the unknown surrounds me.
I receive its embrace
aboard my floating home.
Wanderlust!
Relentlessy craving wanderlust.
Peel off the layers until you get to the cor.e
Did I imagine it would be like this?
Was it something like this I wished for,
or will I want more?
Wanderlust!
From island to island.
Wanderlust!
United in movement.
Wonderful.
I enjoy it with you
Wanderlust!
Can you spot a pattern?
Relentlessy restless
Restless relentlessy
Restless relentlessy
Restless relentlessy "
Anyway I have been feeling very torn lately between who I view myself as and who I really am and who I want to be. Specifically, am I ready for a relationship now? After my roommate left and I started living alone for the first time in over 10 years (caring for my grandmother /relationship/grad school roommate). I also seemed to have had a change of heart regarding relationships. Prior to him leaving, I wanted one so bad that I could hardly stand it. Now, I am not sure what I want. I'm not sure if it is because my life has had a couple of huge changes so fast and my emotions/mind hasn't totally absorbed it or what. All of this comes at the strangest time to me. I have had so many people express interest lately that it just makes me want to yell, "Where were all of you when I was looking". lol
As of late, I have been .... exploring my freak side in more ways than one. Although that phase is becoming old, I still like being able to do whateva I want, wheneva I want and howeva I want. At the same time I wander if that is really me or just someone that I want to be maybe even temporarily. Sometimes I become shy about it because I wonder how others will view me with some of the things that I am doing. Then I’m wondering if this is just a phase. I feel so pre and/or adolescent, wondering what my peers may think.
Update
So on to what’s new. I went to Edwin's B-Day bash a couple of weeks ago and I carried on. I was very .... friendly that night. Despite all of that, there was a guy (Roberto) who expressed interest. There were others too but Roberto seemed to be the most sincere. I gave him my number thinking that he would be like most people and forget who I am when they sober up but to my surprise, he called. So last weekend, he wanted to come in town. So I gathered some friends together and we hung out on Sunday going to the GLBT Expo at the Javits Center, Brunch and Dinner. A full day of fun but I realized that he was becoming VERY attached. Then at dinner he tells us that he has only messed with one other guy. All of my friends got twinkles in their eyes but I just became concerned. Then I found out that I got his age mixed up in translation and thought he said 35 but he is only 25. But the fire was on when we got back to my apartment. He evidently had been waiting a long time and it showed. Anyway, we'll see what happens with him. I will keep you informed but for now here are some pics/vids.
I just couldn't refuse this. Sorry for it being sideways. This is Roberto, God bless his heart.
Family Pics, Shawn's B-Day Brunch, Hasan's B-Day Brunch, and Edwin's B-Day Party
Sorry for yet another post this week, but was slow on posting these pics and had to put them up before I was tortured by my family and friends. Don't forget to see the previous post to get an idea of what I will be talking about in my next post. Here is one branch of my family tree.
Björk - "Wanderlust"
I know that most people I know, aren't really into Björk's music but you have to give it to her for creativity. It is so weird because even though I read about the making of this video a while ago, I didn't know what it was about. As always, I stood in anticipation for a Björk video. But this morning on the way in to work, I finally figured how I wanted to word my next post. When I saw this video I couldn't believe how close it is to the topic I wanted to post. Anyway, out of curiosity, I was wondering if you would post what you get out of this video before my next entry? This isn't to try to tell someone they're stupid or off base of anything like because we can all get something different out of it. It is purely just for curiosity's sake. Click on the image below to view. It may take a few minutes to load.
A Little Eyecandy Until My Next Post
Nothing much to say right now. I have something to blog about but need to pull my thoughts together. In the meantime, here is a reel that I worked on for a friend of mine. I know that the video part will sometimes get a little jagged when streamed but check it out and tell me what you think.
I don't know how many people will remember this series from MTV's Liquid Television but this is still too funny to me. I know, I'm goofy, right?!?
What Is Art?
As some of you already know, I love going to galleries and viewing the latest in contemporary art. I usually to to a Gallery Tour the 3rd Saturday of each month that focuses on lgbt artists and really enjoy it. I have seen many awe-inspiring, creative and imaginative pieces. But I also see pieces that leave me wondering, wtf?!? It really makes one question, "What Is Art?".
Here are some pics from some of the exhibits that I liked
Now for this piece that I read about on the internet. An "artist" from Costa Rica - Guillermo Habacuc Vargas - as an installation piece took a dog from the street and caused it to suffer and starve to death in the name of Art. The dog was tied up in one part of the room as visitors came and stared at him. To add insult to injury, the sign for the exhibit was made of dog food. So not only was the dog hungry but could see and smell food continuously but was unable to partake. Pictures can be seen here. By the way, you can go here to sign a petition to stop the gallery from supporting this piece by going here.
On the gallery tour was an exhibit by Bjarne Melgaard. His work was very cohesive in that it had furniture, paitings, writings and a video piece. The paintings were very primative and really didn't appeal to me only because I don't care for that style. But I noticed that one had the words, "Fucking you is like fucking a dark horse". Of course I was like wtf?!? But when I saw the video piece, it all came together. The video was of a man who proceeds to give oral satisfaction to a horse. I MEAN, he was REALLY into it. After a few minutes of that, he proceeds to go down on a man standing next to him. After a little play, they both began going down on the horse like it was strawberry ice cream in July. I couldn't stomach too much after that. The gallery said that the video was found on the street by the artist while traveling either to Spain or Italy. He just took and placed some overlays, graphices, etc over it. I thought I heard someone say that it was on sale for .... $25,000.
The Frame That Exists Before the Photograph
Ok, sorry it took so long to post something but after the double deaths in the family, it has been crazy. On my way back to Indy, I had time to reflect on when my mom, uncles, grandparents, etc were alive while I was growing up. I remember it was like the Cosby show. There was all of the love that I could have ever wanted in just those few people. Even throughout the bad times, the love was more than evident. I often brag about being blessed with having my great-great grandmothers living until I was in high school and both sets of my great-grandparents were alive to see me graduate from high school. All of them passing their wisdom down to me. The long talks, how they could explain the world to me and teach me how to be a better person. I have to admit my life has been a pretty photograph overall.
I really didn't realized how much I missed my family until I went back. This time is was very evident that they missed me too. I could see in the younger one's eyes and hear in their voice that they are looking for me to be what my mom, uncle, and grandmother were to me when I was growing up. They want me to be that pillar in the family. The one that keeps everyone together. The one that keeps everyone sane. The confidant, the listening ear, the open heart, the one that just understands.
I was at the funeral and really just thought how bitter-sweet this experience was for me. Even with all of the happiness of seeing each other after so long, there was also a blinding light. For the first time, I could notice the fear, feel their lost of drive, smell the realization of their mortality in each of the older generation's very being. I could read in their eyes as they looked at each other, "Who's next?"
For the first time I see the frame that exists before the photograph.
Missed Question/Family Drama/Would You Want To Know?/Just For Laughs
Missed Question
Thanks for all of the birthday wishes. It really made me feel nice. There was a question from the last post that wasn't answered, so I will answer it now. Cathy (Lyrically speaking) asked, "My question to you is Where do you see yourself in ten years?"
I see myself with the following:
In my own house
In a steady relationship
Having at least two shows a year
Debt free (including student loans)
D/D free
Being a better friend
Living quite comfortably (financially)
Giving back more to the community
Family Drama
I am trying not to make this a long or sad post but just for an update in my life. One of my favorite uncles passed on Sunday. He had a stroke and was in the house a couple of days before anyone noticed to check on him. Which is not to blame anyone because he was kind of to himself sometimes. Then I found out yesterday morning at work that my grandfather in CA passed. I don't like to show emotion at work but I totally lost it.
Now my uncle was on my mom's side and my grandfather is on my dad's side and the funerals are on the same day. One in Indy and the other, of course, in CA. I feel really torn as to which I should attend. Especially since my mom's side of the family kind of disowned my dad after he remarried so soon after my mom's death. I know if I attend my grandfather's, there will be so much hell to pay but at the same time I really want to support my dad during his time of loss. Family drama is so frustrating.
Would You Want To Know?
I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with a friend over this past weekend. If you haven't seen it, I won't go too far into it but it is worth seeing. And if you are going to see it, don't continue reading. lol Anyway, it leads to some thought-provoking questions that I wonder how you would answer. So sound off:
If you could totally erase the memories of someone that you once loved who has broken your heart, would you?
While you are yet falling in love with someone, you both found a note from the future. In the note, it describes everything that you hate about that other person explaining why you guys break up. Would you continue seeing that person?
Just For Laughs
My 100th and Birthday Post
That's right, today is my birthday. I thought I would feel depressed but I feel good in my soul. Yay, Happy Birthday to me.
Preguntas
In my last post, I stated that I would answer questions that anyone had for me in celebration of my 100th post. I have only received two and they are:
1) "Where's your favorite place to go to have fun?"
I can't really say that there is one place that I go to have fun. It all depends on my mood. If I am feeling stressed, I will go salsa dancing out in Queens or just go out to a club. Sometimes it is ALL about staying home and watching a movie and being lazy. I also enjoy just hanging out with friends. I can just go to a friends house and chill doing nothing. And of course, I love creative and cultural events of all types. In other words, if I think that I will like it, I'm on my way. lol
2) If you had a choice to be straight, would you?
This is a good one. I really would have to say that it would have depended on when I was asked. If I were asked before I was comfortable with my sexuality, then I would have quickly taken the offer. But now, I honestly have to say that I don't know. My gut tells me that I would eventually say no and accept what God has given me.
Disco Diva Meets Bohemian Beauty
I went to my friend's, Marco Hall, Fashion Show on yesterday and really have to say that I was blown away. You know how people tell you that they do something and you underestimate them? Well that was me on last night. He invited me to his show and I'm thinking like a church fashion show but what I received was this:
I have to say, "Congratulations Marco!!! I am soooo proud of you!!!". The venue was excellently chosen, the music was driven and the clothes were fantastic. Thank you for the invite and the inspiration.
Preguntas?/Gallery Tour
Preguntas
Well, I am almost there guys. My next post will be my 100th. Seems like it took me forever. I guess it doesn't help when I do double/triple posts in one. lol Anyway, I am going to take people's questions and answer them in my next post. So go ahead and post any questions that you have for me here and my next post will answer them, as long as they are in good taste. lol Well, maybe some of those too.
Gallery Tour I also attended another gallery tour in Chelsea and this one was not as exciting until we got to the end. My favorites were, coincidentally, African and African-American.
This African artist used the metal from around liquor bottles and made these pieces. You can see the scale of them by the people standing next to them. There were three huge rooms foold of these pieces. Each one started at $250,000 and the gallery sold out in less than two hours after opening. Viva Africano.
The African-American artist used those posters that you see all around town promoting everyting from movies to new CD's. He would rip some of them down and then past them in this 2D 1/2 pieces. They actually look like maps from a distance but are nothing other than paper that made look that way.
Here are some of the other pieces. Some of these are videos, if blogger will act right for me today.
Scents/My Weekend/ The Future?!?
Scents
I hope that this doesn't sound weird to most of you but I just had to blog about it. Have you ever paid attention to a person's personal scent? I don't mean their funk but just the natural smell of a person. For some reason, I am very keen on picking the scent up of those who are close to me. It has done everything from giving me a loving and warm feeling all the way to where it just excites me almost to orgasm. I still can't smell Halston to this day without ... well, let's just say my first voluntary experience with a man was a guy who wore Halston.
Of course, each one of my family members smell is like plastered in my head even though we are miles apart. After my mom passed, I took parts of her clothing which had her scent on it and brought it home with me and placed it in this cabinet that is very air tight. Every now and again, I pull it out and smell it, reminisce, and cry a little. Well, my old roommate is moving out and while cleaning, I decided to take a moment to smell the cloth. That's when I realized how faint her smell is on the cloth and took me a while to catch it. My heart felt as if it was going to explode. I know that it will eventually lose its smell and am actually surprised that it has lasted this long but it still hurts.
This Weekend
On a lighter note, I love my Christmas gift to myself which is this Sony Cybershot camera. I have a higher end camera that works great but is not small enough for just a night on the town and/or carrying for those spontaneous shots. Anyway, here are more vids/pic, these are from this past weekend.
Here is the birthday girl (the one with the Coronna in her hand). She is almost 70 years old guys.
Here is Guadalupe representing for the big gurls. I love she. lol
The Future Is Now!?!
As some of you already know, NYC is instituting new pay public toilets. That's right, you have to pay to pee. No more pee for free. I thought this pic in the NY Times is hilarious. These people are so proud of themselves.
Creative Challenge/Dating Disasters
Creative Challenge
The next creative challenge will focus on your resolutions/goals for 2008. Remember, your submissions can be anything from photos to songs to graphics. As longs as it ties into your idea for the theme.
Theme: Resolutions/Goals for 2008
Due: 2/1/08
Dating Disasters
Let me start off by saying that this is not a sad post. As some of you will testify, dating as a gay/bi/transgendered/transfigured (lol) etc makes for some horrible dating situations. Everything from people who still aren't comfortable with their sexuality having you jump out of windows from the fourth floor, naked to avoid being seen by their friends and neighbors. To those who are very comfortable with their sexuality having you jump out of windows from the fourth floor, naked to avoid their lover that they neglected to tell you about.
Well, I have been talking with a straight co-worker of mine who has been telling me about her life and dating. After listening to her for a while, I realized that breeders have their own issues and dating. Now, I have to admit, some of this was funny to me, actually both of us. She told me about this internet date where they were to meet for coffee. She was standing outside and saw the guy pull in. He pulled up to the curb and looked at her and drove right back out of the strip mall. The shade is that before she could get home, he had blocked her on the site. She then began telling me about how one guy had the nerve to tell her that she needed to do something about a little fat that is on her belly. Trust you me, she is by no means humongous. The shade is that the guy was under 5' 8" and was over 230 lbs and balding.
I began thinking about my worst date. I instantly knew that it was when I had met this guy back in Indiana when I was 19 years old. He lived out of town and invited me up. I wasn't going alone so I brought my half-brother (yes he was gay too) who was set up on a date by my date. We get there and it was ok until we got back to his place. My brother and I were thinking we were alone as double dates there until we heard noise upstairs. It was mine and and my brother's date sons upstairs playing together. Mind you we were just making out downstairs (not sex but close).
Then we go into the kitchen when I hear someone coming up from the garage. It was my date's wife. Oh yes, and she knew me by face, name and said that she knew I was here because my car was parked out front. That's right, that was my first time seeing or even knowing anything about her and she knew all of that about me. U-N-C-O-M-F-O-R-T-A-B-L-E!!!
So sound off, what was your worst dating disaster.
For those who like the original version of the song, here you go
