CityWOOF

Can’t afford Photoshop - $1200 - so I Google searched the term “Photoshop Alternative” and found this cool, free program called GimPhoto. It does all the same stuff, from what I can ascertain. I have always wanted to do some fun photoshoppy stuff with pictures. I’m going to teach myself how to use this new program and have some fun.

Here’s my first attempt. I snapped a picture of myself, airbrushed out some blemishes and added a bit of text. I haven’t figured out how to do much more than that yet.

Any of my readers know how to Photoshop or Gimshop? I’m anxious to learn.

I may use one of these as a profile photo…I dunno, know, I look kind of craaazy in them. Maybe I am!  If any of you are Photoshoppers, please feel free to mess with this image…as long as you show me the result!

Yesterday I went to a party at the home of someone I barely knew. I had met him at a workshop on hiv disclosure issues, and the whole little group of us kind of bonded and so he invited us to this summer barbeque. I knew that there would several people that I knew in attendance, and one in particular whom I have a crush on, so I went. It was a very nice, big house. The bbq was good. But people don’t seem to know how to throw parties, at least the guest list aspect. At this party there were three very distinct groups of people…

1. relatives and old college buddies, many of whom had flown in for the baby shower of one of the girls
2. Well-to-doish older gay men who’d known each other for years
3. random bear/leather types, clearly bar acquaintances. The eye candy, in other words

This grouping of people did not work. I don’t think it’s a good idea to throw such diverse groups of people together at a party simply to accomplish the goal of having as many people at your party as possible. The people who know each other always stick close to each other, naturally. Others are uncomfortable with, well, other. But I was happy to have been invited. My crush on the crushee only deepened. It didn’t matter that he was there with someone else. I left in a good mood, having smoked a bit of weed.

Today I cleaned house. All day. Didn’t do anything else; it was long overdue. It was the deep kind of cleaning, where you go into the corners of closets and under the bed and empty out all the drawers. I purged from my wardrobe anything that wouldn’t currently fit me. No more saving cute shirts for when I get thin again. No more saving ugly nicknacks that I hate. I also went through my CD’s and weeded out the ones that will never get listened to. I did the same with books. I did five loads of laundry.

There’s still more organizing to do. I need to take another pass through my T-shirts and possibly toss more of them. There is one T-shirt that I will never get rid of, however : A certain San Diego Padres shirt. It’s very special.

Tell me, do you fold T-shirts and keep them in a drawer, or hang them up? I think I need to continue to purge until they will all fit into one drawer.

I also wrote a furious 3rd scene of my play, A Fountain Filled With Blood. I like the scene. I love how the play is going. I hope anyone cares, once it’s done.

So?  Please comment on the T-shirt thing.  Hang or fold?

He Said It First

Portland has a great Pride event every year. It’s big, it’s fun…it’s a two-day event with a huge parade with street parties and a riverside festival. Lots going on. This year I didn’t march with any group; my friend Kelly and I just got ourselves a couple of folding chairs and parked near the reviewing stand at Pioneer Square and watched. The beautiful and sweet Shawn (love you) asked for some pics, and I did snap a few, so here are some of them.

It was a fun weekend.

Man, I’ve been busy!  Last week was our 4-day Beartown run, during which I was a contest judge and also stepped down from my role as Mr. Oregon Bear.  It was a really great event, the whole thing.  I didn’t take any pictures, but I know there are many floating around.  We have a lovely new pair of Bear titleholders, Phil and Victor.  It was party-party the whole time…and I’m much more sedate than I used to be, but I had a good time.  On Sunday afternoon, we Bears all piled our fat asses onto a boat and did a 3 1/2 hour brunch cruise down the Willamette river, and the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence held Sunday bingo as well. It was a lot of fun…I don’t think the staff and crew of the Portland Spirit were quite ready for amorous half-naked bears and  drag nuns, but, oh well…they survived.

I also hosted a close friend who was visiting from NYC last weekend.  Great to see him.  Then, things went wild at work as all the season subscribers were able to start purchasing addtional tickets for all the upcoming Broadway musicals, and also begin doing exchanges.  Crazy times, but fun, anyway.  I love my job.

THIS weekend is Portland gay pride.  This year I’m not marching with any group, I’m just going to enjoy.  Last year I was perched onboard a float in full leather with a sash.  Most other years I’ve marched with MCC Portland.  But now that I have renounced Christianity and have no official duties as a Bear, I’m going to really enjoy just watching the whole thing and taking pictures!

HAPPY PRIDE everyone!

This post idea is directly lifted from Urspo’s blog today about what would be on your Broadway Mix Tape. Here’s what would be on my mix tape…and I may just actually burn this CD!

“Overature/The Story of Chess” - Chess (Original Broadway Cast)

I really love this exciting, energetic overature. It’s dissonant and melodious almost at the same time and then weaves into the brilliant story of how the game of chess was supposedly invented. I don’t know if the story is true, but it sure is entertaining.

“Anthem” - Chess

With this CD out, I don’t think I’d be able to resist adding this gorgeous, passionate number about home and country living within one’s heart, no matter where they may physically be. “My land’s only borders lie around my heart”

“Someone Is Waiting” - Company

It’s just such a beautiful, soothing, hopeful song. And melodically very gorgeous. It’s Sondheim, he’s a genius, what you can say? Don’t say it, sing it. Love this song.

“Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You” - The Last 5 Years

In a song that is both heartbreaking and amazing, they are both saying goodbye to each other…but from different time frames in the relationship. She, having just been on an early date with him and realizing she’s falling in love, and he, at the end of their relationship, saying goodbye forever. Intricate, moving…this song makes me cry.

“Mama Will Provide” - Once On This Island

After so much emotion, time for some good fun. Love this bouncy calypso number from one of my favorite musicals ever.

“Let it Go” - The Full Monty

Staying in Fun Mode, I’d add this sexy bouncer of a tune about stripping it all off and away.

“Time and Music” - A New Brain

This song is just happiness and joy. It’s about 2 things that you “gotta have”, and it’s by the brilliant William Finn. I would love to see this show again, better yet, I’d love to play the role of the bearish nurse.

“Tear Me Down” - Hedwig and the Angry Inch

This is the exciting rocker that opens the show, it’s great. Really gets the show going. Very fun.

“The Long, Long Grift” - Hedwig and the Angry Inch

I love this number, it is so melodically interesting with it’s combination of sweetness and dissonance…regret, resignation. Quite poignant.

“Wheels of a Dream” - Ragtime

Ok, breathing again now… we can soar. This song is beautiful, I don’t care what anyone says. I think it’s worthy of Gershwin. Beautifully sung on the original cast album. Hopeful, lovely number.

“Gabriel’s Letter / My First Woman” - Kiss of the Spider Woman

This almost seems like a throwaway number, but there’s no such thing when you’re dealing with Kander and Ebb. I love songs where you hear the first part, then the second part, then they are layered on top of each other like a confection. Wonderful duet. Also, this song is a very nice reflection about a crush on a friendly, non-judgemental straight guy. Sweet, sad. Cool.

“The Proposal / The Night Was Alive” - Titanic, the Musical

Another example of the previous device. Two seemingly seperate songs, then you lay them on top of each and it’s magic. It always impresses me greatly when that happens. Gives me thrills!

“If I Can’t Love Her” - Beauty and the Beast

I think this song is such a perfect combination of composer and lyricist talents combined to make beauty. So moving, both lyrically and melodically. For a song that was only added because the movie became a stage play, this song is integral to the show. Love, love it.

“Our Little World” - Into the Woods

A pretty cool song that was not in the orignal cast album, but was in the revival. Not that this show needed anything more, but this is a great addition and gives the Witch and Rapunzel some nice moments.

“Happiness” - You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Just because. What a nice note to end a Broadway mix tape on. Always makes me smile with its gentle lyrics and lovely, timeless melody.

I had a pretty amazing, wonderful experience today. I took 4 copies of the first scene of the play I’m writing to a dramatist’s workshopping group, where real actors read and acted it aloud while real playwrights, directors, actors watched and listened. It was so great to get to hear my dialogue spoken out loud and I could get a feel of how it all sounds and flows. I loved it, and it helped a lot.

The vast majority of the feedback I received from those present was extremely positive. There were some interesting suggestions and comments. It was a great big boost of inspiration and it was very energizing to know I’m on the right track, and that other people perceive that the play is good and that they are looking forward to hearing what else happens. Always a good sign!

I’ve completed a draft of scene 2, and I’m very happy with it. I know exactly what else happens in the play, so I’m ready to jump in and start writing scene 3.

This play just might get produced. I feel pretty certain that it will, with further workshopping.

Also today, I was gifted, by a complete stranger, with a practically brand-new Yahama keyboard with all the bells and whistles. The manuals and cords were still in their plastic bags. I’m not sure it has ever been played! It’s big, beautiful, silvery, and has 76 keys with lots of cool features. I have always wished I could play the piano…with this “Portable Grand” that I now have, there’s not much stopping me. I’m going to start taking piano lessons!

Next weekend is Beartown. It’s going to a very busy weekend, as I relinquish my title and do lots of volunteering and appearing around the event. Should be fun! Ya’ll come.