I was roller skating my way to work, as I’m want to do, when I decided I needed to stop by that mysterious mural on 16th Street. While no one was looking I roller skated right into the art and communed with my sisters. Well, actually we did more posing and dancing than anything else. And, while we all agreed we do love ELO — we were growing a bit annoyed by the constant thud of the fake drums.

Sadly, just as I was about to take my leave —- Dad’s voice bellow’d out from the Heavens and told me I had to leave this plane of existence and return to serving as muse for the Masters. D’oh! Just when things were going so well.

Naturally, I did my best. I sang a cheezzy song but to not real impact. So, I knew I had to have a heart-to-heart with B. I went ahead and told him my true identity as fun loving disco imp and told him that I wanted nothing more than to stay here for a human eternity but that he would have to talk to Dad. Yes, my father is Zeus. And, while his heart is in the right place — he can be a real hard ass.

B wanted to know why I had kept such a secret from him. I was surprised he hadn’t figured it out yet. I had meant to tell him. Really, I had! But, I guess between my job as an Office Manager, my flash dancing gig at the Tenderloin strip club, my part time welding job and my job as muse to local Bay Area Artistes — I just forgot to let him know. He had been wondering why he was finding so much sparkle dust everywhere he turned. And, let me tell you, my dream of flashdancing and welding is not paying what it used to!

We met with Dad tonight. It was not much fun. Zeus really had his panties in a knot and I was in a hurry to get home to prep for my big SF Ballet audition coming up next week! Anyway, B really put on the charm. He explained to The Big Z that he loved me more than anything - and that if Z could just calm down and really believe in the magic of our love he would see fit to let me be! To free me from disco roller inspiration muse lifestyle! B went on to explain to Z that he, Ing and Alan really needed my glitter magic to fill their lives with silly love songs, hope and magical musical interludes. He asked Big Z if he would like to meet with Ing.

But Zeus sent a big bolt of lightning down which just barely missed my love!

Well, that just did it. I asked B to go back to the earthly realm so that I could talk to Dad. I didn’t really talk so much as sing. I sang about dolphins, rain, juke boxes, maniacs, and oh whoa whoa what feelings — and finally Zeus told me to beat it and never come back.

Next thing I knew I was standing on Harrison and 16th holding my roller skates.

You know, kids — it isn’t easy being me. But, I get to stay here! And, really — that is what matters.

“…Don’t let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Your destiny will arrive
I’ll bring all your dreams alive
For you…”

“…Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm
In a flash it takes hold of my heart — now, I’m dancing through my life!”

For the past month I’ve been excited about the upcoming release of this CD. Moving into 36 years now, I still get excited upon knowing that there is a new Barbra Streisand record on the way. The difference from being 4 years old and 40 moving into the 41st year is that I am not so open about my excitement. It’s not cool. Whatever.

Anyway, I got it tonight.

I plugged it in and laid down to get lost in that voice.

It’s not that the her performance was bad. I mean, this was the biggest selling concert tour of 2006 and it set records all over the country. But, this is the first time I have heard that voice unable to hold notes, hit the high ones and just old.

I had to turn it off in the middle of the 9th track.

I put disc one back in the jewel box and placed it in my CD cabinet. …where I guess it will stay.

It made me sad. Actually, it makes me real sad.

I will never listen to it again.

and run! For several weeks I’ve been seeing these posters about the city. The idea of people dressing in gorilla suits and running in a 7K marathon just makes me laugh. And, I attributed it to the normal eccentricities one sees in San Francisco. However, upon further inspection I have discovered that we are not the first city to hold such a marathon. In fact, I believe it started in the UK — and, in my opinion, this is another important sort of run.

The money raised by running around the city in a gorilla suit will go to fund saving the lives of the endangered gorillas of Africa. When I realized that this was not just a silly act, but a silly act designed to call attention to an atrocity which continues to be committed to beautiful animals who are actually probably our brothers and sisters. My stomach still turns when I think of that film from the 80’s about Dian Fossey in which we see the horrid mutilation of gorillas for financial gain. I think what makes it all the more horrid is the fact that we all know we appear to have evolved from these animals. They are so close to human it fascinates.

So, when we see people running through our gorgeous city dressed up in gorilla suits — I think it is important to celebrate the absurdity of the sight — and, to laugh. But, I hope we can all remember what the goal of this run is — and its importance. …And, to maybe offer lots of waters to the brave souls who opt to get in one of those hot suits and run. Oy! …Come to think of it, maybe we should offer a hug to the poor souls who have to dry clean those customs after they’ve been worn for a run in June! …It would be kind of funny to see them running across the Golden Gate!

…or, to see them going for a sail after their run.

Viva La Gorilla Run!!!!

“Get off my mountain!”

Apparently, doing the Muni Jig at bus stops is not the attraction it used to be.
People just stared at me as if I was demented. However, someone did toss me a quarter which paid the tax on my Diet Coke! Still, where there is a long bus wait I feel it important to do something to pass my time. A little dance seems to be the best thing.

B and I recently celebrated our first anniversary! It was a very sweet and romantic evening! I got him a dozen red roses and a big book on the quilting magic worked by the fantastical ladies of Gees Bend in Alabama. I did a bit of research and these ladies are considered the best quilters in the US. If for no other reason that since the days of slavery and in extreme poverty — these women still found ways to create a sense of self, empowerment, beauty — out of nothing but their imagination, old pieces of fabric and love. Cool. Why would I get B a book on quilting? I shall tell you! Yes, B is starting a quilting bee here in San Francisco which will be open to anyone interested! If you’re in the Bay Area and are interested drop me a line and I will put you in touch! I’m not doing it because I think it cool that B has his own thing. Oh, and I have no talents in this area. But, I do so love these quilts from Gees Bend. Anyway, I would just stab myself. And, from what I can tell — sequins and glitter are forbodden in the fine art of quilting. Is there a Goldfrapp quilt out there somewhere?!?!?

And, B got me some sexy underwear by Paul Frank — and some way cool socks also from the Paul Frank store! …but, most exciting is that he got us tickets to see The Goddess Witch of Rock, Stevie Nicks, on tour with Chris Isaak!!! It is the first show of their Crystal Visions Tour! I’m so excited!!!! And, we have kick ass seats! I’ve not seen Stevie live in well over a decade!!! And, now she is off drugs! So, that means she might not fall down when she does her spins — and I’m thinking she will probably remember the lyrics to her songs! I do so love The Welsh Witch, but you know it was odd hearing her sing “Sara” with just the words, “Oh, baby! Sara. Baby! Oh, Baby! Oh Sara…” …but, it was Stevie so me and my pal forgave it. What can ya do? I’m sure that blue lamp has caused damage over the years, too! …We shall be seeing Stevie and Chris get their musical grooves going in about a week! Yay!

It was a very hot day today! We are spoiled here. While it was absolutely gorgeous — it was close to 80 degrees and no one had warned any of us. We were quite hot. So, B and I took to the Element and went to Marin and turned a noun to a verb by “antique-ing” — It was fun! We purchased no antiques, but picked up some wicked cool cards to hang on the dining room wall. B is working on an art idea that incorporates odd size’d frames — and into them he will be placing these cards. It should be cool. He is an artist with a vision.

While we were in Point Reyes Station, I had to take a wiz really bad! And, there were no public restrooms to be found. So, I went to what I thought was a secluded area, pulled it out and took a pee. I was shocked as my pee was the color of Mountain Dew. …I think the young couple making out on the other side of the tree upon which I was urinating was surprised as well. (they were so quiet in their bliss I hadn’t noticed them there!) …And, of course there were several other folks milling about who I had failed to note as well. No one said anything. Everyone just looked shocked. B thinks it is because I was pissing in a public place and my urine was of a nuclear sort of color. Personally, those were looks of awe, desire and jealousy!

…Thank God there were no children present! I really thought it was a ’safe’ and secluded area. Go figure.

Anyway, after we managed to out run the local police — the rest of the day was quite cool! B got me a really neat-0 bracelet made up of little books that have been banned over history. ..the original covers of “Through The Looking Glass” “To Kill A Mocking Bird” etc — in between each linked little book is fake book that states, “I Read Banned Books!” …way cool!

I created a suggested play list for Lovely Meredith! I think she will enjoy it if she can find the songs. I hope to pick up some blank CD’s later in the week and I can rip it for her.
Anyway, I discovered that there are a good number of folks out there who forgot that Linda Rondstadt used to be really cool back in the day. Certainly, not Stevie Nicks cool, but cool all the same! Tumblin’ Dice!

Kisses from GayTown,
matty

I had an idea for a blog on my way home from work tonight. Tho, I had told Cool Cheeser I would do a post on my fave TV shows. I promise. I will. But, this idea hit me — and then I noticed that it was Big Gay Movie Night at the Castro Theatre. I got all excited till I saw the film that they were showing. Is STEEL MAGNOLIAS really a gay movie?!?!? I mean, I know it is a bit over-the-top, but I knew women like this when I was growing up and it is based on a true story. I always thought the problem with this film (and the play) was that it could have benefited from a female perspective vs. a male writer. Anyway, what’s so gay about it? What makes a movie gay? hmmmm.. But, I digress.

Oh, and, how does one make a film about the life of Edith Piaf in a realistic manner and secure a PG-13 rating. No. I don’t buy it. Ms. Piaf lived life — and it got fairly messy. Far too messy to secure anything but at the very least — an R. Why didn’t they just adapt from that B’way play that was done back in the 70’s that was supposed to be so awesome?!?! But, once again — I digress.

And does the world really need a smash broadway musical version of FLASHDANCE? I say not! This idea should be discarded immediately.

You see, I want to share with you some of my discard’d ideas for stories/poems. Not sure why. Maybe because I like some of my ideas, but I have not the energy or the talent to form them beyond a certain point. And, I do so love creating titles!

Carrie Fisher is the absolute Queen of Great Titles! I mean, I’m still trying to imagine what A NIGHT FULL OF SHOES would be about!!?!? …this was a fake movie title she created in POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE. …another kick ass title. Always knew she was too smart for that movie career. I love this picture. She looks great, but you know she must be annoyed.

OK — so here are some of my discarded ideas (and titles) for short stories and poems never made or finished — as I’ve rambled on and on —
I will cut my list of discarded concepts down to four!

1. TRIPPING DOWN JONES STREET: a twenty something, skinny gay boy decides to go for a walk while his laundry is in the spin cycle. It is a lovely summer day and he decides to drop his flip flops and go barefoot. …only to step on an abandoned syringe. Now, most would be worried about HIV/Hep infection (and with good worry) but my character manages to get just enough of The H in his bloodstream to experience that “high of highs” — and proceeds to have quite an adventure —

2. KOTEX PROMISES & BRECK REGRETS: a hot young man is an up and coming ad executive until he is given the task of formulating clever new promotions for femmie napkins favored by older ladies and cheap shampoo that makes most think of 70’s soft focus and twin girls tossing their hair about in fields of daisies. He has no choice but to turn to his mom for guidance.

3. IS IT SUPPOSED TO BE THAT SOFT?: dennis feels he has failed. he wanders into a cool clothing store in hopes of finding meaning to his life and a better understanding of why he can’t seem to get in the groove.

4. CASTRO FEAR — I think I got the idea for this in the 90’s after I moved to San Francisco for the first time. A sort of gay send up of the 90’s remake of CAPE FEAR — in my story, two 30 something gay guys with an adopted little girl are terrorized by a bitchy drag queen neighbor. I had envisioned a confused little girl trapped into a corner by the drag queen, Izzy, …who proceeds to lull poor Sandy into an odd sense of self as Izzy paints Sandy’s lips — then smears them in a most sinister way.

I was thinking of writing a post about this conversation I transcribed while at lunch the other day. The sort of awkward scene where two men behave very differently toward a woman with very different results. Or, I was going to write of yet another mis-adventure on the bus. Or, lament about my many ‘issues’ around the next Barbra Streisand CD release. Or, I thought I might write about something of great import. And, then I listened to the new Tori Amos CD and decided I would write about it! I mean, what is more important in my little world than art that inspires, motivates or intrigues me!?!? Correct! Hardly anything!

With an artist like Tori Amos I figure one either loves her — or, doesn’t. I think the same is true when it comes to most of the artists I like. There are very few artists who manage to hang in that “Well, she/he is OK” category. I like a bit of extreme in my art. I don’t like half commitment. If one wants to be indulgent — go all the way! If one wants to create work of social or political import — do it, baby! If one wants to ride the Glam Glitter Glory Wagon — Ride it, and please let me jump on for the ride!!! I do so love glam and glitter. Anyway, I guess I don’t see someone like Tori Amos being fully accepted for MOR or the mainstream.

She is one of those musical artistes who would be relegated to MTV’s 120 Minutes — if that show still existed and if MTV still showed actual Music Television. Or, you might find her on Night Flight …if that was still on the air. If you’re in the UK, you might catch her on Jools Holland program where interesting musicians get air time. In other words, she doesn’t go down easy (please, that pun was NOT intended!)

…As they often say about wine, some fish and one of my distant relatives: Tori can be an acquired taste. I acquired it about 16 years ago when I saw her play a few songs from a CD that would be called LITTLE EARTHQUAKES. I’ve never forgotten that experience. Seeing this unusual looking woman ride her piano as much as she played it — but not in a manipulated/planned out sex’d up way we are so use to seeing with performers. She was for real. A bit crazy, very inspired and completely lost in her sonic world.

Over the years she has developed (or has found the freedom) to develop her own style. She walked away from the Kate Bush/Elton John retro smash-up she seemed to be working a very long time ago.

Her devotion to womens, children and civil rights never falters. And, as a rape survivor, one has always been able to see her struggle against the machine of a culture that fails to nurture, support and protect rage onward.

No wallflower.

As she showed with UNDER THE PINK and BOYS FOR PELE — she is quite often out for blood. And, as she has shown in the last several years — she never loses sight of the importance of love, friendship and hope.

She fell in love, married a British man and packed it up to England years ago. Her new CD is a work in which she ’speaks’ thru multiple characters about the state of things. This collection is long and awesome! The sound is similar — like Led Zep funked up on piano and amp’d out on an intellect wire’d toward the revel-a-Tori. I love this CD. It took me two listens to grasp some of the ideas. Ever cryptic — this is not ‘easy’ listening.

So, I will leave you with a few quotes from the CD:

“I salute to you Commander
And I sneeze
Cause I have now an allergy
To your policies it seems
Where have we gone wrong America
Mr. Lincoln we can’t seem to find you anywhere
Out of the millions
From the desserts to the mountains
Over prairies to the shores
Is this just the madness of King George
…Well, you have the whole nation on all fours.”

“…Envy can spread
Herself so thinly
She slipped in
Before I could notice it

In my own war
Blood in the cherry zone
When they
Pit woman against feminist

Riding on backs of palominos
Ditching the blond shell
Working her hell
On that red carpet…”