Whoever said it (It's variously attributed to Socrates, Heraclitus, Solon of Athens, Pythagoras, as well as several others.), you sir, clearly DO "Know thyself"...or at least know your ability to fill out a tight pair of speedos despite bone-chilling (ha!) conditions.
For that, I salute you!
Earlier this week New York's Amy Odell asked a question: Where are all the plus-size male models? Her answer explores the booking agent side of the equation and touches on the big-and-tall market. With the bourgeoning of the bear-clones still in progress, there are many gay men in their twenties pursuing the burly aesthetic. So should there be models representing their body types?
While many fall into the "okay so I'm a bear so that means I wear plaid or an ironic or maybe vintage tee because I'm both vigorous and youthful" contingent, many are looking for other options for their wardrobes. With respect to that growing market, Fantastic Man did do their fashion bit in Summer 2010.
So, there they are, your plus-size male models in of-the-season fashions, but there is a problem. The shoot becomes about the models and less about the clothes. Check the bathing suit shot, the model on the left is "sucking it in" (or at least appears to be). What happens now is that you look at the models and not the clothes.
While models over the years have had some degree of celebrity, their function is to sell clothing. The best way to present clothing is on an angular, thin frame, not on a larger body that can distort the cut and fit. It's for this economic need that you won't be seeing a lot of shoots like the Fantastic Man spread.
Is it "size-ist" or just economic pragmatism? At the end of the day, the rule is "Sell the garment, sweetie". And that is something better done by the model with angles like a hanger, not a donut.
Put the cupcake down if you want a Tom Ford anything, bear. Turns out the designer isn't making special clothes for the plus size set. Before you get all, "I didn't want any Tom Ford clothes anyway," put down the sour grape jelly donut too, because Tom Ford is making beautiful things, just not for you.
Read more about it in this week's New Yorker (maybe while you're on the treadmill later today), or read Mister Choire Sicha's excerpt.
(And yes, we did change fonts today, making this a little hard to read. Oopsie.)
My friend, Amir, is really looking forward to this. He's never been and is in need of escort. He is smart, as can be evidenced by the following exchange between he and his boss:
Amir: "In Tel Aviv, if you see someone who's on steroids, you know he's gay. Here everyone is!"
Boss: "Gay or on steroids?"
Amir: "Both!"
Besides being a quick study (he just moved here!), he's attractive, gainfully employed and single. He appreciates - very generally and non-offensively - an aesthetic in keeping with that being sold by the Bear/Not Bear guy.
Best comment on this post gets his number and an introduction tonight at The Highline Ballroom.
Happy Pride, Peeps!
The schedule's FILLED! Events OUT THE WAZOO (And in. And out. This IS Pride after all?!)! Tourists and trannies and thongs, oh my! Tellingly(?) Rod and I are both out of pocket this weekend. And yet, we're VERY proud, so...not sure what that fact tells.
Back to the calendar, there's so much to do you need to study up. Browse the FYF Calendar and make a list of your priorities. There's something - quite literally? - for everyone.
Speaking of something for everyone... Old-timers? Remember the track that kicks off this post? I would be willing to swear I had it as a cassingle. And I wore that shit OUT! U2's original? Major. Clivilles + Cole's techno remix? I LIVED!! Did you?
[For the purists and lovers, here's the full version. The track posted above is from the "Gladiator" movie soundtrack and is both shorter and has better sound quality than any full version I could find on YouTube.
U2's original track here (remember when they were young!? My GOD!).]
Seems it's not just "smug" young "post-mos" in Canada who are deriding or upending common "gay labeling" conceptions -- the dude (Yeah. Dude.) whose tumblr we're highlighting here has a particular vision of what it means to be BEAR and he's not apologizing if you're offended/incensed/dare to quibble.
Via FYF Friend Tony D'Agostino, here, without further ado, is Bear/Not Bear. An example of the "dichotomous" presentations which populate said tumblr appears above.
So what the fuck?! Is nothing sacred anymore?
Let's hope not.
Maybe those Republican ass-hats in Albany will get a clue and pass marriage equality if they'd stop insisting marriage is.
Just in time for Pride comes the Ungrateful Faggot meme. Just what is that? FYF Friend "Meme Queen" wrote us:
Ungrateful Faggot is a type of homo who partakes in homo culture, and reaps the benefits of such a culture to a certain extent, but also tries incredibly hard to be beyond it. So no rainbows, no parades. But still the freedom to have sex with who they wish, to be openly and smugly gay, and to provide a running commentary as a gay man or queer person. Such commentary often being negative views of the gay community while simultaneously coming from a freedom that wouldn’t exist without that same gay community. Ball all that up and add some hip youthful style and you’ve got Ungrateful Faggot.
The sentiment didn't just erupt from nowhere. An article in Toronto's "The Grid" generated a huge reaction last week both in that city and elsewhere. The author claimed for himself the label "Post-Mo", or a post-modern homo, including quotes from several of similar mindsets (and a clonishly similar style). The reactions were largely negative, pointing out pretensions and other fallacies in the author's assertions. One photo was grabbed from the article and voila, a meme was born.
Some favorites:
An FYF friend submits the above picture to our learned and expert audience for analysis.
It's an "armchair" (though I think that's a gross over or understatement depending on your sexual orientation/preference!?) made for British King Edward VII, who was purportedly a connoisseur of cunnilingus...or at least that's the most plausible explanation I can propose for the particular structure and organization of the chair.
How do you think it was used?
Additional details and clues here and here. The thought is this ride was made for three?
Tangentially, Edward (below) was kind of an archetypal bear...at least in look (he just licked the ladies, though, so far as anyone knows.).
Photo of Edward via
So, yes, there is a new energy drink out there called Bear Semen. And of course it is called Bear Semen, because why would it not be. According to the manufacturer:
Bear Semen is the Manliest Drink on Earth. This drink won't just give you a hairy chest, this drink will give you hairy eyeballs. Simply buying this drink will make you the most manly man in a hundred mile radius, even if you are a woman.
As for what is in it, well, they don't actually mention any ingredients, so perhaps it is just pure Bear Semen. You of course want this, don't you? You can get a six pack for just $16.00.
(Thanks to Mister Corey Craig for the head's up.)
Michael as bear?
Up-and-comer (Only? Not full-fledged? Unsure.) Michael Fassbender has been incredibly busy of late and is scheduled to work at an even more break-neck pace this year if we're to believe reports from recent articles about him. Upcoming appearances in X-Men: First Class, Jane Eyre and other sure-to-be-blockbusters have given him "most wanted" status, at least among agents/producers/directors in Hollywood.
Apparently he has quite a "magnetic" (*groan*) effect on many of those who encounter him: On the set of Jane Eyre, co-star Mia Wasikowska reports there was some "trouble" with a horse ("Oh look! I think he likes you!") Michael was supposed to ride in a pivotal scene.
Recently, a group of NYC leathermen/bears/gays served as extras on the set of a movie Michael is currently shooting -- background for a pick-up scene set in a leather bar (Guess where!)...
[Insert clever/quip-y ending involving "horse-hung" or "his power really IS to make things 'rise'" or the like here.]
Image via
They made a movie about me!
I am winging my way to less-enlightened warmer climes tomorrow to visit my parents but for those of you huddling together for warmth over this bitter cold weekend, I highly recommend (for smartphone owners)
Down in Alabama (my homestate), I plan to get to the bottom of this whole "brother and sister" thing, in particular as it relates to Alabama's sordid reputation for incest (obviously, I'll be doing more research into who is my "brother" than who's my "sister".). Wish me luck avoiding prison/a bashing/being lynched!
Tonight, however, there's a rare (the first in New York, actually!) opportunity to hear THE MAGICIAN (formerly of Aeroplane) spin at the FIXED party at PUBLIC ASSEMBLY. Tickets seem to be available only online. If you haven't gotten into his mixes, I highly recommend.
Also tonight, the CLUBBER DOWN DISCO kids celebrate passing their police, fire and buildings (maybe some other agency, too.) inspection last week with..MORE disco! Genius! (Basement of the CHELSEA HOTEL; LADYFAG, LADY TAI and JASON THE BLACK TEENWOLF host with RYAN SMITH at the door.)
Cross town, MICHAEL T.'s birthday extravaganzaS continue tonight at his residencey at WHITE NOISE (the old Hose) with guest DJ RICH KING (and others).
For those who prefer laughing to cutting a rug/fist-pumping, ELIOT GLAZER's hosting a viewing of OPRAH'S LEGENDS BALL: LIVE at UNION HALL. The footage is from 2005 when O invited nearly every female African-American celebrity to her Malibu home for a weekend retreat. The ensuing mayhem sounds rife for comedic interpretation. Also: Giveaways! Surprise guests! "Just like Oprah would!".
On the other hand, dance like no one's watching under the masterful musical programming of DJ STEVE TRAVOLTA at the THE 128 WEST HOUSTON EXPERIENCE at CAYENNE. Go on. DO it!
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Tomorrow, there's SPANK Mag launches and FAMILY FUNCTIONS to attend, Geeks at auction, CHERYL for Londoners and TRIPPIN' ON THE MOON VI/6 where it's REAL old school. There's Daniel Naridicio's party for the young BUCK! and a new party from DJ Nita & Co. called BILLY CLUB?! Hit me with it! Me!!
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Sunday, SNAXX: TEA IS THE TIME completes its transition from Friday night dance party to Sunday Tea Dance and relocates to the basement of the MONSTER, Bears snuggle (and provide their own warmth?) at ROCKBEAR BEER BLAST, the (real) kids carry on at GRIFFIN SUNDAYS and LADY BUNNY, ARI GOLD and FORMIKA join PEPPERMINT to take a (dim?) REAR VIEW of XES LOUNGE.
Everything's "spelled out" in the FYF Calendar, as ever. Hit it up for more events, too.
Be back Wednesday! Pray for me!
There are a lot of Vaughn Walkers on Facebook, and most of them are not white! While most are very private (which goes with that "other" Vaughn's take on wiretapping) there is one Vaughn Walker that is out of the closet as a fan of Good Hair! Anyway, we all pretty much know all about Reagan-appointed, gayish Judge Walker and his well-written finding, so let's check in with the rest of the world for the CPR.
That video with all the strippers in it is after the jump, so keep reading.
Continue reading "Civilization Progress Report: Vaughn Walker loves Good Hair." »
“Decades later, ruffians remain the choice. The hellion in my heart beats nervous tension at all in the least. I know the secrets to sly knaves, each & every one. All will be calm. All is bliss & rapture.” – André Paul Guillaume Gide, 1973.*
In the early ’90s,
I am a cuddly, asexual coquette,
clambering up
from lowest on the totem pole,
the B.I.T.
everyone laughs with,
at & at & at,
12,
in the senior play
at my unadventurous prep school.
The lead
is J.D.,
bulldozer.
He is the high-school god,
a heavy-duty Filipino,
19,
hears “chartreuse” or “chanteuse,”
thinks “charcuterie,”
football team captain & center
who tackles like Concrete & Brick
battering
Walls of Cement.
Oh, look. It's another version of Grindr, but this time just for "the bears". Like Grindr, Scruff has the same rules about nudity and sexual suggestions (although if you look close user "miklehung" has gotten around the rules there.
This past weekend the topic of bears, radical faeries, and other subsets came up. There's a crossroads where "finding like-minded friends" meets "setting up constructs to justify lifestyle choices" meets. While understanding how groupings arrive and while encouraging of folks to find one another, the old adage of "live and let live" always comes to mind. It seems the more one limits their exposure to the variety of people in life, the more alienated one becomes. If you limit your choices to a pre-determined subset, are you making it easier for yourself or harder in the long run?
(More on this as the week goes on. And more "Scruffiscapes", too.)
And they're cute! The designer, Justin Hall, also created similar bear images in other bear themes for use on bear greating cards. While bear-marketed to bears with bear interests, the shirt would perhaps be interesting on a twink, transsexual, art fag, leather fetishist, gym bunny, Chelsea queen, 'burg boi, Queens queen or straight woman.
Some of my favorite Bears from a shoot for last year's UBW
As I mentioned yesterday, this weekend is Urban Bear Weekend here in New York. Follow the link for the complete rundown of events, but know that all the events also show up on the This Is FYF calendar for your reference (of For Your Fun?).
Very briefly --- Tonight's opening and meet and greet takes place at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas just prior to a screening of the Spanish film, "Bear Cub" (quel a propos!). Immediately following, a new weekly Thursday night party, Behr, kicks off up at Elevate. Tomorrow night, there's a special edition of Bana for the revelers, after a Bear Crawl of Christopher Street and a comedy revue at Comix. Saturday there's a Bear-B-Q at the Eagle and an UnderBear party at newly-opened Boxers NYC. Sunday, there's a Street Fair, as well as a Cub Cuddle party...and it all ends with a one-night only return of Truck Stop at The Park.
Grrowrrr that's a lot!
Gus says, "BEwARe! Groans ahead..."
In case you've been under a rock, or would sooner jump in the (polar) bear enclosure at the Central Park Zoo then keep up with the ongoing Bear hair-steria (which - if that IS YOUR case - you likely won't want read further), this weekend is Urban Bear Weekend here in New York City. For complete event details, visit the official website here.
Not only is it Bear Weekend here, but the Bears are modeling in San Francisco (Walter Van Beirendonck shows in San Fran, original post courtesy of BUTT. More clips of the show here.), opening their comfy and plaid home and base for their successful fashion line (Costello Tagliapietra) in Carroll Gardens (that's my 'hood, yo!) and just generally throwing their weight around (I know! I know!? I'm sorry...I couldn't resist.) seemingly everywhere you look!
It's PANDA-moan-ium! (See what I did there? Do you see?)
While we're on the subject...though neither Rod nor I self-identify as Bears, we're often lumped in the Bear category, or a Bear sub-category (Otter, Cub, Wolf, Ferret, etc.) by default (I assume it's the beards), which can be a bit sticky (Oh god! I can't stop!) - at least for me - at times. Sticky primarily in a cognitively dissonant kind of way as I'm trapped between appreciating the flattery implicit in, say...a "woof"; or between welcoming the friendship and affection of a self-identifying Bear, while - at the same time - holding generally negative beliefs about cliques, conformity and a mob mentality that (largely) inform my view of Bears (or any gay clique) as a group.
Even as I say that, I fully recognize we have to use some method, or criteria, for choosing our friends, so why begrudge those who choose based on shared anatomical characteristics?? Besides, interpreting the fact that a mass of guys have chosen friends and lovers based on similar girth and hirsuteness as a personal affront is a bit self-aggrandizing, isn't it? It really has nothing to do with me/you (e.g. - They weren't thinking, "Let's create a social circle that expressly excludes Duane.".).
In the end (no pun...THIS time.), individuals who either self-identify as Bears, or who fall into the Bear category anatomically make up some of my best friends, while others in that same group inspire within me the greatest lust/attraction I've ever known.
On the long ride
to the 9 to 5,
I’m on autopilot,
Bacchus with reined whirls,
through hooligan rhythm and baying worry lines
in trousers
for dinner and aloof pudding.
I may be too stay-at-home
to be aggressed.
I’m a rush.
There are murmurs to the left
and reflexes to the right, motorized
and flat,
power-driven like a stiff feather,
as you hole-punch
my faintly breathless ticket.
Continue reading "Bear Sonnets - “Ode to the Bear Train Conductor from New Jersey Transit”" »
