The Column of Life

Love Is the Devil (1998) In a more innocent time, painter biopics were, more often than not, sentimentalized fictions trading on the fame of the subject (van Gogh in Lust for Life , Michelangelo in T he Agony and the Ecstasy ). More recently, some filmmakers have courageously (and with varying degrees of success) used film to explore the lives of painters with intellectual honesty and their work with aesthetic understanding and in filmic terms (van Gogh - again - in Vincent and Theo , Caravaggio). Now we have a film that succeeds brilliantly on both counts. Love is the Devil is a riveting and disquieting portrait of a riveting and disquieting painter, Francis Bacon. Bacon's place in the pantheon of twentieth century painters is now firmly established, but at a time when anything other than abstract expressionism was ignored by the critical establishment, he went about developing a highly individual style of figurative painting, paintings which are often difficult to look at - lar...

Date: October 31, 2006 10:37:08 AM EST Subject: Quote of the day James Bond actor Daniel Craig has a large penis, according to his Casino Royale co-star Dame Judi Dench. The British actress caught a glimpse of the hunky actor's impressive appendage as he was getting dressed in his trailer which was situated opposite her own. Dench, who plays secret service boss M in the new movie, told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "It's an absolute monster! Maybe I shouldn't have said that. How uncouth of me!" This was reported last September: Casino Royale the 21st Bond film, is considered the front-runner in this year's all-important holiday box-office derby reports Latimes. The movie, the first Bond film since Die Another Day in 2002, could help determine whether 2006 is a full-scale comeback year. "I wouldn't bet against the movie," said Gitesh Pandya, editor of BoxOfficeGuru.com. "This franchise has been successful for four decades. The chall...

Kudos, once again to Olin and Baitz, executive production team for Brothers & Sisters . Scotty and Kevin's kisses seem to increase in intensity as they go along. Thank you for depicting two men caring about each other without fanfare or catering to those who might find it terribly wrong that men kiss, let alone like each other.

Soaps in Depth says this: People who happened to ne in New York City over the summer might have gotten an additional treat if they stopped in to see one of Ilene Kristen's singing engagements sprinkled around town. "I had a great time," she recalls, "and really had fun with the venues." Before performing in shows with ... "The Rosalinde Block Party." Kristen kicked things off a few months ago with a solo show at The Triad, a venue which later went on to host ... costar Kathy Brier. "It's a really good room," she shares of the club that she's performed at many itmes. "And becasue I've been playing there, I was able to spread the word of this place. And I'll be back there at some point." In the meantime, Kristen has other things to attend to when not singing ot taping he riotous Roxy scenes ... "Im going to see other people's music this fall," she smiles. "And that will be really fantastic." Fan...

Hubert Humphrey came very close to winning the 1968 Presidential Election. Nixon took that one by something like 500,000 votes and in a victory celebration acknowledged Humphrey's loss by saying that he knew what was like to lose a close one. What Mr. Nixon did not acknowledge were the Southern Electoral votes and the nearly 10,000,000 popular votes received by George Wallace of Southern segregation fame. The seeds for the GOP’s Southern Strategy were sown in 1948 when Strom Thurmond walked out of the Democrats' 1948 convention when none other than Hubert Humphrey himself called for a Civil Rights plank in the platform. Southern Democrats returned for 1952, 1956 and even 1960, when Roman Catholic John F Kennedy publicly placated overly sensitive Southern Baptists by declaring that his religion would not influence his governing. Times have certainly changed. Southerners went for Goldwater's States' Rights support and the deep South were the only States, besides Arizona,...

'Tis that time of year when many inhabitants of the United States of America start that long journey until after January 1st into overindulgence. The task begins now with Halloween with its tricked treats and ends with the New Year with its tricks and the call for designated drivers. In between there should be much dieting, while placing emphasis on the treadmills and related accessories. Easier said than done. It is that very reason that John Antorino's image graces today's Beefcake entry. He is a man who obviously knows how to handle the temptations of overindulgence while at the same time exemplifying what one might be better choosing to indulge in, so to speak. The recipe choice is very appropriate for the time of year and very much an exceptional suggestion for indulging either over or under. Scaloppine di Tacchino Seasoned Flour (sea salt & ground pepper) 2 Eggs, large beaten with milk 2 Cups Fresh beadcrumbs 3 Cups finely chopped pecans ...

Reichen Lehmkuhl Speaking at HRC National Dinner Our love affair with Reichen continues

Chris Isaak promoting his own agenda in the land of OZ

Lance Bass' boyfriend: 'Not going to hide' POSTED: 8:51 a.m. EDT, October 26, 2006 NEW YORK (AP) -- Lance Bass' boyfriend, Reichen Lehmkuhl, says he and the former 'N Sync star have been dealing with threats ignited by his new memoir about the trials of being gay while serving in the military. "We have to be very protective," Lehmkuhl tells the TV show "Inside Edition" in an interview that was to air Wednesday. "I am not going to hide," says the former Air Force captain and winner of season four of CBS' "Amazing Race." "There are threats that come in from people who do not want me to be so public and expose what is going on in the military." Lehmkuhl, 32, says that he and Bass, who revealed he is gay in July, forward the threats to private security personnel who send what they consider the more serious ones to the FBI. "Everything is being covered so we feel safe," he said. Lehmkuhl's book, "He...

Homosexual agenda? Associated Press Thursday 26 October, 2006 10:18 | Embattled Indiana Representative John Hostettler has launched a new campaign ad that warns a vote for his Democratic opponent could trigger a shift in House leadership and advance a "homosexual agenda." In the one-minute radio ad, paid for by "Friends of Republican John Hostettler," an announcer impersonating Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" character says a vote for challenger Brad Ellsworth would be a vote for San Francisco Democrat Nancy Pelosi as House speaker. "Pelosi will then put in motion her radical plan to advance the homosexual agenda, led by Barney Frank, reprimanded by the House after paying for sex with a man who ran a gay brothel out of Congressman Frank's home," the narrator says. In 2004, Hostettler drafted the Marriage Protection Act, designed to prevent federal courts from ordering states to recognize same-sex marriages permitted in other states. Frank,...

Video Proof: Bully's Jimmy Hopkins likes to kiss boys A game worth playing

Barney Frank Blasts Hypocrisy of Closet Gay Republicans Barney is a great American. This is what it is all about. It would be if they had their way.

Just when least expected, someone in a mainstream medium comes along and does something creative and valid in the depiction of gay men loving . Much ado was made about Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck making forays into the very same realm. Column was not the least among much adoers. Perhaps it was Brokeback withdrawal that brought so many to that hope party. Rescue Me was a tease that quickly turned into a locker room joke. Julian and company on Nip/Tuck were much better at teasing and even provided some wonderful sights. But it is Ken Olin and Jon Robin Baitz, the creative team behind ABC's prime time Soap Opera, Brothers & Sisters , that gave us a realistic and fearless portrayal of a gay super couple in the making. Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) not only went on a date, as did the rest of the Walker clan, and not only kissed, as well as thoroughly misunderstood one another but had an immediate rapprochement with an even better kiss that seemed to lead to so...

Written in the late 60s by Harry Nilsson for the Ronettes, Phil Spector refused to release it. It became a rare gem sought by collectors for years. The Ronettes' version was replete with sound effects as a follow up to the splendid, "Walking in the Rain." Red Bird gave it to the Shangri-Las where its power was diluted. Bette Midler recorded, of course, what amounted to satire. It is the quintessential "Girl Group Song" appealing to raging adolescent female hormones. The song is either high camp or intentionally campy, but it is glorious in its proclamation of what passion and true love might be. Jim Webb's production of The Supremes with Jean Terrell in the lead was yet another unique cut on the album he did for them on Motown, Jean's penultimate endeavour. One gets lost in its emotions in spite of one's self. It is their version you hear on the main site. There is a land I know ...

New York living makes for constant discovery. There is always something new and, if not necessarily exciting, at least interesting somewhere around the bend. It is very much like the artichoke with its many layers and delcious, absorbing secrets. It is no secret that New York is home to much talent. Since the beginning of this, the most beautiful month of the Fall, Metropolis unfolded to present Thorsten Kaye, Ilene Kristen, Brian Sheridan, Alicia Minshew, Colin Egglesfield, Walt Willey and Sydney Penny not to mention the discovery of Druids and Scarlatto as great places to imbibe and enjoy a repast, plus the old standbys of Prohibition and La Cantina Toscana and across the river NC Winters was exhibiting his unique creativity. The heart of New York City is very much like the above mentioned group of sensitive, and creative people who are not only interesting but verge on the exciting. So in honour of the secrets of the artichoke, please find a recipe utilizing its heart. Speaking ...

NEW YORK (AP) -- "Grey's Anatomy" star T.R. Knight says he's gay, but hopes people don't consider that "the most interesting part of me." The 33-year-old actor addressed rumors of his sexuality in a statement to People magazine Thursday. "I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there," Knight's statement read. "While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." Knight plays Dr. George O'Malley on the popular ABC drama. A former stage actor, his television credits also include "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." Knight's "Grey's Anatomy" character, a bumbling, puppy-eyed surgeon, has long been in love with Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ...

Join Colin at Team for Kids Fundraiser at Prohibition 84th & Columbus . Team for kids is a great cause. It is an organization that sets up running programs throughout the country for underprivileged kids. These programs help kids help themselves physically and mentally. Or at least visit his gallery on www.column-of-life.com

And the Rush Limbaugh Egodystonic Award goes to Mark Foley From the The Palm Beach Post : A Catholic priest is being named by former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley as the man who allegedly molested him when he was a teenager in Lake Worth. Gerald Richman, an attorney for Foley, said Tuesday that the name of the priest will be given to church officials at the Archdiocese of Miami as early as today. Asked whether Foley could prove the priest molested him about 30 years ago, Richman said, "I can't comment on whether he has proof but I can tell you that I think it is going to be very clear in the coming days that it is a fact as opposed to any possible allegations that it is a fantasy or something made up for political purposes." Asked about the priest's whereabouts, Richman said, "I can't comment on whether the person is a member of the archdiocese or his present status. I can only tell you that the person is still alive." Another former priest, Willie Romero, told ...

When beset with pettiness and dysfunction, the realities of living and dying come along to put things in perspective. Mark de Solla Price, colleague and friend sent this article along and had this to say: "... When I was dealing with Vinny's battle to get a liver transplant, he was incredibly kind and helpful. A Connecticut boy (like Vinny and me), he was a real hero and an old-school activist who put his body and life on the line. I'm going to miss him. "-- Mark San Francisco Chronicle AIDS activist succumbs Getty pushed for experimental treatment protocols: Sabin Russell, Chronicle Medical Writer Saturday, October 14, 2006 Jeff Getty, a courageous Bay Area activist who inspired a generation of advocates for AIDS treatment and underwent an unprecedented bone marrow transplant from a baboon during the darkest days of the epidemic, died Monday after a long struggle with the disease. He was 49. In December 1995, before antiviral drug combinations began saving the lives ...

The Rosalinde Block Party at Prohibition It's been a great Summer Gig. 84TH & Columbus 9-MIDNIGHT. No cover. Great Food! Great People! It's where the good guys go.

Ooooo, ya, ya, ya, ya Ooooo, ya You make me laugh 'Cause your eyes they light the night They look right through me, la, la, la You bashful boy You're hiding something sweet Please give it to me, yeah, to me, ya To me Ooh, oh, talk to me some more You don't have to go You're the Poetry Man You make things all right, ya, ya Ooooo, ya, ya, ya, ya Ooooo, ya You are a genie And all I ask for is your smile Each time I rub the lamp, la, la, la When I am with you I have a giggling teen-age crush Then I'm a sultry vamp, ya, ya Talk to me some more You don't have to go You're the Poetry Man You make things all right, ya, ya Talk to me some more You don't have to go You're the Poetry Man You make things all right Ooooo, ya, ya, ya, ya Ooooo, ya So once again It's time to say so long And so recall the call of life, la, la, la You're going home now Home's that place somewhere you go each day To see your wife, ya, ya, ya To see your wife Wooo, oooh Tal...

While it may not be as American as apple pie, today's recipe for Apple Spice Bread is as easy as pie. It will go well with the morning coffee come election day, which is fast approaching. November 7, 2006 is just slightly more than three weeks away. Even if the best that can be hoped for is that Rick "Forrest Gump with Attitude" Santorum will be sent on his way, it will be more than worth the wait. Chances are there will be more exciting news than that. The Washington Post has this to say: Democratic operatives do not publicly say that they went out of their way this year to recruit candidates with a high hotness quotient. Privately, however, they acknowledge that, as they focused on finding the most dynamic politicians to challenge vulnerable Republicans, it did not escape their notice that some of the most attractive prospects were indeed often quite attractive. Read the rest here . The Republicans should not hold the monopoly on hot young men. Our hot young man disp...

Keith Olberman has this to say: David Kuo, who was the number two guy at the Office of Faith Based initiatives in the White House writes a scathing account of how the administration used Christians to grab and maintain power. This story validates Tucker Carlson's admission that: " The deep truth is that the elites in the Republican Party have pure contempt for the evangelicals who put their party in power ." Crooks and Liars has more of this . This is the heart of the matter of the Foley scandal: It is not so much that his behaviour was inappropriate or that he bedded a 21 year old. It is the absolute hypocrisy involved in maintaining power. Interesting how rights for the LGBT population has been used by the GOP as a wedge issue and how it is now a focus of this election cycle in a way they might have never imagined. Pictured above left, a soldier from the Christian Soldiers site and below left, two gay christians. The 'twain is meeting somehow.

Sometimes the most brilliant takes on homosexuality come from the most unlikely of sources -- a woman. Stephanie Sandberg from the Huffington Post touched on many issues that have to do with what same gender loving and sexuality is all about in a post about the Foley scandal that says a bit more than meets the eye. Denny Hastert seems remarkably suited for his particular sorry role and the way the Foley disaster has played out. Consider that Hastert was a high school wrestling coach. His charges were young males, at an age when beauty, rage, strength and tenderness merge in a coursing confusion of hormones, grappling with each other in tights for hours on end in a steamy gymnasium. If you were Denny Hastert -- glance again at his puzzled face, his hunched shuffle as he heads to the podium -- could you afford to allow thoughts of sexual tension surface? Read all of it here: At the Huffington Post. If you want to bring it all home, go here . The concept of coming out as a public and poli...

Jon Stewart Exposes Gay Congressional Network Behind Foley Aren't LOGO and Here! the Gay Networks?

Rep. Barney Frank talks about the Foley scandal. One of the few out politicians on Capitol Hill, Democratic congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts (who survived his own scandal involving a male prostitute in 1989) gives us his take on Foley and on being a gay politician in Washington. By Matthew Link An Advocate.com exclusive posted October 4, 2006 Even though at least two other members of Congress have dallied with pages in the past (Democratic representative Gerry Studds of Massachusetts, with a male page in 1973, and Republican representative Dan Crane of Illinois, with a female page circa 1983), Mark Foley's current scandal and admission of being gay seem to have set the D.C. closet on fire. One of the few out politicians on Capitol Hill, Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank (who survived his own scandal involving a male prostitute in 1989) gives us his take on Foley and on being a gay politician in Washington. What do you think will be the political fallout of the Foley ...

Being Italian is one of life's blessings. This WebLog has made no secret of the beauty of those origins and like anything else pertinent to the human existence it needs to be celebrated. Columbus Day ain't it. Columbus farmed himself out to Spain and Queen Isabella to plant firmly the Spanish flag in what he thought was India. Italy, at the time, was a geographic expression and home to a number of competitive kingdoms and duchies. Un bordello . He was a navigator and a business man. That's all. Italians here and elsewhere are much more than that. Italian-Americans are passionate beings who bring to the cultural table a rich and varied heritage. Perhaps there should be a Michelangelo Day , an Enrico Caruso Day , a Frances Cabrini Day -- hey! even a Frank Sinatra Day . Many would even appreciate an Italian Underwear Day ! The great sound of La Springfield's greatest selling single can be heard here. It was a lush Italian pop song that she heard at the San Remo Festival...

Some dishes need to be served immediately and while they are hot. Fall and winter dishes are primarily rib stickers that keep the inner fires well stoked. Needless to say everyone has those young, fetching acquaintances virtually performing the same task. The attributes, smooth, creamy , tangy and pungent take on more involved meanings. Gorgonzola in both forms reaches its delectable state by getting moldy, more or less. That's what the blue in blue cheese of any origin is. Gorgonzola has a texture and quality all its own. Sweet Gorgonzola is what's called for in the following recipe. It's younger and more malleable. Yes, of course. Pasta al Gorgonzola 400 grams of Ditali Rigati 100 grams of Gorgonzola Dolce 50 grams of Sweet Butter Small glass of Heavy Cream chopped parsley, sea salt, pepper 1. Slowly melt the butter in the cream over low heat adding salt and pepper to taste right up to the point of boiling. Before it gets there remove it from the heat. 2. The Gorgonzol...

There was an event at an inviting bar/restaurant in charming Hoboken, NJ. Interesting how easy it is now to apply that epithet to Sinatra's home town. Still, today it was, both inside and out. Mr. Kaye had a book signing at Trinity, the aforementioned bar/restaurant to which came many people, preponderously female, from far and wide. Some crossed borders to see their favourite actor. An experience like today's establishes that Thorsten Kaye is above and beyond being an actor. He is an artist. This line from his poem Winter more than validates that opinion: ... the revelry the years when youth was permanent ... A portion of the proceeds from today's event were donated to First Book -- a national nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Visit the site where the book is available and the purchase of same he...

A gay police officer named Mr Gay UK. Charlie Parker from Queer Planet UK says: Blackpool's Flamingo Club played host to this year's final of the Mr. Gay UK contest, where Mark Carter, aged 23 from West Yorkshire was crowned the UK's most desirable gay man. Judged by a panel consisting of Big Brother's Lea and Dickie, Su Pollard, Rowetta and Anita Dobson, Carter won £5,000 worth of prizes, not to mention the photo shoots and personal appearances which come with the title. "I am absolutely 100 per cent over the moon. Two years ago I used to cry myself to sleep at night, I was so daunted by the prospect of coming out, but when I did, it was the best thing ever. I was so happy I could finally be myself" Carter revealed. "I came from a very straight background and upbringing, I played football, I was a sports captain, I had girlfriends. I thought telling people I was gay would mean no-one would want to know me, but at the Mr Gay UK final I had more people tog...

Daily Show: Annual GOP BBQ and Nude Cub Scout Wrestle Jon Stewart is a great American!

Mark Foley now finally knows what former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards meant when he said, "The only thing that will cost me the governorship is if I am caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy." ABC News found the live boy in the form of an e-mail and instant messaging exchange between the Florida Republican congressman and an underage male page. And now, finally, Foley can no longer cajole the media into keeping his private life a secret. Ten years ago, I outed Foley as a gay man for The Advocate, the national gay and lesbian newsmagazine. But aside from one story in the St. Petersburg Times, no other Florida or national publications would touch the tale, either because Foley and his camp did a great job of shooting the messenger or because of the inherent fear the media have to delve honestly and without judgment into a person's sexual background. Foley got tagged as gay in 1996 because he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, the first federal law that sought spec...

Lest we forget. The song being played on the site is one of the 70s Supremes' stand outs. Now I wanna tell ya--of a great love--ohh It will light up It will surely light up--darkened worlds If you just believe... Stoned Love, Mmm.. Oh yeah A love for each other will bring fighting to an end Forgiving one another Time after time doubt creeps in But like the sun lights up the sky with a message from above Oh yeah, I find no other greater symbol of love-- Yeah, don't ya hear the wind blowing MMmmhmm Stoned Love Oh yeah, I tell ya I ain't got no other Woo, woo, Mmmmh Stoned Love Aww yeah Life is so short Put the present time at hand Aww yeah--and if you're young at heart Rise up and take your stand And to the man On whose shoulder The world must depend I pray for peace and love--Amen Oooh--can't ya feel it--mmm hmm Stoned Love I tell ya I ain't got no other Ahh haa Stoned Love Aww yeah If the war 'tween our nations passed--oh yeah Will the love 'tween our br...

Joe Fontao, Location Manager A little over ten years ago, all Joe Fontao wanted was to become a chef. Unfortunately, Fontao “didn’t really like the hours. So, I stumbled into this industry thanks to a suggestion from a friend.” Starting as a PA, Fontao worked his way up within MTV and covered awards shows and Spring Break for the network. Today, as a location manager for Viacom Networks and owner of his own location management company (Fontao Location Management), he certainly isn’t complaining about his career path. “For me, the proudest moment I have as a location manager is at the end of the show when you’ve done three weeks on a site at twenty hours a day and the last truck closes its door,” says Fontao. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the biggest show or the smallest one, it’s difficult. Your guys are exhausted, but you still feel good, somehow.” Fontao knows the exhaustion well. It was during this time as an MTV PA on Spring Break that he knew he wanted to become a location manager. “...