The Column of Life

Not everything that is happening in NYC this evening is happening in Times Square, which in many ways has nothing to do with the real New York. Next recently provided an overview of the city's best drinks. The best of the best may very well have been the concoction offered by Posh bar the most unassuming of gay bars and a place where one culd have the most unpretentious of times. Happy New Year. Play nice.

a gay old time.

I'm sure you all remember Santa with the package . . erh, packages for under our tree from my Christmas post ... Well after some cajoling and arm-twisting (although I suppose the arm-twisiting is really part of another, more prurient story), I convinced him to hang around to help us bid a cheeky farewell to 2007. Come midnight I'm going to be in a real quandary. I won't know what to kiss first. Happy New Year / Bonne année

It's not the first time that those who come here have heard La Springfield channel the inner black woman in Gamble & Huff's "Live It Up." It's the young Dusty doing her best to incite happiness. It's the time of year when we straddle that fine line between happiness and depression. Many opt for the frenzy of desperately seeking joy. Those are the folks who keep a thin veneer on their loneliness. Many genuinely enjoy themselves. Some are recalling the very good times and make a valiant attempt at rekindling the youthful flames. Some are just flames in and of themselves. Curtis Stigers' joyous celebration of New York follows our Dusty with "New York Is Rockin'" and there is every reason to celebrate the USA's greatest city, albeit not its most beautiful. It's easy to identify with NYC once one has reached a venerable stage in life--using "venerable" for lack of better terms and as a euphemism for those stages that every

Also from last year: Would there be a way to celebrate holidays in the US without the ubiquitous pumpkin? It is everywhere from the end of October until the end of the year. Here is offered another way to make use of its attributes putting it together with that universal favourite, chocolate. Togetherness and cookies are part and parcel of this time of year. Today's message is comfort, sweetness and togetherness. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Puree c. 500 grams 2 slightly beaten eggs 2 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons milk 2 teaspoons almond extract 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 12 oz chocolate chips [milk is preferred by author, but semi-sweet might work] 4 cups all purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 1. In a large bowl combine pumpkin, eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and chips. 2. In a separate bowl, blend flour and baking powder. 3. Combine the ingredients in these two bowls and stir until well combined

Jacob who became the father of Israel by virtue of a bowl of lentils, which he'd been preparing, and used to buy his elder brother's birthright (and, by the way, went on to wrestle an angel) filtered that patriarchal event through many centuries so that the food became an Italian New Year's tradition: a required item on the New Year's menu -- Eve or Day, their shape brings to mind tiny coins and people eat them in the hope that they won't want for anything for the coming year. Lentils are very versatile, and, not to mention, nutritious. Therefore, two recipes are offered -- one more traditional than the other along with young gentlemen who seem to be quite versatile themselves. While it wouldn't be right to refer to them as nutritious, it seems they may know a thing or two about nutrition and wrestling angels Zuppa di Lenticchie (Lentil Soup) 2 tablespoons fruity Olive Oil 2 large garlic cloves, minced 1 medium onion, diced 1 small fennel bulb, diced 4 cups c

sex::tech Focus on Youth January 22-23, 2008 San Francisco, CA Sex::Tech will explore available tools and methods for reaching youth with culturally appropriate STD/HIV prevention and sex education interventions from a youth perspective, with input from public health professionals, educators, researchers, and technology developers. Institute for Next Generation Internet(INGI) San Francisco State University Downtown Campus 835 Market Steet, Suite 605 San Francisco, CA 94103

In his infinite bovine like wisdom, Pookie sent this reminder over about what is happening in the great progressive neighbour to our north. An obviously great little film that has a lot to say about masculinity. Here's the trailer Here are media links . Cutting Edge Comedy Makes The Big League NHL Endorses New Feature Film Toronto, ON (February 6, 2007) – Miracle Pictures and Capri Releasing announce the release of their feature comedy Breakfast With Scot . Laurie Lynd ... directed Sean Reycraft’s script based on Michael Downing’s novel. A funny and touching story about what—and who—makes a family and the surprising lessons of self-acceptance a child can teach an adult, Breakfast With Scot stars Tom Cavanagh (‘Ed’, ‘Scrubs’), Ben Shenkman (‘Just Like Heaven’, ‘Angels in America’) and newcomer Noah Bernett (‘Gothica’) as Scot. Paul Brown produced and Howard Rosenman and Nadine Schiff executive produced the film. Capri Releasing/Mongrel Media is handling domestic distribution. Produ

Et Verbum Caro Factum Est et Habitavit in Nobis. And the Word was Made Flesh and dwelt among us. The Word that came forth from God was made Flesh. Exegesis of ancient philosophy and thought places much emphasis on the power of the word. The Word that came from God took form in humanity. That’s what Jesus is supposedly all about: God and humanity as one and the same entity. John, the Beloved Disciple is the attributed author of the above quote which is essential to the Liturgy of the Word in Roman Catholic ritual, and is part of that ritual on Xmas. John was the one whose head rested on the chest of the Lord during the Last Supper. John was the one to whom the Lord entrusted his mother when he was dying. John is usually depicted as a young handsome man. He is the Beloved above and beyond the rest of the disciples. A type of intimacy was attributed to and recorded about John's relationship to Jesus. Let it be said here and now that Jesus Christ, according to the accepted Sacred Gosp

As Above So Below As Without So Within Peace and Merry Be, Giano

Christmoose

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Well, first, I thought I'd check with Pookie to see if he had any words to share, but apparently he's still concerned about how big his ass looked in that outfit that Giano had him pose in so he didn't have time to think of anything, but maybe later. So, from a member of animal kingdom ... ...with whom I share my home (after all I can't share it with Pookie, his ass is much too big.) And then because we've all been good boys this year and we deserve packages under the tree ... Now, I wouldn't mind sharing my home with him Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noël

Thank you for everything, Pookie! You're the best.

...over at datalounge who pointed this out. CBS News reported four years ago: (CBS) Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean has pulled away from the field in the Democratic Presidential nomination race: his support among Democratic primary voters nationwide has risen in the past month, and held steady after the news of Saddam Hussein's capture. But the race remains open: more than half of Democratic voters still have no opinion of Dean, most have not made up their minds for sure, and large numbers remain undecided. Dean has been a vociferous critic of the Iraq war. Most voters believe, as Dean does, that the U.S. is no safer from terror in the wake of the arrest of Saddam Hussein. And while Dean’s rise may have been helped along by former Vice-President Al Gore’s recent endorsement, most primary voters say Gore’s nod makes no difference to them. Dean has the backing of 23 percent of likely primary voters, the same as he did in the days just prior to Saddam's capture, and up from 14

Life is nothing Without a sweet bunch or two or three

Salmon Cakes New Potatoes, 500 grams, chopped One Lemon, juice and zest Milk, four tablespoons Green Onions, one bunch, sliced Cayenne Pepper, one qaurter teaspoon Salmon, two hundred grams, canned Flour, all purpose, two tablespoons Egg, one, beaten Breadcrumbs, 100 grams Extra Virgin Olive Oil, one tablesppon Coarse Salt Pepper

Sweet Potato & Coconut Soup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, four tablespoons Onions, two finely chopped Sweet Potatoes, 500 grams, peeled, roughly chopped Garlic, two cloves, crushed Ginger Root, peeled, finely chopped (3 inches) Chili Flakes, one half teaspoon Water, two and half cups Coconut Milk, 400 ml, c. two cups Coconut, grated, two tablespoons Coarse Salt Pepper 1. Heat the oil and gently saute the onion for about ten minutes, until golden brown. 2. Add sweet potatoes and saute for about five minutes, until it begins to brown. 3. Add garlic, ginger, chili, water and coconut milk. 4. Sprinkle on the grated coconut. Salt. Pepper. Bring to a fast simmer. 5. Do not boil. Cover the pan and simmer for about a half hour. 6. One the sweet potato is tender, allow the soup to cool down, then blend in batches. Return to saucepan, check seasoning and heat thoroughly.

'Tis the shortest day of the year, yet it is out of the darkness that we celebrate and await the light. We are forever on our way.

So nice, we want to remind you twice:

The New York Times 18 December 2007 (Cara Buckley) BAGHDAD — In a city and country where outsiders are viewed with deep suspicion and attracting attention can imperil one’s life, Mohammed could never blend in, even if he wanted to. Mohammed, 37, has been openly gay for much of his adult life. For him, this has meant growing his hair long and taking estrogen. In the past, he said, that held little danger. As is true throughout the Middle East, men have always been publicly affectionate here. But, at least until recently, Mohammed and many of his gay friends went one step further, slipping into lovers’ houses late at night. And, until the American invasion, they said, Iraqi society had quietly accepted them. But being openly gay is not an option in the new Iraq, where the rise of religious extremism has left Mohammed and his gay friends feeling especially vilified. In January, a United Nations report described the increased persecution, torture and extrajudicial killing of Iraqi lesbian

and continuing to be loyal to him ... Actor Colin Farrell credits his gay brother Eamonn for inspiring his portrayal of Alexander as a bisexual warrior king. The Irish star learned about being strong in the face of adversity from his sibling, who was bullied throughout his adolescence for his homosexuality. Farrell says, "He's a very strong man who had a hard time in school standing up for who he was. "He taught me about love and understanding." Look for him in Woody Allen's Cassandra's Dream . loyal One entry found. loyal Main Entry: loy·al Pronunciation: \ˈlȯi(-ə)l\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle French, from Old French leial, leel, from Latin legalis legal Date: 1531 1: unswerving in allegiance: as a: faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b: faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c: faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product 2: showing loyalty 3obsolete : lawful, legitimate synonyms s

Don't let the boyish good looks fool you, this man is a force to be reckoned with. Just ask your local bartender. Griffin DuBois is an actor about to make his mark on the New York City theatre scene. Hailing from upstate NY, Griffin graduated with his theatre degree from SUNY Albany in May of 2006, then went on to intern at the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE) in Bloomsburg, PA. Having only moved to NYC a few months ago, he just recently finished a production of Chicken With Stars (Hank) at the Looking Glass Forum.