The Column of Life

According to Wikipedia: The main course is usually the heaviest, heartiest, and most complex or substantive dish on a menu. The main ingredient is usually meat or fish; in vegetarian meals, the main course sometimes attempts to mimic a meat course. In formal dining, a well-planned main course can function as a sort of gastronomic apex or climax. In such a scheme, the preceding courses are designed to prepare for and lead up to the main course in such a way that the main course is anticipated and, when the scheme is successful, increased in its ability to satisfy and delight the diner. The courses following the main course then calm the palate and the stomach, acting as a sort of dénouement or anticlimax. [That says it all]

Flour, one quarter cup Kosher Salt, to taste and Freshly Ground Black Pepper Thyme, dried, one teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil Chicken Thighs, eight Turkey Bacon, four strips Onion, medium, diced Red Bell Pepper, diced Fennel, fresh, diced, half cup Garlic, minced, one tablespoon Currants, three tablespoons Curry Powder, two tablespoons Tomatoes, canned, imported, chopped, twenty eight ounces Chopped nuts, Pine or Slivered Almond, two tablespoons Oven, pre-heated 325F Whole Grain Rice, cooked This recipe, as are the accompanying photos, was stolen. It was taken from last week's New York Times , but it was modified to make it somewhat healthier. 1. Combine the flour, salt, pepper and thyme in a bowl 2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. 3. Dredge the thighs int he flour mixture. Fry it in batches in the olive oil until browned on all sides. 4. Transfer the chicken to a plate. 5. Return the skillet to medium heat, fry the bacon until crispy and crumble, remove and set aside. 6. A...

More than one eye opener here. OK, so that's a simile used for taking the first shot. Hey, imagine if Mr. Youngquest and friends shot ... um, well, Good Morning. Enjoy.

It has become a New York tradition, the launch party for AIDS Walk New York at Prohibition, 503 Columbus Ave at 84th Street. This year is no different. There will no doubt be the same cast of characters in attendance on May 13, 2009 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM. $30.00 at the door. Send an email to papag@pozevent.com for reservations. POZ has more events planned this year, as it marks its fifteenth anniversary. Stay tuned. In the meantime, go here to sponsor our team's efforts to raise money for AIDS Walk New York.

While he may not be gay, he will certainly be missed by many a gay fan. Take a gander at the Datalounge forum. This shot does not do him justice. The TV screen just ate him up. Sometimes he looked downright celestial.

Main Entry: en·ter·tain·ment Pronunciation: \ˌen-tər-ˈtān-mənt\ Function: noun Date: 15th century 1: the act of entertaining 2 archaic : maintenance , provision obsolete : employment 3 a: amusement or diversion provided especially by performers b: something diverting or engaging: as (1): a public performance (2): a usually light comic or adventure novel Once again succumbing to the lure and temptation of so-called reality TV, it should be said that shows like Top Chef are actually game shows with a peek into the personality of the participant. One of the most entertaining competitors is Carla of the current season. She's hanging in there by the skin of her teeth as a chef, yet, it might be a great idea to keep her on as the show's answer to Tim Gunn as an encouraging and engaging interviewer in future seasons. "Hooty Hoo!" Another reason to check the upcoming episode (tonight) is the appearance of an all star team of past participants, which includes Spike Mendelsohn...

The cinematic success of Milk has brought back the ignorance touted by Anita Bryant in her "Save the Children" campaign of 1977. She and her troops were so concerned about "evil" homosexual teachers corrupting children in the Dade County schools. Well, we weren't about to do anything evil to children. Big, burly men, on the other hand ... She should have started "Save Our Husbands" instead. All kidding aside, that traditional attitude regarding the alleged corrupting influence of adult male homosexuals is certainly belied by this article from Hispanic who named Ricky Martin their Hispanic of the year. Yes, it's true that Mr. Martin is not officially out of the closet. He is in a difficult position given the community and the culture he comes from. Still he created life all the same and is saving the children in his own special way. Here's the article:

Dionne's concert was pure pleasure. She looked beautiful in a flowing outfit of pale blue chiffon, and vocally she recaptured more of her light soprano sound than she's mustered in quite a while. The song set was the same as she's been doing for the past few years, but she still managed to invest her material with genuine feeling, musicality, and spontaneity. Her elder son David Elliot duetted "I Say a Little Prayer" with her early in the show, then stayed to solo on "Besame Mucho". While he sang his heart out, Dionne beamed from the sidelines. At the end of the concert, David returned with his daughter Cheyenne (who must be 15 or 16 years old by now?), and they joined Dionne in "That's What Friends Are For", with lovely vocal harmonies. A highlight of the concert was "Alfie" -- miraculously, Dionne is still exploring this timeless song, finding new values in the lyrics and phrasing. Throughout the evening, she seemed very relaxed...

OK, it's not quite a week and with the risk of inviting a discussion of being overly optimistic, three more songs are posted in honor of the new administration. The closing of Guantanamo is a good sign, even with the logistical problems it poses. Maybe we can begin to be the beacon of democracy we portend to be. People all over the world (everybody) Join hands (join) Start a love train, love train People all over the world (all the world, now) Join hands (love ride) Start a love train (love ride), love train The next stop that we make will be soon Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too Don't you know that it's time to get on board And let this train keep on riding, riding on through Well, well People all over the world (you don't need no money) Join hands (come on) Start a love train, love train (don't need no ticket, come on) People all over the world (Join in, ride this train) Join in (Ride this train, y'all) Start a love train (Come on, train), love tra...

Here's hoping there's something more for all of you to hold on to.

The Benefits of Fish Oil Fish oil has many names. One of the most common is omega-3 fatty acid or its scientific abbreviation, N-3. N3 fatty acids are found mostly in fish, but are contained in other foods as well. Fish oil is the best food source of these fatty acids. The primary benefit of N-3 fish oil is the reduction of platelet activity (blood clotting) and plaque formation which in turn can prevent heart attacks. Here’s how it works. Platelets are clot-forming blood cells which prevent excessive bleeding. Overly active platelets, however, may speed the build-up of plaque, a deposit of fatty or fibrous material which narrows a blood vessel wall. Elevated blood cholesterol also contributes to the acceleration of plaque formation. When plaque narrows an artery it is easier for a blood clot to get stuck in the artery and this can cause a heart attack. Because platelets also form blood clots, this is likely to occur. That’s why it is desirable to reduce platelet activity and why N-3 f...

Gnocchi are classic Italian potato dumplings that grace many a first course in a traditional Italian three course meal. Here is a very simple make shift recipe from February's Eating Well . Great Winter fare. And here is our Saturday feature's version of a three course meal, a young man named Sven.

A three course morning meal does the trick on a winter weekend.

Event Date Friday, January 23 2009 : 7:00pm – 9:00pm Location The Center Description Opening the New Year is an exciting exhibition of leading artists of who draw, paint, illustrate and photograph men and women from an erotic perspective. In this day of political correctness it is not easy for artists who create erotic and passionate art to find a forum to exhibit and sell their work. The Center is pleased to invite you this first New York Erotic Art Fair. Preview Cocktail Reception and Open bar: Friday, January 23, 2009, 7PM-9PM, Admission $20. Art will be available for sale at this time. The Fair continues on Saturday, January 24, from 12PM-8PM (FREE), Sunday, January 25, 12PM-6PM (FREE). The diverse collection of art work and artists include works exhibited by Aljira, A Contemporary Art Organization which is selling a selected group of Paul Cadmus’s etchings, various works of Lancelott, an ink drawing of Luis Garcia, a silkscreen of N.S. Salter, a folio of six silver gelatin print...

[source: Yahoo] The traditional flowers and candy are always nice on Valentine’s Day, but this year the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic will really sweeten things up with music from Broadway when they present the second Pops concert of the season, The Broadway Tenors. The concerts are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, at the Scranton Cultural Center and again on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the F.M. Kirby Center. Both performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the NEPA Philharmonic Box Office at 341-1568, www.nepaphil.org or ticketmaster.com. Under the direction of Lawrence Loh, the concert will feature tenors, Brent Barrett, Brian Lane Green and Kevin Spirtas. The Broadway Tenors is comprised of three of Broadway’s leading men in a unique theatrical concert. The trio has starred in shows such as “Annie Get Your Gun,” “West Side Story,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Titanic,” “Les Miserables,” “Chicago,” “South Pacific,” “Show Boat,” “The Wild Party,” “...

PARK CITY, Utah -- Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor were an item at the Sundance Film Festival, where their gay romance I Love You Phillip Morris premiered. Carrey and McGregor steam up the screen with some hot and heavy necking. What was it like for Carrey to lock lips with McGregor? "A dream come true. I mean, look at the guy," Carrey said, gesturing at McGregor during a question-and-answer session with the audience after the film's Sundance premiere Sunday night. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, I Love You Phillip Morris is based on the true story of a con man (Carrey) who meets the love of his life (McGregor) in prison, then concocts elaborate escapes and masquerades to free himself and his man. Carrey and McGregor make a nice couple, their characters' love story playing out with sweetness, passion and devotion. The actors said playing gay was all in a day's work. "It's the same as playing any other kind of man, any other kind of character,...

Toward the end of the campaign, Michelle Obama asked me if I was going to write a novel about them like Primary Colors, my satiric account of the 1992 presidential race. I was at a loss for words, in part because the thought hadn't even vaguely crossed my mind. "He can't write a novel about us," Barack Obama reassured his wife. "We're too boring." Yes ... and no. It's hard to call the most exciting politician in decades boring. The millions who trekked to Washington for the Inauguration, who cried their eyes out and cheered their lungs raw, are testimony to the man's sheer inspirational power. Reagan's movement was called a revolution, but this may be more than that — the beginning of a whole new era of Obama-inspired and Obama-led citizen involvement. During the transition, the Obama website called for supporters to hold community meetings to discuss their health-care priorities. A staggering 10,000 meetings purportedly were held; 5,000 sent...