The Column of Life

John Pagano's exceptional talent will be bringing love songs to our friendly neighbor to the North: Pops Series: John Pagano - Classic Songs of Love Date: Thursday February 11, 2010 From: Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Time: 8-10pm 20:00-22:00 Venue: River Run Centre 35 Woolwich St Guelph Tickets start at $36 http://www.kwsymphony.ca/2009_10/pops/ John always pleases. There are still fond memories of his performance at h.wood last October where his flawless performance captured everyone. We are going to bring him back to New York in 2010. We want him here and out loud . Stay tuned for updates regarding our World AIDS Day event. In the meantime ... here's Johnny! On the main site are two cuts from his album, Pure Imagination: "Tender Trap" and "All My Tomorrows" along with "Everlasting Love," which performed for Michael Lington.

This is Romain. Talk about your roughage.

Gilles Marini, Chris Farrell and Dean Flynn. Sated?

There's more here. He is also part of the appropriately named Bliss Models ... From Cover Men:How would you describe yourself as a person? Are you outgoing or reserved? I would have to say outgoing but have a healthy balance of both. The hard times and good times have developed and sharpen my character. I'm passionate about what I do, and that I do my best at it. I work hard and play harder ! We like the hard part.

Cultivated in the Andes for over 5,000 years, quinoa has been called the "mother grain" and "the gold of the Incas." Today, the popularity of quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is growing steadily as people discover its pleasant nutty taste and superfood qualities. As a complete protein source also high in iron, magnesium, and fiber, quinoa is not only one of our healthiest pantry staples, but also one that's incredibly easy and quick to cook. [From: www.thekitchn.com] We've read that there are 1,800(!) varieties of quinoa, but just three main types are found in markets here: the most common white variety, as well as a red one and a black one. Here is our standard method for cooking any of these. 1. Measure and rinse quinoa. One cup of dried quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked. Measure out quinoa, place it in a fine-mesh strainer, rinse thoroughly with cool water, and drain. Rinsing removes quinoa's natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitte...

Hot Stud Dreamin' on a cold winter's day

Go here for tickets for this one night only performance on Valentine's Day. Read Kate Ferguson's article on Ms. Ralph from Real Health

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama's call in his State of the Union address to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy this year was met with praise from gay activists and questions by top Republicans as to why it should be changed. "Tonight, President Obama stepped up to the plate and made a firm commitment to work to finally end 'don't ask, don't tell' in 2010," said Alexander Nicholson, founder and executive director of Servicemembers United. "Although brief, his language was plain, his message was clear, and the outline of his strategy was smart." In his State of the Union speech, Obama said he would work with Congress and the military to repeal the 1993 law that bars openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the military. "[We must] repeal the law that denies gay and lesbian Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are. It's the right thing to do," Obama sai...

From TV Guide: One Less Man on Mad Men by William Keck January 25, 2010 12:52 PM EST When the Sterling Cooper ad agency regrouped at the end of last season, Salvatore Romano was the one ... character not called back to work—a direct result of the colorful character’s uncloseted homosexuality. Now with the shooting of Season 4 set to begin in March, Bryan Batt is worried that he’s out of a job. “I was supposed to be notified by December 31, and nothing,” says the actor. It sounds as though Bryan’s concerns are warranted. “We don’t murder people on our show, but for there to be any stakes, there have to be consequences,” says creator Matthew Weiner, a former Sopranos scribe who has killed at will. Losing Bryan, he says, “was a tough moment for the show, but that’s where we are. I know how people felt about Bryan. I obviously love working with him, and he has been an indelible character since the pilot. But I felt it was an expression of the times that he couldn’t work t...

It was slow. I graduated high school early because I knew I needed to get to New York City. I moved here and lived with my older sister. She knew first, and then my mother, and then my little sister. It was one by one. It took a lot of courage, and then it was so funny, because there was such a build-up before I would tell each family member, and then their reaction was kind of a letdown. "Okay. Cool." I don't have any big sad coming out stories. I'm so, so fortunate. I know a lot of people that have bad stories with parents or family members or friends. I can't even think of one. Go to AfterElton.com for all of it. And now there's another great interview from Anthony Langford at AfterElton . As if all this weren't enough for Scott Evans' fans, he is to be auctioned off at the Jockathon in a matter of hours!

The View Bar (232 8th Ave, 212-929-2243) will once again host Mike Dreyden's Woof! party tonight with special guest, porn star, Bryan Slater. Tonight the gayborhood will get a little brighter.

In Songs From Liquid Days Philip Glass and Laurie Anderson gave us a vision of love and death which is both ethereal and visceral. There is nothing like it and it is a shining moment for Ronstadt's crystal clear soprano. "Forgetting" A man wakes up to the sound of rain From a dream about his lovers Who pass through his room. They brush lightly by, these lovers. They pass. Never touching. These passing lovers move through his room. The man is awake now He can't get to sleep again. So he repeats these words Over and over again: Bravery. Kindness. Clarity. Honesty. Compassion. Generosity. Bravery. Honesty. Dignity. Clarity. Kindness. Compassion. (lyrics by Laurie Anderson) For good measure on the main site, Brian Wilson's "'Til I Die" accompanies it along with Barefoot's "Gobi Wind."

Pledge allegiance ...

Well, not quite all you can eat ... But it's a start ... We had to include Brian Carson just one more time.