Oh You Pretty Things

My friend Michael Lucid is friggin' insane, in that really good genius-y way. His and Amanda Barrett's (above, l-r) utterly crazy "Pretty Things" skit series has caused me gut laughs since he first slipped me a tape some years ago. One of their latest compilations, portions of which have played film fests all over, includes "Str8 For a Minute," a zippy ditty (complete with a choreographed move!) about a gay who plays straight when faced with an awkward situation. Mind you, not very convincingly playing straight. It's hysterical.

There are tons of additional Pretty Things skits on YouTube, as well as their official website.

Enjoy!

Keep up the crazy, Michael!

L

West End Girls

The West End Girls are a pair of Swedish teenage girls who cover the Pet Shop Boys' catalog. And I have to say - they are AWESOME. I may be going to Pet Shop Hell for this, but I dare say some of their versions best the originals. I have always hated "Domino Dancing," until I heard this cover. I think someone has beaten me to this analogy, but it really is like t.a.t.u. meets the PSBs.

I'm hoping to write about them for at least one of my outlets, since their CD is available overseas and via their website. Meanwhile, take a look at their "Domino Dancing" video amongst others here.

So do you love 'em, too?

L

Jackie

While I was in Shanghai, I heard a song playing in a CD store and just had to ask what it was: "Jackie," by Bossa Nostra, part of a double CD entitled Shanghai Lounge (apropos!).

It became the song of my trip, constantly repeated on my iPod. It's about a pretty desperate, unhappy lounge singer. But pretty!!

I still dig it.

Turns out it's on a CD here in the states as well, Euro Lounge, available on Amazon.com.

Man, "Jackie" is a lounge whore!

L

Pop Goes My Guilty Pleasure

While on the plane back from Australia - Qantas, fyi - I watched most of "Music & Lyrics." Mostly insufferable, but a few reeaaalllllyyyy tasty 80s'-style pop songs that the Hugh Grant character purportedly wrote/performed during his heyday in a WHAM!-style band. I can't get the ditty "Pop! Goes My Heart" out of my head since, and actually watched the start of the film twice to see the hysterical faux 80's music video that accompanies the song. It's on YouTube. The soundtrack is on iTunes but, most hatefully, you have to purchase the entire $11.99 album for the track (and a ridiculous/great "Careless Whisper" ripoff).

Oh - and Grant actually sings the songs!

I feel so dirty.

L

Pride Ain't A Sin

A double dose of Lawrence in the new The Advocate, which happens to the the big double Pride issue. First, a feature on Peace Games, an orgnization that teaches schoolkids a full curriculum about resolving conflicts, tolerating/celebrating diversity, and making the world a better place to live in. It was a fantastic experience to research and write, which involved a couple of public school visits. In a time when Paris Hilton, she of absolutely no philanthropic or progressive ambition or labors, is considered the role model of a generation, it was intensely moving and refreshing to see these adolescents working towards progressive community-oriented goals and communicating with a vocabulary and content that went beyond "that's hot."

I also wrote the Pride issue's guide to regional pride events. Pick it up!!! Pride ain't a sin, y'all.

L

Rightside-Up

I spent the past 10 days (2 of them on a plane, mind you) in South Australia with a couple of other gay journalists and our lovely escort, Mikel. This being my second trip down(under) south in as many years, I've come to love Adelaide and its surrounding wine regions, not to mention Kangaroo Island which is chock full of what you'd expect.

Adelaide is a compact city, young, and the food amazing. Fresh.

Anyways, here are a few photos.

L
Wine tasting!

Olives on the branch at an olive oilery.
I gotta say, Kangaroo is tasty!
Sea lion baby!

Turned on TVs

Well, I haven't blogged at all this week since I'm way way way busy writing a couple of big pieces for The Advocate - yay! - and the Shanghai travel feature for Passport. LOGO should also be posting my report on the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival on Monday or so as well (I attended opening weekend with my hubby).

So busy yourselves with the new issue of BUTT Magazine - which I picked up this week at St. Mark's Bookshop - or better yet, if you haven't yet discovered BUTT, pore over the backissues at BUTT's website.

BUTT BUTT BUTT!

L