Facebook as Blog

It seems like I have been using Facebook as my de facto blog for the past, oh, year or longer. I'm putting up links to my stories and any ol' interesting thing I fancy (or loathe).

Meanwhile... my first story for the NY Post is slated to run on March 29th. I'm staying mum about its subject/topic until it runs.

More to come. Or... just check my facebook!

L

I Won! I Won!

Well, WE won! Los Angeles' Outfest honored BearCity with two awards: Outstanding Screenplay (by myself & Doug Langway) and Outstanding Male Actor (Stephen Guarino).

A real affirmation that we not only gave the "bear" crowd the date movie they had been waiting for, but also that we managed to touch universal hearts and funny bones.

Thank you Outfest and the BearCity family!!!

L
ps - that's me, Doug, and Producer Lewis Tice in the photo...

Arizon-ugh

As a professional travel writer, my job and personal passion is to encourage people to see more of the world, to diversify their views, and to stimulate the places they visit both economically and culturally with their own presence.

So it's always heartbreaking, if not angering, to see a city behave badly, as it were. To espouse ignorance or bigotry. And Arizona, boy oh boy, have you gone and done that.

As Bill Maher recently observed, there is no Nazi movie without the line "show me your papers." The phrase is as anti-freedom as it gets. It's scary. I can imagine some frail Holocaust survivor, of which there are few left, in Arizona being asked to "show me your papers." It wouldn't be a shining moment for them, that I can assure you.

And now this news??

I encourage Arizona's tourism department to make a stir. This is only going to hurt Arizona tourism-wise. Barring perhaps some white supremacist conventions, I can't see this being a draw for the state.

Funny enough I was stuck in Phoenix for a night in January when a storm canceled my connection flight and closed the airport. I thought, were this any other time, I would love to spend some time here. And I do want to go, to write about Arizona. But.... well, I'm not alone in saying that's going to wait.

Arizona, do whatever it takes and get rid of that law!

L

Spelt Like This

OK, so when I was a freshman in college I found this single, "Contract of the Heart" by Spelt Like This, in a Yale-area record shop (mind you I didn't go to Yale, just went there to hang out and shop and see art films). I knew nothing about the group, but really liked this ditty.

Years later, with everything online, I found the video on YouTube.

Oh boy.

I don't think that guy is at all interested in a "woman to man" situation unless it's strictly professional. This video is insane. It's nuts. I'm not sure how I feel about the song now. Do I like it more? Less? Will I be able to separate it from the almost-as-gay-yet-supposed-to-be-straight Big Fun group that is performing here? Can I live with their lies?

L

Sunshine

How lame am I? No updates in forever. So lame!

Sunshine and spring has finally come to New York, and today seemingly everyone in the city went outside to take advantage. It's like a tube of Pillsbury biscuits was twisted open with the dough exploding out the sides, everyone was so sick and tired of the winter they absolutely had to be outdoors. Shake Shack had what seemed to be a 3-hour-long line (you definitely deserve verbal abuse if you spend 3 hours waiting on a line for pretty much anything unless you're in 1980s Russia or a hospital).

Even though much work to do this week, I want the sun and spring to stay. Working indoors is a happier affair with that through the window...

L

My Hong Kong wine story

My first story from my recent trip to Hong Kong is a post about the wine scene going on for National Geographic's Intelligent Traveler blog (which you should check out regardless - it's a great site!). Check 'er out!

L

Nicholas Hoult on A Single Man

My interview with Nicholas Hoult about his role as a gay lad hot for teacher in "A Single Man" is running in some regional LGBT publications. Here's the version from Chicago's Windy City Times.

Avec Cafeine

Canadian indie rocker Xavier Cafeine has a new album out, so while I suss out which tracks I like I'm posting one of his 2007 album's best tracks here... Enjoy!

L

OMG

Holy cripes. This really strikes fear into me.

L

What If? Wha-hat I-hi-hif?

I love Michael Lucid's twisted "What If" skits. Ridiculous hypothetical questions are one of my favorite things in the world, so this is like double delicious!

Thanks Michael!

L

BearCity Meets The Advocate!

Brandon Voss did a set visit on the last day of shooting for The Advocate's website. Take a peek and enjoy!

By the way, it is hotly contested whether I am a "bear" or "cub." Weigh in (pun not intended but fitting).

L

ps - That photo is a Lawrence sandwich with actors Brian Keane and Stephen Guarino, who play couple Fred & Brent in BearCity.

Some Free Madge!

Got this press release today so all you Madge fans get to iTunes tomorrow for that thar freebie video!

NEW MADONNA “CELEBRATION” VIDEO WORLD PREMIERES EXCLUSIVELY ON THE ITUNES STORE AS FREE DOWNLOAD FOR 48 HOURS

Burbank, CA – Madonna’s hotly anticipated new video for her “Celebration” single will have its exclusive world premiere on the iTunes store as a free download for two days beginning Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Madonna is a multi-award winning visionary in the realm of video performance. The “Celebration” video, which contains mind-boggling dance moves, reaffirms yet again her reputation as the master of the “short movie.” The video will be available for purchase on iTunes on Thursday, September 3rd.

The “Celebration” video, directed by long time Madonna creative collaborator Jonas Akerlund (“Ray of Light”) was filmed recently in Milan, Italy and features the Material Girl dancing with her amazing troupe of performers from her current “Sticky & Sweet” Tour. The video also includes cameo appearances by Madonna’s daughter, Lola Leon and model/DJ Jesus Luz.

Simultaneous to the video debut, Madonna’s definitive greatest hits album, “Celebration” which has been totally remastered and includes two new songs, can be pre-ordered on iTunes.

Check out a clip of Madonna’s hot "Celebration" video on the link below (For embedded code, please contact me):

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid4020141001/?bctid=ref:A10302B00009527375

Full video available on iTunes beginning September 1^st.

La Dolce Bears

Michael Musto of the Village Voice did a fantastic bit on BearCity in his new La Dolce Musto column! Check it out, as well as his blog.

Owl City

BearCity actor Will Bethencourt turned me on to Owl City while on the set last week. "Fireflies" is totally addictive, isn't it? Thanks Will!!

L

BearCity Begins

We begin shooting BearCity on Monday - and some notes and news is appearing online. Here's a first peek at the cast, which you can also see on imdb!

L

BearCity the Movie...

The gay romantic comedy I co-wrote, BearCity, is scheduled to begin shooting Monday August 10th!

Please do check out the film's website and Facebook (which include links to the Twitter and Myspace pages)!

Very exciting time...

L

New Pants

Mainland Chinese electro/rock/alternative act New Pants now has their albums up on iTunes USA. Which is great, because going all the way to Beijing/Shanghai to find them is a mighty haul. Let's celebrate with a video for one of their Nu Disco-style ditties!

L

BearCity is Casting!

The folks who brought you "Another Gay Movie" and "Bear Cub are putting
out the casting call for acting talent.

Bear City Movie Casting Call

The new gay, romantic comedy entitled "BearCity" is set in New York City's bear
community. Here's your chance to be part of this "Sex in the City with fur."

There's a little something for everyone!

We're seeking actors of all ethnicities, ages, shapes and sizes in the NYC
area.

For consideration, send your best Headshot/Picture and Resume to
casting@bearcitythemovie.com.

For more information visit www.bearcitythemovie.com.

Ptown Film Festival Redux/Flashback

Sadly, I had to cancel my plans to attend the Provincetown International Film Festival this past weekend - which takes place in the ridiculously lovely and liberal Ptown, MA, a true mecca for both nuclear families and queers unlike any other place or amalgamation I have seen - but last summer's experience there was one of pure joy (a gracious thanks to Jeff Hill and the festival's hopsitality staff!). A few photos to reflect upon... and hopefully I can make it back in 2010...

L

Tori Times Two

I've interviewed Tori Amos a few times over the course of her career. The first was a 1998 piece for L.A. Weekly, a sort of Tori 101 that aims to explain the magical allure she cast over her fans - a mystery to those who weren't into her music. I still hold it up as one of my favorite articles. I just spoke with Tori again for Los Angeles' Frontiers In L.A. magazine (and some other gay regional publications - different versions will be running in each) which is very much current.

Compare, contrast, enjoy both!

L