Honestly Folks...

So an anonymous reader of my blog got upset that I acknowledged that the new leader of Arizona's oldest, most-widely read and, quite honestly, best GLBT magazine also does adult films. I'm feeling a bit defensive about what I did.

Mostly because I'm correct in what I posted yesterday. Secondly, it was humorous--it wasn't done in a malicious way. So I'm going to destroy each and every little point made by said anonymous commenter to demonstrate how WRONG those points are (motherfucker--i whispered that).

BTW--Jeff said I shouldn't respond because it's just a personal attack and they only mean something if I let them... Ultimately Jeff is correct. But I'm annoyed, so fuck it.

So here goes:

Of course, no one who reads this blog or reads Echo would have known that the guy is/was a porn star until you put it up here for all the WWW to see.

WRONG!

As soon as his picture is placed in the next issue of Echo, where he will have a little writeup, his picture will be in it. His picture is also in next month's X-Factor. Most people read both. In fact, most establishments have them side by side for people to take. All it takes is one person to notice they are the same person.

His feature in X-Factor was under his stage name, not his real one.

I know that. I didn't disclose his real name. In fact, I Googled his stage name to find a picture. Under the picture was his stage name and his real name. I'm not treading new ground here.

Everyone has a past. It was up to the gentleman to decide when and if to disclose his -- not you. Your choosing to tell his story here was most ungentlemanly, not to mention potentially detrimental to your employer.

That's true, everyone has a past. I have a horrid past, most of it documented here. But the thing is--it's NOT his past. It's his present.

He's currently shooting a film now. Second, he has to disclose this. I told Buddy that one of my main reasons for posting this blog was to get it out of my system. It's detrimental to our employer only if it's not addressed. There's a two-ton elephant in the room and nobody wants to talk about it.

Second, if you know anything about the GLBT community in Phoenix (or anywhere else), you'd know there are no secrets.

I have read your blog for a while. You always struck me as an honest, sincere, non-judgmental kind of person. The lack of consideration you have shown here is truly disappointing.

When I write up his introductory story for Echo, I'm not going to write, "Oh, by the way, he does porn." Although that would be honest and sincere, THAT would show a lack of consideration.

I can honestly say that I'm not judging. In fact, I wrote, "We've all decided we have to give him a chance." And I will do that. I'm honest and sincere when I wrote that statement. I am going to give him a chance.

The truth of the matter is. I just stated the facts. I wrote down what is known. And I echoed people's sentiments in the office. Did I cross the line? No. Did I walk along it? Yes.

I was just stating my opinion, you've stated yours. I'm treating this as court and this is my rebuttal. The witness has left the chair and there's no redirect.

I promise a much more fun post next time.

Check "Yes!" Next to Adult Film Star

Our general manager, Tim, is leaving Echo on Friday. He let us know a month ago. So, the search for the next Tim has been troubling.

The problem is, if you work for Echo you don't get paid. And most people who would be any good, won't work for the salary they offer. However, Buddy pointed out (correctly, I might add) that Echo has gotten lucky. Most of us are really good at what we do, but we work there because we believe in the cause and the mission of the magazine.

Tim announced today that he finally found his replacement. He has a lot of business experience. His name also happens to be Tim. And he just so happens to be a porn star.

In fact, he was just featured in X-Factor. Since I proof that magazine, I read the entire Q & A. I found out some interesting things between that and my brief meeting with him.

1) Even porn stars have to fill out an application
2) He won an award for best newcomer and as Jeff wrote, "It's always nice to have an award winner on staff."
3) He's not very versatile in the sack. It takes a special guy to get an "all access pass."
4) He feels naughty 24/7 and is always looking for someone to be naughty with.

I'm sure this will change the dynamics of the office. The problem is, his office doesn't have a door. So, if Buddy feels naughty and wants to do something about it, we'll all be forced to watch (or hear).

We've all decided we have to give him a chance. But still, it's hard to get around the fact that he gets paid to have sex. And that those acts can be seen by everyone with an Internet connection or DVD player. I hope it doesn't affect Echo's image--I'm sure when he goes to negotiate with businesses that's the first thing on their minds.

It's not, "Tim from Echo wants us to collaborate on something."
It's more like, "That bitch is a freak in the sack. I saw him do XXXX."

As Derek of the Derek and Romaine show once said (I'm paraphrasing), "It must be really weird being a porn star. Because people you've never met come up to you and already know what the inside of your asshole looks like."

Amen!

White Rabbit

Saturday night was the annual awards banquet for the Phoenix Storm. It's funny to think that this time last year, I was dreading going to the event. The Storm invited someone from Echo to attend because they were giving an award for Echo's coverage.

Buddy was going up to Flagstaff for Pride and dumped it on me. I didn't feel like going because I was going to have to wear my suit (yes, I only have one) and I wanted to go out drinking that night.

Obviously, I went. I instantly fell in love with the cameraderie and the spirit of the team and asked if I could play too. 12 months later, I'm the starting weak-side wing, a board member and obsessed player.

At the banquet, Phill (head coach) and John (president of the board) hand out awards. Most are serious, but some are fun - like the Barbie awards. I was given the Scabby Barbie award, in honor of all of my various bloody knees, legs and arms.

When I first arrived at the banquet, I read the rundown of events and saw Big Hair Barbie and Scabby Barbie on the itinerary. I was so afraid that I would get Big Hair Barbie. Fortunately, Rugby Joe's (that's just one of his nicknames) hair has been consistently bad over the year--I've had just a few weeks of really bad hair.

Anyway, the evening was really great. Ben, a player's partner, created a 30-minute video of our trip to Bingham. It's excellent. I had to watch it again this weekend because I wanted to relive the memories. :-)

The only downside to the evening was there was no air conditioning in our room. It was REALLY hot. I felt bad for Phill and John because they worked their asses off to create a special evening for us guys. It was still special, just a bit uncomfortable.

BIG NEWS!
Last night was bowling. We played an evenly matched team. Unfortunately, once again, they bowled, on average, 20 pins above their average. We bowled our average or worse. So we lost the first game by 100+ and the second game by 20.

But on the third game we ALL had monster games. I bowled the best game of my life. I bowled a 243. It was so awesome. I was in the zone. I love that feeling. Unfortunately, it's so hard to recreate.

By the time I hit my fifth strike, what little players remaining from the other teams bowling started to watch (we're ALWAYS the last one's out). It was fun to experience. I'm bummed I left that open frame, but happy nonetheless. We won the third game. :-)

I was so excited when I left. So I sent a text message to Joe. He congratulated me but reamed my ass for bowling with my bad back (my back has gone out again and it hurts like hell--bowling isn't the smartest thing to do right now). GRRR!

Then I told Kevin when I got home. His response, "Is that good?" GRRR!

So I tried to blog about it and blogger was down. GRRR!

I just wanted to bask in my moment of glory.

HAPPY TUNESDAY MOTHERFUCKERS!

Since my back has gone out I'm relying on Aleve to help me get through the day. Today's song goes out to Jeffy for giving me a fix of Aleve last night. And sometimes he really does look ten feet tall. Just remember what the dormouse said.

Song
Lyrics

This is Gonna Hurt Me More Than You

Remember when you were a little kid and your dad would say that before beating the shit out of you? OK. Mine didn't beat the shit out of me but I got spankings as a kid (now I LOVE them as an adult, but that's for another time) j/k.
;-)

Anywho, SJ had his hernia operated on Monday morning. The people at the hospital were just amazingly nice. Even the doctor was cordial. It sounds odd, but he was so damned cute after his surgery in his little hospital gown and his hair ruffled. He was a bit whacked out from the drugs and making funny remarks. He talked non-stop as I drove him from the hospital, mostly repeating himself. Finally, I said, "Honey, why don't you lay back and close your eyes and rest."

He said, "Sorry." ZZZZZZ.

I won't recount the past couple of days, because Joe has on his blog. But I think the pain of the surgery was a great surprise to him--and me too. Although hernia surgery is routine, the pain experienced is not. I've had to slowly help him to the bathroom and back. Each step was excruciating for him. On more than one occasion he actually cried out in pain. It's absolutely heartbreaking to hear that from someone you love. And there's nothing you can do about it.

Today he's feeling better and has managed to stand up by himself. I'm sure tomorrow will be better and by Saturday night, he'll be well enough to go to the Rugby Awards Banquet.

Seeing him sick and hurt has made me appreciate him more and more. I love him very much.

Since I wasn't able to do my Tunesday post, here's a little video. It kind of makes me think of the past couple of days.

Bingham Cup

I like this picture of my mom and me. So the issue of Echo came out with my Bingham Cup story in it. You can read it online. Or you can download the PDF and look at Erin's nice layout. Or, you can go to the Storm site and read the Echo article, along with some of the other guys who participated.

Joe is going in for hernia surgery on Monday. Everyone say a prayer for ME, since I'm more nervous than him. ;-)

Abacab

I Googled "bowling fun" and found this picture. I don't know what he's wearing but it doesn't look like much fun to me.

Last night we got blown away by four amazing bowlers. Their entire team handicap was less than just one of our players. In fact, the two ladies had handicaps of zero. Their averages were over 200.

Their lowest bowler had an average of only 175. He had a 600 series last night. I think we bring the best out... in the other team's players.

Regardles of me stinking up the joint, I still had a good time. I enjoy Mondays with the boys. I think I'll have a talk with Paul and Jeff though. We need to dress more effeminately.

Our team name is Don't H8 Our Str8 -- in honor of Ryan. He's a brave soul to be the token straight guy in a gay bowling league.

But last week, when I told someone who asked me who the straight guy was on our team, he responded with, "I guessed wrong."

I didn't want to say anything to Ryan.

But last night he was up in arms when someone asked me that same question. When I answered it was Ryan, someone standing behind the guy who asked remarked that he had guess wrong. Or, something to that effect. I think Ryan was a little peeved. Actually, he was upset that they didn't think a gay guy could wear an Avenged Sevenfold t-shirt.

So next week, I think us gay guys should wear pink and he can wear blue.

I like the fact that nobody knows who the straight guy is. It just goes to show that although stereotypes are there for a reason, they're easily shattered.

The only bad part of bowling is the music. They play it at a very low level, so you can barely hear it. But when you do hear it you want to vomit. For some reason, they've been playing a lot of Phill Collins--and the really bad stuff, Easy Lover, Against All Odds, etc.

At the end of the evening they did play some Alice in Chains, so I was happy about that! :-D

Oh... one more thing. the team we played against had fun names on the screen. Like Scoots La Rue, Aida Poussez (and I'm sure she did), Reign of Terror (because she bowled 270-something) and Coco Latte. Ryan suggested we did that next week. Ryan named himself Plough and Girth. He named me Polish Sausage. Paul is going to be some old-school girl's name like Irlene or Mabel. We need a good one for Jeff. Any suggestions?

HAPPY TUNESDAY MOTHERFUCKERS

Despite what some may think, there actually is some good Phill Collins. Most of it came when he was with Genesis. And most of the good stuff happened when they were prog rockers and not pop rockers. Although Phill is no Peter Gabriel, he did make the band more accessible. Here's one of my favorite Genesis songs. It's called Abacab.

Link
Lyrics

A Few Pictures

I haven't blogged in WEEKS. I'm not going to recount the rugby tournament. I wrote a piece for Echo and when it gets posted, I'll link to it. It's not bad reading. I figured I'd throw some pictures up. I'm weeks behind reading everyone's blogs too, so I hope to catch up before the end of summer. ;-)








Leg 1:NEW YORK



Joe and Stephen in Central Park.


Central Park is a green paradise for Asian weddings


Juggling fun in Central Park.


For some reason it took Stephen 30 minutes "to take a leak" in this bathroom in Central Park


Joe at the pre-party


When in NYC it's important to go to ESPNZone to watch a basketball game played in Phoenix.


Rugby hurts


But it's fun too!


Joe and his friend Matt at ESPNZone


Leg 2: BALTIMORE


My mother does her best Ray Charles impression


I went to church


He's so cute


McCarthy loves his beer

Leg 3: NEW JERSEY



Joe and his mom


Anyone see Clerks?


A day at the beach


Joe in a garden in the Garden State

Here's me


My lesbian lifetime partner


I love this pic