Check this out, courtesy of my BFF, currently snowed-in in New York, who is a big cheese in the opera world. I just LOVE this! Königin der Nacht from Die Zauberflote. (The Queen of the Night aria from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, for all ya’ll ‘Mericans.)
By the way, this ukulele-wielding soprano is Laila Salome Fischer. Awesome!
Here’s a clip of Mike Freer, a Tory MP, in the House of Commons with a common sense, no nonsense defense of marriage equality. Americans should listen to Mr. Freer and contemplate his message. To me what it really all boils down to is “some in the church don’t like it, so we shouldn’t do it.” And I say to that, “Bloody bollocks!”
H/T Andrew Sullivan, on whose site I first saw this.
I love these videos! The best part, though, are some of the chalked asides that appear for only a second or two. Very clever. Very clever, indeed.
P.S. — Savvy marketing disguised as fun! (The best kind!)
Here’s a screenshot of the EastSiders Kickstarter page. They raised more than $10,000 more than their target. That’s excellent for them — and excellent for those of us who enjoy this type of entertainment. You know, authentic, not co-opted by the studios, thus, well, better.
I’m proud to have been a supporter of this venture. I can’t wait to see the result either.
I tracked and wrote about this Kickstarter campaign HERE. Read it, please. I think it’s an excellent model to use when thinking about funding in this manner.
Boy Scouts Gay Policy Decision Delayed.
Who’s shocked by this? Yeah, me either.
Back in the day I was a Boy Scout. I was an Eagle Scout in everything but name. I loved scouting. It taught me just about everything I needed to know to be a good man.
The Scout Law says,
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. There’s no asterisk that says “except if you’re gay.”
Maybe the organization can wrest itself away from the far, far right that has co-opted it in recent decades and made the Scout Oath and the Scout Law meaningless. Let’s hope.
After all, remember: a Scout is brave.
New Jersey’s Chris Christie
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is a fat guy. That’s what was topping the national news this evening. It’s because President Clinton’s former physician was quoted as saying she was worried that Christie might die in office because he’s overweight.
First of all, what business is it of hers?
Second of all, how rude can you be? You want to espouse medical knowledge when you’ve never even met the man? And you want to do it in public? Beyond tacky.
Third of all, there are plenty of very healthy “overweight” people. Some people have blonde hair. Some people are bald. Some people are gay. Some people are straight. And some people are fat. End of.
Finally, while there is very, very, VERY little that the New Jersey governor and I agree on politically — though I must admit I appreciated his outrage at the Federal non-response to Superstorm Sandy — but I will tell you this: no one knows Chris Christie is fat better than Chris Christie. No one who has ever been overweight — ten pounds or two hundred pounds — is not aware of it.
Gay West Point Cadet Escorts His Boyfriend To Winter Weekend Formal (PHOTO). via Huffington Post Gay Voices
How cute is this?
Every now and then I get the feeling that things will be all right.
400 – 175 For Marriage Equality In Britain « The Dish.
February 5, 2013 in London, England. Image: The Dish.
Sullivan dishes on the House of Commons vote today on marriage equality and a few additional issues we could learn a thing or two about from his home country. I posted this on my Facebook page today and said, “It it passes the Lords, how does one immigrate?” Several friends chuckled, one suggested it would be closer to move to Iowa, but, well, no.
If I could swing it — need to work unless I win the lottery — I’d jump ship in a New York minute. Liverpool minute. Northumbrian minute. Whatever.
God Save the Queen.
“Ace of Cakes,” Duff Goldman. Image: Extended Image Photography – WikimediaCommons
Things might soon be looking up for the lesbian brides-to-be who were denied a wedding cake by an Oregon bakery.
In the wake of the incident, Baltimore-based pastry chef and “Ace of Cakes” star Duff Goldman is sending out an open offer to the couple, saying he’ll bake and transport their wedding cake completely free of charge.
via Duff Goldman, ‘Ace Of Cakes’ Chef, Offers To Bake Rejected Lesbian Couple’s Wedding Cake For Free.
This makes me happy. I always got a kick out of Duff, plus he’s from my hometown* and he makes the old Charm City look great. I used to work not to very far from his bakery, but have never had one of his cakes. My partner has always wanted one. Maybe when we get married….
*Okay, I wasn’t really born there, but I love Baltimore and the place I am actually from is kind of repellent!
11 words you’re probably mispronouncing – The Week.
Hmmm, interesting. I have to say, the first word SHOCKED me. In fact, I’m sure it will shock just about everyone that reads the list. The rest, well, happy to say I pronounced my way to 10 out of 10!
Truth in Advertising: I was a talking-on-the-radio-and-tv major in college. I done learned t’talk good.
One Last Word 