Sunday, September 14, 2008

Out Spotlight XXXX


Today's spotlight is singer, showman, Disco Drag Diva Sylvester.

Born Sylvester James, September 6, 1948, Sylvester is best known as disco and soul musician, and a gay drag performer. Best know for the one of the greatest dance songs and anthems You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) He performed under only his first name, Sylvester. Known for singing in falsetto (despite a rich baritone voice), he is also considered one of the first Hi-NRG artists. He was raised by his grandmother, the jazz singer Julia Morgan. Sylvester was the first 'male diva' of disco.

He lived in San Francisco in the 1960s, performing in a musical production called Women of the Blues, then joined a group of drag performance artists called The Cockettes in the early 1970s. Another member of The Cockettes was John Water's favorite muse and actress Divine. Both can be seen in a 2002 documentary about the group.

In 1972, Sylvester supplied two cuts to Lights Out San Francisco, an album compiled by the KSAN radio station and released on the Blue Thumb label. He released two rock-oriented albums on Blue Thumb (their self-titled debut was also known as 'Scratch My Flower', due to a gardenia-shaped scratch-and-sniff sticker adhered to the cover). He then signed as a solo act to Fantasy Records in 1977, working with legendary Motown producer Harvey Fuqua.

Sylvester soon met his frequent collaborator Patrick Cowley. Cowley's synthesiser and Sylvester's voice proved to be a magical combination, and pushed Sylvester's sound in an innovative new dance-oriented direction; his second solo album,Step II(1978), unleashed two disco classics: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), and Dance (Disco Heat). By this time both his live shows and recordings also recognizably featured the back-up vocals of Two Tons O' Fun later known as the Weather Girls. In 1979 he had three Billboard awards and an appearance in the movie,The Rose, starring Bette Midler.

Sylvester and Cowley moved to Megatone Records in 1982, and hit with the classic with Do You Wanna Funk? His close friends inclduded other Megatone artists Linda Imperial and Jeanie Tracy and legendary Patti LaBelle.

With pressure pressure from the label to 'butch up' his image led him to attend meetings in full-on drag. A drag photo shoot, which he staged and presented to label heads as a gag (calling it his 'new album cover') would later grace the cover of Immortal after Sylvester died; it was the label's way of paying tribute to his spirit.

In 1985, one of his dreams came true as he was ask to sing back-up for Aretha Franklin on her Who's Zoomin' Who comeback album. Moving to Warner Bros. in the 80's, his only album for them Mutual Attraction with the single,Someone Like You, featured original cover art by Keith Haring.

Like so many others, including Patrick Cowley before him, Sylvester died of complications from AIDS in San Francisco on December 16, 1988. He was 40 years old.

On September 20, 2004 Sylvester's his anthem, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. A year later, on September 19, 2005, Sylvester was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.

The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, The Music, The 70s in San Francisco, a biography by Joshua Gamson was published in 2005.

Sylvester's You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)



Sylstar
Website

Video Dance(Disco Heat)


Video Do You Want to Funk (Remix)

Video Some One Like You (1986)

55 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you, thank you! I absolutely adore Sylvester - a "mighty real" talent and so FULL of life, you can hear it in his voice and music, and Mighty Real is probably the most full of sexual energy dance song evah.

I love that he stood up to his record company, totally accepting of himself. He's very beautiful I think, a Marvin Gaye, Prince and Aretha Franklin all wrapped up in a beautiful dress. A true pioneer for African-Americans and gay people. Long Live Sylvester's attitude and joie de vivre! :)

Anonymous said...

Great post. Sad reminder of the creativity that was lost in the AIDS epidemic. He would be a great biopic subject. I've never heard of Sylvester but his life sounds so full and interesting. I would rather see a movie about someone like this then someone like Dylan or Lennon or Jim Morrison who are so well known and iconic.

Anonymous said...

I think that's a great idea, TR. :)

destiny said...

Boy do these songs bring back memories. I LOVE Sylvester, and I still get teary-eyed when I think about how long he has been gone. IMO some of the best dance music ever made. Plus it was thrilling to hit the dance floors to an artist like Sylvester who was not openly gay, but also not afraid to be so over the top. And it wasn't an easy thing I'm sure. For all that disco was, very briefly, very mainstream, the backlash against it developed very quickly as well, and was very homophobic--hence the use of the slam that disco sucks.

Sadly, it's also a reminder of how little has changed. Sylvester would probably have just as tough of a time if he was starting out today.

prairiegirl said...

Oh yeah, You Make Me Feel Mighty Real, what a great song. My leg's bouncing under the table right now; I love that disco music. It's so sad that at first AIDS was such a fatal illness. The thing now is that it's not a death sentence, but you've got to have the money for the drugs to fight it. Health insurance, a real sore spot with me and the lack of opportunity for it in our country. It's a disgrace that people have to/choose to go without their meds simply because they can't afford it. But we'll pay 1000's of dollars for beautifying fountains on our boulevards or big vehicles for our political dignitaries.

Deep breath. Okay, I think it's going to be an early fall. For one thing, the grasshoppers have already stopped hopping across my walk paths. In late Aug & Sept, the grasshoppers are all over the place & they're brown, not green anymore. And the leaves are already dropping. It's kind of early for this stuff.

Watching Once yesterday, there's an early scene when this guy & gal discover their mutual love for music. He plays guitar, she plays piano. He's Irish, I think, and she's Czechoslavcian (sp, lost it at the end of that one). He plays a song that he's written and she joins in. Before you know it, they're singing together in beautiful harmony. These 2 people who didn't even know each other and music brought them to a common ground. To something they both loved. There's also a camera shot of the store mgr as he's listening to their singing; he's enjoying the quiet sounds of the music in his store. Music has that kind of power. It can transcend cultures. It can transcend people's differences & opinions, geographical barriers, mental & physical shortcomings. A person in India and a person in Canada can both love a song to death and it doesn't matter that they don't speak the same language or believe in the same things. They share a love for a song or a type of music and that one thread can just overcome those things. I think that's one of the biggest gifts that a professional singer brings to their concerts. In one big arena, they bring all these different breeds of people together for one night. They all share their love for this person's music and it is something to see them all swaying & singing to the songs, not even knowing each other. It's such a powerful thing. It just blows me away.

I definitely see that love for music in Jake. He's talked about his Ipod, he's talked about favorite songs, and he's been described by others as singing & performing, whether in jest, I don't know. But I would say even if he was clowning around, there's something deep inside that yearns to be that kind of performing singer. I like that love of music in him. I don't know about Austin, if he seems to share that love of music as well. I hope he does. That'd be great if they shared that.

Clarity said...

Great Spotlight. What great music!

I agree TR - I would love to see a biopic of people like Sylvester who were less known but made a great contribution in their own way.

To answer your question PG - No that wasnt me. I always thought Pricilla was a better movie than To Wong Foo so I wouldnt have made that mistake : )

Special K said...

I think music is another thing Jake and Austin share. Austin has commented about Jake, saying "the kid can singing", so he has heard him sing. Now if Jake has sung to him, we don't know yet.

We know he's sung in show choir (thanks to the clip from Jimmy Kimmel) and in past interviews talked about the songs in his Ipod to help to get him mindset for Glory Road. Think music is a big influence on him. He's also talked about music and the Austin music scene on some radio interviews/podcasts. And of course we've seen him enjoying Austin City Limits music festival.

Coming from Austin TX how can you not love music. It's the self proclaimed live music capital of the world.

And yes: Austin City Limits is coming September 26-28th.

prairiegirl said...

My last observation on that movie scene and I promise I'll let it go. These 2 people, though they have barely conversed at this point and, to me anyway, it's unclear what exactly is bringing them together, are speaking to each other through their instruments. He is talking to her through his guitar. She seems to be shyly accepting his attention and listening by playing his song, by attempting to learn his song, through her skill of piano playing. And her vocals to his song, by taking the I don't know what it is the alto or soprano part, but by taking a different road, she helps bring his song to a higher level. It really is a beautiful scene, one that still sticks in my head.

To answer your question PG - No that wasnt me. I always thought Pricilla was a better movie than To Wong Foo so I wouldnt have made that mistake : )


Ohhhh, not you, eh, Clarity? Who was that mystery person? It was funny.

You're right, Special, I remember now Austin saying something about listening to that period of music to get in the mood for Glory Road. And anyone who has an Ipod and has songs downloaded on it, probably does have a inkling for music if they go to that trouble.

Anonymous said...

Plus it was thrilling to hit the dance floors to an artist like Sylvester who was not openly gay, but also not afraid to be so over the top. And it wasn't an easy thing I'm sure. For all that disco was, very briefly, very mainstream, the backlash against it developed very quickly as well, and was very homophobic--hence the use of the slam that disco sucks.

Oh I think I have to disagree with you there, destiny. As a "club kid" in the mid to late 70s (and by that I mean I lived in dance clubs 6 nights a week), there was very little homophobia. Everyone was just doing their thing and everyone was accepting of it. You have to remember, the 70s were nicknamed the "Me Decade" - a very hedonistic era. Sylvester was out inasmuch as a flamboyant drag queen disco diva singer could be in the 70s. ;-)

I never associated the backlash against disco as being homophobic at all. More like some people just hated disco music, lol. Just as there was backlash against rock & roll in the 50s.

prairiegirl said...

a inkling

Oh geez, what a typo. An inkling. Sorry!

Anonymous said...

These songs are great. How can anyone not be in a good mood after listening to that beat.

Jake was in Dicso club in high school. He'd be perfect for a bio role like this one. He can pull a Downey and darken his skin. You just know that he and Austin sing and disco dance their heads off in private.

By the way, did anyone catch the guy in the green thong in the you make me feel clip. Packin heat.

Anonymous said...

I think Jaime Foxx would be great as Sylvester James. What a great idea for a biopic. Such a wonderful story to tell.

Anonymous said...

A fantastic idea for a biopic - such a full life story to tell - his childhood, growing up singing in church, his total acceptance of and pride in himself "I'm alright with God, and he's alright with me", his creativity, his career, his activisim, his advocacy, getting information about AIDS to the black and gay communities, and his unfortunate diagnosis himself with AIDS. Did you know he was married to his partner, and announced it on the Joan Rivers show in 1986. Truly ahead of his time, in spite of the double predjudice he must have had to endure for being both black and a gay man. I hope someone out there is listening and does turn this beautiful gay man's story into a film to celebrate him.

More info about the great Sylvester:

One Class Act

Special K said...

Thanks Great Idea for more information and the extra link for Sylvester!

Anonymous said...

You're very welcome - cute baby! ;)

E.V. tb said...

Sylvester & Patrick Cowley...Megatron Man, Lift Off...
brings back memories of the early 80's. How we carried on at The Saint in NYC!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic to have Mighty Real playing on the internal jukebox again :) Thanks Spesh *

Saying hello to PG from the previous thread * - I must see Once, as it was a favourite film for both Jake and Heath.

destiny said...

Sparkle, I was trying to express two different ideas in my post. One was just the joy of dancing to Sylvester. The other was the backlash again disco, which was not something seen in the clubs, but in music/society in general. I was trying to find some articles on disco and homophobia and came across a rock blog article written by a "Jake Austen", I know it's not exactly the same spelling, but still find it funny.

Jake Austen article

The article I was trying to find, but that doesn't seem to be available on line, was from the Village Voice a few years ago. However I did find this article on Chic that talks about the backlash.

Chic article

Here's an excerpt:

It was the end of an 18-month campaign that had been brewing across Middle America in order to contain the music that had so caught the popular consciousness. That it was picked up by the media with such enthusiasm demonstrates the latent hatred that had been festering. Disco was diametrically opposite to the macho posturing of white rock - and since there were no bands in disco, no tours, or souvenir T-shirts, it was difficult to quantify. A few journalists wrote passionately about it, but in the main it was ignored or treated with disdain. As Craig Werner writes in A Change Is Gonna Come, "The Anti-disco movement represented an unholy alliance of funkateers and feminists, progressives and puritans, rockers and reactionaries. None the less, the attacks on disco gave respectable voice to the ugliest kinds of unacknowledged racism, sexism and homophobia."

"It felt to us like Nazi book-burning," Rodgers sighs. "This is America, the home of jazz and rock and people were now afraid even to say the word 'disco'. I remember thinking - we're not even a disco group."

Anonymous said...

OT (Sorta) -

This is in response to some of the comments about the BBM slash stories. I enjoy them very much as well, but I see a lot of "R&D" and not as in Research and Development but as in "Revise and Duplicate", where a person will write a story with the best of intentions, and others will take the idea and expand upon it and pass it off as their own. Where's the originality? There's a lot of duplication and what borders on plagiarism. But there are a few original and extremely good writers who do have integrity it seems, because I don't see them sinking to the level of stealing other people's ideas on the slash sites, and that makes it worth it. :)

E.V. tb said...

My hyperlink doesn't work, but check it out at www.saintdisco.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks EV! :)

Anonymous said...

I agree with all the comments about the disco backlash. You know its just another case of straight dudes trying to destroy any kind of expression that doesn't reflect their narrow sexual perspective. I really hate the way they try to dominate culture and ridicule anything that isn't for them (brokeback, chickflicks, etc).

destiny said...

The site remembering the Saint is really cool, thanks for the link e.v.tb.

You're so right about that attitude being expressed at so many things Orchid. And in movies in particular it's getting worse, not better, as so much of the focus is on males of a certain age and all the franchise/action pictures.

Anonymous said...

Destiny, it is getting worse. I'm just glad though that we have the internet now and can talk to others with similar interests/perspectives. I think we should all be proud of thinking a little differently, a little more creatively than the "norm" and just ignore the immaturity and celebrate being ourselves and seeing life from our own unique perspective :)

Florida Tom said...

Orchid that was beautifully said. See life from our own unique perspective.

Funny how most of our insecurities and aniexties are due to and created by white men who look at life through such a narrow lens.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love today's Out Spotlight - got me thinkin' about the Weather Girls - It's Rainin' Men (Halleluja!) ;)

prairiegirl said...

r&d, I don't know that I've come across that many that are duplcates. There's 2 that I can think of right off hand that have a similar theme, but the stories themselves take place in different settings. I dunno. I just enjoy them. I admire so much their ability to carry an entire story like they do. And some of them are just absolutely brilliant. I mean, I think there are a couple that could easily be movie-worthy. And alot of the writers are so nice. I've really enjoyed communicating with them.

I never really thought about disco music being a hostile target of the straight person, but I'm not ruling it out. I just never really thought that way. I do remember it being a hostile target of rocknroll lovers. I remember that record burning incident @ Comiskey Park and almost being embarrassed for admitting that I liked disco music. I LOVE that music, but I was kind of intimidated by it not being thought of as "cool." Shows how insecure I was about voicing my opinions back then. I don't understand why people put it down. Disco was about dancing & fantastic beats; it was a very raw, sexual kind of music, I thought. But you know, there are people who also put down "elevator" type music, country music, new age music, and classical music. And what about bubblegum music? Boy, the Osmonds, the Cowsills, David Cassidy, Bobby Sherman, that whole group of singers took hits & criticism from the music world for not being artistic enough. For only catering to the young teens. But they served a certain demographic group; nothing at all wrong with that. I still like my bubblegum music, too.

prairiegirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
destiny said...

You're right PG that other forms of music have been put down, especially by some hardcore rock fans and critics. Some of it is just a matter of personal taste, but a lot of it comes from that us vs. them mentality, and, as orchid said about movies, because of who likes those forms of music.

Anonymous said...

Some slash writers are so talented, I think they should be published. Of course they would have to change the character names, but still. I honestly have not seen much duplication. The characters are Jack/Ennis or Jake/Heath, but that's to be expected.

Anonymous said...

I remember disco being thought of as not cool, also, and I secretly liked a lot of it very much. Finally one day I just came out and admitted it! I'm a huge fan of country music, and just music in general really. I can appreciate most all of it, and every genre has its schlock. Some artists, such as today's, transcend all of that.

I think there are some brilliant writers out there in the slash world too, but I've come across that once there's an idea, a lot of writers incorporate it also, so it comes very close to copying someone else's work, I have found, and the subject has come up before on certain sites. Not all, but some. Also, there are all kinds of genres in slash too - but a lot of it is too focused on the sexual sometimes, which borders on homophobic to me, in a different kind of way, objectifying the characters and not respecting them. This has come up before on slash sites too. I mean, if we find straight men's fascination with lesbian sex questionable, why is straight women's fascination with gay men's sex ok? It's beautiful, yes, and is lovely to read about, but sometimes I wonder if the characters are respected. :)

prairiegirl said...

Right, m, I didn't think I have. I mean, yeah, alot of them have recurring places where the stories take place, i.e. Lightning Flat, or the recurring difference between the two characters, i.e. Ennis' reluctance to live out in the open with Jack or the tragic childhood of Jack Twist. But that's to be expected because that's what those 2 characters are all about. There are a slew of different characters that have been originated and the dialogue on some of them is outstanding. The humor is sharp. But, r&d, perhaps you've seen some different stories than I have. I'm still kinda new to slash and I was amazed that many of the stories were written in 2006 & 2007. Heck, it's 2008 now and I'm just now discovering them, lol. I've commented on a few where the author's no longer writing, but they've written back to me, glad that someone out there is still enjoying their stories.

Well, r&d, you've posted another comment that's very interesting. I can't keep up, lol!!
Are you saying that you think some of them are too pornish? And, therefore, they're disprespecting the characters of Jack & Ennis by only focusing on that aspect of their relationship?

Anonymous said...

I've been a reader of slash for quite some time - yes, in a way, I guess I am saying that. There's nothing wrong with porn, but sometimes I think there's just oo much focus on that in slashdom. Even if they do just focus on that part of their relationship, there's nothing wrong with that by itself. But I guess what I mean is when it's just for the pure entertainment value of it, and losing the perspective that while these characters are fictional, they represent actual people. Like the way we berate straight guys for enjoying lesbian porn. I realize that everyone is working within Annie's story and characters, so there will be some story overlap. That said, there are some incredible writers out there who probably should be published.

prairiegirl said...

Actually, it's amazing to me that there's still quite a bit of fanfiction being written. I mean, that movie was, what, 3 years ago? It's kind of astounding that there's still people writing & people reading. I know, just speaking for myself, I am so taken with those 2 characters. Would I still be if they hadn't been played by Jake & Heath? I honestly can't say. The story itself is so stinkin tragic. I think it was a perfect fit. It was a beautiful story and the 2 actors who played these characters played them to the hilt. Could never be duplicated again. And it's wonderful to share that feeling with others who apparently were impacted, too. Hopefully, there's not any intentional plagiarism going on. I think there's similar ideas but then the authors take a different turn with it and spin it into their own. And I agree, r&d that there are a few that get a little too, uh, kinky. Those, I think are serving a more self-indulgent purpose and, no, don't respect the characters of Jack & Ennis. But, man, I tell you what, on the other hand, there is some pretty hot stuff written out there. I gotta hand it to some of those authors. As in "daaaaaang, girl!"

And, yes, now I don't think twice about telling anybody who cares that I love disco music. Bring it on. And the easy listening music. And the Burt Bacharach & Carpenters. And David Lanz. And Johann Strauss, Jr., Bach, & Vivaldi. There's a time & place for just about any type of music. Even my dad's Mexican music. But geez, he'll play that stuff on one of my old boomboxes that I used to have, blaring it out in the garage for all the neighbors to hear. Embarrasses me to death, LOLLLL!!
Yes, I am Hispanic & I don't mind it when it's a big family gathering & the old codgers are gathered around listening to it. Just don't play it out in the garage, lol.

Anonymous said...

Actually, it's amazing to me that there's still quite a bit of fanfiction being written. I mean, that movie was, what, 3 years ago? It's kind of astounding that there's still people writing & people reading. I know, just speaking for myself, I am so taken with those 2 characters.

I so agree, PG. I think of this a lot, that there will never be another film like BBM. It was really something special, the coming together of so much talent. I really do wonder if we'll see anything like that again.

Yes, there's a lot of creativity in the slashdom. It does need to get credit for that; but you got it totally, the kinda ones you wonder if they are "self-indulgent". But a sexy celebration of two men is very beautiful.

I love Burt Bacharach too, and the Carpenters. They wrote/peformed the kind of music that strikes a chord in your heart, and never gets old. I love Spanish music too. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with David Lanz? Can ya hum a few bars? ;)

prairiegirl said...

Ha! You can't hum David Lanz. He's new age. That new age, I have to be in the mood for. It's sort of like my mom's old Burt Kampert and Henry Mancini stuff, only jazzed up a little. But alot of it is really soothing; sort of like rainy day music.

Hey, I tried to type your name like you had it, but it came out r & d? Sorry about that, I even looked at it in Preview mode and it looked wrong.

You are a true music lover, I can tell, r&d. There it goes again. It must think I'm trying to type a hyperlink or something. I'm trying to figure out your name, it's very interesting. You don't have to explain it; might be something very personal. It just makes me think of amplifier, since we're on the subject of music.

prairiegirl said...

m & ramp;d (let me try it that way, see if it works), very much enjoyed our mini discussion on slash. r&amp, are you new here? If so, welcome and I hope you return. I enjoyed talking music as well with you.

I have to hit the hay; I return to the salt mines tomorrow & 0400 comes so early. Looking at the time now, I know I'll be hurting tomorrow, but ah well, such is life. Never enough time.

Good night, sweet dreams, and have a good Monday, both of you. : )

Anonymous said...

Hi PG, I enjoyed talking to you too -

No, I'm kind of an elder states(wo)man TB, been with these lovely folks since almost the beginning.

I used to love New Age - I wonder why I don't know of David Lanz - maybe I do, just have too much stuff rattling around in the old brain. I am a music lover, very much, and most of us I can see are too. Speaking of New Age - I loved the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Jerry Goodman, Tangerine Dream, and Kitaro.

My computer is acting up, so it messed up my name, but I like it now that you've called it an amplifier! :)

Goodnight! :*

destiny said...

IMO the slash I've read is very different in tone than lesbian porn, which is usually made for men, not women. I don't think I'm the only one that feels that way because lately I keep reading that even some lesbians prefer gay male porn.

One big difference is that in slash it is genuinely about sex between men; in lesbian porn there is still that sense that at any minute a man is going to be joining in, even when it doesn't happen, or that this is somehow just making do until a man comes along. There is also a sense of empowerment in slash and gay male porn that doesn't tend to exist in stuff that is mostly made for the straight male audience.

I don't see anything homophobic about the slash I've read, and if straight men were writing the lesbian equivalent of slash it wouldn't necessarily be homophobic either. I just don't understand that argument. To me it just sounds like another way to put down women for what they like. It's no different than saying they don't like "real" movies or "real" music.

destiny said...

Just to clarify what I said above, while certain things may not be my personal cup of tea, I certainly have no problem with people watching/reading anything that involves consenting adults. I would never berate a straight guy for wanting to watch lesbian porn or label it homophobic. The homophobia only comes in when if it carries over to real life and guys don't respect a lesbian or bisexual woman's right to chose to be with a woman.

Anonymous said...

So I guess you are saying that only men are homophobic and that women are never homophobic. Nobody was putting women's preferences down generally, just saying that there's an element of of it when there's too much preoccupation with only a certain aspect of it. I'm a woman and I still read it, I don't read what I don't like of it. I don't understand how that means I'm putting down women in general. I just see a trend here that straight men get put down generally, and just pointing out the hypocrisy in that.

Anonymous said...

I would never berate a straight guy for wanting to watch lesbian porn or label it homophobic. The homophobia only comes in when if it carries over to real life and guys don't respect a lesbian or bisexual woman's right to chose to be with a woman.

I agree with you totally here; this is what I was trying to say, except that I would just add that it also applies for women to respect that a man would want to be with a man as well. I think we have discussed here that the slash readers who enjoy it in the abstract could never accept their adored one really being gay.

Anonymous said...

^^some slash readers, not all.

destiny said...

Oh I have no doubt there are slash readers who don't want their adored ones to be gay. But that is exactly what I was saying, I think you have to separate slash from real life. And just because a few rotten apples are homophobic, sexist, etc. in real life is no reason to put down slash and fantasies. I also suspect that most of the slash writers do not have problems with men really being gay, or at least the ones I read.

Anonymous said...

Well, I never said that I put down slash and fantasies entirely, especially if I read it. I've also read quite a bit of it. I'd be very concerned about someone who didn't separate slash from real life. While they may separate slash from real life, it wouldn't necessarily follow that that means people are always so open-minded in their views in real life, in every case. I know that I've read some posters here who question it as well. Some comments I've read about the stories make you wonder. But, again, I was only commenting on a few instances, not the stories as a whole. I didn't say all of it. I thought I made that clear. I also said that a lot of it is excellent, but you didn't mention that.

Anonymous said...

Sorry that I have been away for a
couple of days! Your Saturday pics
of J&A were great-they look so
young, carefree, and happy! Also,
your article on Sylvester makes
me remember his music that I have
not heard in years! Please keep me
informed how OTH goes and when The
Informers comes out on DVD! All I
can do is wish Jake and Austin both great luck in their careers!
There always seemed to be such a
bond between them! Hello, Prairie
Girl, and everybody, have a good
week!!

prairiegirl said...

'Morning, Kacie, I, too, and up & about. oh my eyes hurt. Hey, for anyone who is a Borders Rewards member. Today there's a 40% off a DVD box set good for today and tomorrow. Wooohooo..they don't put these out too often. Guess I'll be headin on up to Borders tonight.

Your computer was acting up, too, r&d ?? I'll see if it lets me do it this time. See if any sleep helped it. And so you're a seasoned pro; I'm glad to meet you. I don't confuse the slash with real life; maybe that comes from the stories about Jake & Heath more so than the ones about Jack & Ennis, I don't know. I guess what I like about it is that at least in the stories I like to read, there's a happy ending. And for a little while, I can forget that in the story, Jack died.

Everyone have a great Monday.

Darnit, I see it's doing that again. I may just have to call you ramp! I can't seem to get around to getting it to take.

prairiegirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Special K said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Brad was 33 when they met.

Special K said...

REDITED: because I can't do math in the morning. Ok basically any part of the day.

Congratulations George Takei and Brad Altman on their wedding yesterday in LA.

Congratulations George & Brad

George(71)and Brad(54)have been together 21 years.

Anonymous said...

George Takei Wedding Pictures — FIRST PICS

Anonymous said...

I don't confuse the slash with real life; maybe that comes from the stories about Jake & Heath more so than the ones about Jack & Ennis, I don't know. I guess what I like about it is that at least in the stories I like to read, there's a happy ending. And for a little while, I can forget that in the story, Jack died.

Hi PrairieGirl! This is exactly what I mean. I have rarely read the Jake and Heath and whoever stuff because I prefer reading about the fictional characters of Jack and Ennis, and not real people, because I think it isn't fair to the real people involved. While there's nothing wrong with fantasy, I don't wanna read about them bein' tied up, tied down, abused, etc. (Again, not that there's anything wrong with fantasy, but sometimes it goes a little too far, just imo - I'm not trying to change what people think, I just avoid what I don't like) I love these guys, and I tend to prefer the happy ending ones too. There is some serious subject matter that is explored, stories that are wonderful tho.

I'm having trouble with my ampersand, it just comes across garbled for some reason - I was trying to use R & D as a psuedonym.

Have a great day, all!

:)

Anonymous said...

How wonderful for George and Brad - congratulations! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm having trouble with my ampersand, it just comes across garbled for some reason - I was trying to use R & D as a psuedonym.

You can't use & in Name/URL field.

Why don't you create Google account?