I spent my Thursday night at the theatre last night. I scored some free tickets to see the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats, who are all as tiny and nimble as you might imagine. They are on tour and stopped in Richmond to do a few shows at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center. The show was, in a word: amazing. Nearly two hours of daring stunts that I’ve only seen before on TV. I sat there with my heart in my throat wondering what they might do next.

They brought out ordinary objects onto the stage - like tables and large ceramic vases. For what? Why to juggle with their feet and to balance on their heads of course! They did a lot of the acts you’d expect to see – like the Chinese dragons balancing on balls – and the bike ride where all 15 of them pile on one bike and they bust out the red furry fans (just for that added ta-dah) at the end. I mostly enjoyed the tumbling and of course the contortionists blew my mind. (Can you imagine the sex these people must have??) Honey, please!

Because the space was limited (it was in an auditorium) the rope work and “trapeze” work wasn’t too exciting. But there were lots of acts that just blew me away. I was mostly just impressed with how diverse their talents were. Ex. The same guy that twirled 18 plates on poles was the same guy doing trapeze work later in the show. The same girl that balanced 6 candelabras – with her feet, hands, head and mouth (with lit candles, thank you very much) was the same girl that did ballet and contortion work with a partner. It was really an amazing show. I envy them for being able to just travel all over the world and just astound people with their amazing (and sometimes freakish) talents. Which is why I’ve decided to run away with them. Sort of like joining the circus – only better. One thing though…

I need a talent.

What should my talent be?

Walking on crushed martini glasses while spitting fire?

Juggling 5 Siamese cats, while dressed in an elaborate kimono?

Maybe I’ll just do a sexy tumbling act with one of the trapeze guys…

What do you think?

It's been a long week - but I am seriously excited about going to Kings Dominion this weekend with some friends. It's been ages since I've gone there and I can't wait to ride the rides. I'm one of those serious amusement park junkies that shows up when the gates open, rides everything in the front seat forward, backwards, twice in a row, sometimes more - and doesn't leave until the park closes! I love it.

My favorite ride in the park is an oldie but goodie. "The Rebel Yell" If you haven't been before or don't know what I'm talking about, the Rebel Yell is an old wooden coaster - one of three in the park (as I recall). There are two tracks - one that goes forward and one that goes backwards. My cup of tea? Riding it backwards, in the "front seat" - at night time. You have no idea when a hill is coming that way, and every turn is a surprise!

During my amusement park experiences I've learned one thing to be true: Serious Park fans shouldn't go with people who are less than enthusiastic about rides. It's like oil and vinegar. Plaids and Stripes. Like dragging a big weight around with you all day - when all you want to do is ride as many rides as possible until you puke or they close the park. Know what I mean? So THIS time, I'm going with some friends who really love this kind of thing. Should be lots of fun!

Hope everyone has a fun weekend as well. Hugs,
Chris

Is 9 pairs of shoes too much for just 3 days in Rehoboth…?

I’m thinking yes...

I swore I was going to pack light, but as usual, it’s the shoes that always get me. They’re always the thing to tip the scale and make me go from "sensible traveler with light baggage" – to "bogged down bag-lady", lugging my bags and suitcases around. They’re always the thing that cause me to bring that extra bag…

“Oh that? That’s just my shoe bag.”

“Yes… it’s… for my shoes…”

“Yes, it’s full of them…”

“Oh, leave me alone!”

My suitcase however is right on target. As a former army brat, if there’s one thing I know – it’s how to pack a damn suitcase. (The trick is to roll everything. Don’t fold them. Just roll them. Plus, you won’t get everything wrinkled that way). I think I actually learned that trick from my mother. That woman can pack an entire closet into one suitcase without having to even sit on it while someone zips. It’s staggering.

I haven’t even told her that I’ll be out of the state for 3 days. 3 shoe-filled, vodka-soaked days of tight swimsuits, gay.com, and whatever other shenanigans I can find my way into. I suppose I should call her.

Okay.

Victory

By, Christopher Lovell Murphy

4:59.

I’m on the edge of my seat.

Breathless and restlessly awaiting

the fall to hit me…

the rug to slip from under me...

my life to spin into a new orbit…

and my blue yesterdays to fade gray.

I’m moody like somber jazz, warm copper and heated brass

Held tightly in the cold hands of my unknown

He teases and caresses my strings,

Pulls them taunt and then tells me things –

in whispers that feel like angry dragonflies in my ear

Buzzing white lies that fill the pit of my stomach with fear.

I’m uneasy. I’m less than myself, searching for the man I use to be.

And time keeps slipping away.

Ever delicately.

I watch the clock tick by…

Aimlessly sigh…

and countdown my victory.

This always made me happy - the original wonder woman spin, mind you. Not that blast-of-light transformation crap they did as the show went on...
I had to make a quick wardrobe change once in DC between parties... Tried the wonder woman spin in a quiet hallway of the club (once the coast was clear) ... not as sucessful. Oh well. Anyway, hope everyone is having a great weekend! :-)

Photo of two young men. Preceded by over two hundred lashes and 14 months in detention following arrests for public drunkenness, and homosexual intercourse, these two teens are being driven to the place predetermined for their execution. Visibly shaken and in tears this photo is one of three, the two that followed were of them being fitted ifor their respective neuse.
 
Everyone receiving this does, by virtue of their deeds, contribute to creating visibility and opportunity for equality within the LGBT community. We are charged with a great responsibility that extends far beyond our comfortable enclaves of peace and comparably significant liberty. In places such as Iran where over 4,000 lgbt people have been put to death since 1979 there does not exist the basic infrastructure for ensuring our right to LIVE let alone our right to congregate. This is happening today, and will continue to happen tomorrow. It will continue to happen until our outrage and empathy can no longer tolerate inaction.
 
I hope we keep this reality close to us. I will draw upon it when criticism comes for representing the full experience of LGBT culture as opposed to that of a small minority of media friendly images. I will draw upon it when I hear a candidate for our country's highest office expose bigotry in a public speech and be applauded for it. I will draw upon it when a gay man votes for a president who promises to ensure safety while works to erode civil liberties. I will draw upon it when a close friend tells me that there is no Gay Culture. Because, in spite of our love, celebrations, and frivolity, we are subject to divisive politics, apathy, and disconnection from the struggles of LGBT people around the world. This picture is as much a part of Gay Culture as festivals, and civil unions.
 
I hope you keep it close to you as you continue with your thankless and infinitely valuable work. I am grateful that you are doing what you do.

David S Ryder PHR
Gay Pride Virginia
Chairman

Last night was fun. I attended the Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s “Art After Hours” Event. They closed the museum and basically just threw a big private party complete with a jazz band, a bar, and heavy hors d’ouerves. There was a poetry reading and they gave tours, which my friend Maleah and I ditched to explore the galleries on our own. We pretended that the Faberge Collection was our own personal jewelry store and we drew up new theories behind all Impressionists paintings (pretty juicy stuff) – then we’d compare our conclusions to what the info-plaques actually stated (not so juicy). So after I’d absorbed as much culture (and champagne) as I could, I went home to catch LOST. It was an alright episode, with a surprise ending. I think I’m to the point that I just want answers though.

In other not-so-breaking news, my hair stylist is sick, which means Nesbit wants to give me someone else at an earlier appointment. Do I risk it? Someone new… that’s never touched my hair before…?

I’m gonna go for it! Maybe they’ll have some other ideas or do something totally out of the box that I’ll love. Who knows.

I did have a big burst of energy at the end of the day yesterday and started a new section of my newest short story. It’s a fun scene where the main character is having lunch with a good girlfriend (very cosmo/sex and the city) so I get to write lots of feisty dialogue. I’ll probably finish it and post by tomorrow.

Not much else to report. I hope everyone is having a good day and has fabulous plans lined up for the weekend. I’ll be doing brunch at Godfrey’s – which is actually on Richmond, VA’s Top Ten Things To Do List. It’s a “drag brunch”, which means you eat stuffed French toast and sip mimosas while drag queens (many of which are post-op and wear revealing costumes) lip sync and flip and perform. The funny part is that Godfrey’s is a gay bar/club and most of the patrons on Brunch Sunday are straight. They even bring their kids! Good family fun, right? So that’s where I’ll be.

So let’s review…   

Saw some cool (risqué?) art last night... 


LOST further tested my patience...


Hope this new girl doesn't bald me at the salon today...


Got some more writing done.Yay... 


You want hashbrowns or grits with that omelet, hon??

Okay, reflecting now, I realize my earlier post today may have been a bit heavy (however important). Azure's doing well on his new formula and any major crisis seems to have been averted so far. It's been a good day. So on that note, let me officially say, with full enthusiasm now…

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all you beautiful, fabulous, sexy, smart lovelies out there! Regardless of how you’re celebrating, I hope your day is special!

Here's a sloppy one from me... (of course minus the red lipstick circa 1980.)

Show some love today! :-) 
-Chris