Proceed at your own risk

HOW TO BUY THE ALL-AMERICAN CD

Ken Bloom is in the process of finding a new distributor and hopes to have the CD in stores before the end of this year.

But in the meantime for those of you who would like to purchase an advance copy of the "All-American"  CD you can do it through Paypal using  [email protected].  The price, including priority mail (for outside of New York City) is $13.99. Or if the whole paypal thing confuses you, just  email Ken and he'll take care of you.

Additionally, Ken and his partners hope to issue several other backers auditions recordings including Carnival in Flanders, Milk & Honey and Sunday in the Park with George (post Golden Age, but, hey, it's Sondheim!)  Encourage them to do so!

AND THEY SAY THERE'S NEVER ANYTHING INTERESTING TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY

Dedicated with affection to Aaron.

NOT GOOD FOR FIRE PREVENTION

Doesn't this make you want to set your building on fire and then wait to see who shows up?

WASTING ACTIVIST CURRENCY?

Some gay activists have their knickers in twist over a New York City proposal that would require security cameras at nightclub entrances.  The city is pushing to tighten up security at clubs following the recent murders of two young women who were killed at some point during  a night of clubbing.

Of course security cameras in public place are commonplace: banks, supermarkets, convenience stores, retail stores of all kinds, health clubs.

But certain gay activists are fighting for the rights of closet queens to spend a night out in gay clubs without having their identities compromised.  First of all, if someone is famous enough to be recognizable on a security camera, something tells me that dancing the night away in a gay bar or club is not the smartest way to hide your secret life.  Secondly, if you're not famous enough to be recognized by strangers then fearing security cameras is simply ridiculous.  And finally, if you're present at the scene of a crime and fear that a security camera might compromise your "right" to withhold evidence crucial to apprehending a murderer or a rapist, then you might want to consult an ethicist and closely examine your worth as a human being.

Considering our limited financial and manpower resources, those gay activist who are today huffing and puffing over this issue really need to reconsider their priorities.  And for those of you who are worried about your god-given gay right to dance, screw and party in a public law-free zone, the cameras are only going to be on the outside of the clubs.

SOURCE

VLADI'S TIMES SQUARE ADVENTURE

Vladi can't imagine such things in his hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria.  Secure in his innocence, he is talked into posing with mostly naked boys.

Aha!  Someone taller than Vladi's 6' 3"!  He poses again!

A Latino, an embrace, an exchange of phone numbers...Vladi is further seduced into the world of underwear.

Vladi in PLAY: Sensing that the Balkan needs a pocket for his iPod, the boys of PLAY seize and strip our hapless Bulgarian and before you can say 100% pure cotton, Vladi is posing for pictures for the PLAY website.  Stay tuned for details.

NEW YORK HEAT WAVE NO. 2

For the second week in a row, New York City has experienced an extraordinary heatwave. However, last week I hid behind my air conditioners.  This week I hid behind my camera.  Times Square is often called the Center of the Universe.  Today, it lived up to that claim from herds of grazing bottoms to cotton fields of Play, Boss, Papi, Ginch Gonch, Diesel, 2xist and the utter simplicity of white flip-flops.   How many times can a man of my age fall in love on a single Manhattan morning?  I lost count.

By the way, a special second feature on today's Times Square extravaganza will run tomorrow:  Bulgarian Vladi Does Times Square: The story of an innocent young boy from the Balkans forced into underwear slavery by an evil Jewish New Yorker.

   

MANHATTAN MANATEES

In months past I've reported on the odd return of wildlife to New York City including coyotes, moose, Harbor Seals and now a native of the warm waters of Florida, the manatee.

Apparently this water mammal is expanding its territory as New York becomes increasingly hospitable to tropical wildlife.  The great beast, estimated to be over 10 feet in legnth and close to 1,200 pounds, was first sighted cruising the waters just off Chelsea, a sight that apparently rattled quite a few boys pouring out of the clubs and looking to the river for some peace of mind.

One could once again draw certain conclusions about global warming, but that would be disloyal to our president.

A RIDE ON THE TIME WARNER CABLE SHORT BUS

TIME WARNER: Time Warner Digital Cable-Road Runner High Speed Internet Connection, how may I serve you?

RICHARD: Uh, I was just wondering if you could give me some specific information about the restoration of television and Internet service?

TIME WARNER: Due to the heat wave, power is out in parts of Queens and Manhattan.  We are working to restore service as soon as possible.

RICHARD: Yes, I know power is out and service is down. I was calling to ask if you could provide more specific information. It's now been 17 hours since I lost television and my Internet connection.  I use my Internet connection for business and this is costing me money. 

TIME WARNER: I'm sorry sir but the best I can tell you is that service will be restored as soon as possible.  Thanks for your patience.

RICHARD: Don't thank me.  I'm not patient.  I'm simply trapped.

TIME WARNER: I understand sir and we assure you that service will be restored as soon as possible.

RICHARD: Fine. Thanks.  So it could be hours or it could be days?

TIME WARNER: I'm sure it will up again shortly.

RICHARD: Uh, it's already been 17 hours.  What's shortly?

TIME WARNER: As soon as possible.

RICHARD: OK, I won't waste anymore of your time.  Thanks

TIME WARNER: Sir, I see that we provide you with digital television and Road Runner high speed Internet, would you be interested in a special package that would also include phone service?

RICHARD: Are you kidding me?

TIME WARNER: No.  It's a great deal and it will cost you much less than you're being charged by your current provider [Verizon].

RICHARD: You misunderstood me. I wasn't expressing surprise over the great deal. Uh, Forgive me for stating the obvious, but if I was using your phone service right now we wouldn't be having this conversation.

TIME WARNER: How do you mean sir?

RICHARD: I mean that my phone service would be down along with my television and Internet connection.

TIME WARNER: Our service has been rated the most reliable by....[ CLICK]