Fake Name

I seriously considered using a pseudonym to publish under even before the whole Kentucky Kim Davis debacle, but my ego wouldn't let me. Plus, if I published under another name, I wanted that name to be partly sleazy and totally awesome! Sure, I could use no imagination whatsoever and go with something lame (and cheesy) like Dick Johnson or Rock Hardington (ha!). Unfortunately, I believe Deez Balls is already taken. The day may come when I decide to put something out under a fake name if I want to take my writing in a totally different direction or just do something completely under the radar. With so many names out there to choose from, it would be hard to come up with something that would be great.

In totally unrelated news, I'm curious to find out how the primary in New Hampshire shakes out. As I posted a few days ago, it's time for the Republican clown car to lose a few riders. Who will be forced to hit the road after tonight? Governor Sandwiches? Mr. Ruboto? Dr. Gifted Hands?

Super Bowl Sunday

This post isn't really about the Super Bowl or Sunday, but since it is Super Bowl Sunday, that's the title I went with. I didn't watch last night's millionth Republican debate (because, really, why bother?) but I did read about it and watch highlights earlier on the web. Governor Sandwiches (aka Chris Christie) really ate Marco Rubio's lunch for him, didn't he? Huh. I assume (I hope) after the New Hampshire primary, the Republican clown car will lose a few more riders. Super Tuesday can't get here soon enough. In other political news, I did catch Larry David doing his "Feel the Bern" rendition of Curb Your Enthusiasm last night on SNL. As a Curb fan, I really enjoyed it. They should have brought JB Smooth, Jeff Garlin, and Susie Essman on to play themselves in the skit. That would have been pretty, pretty, pretty good.

And, since I'm on a political kick today, I'm tired to Clinton and her cronies (I'm looking at you, Albright) saying again that women should support her because she's a woman. Please. I don't recall Obama saying black folks should support him because they're black. Shouldn't you vote for the candidate you feel will do the best job?

With all of the talk lately about how white the Oscars are, I'm a little surprised this is suddenly becoming an issue. Well, it's been an issue in the past, but are people really surprised that nothing has changed? How can things change when you have the same people making decisions in Hollywood about casting and which films get greenlighted (and which ones don't). White people often like to make and watch films about other white people. Is this new news? I don't think so. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the real diversity is coming on the small screen these days. Television and web-based shows seem to be a lot better in bringing diverse casts and varied story lines to audiences. Hollywood movie people are too focused on superhero and action movies (featuring mostly white guys saving the world) that will put overseas asses in the seats.

Shake and Wake

Even though I don't live in New York anymore, I still keep up with what's going on in the city via websites like Gothamist and NY Magazine. I read this week on Gothamist that the NYPD is going to start cracking down on people sleeping on the subway (shake and wake). Too many people have been robbed and/or assaulted while dozing on the subway, so the police want to stop people from becoming crime victims. I don't think I ever slept while on the subway when I lived in New York. It just seems like a recipe for disaster. Homeless advocates fear the shake and wake tactics are simply a cover for the NYPD to harass the homeless who often ride the rails and sleep in the cars. If you've ever ridden the subways in NY with any consistency, chances are you've encountered a sleeping homeless person. Sometimes the stench of these folks can fill an entire subway car. I learned the hard way that when you see an empty or near-empty car and the others are filled, chances are that car is empty for a reason, probably because it stinks like a landfill. I think shake and wake is actually a good thing. Sleeping on the subway, whether you're homeless or not, just isn't a good idea. Yes, we're all tired after a day or working or a night of drinking, but sleeping on public transit just isn't a good idea. You need to be aware of your surroundings or at least awake.

Under the Bus

I'm so glad Suits is back on USA but I can't help wondering when the lawyers are going to finally throw Mike Ross's fake ass under the bus. The guy's not a lawyer and he didn't go to Harvard. How long are the other members of the firm going to keep covering for him? Yes, they're covering for themselves also, but surely these smart attorneys could find a way to rid themselves of Ross without getting the stink of his lies on the firm. Of course then there wouldn't be a show, would there?

In totally unrelated news, I went to Panda Express tonight and didn't get a fortune cookie. Grrrr! I like fortune cookies. They're tasty. I was off Chinese food for a few years after a bad batch of lo mein in Brooklyn made me barf. Now I'm back on it, but only Panda Express. I can't bring myself to just go to a local place for fear of another barfing incident.

Killing Us Softly

Is everything out there trying to slowly kill us? Zika-infested mosquitoes, lead-tainted water, defective air bags, Ted Cruz. Stop the madness! I read today that the CDC said women of child-bearing age who aren't on birth control shouldn't drink because, in the event that they do become pregnant, they could harm their child via alcohol-related illnesses. It's amazing how Draconian the public health officials have become in the last few decades. As someone who grew up in the 70s and 80s, it's a wonder I even survived my childhood. We didn't have car seats and seat belts weren't even required when driving. I'm not saying car seats and seat belts aren't good, but sometimes I feel like we live in a nanny state. That being said, my father recently revealed that he might have to wear a hearing aid in the near future because he's having trouble hearing in one of his ears. My father worked in a car factory for many years starting in the late 60s. He worked in a factory before OHSA regulations were standard in factories. He would come home from work in the 70s and blow his nose and black soot would come out. God only knows what kinds of toxins he was breathing during the work day. I believe that factory contributed to the respiratory and auditory problems he's had in the past and is having now.

Baggage!

My new book, Baggage, came out yesterday and it's available for sale. You can find a link to purchase the book from JMS Books if you click on the cover on the sidebar. Baggage tells the story of Patrick Holt. After a bad breakup leaves him reluctant to get involved with another man, Patrick's neighbor sets him up with her brother-in-law Eric. Patrick prepares himself for disappointment, but finds himself quickly charmed by Eric. Eric falls hard and fast for Patrick also, but secrets from his past threaten to destroy everything between them. I hope readers enjoy it.

Mothers & Sons

I went to see Terrence McNally's play Mothers & Sons yesterday and enjoyed it. It's the story of a man, Cal, who receives a visit from his deceased partner's mother, Katherine. Katherine's son, Andre, died from AIDS years ago and his mother seemed to be in denial about him and his life as a gay man. In the play, Cal has finally moved on from the devastation he felt for years over Andre's loss and now has a new partner, his husband, Will, and they have a son, Bud. The play is really about coming to terms with loss. Both Cal and Katherine were clearly broken mentally and emotionally by Andre's loss and they're forced to try and talk through their pain with each other. It's a tense relationship and the actors were excellent in expressing their anger, angst, disappointment, and general feelings about each other and their lives with and without Andre. It's a fascinating play.