Show yourself, EGOISTE!

Posted by Rob at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It works like GANGBUSTERS!

Posted by Rob at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Hey! I posted the 400th entry!

Ha!

Posted by Rob at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

i think our site is losing its hipness. one of the ways this can be remedied is if a certain member posts more and gets his "friends" involved. then maybe our site will be bought by some huge company and all at pop5 can retire.

Posted by Mike at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Since I haven't been posting on the Pop 5 site lately, I decided to post my top 20 CD picks for 2007. I know everyone is waiting with baited breath so without further ado... Drum roll, please!

20. The Garden Exclusives [E.P.]: Zero 7
19. 100 Days, 100 Nights: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
18. the Boy With No Name: Travis
17. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool: Lupe Fiasco
16. Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace: Foo Fighters
15. Our Love to Admire: Interpol
14. In Our Nature: Jose Gonzalez
13. Hvarf-Heim: Sigur Ros
12. Planet Earth: Prince
11.Cross: J.U.S.T.I.C.E
10. White Bread, Black Beer: Scritti Politti
9. Eardrum: Talib Kweli
8. Finding Forever: Common
7. Dark on Fire: Turin Brakes
6. The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3: Jill Scott
5. Era Vulgaris: Queens of the Stone Age
4. Time on Earth: Crowded House
3. Out of the Woods: Tracey Thorn
2. Kala: M.I.A.
1. Back to Black: Amy Winehouse

For me, the top three were no-brainers since they were always playing on my I-pod. I must admit, Bjork, who is one of my favorite artist didn't make it. Her album totally missed the mark, or it could be that M.I.A released a better album. I will give Bjork an honorable mention since she's alway trying something new.

My hope is that in 2008 Massive Attack, doves, the Roots, and Maxwell will release their long-awaited albums.

Last, but not least, I rediscovered an old album that I haven't listened to in a while. That record is 'Ask Rufus' by Rufus and Chaka Khan. I must say, I forgot how good this album is and the songs took me back to a time when music was bold and innovative. (Not to mention I was younger and had more hair back then.)

That's all.

Posted by Rob at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Wanted: Gay males between the ages of 30-45 to hang out with in south Jersey for some serious male bonding. Must like to read comics, have good taste in music (80s, deep house, hip-hop, electronica, classic country music, new-wave, R&B, some rock, etc. ), a good sense of humor, the Food Network (and dislike Bobby Flay), worship at the altar of Kevin Smith, lift weights, dig Neil Gaiman, eating good food (no vegans, please) and going to see good movies. (Yes, I realize the last one is subjective.) More importantly, you must reject the heterosexual lifestyle and all those who inhabit it; they are a lost cause.

Only serious replies will be considered. If you are below a Kinsey 6, please don't bother. Contact Rob.

That's all.

Posted by Rob at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I have been lamenting the fact that music today has gotten rather tired and predictable. Yes, hip-hop is dead (well, almost) and that thing called 'rock music' is bloated and unrecognizable. So it has come to my surprise that I stumbled upon the latest CD by Amy Winehouse. I must admit, I was a little skeptical of the hype surrounding her. However, this CD delivers the goods.

Forget that Christina Agulera crap where she thinks she's bringing back soul music (Hey, blondie, you should check out Jill Scott's first CD or for that matter listen to Eryka Badu's Baduizm, and you'll see that it never really left.) Back to Amy's CD; think Ronnie Spector meets Nina Simone and you'll get the picture. It's got a blues-60s R&B feel with a little bit of ska thrown in for good measure. For those of you who are in the same camp that I'm in and think that there isn't anything worth listening to--GO BUY THIS CD!!!! You will not regret it! It gives me hope that someone out in the music industry believes that music is art--not pop trash.

As for hip-hop, I just want to say that Nas' 'Can't Forget About You' gives me hope that hip-hop may restore itself to the artform that it was. I can only hope, though.

Hopefully, Massive Attack, Tracey Thorne, doves, and the Roots will make 2007 a better year.

Posted by Rob at 9:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Rob at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Rob at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mel—

What a week it’s been, huh? I mean I land on the cover of People magazine and you get busted by the Malibu police department for allegedly being drunk while driving. To make matters worse, you were accused of uttering anti-Semitic slurs and blaming all Jewish people for the wars in history. That’s a pretty drastic statement, isn’t it? Now there’s talk that your career may be over, but we all know that’s a bit of an exaggeration, right? But I just wanted to say “Thank You” for your racist remarks and your public drunkenness. Here I thought that my coming out would have been the event of the summer, but your stunt will have people talking for ages and that issue with me on the front cover will be in the recycling bin. I’m sure you will be getting letters of thanks from Star Jones, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Naomi Campbell for upstaging us in the scandal department this summer.

Thanks for making this summer so special! You’re the best, man!

Sincerely,

Lance Bass

Posted by Rob at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I haven't been posting in a while since I really don't have too much to say, but since the world is going to hell in a handbasket, I have decided to focus on something that has really gotten on my nerves. The quote below is by our illustrious president....

“I come from a family committed to civil rights,” Bush said. “My faith tells me that we are all children of God – equally loved, equally cherished, equally entitled to the rights He grants us all."

Well, if that were true Gerogie boy you wouldn't have supported the FMA which would prohibit gay people from marrying and nullify domestic partnerships. Yeah, I know people will say, "Rob if you just wait a little longer, things will change." or "This isn't an issue that needs to be debated when so many other things are going on in the United States." My answer to those statements is...Bullshit! Don't tell me to wait to be treated equally like 90 percent of the population. These same sentiments were said during the Civil Rights Movement. If my grandparents would have 'waited' for their rights, they wouldn't have been able to vote or (gasp!) eat at a restuarant with white people. So, no I'm not going to wait any longer.

Mr. Bush please don't say you're commited to civil rights when in reality you are just trying to pacify black people. (You only got 10 percent of the black vote, remember?) If you are commited to civil rights, you have to believe in civil rights for everyone.

Ain't it funny, indeed.

Posted by at 9:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

1. Man in White by Johnny Cash
2. Into Temptation by Crowded House
3. Is There Something I Should Know (Monster Mix) by Duran Duran
4. No Diggity by Blackstreet
5. The Sulphur Man by doves
6. I Feel by Martina Topley-Brid
7. Shelter by The Brand New Heavies
8. Trouble by Coldplay
9. Why Can't I Be You? by the Cure
10. Starman by Seu Jorge

Noy bad for a Friday...

Posted by at 7:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is my Friday Top 10 courtesy of Silent Bob:

1: Never Stop by The Brand New Heavies
2: Lullaby of Clubland (Jay 'Sinister' Sealee Remix) by Everything But the Girl
3: Someday Soon by doves
4: Condemnation by Depeche Mode
5: Let Me In by Floetry
6: Leave in Silence by Depeche Mode
7: I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
8: Joyful Girl by Soulive
9: Original Sin by INXS
10: Shoulder Holster by Morcheeba

Posted by at 6:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hey All--

Here is my Friday Top Ten courtesy of Silent Bob.

1. Tom Traubert's Blues - Four Sheets To The Wind In Copenhagen by Tom Waits
2. Oomingmak by the Cocteau Twins
3. Zooropa by U2
4. Down in the Depths by Lisa Stansfield
5. I'm Diggin' You (Like An Old Soul Record) by Me'shell Ndegeocello
6. Man Who Sold the World (acoustic version) by Nirvana
7. King for a Day by XTC
8. Patience of a Saint by Electronic
9. I Just Wanna Love You (Give It 2 Me) by Jay-Z
10. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? by Prince

And Buddy, stop biting my style, hater.

Love and Mittens,

Rob

Posted by at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is my Friday top 10 courtesy of Silent Bob.

1: Love You All My Lifetime; Chaka Khan
2: It Takes Two; Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock
3: Oblivious; Aztec Camera
4: She Don't Have To Know; John Legend
5: Seguranca; Maxwell
6: Creepin'; Stevie Wonder
7: Home and Dry; Pet Shop Boys
8: Silly; Denise Williams
9: the Corner; Common
10: Set Out Running; Neko Case

Posted by at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today is Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my top ten songs chosen by my I-pod Silent Bob.
Without further ado, here is the list.

1. Ain’t Got Nothin’: Supreme Beings of Leisure
2. The Only Living Boy in New York: Everything But the Girl
3. Mirror People: Love and Rockets
4. Close to Me: the Cure
5. Girl U Want: Devo
6. Jetstream (Richard X Remix): New Order
7. How Soon Is Now?: the Smiths
8. Speed Dial No. 2: Zero 7
9. Seems So Long: Stevie Wonder
10. Devil Inside: INXS

Not a bad mix if i say so myself.

Posted by at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I have decided to post my Friday top 10 from my I-pod. (Silent Bob) This is something I picked up from a blog I read almost every day. You put your I-pod on shuffle, and then list the first ten songs that are played. Here's my list from this morning:

1: My Culture by 1 Giant Leap
2: Concrete Sky by Beth Orton
3: Mighty, Mighty by Charlie Hunter
4: Krisco Kisses by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (Love this song.)
5: I've Got A Lover (Back in Japan) by the Eurhythmics
6: Discoteca by the Pet Shop Boys
7: Funky Boss by the Beastie Boys (Very appropriate for today.)
8: DOA by the Foo Fighters
9: Don't Know Why by Norah Jones
10: Temperamental (Pull Timewarp Remix) by Everything But the Girl

Not a bad mix for a Friday morning. Especially "Funky Boss" by the Beastie Boys.

Posted by at 1:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday was my fortieth birthday. I must say when I was in my twenties (worst years of my life) I never really thought I was going to make it to this age. Now that I’m here it’s not so bad. (Of course I’ve only been 40 for one day, so my opinion may change.) I will say that I am going to miss my thirties, though. Those were the years that I think I finally began to see myself in a different light. I began to realize what it meant to be an adult and all the responsibility that comes along with it. My thirties were my years were I cultivated some of the best relationships with some amazing people. (You know who you are.) I had a huge turn-out for my big 40 birthday party and I got some amazing gifts. However, I am thankful for those relationships I have cultivated in my 30s because I know these relationships are a lot more important than the gifts that were given to me this year—for that I’m extremely grateful.

With that said, I’m kinda excited to see what the next ten years hold in store for me. I hope I will remain a kid (geek) at heart and enjoy this crazy ride.

Posted by at 1:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today is World AIDS Day. I feel like I should take a moment and talk about my one of my friends who died from this terrible disease. His name was Dave K. Dave was a cranky son-of-a-bitch. I got to know him during my stint as assistant manager at B. Dalton Bookseller. I remember working with him and I would always get upset because he couldn't climb the ladders or lift the heavy boxes when we got freight shipments. However, Dave was incredibly smart, well-read and knew everything about all kinds of music; his forte was jazz.

We had a tenuous working relationship because he would say things that would be a little off color at times. For some time, I was always on guard around him. When I came out to most of my co-workers, for some reason he became friendlier to me. At that point I couldn’t figure out why. Then one day, we went out for drinks during our lunch break and he told me he was HIV positive. He was a hemophiliac and got a bad transfusion during the 80s. It became clear why couldn't climb ladders or open boxes; if he did he might get hurt. For a while I felt shitty about thinking of all the bad things about him. From that moment on though, we bonded and hung out a lot.

At work we would always work at the register and scowl at the people who would come in and ask for the latest Danielle Steel novel or some piece of crap. He would always try to up sell some esoteric novel to the hapless patron to no avail. I’d just laugh. On Friday nights, we would go to the Old Temperance House in Newtown and have a good meal, smoke cigars, drink and listen to the jazz musicians. We would always close the place.

As the years progressed, he got worse. He wasn't able to work anymore because his health was deteriorating, but we still would go to the Temperance House for a night of good entertainment. Then in the summer of '94 he was hospitalized with pneumonia. His mom wasn't sure if he was going to make it. I went to visit him and he was still the cranky bastard I knew him to be. He got better and was released from the hospital but he was never the same after that. I guess when you are on Death's door, your perspective changes. One of the last times I saw him, he said that he was scared of dying. At that moment I felt completely powerless. He lamented about the fact that he would never have a girlfriend or have a real intimate relationship with a woman. At that point he began to cry and there was nothing I could do to allay his fears. I just told him that he was going to be OK, but in my heart I knew that wasn't true.

A few years had passed and he was on the rebound. He was taking a cocktail of anti-biotics and had gained some of his weight back. He was his cranky self again. The fall of '96, I had to go to the main campus Of Penn State University for a few days to get trained for my teaching internship. When I got back to Philly, Dave's mom called and left a message on my machine stating that he had died over the weekend. I was stunned. Since Dave was Jewish, his mom had his funeral service on that Saturday and had him buried. She told me that some of his college friends were going to meet over her house and reminisce about the good times they had with Dave. I told her I would make it—but I never did go. I guess I just didn't want to think of Dave in the past tense, or even that he was dead for that matter.

Now, ten years later and I still think of that S.O.B. I miss his weird sense of humor, his passion for a decent drink, his love of literature and his uncanny ability to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. What I wouldn't do for one more night just to hang out with him at the Old Temperance House. Dave, tomorrow night I will be sure to have a drink in your name.

Posted by at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

This Saturday I went to New Hope to visit my friend Peej. He wanted me to come over to celebrate “Santa Saturday” with him. To those who are not in the know, Santa Saturday is an event that is over 30 years old in which the leather community and bears come out in force to have a good time (meaning: drink, dance, etc.) and raise money for local New Hope charities. Since this is a big event, most of the attendees wear leather chaps, motorcycle gear, S&M ‘costumes’ and lots of denim. I decided not to wear anything like that. I wore a hoodie, some cargo pants, a polo shirt, and my trusty Keen shoes. Definitely not ‘bear’ attire.

So I met Peej and we walked over to the Raven where the event was being held. As we got closer to the bar, I began to notice the locals arriving. What I saw didn’t surprise me as much as seeing grown men dressed from head to toe in leather. However, I will go on record to say that most of the men there should have known better to wear ass-less chaps. I mean, the men who were wearing them were at least over 40 years-- I’m being generous here with the last statement. I mean, did they look in the mirror before they left the house? Didn’t they have a trustworthy friend to tell them that ass-less chaps are passé and one should not wear them in public? Or better yet, that ass-less chaps shouldn’t been worn by grown men past the age of 35. (Not unless you are an exotic dancer and even then, there are limits.) I guess not.

As the afternoon progressed we met people who were not your typical bears. We hung out with a couple who I will call Jim and ‘Captain’. They are from New York and Peej was making fun of them because as Peej said when they talked they ‘dropped their “Rs.”’ Jim and Captain have a very interesting relationship. They have been together for six years, but Captain is still married to his wife. Huh? Apparently, Captain and his wife haven’t had sex in over six years and she hasn’t approached him about it. Captain doesn’t really have the nerve to leave his wife because they have three kids and she doesn’t work. As I was told this, I was thinking that must be the life. To live in complete denial about your husband’s sexuality but to benefit from his hard work, have a house and some kids. She’s just a simple girl with a dream I suppose. For some reason, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for those people. I can’t imagine that story having a happy ending.

We had drinks and made fun of some of the men who obviously didn’t exercise proper judgment that day. As the afternoon turned into evening, I met someone who looked uncannily like my ‘Ex.’ He even had the same first name of my ‘Ex.’ I’m sure that fate must have been playing a nasty joke on me that afternoon.. We made small talk for a while and he told me that he was there without his significant other. (As was I.) He mentioned that he was a little miffed that his significant other was always pawing him on his chest when he was in public. Yeah, I know, weird. Then he told me that he wanted to sleep with my friend Peej. I smirked and turned to my friend Peej (who at this time was sucking the air out of some guy’s lungs) and said to the red-head who looked like my ex, “Go for it.” But he didn’t have the nerve to approach Peej and solicit his services; and I certainly wasn’t going to be his pimp. He then went to the bathroom, and that was the last I saw of him. I still think it was my ex, though.

The real fun began when Peej, Jim, the Captain, and I went to an after party in Lambertville. I was starving at the time and was thinking that if there wasn’t food there, I was going to bolt. As we were driving to this party, Peej casually mentioned to me that this was a ‘clothing optional’ party. I looked at him and said, “What? Are we going to have to leave our keys at the party in a bowl and whoever picks them we go home with? Clothing optional parties went out of style when people realized that they didn’t have to wear polyester clothing anymore.” Peej, said not to worry and we would only stay for a while.

When we arrived at the party, I noticed that there were twenty pairs of shoes at the front door. I looked at Peej and then one of the guests said, “You have take your shoes off; the owner doesn’t want people bringing in rocks on their shoes.” I looked at Peej and said, “Absolutely not.” Especially since I paid a pretty penny for them and I didn’t want some drunken queen walking off with them. So we went in with our shoes on and proceeded to get some spirits and food. I took a look around a saw that they owners had laid out some serious cash on his flat. It was very modern, and wasn’t cluttered. Very nice. I wish I could say the same thing about the guests. As I turned to my right, there was a guy standing next to the fireplace wearing nothing else on but a jock strap. UGH. I said to Peej, “So this is clothing optional, huh?” He just smiled at me and continued to eat. Things went from bad to worse when I noticed a man standing in a crowd next to the very tasty nachos wearing a hoodie, boots, and nothing else. There he was just hanging out, with his ‘manhood’ (I am using that term loosely). I told Peej that I wouldn’t be making a second trip back to the nachos. What was even more disturbing, no one seemed to care that he was there sans pants--clothing optional indeed. Maybe he was the entertainment for the evening? I don’t know.

I told Peej that I had to call home to let M know that I wouldn’t be coming home until Sunday. I went out to the deck to make my call. To my surprise, there were three men; one standing and two kneeling. I took a second look and yup, the guy who was standing was getting ‘serviced.’ I turned to them and said, “Don’t mind me guys, I have to make a phone call.” They kept on going at it as if I wasn’t there. I guess what happens in Lambertville, stays in Lambertville. I went back in to find my posse and was told that the room downstairs was getting ‘busy.’ I asked Peej what was going on and he told me that there was a circle jerk happening in the room. Huh? Didn’t those kinds of activities become passé in 1990? Circle jerks? What were these people thinking? I guess they weren’t. The crowning moment happened when Jim said that he came from the bathroom and saw two men having sex with the door open. I said to Jim, “Are they charging a fee for admission?” It was then we decided to leave the house of Sodom and Gomorrah. I had my fill of Vodka Valley and wanted to go back to Peej’s house to get some sleep. I also didn’t want to stay to see if there were any more ‘coming attractions.’

We pile into the car and went back to the Raven for one last drink. By then it was slim pickings left at the bar. Desperate faces with the hopes that someone would take them home; it was very depressing. I turned to Peej and told him it was 12:00. He said that it was time to take the walk back home. We got home and I told Peej that I was hungry and he said, “Didn’t you get enough to eat at the party?” I said to him, “No. Especially since seeing naked men near food is a real turn-off for me.” So we drove to the diner and had a decent meal.

I arrived home this morning exhausted and feeling a little dirty. I told M that this may be the last Santa Saturday I go to. He just looked at me knowing that what I said wasn’t true. Maybe he was right; I mean where else are you going to see men past their prime wearing ass-less chaps and making a fool of themselves in the process? Yup, only during Santa Saturday.

Posted by at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Hello All--

Rama says 'Hello." He's doing well and is enjoying life in sunny LA.

Have a happy Thankksgiving!

RC

Posted by at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Did you guys watch the 'Boondocks' tonight? It's very, very good. Long live Riley and Huey!

Posted by at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, it looks like the anti-Christ will arrive. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have annoounced that they are pregnant. The baby is due June 6, 2006. AHHHHHHHH!!!! Be afraid, be very afraid.

Posted by at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Finally got my Anasi Brothers book. I have a ton of reading to catch up on BEFORE I get to that one. I miss the old days when I could read in my cubicle. I don't think that would go over too well at my new gig.

Just finished reading all of my Batman and Aquaman comics and still have about 20 titles to go until I'm caught up. I must say DC is doing a spectacular job with the story lines for their comics. It's all leading up to a 52 (1 issue a week) maxi-series. Very cool. Can't wait to see how they pull it off. If only Marvel was that creative. Not that MArvel sucks or anything, they are just a little behind the times. I still love the X-men and the Avengers.

I guess that's about it. I'm off to bed to watch Without a Trace. I think watching all these TV shows is cutting into my reading time. Oh, well.

R.

Posted by at 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If anyone is interested in music that is different, check these guys out.

Posted by at 12:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)