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CHAPTER 2 - GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL.
To contact
Rick Chris regarding your comments, sales, commissioned paintings or illustrations,
advertising, etc., click on the button below. I Gets Emails "I wanted to compliment you on your delightful web site which I found by accident and the Beef Matson story. There were so many places in the story that gave me a good cry. If my boy, my gay son were still alive, I'm sure he would love the story and I'd want him to live with people just like the characters you depict in the story." - Stella " Your website has helped me come out and be comfortable with my sexuality over the years! That really means something to me." - Justin, Connecticut "You gave me one of your magnets at pridefest. How nice of you and what a cool thing. Great website, love your art. Do more! Really getting into the Beef Matson story. Just started but sampled the other chapters. Great story and chapter 11 is really wild." - Steve "Just finished reading the first Beef Matson story. Very intelligent and clever with plenty of tugs on the heart strings. The last chapter of the story was so upbeat and uplifting I kept reading it over and over. I don't know why, but the line that really got me literally crying on my keyboard was when Randy says, "Our family opens our presents on Christmas Eve". I hope your new story is as good as your first." - Jimmy K. "Entertaining Website, wonderful art. Look forward to seeing more." - Michael C. - Jacksonville, FL "LOVE your work, very beautiful". - Dave C. - Algonquin, IL "What awesome art work. One of my favorite sites." - Bobby P.
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So that's what I'm going to do. On rickchris.com, it'll be Christmas for the rest of the year. Just my attempt at bringing some fun and frivolity into your life. Now if you're Jewish or agnostic or whatever, I don't mean to exclude you, just the contrary. I want to include you in a spirit of good times, sentimentality and giving. I haven't figured out on what sort of features I will be having on the site, but that's basically the direction I'll be going in. So in keeping
with this spirit, first up on the docket is the Rick Chris monthly contest.
If you win, it'll be like getting a present at Christmas:
Brokeback Mountain and Forbidden Love by Madonna Mix:
******** If you enjoy the various features and departments of rickchris.com, please help support this web site through a donation. Any amount is helpful. Many thanks! - Rick Chris
posted
5/12/08 I'm
glad that you are continuing the series with the same sort of supernatural
Henry (sic) Potter flavor, this time with
a monster (I assume) added to the ghosts and other entities. As with Henry
(sic) Potter, are your characters from the other story going to
make an appearance, like Minerva, the woman who owns the magic potions
shop?" posted
5/12/08 posted
5/1/08
posted
4/27/08
posted
4/13/08 ********
******* A
RICK CHRIS REVIEW Pink
Martini with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at the Beottcher Concert
Hall, Denver, Colorado, May 2, 2008
Note:
A grateful thanks to Pink Martini fan and booster, Sir Robin Hixson for
providing the ticket to the performance. Any group that can fill the Boettcher Concert Hall to near capacity must be worth its salt. Such was the case with Pink Martini with a near capacity crowd, fans filling out even the high balcony seats. Boettcher is theater in the round with some of the seats viewing the performers and the orchestra from the back. Yours truly, Rick Chris, had an excellent seat, watching the performance from the Dress Circle, my location offering an excellent close, but not too close, view from above and slightly off to the side. The acoustics of Boettcher, the United States first symphony hall in the round, are excellent, when the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) started the evening with Ravel's Bolero, it was much like having earphones on and listening to the crisp clarity of a well mastered CD. Thomas Lauderdale was introduced first, sporting a blond tufted Mohawk haircut. Mr. Lauderdale and ensemble did not fail to entertain the enthusiastic and receptive audience. The vocalist, China Forbes, arrived dressed in a beautiful white and pink/salmon gown. She and Lauderdale exchanged repartee about the gown, with Lauderdale commenting that her gown reminded him of the Alfred Hitchcock film, "Marnie", in which actress Tippi Hedren as Marnie has flashbacks in which she blurts out, "See the colors! See the colors!" The audience was truly in love with Ms. Forbes, and though she probably was unaware of it, some members of the audience in the mezzanine seats behind and above her had their arms in the air and were waving them back and forth while China sang Sympathique. From the concert and from Pink Martini's third CD, Hey Eugene!, I'm throughly convinced by the ease in which Ms. Forbes can skillfully render a song in different languages, that she could be given a song written in a dead language such as Sanskrit, Mayan or Gothic and sing it correctly with every inflection down pat. During the concert, Lauderdale also offered some insight into his music. For instance, he revealed that his version of the song Anna, was recorded after listening to a Grace Jones version of it. It seems the lyrics as he thought Jones had sung them were actually different from the actual lyrics, but the lyrics in Pink Martini's version remain as Lauderdale thought Grace Jones had sung them. In another reference to Alfred Hitchcock, Lauderdale told how he recorded the song Que, Sera, Sera; not as the upbeat bit of sunshine as Doris Day recorded the song, but darker, to match the movie it came from. The result is a haunting, yet still a pretty and symphonic arrangement of the song. The Flying Squirrel was a very swinging big band number, serving up a hot drum solo, a cool guitar solo for a second course, garnished with a solo of exuberant squawking trombones. Amado mio was a vision of an opulent 1950s nightclub in perhaps Rio or Havana without the annoying cigarette smoke or the stale smell of spilt liquor. Closing my eyes, I could imagine Bogart and Bacall having a conversation in a secluded booth in the background. Later in the concert, Autrefois also offered a glimpse into a 1940s Latin cabaret, where I sure, Ms. Forbes would certainly fit in as the club singer. Bukra wb'ado, an energetic Egyptian pop hit, was performed with scientific precision, just as it sounded on the Hey Eugene! CD. Thomas Lauderdale truly shined in his masterful performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue, displaying his mastery of the keyboard and his obvious joy in performing the composition. The CSO also gave us a smashing performance of the American classic and the audience showed its approval by giving Lauderdale and the accompanying Colorado Symphony Orchestra a standing ovation. Hey Eugene!, a composition written and performed by China Forbes, was very well received by the audience (which Ms. Forbes seemed to have in the palm of her hand anyway) as well. Hey Eugene! is a catchy number, with a 1970s sound, in fact, if you could take Hey Eugene! back through a time warp and release it around 1975, a time when something called top forty radio had great power to make hit songs, in my humble opinion, Hey Eugene! would have been a mega hit. If you have the opportunity to see a Pink Martini show, please do go. I assure you that you will be awarded for your time and money by a great evening of entertainment. In fact, down below me, in seats right next to the stage, I noticed a couple with two small toddlers and I wondered how long the two little tykes would last through the show. However, there wasn't a peep out of the two little kids. As I watched through evening, the two little ones seemed to be throughly entralled by the show. The power of great entertainment. ******* TruthWinsOut.org
- New Multi-Media Website Refutes 'Ex-Gay' Myth "TruthWinsOut.org is a one-stop-shop for information on the ex-gay myth and an action center for those who want to fight back against this insidious industry," said TWO's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "We believe this site will help people come out, keep families together and even save lives. This is a great day for those who have long wanted to stop the spread of ex-gay misinformation and help people escape the ex-gay trap." "The ex-gay industry has declared war against GLBT people as it has become enmeshed with the far right," said Michael Airhart. "By joining with TruthWinsOut.org, I am answering a personal calling to defend individual liberties, religious freedom, constitutional rights, family unity -- and sexual strugglers -- against exploitation by divisive, intolerant and dishonest extremists." TWO's website will include an extensive and unprecedented video catalogue of "ex-gay" survivors and sexual orientation experts. The videos and website highlight an active and robust year, where TWO will challenge the "ex-gay" industry across America. TruthWinsOut.org is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org. Ron
Romanovsky - On The Sanctity Of Marriage
The
Romanovsky and Phillips website: A
RICK CHRIS REVIEW
TURN UP
THE FUN is available at cdbaby.com, itunes or at romanovskyand phillips.com.
The CD can also be purchased directly by sending $18.00 to Fresh Fruit
Records Other
reviews: New Mexico Voice: "The humor and instrumentation of Wierd Al combined with the touching beauty of Rufus Wainwright." Out West Magazine: " Romanovsky challenges any modern music listner with a virtuoso talent and an immeasurably charminng, yet downright sideways way of looking at the world." ******* In
The Life
IN THE LIFE's June Pride show, Leading the Way, celebrates people, places, and events that display the remarkable courage and diversity found with the ranks of the LGBT community: From Voices from Nepal, where we visit with members of The Blue Diamond Society, an organization giving visibility to LGBT people in this South Asia country, to a "Real to Reel" that looks back at the historic battle for same-sex marriage in Massachusetts; from the larger-than-life world of Grand Opera with lesbian director Francesca Zambello, to Broadway's little-show-that-could, Xanadu, and its star Cheyenne Jackson; and finally, A Conversation With Judy Shepherd, reflecting on the tenth anniversary of the brutal murder of her son, Matthew all reflections of the rainbow that is Gay Pride. To watch the June episode promo, go here. To go to the IN THE LIFE web site and check the of local TV stations which carry the program, go here. *******
*******
"Queer
Music Heritage" is both a radio show and a website, and the goal
of both is to preserve and share the music of our culture, because I just
don't think gay & lesbian music of the past should be forgotten. I also
believe our music culture is a visual as well as an audial experience,
so I try to share the images of this music
photos of the artists
and recordings, and to pack in as much information as possible, while
still trying to entertain.
There are also many extra sections, such as a page of Gay Marriage Songs (with free downloads), a page of songs about Matthew Shepard, a section on Gay Musicals, lots of info about drag artists, a page listing songs about AIDS, etc, etc.". ******* The
SMART Ride 5 Announces Dates For 2008 Now entering its fifth year, The SMART Ride has raised more than $1.2 Million and returned 100% of those dollars to help those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in our state. "In 2007 the money raised by riders exceeded $393,000." said David Spacht, this year's Ride Director. He has set an ambitious, but realistic, goal of 500 participants raising $500,000 in the 5th year. Over the past four years, the riders have come from as far away as Hawaii to participate and as word continues to spread, more and more riders and crew continue to come from outside the State of Florida to participate. Unique to an event as large as THE SMART RIDE is the organization's pledge to donate 100% of every dollar raised to the six AIDS service agencies located throughout Florida. Currently The SMART Ride has announced 5 agencies and is in final negotiation to secure a sixth agency on the Gulf Side of the State. The following are scheduled to benefit in 2008: AIDS Help, Inc., in Monroe County, Broward House, Center for Positive Connections in Dade, Compass Inc. in Palm Beach County and the Hug Me Program in the Orlando area. All support staff, including Spacht, work as volunteers. By virtue of their personal donation or through sponsorships, riders are committed to raising a minimum of $1,200 each. For those whose passion is making a difference in the fight against AIDS this is a great way to help raise awareness, and honor those we have lost before their time by joining The SMART Ride as either a rider or crew. The organization provides training rides and support for several months leading up to the event, as well. On the journey from Miami to Key West, riders are provided lodging, catered pit stops, on-site massage therapists and ample support vehicles. All of this support is paid for by donation or sponsorship; none with fund raising dollars. For more information , updates or to ride, crew or become a sponsor please visit : http://www.thesmartride.org/ or call 1-866-696-7701. There is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $75.
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In the meantime, take good care of yourself. You've got to, because you're the only one of you we've got. They just ain't making anymore just like you.
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Fulfilling your dreams is more therapeutic than analyzing them. - Barbara Sher Our first teacher is our heart - Cheyenne proverb I am what I am - Popeye Art is not what you see but what you make others see. "You're never too old to become younger." - Mae West "You're never too old to have a happy childhood" - George Bernard Shaw "I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. If a plant cannot live according to its nature, it dies; and so a man." - Henry David Thoreau Seen on a bumper sticker: "I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me to do." "Too much stress and strain on the brain makes you go insane." "Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privillege. Use it. Dwell in possibility." - Oprah Winfrey "Gay is the feeling you get when all of the straight people leave the room." "There is a major difference between a friend (in office) and a gay person in office. It's not enough just to have friends represent us, no matter how good those friends may be. We must give people the chance to judge us by our own leaders, and our own legislators." - Harvey Milk "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." - President Abraham Lincoln "Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." - Harvey Fierstein "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt" It's a funny old world a man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." - W.C. Fields "According to you, everything I like is either immoral, illegal or fattening." - W.C. Fields "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door." - Harvey Milk " " but personally I thank God for gay men, 'cause if it was not for them, us fat women would have nobody to dance with." - Rosanne "The only thing necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing." - Edmond Burke "The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they are okay, then it's you." - Rita Mae Brown "Only until your high enough on the mountain, will the real purpose of the valley come into view." - Cowboy Dave "The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese" - Steven Wright "The great thing about suicide is that it's not one of those things you have to do now or you lose your chance. I mean, you can always do it later." - Harvey Fierstein "Never place a period where God has placed a comma." - Gracie Allen "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." - Blaise Pascal "You should take a husky man who will always be at your side." - Sherlock Holmes to Sir Henry in Hound of the Baskervilles. "Marriage hasn't been my thing. But gay people, knock yourselves out." - Ben Affleck "Deciding on a husband is like picking a diamond, you don't want to choose one that's obviously flawed." - Jerry Hall "The bias of the media is not liberal. It's lazy and sensationalist." - Jon Stewart "The moment you see something wrong and don't say anything, is the moment you start to die," - Dr. Jocelyn Elders, Former Surgeon General of the United States "Worry is like paying interest on debts you haven't incurred yet" - anonymous "Better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not" - anonymous "A free society is where it is safe to be unpopular." - anonymous "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security." - from Historical Review of Pennsylvania [c.1759] by Benjamin Franklin [1706-1790] Another
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