Category Archives: Video

March 6, 2011

Indiana Jones: Anything Goes

By Joe

I am a big fan of Indiana Jones. Those movies are one of the reasons I decided to study history. Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade are my two favorite of the movies. I never was a huge fan of Temple of Doom, but after seeing Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, I like Temple of Doom much better. My favorite part of the movie is the opening sequence when Kate Capshaw as Willie Scott sing a Mandarin version of the Cole Porter classic, “Anything Goes.”

USA Network is showing all four Indiana Jones movies today, and I am enjoying each one of them all over again. It not only reminds me of my childhood, but also why I love history so much.

8 Comments | posted in Movie Review, Video

February 14, 2011

A Little Help for Valentine’s Day

By Joe

Spell for a Man to Obtain a Male Lover
Egypt, perhaps 6th century
One of the great problems in studying the history of sexuality in the past, as with other areas of human personal life, is that the vast majority of sources come from sources left by social elites. In many areas and periods only the elites could write, and even where a wider section of the population could write (as, probably, in classical Greece), the texts that have been preserved, usually by monastic copying and in monastic libraries for Greek texts, were works produced by the elites.

In Christian Egypt (or “Coptic Egypt”) there seems to have been fairly widespread literacy – in both Greek and Coptic languages – and much popular material has survived on papyrus. The particular climate of Egypt has alone made this possible. We are in a position then to explore aspects of Christian society in Egypt which remain obscure elsewhere. One set of sources which has been made available to English readers are the various collection of ritual “spells”. These texts, dating from the first to the eleventh century, show a religious life quite different from that of the elite theologians who were writing at the same time.

One of the spells translated in this volume is for a man to obtain a male lover: evidence of a homosexual sub-culture, neither philosophic nor literary which we may believe existed at other times and places in the ancient world, but which has left little evidence.

Spell 84: For a Man to Obtain a Male Lover

This text contains a same-sex love spell commissioned by one Papalo to “bind” another man, Phello (this name literally means “the old man” or “the monk”), by means of a variety of powerful utterances (especially ROUS). Besides extending the scope of erotic binding spells in late antiquity, this spell also employs formulae common to several Coptic texts of ritual power. The folds in the text and the description of the text’s depositing (lines 6-7) imply that this spell was intended to be placed near the beloved man.

TEXT
+CELTATALBABAL [.]KARASHNEIFE[.]NNAS’KNEKIE, by the power of Yao Sabaoth, ROUS ROUS ROUS ROUS ROUS ROUS ROUS ROUS
(ring signs)

+++I adjure you by your powers and your amulets and
places where you dwell and your names, that just as I take you
a put you at the door and the pathway of Phello, son of Maure,
(so alos) you must take his heart and his mind; you must dominate
his entire body.

When he (tries to) stand, you must not allow him to stand
When he (tries to) sit, you must not allow him to sit
When he lies down to sleep, you must not allow him to sleep.

He must seek me from town to town, from city to city,
from field to filed, from region to region,
until he comes to me and subjects himself under my feet-
me, Papapolo son of Noe-
while his hand is full of all goodness,
until I satisfy with him the desire of my heart
and the demand of my soul,
with pleasant desire and love unending,
right now, right now, at once! Do my work

Notes:
The reference to “his hand full of all goodness” may be connected with the Hebrew use of “hand” for “penis”. (Give a new meaning to the Spanish phrase mano-a-mano [hand to hand], doesn’t it?).

Ancient spells are not one of my specialties, but I found this very intriguing for two reasons. First, this is a Christian spell, and second, because I wonder if it works. If anyone tries this spell, and it works, then let me know, LOL.

And now for a little humor:

IIntruder² #9 – Ancient Egyptian Cock

http://www.IIntruder.TK
One of them has been cursed by the Ancient Egyptian God Set, and the other finds it quite amusing…

Leave a comment | posted in Funny, History, Nudity, Video

February 10, 2011

Gian Gastone de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany

By Joe

Last of the Medici – Brian Sewell

The House of Medici or de’ Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de’ Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of the Tuscan countryside, gradually rising until they were able to found the Medici Bank. The bank was the largest in Europe during the 15th century, seeing the Medici gain political power in Florence— though officially they remained simply citizens, rather than monarchs. The Medici produced four Popes of the Catholic Church and in 1531 the family became hereditary Dukes of Florence. In 1569, the duchy was elevated to a grand duchy after territorial expansion. They ruled the Grand Duchy of Tuscany from its inception until 1737, with the death of Gian Gastone de’ Medici. The grand duchy witnessed degrees of economic growth under the earlier grand dukes, but by the time of Cosimo III de’ Medici, Tuscany was fiscally bankrupt.

Their wealth and influence initially derived from the textile trade guided by the guild of the Arte della Lana. Like other signore families they dominated their city’s government. They were able to bring Florence under their family’s power, allowing for an environment where art and humanism could flourish. They fostered and inspired the birth of the Italian Renaissance along with other families of Italy, such as the Visconti and Sforza of Milan, the Este of Ferrara, and the Gonzaga of Mantua.

Gian Gastone de’ Medici (Giovanni Battista Gastone; 24 May 1671 – 9 July 1737) was the seventh and last Medicean Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was the second son of Cosimo III de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Marguerite Louise d’Orléans, Princess of France. His sister, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, the Electress Palatine, married him to Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg, a wealthy widow, in 1697. Unfortunately, Gian Gastone despised his new wife, and she, him. The union produced no offspring. As Grand Prince Ferdinando, Gian Gastone’s elder brother, predeceased Cosimo III, Gian Gastone succeeded his father as Grand Duke in 1723.

His reign was marked by the reversal of his predecessor’s ultra-reactionary policy; he abolished taxes for poorer people, repealed the anti-Semitic penal laws and discontinued public executions. The Medici were wanting in male heirs; his father, Cosimo III, wanted the Electress Palatine to succeed Gian Gastone. However, Spain, Great Britain, Austria and the Dutch Republic disregarded Cosimo’s plan and appointed Don Carlos of Spain—whose mother,Elisabeth Farnese, was a great-granddaughter of Margherita de’ Medici—Gian Gastone’s heir.Don Carlos later transferred his claim to Francis III of Lorraine pursuant to a preliminary peace that was finalized in 1738. Francis duly succeeded at Gian Gastone’s demise, on 9 July 1737, ending almost 300 years of Medici rule over Florence. For the latter part of his reign, Gian Gastone chose to remain confined in his bed, tended by his entourage, the Ruspanti. (Italian for free-range, as in chicken or poultry, even back then they had the concept for twinks, young good looking men, or fresh chicken).

2 Comments | posted in Art, History, Video

January 27, 2011

Gay Paree

By Joe

Paris is certainly one of the Top 3 travel destinations in Europe, and for the author of these lines it is the most beautiful one. Considering how many wonderful cities in Europe had been destroyed in the last war and didn’t gain their former beauty and fame, yet, after 60 years, Paris is truly a treasure and miracle.

You could stay in Paris for months or visit Paris again and again, and you would still see other beautiful and interesting spots if you explore the city with curiosity and open eyes. Just stroll around a bit and do not only follow the routes in your travel guide book.

If you come to Paris not only to visit the Louvre and other sights but want to dive into the Parisian life then try to avoid August. Many Parisians take their long vacations in August and some companies have even closed completely. In the gay scene even the most popular gay clubs and bars won’t be very crowded or will be empty or closed.

The gay center of Paris is the Marais, an old district in the 4th Arrondissement of Paris with adorable, narrow streets breathing centuries-old history. You’ll find a lot of gay bars, cafes and shops here, as well as plenty of gay-friendly restaurants, most of them quite close to each other, creating a bit of a ghetto atmosphere.

Gay Parisians can be a bit difficult when it comes to flirting. If you dare to show your interest to somebody in a direct way you could easily be seen as too needy, too easy or too cheap. Our two Euro cents of advice: Don’t waste your time with behavior research to understand the rituals and peculiarities of flirting in the gay scene of Paris. Just do it your own way and don’t take the Parisian rudeness personally.

Besides, it is often said that Parisian guys come and stick in groups. Exploring Paris with friends can really make a difference, both at day and at night.

Annual gay highlight in the French capital is Paris Gay Pride end of June, called ›Marche des Fiertés LGBT‹ in France. The only gay pride parade I have ever had the luxury of attending is Paris Gay Pride a few years ago when I was in Paris for a study abroad program.

The Parisian attitude toward sexual preferences is VERY relaxed and very pragmatic. Vending machines for condoms have recently been installed in high schools. You also find condom vending machines at Metro stations. When it comes to Paris nightlife, the Parisian scene abounds with transformist night clubs, and after hours clubs with a predominantly gay flavor. The annual Gay Pride Parade gets bigger and better each year.

Paris’s official tourist office site offers a listing of gay-friendly hotels and suggestions for your stay in the “City of Love.” Here is a city where you can walk hand-in-hand and feel truly at home.

Paris’s Marais district may be considered the epicenter of Paris’s gay community, but you’ll find that this city has plenty to offer gay visitors, especially when it comes to nightlife in various arrondissements, so don’t limit yourself to just one neighborhood. Some of Paris’s hottest night spots are gay-oriented.

To learn more, please check out these two sites:

http://www.patroc.com/paris/

and

http://www.parislogue.com/gay-paris

Patroc Gay Travel Guide Europe 2011 is a wonderful site for gay travel. I must apologize to this site because I inadvertently forgot to add my sources for this post. Check out Patroc Gay Travel Guide Europe 2011 for more information about gay travel in Europe. I know that I will the next time I head for Europe.

2 Comments | posted in Travel, Video

January 25, 2011

2011 Doritos Superbowl Commercial Ad

By Joe

The guys in the video are really hot, but why do they always have to make gay guys so stereotypical? It just allows for more people to make fun of us and puts forth the stereotype.

Though I have to say, I found this comment on YouTube about the video to be pretty funny.

As a gay man this is not offensive, but the cheap ass stereotype of gay ass feminine boys is what is dumb. Why not have one guy be masculine? Doritos chips are fucking sick anyway. But maybe “straight” football guys like twinkie boys. Who knows?

And just on a side note, I am sitting here watching the news about the coverage of the Senior Bowl (college football showcase of seniors ready for the draft). Why did I not get invited to the weigh-in? All those college guys in their underwear (tight Under Armour underwear) parading across the stage. Damn!!!!

4 Comments | posted in Video

January 19, 2011

Something to Tickle Your Funny Bone

By Joe

My Blackberry Is Not Working!

As someone who has a Blackberry, I found this hilarious. It may be good reception on Verizon, but it does freeze up a lot because of the low application memory.

4 Comments | posted in Funny, Video

January 6, 2011

An Affair to Remember

By Joe

Tonight, I am going to sleep with tears in my eyes. You see, I am a hopeless romantic. I can’t help it. I watched one of my all time favorite movies tonight on TCM, “An Affair to Remember.” Why is it that the greatest movies always make you want to cry at the end? Not only this movie, but so many others that have so emotional endings, two that I can think of right off hand are “Casablanca” and “Fried Green Tomatoes.” These are some of my top movie favorites. If I were going to pick a favorite gay movie that always gets me at the end, it would have to be “Latter Days,” which if you haven’t seen, shame on you. It is well worth it.

In honor of the movie, “An Affair to Remember” here is Deborah Kerr singing the song “Love Affair” from the movie:

Deborah Kerr “An Affair To Remember”

Actually the voice is Marni Nixon, who is a great singer and dubbed the singing for Deborah Kerr in this movie and in “The King and I,” she sounds like Kerr and it the voices were melded together to appear seamless.

Leave a comment | posted in Movie Review, Music, Video

December 31, 2010

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

By Joe

The Carpenters – What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

If you would rather hear Diana Krall’s version of this song, click over to Cocks, Asses, and More. I couldn’t decide between the crooning voice of Diana Krall or The Carpenters, so I decided to do simultaneous posts of both.

So what are you doing New Year’s Eve?

4 Comments | posted in Video

December 26, 2010

White Christmas (Sort of….)

By Joe

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm–Billie Holiday

The snow is snowing, the wind is blowing
But I can weather the storm!
What do I care how much it may storm?
But sadly, I don’t have a love to keep me warm.

Believe it or not, much of the Southern United States had a white Christmas. Atlanta, (Birmingham—first time in recorded history), Montgomery (first time since 1918), all had a white Christmas, (or at least it snowed on Christmas Day). I was a little further South, but we had snow with a mix of rain last night. Right now it is really snowing, though very little of it is sticking to the ground. The sun is supposed to come out in just a few minutes and the snow will stop. But this has been a really nice Christmas. I got to build castles with my niece, we had a tea party, we played doctor with her little toy medical kit (we did not “play doctor” so get your minds out of the gutter), and we played in the snow. What a great time we had! Three year olds can be so much fun. Now if the rest of my family could learn to be as much fun, it wouldn’t have only been a wonderful Christmas, but a Christmas Miracle, LOL.

I was told there would be 12-18 inches of snow in the northeast today through Monday. I would love to be snuggled up to someone as it snows outside, but I am here with my coffee and just relaxing by myself instead. Though my cat just drank some of my coffee, she will probably be bouncing off the walls soon. I’ve never known of a cat that loved coffee like she does.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas. What did you do this Christmas? Is there anything that made it particularly special for you? Is it snowing where you are?

4 Comments | posted in Video

December 25, 2010

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men

By Joe

The Story of the Birth of Christ

Matthew 1:18-2:12

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

I was never a huge Peanuts (Charlie Brown) fan, but since I was a child, when I hear Luke Chapter 2 read, I always hear it in Linus’s voice. So here is Linus explaining the meaning of Christmas.