One more photo shoot with Blue

Tonight's shoot with Blue marked our sixth together but our first in two years. In the past I've shot Blue in my studio, in my kitchen, in my bathtub, in St. Nicholas Terrace Park, and out on Coney Island. Blue never disappoints, he always gives you that little added something that takes the creativity and subsequent photos to a new place. Tonight he brought candles and a deck of tarot cards - which made me want to shoot him strictly by candlelight - this made things more complex and difficult, but ultimately it made for some very interesting images.

Photo Shoot with Josh

detail (cropped and desaturated color)


full frame

Photo Shoot with Dominic San Juan

Several years ago, Dominic and I met online. After several lengthy instant messenger conversations, I convinced him to do a photo shoot with me and so we trekked off to Central Park one beautiful afternoon to do the shoot. The shots came out wonderfully, both of us posted them our respective sites, and best of all, we became pals. Since then, Dominic has become (much) more comfortable in front of the camera so ... finally the day has arrived for us to shoot his first nudes.

That was Dominic then... this is Dominic now (hotter than ever)!

Grey Gardens

I was fortunate enough to get a sixth row centre seat to see Grey Gardens for the matinee performance this afternoon (it helps when you're only looking for a single ticket.) This was the one show that I felt I just had to see since I saw a screening of the original documentary of the same name several years ago at the Edmonton International Film Festival with one of the Maysles brothers (the filmmakers) actually in attendance for a question and answer period afterwards.

The star of the Broadway production, Christine Ebersole, was beyond description playing the mother, Edith Bouvier Beale in the first act and then the daughter, Little Edie, in the second act. It was spooky watching two live actresses re-create the true-life characters to the point where you weren't quite sure that they were not, in fact, the real thing! And there was the musical number where Little Edie was doing her American flag number that was probably even better than in the movie because they were able to add the ghosts of the other members of the entire dance troupe behind/with her that she quite certainly imagined herself part of in the documentary. Also the muscial number, The Revolutionary Costume for Today, which Ms. Eversole did for the Tony Awards was phenomenal. It is so sad that this show is closing Sunday - it was jawdroppingly amazing and very touching - the final scene had lots of people dabbing their eyes during the standing ovation. This is a musical I won't likely forget ... ever. Da-da da dah dum.

Photo Shoot with Miguel (Mike)

Due to another last-minute cancellation for a shoot that I had scheduled for the early afternoon, I was able to invite Mike to the studio to do a quick session. Not only was he available and willing to have me photograph his tattoo, but he confided that this was something he had always wanted to do. Mike had a very cute demon baby on his shoulder that I wanted to capture but moments after meeting him, I quickly realized that the ink wasn't the only thing that was cute -- this boy had a million dollar smile.

Photo Shoot with Doug

Doug is an old friend and former model of mine that I first met in the 90s back at The Tunnel. He's no longer working as a gogo boy in the clubs but is still modelling when he can with the hopes of landing some work as an underwear model. We did this shoot so that he could add some images to his portfolio.

Second Shoot with Tony, Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Did a follow up photo shoot with Tony, who I shot a couple days ago up in the studio. This time we shot in the basement of his apartment in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. The space was ideal. And for the most part, I used all available light and got some exquisite results. Tony was phenomonal today as well. He applied everything he had learned in the first shoot we did and demonstrated superb concentration and discipline. Modelling is seldom easy work and down in that basement it was sweltering. However, it was all worth it when you get images like this. I'll add more photos here at a later time as there are countless images to select from - this was the sort of shoot that I absolutely love.




Update:
I don't usually post replies from people but Tony (the model in this shoot) sent me such a sweet message that I wanted to keep it.

OK I am almost embarrassed to say this but I wasn't quite sure what a blog really was, and then BBAAAAMMM right in the head like an arrow it / you hit me. Thank you for saying such nice things about me, I am overwhelmed with what you wrote and thrilled that you enjoyed the shoot as much as I.

I know it is sounding redundant , but honestly, I don't think you realize what you have done for me, and keeping it simple, you have helped me beyond what I thought was possible for the fixing of my head........lol. I got so much enjoyment from the shoots, both learning experiences about modeling, as well as myself , and yup even about you.

I preach the word passion, when one does something for work or even play, without it - it's not even worth talking about, let alone doing. You, my friend, reak of passion for what you do, it's your work, it's your play ..........it's you. I am very happy for you that you have been blessed and are able to live your passion.

Just know one thing, I am a real man, with real thoughts, both are honest and heartfelt entities in their own right, and when I compliment you, please know I am not blowing smoke, I truly mean what I say with great feeling.

And now enough.

Photo Shoot with Tony, NYC

After being back in NYC for a few days, and finally cleaning out the studio of all the junk that accumulated there while I away, I started shooting again today. My model was Tony (Antonio) Leonardo, who at 43, is a sexy, masculine, and very sweet Italian-American living in Hell's Kitchen.

Photo Shoot with Scott #2 - Abstract Nudes

As expected, I did a second shoot with Scott and once again I am extremely pleased with the results. As we began to explore at the end of our first shoot, I've come across a concept that I want to pursue further -- glass brick nudes. Everyone that I've shown these first series of images to has been very excited and positive in their feedback about the potential of this project. They have even gone as far as saying they would like a print to hang in their homes. I can see this becoming an extensive series and an unique exhibit. Expect to see more of this style of photo in the future as I shoot other models of varying body types/builds/ethnicities and hopefully even couples.

XTRA! Magazine

Happy to see that the portrait I did of Cijay Morgan here in Edmonton has finally appeared in the May issue of Xtra! published out of Toronto. This was my first shoot for the magazine and hopefully more work will come of it. Here's the photo that ran -- click on this link to see how it turned out and to read the full article.

Analyze this!

Here is but one of the many dreams that I had last night. I am in a tug-of-war with an almost full-grown lion or tiger (not quite sure which, or maybe it was both) cub over meat. What seemed to start off as just a large bone in the scramble to keep possession of it turned into a full roast-sized piece of meat by the time the lion/tiger finally won possession of it. I felt I couldn't challenge the animal any more because it was still "wild" even though I really did what to control it. But I also let it have that piece because I knew I had a full-side of beef size piece of meat put away where the lion/tiger couldn't get at it. Make any sense to you? It actually all makes sense to me. Scary huh.

I also had another dream where I was showing someone a very large tank (think aquarium only bigger) where sharks were hiding under/amidst the sea plantlife. I was using a wooden chair to show them how the sharks would attack, which a large one did, once you started poking around. I can't remember much more of this one so it doesn't make nearly as much sense to me.

There was also an elevator dream which ended with a short french woman and I running through a parkade to evade the other passengers who were in pursuit because we hadn't held the elevator for them. Well it was more complicated than that but you get the idea. Signficant factor the elevator was going down.

Anyway I'd be happy to hear anyone's idea what they think this all might mean or if you are into dream intrepretation at all I'd like to hear what all the images symbolize. Or maybe not.

Edmonton Queen

I attended the book signing of an old friend of mine, Darrin Hagen, who's book The Edmonton Queen has just been republished on its 10th Anniversary. Darrin delighted the crowd by reading from this and his other book, Tornado Magnet at Audrey's Books. The hilarious accounts of his drag persona, Gloria Hole, and the defunct gay club Flashback and all its tawdry characters took me back 20 years -- a time when I was first hitting the nightclubs here in Edmonton. Apart from being a talented drag queen, Darrin is a gifted storyteller and performer and I'm thrilled to see him having such success. I have countless personal memories of Gloria Hole: how she used to terrorize patrons when she bartended at Flashbacks; performing "This is My Life"; in her Star Trek catsuit serving jello shooters on the bus ride to one of my Hell parties; playing the accordian as a contestant on the live gameshow Panic; and just too many wondrful nights at the clubs to list. Thanx Darrin for being truly one-of-a-kind!

Photo Shoot with Scott

After years of talking about doing a shoot, Scott McLeod and I finally were finally able to do it today. Although this isn't the exact shoot I want to do with Scott -- we both want to do shoot outdoors -- I thought it would be good to get him in front of the camera and become comfortable with posing nude. As it turns out, Scott was very relaxed and consequently we got some remarkable images. The other wonderful thing about our session is that I discovered a new abstract concept that opens up a whole new series of photo shoots. Scott will be my first subject.

Figure study - legs

You'd Scream Too!

OK since I posted one of my favourites the other day, I'll add this one too since it has to qualify as one of my all-time faves. Thanx to Lady Bunny for turning me on to this one.

BOM CHICKA WAH WAH

I love this commercial! This is perhaps the funniest commercial I've seen on TV in a long time, made only funnier by trying to show someone who's never seen the advertisement what happens in it. C'mon you try those moves.

The New Hilton Hotel

Paris Hilton ... jail ... Paris Hilton in jail ... hehehe!
Her porn video from there should be quite interesting.
Bye Paris, enjoy your 45-day stay in your new Hilton Hotel and maybe think about whether there's anyone with as much money as you that could possibly be any dumber.

I Heart NY but ...

NEW YORK - New York City produces nearly 1 percent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions — an amount that puts it on par with Ireland or Portugal — according to a city study.

The study, released Tuesday, was ordered by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to assess the city's progress in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. It was conducted by the mayor's Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability.

"You have to have a real baseline or we're just talking past each other as to what works and what doesn't work — we won't ever know whether we really made a difference," Bloomberg said.

The study found that the buildings, subways, buses, cars and decomposition of waste in America's most populous city produced a net emission of 58.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2005. The report said the city's emissions "are currently as much as those of Ireland or Portugal."

The U.S. total was 7.26 billion metric tons for that year.

Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and other gases, essentially trap energy from the sun, which warms the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere. Many scientists believe human activity that increases those gases is contributing to global warming.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations network of 2,000 scientists, warned last week of possible catastrophic risks such as floods, disease, food shortages, species extinction and human suffering throughout the world.

The city has 2.7 percent of the country's population — 8.2 million of 300 million — and the average New York City resident contributes less than a third of the emissions generated by a typical American. This is largely due to the popularity of the city's mass transit system, which cuts down on car emissions, officials said.

The operation of the city's hundreds of thousands of buildings — which consume electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and steam — contribute 79 percent of the city's emissions total.

The study found that the city's focus on environmentally friendly initiatives — including alternative fuel vehicles, energy efficient traffic lights and green buildings — appears to have helped stabilize emissions rates in recent years.

"Each one of these things really does make a difference, and they add up," Bloomberg said.

Still, emissions were found to have increased by more than 8 percent between 1995 and 2005, the study found.

Bye Bye Ruby

Attended the final Edmonton performance of local drag queen extraordinaire, Ruby Slippah at the Roost tonight. As usual Ruby did not disappoint. Also leaving the city is her roommate Michael aka 'Pepper' Dore (included in the photo) who is heading to Toronto for film school. All I can say is words Ruby said herself "Look Out Toronto!"

In Memory of Richard "Dickie" Teha ........... (May 4, 1979 - March 4, 2007)

Dustin and I went to the funeral today of a very unique artist, a co-worker, and our pal, Richard "Dickie" Teha, who was truly one-of-a-kind! I'm posting this collection of photos that I took of him; working as a bartender at Woody's, appearing in the Christmas show at Buddys, and marching in the 2006 Gay Pride Parade as a reminder of what an absolutely great guy and crazy character he was. It is with profound sadness we say good-bye. You will missed Dickie - may God have lots of paints in heaven for you to dip your balls in.

In Memory of Leo Jackson

I received the call today from my parents, that my Dad's brother - Uncle Leo had died shortly after breakfast. In the past few weeks he had been quite ill but had managed to keep pulling through even the worst conditions. So it was still somewhat of a surprise. At 78, as he said himself just the day before he died, he had managed to outlive the age of his own father and joked with Dad about sticking around a few more years to outlive their mother's age (my grandmother died in our home at 81). When Mom & Dad brought him a coffee (decaffeinated - unbeknownst to him) and two old fashioned donuts in the hospital in Dawson Creek he told them "It was like money from home." Although I hadn't seen Leo in many years, I spoke to him frequently as he called Dad every morning and sometimes I was the one to pick up. He was hugely interested that I had begun to research the Jackson family tree and always wanted to know if I had discovered more. I have wonderful memories of both my Uncle Leo and my Aunt Laura, when they and their five kids (my cousins Anita, Teresa, Brenda, Guy and Blake) lived in Edmonton back in the 60s. Uncle Leo marks the last of my Dad's immediate family and he will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered. God's speed Uncle Leo.

Photo Shoot #2 with Jon

Photo Shoot with Rodrigo in Ajusco

Once again, Rodrigo and I made the long, hot trek out of Mexico City to shoot in Ajusco. As was the case last time, we once again had a very successful shoot and got remarkable images. I love shooting this man! He has a natural affinity to the camera, understands what the photographer is looking for, has incredible concentration and patience, and is as interested in creating provocative images as I am. How can you go wrong with a model like that! I could do an entire exhibit on Rodrigo himself. Hopefully one day I will.

Photo Shoot with Rulo

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Finally finished the novel, We Need to Talk About KEVIN by Lionel Shriver. My good friend, Jennifer, loaned it to me ages ago and said it was a must read. Now, I'm not sure if I should thank her or hit her. It was a very disturbing account of a ficticious high-school mass-murder, much like that of Columbine, except the story is told entirely from the point of view of Kevin's mother, in an endless series of letters to her estranged ex-husband. Initally a slow read (I'd read a chapter/letter and put it down), once I actually got into it, I couldn't really put it down. And truthfully, the further I got along -- especially the last 50 pages, the more I couldn't wait for it to finally end. But I have to say the final chapter and the final page caught me completely off-guard. I love that! Anyway, I'd recommend it to anyone. Not a fun read but a profound literary experience.

Trust, my next book, by one of my all-time favourite authors, Augusten Burrough's POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS is much, much lighter fare.

Jackson needs ...

OK this is hilarious, my good and twisted pal Daryn, sent me a chain email that what you do is type in your name followed by the word "needs" into whatever search engine you use and see what the first thing to come up is.

For Daryn it read (not a word of a lie - google it yourself):
Daryn needs something new because "He never got Viagra when we were dating!"

For me, it read (and I'll list the top three)
Jackson needs new priorities.
Jackson needs God!
Jackson needs to become a muslim.

I so wouldn't look good in a burka - well at least I don't think I would.

Anyway ... try it for yourself. I'd love to hear some of your results, leave them in comments if you want.

Photo Shoot with Otto - Queretaro, Mexico

XTRA XTRA

I was very pleased to receive an email from Julia Garro, the Associate Editor of XTRA in Toronto:

I've seen your work in Outlooks magazine and I'm wondering if you'd be available to do a portrait shoot of an Edmonton woman for a feature article we're working on ...

The article is on asexual identity and the subject Cijay lives in Edmonton, so I'll be doing the shoot there - not in Toronto sadly. Fortunately, they are able to wait for the shots until I return from Mexico.

I'm hoping that this assignment is just the first of many from XTRA.

Me and Bill Gates

Just finished taking an IQ test, haven't done one in years (click on the link if you want to take it for yourself).

Here's what they had to say:

Your IQ score is: 138

You scored 138 on Tickle's IQ test. This means that based on your answers, your IQ score is between 128 and 138. Most people's IQs are between 70 and 130.

In fact, 95% of all people have IQs within that range. 68% of people score between 80 and 120. The following chart shows these percentages and where your IQ score is on that scale.

There's more to intelligence than a single number, a single score or a single label. Tickle uses four distinguishable Intelligence Scales in the Ultimate IQ Test. By analyzing your individual scores on those four scales, we are able to look beyond the raw IQ score into how you process information and thereby determine your Intellectual Type.

Your Intellectual Type Is:

FACTS CURATOR

Like a meticulous collector, you've fed your brain a unique set of facts and figures over the years. Words, numbers, you've got it all. That's what makes you a Facts Curator. Whether or not you intend to absorb every piece of information that comes your way, your mind has certain steel-trap qualities to it. You are a knowledge sponge. You have almost enough words in your head to fill a dictionary, and you're equally adept when it comes to manipulating numbers. You can also detect important patterns in number sequences, and probably remember the mnemonic devices you were taught in grade school.

You may feel comfortable in classroom settings where absorbing details is critical. You're also able to learn from example and piece together all the little facts in life to get to the big picture. That's why you never stop accumulating information as you walk through life. Your strengths lie in both the verbal and math realms — placing you in the same arena as someone like Bill Gates. Gates has the ability to not only store and retrieve an especially large amount of specialized data, but to translate and present that information to the population at large. His entire empire is based on this unique talent. And to think — your brain works in this same way! When it comes right down to it, you and other Facts Curators can ride a wave of information to live a truly enriched life.

Great Jobs For You
Because of the way you process information, these are just some of the many careers in which you could excel:
Tech writer
Astronomer
Computer engineer
Algebra teacher
Copy editor
Doctor

Some of Your Greatest Talents
You've got tons of strengths. It wouldn't surprise us if you:
Can process information quickly
Can articulate knowledge clearly
Are a thorough researcher; almost detective-like
Are the person friends want to call for their "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" lifeline

Your Intelligence Scales

Your 4 Intelligence Scales

Now let's look at the factors that contribute to you being a Facts Curator with a 138 IQ score. Based on the results of your test, Tickle divided your scores into four distinguishable dimensions — mathematical intelligence, visual-spatial intelligence, linguistic intelligence and logic intelligence. Here's how each of your intelligence scores break down:

Mathematical Intelligence
Your Mathematical Percentile

You scored in the 100th percentile on the mathematical intelligence scale.

This means that you scored higher than 90% - 100% of people who took the test and that 0% - 10% scored higher than you did. The scale above illustrates this visually. Your mathematical intelligence score represents your combined ability to reason and calculate. You scored relatively high, which means you're probably the one your friends look to when splitting the lunch bill or calculating your waitresses' tip. You may or may not be known as a math whiz, but number crunching might come a little easier to you than it does others.

Flexing Your Math Muscles
Like anything, keeping or improving your math talents requires practice. Here are some everyday mental exercises that could be particularly helpful to you:
Balancing your checkbook
Figuring out your monthly budget
Predicting what the change will be the next time you buy something
Calculating your waitperson's tip in your head

Visual-Spatial Intelligence
Your Visual-Spatial Percentile

You scored in the 70th percentile on the visual-spatial intelligence scale.

This means that you scored higher than 60% - 70% of people who took the test and that 30% - 40% scored higher than you did. The scale above illustrates this visually. The visual-spatial component of intelligence measures your ability to extract a visual pattern and from that envision what should come next in a sequence. Your score was relatively high, which could mean that you're the one navigating the map when you're on an outing with friends. You have, in some capacity, an ability to think in pictures. Maybe this strength comes out in subtle ways, like how you play chess or form metaphors.

Vision Quest
Like anything, keeping or improving visual-spatial talents requires some practice. Here are some everyday mental exercises that will be particularly helpful to you:
Playing chess, or video games like Tetris
Studying maps and become the navigator on your next trip
Sculpting or photography

Linguistic Intelligence
Your Linguistic Percentile

You scored in the 100th percentile on the linguistic intelligence scale.

This means that you scored higher than 90% - 100% of people who took the test and that 0% - 10% scored higher than you did. The scale above illustrates this visually. Linguistic abilities include reading, writing and communicating with words. Tickle's test measures knowledge of vocabulary, ease in completing word analogies and the ability to think critically about a statement based on its semantic structure. Your score was relatively high, which could mean you know your way around a bookstore and maybe like to bandy about the occasional 25-cent word to impress friends.

Word Power
Like anything, keeping or improving linguistic talents requires some practice. Here are some everyday mental exercises that will be particularly helpful to you:
Doing crossword puzzles
Start reading just for fun
Befriending your dictionary
The next time something breaks, try reading the instruction book first

Logical Intelligence
Your Logical Percentile

You scored in the 100th percentile on the logical intelligence scale.

This means that you scored higher than 90% - 100% of people who took the test and that 0% - 10% scored higher than you did. The scale above illustrates this visually. Tickle's logical intelligence questions assess your ability to think things through. The questions determine the extent to which you use reasoning and logic to determine the best solution to a problem. Your logic score was relatively high, which could mean that when the car breaks down, your friends look to you to help figure out not only what's wrong, but how to fix it and how you're going to get to the next gas station.

Logic Lessons
Like anything, keeping or improving logical talents requires some practice. Here are some everyday mental exercises that will be particularly helpful to you:
Trying some brain teasers
Throwing away the instructions and relying on instinct to fix something
Playing chess

What do all these percentiles mean?

For each scale, Tickle determined how many people received scores above and below yours. Your "percentile" represents what percentage of people scored lower than you. In other words, 90th percentile means you scored higher than 80 to 90% of people did. How are the percentiles determined? These percentiles were determined based on the one million users who have already taken our test. We then adjusted these percentiles based on a nationally representative IQ distribution to make sure that no level of intelligence was over- or underrepresented in the analysis. Thus, the percentiles we present reflect your score compared with people in the United States in general. What factors helped determine my score? If your score isn't as high as you thought it would be, remember that there are plenty of external factors that can affect your performance on the test. If you were tired, hungry or distracted, you might have scored lower than you expected because you were less able to concentrate. Your level of formal education and your familiarity with taking these kinds of tests also influence how well you do. That's part of the reason IQ tests aren't a perfect measure of your intelligence. Your score would probably be quite different if the IQ test was designed to take into account your musical, artistic, emotional and social skills. On their own, IQ scores can't predict someone's ultimate success or definitive potential for success. Many of the qualities that lead to great achievements are learned through culture, experience and schooling - not solely from doing well on an IQ test. What your IQ test can help explain, however, is how your brain works best. By looking at the kinds of questions you answered correctly and the kinds of questions you answered incorrectly, we can tell you more about your intelligence type — the type that explains the kind of information that makes sense to your brain.

Eternal Embrace

Was very moved by this image that I came across on the internet this morning. It's possible that it resonated so strongly with me because I am missing Dustin like crazy, which is usually the case when I travel, but also becasue it shows the power of the photograph -- described in the written word it would not have had nearly the impact this visual does. (If you want to know more about this neolithic couple, click on the photo, it's fascinating.)

My View of the World

Just a shot of the beautiful golden sunset I saw at Los Muertos playa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico tonight. For all my friends freezing up in Canada and the US, I know this is going to hurt. Sorry.

Photo Shoot with Rodrigo - D.F. Mexico

Photo Shoot with Carlos, Mexico City

Woke up in a panic as my alarm didn't go off and it was 10am, the time I had arranged to meet Carlos at Los Bisquets. Thankfully he had a cell phone and I was able to reach him and tell him to wait. We had a quick breakfast (with my two cups of cafe con leche, of course) and headed to his apartment in Condesa. It proved to be a perfect location to do photos - decent light, nice furnishings and a very competent, discipled model. I was delighted with the images we got, especially the series with the glass vase, which I'm sure will make an exquisite exhibition print. Carlos had a beautiful physique combined with his willingness to try whatever I suggested, made for a delightful shoot. I hope to photograph him again upon my return to DF mid February.

After winding up the shoot, I headed off in the wrong direction on the Metro bus. Fortunately, you can get off and switch directions across the platform once you realize your error. Once I dropped my equipment off at the hotel, I headed over to where John is staying (Hotel Gillow) to see if he was in - he wasn't. But now I'm very curious to see one of the rooms (it has an amazingly visual lobby compared to Hotel Ambar) which may make for a nice change to shoot some models since in many ways I feel like I've exhausted what I can do at Hotel Ambar. I'll make the trek over again later in the day.

Worth noting that I got my first mosquito bite today, not sure where or when but sitting here at my laptop it's itching like mad.

Day 1 in Mexico

I arrived in Mexico City at midnight exhausted from what seemed like endless ridiculous travel. Why Air Canada now flies from Toronto to Mexico City instead of Vancouver, I'll never know. So upon waking up on my first day of travelling since June, I didn't have a clue what time it was. My alarm clock, my cell phone, and my computer all had different times. But then again, what did it matter. I had a very cold shower and headed to Zona Rosa for breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants, Los Bisquets where my favorite waitress Claudia works. As usual I wasn't disappointed, the Heuvos a la Veracruzana (eggs a la Veracruzana, if you click on the link it's the plate with the 4 green chili) was exactly what I wanted, along with two cups of their amazing cafe con leche. I wondered around the area but found I wasn't really in the mood for shopping or sightseeing, in fact, I was still very tired.

Humorous anecdote: I wandered by Starbucks in the very upscale Plaza Angel only to find it had been closed due to some sort of violations, I presume health. Whatever it was, they closed it immediately as there was still pastries in the case. God knows for how long. The mall security guard wouldn't let me get a photo of the door plastered with closed notices so I had to go out on the street to get the shot.

In the afternoon I was visited by my favorite Mexican model, Rodrigo, who sporting a new blond hairdo, was as handsome as ever. We made plans to do a shoot on Sunday, hopefully in his new apartment (which he assured me has wonderful light) providing his landlord will give him the keys.

In the evening I was supposed to meet a new friend and go to the 3rd Anniversary of Boy Bar but unceremoniously got stood up - a not so subtle reminder that people here are quickly becoming more like Americans and Canadians than I care for. Undaunted, I decided to go to one of my failsafe haunts El Taller, it was quieter than usual for a Friday night, but it was raining quite hard which may have affected it. As always, I was quite obviously the stranger, and received countless furtive glances. A few brave souls managed to muster up the courage to come over and talk to me (followed by very overt propositions) but I was content to have a couple Sol and make my way back to Hotel Ambar. Plus, I had to be up early, if I can figure out what time it really is, for a photo shoot with Carlos.

Seattle Erotic Arts Festival 2007

Thrilled that I have been selected for the third consecutive year to exhibit two of my photographs in this year's Seattle Erotic Arts Festival.

We are delighted to inform you that you have been selected to show art in the 2007 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (SEAF). Your work was selected from 932 submissions we received from 397 artists in 33 states and 18 countries. Congratulations.

The 2007 jury consisted of:
Barbara Shaiman, Director, Seattle Art Museum Gallery
Jim McDonald, Jim McDonald Fine Arts Services
Patricia Ridenour, Faculty, Photographic Center Northwest

Here are the two pieces that were selected:

New Year's 2007

Brought in 2007 with the man that I love -- Dustin! Like 2006, we were both working (this year at the bar where the photo was taken) but somehow managed to make our way to each other in the final seconds of the countdown to bring the new year in together.

And ... speaking of together, that's exactly what is going to happen. Happily, we have decided that our earlier plans to spend time apart isn't what either of us really want so we will continue to live together. I think that as the time approached for me to move, the thought/reality of us not being with one another any longer was just too much to contemplate. We both had time to take stock in what a really great thing we already have. I know it made me realize just how important Dustin is in my life and how I don't ever want to take that for granted. It's a solid, loving, happy, honest relationship and I truly believe we will be able to work through any obstacles. Insofar as Dustin needing some time and space, I will be doing considerably more travelling this year and that should rectify what he needs. But for now, what we both need and want is each other!

Hot Cops

Happy to report that Cleis Press in San Francisco has selected another of my images for the cover of the upcoming new release HOT COPS.

Once again, I found out completely by accident. I was showing someone the photos of mine that have been used for past covers and, lo and behold, there was the new title. It's all good, just means I'll be starting off the New Year with an invoice along with my Best Wishes for 2007. Hehehe.

Photo Shoot with Terry

My buddy Terry, from Vancouver, was in Edmonton to visit his family for the holidays so I capitalized on that fact and decided to have some fun doing a shoot featuring his very unique tattoo. And, no the image has not been photoshopped in any way, just old fashioned low-tech creativity.

Seattle Erotic Arts Festival - 2007

Today was the deadline for the 2007 Seattle Erotic Arts Festival. My work has been exhibited at the Festival for the past two years and in fact, anything I've shown there has sold. I wasn't sure that I was going to participate again this year. Partially because of my own attitude, I didn't feel like I had been creating any new work, so I didn't feel that I had anything to submit. But, when I sat down and reviewed the photos I've shot since 2004 (their cut off criteria) I found that I had quite a few images that I was interested in submitting. Whether they are selected for this year's Festival will remain to be seen, each year it is a new panel of jurors. I'd be interested in hearing any feedback from readers here (please post as comments).
Here are the three images I sent in: