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:

Love means letting go ...

“If you love something, set it free; if it comes back, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was.”

Richard Bach
(author of 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull')

After 14 incredible and joyful months, Dustin and I have decided it is best if we part ways. He remains the love of my life and because of such, I willingly let him go to fulfill his destiny and explore who he is in the world. Although, I would be lying if I said this is not a sad juncture in my life, I respect and admire the man he is and the man he will become.

Thank you Duddin; for the honesty, the love, the laughs, and the memories. I am eternally blessed for the brief time we've had together. You will remain forever in my heart.

If You Can't Beat 'Em ... Annoy 'Em

Tips for Handling Telemarketers:

Three Little Words That Work!
The three little words are: "Hold On, Please..."
Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt. Then when you eventually hear the phone company's "beep-beep-beep" tone, you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset, which has efficiently completed its task. These three little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting.

Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end?

This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone. This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a "real" sales person to call back and get someone at home. What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as quickly as possible This confuses the machine that dialed the call and it kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer !!!

And have some fun with your junk mail too:

When you get "ads" enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these "ads" with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own junk mail away. When you get those "pre-approved" letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope. Most of these come with postage-paid return envelopes, right? It costs them more than the regular 37 cents postage "IF" and when they receive them back. It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was around 50 cents before the last increase and it is according to the weight. In that case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these cool little, postage-paid return envelopes. Send an ad for your local carpet cleaner to American Express. Send a Domino's Pizza coupon to Scotiabank. If you didn't get anything else that day, then just send them their blank application back! If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure your name isn't on anything you send them. You can even send the envelope back empty if you want to just to keep them guessing! It still costs them 37 cents. The banks and credit card companies are currently getting a lot of their own junk back in the mail, but folks, we need to OVERWHELM them. Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of junk mail, and best of all they're paying for it... twice!

Let's help keep our postal service busy since they are saying that e-mail is cutting into their business profits, and that's why they need to increase postage costs again. You get the idea !

If enough people follow these tips, it will work ---- I have been doing this for years, and I get very little junk mail anymore.

10 Days on Earth

I went to see my friend, Ronnie Burkett, and his Theatre of Marionettes new production of 10 Days on Earth. He is truly a master of his craft, the puppets are exquisite (he creates them himself - a dying artform) and the show itself was remarkable - a story that balanced somewhere between gay camp, children's fairy tales, and a heartwrenching contemporary tragedy. I first saw his shows (Virtue Falls and then Awful Manors) many, many years back and I am delighted that the magic is still there. Ronnie is truly an unique and gifted artist. He finishes his run this Sunday at Theatre Network and then moves on to Vancouver. If you get the chance to see this impressive show, all I can say is; GO!

My Life's Path

Your Life Path Number is 5

Your purpose in life is to live freely and collect experiences. You love life - new adventures, new people, new ideas. You are very curious, and you crave novelty in all forms. You tend to make friends easily, and you enjoy the company of all types of people. In love, you are fun and even a bit intoxicating. But you tend to not stick around for long. You are impulsive and spontaneous - which sometimes leads you to do things you regret. Sometimes you can be overindulgent with food, sex, or drugs. You have many talents, so many that you are often scattered and unfocused.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

Photo Session with Jon

An amazingly hot, young man, Jon has just relocated to Edmonton from the Maritimes. Ironically, he works at Abercrombie & Fitch where he could well be the very type of model the company uses in their advertising.

Proud new parents ...

Here, in the land of many strollers, Dustin and I are happy to announce that we are the proud new parents of:

A 20-inch iMac and an 80G video iPod. Hehehe
(As if you could imagine us raising anything other than someone's blood pressure.)

Bravo!

Thanx to Dustin, and his student discount, we have expanded our cable TV subscription to include the full package. As a result, I was able to watch a very relevant program on Bravo TV tonight: The Art of Nude Modelling. It is a six-part documentary on homoerotic art with a heavy emphasis on photography and included substantial footage from nude sketching classes in NYC at the Leslie Lohman Gallery (where I've exhibited) and also had an interview clip with one of my favorite photographers Evergon, who I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing back in the 90's, and whose work I have hanging in our living room (the shot above & below is a detail of the polaroid transfer taken at night with reflection.)