rod 2.0:beta: The Morals Czar Speaks

Name Dropping

Here is a partial list of the stars (relatively speaking) that I saw, met, or talked to while in LA: Peter Fonda (actually saw him in his car), Tia Mowry (highly enjoyble twin actress that confirmed that an actress that I know that was a real bitch in college hasn't changed except for her bra cup size), TC Carson, Harry Lennix, George Wendt, Mary Gross, Richard Kind, Fred Willard, Judy Tenuta, Joe Mantegna, and Jim Belushi.

More from LA

MPL203, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

I know I promised to actually talk about LA and I will but for now here is a picture from Forest Lawn Cemetary.

Back from LA LA Land

Clean in LA, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

I'm back from LA and I am soooooooooooo tired. I got home around 10:30 last night and had to be at Channel 7 studios (WLS-TV/Chicago) at 5:45 am for a promotional appearance for Schoolhouse Rock Live!

I loved being in Cali. I took some great pictures and had a great time with my friends; an eye-opening religious experience; and a blast at the Sweet Home Illinois party. I'll tell you all about it later.

Special note to LL Cool P: Vanessa from Linda Jack Talent said I was supposed to give you a great, big, tight squeeze

LA Bound

LA Bound,
originally uploaded by mylilpip.

I'm heading West for a couple of days but I will return mid-week with a vengeance and a smile. I'm going to see the family and friends. I will attend the Sweet Home Illinois party and eat Chicago food in LA (I am so very blessed). Although, I'm thinking I might need a dog from Pink's.

The best part about going out of town is eating junk food because it reminds me of home where I hardly ever eat junk food...err...rarely eat it...Okay, I'm eating a Kit Kat bar right now.

Could I be the Black Martha Stewart?

MPL088, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

I won't lie. I love Martha Stewart. Hell, I'm the guy that just spent the last three days pickling and canning the last of my summertime vegetables (for more pics of my harvest click on the green tomato). I'm not a huge fan of Martha's daytime show because I think it is a mistake to put her in front of a live audience (who the fuck knows what could happen?) but I am watching it today nonethelesss. I just watched Martha do a crawfish boil with Liza Minnelli and Ben Vereen as they promoted their Broadway benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims. And there was the very gay caterer that made his original dessert. And, of course, there was the first contestant, excuse me, canidate eliminated from Martha Stewart: The Apprentice. Martha's Apprentice has been on for one episode and I am so in love. It is such a shame that it airs against America's Next Top Model. These are the only two shows with two openly gay men as regulars. Although the first gay man was thankfully let go last night on Martha's Apprentice (henceforth known as MAp). And from next week's teaser it looks like the other will jump ship voluntarily.

Why am I so fascinated with this woman? I'm really not sure. I hate "perfection." It is a state that one can strive to attain but almost never reach yet this woman does it for a living. She is as WASPy as they make them but I just dig her style.

If you didn't catch MAp, please watch next week. I love it. It is "goody-good-good."
Yes, Martha Fires Someone, but Pink Slip Is Scented - New York Times

LA, I'll see you in Two Days

I can't wait for the Sweet Home Illinois party (see ya there LL Cool P) and Los Angeles traffic.

Something Is Very Wrong in Our World

New Vatican Rule Said to Bar Gays as New Priests - New York Times

Smile

Pip Smile Headshot, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

This is the final version of my new headshot taken by photographer James Bansiak. I loved working with James and I am very pleased by my photos. This is one of about three pictures that I will use.

Check out Banasiak's website where you will see yours truly in his image gallery.

What is Wrong With US?

KKK, GSA...Same thing? I don't think so. It seems that some Red Staters have decided that a Gay-Straight Alliances are as divisive as the KKK. Here all this time I was thinking that ignorance, bigotry, exclusivism, and hatred...You know what? Forget it. Some people just don't get it.

The Blues

I'm still reeling from Bryant's death on Saturday. While Chicago still is experiencing a draught, my tears keep flowing like a river. I feel like this today.

We Have A Weiner!

ComedicTragic, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

After two weeks of looking at digital photos, I have chosen two looks to have reproduced. I present to you the lighter and darker side of Pip.

New York, New York

New songs, new arrangements, new pianist. If you liked it in July, why... you'll just LOVE it in September! Colleen McHugh returns to the New York stage, tirelessly performing and shamelessly promoting her new album, all while continuing to refer to herself in the third-person.

Opening Tonight!

Colleen McHugh in
SONGS OF SELF-DELUSION
Tex Arnold, piano

TUESDAYS at 9:15pm
September 13 - October 11, 2005
$15 cover + $12 food/drink minimum

www.colleenmchugh.com

See you there!

A Tragic Day

It saddens me to announce that Bryant Lewellen died in a motorcycle accident Saturday night. Bryant was the boyfriend of Rebecca Jackson, my Straight & Nappy partner. Please send Rebecca your positive thoughts. I'm sure she would appreciate it.

What I have I Gotten Myself Into?

The trip to Arizona was pretty cool. The accomadations were top notch. I spent most of my time by, near, or in the pool. Late nights were spent smoking weed with more hanging by the pool. The Nintendo folks were great. They treated us like VIPs and even gave us some swag for our troubles. These weren't fancy gift bags like the folks will get at the Emmys next week but free shit is free shit. I most love my black "Chicken Little" ballcap. and now I am off to Peoria, IL, the land of my birth. I have to collect some of my belongings from Mom's attic and visit with my grandmother.

Only two weeks left before I open in Schoolhouse Rock Live! at the "new" Drury Lane Water Tower. This has been the strangest process for me. We rehearsed the show over two weeks ago and I have to maintain the music, choreography, line changes, and director notes for another two weeks before we open. I am a little nervous about this. Of course, I wouldn't be Pip if I wasn't. My acting teacher at NIU onced told me, "you just like to be scared," to which I replied, "No, I'm just good at it." I just have to keep reminding myself that I did it once, I can do it again.

Off To The Southwest

cactus, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

I have to leave out of town to perform in Scotsdale, AZ. Don't you love it? Hot! Hot! Desert! Old people!

I can't complain. I'm staying at a swank resort and performing for the good people of Nintendo. Anyway, I won't be posting again until Thursday or Friday.

This Is Still America

During the 2004 Democratic Convention, John Edwards spoke of two Americas. Last week's events down in New Orleans made this perfectly clear. Kanye West said that "Bush doesn't care about Black people," but it is more than that. The New York Times featured an article that shows how the media reacted to the aftermath of the storms. Photographers and editors took similar pictures of blacks and whites. The difference? Blacks are called looters while whites are seen as "searching for food." Interesting. Who's a Looter? In Storm's Aftermath, Pictures Kick Up a Different Kind of Tempest.

The 2005 Black Weblog Awards

I was checking out some of the winners of the 2005 Black Weblog Awards and found some great sites that I didn't know were out there including Crunk and Disorderly and of course, one of my favorite Chicagoans, Bernard. Congratulations to all the winners.

Ad of the Day

Knitting With Dog Hair : Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet. A new fall project methinks.

Last Day to Vote

Today is the last day to view and cast your vote for your favorite Situation Comedy presentation. Who will it be Sperm Donor or Stephen's Life?

In the World of Technology

Anti-rape condom aims to stop attacks - Yahoo! News

Have a Good Weekend

Lucky for us Yanks that Monday is a holiday. Too bad they don't give them the day off across the pond. It seems like they may need it. Monday is favored day for British suicides - Yahoo! News

Mind over Body

Feeling really shitty today. It happens about twice a year. May and September. Allergy attack. My head is so congested and I feel really goofy but I can't stop. I still have so much shit to do. I have to learn some lines for a corporate gig, I have write new Straight & Nappy material, I have an audition, I still have to pick out my headshot photo, and the list goes on. I finshed those other sketches but I don't like them. I have decided to drop out of the project all together. I am a little overextended as it is. I honestly can't afford to take on anymore work.

Sick or not, I have to go to a voice over audition today. I called my agent's office and told them the scoop but they were like "get your sick black ass out of the bed and go make us some money." To which I replied, "Ok." Stupid. That's the showbiz.