'Time To Make The Doughnuts' Man Dies At 83 from diabetes (not a joke).

Back To Life

I have seen a lot of movies lately, the most recent being Munich, which can only mean one thing. I am heading toward a period of underemployment. SRL! closes this Saturday. Love Indifferent is already over.

It's all good. As an actor, I have learned to accept this down periods. It comes with the territory. The best part of the down time is that you get to normalize for a bit. You finally clean out that closet. You get to read a whole book in a few days versus a few weeks. I can play with the dogs and not be a crank.

Today, Christmas comes down. There will be no more fake gifts, fake trees, and real Christmas cards fanned about the place. Kwanzaa has begun but lets face it, I'm the only brother in this house...It's not going to happen here. New years? No firm decisions on that yet but if it is just Steve and I, I'm good with that too. Yeah, underemployment is not so bad...Unless you like money. If not, you go to movies and you worship the Great TV. It might just save your life.

PS - Munich is a must see. It is very violent but extremely good storytelling.

Merry Christmas

1DSC_0057, originally uploaded by Leg0z.

And Wear Clean Underwear

Make sure to keep things clean "back there" this Christmas. In this modern age, there is no reason why you shouldn't have a fresh, clean, and minty-smelling ass. For those of you whose ass smells like...Well, ass, might I suggest Sphincterine.

While you are back there, do something about that embarrassing backne (or in some cases, crackne) by using Rearacil.

Thank you for your time and Happy Holidays.

It's Like Rain on Your Wedding Day

L.A. Police Start Fire to Destroy Dynamite

It's a Free Ride When You Already Paid

Please enjoy this photos with the theme: Scared of Santa. And so that you don't have this happen to you, enjoy this service that will add your child to a Santa Photo

It's the Good Advice That You Just Didn't Take

Taking the Christmas Out of Christ

Think Good Thoughts

Allan Johnson, Chicago Tribune writer, is very ill. He wrote a great article about Straight & Nappy just last Friday. I got this email about his

Allan Johnson had emergency brain surgery
last night. As of this afternoon, he was
unconscious and it was too early to have a real handle on his status or
prognosis. They were planning to do an angioplasty later today to determine the
cause of his severe bleeding last night, namely if it was an aneuryism
or one of two other possibilities. There was some wiggling of toes and
fingers and a seeming response to a request to move a hand but, again,
too early to say much.

For now, cross your fingers and think good thoughts.

Good Luck New York

transit strike, originally uploaded by sgoralnick.

Pip Speak

It is that time of year again when we start to get the "best of..." lists. 2005 is almost done and everyone is an expert about what was good about it. I am no exception. I will be posting my best of 2005 lists ASAP. Until then be satisfied with these links of the day:

Worst Idea Ever
What the fuck is wassailing?
Reasons to be grateful for good health
Things to consider: quit smoking
Real Bad Santas
An Iowan makes sense
and finally, One More Richard Pryor Bit

The Blockbuster

Check out the E! show The Soup for what I think is going to be the hands down winner of the movie wars -- Brokeback Kong.

Being a Cowboy Is So Gay

So, I saw Brokeback Mountain yesterday and enjoyed it very much. I have some issues with the pacing of the movie and some character development but it was a well made, beautifully shot, and well acted (Gyllenhaal aside) piece of cinema.

As a gay man, I really wanted to like this movie. Everyone said such great things about Philadelphia and I hated it. I wanted Brokeback Mountain to be more than just a film that makes middle America cry because gays are so tragic. This movie delivers. It is all about repression and how we choose to give up our personal liberty or freedoms. For these characters it was their sexuality but it could have been anything. Anything that brings us great joy but we set aside because of what others may think.

This article,Cowboys, Just Like in the Movie - New York Times, does a great job of bringing the gay point of the story home.

C-List Spotting

There used to be a time when I would randomly run into celebrities every two or three months in Chicago. I don't know why. It was just one of those things that happened to me.

Yesterday, I saw Marty from Rockstar:INXS. I couldn't believe I recognized him but I did. I was leaving the stage door at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place when this super blond drove past me. I did a double take because I thought he gave off a cool era and his brunette friend was kinda cute. I went to my car parked on the 2B level of Water Tower Place when I see the super blond and the cutie brunette walking towards me. Well, I can officially confirm that it was indeed the talented runner-up and probably another member of The Lovehammers that I saw downtown yesterday.

Wow, I used to run into Oprah. Now, I run into reality show stars. I hope this is not a bad omen for my career.

And One More Thing

This article is about Rebecca and me:Chicago Tribune | Opposites attract duo Straight & Nappy

Final Bow

autopryor, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

Official Pryor Bio
and this

richcomedy, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

RichPryor, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

Which Way Is Up?

which way is up, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

"Somebody ate my chicken and I hope you choke on the bone."

And It's Deep Too...

richard, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

1940 - 2005

1940-2005

rich
Originally uploaded by mylilpip.

You can send wishes directly to the family at this addy.

Fun Day Sunday

I have to do a show this morning but afterwords I plan to make my own South Park character.

A Super Sad Day

Comedian Richard Pryor Dies at 65 - New York Times. Richard is from Peoria, my hometown. Amongst Black people back home, Richard is a hero. He came from nothing to become a millionaire actor-comic.

He was one of the most influential comics in the last 50 years.

His presence on the planet will be missed, especially by me.

Happy Holidays

Carolers come in all shapes, sizes, and uniforms.

You've Got No Class, You Get No Prom

Having just finished a part-time stint at a Chicago Area High School, I can understand the exasperation of educators at young people and their behavior. So many seem to have a sense of entitlement that goes beyond reason. And as this article, Hold the Limo: The Prom's Canceled as Decadent - New York Times, explains that the "prom culture" has gone too far.

I didn't go to my prom. I don't regret it. I asked a girl one year and her mother grounded her before the event. The next year, I was asked by two different girls and I opted out deciding to work at my minimum wage job at Hardee's instead of drinking spiked punch at the Peoria Country Club. The fact that I chose to work over partying is very telling of not only whom I was at the time but the the person that I would become today, an old geezer. "Cancel all the proms and make them get real jobs, dammit."

In Case of Blizzard

In Case of Blizzard
Originally uploaded by mylilpip.

Winter Wonder

Snow Detail 128, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

I have been threatening to leave Chicago for LA for more than six years now. Last night is one of the reasons why.

The After School program that I have been teaching for the last ten weeks ended yesterday. I was excited for the final day because I will no longer have to drive down to the south side.

It was about 2:00 pm when the snow began. I left my house around 2:45 pm. It was full on snow storm when I left. My trip that would normally take 30-40 minutes took 1 hour and 15 minutes. I didn't need to stay for the whole time since the students were having a celebratory party. I just needed to turn in their hours and say my goodbyes. That took about ten minutes.

Knowing that the weather wasn't going to get better soon, I took off immediately. It was slow going the whole way home. I traveled towards Lake Shore Drive only to find that the snow coming off the lake was fierce and interminable. Due to the back-up of traffic, I found myself reaching downtown at 5:00 pm...Rush hour(LOL).

If you can believe it, there were people that were actually in a major hurry. People were trying to cut over to faster lanes, driving too fast for the weather, and not signaling (a major Orpheus pet peeve).

We seasoned midwesterners and Great Lakers know that when the storms come, the traffic slows. And there ain't nothing you can do about it.

I finally made it home after a 2 hour and 20 minute journey (remember it took me 1 hour 15 minutes to get down to the south side).

It continued to snow despite my cursing and wishing. Steve and I had to go out and shovel. This was followed by more cursing. It was around ten pm that my cursing stopped when I saw that a plane at Midway skid off the runway into traffic and hit a car causing the death of a six year old.

It just goes to show you, things could always be worse.

P.S. The above photo was taken this morning at 6:30 am when I finished shoveling...Again.

We Love You Rod

I love Rod at Rod 2.0 for articles just like this one: Usher's Confession: "I Don't Get Down Like That". I also just received my first copy of Clikque magazine today. Clikque bills itself as America's #1 Black Gay Lifestyle, Entertainment, Fashion, and Travel Magazine. Rod is also a contributer for that publication as well.

Hey Pope Benedict, Don't Be So Gay

Just for the record, every catholic is not a homophobic asshole. To prove my point, Steve sent me a copy of this article from the National Catholic Repor. EDITORIAL: For what it's worth, our condolences

Blood Lust

My Grandpa Tom, who unfortunately left this world this year, was a hunter and farmer at heart. During my teen years, I had to clean and dress field rabbits for him periodically. When I was a small child, he bought some live chickens (how often he did this, I don't remember but I witnessed it at least once). I witnessed him grab by the fowl by the throat and break its neck. He would bring the many lifeless creatures up the back stairs to the kitchen. My Grandma Hilda was there with boiling water to aid in the de-feathering process.

I tell you this because I want you to know that while I am not a cold heartless carnivore, I am a well aware of how fried chicken gets to my plate.

In October, I wandered into Chicago Live Poultry to purchase a rabbit. I wasn't looking to destroy life or anger PETA activists. I really just wanted to have a unique experience. Little did I know that two months later, I would have visited the store twice more.

Chicago Live, originally uploaded by mylilpip.

Just last week, a rooster was sacrificed and fried for my pleasure. He was a tough little rooster so I ended up smothering him and gravy. The time spent braising made him juicy and delicious.
I wanted to buy a goose when Steve and I bought the rabbit. I guess it was the novelty of the experience or the overwhelming smell of chicken shit and blood that made me pass on the idea.

As we got knee deep into the holiday season, I knew that I really wanted a goose for Christmas Eve. The closest place to get a fresh goose would be Chicago Live Poultry.

Yesterday, I called Chicago Live Poultry looking for a goose (it is going to be very nappy Dickens' Christmas in this house this year). The host told me they had them but when I got there, they didn't. I didn't want to waste a trip so I picked out a chicken. They left him whole for me. A whole chicken included the feet. It was actually very comical. I hope people start doing rubber chicken bits again.

When I got home, I brined the cluckless bird, herbed her up (this is not a drug reference), and roasted her real good. I removed her from the oven when she reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit. I proceeded to make a gravy from the pan drippings and then I herbalized myself (this is a drug reference.

The chicken that had been alive just eight and a half hours ago was served with a roasted sweet potato and enjoyed while Steve and I watched Desperate Housewives.

I don't why I feel the need to tell you all this. I guess I just want to some validation for my actions. I feel bad that I personally chose a living creature to die for my gastronomic pleasure. However, I feel a respect towards food that I didn't have before. I realize that you have to cherish meat because an animal gave his life to give life to you.

Tonight, I am cooking a buttercup squash soup with broccoli pesto sauce and Greek yogurt. No animals will die in the making of this meal.

Colleen McHugh & Miriam Plotkin in
THERE'S NOEL IN CHANUKAH

Hey Chicago - the holiday tradition continues at Daveport's!
It's the hottest ticket in town (ok, aside from Oprah's "Favorite Things" episode... but who can compete with that?!)

New songs, new laughs, and all the great classics you love. Plus, Colleen will be bringing loads of her new CD "Songs of Self-Delusion," so all your holiday shopping problems are solved. She'll even autograph them. Take that, Secret Santa!

These shows are sold out every year, so this year Davenport's is allowing advance sales. Call today, and you'll be all set. Gather the whole gang and get ready for a big night of laughs. We can't wait to see you!


Colleen McHugh & Miriam Plotkin in
THERE'S NOEL IN CHANUKAH

Two Weekends Only:

December 9-10 & 16-17, 2005
Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 7 & 9pm

Davenport's Piano Bar Cabaret
1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Reservations: 773-278-1830

Chuck Larkin, Piano
Directed by Rob Lindley

See you at Davenport's!
http://www.colleenmchugh.com/

What Is Wrong With US?

When I was in college, South Africa still had Apartheid. Nelson Mandela, their future leader, was still in jail. Now, South Africa's High Court Rules in Favor of Gay Marriage - New York Times. Crazy world.