Summer Is Here!

It's the first day of Summer and nothing says fun in the sun to me like the movie Grease. Grease recently turned 40 on June 16th. I remember seeing it the Summer when it first came out in a theater and I was completely captivated and was ready to Born To Hand Jive when I left the theater and find me some Summer Lovin'!

Little did I know many years later when I went from being a young lad in Junior High ("Yes" I was in the7th grade when it came out) that I would eventually move to Los Angeles and attend a handful of to do's at Randal Kleiser's house, the director behind this classic.

Grease really captures every aspect of what Summer means to me, and I suspect many of you due to it's enduring appeal. 

So let's get systematic and hydromatic and try not to look at everyone like they are Sandra Dee.

Love your summer like Greased Lightning!!!

Grease on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(film)  

Summer Reads

 

Microcosm Publishing - Summer 2022 Lineup

Enter Sandwich: Some Kind of Vegan Cooking with No Connection to Metallica by Automne Zingg and Joshua Ploeg Available Now! Hey Ho Let's Dough!: 1! 2! 3! 40 Vegan Pizza Recipes Unrelated to the Ramones by Automne Zingg and Joshua Ploeg Available Now! Speak In Tongues: An Oral History of Cleveland's Infamous DIY Punk Venue by Eric Sandy and Ken Blaze Coming July 5th

Enter Sandwich: Some Kind of Vegan Cooking with No Connection to Metallica  by Automne Zingg and Joshua Ploeg Oh, aging rockers. We've all seen them struggle to get along and cope with life. Maybe they just need to sit around a backyard picnic table, share a vegan feast, and talk about their feelings. After all, to live is to stir fry. Automne Zingg, genius mastermind behind Comfort Eating with Nick Cave and Defensive Eating with Morrissey is back with hilarious illustrations of the band's revolving cast eating their feelings and expressing their enthusiasm for food, but in a tough and intense way. "Yeahms!" sings James, riffing on a giant yam. Zingg's work is coupled with the inventive and flavorful recipes of chef and queercore punk musician, Joshua Ploeg. Written in lyrical form, the recipes parody 40 of the most quintessential tunes. Crank up the volume while concocting plant-based recipes like Master of Nuggets, Pie of the Beholder, an All Nightmare Footlong, or maybe just a little stock. So let it be eaten. (Just don't try to illegally download this book.)

Hey Ho Let's Dough!: 1! 2! 3! 40 Vegan Pizza Recipes Unrelated to the Ramones  by Automne Zingg and Joshua Ploeg When you don’t wanna go down to the pizzeria, whip up these vegan pizzas. Automne Zingg—mastermind behind Comfort Eating with Nick Cave, Defensive Eating with Morrissey, and Enter Sandwich—has illustrated pizza-themed boys-from-Queens homages, as they eat pizza, sneer at pepperoni, and play pizza guitars. Joshua Ploeg’s recipes wittily incorporate vaguely familiar lyrics and humor. Pizzas range from traditional marinara with vegetables and veggie sausage (Texas Chain Sauce Massacre) and white sauce specials (Carbonara Not Glue), to variations like Beet on the Brat, Havana Pizza Affair, Thyme Bomb. “Well, I’m Against It,” comments Johnny, but you’ll find a pineapple pizza recipe in here as well. Pizza is deconstructed, reconstructed, and, like the best bands, turns into something far better than the sum of its parts.

Speak In Tongues: An Oral History of Cleveland's Infamous DIY Punk Venue by Eric Sandy and Ken Blaze  Speak In Tongues was a freewheeling, community-run underground music venue in Cleveland, Ohio that operated on a do-it-yourself basis throughout the late 1990s. The venue fostered a flourishing creative culture, where you could enjoy a puppet show from a spray-painted couch or meet other punks to start a band or a movement, but was also smoothly run with a great sound system and the best curation of music that you could hear in the city during its tenure. On any given night, you could go see hardcore punk, experimental jazz, or thrash shows where fireworks were set off inside the building. Traveling bands regularly booked shows there, including ones that went on to greater fame, like Modest Mouse, Avail, Lifter Puller, Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, Milemarker, and J Church. Venue operators, and later a management collective, contended with police surveillance, skinheads with knives, an exploding oil drum full of raw meat, a flaming car, and a different number of riots depending on who you ask.  There may not have been a bar, but a healthy BYOB policy ensures that everyone’s memory is different, resulting in an entertaining story of a place that truly was what you made it, the source of lifelong friendships and endless lore.  This comprehensive oral history tells a story that is greater than the sum of each person’s recollections, forming a picture of a unique, weird, special place that deeply informed the next twenty years of Cleveland’s underground culture.

Summer Loving

In The Summertime...
Zac Efron & Michelle Rodriguez

Summertime and the livin' is easy...and it's also a time for coupling. It was the summer of 2014, have you checked your dogs water bowl? Good! 

Whilst doing that you may have forgotten that Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez had short lived romance. Hey, I know I actually did, it was like a refreshing cool splash of water on your face during a hot summer day, then it was gone.

There are many rumors and speculation I have heard about his particular coupling, none of which I will repeat here. "Yes" Minions I do not gossip, I tease. This being stated the official reason for them parting ways is that Michelle couldn't get over her ex, Cara Delevingne.

Saying so long to those fast and furious photo-ops 😮

Summer on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer  

The Dog Days Of Summer

Woof!
Ryan Gosling & George 

We are headed into Fall, September 22 to be exact. The time leading up to it is typically referred to as "The Dog Days Of Summer."

I know, Summer really didn't happen this year, hopefully 2021 will be different. Thus I will celebrate the countdown till the end of Summer with something that should put a smile on your face and some pep in your step.

Here is Ryan Gosling and George the Dog. Ryan refers to George as the "Great love of my life." Can I get an Awwwwwwww...???

Ryan adopted George from a Los Angeles animal shelter in 2000, and it has been true love ever since.

BTW George has sometimes been know to sport a stylish Mohawk, much to the his fans delight.

Dog Days Of Summer on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_days  

The Long Hot Summer

Feel The Heat
Kristin Cavallari & Justin Anderson

Typically Labor Day Weekend is the last hurrah of Summer. Well since no one is really on any sort of schedule resembling typical this year and there is record heat happening everywhere let's just call this the long hot Summer, shall we? We shall!!!

Nothing truly says long, hot and Summer quite like this photo of Kristin Cavallari and her BFF Justin Anderson. Kristin posted this picture on her Instagram page with a caption reading: "Longest relationship of my life" - presumably meant to throw shade at the man formerly known as her husband Jay Cutler. Shade is a good thing during a long hot Summer after all...

Whether it was shade thrown or simply a testament to her and Justin's long standing friendship, or perhaps both. This photo makes temperatures rise and suddenly Summer got even hotter today.

Mic Drop!

Kristin on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/kristincavallari/?hl=en  

Just Because...Pandemic Fashion

Little Blue Dress
Scarlett Johansson

Just Because there is still a pandemic happening, Just Because it's Tuesday & Just Because she's Scarlett Johansson - it's time for some Pandemic Fashion!!!

Well OK, perhaps it's not really fashion, but look at Scarlett rock a simple blue print dress with a color coordinated mask. Hey, we gotta make the best of the situation, no?

Keeping it simple is sometimes the best way to go and can actually be more effective as a fashion statement than glam, especially during a warm Summery day in The Hamptons.

Thus take a cue from Scar-Jo and make your Summer of Pandemic fashionable.

Now to find my basic walking shorts and a simple yet stylish, Black T-Shirt...

Scarlett on IMDb -
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0424060/

Hump Day & Chill

Meditate
Jennifer Aniston

“There’s usually some sort of meditation at that point. Usually 20 minutes, or 10 if I can’t get the full amount of time in. It’s a set [Transcendental Meditation mantra] that I do every time." - Jennifer Aniston 

With Summer officially being canceled due to the pandemic lock down, stress and anxiety levels are pretty high at present. Might I suggest you ask yourself: "What would Jennifer Aniston do?"

Meditate naturally. Honestly it's something so easy to do, and it makes you feel focused and less agitated and susceptible to negative or depressing energy and thoughts.

I know when I do it as I am fading off in my bed for the evening I wake up feeling amazing.

What's that you say? You don't know how to achieve this goal? Nonsense there are apps for it as well as online articles and instruction.

So let's make our Wednesday a little calmer and Hump Day & Chill with some meditation. Just do it! You'll thank me later 😃

Meditation on Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

Hump Day & Chill

In Bloom
Josh Mosier
Photo:
byKent

As we are in the throes of the last days of Summer, I was pondering what it is I like most about it. Is it the extra hot temperatures? "No" Is it that I have to utilize my air conditioner? "No" Is it being stuck in traffic? "No"  - well then what is it?! It's flowers in bloom and skin, of the male variety (duh)!

This week's Hump Day & Chill has both, in the form of Sunflowers & male model Josh Mosier. Captured through the eyes of photographer byKent.

Kent extrapolates on his love of Sunflowers and of course Josh's nude male form via Tye Briggs Favorite Hunks & Other Things. "Yes" not only do get an interesting read you get the full Josh romping among the flora.

Hey, what more could you ask for in a dog days of Summer Hump Day & Chill, I ask you? Answer me, I asked, c'mon don't be shy...alright have it your way, and do it your way by clicking on the link below.

What a feeling!

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2018/09/sunflower-season-josh-mosier-shot-bykent.html

Hump Day & Chill

Summer Oasis
Gerard Butler

"Vacation, all I ever wanted, Vacation, had to get away, Vacation, meant to be spent alone..." The Go-Go's 

With just a little over a month left of Summer (Fall begins September 23rd) my mind has turned to thoughts on the subject of Summer Vacation. Everybody does it, all the popular people do it, give in to the peer pressure.

Since I have spent my Summer having Bunion Surgery and recovering from it, I got a vacation sort of. It's one where I have been sitting around binge watching things without guilt. Oh and of course writing this blog and other such things.

It's times like this I wonder "What would Gerard Butler do?" or more to the point "What would I do to Gerard Butler" - here's Gerard in a swimsuit aboard a boat. Your Welcome.

Since I was not able to reach the beach this fine Summer, I brought some of the eye candy that it offers to me. "Yes" the WWW is a wonderful thing. 

Well Gerard I wished I could have been there and done that with you but alas, here I sit elevated in front of my computer writing about the Summer I didn't have. Yet somehow the one I did was it's own gift, this vacation was meant to be spent mostly alone and that is sometimes exactly what one needs.

Check out the link below and Hump Day & Chill to the "Butler Booty" appearing in his flick Law Abiding Citizen via the OMG Blog, it's so tight you could bounce various denominations of change off of it...😈

https://omg.blog/omg_his_butt_gerard_butler/#ayHD5srS5svK8XUk.97

Hot Summer Girl

Hot Summer Girl
Miley Cyrus

If you follow Miley Cyrus in Instagram, like me, you have seen a series of provocative photos she has been posting under the umbrella of Hot Summer Girl.

What's it all mean you may be pondering. It seems Cyrus is catching the wave of the hot summer temperatures everywhere and jacking them up a few more degrees with her racy photos. Hey being a Hot Summer Girl is a lifestyle one can, and perhaps should emulate all year round and them some. 

This is according to rapper Megan The Stallion whose viral catch phrase is the reference for HSG. 

Hey leave it to Miley Cyrus to do just that.

Catch yourself some Hot Summer Girl fever and follow Miley by clicking on her IG link below.

Woot!

https://www.instagram.com/mileycyrus/?hl=en

Hump Day & Chill

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Sunday Schwing!

It Takes Three
l-r
Daryl Hannah, Peter Gallagher & Valerie Quennessen

With Summer winding down I got to thinking about all the things I love about this time of year and one of them is of course guys in little to no clothing. I also flashed on one of my many actor crushes  from days of yore, actor Peter Gallagher who starred in one of my favorite movies about the season Summer Lovers.

Summer Lovers is a tale that goes like this:

"A young American couple and a French woman engage in a threesome in the Greek Islands."

Ahem, get why I like it now? Of course you do...!!!

The film co-starred Daryl Hannah as Gallagher's girlfriend and Valerie Quennessen as the third party.

Oh, one more thing, Peter who turns 63 today - Happy Birthday Mr! Also got naked in this triangle of love story. Front & back, and of course I got you the un-coverage via Tye Briggs Favorite Hunks & Other Things. You know I would not deny my minions, ever.

Now the time has come to Schwing, Schwing it good, join me won't you by clicking on the link below...

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2008/08/favorite-blast-from-past-for-august.html

Just Because...Amber Heard

Cool For The Summer
Amber Heard

Just Because she's giving off cooler than us vibes, Just Because she's gone completely black & Just Because she caught my eye while surfing the WWW - Ladies & Gentlemen it's Amber Heard!

I honestly don't know too much about Heard other than the domestic abuse incident between herself and her then partner Johnny Depp. 

That I believe is about to change with the upcoming release of her movie London Fields in which she plays Nicola Six who happens to be clairvoyant.

What's that? OK, here's the synopsis:

"Clairvoyant femme fatale Nicola Six has been living with a dark premonition of her impending death by murder. She begins a tangled love affair with three uniquely different men: one of whom she knows will be her murderer."

Sounds intense, no? 

Most likely not as intense as the heat Amber was enduring when this photo op happened, since it was snapped in NYC and it's, well like summer and it's New York and stuff....

Mic Drop!

Amber on the IG -
https://www.instagram.com/amberheard/?hl=en

So Long Summer?

Coming In For A Landing
Derek Hough

Even though fall doesn't officially begin until September 22, Labor Day marks the end of summer symbolically because it is the last holiday weekend of the season.

That being said while summer is headed into the twilight stage, the summer weather will go on with all of 2017'a crazy heat waves.

So let's bid adieu to the season with this shot of Dancing With The Stars Derek Hough playing Frisbee at the beach.

While Derek doesn't do much for me on the Schwing meter I will state I would like to have a body like his. Evenly proportioned with just the right amount of ripple.

BTW word is Mr. Hough got sand in his mug on the way down.

Ciao Summer!

Derek on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/derekhough/?hl=en 

Summertime & Zac Efron Is...

Hanging Loose
Zac Efron

It's finally here, today is the first official day of Summer 2017! One of my fave things about the summer is guys going commando and freeballing. Thus when I saw these images of my boy Zac Efron with VPL under his sweats I stopped and stared, then stared some more.

Yes, minions it's summertime & Zac Efron is freeballing! 

My gift to you, because of the giver I am for the first day of summer is  Zac Efron with quite the view.

Stay cool today men and be hot like Zac and release your Kraken too!

Zac on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/zacefron/?hl=en   

What Makes U "Say Yes"

Look Into My Eyes & "Say Yes"
Jason Walker

Jason Walker & Tony Moran are "So Happy" to "Say Yes" to #1!!!

Two-time Grammy nominated dance producer Tony Moran and Out Music Award winner Jason Walker are following up “So Happy”, their #1 Billboard hit from this summer, with a celebratory new track for fall, “Say Yes”. Written by Tony Moran and Mike Greenly, the hard-pounding single features another awe-inspiring vocal performance by Jason Walker, along with a superstar collection of remixes and a thrilling new music video by Karl Giant. “Say Yes” is available now on iTunes via http://www.mrtanmanmusic.com.

“Tony Moran approached me about doing another track right after we finished recording ‘So Happy’, our song that would climb all the way to #1,” recalls Jason Walker from his New York home. “What else could I do but ‘Say Yes’?”

“Mike and I were inspired to write the song from all the wedding ceremonies we’ve each been attending since the supreme court legalized same-sex marriage,” explains Tony Moran. “It’s made us reflect on the power of saying yes and how that simple three letter word can move mountains, promote progress and change life as we know it.”

“I asked Jason to record the single for us because that magical voice of his exudes power. He’s an incredible talent and someone that I truly believe represents the future of music.”

Moran and Walker re-enlisted videographer Karl Giant, the director of the “So Happy” video to helm "Say Yes" - check it out after the jump!

Tell Jason "Yes" at:

https://twitter.com/divajasonwalker

https://www.facebook.com/thejasonwalker/  

Just Because, Anderson Cooper

It's Not Easy Being Green
Anderson Cooper

With the last fling of summer officially over, it's now back to the ole daily routine. Ya know work, making things in your world happen, yeah that.

Sometimes do you ever think to yourself  "I wonder what Anderson Cooper did over Labor Day Weekend?" Sure you do!

Guess what I'm here to give you an answer. He went to a fair in Goshen, Connecticut and was surrounded by aliens, Trump supporters don't freak out, they are of the otherworldly kind. 

Cooper is out numbered! Luckily there was no abduction involved!

Anderson Cooper on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/andersoncooper/?hl=en  

"Call Me Mrs. Efron Already"

Put A Ring On It
Simone Biles & Zac Efron

Dreams do come true! No, the byline does not refer to me, even though it is no secret I have a thing for Zac Efron, I certainly would not be telling you to call me his Mrs. More like "Call me Daddy, Zac."

No the title of "Mrs. Efron" belongs to four time Gold Medal winner at the Rio Summer

Olympics gymnast Simone Biles who copped to having a big ole crush on Zac. 

"He kissed me on the cheek just letting y'all know" Biles proclaimed on her Twitter account upon meeting her Prince.

I'll let it slide this time Simone since you are Gold and all, but next time you need to clear it with Zac's Daddy if his boy can come out and play.

Simone on the web:
https://twitter.com/Simone_Biles
https://www.instagram.com/simonebiles/?hl=en

Get Down Gaga!

Looking Good!
Lady Gaga

Do you  ever sit and think to yourself "I wonder what Lady Gaga is doing?" Well I have an answer for you, laying tracks in a recording studio in the West Village hood of NYC.

Note photographic evidence Exhibit A above for proof. I wonder what musical direction she is headed with her upcoming effort? 

We shall wait and listen. In the meantime can you believe it's already August 1st? Summer is almost over and Christmas is around the corner...Yikes! 

Digest that and have a great inaugural week of August!

Visit Gaga at:
www.ladygaga.com/  

Puppy Love, Lucy Hale

When Lucy Met Elvis

Pretty Little Liars Lucy Hale recently introduced her 14 Million Instagram followers to her little white fur baby, Elvis. Posting several photos with captions like:

'I realize I'm becoming the annoying dog girl but seriously ?! He's so cuddly and fluffy and sweeeet'

She also made a fashion statement by accessorizing Elvis with a pair of overalls pictured above saying:

'Taking overalls to a whole new level with Elvis.' 

Being a huge Pretty Little Liars fan and having a soft spot for adorable little dogs I just had to post this

It's the dog days of summer after all...Happy Saturday!

No word on whether or not Lucy plans to train Elvis to do the Jailhouse Rock as of yet.

Lucy on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lucyhale/?hl=en