Thoughts of the Day - Thursday, September 30, 2010.

Today marks the end of a trying month. In the past 30 days, four gay teenagers have taken their lives as a result of bullying by their peers and indifference by the adults who possessed the power to stop it. This pisses me off, but even more so, it breaks my heart. It feels too self-important to say that I wish I had been there to talk to these boys, as though my words by themselves could have made a difference and they would still be alive if they knew how my experience improved over time. Yet, if instead there were a chorus of voices, preaching from all corners of the country that YES, there is life after high school and college and things do get better. This concept is exactly what struck Dan Savage, columnist of Savage Love, and his partner, Terry. Since their initial YouTube post last week, there has been a wave of similar videos sprouting up all over the interwebs (including one from the lovely Ciara-- Call me!) with the same message: It gets better and you will be more beautiful for your struggles.

While I would produce a video myself, I honestly cannot stand the recorded sound of my own voice and avoid video recording equipment like the plague. As an alternative, I included a video of Dustin Lance Black's Oscar acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay in Milk.



Without fail, this clip makes me weep like a baby every single time I watch it. I wish I could have heard those words when I was 16, feeling so alone and miserably confused. So once again, to all you queer kids, "You are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value."



Life is precious,

IreneJK


P.S. Happy 23rd to my bestie, Shayna! Love you.

Songs of the Day - Guilty Pleasure Monday, September 27, 2010.

If Only - Hanson


Taylor is so dreamy.

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Butterfly - Crazy Town


Two words: nipple rings.



Dilemma,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Sucker Free Sunday, September 26, 2010.

Apologies for tardy post. Had one more beer than necessary at Blush! in the Castro. Hope you like these tracks.


The Other Side - Bruno Mars Feat. B.o.B. & Cee-Lo Green


Amazing style. And went to high school down the street from me. Ruff Riders Represent.

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Bang Bang - K'naan Feat. Adam Levine


Not digging the beard, Mr. Levine. Let's work on that.



Hedging my bets,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Sappy Saturday, September 25, 2010.

Sappy has moved to Saturdays. Because it alliterates better. Don't ask me why these things matter. Enjoy.


Teenage Dream (Katy Perry Acoustic Cover) - Tyler Ward


This is so sweet I wanna barf.

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Hey Lady - Thriving Ivory


Like pretty girls need cowboys....



Feline Gypsy Wood Nymph,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Fresh Friday, September 24, 2010.

¡Bienvenidos a Fresh Fridays! (Good lord, I hope that was correct). Every Friday you will experience a fresh new sound. Or something that isn't quite edgy, but downright siiiick all the same. Ka-pow!


Ayo - Hyper Crush


Chyeah.

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Bang Bang Bang - Mark Ronson & The Business Intl


Mark Ronson, brother of Samantha Ronson, brilliant producer, and all-around smashing fellow.



No snitching,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Throwback Thursday, September 23, 2010.

Welcome to another installment of "Throwback Thursdays." Today, we're gonna go a bit further back in time (pardon the linear allusion), to a place where side ponytails were an appropriate hairstyle, and shoulder pads a bitchin' outfit did make. No, I am not referencing our modern-day hipsters, but the magical kingdom of the 80's. Rad.

Safety Dance - Men Without Hats


This has got to be the most random music video ever created. And I love it.

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I Want Your Sex - George Michael


Might I just add that George Michael is totally flaming in this video? Seriously, who the hell was he trying to fool?



So ace,

IreneJK

Thoughts of the Day - What's Good? Wednesday, September 22, 2010.

Apologies for the late post. Took a three hour nap and wasn't nearly as productive as I hoped I'd be today. Anyway, behold the world premiere of "What's Good?" Wednesdays! Every Wednesday, I'll post something that will rock your world -- whether spiritually, mentally, musically, sexually, whatever! I promise you will be inspired every week.

First thing's first: my good friend, Anthony Hull, recently launched a new web series called "Ant's World," and in short, it's phenomenal. This guy knows how to connect with people on the most basic level, yet avoids the mundane and insignificant details and produces a focus into the real stories that make us human. In this second episode, Ant aims our attention at Josh Sherman, former pro snowboarder turned designer of YEA.NICE Clothing. Check it and stay tuned.

"ANT'S WORLD" EPISODE 2 - JOSH SHERMAN from anthony hull on Vimeo.

Song of the Day:

Tik Tok - Ke$ha (à la Star Trek)


Dope.



Keep it locked,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Techno Tuesday, September 21, 2010.

Oh hey.

UNNNTTTTSSSS UNNNTTTTSSSS UNNNTTTTSSSS. That is the sound of the bass melting your face off. Presenting Techno Tuesdays, kick back, relax, and embrace the thumpa thumpa of beautiful electro.



4th of July (Fireworks) - Kelis


Her milkshake definitely brings me to the yard.

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Club Love - The Cataracs


Seeing these guys live with the oh so fine and talented Dev this Friday at Infusion



Don't get it twisted,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Guilty Pleasure Monday, September 20, 2010.

And now, introducing Guilty Pleasure Mondays. Don't lie, you like it, too.



Teenage Dream - Katy Perry


I've succumbed. And might I add that this video is HUGE step up from California Gurls?

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Reason - Vanness Wu


Taiwanese B-list pop star singing in Japanese... Uh, yeah!



Don't judge me,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Sucker Free Sunday, September 19, 2010.

Why hello, friends.

Finally, my dream of wireless internet in my apartment has been realized, so now I can focus on the fulfillment of an even greater dream-- daily posts on this blog! Thus I commence by slightly adjusting my original scheme to start the week off with "Sappy Sundays", and instead, bring you "Sucker Free Sundays". Enjoy.



None Shall Pass - Aesop Rock


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Soundtrack 2 My Life - KiD CuDi


Usually I oppose the substitution of prepositions with numerals, as well as alternating lower and upper case letters in the same word, but I'll make an exception for you, KiD CuDi. Cuz you keep it real.



Stay tuned,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Sappy Sunday, September 5, 2010.

The Blower's Daughter - Damien Rice


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Reason Why - Rachael Yamagata




No love no glory,

IreneJK

Songs of the Day - Throwback Thursday, September 2, 2010.

Happy September! Finally moved into my new apartment in the city. No internet till tomorrow and zero cell phone service. In addition, there are no coffee shops in the surrounding neighborhood that are open past 9 PM. What the hell, San Francisco? Anyway, I'm sorry I lied and promised to be more consistent at posting videos, but moving house is messy business and takes much time and energy (and did I mention that I have NO INTERNET). Whatever. Moving on. Today, it is a great pleasure to introduce Throwback Thursdays! Imma take you back in time and you're gonna enjoy the ride.


Everything is Everything - Lauryn Hill


Ms. Hill, why hast thou forsaken us?

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Sunday Morning - No Doubt


Long live No Doubt.



Gah,

IreneJK