Exanaplanetooch

Exanaplanetooch
A planet in another galaxy
Exanaplanetooch
A place where all the people look like me

A planet where the air is pure
The river waters crystal bright
The sky is green
And in the night
Twelve golden moons 
Provide the light

The buildings in the cities
Shaped like hills
Made of black and green
And blue and yellow glass
With rivers running through them
Crystal bright

Swim in the water
Drink from the rivers
Total beauty, total health
Every man's an artist and a scientist-philosopher
No government and no police
No wars, no crime, no hate
Just happiness and love

Fulfillment of each man's potential
And ambition
With ever-widening horizons

Exanaplanetooch
A planet in another galaxy
Exanaplanetooch
Would you like to go back with me?

-from the Off-Broadway production of HAIR

Don't we all wish we could live there?

Flamboyant Affectations

Recently, the topic of a dog being starved in a gallery exhibit in Nicaragua has made news. The artist, Guillermo Vargas, and the gallery owner, has purported that the whole piece was an elaborate ruse, intended to illustrate the hypocrisy of the public. 

Obviously, if one were to not be aware that this exhibit was a fraud, it would be quite noble and good-intentioned to take up the cause and protest it. However, where is the line between actually caring about a cause, and merely pretending to care about it to boast your image? 

This all comes up because an acquaintance of mine recently signed a petition against this "starving dog" work on his facebook profile, and it is prominently displayed so. I told him that the whole thing was a fraud, but he refused to believe me (and several Nicaraguan newspapers).  Whatever. But, I began thinking incessantly about this (as per usual). Online petitions, as any sane person knows, do very little. Regular paper petitions have very little effect on a cause to begin with, so it is only natural to presume an electronic, intangible one would be even less effective. (http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp)

Even giving the benefit of the doubt that this gentlemen was not aware of this fact, surely he would realize that there are much more effective ways of protesting something, such as sending donations or forming some sort of physical amalgamation of people to oppose it. He, and hundreds of others, did not do this. They "signed" a petition and posted their signatures on their profile for all the world to see.         

It would appear, at least to a level-headed cynic like me, that the people who merely signed a petition and did nothing else don't hold topics such as animal cruelty in such important candor. In fact, it would appear they are doing nothing more than trying to generate a certain (and artificial) image of themselves to others, in order to impress. And that, my friends, is called an "affectation". 

Not that I can speak for all of the supporters of this "petition", but I do know the young man in question is not exactly an animal rights activist; he eats meat, first of all, an activity which unarguably contributes to more animal cruelty and environmental destruction than any other mainstream activity know to humankind. He has not (to my knowledge) volunteered at an animal hospital and/or shelter, (and surely, if he is willing to boast that he signed an online petition, he would plaster across a billboard in Times Square that he did this). And, he probably has not made any contributions to any charities devoted to animal welfare. 

It is my assumption that, based on the given facts and refusal thereof on his part, the only real reason he and so many others are "against" this exhibition is for no other reason than to establish yet another affectation. Cruel? Perhaps. But at least I don't go broadcasting it. 

Christian Siriano on "Ugly Betty" May 1st.

Fierce.

God-free, not spirit-free

Yesterday, my friends and I were planning to go out for dinner in SoHo. Being in Chelsea, we decided to take the subway. While we were waiting for it, one of them suggested we move up the platform so we could get seats in the first car. As we walked, though, the train had already began pulling up, so, we decided to stop. When the doors opened, lo and behold a friend of ours from school was walking out. We said our hellos and boarded the train, and thought nothing of our random encounter the rest of the night. Until now, that is.

I began to wonder about our chance meeting. Common sense would prove, obviously, that an event like this is not unlikely; we were boarding the subway at the station closest to our school, we were pretty far downtown to begin with, suffice to say there's more of a chance someone would be uptown coming back, and it was only around 6:30; a pretty common time for someone to be don with their errands. But, now, I began to take a different approach: the odds are against us in the fact that there are millions of people in New York with millions of different time schedules; we had also first planned on boarding where we were, and then planned on boarding at the front, and ended up boarding somewhere in between. Why had we bumped into her? Was it really just random, or was there perhaps some sort of higher power involved? It seems pretty trivial, but it's amazing how such an insignificant event can spark such a train of thoughts.

I bring this up because of something a friend said when discussing my apparent atheism; she commented on how, while she understood where I was coming from, there were just too many coincidences in the world for there to be no higher power. And, on some level, I agree with that.

I still hold the belief, (the fact), that there is no god; not in the Abrahamic sense, anyway. There is no omnipotent white male spirit, judging us and intervening in every singe person's life. It's merely impossible, and, quite honestly, stupid. It's such an arbitrary belief based on tradition that I find it depressingly laudable anyone would buy into this concept. 

After yesterday's events, however, and after reconsidering all of the so-called coincidences in my life I began to wonder...is there a "god"? While modern science can prove no such abrahamic god exists, there are still things unproven; perhaps, in time, they will be, but perhaps not. It's very possible that there is some energy in the universe, some strange phenomenon, that affects the way we live and act. Karma is something I believe greatly in; not because I'm paranoid, but because of it's roots in physics: Newton's third law of motion: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. If it's possible in physical events, why not emotional? Nature has a way of naturally balancing itself out, so it's of no surprise or consequence that all of our actions are inversely proportionate to our reactions. While Karma is not the only example, it is a solid one. It may not have been proven by science quite yet, but there's enough of a balance and logic in this example to be ample. 

For now, it might be fine to accept the limits we have and simply give in to the possibility that we do not know everything and some events, such as bumping into a friend randomly in the subway, might have more meaning than you think.

Jay Mccarroll: Transport

Seeing as my favorite idols, the PR Gayboys, didn't critique Jay McCarroll's first RTW show, I decided to take it upon myself to give mine. 

To begin with, Jay McCarroll is one of my favorite designers, and this collection lived up to expectations. The interesting and unexpected hot air balloon inspirations and gorgeous sensitivity to color made this collection stand out from most things at fashion week. Jay, to me, has this kind of uncorrupted sense of things; he's not dragged into the delusions associated with "fashion". He is, at heart, an artist, and apparel is his medium. One can make comparisons between him and a Betsey Johnson or a Zac Posen because of his youthful, whimsical designs, but overall his stuff is very unique. 

As always, the color palette is pitch-perfect, most of the looks are reinvented enough to be fresh and interesting while still being mainline, and every outfit plays off each other wonderfully.

The only real problems with this collection is the retro aesthetic. Obviously Jay has spoke in the past how he likes to incorporate the homemade "traditional" details like knitting and quilting in his work which has been, and still is, perfectly fine, but some of these looks didn't look as reinvented as others; in fact, some details looked like they came straight out of the 50's and 60's without any interpretation at all. 

Let's start the show.

Love the bag. And the bracelet. The styling in this collection was phenomenal, it must be said. It looked good to start the show off with a neutral look, considering the pace and colors within the rest of the show. The sleeves look good, but aside from that the proportions look a little strange. The pant legs look very lounge-y and the overalls look doesn't seem very..."now". This is what I meant by the retro remark; the outfit is fresh enough not to garner any real negativity, but it's definitely not something that stands out in this self-proclaimed "futuristic" collection, and it's an odd opening look. And those freaking buttons look like they belong on a Shirley Temple doll.  

FABULOUS. Love the baby-doll silhouette, love the detailing along the hem and neckline, and that hooded shrug is cute and sophisticated. The parachute fabric on the skirt actually looks very good. Not crazy about the stockings, but a great dress nonetheless. 

Just have to bring this up: the menswear in this collection was fabulous, and I'm sorry we've seen such a limited scope of this design from Jay. I think he should do a whole menswear line because, frankly, we need more funky menswear designers. 

Anyway, back to the look: great. Love the rooster insignia, love the horizontal striped shirt and mesh v-neck tank. Aside from the blazer, all of the elements are nothing really "new", but they are put together in an interesting way. 

Very runway. The top is really gorgeous, and the slung down shoulder looks great. The sleeve length puzzles me; it doesn't look like a mistake, but it certainly doesn't seem intentional. It should've been exaggerated just a tad. And that one-shoulder lace strap has to go.

Love the paillette necklace. Signature Jay. 

GORGEOUS gown. Another sect of Jay's talent we don't see quite often: evening wear. It's obvious his niche is street/sportswear, but that kind of earthy, urban aesthetic translates into great and interesting evening wear. Definitely something we need to see more of. 

The lines and color-blocking on this dress work well, but the sheath is not really..."sheathing" and that's always a little iffy with horizontal stripe designs. The model looks rather shapeless from the bust down. All in all, though, great dress.

This is probably the weakest menswear look in the whole collection. Not that it's bad, but it's a bit of a throwback futuristic look. In the sixties, with the moon landing and counterculture surrounding modern life, fashion took on a futuristic space-age approach, and obviously, that's not how real future fashions developed. This look is something akin to that. The jacket is fine, great even, and the shirts are okay,  but those goddamn pants, the flip-flops and that ridiculous helmet ruin the look.  Too retro, too dated. 

FABULOUS. The clean cut silhouette and color with that patchwork detail are beautiful. 'Nuff said. Simple and elegant. 

Another very "runway" look. It's commendable that Jay is anti-fur and anti-leather, because lord knows the industry needs to move away from those materials. Faux furs and pleathers are just as good, as illustrated here. The neckpiece looks great, and the all-white look is very modern and, once again, clean and minimal. 

Hmmm. When I first saw it, I thought the stiffness of the bow was kind of neat, and it's exaggerated just enough. The yellow looks very fresh, but the whole look kinda screams "tacky eighties party favor". I love me a puffy sleeve, but paired with that fabric, that color, and the freaking obnoxious bow...it's just not good.

 

BEST LOOK. Seriously, the fabric is gorgeous, the color the print...it's all great and kind of embodies the themes of the collection. Sure you can say it's too "matchy matchy" but it really makes a statement, and for this particular look it's fine to be rendered in all the same fabric; in fact, you can say the whole thing is just a vehicle for the fabric, which is just fine because it's amazing. I understand Jay's gradient-effect to his shows, but this would've been the best opening look. 

Great tank, great pants. The only thing is...the yellow in the shirt and the yellow in the pant look discordant; which is odd because Jay has a great color sense.

Wonderful skirt; the patchwork/quilting construction of it fits in with Jay's POV, and with the collection. The knit top is great, and the colors are perfect. Classic Jay.

LOVEloveLOVE. The rain cape is great and unexpected, and the color is beautiful. The dress underneath is perfect, too, but I wish we could've seen it without the coat; she couldn't take it off?

Hate the tights. Love everything else. The visor is kind of gimmicky, though. But the graphic tee makes up for it.

Hate the friggin' necktie (enough bows already) but the patchwork dress is great. Love the contrasting sleeves and the tights.

This...looks unsophisticated. A real clunker... The hoodie looks like a gas station attendant's uniform. The skirt is cool, though. The helmet sucks.

 

FABULOUS!!!! Great Mod-style coat, great styling, nothing wrong with this look. I would buy it now and wear it if I wasn't a man. Oh, who am I kidding? I would still wear it.

Another great menswear look. The texture and colors are great, and (even though you can't see it) the duffle is really nice. The model looks like stoned plumber, though.

Fabulous jacket and turtleneck. The patterns work well together, but it's a little tiring to see these "all one color" looks. 

BEST MENSWEAR LOOK. Seriously, I covet those pants. The mesh rooster tank, the layered shirts...it's all fantastic.

Another mod-inspired outfit that just works. Love the progression of colors.

Cute little look. Kinda retro, still, but interesting. Hate those weird cups, though. Is that part of the design, or are her boobs just falling out? I actually think the top is just sliding down...

Great. Glasses are gimmick. Love the graphic detailing at the bottom of the shirt.

Love the high waisted blimp skirt, and the top is nice. Still hate the bow.

Love the dress; the hem looks good. Balloon skirt done right. LOVE that birdcage necklace. I would love to have that.

Chic and simple. The sunshine orange looks great, as do the cuffs and v-neck. Love the oversized bag with Jay circles.

Great evening gown. The "v"s have a great vibe to them, and give a lot of energy to the look. This hugs the body a lot better than the grey gown, and you can really see the difference a good fit makes. 

FABULOUS EXIT. The only thing I curse is I never saw the whole look when she raised the skirt. I assume it was somewhat of a balloon shape? The patchwork is great, though, and the beehive suits it well. Although I must say it's quite odd Jay boasted this as a "futuristic" collection, when most looks were just old looks revisited and only a handful were actually "futuristic". In any event, though, this is a great evening gown. 

I was very pleased with the collection overall, and for someone who really has no experience in fashion, Jay did an amazing job with his first solo collection, and I cannot wait until "Eleven Minutes" premiers in NY.  

See the show here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLRclR1Akh4

Empathicalism

Do you feel me?

Jay McCarroll.

Go to his website and buy his shit, it's awesome: www.jaymccarroll.com

Double Standards.

Today I was on line at Target (my favorite store, unfortunately) buying a tube of lipstick for 97 cents. Not for me, but for a project at school. When the older man who was checking me out saw what I was purchasing,  he gave me something akin to a sickened glare. I appropriately ignored it (because I can't stand confrontation, or any interaction, with people) paid the dollar whatever (tax is ridiculous) and left. On my way home, though, I began to think exhaustively, like I always so. Why on earth did I deserve that kind of treatment for buying cosmetics? Because I'm a man? 

Now, before anyone gets up my ass about this, I am not trying to defend men in relation to women, especially white men. I realize we yield more power than anyone (even though I have the "disadvantage" of being gay, that is not something that is quite apparent....as long as I don't speak or move) and I'm not trying to deny that. This post is more about the twisted mores and folkways of society, a topic that is very near and dear to my heart.

Anyway. I couldn't help but notice that almost every woman I see wears make-up, and almost every man I see does not. What are the reasons behind this? First I would say tradition, because that is usually the main suspect in cases like these, but that's not the case; there are several precedents of men having wore make-up. What else? Well, I'm not positive, but I would probably have to say that, in our society, it's not exactly "butch" to care about what you look like. Sure there was that whole stupid "Metrosexual" fad but that fizzled away quickly. It's just not common for men to wear make-up, and I find that somewhat appalling. What's the big deal if I wear green eyeshadow or pink lipstick? Maybe it wouldn't be flattering on my skin tone, but I don't see why there should be any other reason. Women can put all kinds of color on their faces, but men cannot. And whose fault is this? Well, everybody's. Everybody who's not the least bit progressive in attitude, anyway.  You're told it's not right, and you believe it. It's not something you see commonly, so it's weird. 

I'm not sure what I can do about it, really. I don't really have a desire to wear make-up (because my skin is flawless and I think it's horribly fake to wear make-up) and if I do, people will think I'm transgendered (which I'm not). So I guess I will reserve myself to coping with the inequities of society. 

Damn. I wish my first post wasn't so superficial and pessimistic. But, hey, go with what you know, I guess.

Testing the Waters...

Hmm....this is curious. Even curiouser because I'm almost positive no one is reading this except for me. In any event...where to begin? How about from the very beginning: the title. The word "Courier" typically means a messenger who transports goods or packages. But, it also can mean a messenger from an underground or espionage organization. In a matter of speaking, I am neither of those things. Not technically, at least. But, I would hope in some sense of the word, I am a courier. How? I don't know. But let's pretend. 

Now where to continue...how about me. I live in NY. Hence the other part of the title. I am a Democrat, a moderately liberal one at that. I'm gay. I'm a vegan. I'm a guy (at least biologically speaking...I have been called a girl more times than I have been called a boy, just so you know) I'm not a transgender individual, contrary to popular belief (just because I act effeminate does not mean I wish to be a woman; I like my penis very much). I like art. And fashion. And writing. And television. And film. I'm an extremely cynical misanthrope. 

How to wrap this up...oh, what I will be talking about on this blog. Umm....stuff? Okay, that's not good enough. I will talk about a variety of things: current events, politics, "hot topics", fashion, television, books, popular culture...basically anything that matters to my life. And hopefully yours.

Is anyone still with me? Or was I by myself to begin with?