I'M IN LOVE! Why Sharon Needles makes me weak in the knees...

She's funny, fabulous and fucking fierce - she's Sharon Needles!  And do you want to talk about "charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent"?  Hello?!  She's got it all.

I've made no secret of my affection for the newest season of Drag Race's most sickening, goth-punk contestant - and the more I get to know her, the deeper I fall.  With wit as sharp & stinging as a rusty razor blade, a dark and devastating sense of style (and even a penis!) Ms. Needles very well could be my perfect man!

CONGRATS ON WINNING THE FIRST ROUND, MY DEAR!  I WILL BE ROOTING FOR YOU ALL THE WAY...

FUNNY LADY Marilyn Monroe

Because of the focus on her iconic beauty and voluptuous va-va-voomness, I think Marilyn Monroe's acting and comedic talent has often been overlooked. The star of many great comedies during the 1950's, it is easy to see that she was the reason for their successes. Marilyn not only perfected the super-sexy-yet-naive "dumb blonde" character - she created it. 

I encourage you to watch some of these old comedies - they have stood the test of time, and Marilyn just sparkles in them!

Top 5 Marilyn Monroe Comedies

1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
2. The Seven Year Itch (1955)
3. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
4. Some Like it Hot (1959)
5. Monkey Business (1952)
   
   
   

   

Marilyn Monroe's Official Site

For complete information on all Marilyn's films on IMDB, click here

THE ORIGINAL - Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks"

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, 1942 - Art Institute of Chicago

What I have always loved about Edward Hopper's paintings is the mood he created.  In his images of melancholy figures set against lonely cityscapes, he describes the feeling of separation and detachment that modern life has created; he tells stories of people isolated as much by their busy lifestyles, as by the structures that surround them.  His most famous work, Nighthawks (pictured above) evokes this mood perfectly.

And then there are the parodies - the most famous of which is the ever-popular Boulevard of Broken Dreams, which replaces Hopper's everyday folks with famous dead film icons (James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley as the soda-jerk)!  Painted by Gottfried Helnwein in 1984, this print made its way from thousands of swap-meets and mall art galleries, into millions of hip bachelor pads and young couples' first apartments throughout the 80's and 90's.

Helnwein's famous parody

Due to the popularity of the Boulevard of Broken Dreams print (and the fact that pop-punk group Green Day put out a #1 hit by the same name), Hopper's original piece seems to have gotten buried by time and overriding popular culture.  More sad than the fact that most people I talk to believe the Helnwein parody to be the original work, is that the delicate subtlety and anonymity of the figures in Hopper's piece are totally removed - replaced by globally recognizable celebrities.

But let's not be too hard on ol' Helnwein.  Just check out his portfolio and you will see that there is nothing cheesy or clichéd about his work.  Boulevard of Broken Dreams seems to have been a bit of a departure for the German-born artist.  I suspect that his motivations were probably more intended to pay homage to the US-born Hopper and to American pop culture, rather than to eclipse this exquisite original.

article author: Desiree Guerrero

my personal favorite, "Nighthogs" by Matt Groening

NOTE: The Art Institute of Chicago acquired Nighthawks in 1942, where it has remained a part of it's permanent collection. Read more about this work on their website.

CLUB RIPPLES RETURNS! Thanks to Tabatha

Once upon a time, Club Ripples was the hottest gay bar & nightclub in Long Beach...but that was way back in 1988.  And since it's neon-infused, roller-skating-on-the-beach, Madonna-was-still-wearing-pointy-bras heyday, Club Ripples had become (until recently) a sort of sad, dusty icon of a bygone era.  I understand.  Change is hard.  Don't many of us long for the seemingly simpler days of our youth... a time before 9/11, iphones, or the Kardashians?!  But alas, time marches on, and we must choose to either change with the times - or slowly fade away, like a hot-pink speedo left laying in the sun...

The good news is - thanks in part to Tabatha Coffey of Bravo's hit reality show "Tabatha's Takeover" - Club Ripples is back and better than ever!  This season, Tabatha is bringing her no-nonsense, whip-you-into-shape attitude to all types of businesses (rather than just hair salons, like seasons past), and Club Ripples was her first stop.


When Ms.Coffey arrived at Club Ripples, it was truly a ghostown.  With a talented, hip & professional staff in place, it didn't take long to see that the club's owners - life and business partners, John Garcia and Larry Hebert - were primarily to blame for the lengendary club's demise. Although quite a charming couple on a personal level, the pair had fallen into a professional rut of bad business habits. Garcia's "over it" apathetic attitude, combined with partner Hebert's big-brother-style of micro-managing (like chastising customers for putting purses or sweaters on the bar, yet not providing hooks!), proved to be a deadly combination for the business. There were several super-cheesy rules and practices in place - like serving drinks in plastic cups, no free water, always charging a $7 cover (whether there was entertainment or not), AND no drinks on the dance floor (really, even in plastic cups?)!  Not to mention that the furniture and decor looked like it hadn't been updated since the first Bush was in office!

Owner John Garcia is all smiles
after Tabatha's ass-kicking

One can say what they want about Tabatha's often harsh, ball-busting tactics - but no one can argue that the woman gets shit done. Before you knew it, Tabatha had bitch-slapped John & Larry into the 21st century - and given Club Ripples the breath of fresh air it has needed for a loooooooong time.

These days, the new & improved Club Ripples has an updated look, serves drinks in REAL glasses, gives FREE water, boasts a full calender of weekly EVENTS (including drag shows featuring the best in the business) -- and all for NO COVER!!!*  Thank you, Tabatha - for helping to turn Long Beach's oldest gay nightclub back into the one of the best!

*with the exception of the drag shows, which sometime charge a small cover

article author: Desiree Guerrero

CLUB RIPPLES is located at 5101 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA.

Call 562.433.0357 or visit http://www.clubripples.com for more info.

Click here for before and after photos on Bravo.com

BORED? Draw on Henry Rollins

                                                    




I would have loved to research and re-draw all of Henry's tattoos, as this coloring page suggests, BUT - I have three unruly sons and very little spare time... so, I cheated and did his "Liar" video look.  Do your own and email it to me, and maybe I'll post it!