You know, I’ve gone pretty much my whole adult life thinking of myself as a renegade. A societal outlaw. A cultural desperado, if you will.

But as of today, all that ends.

For today, I have an appointment with a mortgage broker.

Sigh.

So while I try to reassemble my personal identity to include this experience, go read the newest column and calendar.

Various silliness…

Cute men’s restroom art in New Zealand.

And more Kiwi-related information: The Blokes Guide To Taking A Leak. You boys worry way too much about this stuff, did you know that? Catching one glimpse of another guy's dick will not make you gay. If that was true, there would be way, way more lesbians in the world, because we all see other women naked at some point or other.

And speaking of naked women, apparently Scooter Libby has written a smutty book. (It doesn't sound like a very good smutty book, you understand. Young girls forced to have sex with bears? Ew. )
Those silly Republicans! Don't they know dirty books like that are all part of a Communist plot to take over the free world? Tsk, tsk.

Interesting thread about a often touchy topic: weight and body image. In this case, specifically about the bodies of people in the BDSM community.

It does seem like there are a lot of big people in the community. Why is that? Well, I don't know, and I usually refrain from speculation. It's one of those topics where I think you have to be a member of the group (meaning, a big person) to speak with authority about it, and I ain't, so I shut up.

I listen, though, and some of the things I hear said are:

-It's just a reflection of our culture in general.
-It's a way for big chicks to get dates/laid. (I heard this from a large female-bodied person.)
-It's because BDSM people value other things over traditional beauty.
-You don't have to be thin to get dates in the BDSM community, so people "let themselves go".

Now, if I believe any of these theories, it's probably the first one: lots of Americans are big, and the BDSM community is no exception. I can't believe any woman would do BDSM if they didn't really want to, just to get guys. And I'm so sorry, kinky people are not somehow "above" being attracted to traditional beauty. I don't buy the "let themselves go" theory, either. (Go where?)

But I'm curious to know what some of ya'll might think.

Foodie

I don't feel profound today. Let's talk about something basic, like my taste in food.

I am actually quite boring about food. I think all my sense of adventure and desire for variety got put into my sexuality, because the whole food thing is just not a big deal to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my favorite foods. But I’m just not one of those people who's all about trying new and unusual cuisines. And if I can't identify what exactly it is, or if anything about it seems wrong to me, forget it, I’m not going there. Roman and I were at a fancy dinner party not too long ago where we were served something that looked and smelled like nothing as much as wet cat food, and I absolutely balked. He covered for me, thank god.

One of the things I miss here in Seattle is: seafood joints. I mean little neighborhood joints. I used to hang out in this great little place in my hometown with wooden booths and peanut shells on the floor, where every Tuesday was all-you-can-eat boiled shrimp night, and dollar-fifty Bud longnecks. That’s a seafood joint. Here if you want seafood, you’re going somewhere with a white linen tablecloth. I have nothing against that, but sometimes it’s just not what you’re in the mood for.

And I’m still looking for really satisfying BBQ in this town. Yeah, yeah, I know, Pecos Pit, yeah yeah yeah. Been there. It’s okay, but not that great. Ditto Jones Barbeque. I mean, hey – I’m from Georgia. I know from BBQ. I am not easy to please around this.

Where do I go a lot? Oh, KingFish Café, Palermo’s, Hana, Coastal Kitchen, the Madrona Ale House...

I was at Cafe Septieme a lot for a while, but I'm sort of over it now. I still like the red walls, though.

Pomodoro, over on Eastlake Ave, is yummy if I’m in the mood for a sort of Spanish/Italian fusion experience.

JaK's Grill does good steaks, but it’s a bit off my usual path.

For a take-out-fried-chicken-fest: Ezells. Worth the heart attack it’s undoubtedly promoting.

Late-night diner-type food? Charlie’s, on Broadway. Much better service than Minnies, and 13 Coins is both too surreal and too overpriced. (I've actually been known to eat at Denny's in the wee small hours, too, but everyone I know howls in protest at the very notion.)

Breakfast? Glo’s. The B&O Cafe is a close second, and they do great after-theatre dessert, too.

If someone else is picking up the check: The Metropolitan Grill, The Oceanaire, or The Union Square Grill. I keep meaning to try El Gaucho, but I haven’t gotten around to it. Canlis is good, but not to die for. (Lovely view, though.) I like Ruth's Chris better.

Then there’s pizza, one of nature’s perfect foods. I have three favorite places in town, so it depends on what kind of pizza I’m in the mood for. Stellar’s has great sauce, Madame K’s does a terrific crust, and Bill’s Off Broadway loads tons of yummy, gooey cheese on their pies.

I regret the passing of Chang's Mongolian Grill on Broadway. I also miss La Louisiana on Cherry.

Guilty Pleasures: Red Lobster. Yeah, you tell yourself it’s for the fish, but the fact is, those little cheese muffins are like crack cocaine. Have a strawberry daiquiri and you’re really in low-brow-food heaven.
And The Melting Pot. Yes, it’s gimmicky, and it takes forever. But it tastes good.

I’m curious about The Frontier Room – I was there about a million years ago when it was a pretty seedy dive, but I hear the food is good now. I also want to try Alexandria's on 2nd. Anyone got a review?