When pigs fly: The life of Chaz, the travelling leather-biker-bear.

Dr. Who

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:24 GMT

I've updated my Dr. Who, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures webpages to contain the latest shows!

See them here.

Also... I've put up hundreds of new MP3s on Chazhome.com, including "Plain White T's", "Beck" and the "Asylum Street Spankers"

I depart for Rochester tomorrow -- then I'm off to Singapore and Malaysia.

Dr. Who

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:22:04 GMT

Coming soon....

Doctor Who Returns to Full-Time Filming With Moffat, Smith

Shooting began on the new season of Doctor Who with Matt Smith taking over the lead role under new show-runner, Steven Moffat.

The BBC released the first glimpse of Smith’s costume — a professorial, period tweed ensemble complete with anachronistic bow tie (above). The outfit might be an effort to age The Doctor since, when the young Time Lord appears with assistant Amy Pond, the show looks a little like “Jim Henson’s Doctor Who Babies.”

The multi-award winning Moffat will shape the new Who as it enters its fifth season since Russell T. Davies rebooted the show. The new series will be the first full run since 2008 as this year offers only four special episodes featuring the final appearances of David Tennant (the rumored Bilbo in the upcoming Hobbit films).

Fans theorize that Moffat will take the show in a darker direction and away from some of the more flamboyant elements of Davies’ run. But only time travel will tell.

Salt Lake City

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:41:22 GMT

I'm back from Salt Lake City. Whilst there, I managed to visit Temple Square, which is Utah's most popular tourist destination. Part of its appeal lies in its accessibility: three city blocks in downtown Salt Lake City contain nearly 20 attractions related to Mormon pioneer history and genealogy, including the Salt Lake Temple, the Tabernacle, and the Family History Library. Other SLC photos can be seen here!

I also saw the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, which was somewhat freaky in appearance -- the stuff children's nightmares are rife with odd statues (like The Sphinx with the face of Jos. Smith and the body of the Sphinx [Egypt] and "The Monument to the Trade") are imagery that could haunt you for life!

For those of you on Facebook, you already saw my on-board "first class meals", which looked a little bit better then the ones I had coming home from San Francisco! Mmmmmm... Airline food!

I'm back in New York City and have been playing catch-up. Tomorrow K.K. and I will see Barbiere Di Siviglia at the Metropolitan Opera on our six month anniversary, and in one week it will be a busy weekend with Halloween and the NY Bear Den gathering on 1 Nov '09.

Now, watch "I Seen Beyonce At Burger King":

SLC, here I come!

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:54:43 GMT

I'm making a mileage run to Salt Lake City today, returning tomorrow evening.

I honestly don't know what to do while in SLC -- so I recruited a local to help me pick a few things out.

I've been to the AIRPORT several times, but never left the "security zone", so this should be an interesting trip...

If you have any suggestions for things to do between 22:00 20-OCT-09 and 13:00 21-OCT-09, please e-mail them to me...

While I'm on route, I'll be playing with my new Android T-Mobile (Google) phone! Read about my new toy below...

"Visitors to Google’s I/O conference earlier this year received a surprise gift: a new touchscreen Google phone made by HTC. The svelte gadget is the second major Google Android device on the market, and sometime in August, you’ll be able to buy one from T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile is going to sell it for $199 with a two-year contract. Sure, you can buy the new iPhone 3G S, but in case you don’t care much for either the iPhone or the network it runs on, I think the new Android phone might actually be worth the wait.

T-Mobile is calling this 3G handset (with built-in Wi-Fi), myTouch, not exactly the most original or mellifluous name, but from a device standpoint, it is a worthy smartphone. I’ve had the one given out by Google for a few weeks now, and I have found it to be a very worthy competitor to current smartphone champions. I’ve been using it in tandem with my BlackBerry Curve 2. The best part I like about this device: its sleek, lightweight design and how unobtrusively it slips into a top shirt pocket.

156010.jpgIt has a great 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display; the touchscreen is probably the second best in the business in terms of responsiveness. It comes with a 4GB microSD card for you to store photos, videos and music, which can be upgraded to any size. The phone has a built-in 512MB of internal memory. It seamlessly integrates all Google services including Google Chat, Picasa, Search, Calendar and Gmail.

It took me literally 15 minutes to get going: I typed in my Google ID, and the phone did the rest. My calendars, contacts and Google Talk friends were downloaded to the device automatically. Of course, if you don’t have a Google account, things might not go as smoothly. Setting up IMAP email was pretty easy as well.

Sure, it has its short comings — the browser is good, but not great like the iPhone browser. It’s sometimes hard to switch modes on the virtual keyboard or bring up the dialpad when you need it most. It has one micro-USB port that can either be used for charging or plugging in accessories such as headphones.

The most disappointing feature of the device is the 3.2-megapixel camera — it is horrible. And like most other 3G smartphones, the device guzzles power faster than a Hummer speeding down the freeway. The phone lasted about seven hours at best when I checked email, used instant messaging, and surfed the web too often."

Subways...

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:28:01 GMT

Could this have been the Rochester, NY Subway?

Duane Thomas Fields writes (about Rochester, New York) "I came across the fact that the city had a subway for a time in the early 20th century. It hasn’t run since 1956 and the tunnels sit abandoned today. But in researching whether there was support for modern revival, I came about a map of what the subway map could look like today, with the original line plus proposed extensions."

On another note, Eddie Jabbour, co-owner of KICK Design, was born and bred in NYC; he lived here for decades before finally getting fed up with the MTA’s “ungraceful” subway map. So he made his own. “We’ve had the current one for 29 years and it serves its purpose, but it’s not friendly,” he says. “It doesn’t celebrate the city. My map is all about celebrating the city.”

His KICK Map is a hybrid of approaches: diagrammatic (i.e., a work stylized to the point of abstraction) and topographic (which shows exactly what is above the surface).

MULTIPLE LINES: “The current MTA map hides the lines on one route,” says Jabbour. “At first, it looks simple. ‘Oh, nice!’ But then when you realize there’s five different lines on one trunk—that’s when you realize, This is nuts. The first IRT map in 1904 had multiple lines, so I added them back in. That way, you can scan your line quickly—you don’t have to read it. No New Yorker wants to be caught looking at the map for a full minute, peering over some old lady and her hat.”

ACCURATE TOPOGRAPHY: “Williamsburg, on the current map, looks like a string of spaghetti. Anyone who lives there will recognize my Williamsburg as the real one.”

CONNECTIONS: “If you live on the Upper West Side and are going to Bushwick, there’s not one train to get you there, and that’s where the MTA’s map fails. On my map, it’s extremely clear where you have to transfer; you’re dealing with three lines. One glance also tells you about off-peak hours and whether you can cross over and go in the opposite direction for free.”

SIMPLIFICATION: “Every station dot has a number or letter. The words are also all horizontal, not diagonal. Both allow all that information to stay where it belongs—next to the station stop—so all that clutter is contained. In the old map, the info about Times Square goes all the way to Ninth Avenue. It’s crazy!”

Click here to read more or for a full-blown version of the KICK Map: click here!

LHR, BOS, LGA, EWR, DFW, SFO

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:31:06 GMT

In the past 14 days, I've been to London, Boston and San Francisco!

18-SEP: My first full day in London -- alone. Dave Pike wasn't able to join me on this trip (in fact, he's in hospital today for a hernia operation, which is why he couldn't join me). I made plans for two excursions: 1) The Royal Observatory at Greenwich (which was to close in five minutes the last time I was there) and 2) the tour of the Houses of Parliament (House of Lords and House of Commons).

Typically, whilst travelling with UK citizens, they are hesitant to tour Parliament, as they've either "done it before" or the queue was too long -- it must have been my lucky day, as I purchased my ticket at 15:05, and my tour was to begin at 15:15!! I was in without delay!

You can [virtually] tour the Royal Observatory from the internet! Just click here to check it out! There are two main paths to follow: the Astronomy galleries and the Time galleries. Have fun!

I must admit it was fascinating to see the sheer number of people taking photos of themselves and friends whilst standing on the Prime Meridian in Greenwich!! It made me proud to be a geek!

See photos on my Picasa Photo Album. Sorry -- no TARDIS sightings. :-(

19-SEP: In Soho (London), I saw Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the musical - which was a fun adventure full of surprises, even if you've seen the movie! I have heard rumours that it will be coming to (New York's) Broadway in 2010 -- I think it will give "Mamma Mia!" a run for it's money!

20-SEP: My extreme online group, MaleBodyMods.com had a face-to-face gathering at The Hoist's NBN Night. We had over a dozen people from all over the world show up -- which is pretty impressive! This was our third such meet-up party at The Hoist in the past 12 months, and each one is more successful than the last!

22-SEP: I left London for Boston, spending only several hours in Boston.

25-SEP: I departed Newark Airport (EWR) for San Francisco (SFO) with a lay-over in Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) to meet up with my buddy Greg Hill (whom I met exactly 51 weeks prior at the Golden Gate Guards run). I wanted to immediately hit the Lone Star and the Eagle upon touch-down, but we never made it there...

26-SEP: I was a volunteer at a 15 Association pre-Folsom St Fair Play Party above Mr S leather shop. I managed to meet (for the first time face-to-face) one of the co-moderators of my extreme online group, MaleBodyMods.com -- it was great to meet "C" in person, especially after being in London one week prior meeting with my other co-moderator, "M"! The party was wild and was reminiscent to the hard-core play of "Cabin 4" at both the Rochester Rams and Spearhead Runs.

27-SEP: Folsom St Fair! Sadly, I was only there from about noon to 14:30. As usual, it was simply mental -- tons of people. See photos on my Picasa Photo Album.

29-SEP: It was the 70th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz. Although threat of rain and a chilly evening, some New York Bear Den members managed to show up and had a blast on rumsey playfield (in Central Park) for a free Netflix screening of the new 70th Anniversary Special Re-Mastered HD version of the classic movie and a LIVE concert (as opposed to a dead one?)

Time to breathe and hunker back down to job hunting and ECMC affairs that need tending to... I leave you with this wacky news:

Think flying economy is bad now? New aircraft design puts passengers face-to-face in rows for budget travel.

Air travel is being overhauled with a new aircraft design which plans to seat passengers facing each other in rows.

The controversial design is intended to save space and money and could see 50 per cent more passengers packed on to each plane.

Howard Guy, director of the UK company Design Q, acknowledges that some people will not be happy with the plan, but says they will be able to pay less for any inconvenience.... read more

In other news... did you hear about the grandmother who was arrested for buying cold medicine twice in 1 week? read all about it here

BREAKING: Atlanta Gay Bar Raided, Harassment Seen

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:14:05 GMT

By Matthew Cardinale, News Editor, The Atlanta Progressive News (September 11, 2009)

(APN) ATLANTA -- At approximately 11:30pm on Thursday, September 10, 2009, a gay bar in Atlanta, the Atlanta Eagle, was raided by the Atlanta Police Department (APD).

The present writer for Atlanta Progressive News--who had come to the bar to dance--witnessed as several bar staff and male dancers were arrested between approximately 12:30am and 1am and taken away in paddy wagons, but it is not immediately clear why. One source stated he believed it was because the bar did not have a license for the dancers. (CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated patrons had been arrested; no patrons were arrested).

About ten police cars and about 15 cops raided the bar, allegedly looking for drugs.

However, the police were said to have ordered all patrons to get on the ground--including patrons who were just dancing or standing at the bar--and numerous patrons said people were handcuffed indiscriminately.

Bar patrons were furious at the aggressive and indiscriminate treatment and called the incident "harassment."

Patrons also stated that at least three undercover cops were present. One patron stated he knew this because he saw the undercover police first without their badges, mingling with the crowds, and then again with their badges on.

However, after all the arrests were made, this writer noticed as several plainclothes men--several Black males and a couple White males--talked in a circle with police officers. They then went to their cars and drove off. It was apparent about 10 undercover police had been there.

One police officer stated, as he and others left the parking lot, "This is gonna keep happening if we keep getting complaints from the community." The officer did not specify what complaints he was referring to.

Bar owner, Richard Ramey called APN on the morning of September 11 to confirm the information in this article, except the correction noted above that no patrons were arrested.

Ramey said the only charge faced by bar staff and dancers is that the male dancers in their underwear had been dancing without a permit.

"No patron was arrested. I was under the impression the only time you needed a license... is if they're strippers. These dancers were in their underwear," Ramey said.

Ramey said he is upset and concerned about the civil rights of his customers. He wants bar patrons who feel they were mistreated to contact him. "After everything they did to our customers and our staff... they did this like they did in the Stonewall days," Ramey said.

Ramey said the so-called complaint from the community consisted of "a noise complaint... How can they made everybody lie on that nasty floor without probable cause?"

This writer arrived minutes after the raid had begun. A line of cop cars blocked the parking lot so that no one in the parking lot could leave.

According to numerous patrons, many patrons were handcuffed and many, if not all, were searched for drugs and were asked to show identification.

According to one patron, APD handcuffed all Eagle staff members and dancers, patrons in a leather shop, and anyone who was wearing only underwear; Thursday is advertised as underwear night.

APN received the following email on September 11 from a patron who was inside during the raid.

"My roommate and I were there for the police raid at the Eagle on September 10, 2009. We had arrived about 20 minutes before the raid took place," Allan Vives said.

"Everyone was ordered to get on their stomachs and face down during this ordeal. As far as I could tell everyone was searched at least once, most of us twice. Most, but not all, of the officers were incredibly derogatory and insulting whether they found evidence of drugs or not," Vives said.

"When asking why, we were met with derisive remarks and no explanation. I am furious at how we were treated and can't believe that this has happened in this day and age. The officers present were incredibly rude to anyone who dared to ask what was happening and several were openly hostile towards the gay patrons. Of the officers present, there was one female who was running searches on the IDs of those whose licenses were collected. She was not only rude but seemed to be enjoying the event," Vives said.

"At one point, she stopped what she was doing and walked over to the television and asked her colleagues what the score to the game playing on the television was.....at this point there were still innocent patrons laying face down on the floor," Vives said.

"When pressed for answers none were given, only further threats that something worse would happen if we didn't capitulate to the demands of these 'law enforcement' officers. I'm disgusted at what I went through. I'm disgusted at what I witnessed. I'm embarrassed for this city. I hope this is the beginning of a discussion that ends in the dismissal of several Atlanta police officers and whoever initiated this act. It is UNBELIEVABLE that the patrons of one of Atlanta's gay bars would be subjected to this kind of treatment given the high rate of serious crimes that are being perpetrated on a daily basis? Is this really the greatest concern of the Atlanta police department...especially in a city where the daily news rarely goes without some report of violent crimes against others? This is just unbelievable, a serious embarrassment. I can't express how angry I am."

From about 11:30pm to 12am, patrons came out of the bar one at a time, apparently, after they had shown ID and gotten searched.

At about 11:50pm, police asked all people standing in the parking lot to leave the property and un-blocked their cars.

At about 12:15am, one staff member complained of a fast heart beat and feeling faint as a result of the stress and shock, and an ambulance was called to the scene. The individual apparently felt better after a few minutes and did not leave in the ambulance.

Eight Years Later...

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:42:48 GMT

Places I have visited

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:56:38 GMT

After revising Where's Chaz with my upcoming trips for the year, and without too much thought, I got to thinking where are the places I've visited in my lifetime? Below are the results... (Some inconsequential omissions may have been made, the map is clickable, should you want to see the large version).

Islands:
Antigua and Barbuda
Barbados
Martinique
Puerto Rico
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin

Canada:
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec

China:
Guangdong, Shenzhen
Macau

Germany:
Frankfurt

Hong Kong

Ireland (Republic of):
Dublin

Japan:
Tokyo

Thailand:
Krung Thep, Bangkok

United Kingdom:
England, London
England, Nottingham
England, Manchester
England, Many Villages/Towns
Wales, Cardiff

United States:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D. C.,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina
Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

Johnny...

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:42:28 GMT

Tomorrow, 1 September 2009 would have been Johnny Ipacs and my 12th anniversary. The day after, 2 September 2009 is the 2nd anniversary of his death in 2007.

Above is a video I spent several hours piecing together three years before John's death -- when he was hospitalized and we all thought he was going to die...

The tattoo on my left arm reads "Johnny." It's short for Johnny Ipacs. Johnny also had my name hidden on his body tattooed in large print as well! (Obviously, you don't arbitrarily get a tattoo of someone's name on your body without there being a serious connection.) Johnny and I shared a total of three unique, matching tattoos.

Johnny and I celebrated five years together as a couple in September of 2002 -- but 2002 was a very bad year for us -- by 15 February 2003 I had moved to Boston, Massachusetts due to a number of relationship issues. Johnny and I reconciled our differences and became very close friends in 2004 -- but his health began to fail shortly thereafter. During the last three years of his life, Johnny's health was failing quite rapidly. He was in hospital more often than not with a myriad of conditions.

I created the video to rally his friends to come and support him while we still could.

Some of you might recognize some of these photos, people or places in this video. Consider yourself lucky to have been a part of our lives -- I hope you appreciate the video.

Thank you.

Please note: This video contains brief male parts in an artistic form. This is a dedication video: Please don't mark as improper. If you even think you might be offended, simply don't bother watching this video. Thanks for your understanding. Those who know Johnny also know that this collage speaks reams of how he lives his life, and this is exactly the way he would want to be thought of.

Gay scientists have isolated the Christian gene, believed to makes people Christian.

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:43:39 GMT

Where have I been??

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:41:16 GMT

Seems I've been doing a lot more on Facebook under my name "Chaz Antonelli" than I have been posting here lately...

I guess it's a sign of the times.

Lots of stuff has been going on -- bike trips, parties, looking for work (still)

See photos of where I've been, and doing at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/mc4bbs

If you're interested in NY Bear Den stuff, check out http://facebook.NY-Bear-Den.com/

If you're looking for Boston Bears stuff, go to http://BostonBears.us/

If you're looking for me -- lots of luck -- I'm currently a moving target! ;-)

... as seen elsewhere

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:45:02 GMT

My Birthday Party!

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:25:03 GMT

Well the dust has settled and the photos have been posted. My 43rd birthday (22.8 Martian years) is "in the can"...

The evening consisted of drinks and dinner at Lips, then we went to the Kake party -- then at about midnight we walked two blocks to The Rawhide bar to finish off the night...

On Saturday, KK and I took Dave R. to the Guggenheim to see the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit, then it was off to lunch in Koreatown, a l-o-n-g walk up Broadway from Times Square to Columbus Circle (there was a huge street fair going on). We hopped the (1) train to 96th for a lie-down in Riverside Park while KK had a tennis work-out in the red clay courts.

But wait! There's more! Afterwards, back on the (1) and (7) train to Flushing, NY for juicy dumplings and other Shanghai delights at Nan Shian Dumpling House (which, in my opinion, has the best juicy dumplings I've ever tasted!)

How you eat Shanghai Soup Dumplings:

1. Place dumpling in your soup spoon
2. Bite off the top of the dumpling (or poke with a chopstick.. they can be very hot inside!)
3. Add a little black vinegar and ginger mixture into the hole you created in the dumpling.
4. Carefully Sip the Soup/black vinegar mixture, being careful not to get burned!
5. Now go for the kill! The yummy part is the Crab/Pork meat ball inside the dumpling!
6. Savour every bite...

We then headed back home for a well-deserved rest... On Sunday, we dropped Dave off at the bus station to head back towards Beantown, while KK and I continued on to Queens for the New York Bear Den gathering for August 2009. See photos of recent Bear Den at our website: http://NY-Bear-Den.com/

WILL CLARK'S PORNO BINGO TO BENEFIT
THE NEW YORK BEAR DEN on 09/09/09!
Coming up Wednesday, 09 September, the NY Bear Den will be the featured charity at Will Clark's Porno Bingo at Pieces Bar, 8 Christopher St, New York, NY. Porno Bingo is a weekly New York gathering that "has raised nearly $70,000 for Manhattan based GLBT non profits". Will Clark World has more information about Porno Bingo and other charity events. For more information about the NY Bear Den at Porno Bingo, please click here! We're still looking for some more volunteers to help sell bingo cards. Of course, EVERYONE is welcome to attend and meet Will Clark and the guest porn star of the week!

Following Porno Bingo, come join us at Lee Chappell's "Drip!" party -- a new pool party that brings out the cuties! There isn't a dry thigh in the house at Drip, Lee Chappell and Shequida's new Wednesday night pool party at the Grace Hotel. DJ JonJon Battles spinning from a land zone. Everyone is waxed, smashed, and splashing around in the pool as if in a gay version of a Busby Berkeley aquacade (minus the jewelled headdresses and synchronized wrist action.)

Drip! starts immediately after Porno Bingo and is at the new Grace RoomMate Hotel, 125 West 45th Street, between Broadway and 6th Ave. The fun goes until 2am!

Want to know more about these events? Visit http://NY-Bear-Den.com/

The next big bike ride!

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:20:50 GMT

Last weekend KK and I went on a long-distance bike ride to Hillside Campground. See the route we took here.

This weekend, we're planning a Catskills Mountain trip (the basic route is here) with the City Cruisers.

On the job front, I've been asked to apply for a Service Delivery Manager position with a major competitor of IBM. I'm in their "HR system" now and awaiting their lengthy interview process, but I feel confident that this position will be the apex of my IT career.

The position has exactly the level of project management and customer account management that appeals to my desire for customer interaction, command and control, travel and responsibility that would be a perfect fit for me!

Perhaps being laid off from IBM is the best thing that could have happened for me! I was frustrated with the position I held there the past two years, but loved the position I was in prior (with the exception that I had virtually no "wiggle room" with a very difficult customer.)

So, wish me luck on the long road ahead towards my new career!

IML officially prohibits anything "bareback" at their event

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:26:00 GMT

Once again, Chuck Renslow, President of IML (and self-proclaimed world representation of all leatherman) is trying to force the leather community to do as he commands, as you can see in the note below from IML's home office:

Dear Vendors:

On behalf of International Mr. Leather, Inc., I would like to thank you for your past support and in particular for your participation as a vendor in our annual Leather Market. We are writing you today to inform you of a policy change affecting next year (2010) and all future markets.

Though we are now three decades into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, no cure has been found. The CDC and local health officials inform us that new infections are on the rise. And, while we have had some success developing medications that might make infection more manageable, that accomplishment comes at a price. Not having experienced the deaths - the loss of loved ones -- which preceded these medications, we have an entire generation who may not fully appreciate or comprehend the severity of the situation.

Too many in our community believe HIV/AIDS is curable or manageable. Too few understand that HIV/AIDS infections dominate life. We believe that it is our duty to inform and educate. Several years ago when “Meth” was the scourge of our community, IML drew a line in the sand and raised awareness and used all our influence to try and stop this addictive madness. As is the case with HIV/AIDS, we believe it is our further obligation to do everything in our power to prevent future infections.

To that end, after considerable discussion, the Executive Committee of International Mr. Leather has decided that it will no longer allow participation in the IML Leather Market by any entity which promotes barebacking or distributes/sells any merchandise tending to promote or advocate barebacking. This restriction will also apply to distribution of gifts, post cards or any other information via our facilities.

This policy takes effect immediately.

Sincerely,
Chuck Renslow, President
International Mr. Leather

Although I don't personally agree with barebacking/barebackers, outlawing the sale of bareback media at IML is unconscionable. He's not going to stop nor prevent barebacking, just as he didn't stop the use/sale of methamphetamines in the leather community three years ago with his little speech about the evils of them. He's only going to push the barebacking community deeper underground.

It's virtually the same as when Rudy Giulian closed all the bath-houses in NYC when the AIDS epidemic started. It didn't stop sex from happening -- it just pushed it underground. When something is underground and hidden from view, there's no way to easily educate men who are partaking in such events...

Barebacking videos, photos and stories provide a safe alternative to the real thing. Any adult (and only adults are allowed into the marketplace) knows the risks of barebacking. Censoring barebacking media from IML is NOT the answer!!

If Chuck succeeds in getting his way, what's next? No fisting or watersports? No bondage or S&M? This is a slippery slope, Chuck. Who are you to dictate to the leather community what they can buy, watch or do behind closed doors?

Furthermore, consider that IML (in general) has been losing touch with it's roots, as can be seen in what Vern Stewart wrote: "For many hardcore leather men attending IML 30, thoughts and questions ranged from; is this a costume party? to, what has cartoon characters and spider man dress ups have in common with leather? The curious came in droves and departed with their mouths hanging open. Hardcore leather men, spent most of the weekend shaking their head and ‘ trying to remember if ever in their life had they ever dressed like who they were looking at. Leather has taken on a completely new look with the youth of today. Our future leather leaders will have their work cut out for them in attempting to bridge the gap from yesteryear to the future."

Spiderman costumes? What's next? Wonder Woman?

For the past ten years, the IML beauty pageant (contest) has been a joke. Most people going to IML don't bother going to the contest portion of the event -- they go to the leather market, local bars and private parties in the host hotel... Over the same weekend is the Chicago Bear Weekend. At least they're more masculine than someone in a Spiderman outfit!

You'll find me at Bear Weekend instead in 2010!

New Torchwood!!

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:04:22 GMT

Thanks to Andy, the entire new Torchwood mini-series, Children of Earth is now available for download at chazhome.com at this link.

Download these files:

Torchwood - 03x01 - Children of Earth (1 of 5).avi
Torchwood - 03x02 - Children of Earth (2 of 5).avi
Torchwood - 03x03 - Children of Earth (3 of 5).avi
Torchwood - 03x04 - Children of Earth (4 of 5).avi
Torchwood - 03x05 - Children of Earth (5 of 5).avi

Be the first to see it (without commercial interruption) before it airs on SyFy channel in the United States!

Enjoy!

Happy 4th! More travel on the horizon!

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:06:39 GMT

Happy American Independance Day
I just locked in a trip to Boston, London (Sept '09) and San Francisco (Folsom St '09) into Where's Chaz! Check my schedule at http://chazhome.com/WheresChaz -- maybe I'll be in your neighbourhood soon!

Happy Canada Day!

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:24:46 GMT

Happy Canada Day, eh?

I am back from the Rams' Run!

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:06:17 GMT

I rode my motorcycle from Manhattan, NY to Lyndonville, NY on Thursday/Friday with a Thursday night stop-over in Hemlock, NY, then drove straight home from Lyndonville, NY to Manhattan yesterday (the 28th of June). I just managed to stay behind of one storm-front and ahead of another storm-front, thus avoiding wet roads, rain and nasty riding conditions.

The Rams' Run was rather lightly attended this year, with just 33 persons (including the members of the Rams!); however, that didn't stop us from having a great weekend! (For the sordid details, you'll simply have to ask me in person, as I was sworn to internet secrecy!)

We lucked out and is did NOT rain on us at all during the weekend; however, the rain from the prior week caused a lot of standing water in the swamp, which bread mosquitoes that could carry away a small child!

I'm currently home doing laundry and housekeeping.

Did you know that Chaz' Jukebox is back online with more songs than ever?

Thousands of FREE songs! Many ORIGINAL RE-MIXES! Check it out!

Where's Chaz?

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:51:06 GMT

Sigh... I've joined the rank of non-travelling, ordinary people (at least for now).

All my travel plans are 'up in the air' for now, The 2009 "Where's Chaz" calendar has been mostly cleared.

Dave was hospitalized while I was in Asia for unknown back/chest pains shortly after he was laid off from work. (This is a recurring theme lately, isn't it? When is the economy going to recover for us?) Dave and I are still planning on going to the Rams' Run -- 26-29 June 2009.

No one has enquired about my trip to Asia; therefore, I'm not going to bother to write about it here. If you see or call me, ask me about it, if you care to.

My parents are visiting me this weekend -- if the airport ever resumes flights in the wind and rain of today. We've got a full long weekend planned.

Next week, I'm going to start to hunker down and job hunt...

On a happier note, the new CHAZHOME01 super-server is online! It has over 5TB of RAID 5 storage and a screaming dual-core CPU with dual-channel memory -- all this power (Marvin: "the brain the size of a planet.") to serve your websurfing needs. Chaz' jukebox is back online!

Coming soon... to California

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:45:04 GMT

Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Japan!

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:25:08 GMT

Photos from my recent trip are online here!

I'll do a text entry later this week...

Snapshots From Around the Neighbourhood

Thu, 28 May 2009 18:34:50 GMT

Spanish Harlem Street Festival
(a series of four) all photos are click-able for a closer view

Spanish Harlem - Kids AIDS Remembrance
These painted clay discs were affixed to a chain link fence. I had to take 8 photos and merge them so you could see them all...

Chaz' May Antics...

Thu, 28 May 2009 05:46:29 GMT

CanAm Weekend: 14-18 May 2009

Over Victoria Day weekend, I was in Rochester, NY visiting my parents and friends. The Ottawa Knights hosted the CanAm Barnight this year, but there were many Spearhead members and other Canadians present as well! See all the photos here.

Motorcycle Retrieval & Storm the State House: 20-21 May 2009

I flew to Boston and got my motorcycle out of winter storage. It's here in NYC now. I'm still waiting for a permanent parking solution from the building management... Sigh. Of course, there was drama getting my bike started (the battery died over the winter).

Orlando Trip - Memorial Day Weekend: 22-24 May 2009

Then over the next weekend (Memorial Day weekend), KK and I went to Orlando Florida! KK recorded a complete video of the two best coasters at Universal Studios from our Memorial Day Weekend trip there -- check 'em out:

Photos from our trip can be seen here. We also took a helicopter ride -- which you can see in its entirety here.

Prop 8 Protest in Union Square: 26 May 2009

On Tuesday we got the devastating news that California upheld Prop 8. We marched and protested in New York. See photos here.

ECMC Biker Weekend: 29-30 May 2009

This weekend is the 45th Annual Empire City Motorcycle Club's Bike Blessing and Biker Picnic! For details, please read this or CALL ME!

Chaz in Asia: 01-13 June 2009

Tue 02-JUN-09 I arrive in Bangkok around midnight and meet up with KK. - Check into the Babylon B&B

Wed 03-JUN-09 Leisurly stroll around Bangkok, dinner with KK's local friends... most likely at the Navy Pier, behind the royal palace grounds, adjacent to the river.

Thu 04-JUN-09 Leisure day around Bangkok. Check out of Babylon B&B and check into Dusit Thani hotel.

Fri 05-JUN-09 Touring sights outside of Bangkok: the floating market in Damnersaduak, bridge by River Kwai and tiger sanctuary in Katchanaburi.

Sat 06-JUN-09 A nice, lazy morning, checkout and last minute shopping. We then depart for Hong Kong. I will be on Emirates EK384, KK will be taking Kenya KQ860. Take express train into Hong Kong island, check into IBIS Northpoint. We'll have dinner and laze around until Susan's arrival (a friend from NYC).

Sun 07-JUN-09 Dim sum in Hong Kong with Tina. Most likely going to the south side of the island (Aberdeen or Stanley) for dim sum. May be able to take a sampan ride and see the boat village. Shopping in Stanley Market. Dinner and cocktails in Central/MidLevels on Hong Kong island.

Mon 08-JUN-09 Kowloon/TsimSaTsui. Exploring the side streets.

Tue 09-JUN-09 A day trip to Macao. Perhaps a little gambling action on the side.

Wed 10-JUN-09 Trip to Ocean Park and ride the roller coaster!

Thu 11-JUN-09 Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island. Check out of IBIS Northpoint Hong Kong island, check into Novotel Citygate Lantau island.

Fri 12-JUN-09 I depart to return home....

Where's Chaz (When in NYC)?

Several folks have asked me: Where exactly do I live in Manhattan? Well, here are two angles of my flat:

The first photo is a view of our building from the south, looking north. The second photo is from the east, facing west.

I know my blog entries have been sparse lately -- sorry about that. At least my photo album is filling up!!

FYI: Chaz' Jukebox remains OFFLINE until I get a new hard drive for the RAID array for the new Chazhome server.