drscott ([personal profile] drscott) wrote2004-06-07 12:18 am

GLAAD Media Awards Saturday, House Defacing Party Sunday

I'm still amazed to have witnessed the magic of Robin Williams from less than 40 feet away (even if his face was covered by a big speaker as viewed from our unfortunately-sited table.) [livejournal.com profile] excessor covered the event fairly thoroughly here, so I'll just fill in some odds and ends.

One of the presenters he forgot was Alan Cumming, who managed to be cheeky and adorable with the Scottish accent and al; he took care to let slip he was staying in that very hotel in case anyone was interested. I recognized him when he was pointed out sittting at a table near us, but from what I couldn't remember. It turns out he's had many bit parts, but most recently I'd seen him as "Nightcrawler" in X2. The cast of the X movies has been almost entirely gay, even if not all have come out -- someone should really complain about this obvious case of discrimination against straight people. And on the subject of actors who won't come out even when their career is so... institutionally entrenched, Hal Sparks (Michael on QaF) did a fine impersonation of a gay guy "professing to be straight but really so cool and hip who could care" as emcee. I'm going to be really pissed at him if he comes out in 20 years, since his career was going nowhere until QaF.

The Executive Director, Joan Gerry, made a fine speech; she's the most polished head of a mjor gay organization I've ever seen. GLAAD does excellent work in keeping the media aware of our issues with their protrayals of our stories. The close contact does, however, make them the glitziest of groups, with much of their clout resulting from contacts with Hollywood and media moguls (and despite a very effective joke at his expense -- thanks to Robin Williams, I believe -- David Geffen donated $25K in 1994 to help create the national organisation.)

[livejournal.com profile] excessor also forget to mention the many catty remarks sotto voce about Sharon Osbourne's unedeniably well-engineered face, or the amazement at Tippi Hedron's appearance (she's lmost as old as my mother -- 73 -- and could pass (at stage distance) for 50 -- but what do you expect from Antonio Banderas' mother-in-law?), or the amusing remarks of our tablemates which alas, like fine champagne bubbles, didn't last long enough in my memory to be recorded here. All in all a wonderful evening I would never have experienced if Todd (a friend of our hosts) hadn't been forced to cancel. 15 minutes of Robin Williams at full throttle improv was worth all the time and occasional boredom.

The style of the crowd reminded me of the days when I visited in 1989 and later when I first moved here (1997) and thought I might live in the City. I attended a bunch of Max events, a gay social club which held mixers at one of the city men's clubs. The crowd at this event was thinner, more "groomed," and more like the sweater queens of yore than any I have seen for years, but that of course is because I haven't spent any time with mainstream gay society up in the City for many years. Not much has really changed but the details of what's currently in fashion.

I got home late and the alcohol and excess carbs kept me awake until 3, which made for a slow start Sunday. I was an hour late to the pool-and-painting party at John and Mark's (who were also our hosts at the GLAAD awards.) They are demolishing their main house (which doesn't have a lot to recommend it) to replace it with a nice new one, and allowed their party guests to decorate it as they chose for the remainder of its existence. [livejournal.com profile] peppabear, who I knew I'd meet in the flesh someday, did one of the better pieces -- see the gallery here. Ran into several people I knew by face from the gym but had never actually talked to.

Tomorrow we move furniture and things for the flooring installation -- eek.
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] dr-scott.livejournal.com 2004-06-07 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
We're fine and thanks for asking. The next few days will be a mess of moving everything from one side of the house to the other, only to move it back, but other than that no worries.

[identity profile] rock-bear.livejournal.com 2004-06-08 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you photographed all the art for posterity (and us!) so tell me who is the cute guy in the "shut up and dive" t-shirt paining the mural?

[identity profile] dr-scott.livejournal.com 2004-06-08 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
We were introduced, but I've forgotten his name, of course. Paul/Excessor is more likely to know since this wasn't really my crowd.

Great icon, BTW!

[identity profile] rock-bear.livejournal.com 2004-06-09 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
The icon is courtesy of the wonderful Peppabear!

Indeed a great set pics

[identity profile] ciddyguy.livejournal.com 2004-06-07 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
Nice idea for a house that will soon be no more.

That Peppabear is sure talented, isn't he?

Sounds like a lot of fun was had by all.

Thanks for posting.

Re: Indeed a great set pics

[identity profile] dr-scott.livejournal.com 2004-06-07 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
Peppabear is multitalented. I've never seen someone freehand copy a drawing so well. His brain should be preserved for Science.. :-)

Re: Indeed a great set pics

[identity profile] ciddyguy.livejournal.com 2004-06-07 12:05 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL.

That might prove most interesting, with his warped humor and all.

[identity profile] excessor.livejournal.com 2004-06-07 11:36 am (UTC)(link)
I can't believe I forgot to mention Alan Cumming. He also happened to be the only guy in silver lamé. D'oh! I'd never heard him speak and I fall in love with accents, especially Irish and Scottish accents. Wow.

[identity profile] dr-scott.livejournal.com 2004-06-07 12:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Mr. Cumming was both charming and oh-so-available. I'm surprised you didn't chat him up. :-)

(deleted comment)

Re: Alan Cumming

[identity profile] dr-scott.livejournal.com 2004-06-07 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
OH. I guess they should take away my gay card, or I missed that Tonys ceremony, or something. That's way more impressive than being an X-Man.

Thanks for clueing me in before I embarrass myself further. :)