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Monday, January 31, 2022

Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 85 - HIS69, Part 14 of 20

Acquired Tastes XLIII
Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 85
HIS69, Part 14 of 2

And the countdown continues... Six more posts for this imprint. The HIS69 imprint remained active from 1971 thru 1988, delivering an astounding 240 titles. Surrey House, Inc. / Surree Ltd, Inc. of San Diego and Santee, California are responsible for this imprint which was distributed by the same company as Trojan Books, Manhard Books, Gay Books and Gay Way Books; the Zorro Distribution Company, also operating out of San Diego.

It should be noted that many of these titles, with original artwork included, were simultaneously republished under the Gay Books imprint and then, later, minus the artwork, were also republished under the ManPower imprint.

The artwork for the HIS69 books would go through only two minor shifts with all the covers featuring ink drawings by various uncredited illustrators - artwork quite similar to what we saw with the Manhard imprint.

Here are the next twelve titles. This week, once again, I was able to track down all twelve.

Note: These titles were published in 1976.

Teenage '69 Memoirs
(Second Printing)
Author: Curt MacLean
HIS69157

A rare reprinting for this imprint. Oh, all of these books would reappear eventually, with the original artwork intact under the Manpower imprint. But this is actually a second printing of HIS6927, with altered artwork. Whether book two gets a second wind, we'll have to wait to see.

Oh, my! Full wiener alert! How rare.

HIS6927
(First Printing)

--- ---

Hung Straight
Author: Stuart Rowen
HIS69159

I like mine with a bit of a curve, thank you very much.

Oh, hell, who am I kidding? I'll take 'em as I find 'em. (Can't afford to be picky.)

--- ---

Tied Chicken
Author: Franz George
HIS69159

The concept that just keeps on giving.  I've noticed that when these books come up for resale on eBay, any title containing the word 'chicken' goes for quite a bit more than the average. That's true of anything related to wrestling and cops, too. Well, everybody's got to have their peccadillo of choice,  now don't they?

--- ---

Blow The Horn
Author: Scott McBride
HIS69160

Is this about band camp? I imagine the tuba player to be the one to give the sloppiest blow jobs. Or a trombone player. And, while it may tickle the fancy of some, I don't think I want someone who plays the oboe anywhere near my man package. Though, I get it. Some prefer a really tight fit. 

--- ---

Hot, Hunky Cruiser
Author: Len Thomas
HIS69161

I love the myth vs. the reality of cruising. Pictured is what you hope to come upon. However, the reality is... well, let's suffice to say that THAT is not what you come upon. Not literally or figuratively. And still, we put ourselves out there. Why? It's the thrill of the hunt. The one time you do come upon something like that pictured is enough to keep you coming back again and again. Hey, you do it long enough and the odds are eventually in your favor! Happy hunting!
 
--- ---

Ream The Team!
Author: Ward Michaels
HIS69162

This one was up for auction on eBay just two weeks ago. It went for $20.50 - a real bargain. There's another in this series, entitled Pin That Sucker. It was up for auction at the same time. That title? It fetched $80.00! So, you never know. When a collector sees something that he absolutely needs to complete his collection, he will go to great lengths to secure it. Me? I am not collecting this imprint, although I am devoted to collecting three other imprints. Time will tell if I succeed. 

As for those boys pictured? Well, I think their both winning, don't you?

--- ---

Prison Pluggers
Author: Larry St. John
HIS69163

If you thought the whole fantasy of prison sex was something invented in the 1980's, you've got another thing coming. This, like truckers and cops, is a very popular gay trope. But some things should remain a fantasy. The reality of prison sex is something I hope never to experience. 

I happen to like my teeth.

--- ---

Coach's Big Jock
Author: Newt Jennings
HIS69164

So, does the title reference the coach's favorite athlete or the size of the coach's jock strap?

Either way, he's an athletic supporter.

--- ---

Hot Butt Eager
Author: Peter Pepper
HIS69165

This title sounds like the shortest gay personal ad ever placed.

Short and to the point.

--- ---

Chicken Trainer
Author: Lyle Jennings
HIS69166

I have heard that chickens are very smart. An article from February of 2018 stated: "From anticipating future events to recalling the trajectory of a hidden object, chickens are incredibly smart. They even possess self-control, holding out for a better food reward, and can assess their own position in the pecking order - both characteristics of self-awareness."

The more you know!

--- ---

Cock-Eyed Cruiser
Author: Thumper Johnson
HIS69167

I think their definition of cock-eyed, in this context, is much different than Webster's Dictionary.

Maybe they we're using Webster's Dick-tionary?

--- ---

Tricking The Chicken
Author: Samuel West
HIS69168

Again, I would like this imprint to define its terms. I mean there is tricking someone, as in fooling them into doing something. Or there is tricking, which is when you hook-up with someone for mutual sexual pleasure. Give this imprint's history... I think I am going with the latter.

--- ---

And that's all for today, my friends.

Next week we will take a look at the next twelve titillating titles.

And keep in mind, we have only 6 weeks to go before moving on to a new imprint.

Thanks for reading.

Come Blow Your Horn - Frank Sinatra and Tony Bill

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: Alanis Morissette

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: 
Alanis Morissette

In my own, personal, big gay church, there is a wing dedicated to Those of the Heart. These are the singers, songwriters and muses who have spent a lifetime capturing various aspects of the human condition. Frequently, due to the whims of the music industry, their lives were not always their own... but they persevered... ultimately remaining true to their roles as seers of the heart. One such soul?

Alanis Morissette 

Jagged Little Pill was the shot heard 'round the world.

She gave voice to a whole generation of women. 

To do so, she had to step out of the role assigned her by an industry which loves young women to sing the songs they're given, to smile and look pretty. 

What they didn't realize? That inside that prefab Canadian pop star was a true artist, one who began to reveal herself bit by bit... step by step. 

Until the day came and the ties that bound her were shredded - and the world would never be the same.

As she's matured, she's continued to take us on her unique journey, sharing insights and lessons learned with all who would listen. 

Her most recent work, Such Pretty Forks In The Road, is no less revelatory or emotionally searing than the album which initially catapulted her onto the international stage. 

And, have no doubt... there's more to come. 

For a true artist is never stilled, forever divining, sharing and displaying their badges of courage for the world to see. 

And if there's one thing Alanis Morissette has proven herself to be? 

It's a true artist.

The gospel according to her?

Well, here are three from the hip, dropping from her lips.

The topic? Anger

"We're taught to be ashamed of confusion, anger, fear and sadness, and to me they're of equal value to happiness, excitement and inspiration."

"My own approach has always been to push intense emotions down and attempt to deal with them later. When I was younger, I was terrified to express anger because it would often kick-start a horrible reaction in the men in my life. I was left to painstakingly deal with the aftermath of my avoidance later in life, in therapy or through the lyrics of my songs."

"Then I realized that secrecy is actually to the detriment of my own peace of mind and self, and that I could still sustain my belief in privacy and be authentic and transparent at the same time. It was a pretty revelatory moment, and there's been a liberating force that's come from it."

"I just feel compelled to continue to be transparent. It just really levels the playing field and eradicates the shame that I have, or that one might have, about being human. So I'm going to just keep going."
  
"What influenced me was Tori Amos, who was unapologetic about expressing anger through music, and Sinead O'Connor. Those two in particular were really moving for me, and very inspiring, before I wrote Jagged Little Pill."

"When someone says that I'm angry it's actually a compliment. I have not always been direct with my anger in my relationships, which is part of why I'd write about it in my songs because I had such fear around expressing anger as a woman."
 
"Anger has been a really big deal for women: how can we express it without feeling that, as the physically weaker sex, we won't get killed. The alpha-woman was burned at the stake and had her head chopped off in days of old."

"In the face of patriarchy, it is a brave act indeed for both men and women to embrace, rather than shame or attempt to eradicate, the feminine."

"The fear of this delicate and fierce feminine has more to do with our fear of being vulnerable again, getting hurt again, than it does by our actual distaste for the beauty of the feminine and Her qualities."

"Women are so powerful they're scary, and the incentive to squash this has been going on for so long that some of us actually believe we're subordinate."
 
"Typically, I would run away from conflict and write about it - that was easier than staying and dealing face-to-face with humans; that's terrifying for me."

"I found that the more truthful and vulnerable I was, the more empowering it was for me."

"There were a lot of people who were a little afraid of the rage or blaming stance I was taking, and find what I am doing now more refreshing."

"It's a joke to think that anyone is one thing. We're all such complex creatures. But if I'm going to be a poster child for anything, anger's a gorgeous emotion. It gets a bad rap, but it can make great changes happen."

You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette

Hands Clean - Alanis Morissette

Reasons I Drink - Alanis Morrisette

And one last parting shot...

I have not an ounce of regret. Every link is so valuable in forming the chain that is my life. Who I am today is because of those links, and I wouldn't change any of them.

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Weekend Onesie: A Little (Almost) Naked Wrasslin'!

Weekend Onesie: 
A Little (Almost) Naked Wrasslin'!

A little (almost) naked wrasslin' does a body good, as these classic vintage photos from Bob Mizer of AMG clearly demonstrate.

Just be careful of that snake, boys.

Cuz sometimes a snake... ain't a snake!

(Learned that at Boy Scout camp!)

Have an uplifting weekend.
It's only January!
Stay afloat. 
- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque













The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry) 
- Etta James w/ Peaches

Friday, January 28, 2022

Friday Fun: Celebrate National Seed Swap Day!

Friday Fun: 
Celebrate National Seed Swap Day!

Tomorrow, the last Saturday in January is... National Seed Swap Day!

So everybody! Take turns!

Think of it as a primal dance.

There's nothing so vital, so pressing, so urgent...

The seed swap!

Caution and safety are thrown to the wind. Yes, the need for seed is that immediate.

It's animal. Physical.

You demand of them only what you, yourself, are willing to surrender.

And surrender, you will.

In the end, both parties walk away satisfied. 

Both got what they came for... in the most literal of ways.

Spread a little joy. Swap your seed, today!

Wishing you all the very best.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
We'll all get through this together!
- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Love Inside - BJ The Chicago Kid





































































































Share That Love - Lukas Graham feat. G-Eazy