Wonderland Burlesque's Summer Favorites Quiz

Wonderland Burlesque's 

Summer Favorites Quiz

I sure am in a summer mood... a summer place.

'Tis the season. I say, strike while the sun is hot. And boy, is it ever, this year. About time we all get on board with this whole global warming initiative before that big ball of fire starts melting us like we popsicles. 

Now, if some of this seems familiar to y'all... that could be because just last week we did a whole quiz on summer activities. This is sort of related topics with a little bit of spillover. I know y'all don't mind, but I tell you... I just gotta be straight wit you (for once - ha!)

So, today we gonna take a look at those things that make the cork in our bottles pop in the morning just thinkin' about 'em. And I ain't talkin' 'bout whatever trick you dragged home last night, oh, no, honey. We all know he just a passing thang.

No, today it's all about your summer favorites. Those things you keep going back to, summer after summer - the things that help define the season for you. 

It's like me and that oak tree at the prairie. I spend eight months a year looking forward to the four I get to spend sittin' under it's mighty branches. I tell you, anything ever happens to that damn tree, I am just gonna be a mess. But I have faith, that year after year, that tree is gonna be there for me. I just might have my ashes sprinkled under it when I am gone. 

So... you get the idea. These are things we love to love. The things that make summer our summer every year. What's on your list? Here's mine...

1/ A Drink On A Patio (Alcoholic)

I'm sort of attracted to all those pineapple and orange juice kind of cocktails they serve in the summer. I think most of them are made with rum. I sure like reading about them and stealing a sip from whoever at my table I happen to convince to try it.

But in my heart of hearts... I just want a gin and tonic or a gin martini. One is fun and flavorful, and the other is for getting down to business... as in, talking dirt. Nothing loosens my tongue like a bit of martini.

And that said... guess what? I'm sort of off the whole drinking game this summer. I don't know. Even when I limit myself to one, I wake up the next morning regretting it. Now, it could be what I'm eating with my little gin cocktail, but something is telling me, 'no, honey... it dah gin.'

So, I have been limiting myself more and more. A social occasion with a meal? Sure, I will have one. But sitting around chatting or watching a movie? Well, unless I want to wake up the next morning feeling older than my years, I best reach for a bubbly water and leave that gin in the bottle for a different occasion.

Just a phase?

I certainly hope so. But last time I felt like this? It was a good five years of teetotaling. Which meant five years of being an uptight bitch nobody wanted to spend time with.

And that said... these days? Unless it makes me feel pretty, I ain't doing it.

(And I don't care how handsome the man!)

2/ Summer sipping - (non alcoholic)

Oh, just hand me a cold one straight out of the fridge... and I am talking a bubbly water. That stuff never gets old - though I do fear I am drinkin' far too much of it these days.  I like the ones with no calories, no juice, no sweeteners, no sodium.. The fruitier the better. Aldi's carries my current faves: blackberry, strawberry and grapefruit. 

The brand name is Belle Vie. It's rather inexpensive and I recycle, so I don't feel too bad about all those aluminum cans. 

Now, I read, one time or 'nother, that too much carbonation is not good for your teeth. So, that is a concern of mine. 

When at the prairie? Oh, dear... I drink cheap ass bottled water.

I always keep track of my empties and carry them back out with me. And they do have recycling bins, so that is good, though I still have a bit of guilt, being so wasteful. It's a matter of convenience - there is no potable water source near the prairie or lake. Yes, they have it plumbed so they can make fake snow in the winter, but if you want a water fountain, you will have to hike all the way back to the parking lot. That shared, I do like drinking plain water. I even enjoy pushing myself to drink tap water, so, no water snob am I!

Do I need or want ice? No. On occasion it's fun. And for an alcoholic drink, a must. But water is fine at almost any temp. And you never want to pour sparkling water over ice; it messes with the carbonation factor. And I'm all for getting the most fizz outta life I can!

3/ Favorite Summer Dessert

Not a big dessert person. A fruit bowl or a bowl of berries? Yes. And if you happen to swirl around a bit of real fruit puree on a plate to make it look all arty? I will be dipping my berries in it. Refreshing and delish. 

I used to like some fresh whipped cream on top, but, as I'm not doing dairy these days, that has lost all its appeal. 

I would also accept a small piece of dark chocolate with nuts in it. I shouldn't do the nuts as they have a tendency to make my throat close a tiny bit, but, I do love the combination. But it has to be the right temperature. Soft chocolate? Oh, no, child, not my thing at all. 

You know me... there's got to be a little firmness to it before it goes in my pie hole. 

And speaking of pie... I like the idea of fruit pies. I think they smell wonderful and are beautiful to behold. Oh, how I love me a nice flaky crust. But most pies are filled with way too much sugar. One bite and I am done. 

Still... pies. They look so nice.

4/ Favorite Summer Snack

I'm still on my granola kick. I just finished the last bag of that closeout brand that I bought all 23 packages of at the dollar store. It was so delicious. Sunbest Natural Granola Clusters. I miss it already.

I'm trying to get by, eating little protein and granola bars. They are good, but they don't satisfy in quite the same way. You know, more and more, I suspect that a tree-hugging hippy type has infiltrated my little group of 'personalities' and I never noticed. 

I also like plain oatmeal with raisins. When I'm at home, I will make myself a bowl when I don't know what will make me happy. It always does the trick. And isn't that what snacking is all about? 

Making happy?

5/ Favorite Picnic Food

I make a giant salad every night... almost always the same things, although, on occasion I will add or subtract something to keep things interesting. And we are talking huge - enough for eight people, I bet. 

It's a lot of cutting and chopping. Romaine lettuce, spinach, celery, grape tomatoes, strawberries, fresh pineapple, and grapes. Purple onion on occasion. Some sunflower seeds. Avocado on occasion. 

I chop up everything. The lettuce and spinach get cut with a pair of kitchen scissors until it's like silage. I like me a nice chopped salad. I toss it in a huge bowl with a spoon-faced spatula and put aside a small bowl for The Ex (I have to make sure he eats his greens.) Then I put a few dabs of this vinaigrette I buy at Aldi's on it before re-tossing it again with the spatula. 

Oh, how I do love tossing salad!

Then, I go outside and sit and eat my big ass salad. So, it's like I'm having a picnic every night.

Hercules, our dog, joins me and I give him a little bit of strawberry or pineapple (I know those are okay for him to eat - I checked) because then I'm not eating alone. I love it. It's generally very quiet. 

During prep time? No television. In fact, I think I may have given up on television completely, except on the weekends when I watch things with The Boyfriend. I used to want all that noise and distraction. But, ultimately found it to be not good for me. Quiet is what I almost always crave. Quiet is the thing that puts me in a better place. 

And quiet outdoors? Well, nothing goes better with summer. 

6/ Favorite Summer Movie

Adventureland or Zombieland or Wine Country

Adventureland with Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Kristen Wiig is super fun. One of those summer job films with a little extra.

Zombieland with Jessie Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin, and Bill Murray. Title says it all. More fun than any movie has a right to be.

Wine Country with Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer plus a gaggle of lovely, funny ladies. I'd road trip with these broads any day.

7/ Favorite Summer Songs

Mr. Blue Sky by E.L.O. 

Bottom line. Standing beneath a big blue sky?

Nothing makes me happier. 

Mr. Blue Sky - E.L.O.

And, because it always springs to mind when I think of summer and for all the happiness promised to be found there... 

Under The Boardwalk by Bette Midler

Under The Boardwalk - Bette Midler

For I would love to be down by the sea, on a blanket with my baby...

Nothing would make me happier. 

8/ Favorite Thing To Wear

I should say my beach towel, which I wrap around my waist at the prairie, wearing nothing but.

However, my favorite summer thing is this collection of really old, white t-shirts that have been washed paper thin. I like wearing them at night as its like not wearing anything at all. 

And, no, I don't understand my reasoning, but I think it might have something to do with feeling safe. And comfortable. They all should be thrown out, but until my new ones start replicating their texture and feel... I am gonna hang on to them.

9/ Air Conditioning or Sweat It Out

I would rather sweat it out. Always. I get sad when the temp dips below 88 degrees.

I love heat. I even don't mind humidity. I just want sun and warmth. Get in my bones and stay there.

I wish I was a solar battery... so I could get all charged up by the sun and store its power in me.

Air conditioning? 

It gives me sinus headaches and all sorts of nasal issues. I would much rather have a quiet fan set on low moving air around than feel the chill of that artificial machine. I don't want to live in a refrigerator.

Besides... I think sweat is sexy. 

Wanna work one up? 

10/ Favorite Mode of Transportation (Boat, canoe, kayak, bike, motorcycle, feet, car, bus, plane...)

Feet. 

Love to walk. Love to walk in the heat. Love the prairie and all the little trails. Around and around I go, I don't care how hot it is... I work those trails.

And that's the thing about walkin'... I always need me a place to go. A purpose. I'm an A-Z kind of guy.

What? You don't think my walks around the prairie have a purpose?

Oh, honey... you just ain't been payin' attention.

--- ---

And that's enough of me.

Your turn. You know what to do...

Leave your answers in the comments section or post them on your blog and leave a link here. 

I can't wait to hear what's your favorite summer song.

Until our next quiz...

Thanks for reading and participating. 

Heatwave - Martha & The Vandellas

Heatwave - Linda Ronstadt

Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 110: HIS69, Part 39 of 44

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction

Part 110: HIS69

Part 39 of 44

The HIS69 imprint was active from 1971 thru 1988, delivering an astounding 531 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.

Ten out of twelve, today. Not bad. Though, one of them is a bit of repeat.

College Education 

Authors: Ward Michaels

HIS69580 

Sigh. If I'd known dorm life was this much fun, I would have never gotten that damn off-campus apartment. But what can I say? I was a closeted gay - terrified of living with a bunch of dudes I didn't know. Had I known more about the world, no doubt I would have reasoned that there would be at least one other troubled secret homo in the bunch I could get to know. My reasoning was founded in the certainty of there being a bunch of asswipe bullies that I'd have to contend with. For whatever reason, being me has always meant walking around with a target on my back, instantly attracting the attention of such cretins. And, as I had no sense of humor about myself whatsoever, those things never ended well. 

Well, the two lads pictured appear to be two peas in a pod. And their room seems the perfect setting for a bit of 'experimentation.' Yes, picture perfect... Just don't shine a black light on that comforter!

--- ---

Techies Do Too 

Author: Andrew Martin

HIS69581 

I know 'firsthand' that theatre techies do it! Up in the clouds, above the stage, where the lights are not the only thing hung! Well, spend enough time in the clouds and you are bound to find yourself an angel. 

That's why, to this day, when I attend a concert or a show? I always pay attention to who's in the booth. You never know... they may be a man short and in need of a helping hand.

--- ---

Spanish Sex Lessons 

Author: Ward Michaels

HIS69582

I took German in high school. It was taught by this very German-looking man. I could easily see him in barking orders in WWII - for the other side. I'm not going to lie: I definitely put him in my adolescent spank bank. He was a bear and not at all what one would call attractive, but he had a nice uncut dick, a big nose and an authoritative manner. What can I say? When in a small town, you work with what you got,

I tried to take French my first time around in college, but had issues getting to class. It got to the point that the instructor met me at the door the day of finals and said 'no.' She was right. It was an oral exam and my plan was to try and get by saying that line from Lady Marmalade: "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?" And simply answer all inquiries with 'oui' and 'non.'

I did much better with Spanish... acing both semesters and was, of course, sort of a teacher's pet (I suck up a lot.) How? I watched Spanish soaps on the alternative air tv channels. I picked up a few things. Needless to say, when we had to do 'conversations' in Spanish in front of the class? Mine were muy entretinido - although more Barrio Sésamo than Pasión de gavilanes.

--- ---

Pledges To Keep

Author: Tony Moore

HIS69583

Wow. Boys for sale. Pledge week at this frat is my kind of fun. Not that having an 18 year-old sex slave is my idea of a good time. I love the pageantry of a good auction - not that human trafficking is my idea of sexy fun. Huh. I'm thinking this isn't a good idea on any level. Good thing these boys are all white and privileged, huh? 

--- ---

Tom Kitten

Author: Hugh Johnson

HIS69584

I take it the title refers to the young man face down on his bed taking on all comers. Nice work, if you can get it - if all the comers are as studly as the two pictured. Reminds me of ads I used to see on Craigslist and BBRTS. It sounds fun, but the reality is probably a real mixed bag. Ah, if only beggars could be choosers...

Available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable pdf or e-book. Just hit the link.

--- ---

Team Spirit 

Author: Lee Ryder

HIS69585

Another from Lee Ryder. I am rather curious to see if the dude can actually write.

As for this cover? Hard to say what's going on. Looks like a sailor on leave congratulating a recent graduate. High school? College. It would seem, if that bulge in the front of his pants is any indication, that he wants to share some very warm wishes with that grad, . 

Now that? That's my idea of a great graduation present. 

--- ---

Photo Phuck

Author: Carl Creamum

HIS69586

I love how, these days, thanks to cell phone technology, everybody is a click away from becoming a porn star. Selfies are the stuff which makes the internet hum. There were a number of years when I was obsessed with taking photos of myself, but, like most things over time, that obsession has morphed into apathy. Not that I don't continue to get a kick out of all the selfies other people keep supplying. Just think of all the dicks we're getting to see! It's like the internet is the world's locker room. 

This young stud is, indeed, picture perfect. And I love how he clearly hangs to the left!

Available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable pdf or e-book. Just hit the link.

--- ---

Taming Shawn

Author: Chris Carver

HIS69587

“Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth,

Unapt to toil and trouble in the world,

But that our soft conditions and our hearts

Should well agree with our external parts?”

Appears someone's external parts are definitely agreeing with this scene.

Wouldn't it be fun if this was a modern gay take on Shakespeare's Taming Of The Shrew? But something tells me this author's intent is not nearly so literary. Still, I'd love to be a fly on the wall when young Shawn sputters out...

“If I be waspish, best beware my sting.”

Me? I'd wanna see that stinger!

Available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable pdf or e-book. Just hit the link.

--- ---

Summer Job

Author: Connie Johnson

HIS69588

I wonder what kind of job we're talking here? The kind where you put your lips together and blow?

Growing up, I had all sorts of summer jobs. 

But none that hummed.

--- --- 

All Stars

Author: Lee Ryder 

HIS69559/HIS69589

Oh, the mysteries of publishing. Hard to say why they felt the need to re-issue this one with a new number - and so soon. It could do with the popularity of its author. Lee Ryder was on every gay man's to-do list back in the day. He's one of the penultimate pony boys of gay porn's golden age. You can read more about him, here.

Also available at Hommi Publishing as a downloadable pdf or e-book. Just hit the link.

--- ---

Donny Does Dallas

Author: Carl Creamum

HIS69590

Debbie did Dallas... the city, in 1978. It was a huge film starring Bambi Woods which spawned a number of sequels... and lawsuits. Seems the Dallas Cowboys were not too pleased with the appropriation of their team's image. 

However, in this case, I suspect Dallas refers to a certain weight lifter, as pictured in this illustration.

And what a great illustration it is; every muscle rippling. As you can see, the smaller of the two - most likely the Donny alluded to in the book's title, is acting as Dallas' spotter. And based upon where Donny's hand is headed, I think we all know exactly what it is he's spotted!

--- ---

Gym Dandies

Author: Connie Johnson

HIS69591 

Another fine illustration. 

I can't tell you the number of times I've attended a CPR course. That said, I have yet to go to one that allowed us to practice on our classmates. Maybe I just signed up for the wrong classes?

And maybe these two are simply getting in a little extra practice. 

I know had any of the boys at my high school suggested practicing in such a manner, I probably would have consented to placing my lips wherever it is they told me they were in need of resuscitation.

In any case... my skills? Highly honed. 

Yes. You have no idea how many times I've brought the dead back to life!

--- --

And that's all for now.

Next week? Another dozen scintillating, titillating titles.

Will we find them? Tune in and find out.

Until then...

Thanks for reading!

Bring Me To Life - Evanescence