Wonderland Burlesque's Giving It All Away Quiz

Wonderland Burlesque's

Giving It All Away Quiz

I'm in the process of giving away something very dear to me. 

It's for the best and I know it's the best thing for all involved... still, my heart aches just a bit.

Today's quiz is all about giving away something - be it information, possessions or someone you love.

And, don't worry... We'll keep it short and simple. 

Just eight questions today.

1/ Have you ever regretted giving something away? What?

I've written in the past how I sold or abandoned everything I owned in Iowa Falls.

Out of all of it, the only thing I truly regret not keeping was... my vinyl collection.

It contained so many hard-to-find albums and odd things no one else would have thought to collect. I had all of Lily Tomlin's comedy albums, even the ones on Polydor Records. I had Ricki Lee Jone's Girl Under The Volcano EP. I had a copy of everything Madonna had released on vinyl, including all the early 12" remixes. I had scads of rare 45's. There were thousands and in the course of selling things, I think I only sold about 500 of them. The rest were donated to this little thrift store that operated in this warehouse district in Iowa Falls.

They got such a treasure trove of music.

I've replaced some of it, but... I'd need another lifetime to locate all of it.

2/ When was the last time you did a clean sweep of your house? Who did you give it all away to?

About ten years ago, I got rid of all my recording equipment, my turn tables (save one), my keyboards, my synthesizers, and all the computer equipment associated. Digital cameras, video cameras, everything went. I donated it to this place that buys bibles for Africa (I know, I know...) And I do regret that part of it. But clearing all that stuff out, at the same time that I was splitting up with The Ex... it was a lot to process, so... I didn't. 

I still haven't. Every once in awhile I think about it... and I think it was a way of getting rid of a lot of weight. I felt responsible to that stuff, like I was supposed to do something with it... For the longest time, I did... and then, suddenly, I simply lost all desire. That's when I returned to my spinet and just started working on memorizing songs - rather than creating these elaborate arrangements which I could only play electronically but couldn't live elsewhere. 

I've enjoyed the simplicity. It feels more honest and less delusional. 

3/ Did you ever give away a secret? On purpose? By accident?

I'm a great secret keeper. I have four that will go with me to my grave. 

I once gave away some information about a co-worker's promotion that I was not aware was a secret. I had been befriended by a woman who was in direct competition with this co-worker and when I spoke candidly about the person's new salary, this woman then confronted my boss with the info, demanding the same amount. I got hauled into HR and it was a big to do which I had no idea I'd stepped in. 

I wasn't always very savvy when it came to things like that. 

However, for the past 19 years? I have done nothing but kept a lid on things professionally. 

I know better than to fall under HR's radar. The only time you hear from HR is when something bad has happened. Best keep your lips sealed and head down in order to avoid attracting attention if you want to retire someday.

4/ What was the last free sample you received that a retailer was giving away?

My youngest sister took The Boyfriend and me to Costco on a Saturday. Turns out, you can make a meal of just running around tasting things they have to offer. Energy bars, trail mix, mini quiche, cheesy potatoes... on and on. I had a blast. We did end up buying some of it, too. I bet there are people who do that every Saturday and Sunday for entertainment. 

I don't like those stores much - too much stuff, I end up feeling all bug-eyed and disgusted by our consumerism.

But the free sample thing... that struck me a bit like going to the state fair, trying a bit of this and a bit of that... things you'd never make at home, but what a gas to try just for the fun of it. 

5/ Have you ever figured out that something was up in a relationship or friendship? What was the dead give away?

I'll never forget the time I decided to show up at an actor's house with a single rose to tell him I'd made a mistake and that I thought we should be together. 

I knocked and he looked through the peephole and opened the door just wide enough to speak with me and I laid out my case and apologized for past trespasses and then offered him the rose. As he reached for it, the door opened just wide enough for me to catch a peek of his new boyfriend's face... another actor we were both acquainted with and, given the fact that he was standing there stark naked, I sort of got the picture quite quickly. Thanked my ex-love interest for his time, tipped my hat and exited stage right. 

I got back to my car and felt like such a fool.

Years and years later, we met up in a popular cruising spot. We spoke briefly, but all the magic was gone and I wasn't interested in the slightest. 

Felt okay about it though... I mean... we both really dodged a bullet that time time with the rose. Trust me on that.

6/ Have you ever inherited anything? What did they give away to you?

I have my Dad's garnet ring and a tiny revolver he owned. I also have one of his Stetson cowboy hats. 

Those are the three things that mean the most to me that my mother gave me. Everyone else got things, too. 

He had quite an extensive gun collection, most of which went to my older brother. 

But I got the three things which meant the most to me. 

And that's as it should have been.

7/ If you got married today, who would give you away?

My brother-in-law and youngest sister. I don't think there's anyone in this world that has supported me more through the years. In a way, they helped raise me. 

They certainly helped me recover from L.A., gave me shelter from life when needed, and helped me get my sense of humor and lust for life back. 

And even before that... they supported all my theatre projects and music demos. They've been incredibly generous over the years. 

They're my best friends... so they're a natural choice. 

8/ Have you ever said 'Well, I'm not gonna give it away for free'? What were you referring to?

I did say that once, in Iowa Falls. It was at my estate sale and this man had the nerve to ask that I reduce the price on a rare piece of Roseville pottery. I'd been collecting for years and, since I'd had a shop in Minneapolis, knew the value of things. It was already priced to move and when he suggested I had overpriced it - something snapped. I just grew incensed that he thought he could pull one over on me, given the quality of stuff I was unloading at that sale. Like I didn't know what I had? 

I told him to go put it back on the shelf, that I wasn't giving it away for free and if wanted to play games with me, he could just leave right now. There were so many people at the sale, I had no time for nonsense. 

He bought it. And I'm glad I didn't see him pay for it.

I would have snatched it out of his hands and said... "Changed my mind, bitch!"

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And that's all for today.

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

Until next time...

Thanks for reading... and participating!

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Giving It All Away - Leo Sayer

Gave It All Away - Boyzone

Acquired Tastes XLIII Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 121: Adonis Classics, Part 5 of 25

Acquired Tastes XLIII 

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 121: 

Adonis Classics, Part 5 of 25

Greenleaf Classic Books, the publishers of  the Adonis Classics imprint, began in 1959 and continued until 1971, when management lost focus on the business as the government's prosecution for obscenity became a major concern.

By 1974,a new management team and staff were in place, operating out of an office at 7523 Raytheon Road in San Diego and production ceased on all existing imprints. In an attempt to break into mainstream markets, two new imprints were started which used cover art and titles that were not provocative. These efforts failed.

The year 1975 marks the end of  Greenleaf Classics' Vintage period. It is at this time, with the loosening of censorship laws, that the Adonis Classics imprint began production. It marks the end of Greenleaf Classic's Classic Age (1959-1975.) 

Adonis Classics would release a total of 252 titles during it's lifespan. 

The first twenty covers feature white backgrounds (with one exception) and colored drawings or black and white pencil illustrations. After the first two titles, a particular type-face was established, with the title appearing above the illustration. The distinctive Adonis Classics symbol was established with either the seventh or eighth title in the series.

After the first twenty titles, the imprint switched to their iconic red covers (though sometimes pink,) featuring a black and white illustration framed in a black circle which has an arrow attached - a universal sign designating something as 'male.' The book's title at the top of the cover is encased in a white circle with an arrow (the symbol for male.)

Today, we fared a bit better than last week, with eight out of ten covers found!

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Ranch House Stud

Author: Harlon Bond

AC 141

(Cover Not Found)

I have always found ranch houses to be the most boring design scheme for a home. 

However, this title clearly refers to the type with cowboys and ranch hands... which means I am definitely on board. No one wears a pair of jeans quite like a cute cowboy - those suckers are painted on. Add to that a nice hat and a pair of boots? You've got yourself a fetish in the making. 

Ah, there's something about being on the open range. Of course Brokeback Mountain raised all sorts of appreciation for the lifestyle, though I do believe there was already a built-in audience for that sort of thing.  

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Hard And Hungry

Author: F.W. Love

AC 142 

What the hell is happening in that illustration. It looks like the Jolly Green Giant or Hulk just grab a young one by the strap of his jock and swung him upside down. Not that there aren't advantages to that position. You 69 your way, I'll 69 mine!

Available as a pdf or e-book at Hommi Publishing.

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 S&M Star 

Author: F.W. Love

AC 143

I guess this used to actually happen in certain adult movie theatres in cities like New York. In fact, Man's Country in Chicago had such a theatre and tales of shows past are still being told to this day. That iconic bathhouse had seen better days by the time I experienced it, but that stage in the middle of the theatre was still there. Of course, now, it has gone the way of the wrecking ball. 

Still... those stories live on.

Available as a pdf or e-book at Hommi Publishing.

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Water Sports Stud 

Author: F.W. Love

AC144

Huh, another young one hijacked by his own jock straps. I am sensing a theme!

I'm not opposed to water sports, having been on both the giving and receiving end in my day. In fact, I am still acquainted with a hot stud at the prairie I call Mr. Fister who every once in a great while is in a giving mood. 

For me? It's like something you order off the menu as a side dish once in a blue moon. A steady diet of such would pretty much ruin its unique qualities for moi.

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Dirt Road Cousins

Author: Thad Fargo

AC 145

This type of outdoor scene certainly intrigues me. Something tells me that whatever those two in the water are staring at, it's not a tree branch.

I must confess, I had lots of fantasies about my older male cousins, however... they always seemed to cut me out of the inner circle. It could be that they sensed my difference. I'm pretty sure they were all fooling around with one another... I simply wasn't invited to the party. 

--- ---

Coming Out

Author: F.W. Love

AC 146

Available as a pdf or e-book at Hommi Publishing.

Locker room fantasies remain just that for me these days. I haven't been in a proper gym's locker room since the day Covid-19 sent all employees at my workplace home for the duration. 

Still, I do adore a nice pictorial and this one has all the elements of a true winner. I mean, it doesn't take a genius to know what's going to be coming out of blondie's jock pouch, now does it?

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Southern Boy

Author: F.W. Love

AC 147

So F.W. Love is shaping up to be quite the contributor for this imprint.

Author Frederick W. LaCava used F.W. Love as a pseudonym and also wrote under the names John Ironstone and Martin Moore, for imprints such as The Blueboy Library and Greenleaf Classics.

He is the author of, I Am Proud To Be Gay, Now I Want To Be Free, a call to activism disguised as gay pulp fiction.

Available as a pdf or e-book at Hommi Publishing.

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Stud Master

Author: Kurt Kimble

AC 148

(Cover Not Found)

Now, I love me good dom, but I think my days of submitting to another and doing whatever they tell me has gone the way of the Blackberry and pagers. I still see folks advertising for house slaves and just sort of giggle. It's a lovely fantasy... but a little unrealistic, don't you think? I mean, we all have to pay bills and contribute to our 401K's, my dears.

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S&M Brothers 

Author: F.W. Love

AC 149

Oh, my... this is a two for one deal. Well, count me out. The thought of being physically abused by two brothers? Not my cup of tea. Though I'm sure fans of the genre are in store for quite a literary treat. Yet another one from the prolific pen of Frederick W. LaCava!

Available as a pdf or e-book at Hommi Publishing.

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Pick-Up Stud

Author: Adam Jennings

AC 150

Hmm. Something tells me it wasn't blondie's thumb sticking out that caught that highway patrol man's eye! Those jeans appear to be at their breaking point. 

Well, that's something you no longer see... a lawman willing to help out a citizen in need!

Available as a pdf or e-book at Hommi Publishing.

 

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And that's all for now.

Next week: another ten scintillating Adonis Classics.

Until then...

Thanks for reading!

Southern Boy - Jordan Rager

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: Peaches

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: 

Peaches

In my own personal big gay church there are many wings. In one such wing reside those who have forged careers by marching to a beat only they can hear. They are originals - unlike any other. Their styles created archetypes upon which many careers were built, but it all began with them. They created it. They own it.

One such sexual warrior?

Peaches.

Visceral. Imaginative. Gut-wrenchingly honest.

Confrontational - but in the manner all great art should be. 

She pulls no punches. It's been that way since day one. 

Her path, uniquely sexual in nature, hasn't always been received well.

To this day, she continues to battle ageism, sexism, and people's fear of sex. 

Her best videos/songs are available on YouTube, but I can't share them with you because they are blocked from being shared by the site. 

Fuck The Pain Away is the one that actually set it off. For her legions of fans, it remains a rallying cry. It's also been covered many times by other artists and has become part of our cultural landscape. 

Visually, she continues to stun. She's intensely creative, as she presents human kind's biological imperative from her very personal and unique perspective.

The gospel according to her?

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

The topic? Being Peaches

"Even when I started out, people had so many different opinions about me. Like, I was a feminist; I wasn’t a feminist; I was obsessed with sex; I wasn’t sexy at all; I was super angry; I was too funny. I was like, ‘Wow, how can all these super opposing things come from one direct line from me?’"

"You know, when I played my first NME show (at London’s Astoria in 2001) I opened for The Strokes – and then it was (…And You Will Know Us by the) Trail of Dead and Rocket from the Crypt. I was 33, and the headlines were like ‘Grandma, You’re Scaring the Kids’. It’s amazing. I noticed (ageism) at the beginning and then it was just like, forget it. I’ve never drank the juice of all of that, anyway. I found out I was ugly from becoming Peaches too, 'her ugliness is what’s so great about…’ I was like, oh, I’m ugly? Ok!"

"I beat myself up all the time. I tell myself bullshit all the time. And the minute I wake up, I tell myself, ‘You're doing something wrong. What are you doing? Why are you still in bed? What are you doing lying around? You should get up. You should be doing something. Go outside. Take a walk. Why don't you read something? Why don’t you learn something?’ And this is still when I'm in bed. I haven't even had a chance to get up, to take a few breaths, to say good morning to myself. ‘Good morning, Peaches’. I don't say that to myself. I don't even open my eyes. I just tell myself, ‘What the hell are you doing?’"

"Sometimes when you bring humour into it people can laugh for a second, and let it in a little more. I find those situations that are serious quite absurd, in a way. When I generate other absurdities – and people are like, oh she’s just being absurd – it’s like, actually, look at the real situation! You know how people say ‘you couldn’t make this shit up?’ It couldn’t be more absurd than the reality of it."

Set It Off - Peaches

Billionaire - Peaches

Vaginoplasty - Peaches

And one last parting shot...

"It’s good for me to have contact with the next generation of thinkers because it keeps evolving."

"I was so obsessed with infiltrating everywhere. I was like, this is the moment, I have to do it. I don’t think I would change that. The beginning was a light switch moment, and that light switch has just been on ever since."

"I didn’t want to move towards the mainstream, I wanted the mainstream to move towards me."

"I’m going to do whatever the fuck I want" 

Weekend Onesie: Tis The Season Of The Witch

Weekend Onesie: 

Tis The Season Of The Witch

With Halloween right around the corner, I thought it prudent to share this now, so one might prepare properly. 

These things do take time. 

Now, I know several of you already have the most essential accessory for this position - a kitty. Just make sure they are on board with your decision to pursue this before filling out the application form. 

According to the ad, those that complete these courses will be able to practice ESP, project their psychic body, develop self-healing and become a mystic master! 

So, I guess it's a master degree of sorts. Won't that impress them at the office?

And apparently, the rewards are well worth that $3.99. Not only do you you get your name listed in the Academy, you also get the assistance of The Council Of Elders!

If you need further proof of just how effective becoming a witch can be, take a look at those testimonials. J.M. from Ohio used to worry about bills. Suddenly, and inexplicably, he no longer does and has no idea how to explain this phenomena. M.W. of Arizona's husband got the exact job The Council was working for him to get. J.E. from California not only managed to get himself enough cash to purchase a new car but also lend his son-in-law $30! And B.S. of Oklahoma's relationship with her boyfriend has never been better. 

What more proof do you need?

It's all win-win, once you're a witch.

So, don't procrastinate. There's no time like the present. 

Plus, you'll know exactly what to dress up as for Halloween!

Wishing you all the greatest success!

New adventures are just around the corner.

Craft yourself a bit of fun this weekend!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

W.I.T.C.H - Devon Cole

Season Of The Witch - Donovan