Northside computer repair shop quick to take money for selling false promises

I wrote about Blake's Computer Repair shop earlier this week. They're a privately owned business located at 3728 Fredericksburg Rd. I blogged in detail about how I had given them two of my computers to repair, and that nothing was done with them, although they charged me $130 up front, then made sure to remind me that they DID NOT offer refunds when I pickued up the still out-of-service, and now damaged computers. That's right, I picked them up even more damaged than when I had dropped them off. Well I just learned today, that I'm not the only one they've pulled this kind of crap on.

Another friend of mine told me she had taken her phone there (apparently they do phone repair as well, or at least they claim to). She said they seemed clueless about what they were doing, which is exactly what I had noticed about them. When I picked up my equipment, they had such a hard time finding any of it. In fact, as I had mentioned in my last blog, they never returned the cord for my laptop because they couldn't find it. I also talked to a second friend who didn't know I had recently taken both my computers to Blake's, and told me that she too experienced something similar.

This other friend seemed to be having problems with her compuer. She asked if it was possible to restore her computer without losing any of the data. She basically wanted everything backed up and then restored. She claims she was told it would be no problem, they would save everything for her and have her computer restored. When she was given back her laptop, nothing had been saved, and everything bad been restored to the original factory settings. And as they were quick to point out to me, they also told her, that she was not entitled to a refund.

Well here's the thing, Blake, we don't want a fucking refund. We simply want our shit fixed like your geeks had promised. And if you can't do that, then close up shop the way your ex-wife closed up the other two. Yeah, that's right. The gossip is that when his wife divorced him, she took the other two stores he owned, and closed them....just because she could. I guess it kind of served him right, for running such a shady business. He can bet his ass I'll be sending his name to the Better Business Bureau, as well as this blog to a few friends of mine at ever tv station in town. They really need to expose this ass hole.

Be sure to find out about any business before you take them anything of yours. Get the facts, so that you don't get fucked like me and my friends did.

TheGossipGuy Tip #172 - As with any repair service, be sure to check credentials first

Yeah, that's right. Shame on me for not doing my homework. The next time you need your computer repaired, I highly suggest either taking it back to where you bought it, looking for a service shop online and reading the reviews, or asking a friend who may have already been through this ordeal. As for me, I hit a double-whammy last month when both my laptop and desktop went out. Yes, this would explain why you haven't seen many posts from me in a little while.

So me, being the ever trusting person that I am, decided to take my laptop to Blake's Computer repair located at 3728 NW Loop 410, near Wonderland of the Americas Mall. I should have known from the beginning when I saw computer shit all over the place that something was wrong, but no, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. So I drop off my laptop and explain to them that it won't power up anymore. Joaquin, the service technician takes one look at it and tells me that it has something to do with the port where the power cord plugs in to the device. He even demonstrated how it was loose and needed to be fixed. So BAM! I'm charged $120 and out the door I'm sent. I'm told I can pick it up in a couple of days. Luckily I wasn't going to need it, and was leaving for vacay the following day.

Upon my return from vacay, I notice that my desktop comp is out too. Turns out there was a massive storm while I was out of town. I'm still not certain if there was some kind of surge, but I decided to take that one in to Blake's as well. They open it up in front of me and explain that it needs a new power supply. Next, I'm told I can have my desktop back the following day because they have a spare power supply in the back. This worked for me, but while I was there, I decided to pick up my laptop. It hadn't been repaired to my surprise. Joaquin tells me that he can't figure out what's wrong with it, and that it's "a unique" problem even for him. He assures me he would take a look at it, and that he could probably have it done by the weekend. This was great news for me.

Fast forward a month and a half later from the day I first dropped off my laptop. Both machines are still sitting at Blake's. It was always one excuse after another. They haven't had time to look at it. They still haven't determined what was causing the power failure in the laptop, and the power supply for the desktop was still on back order because of the Thanksgiving holiday (turned out the one they had in stock didn't fit my computer, acccording to Joaquin). Well fuck me three ways from Sunday, but I'm pretty sure my computers were there way before any of the others they were looking at. I finally decided to throw in the towel and just pick up both computers, whether they were finished or not. This is where I blew my fucking lid!

The laptop which I had handed to them back in October, was brand new. I kid you not, it even had the cellophane screen protector from the original packaging. I had gotten the laptop as a gift upon completing graduate school, but had not used the thing because no software was included and we didn't have wi-fi at home for a while, so I just didnt' see any use for it. It literally sat in its original box for almost a year. So I go into the shop to pick up my equipment and my laptop, which again, was in mint condition, has scratches all over the top where it appears they had sat other equipment on it. On top of that, Joaquin couldn't find my power cord. The original power cord which I supplied to them at the time of drop off in October. He was very nonchalante about it too. "Oh, I can't find it." Really dickhead? He offered to give me a replacement, but I wasn't very satisfied. I quickly grabbed my two computers and began walking to the exit, but here's the cherry on top of this fucked up Sundae....Joaquin has the nerve to tell me they don't offer refunds on any work that has already been done, and that he'll call me as soon as they get the power supply for my desktop. FUCK YOU!

I don't want their fucking power supply. I don't want their fucking refund. I most certainly don't want their fucking business ever again. I will defintely be telling everyone what a shady-ass business they're running there. No refunds? FUCK YOU BLAKE'S! I will gladly take my business elsewhere, but I most certainly have learned that I need to check up and do my homework on places like this the next time i decide to take anything in for repair.

WTF did I just eat?

Due to the dropping of several F-bombs in this post, parental discretion is advised.

I don't even know where to begin. I am beyond pissed right now. So I go out to pick up something quick after work so that I could just go home and relax. I figured, "Hey, there's a Jack-in-the-Box near my place, I'll pick up something there (mind you, I rarely eat at this place)." So I see this new sandwich being advertised on their drive-thru menu. It's a sourdough steak melt (imagine a Philly cheese steak sandwich, but on sourdough).

So I've got my meal planned, I'm ready to order, and I'll be home in just a few minutes. Sounds like the perfect plan....until I get home. I open my sandwich, and the first thing out of my mouth was "HOLY FUCK!" All I could think was that I sure as hell had to have been punked. My fries were colder than death, and my sandwich...where the fuck do I even begin about this fucking sandwich? It was like eating 2 pieces of bread with a hint of steak and cheese in between. I'm not even kidding. Like seriously, maybe 6 small pieces of steak.

I really should have taken a picture before I emailed their corporate office to let then know how fucking disappointed I was with their food. In fact, I wouldn't have eaten it because of how very upset I was, but it was late, I was hungry, and I needed to eat. So yeah, I did eat it, and then I came straight to my computer to blog about the shit that was my dinner experience on this disappointing evening. But believe me, I'm going back out to get myself something else to eat, and you can bet it won't be back to Jack-In-The-Box.

I don't know whether their corporate offices will reply to my disgruntled email, but if they don't, they can be sure I'll send them one every night until I know I got my point across. FUCK YOU JACK-IN-THE-BOX!!!!

Oh, in case you couldn't tell from the picture, this is the Jack-In-The-Box at San Pedro and Hilderbrand

The rumor mill on Scream 5

According to an article last year on screamrant.com, there is a high probability that Scream fans, such as myself, will get our wish after all….a fifth installment to the series, or Scream5 if you will.

Despite the lackluster Scream4, which didn’t break any box office records, nor make nearly as much as the original trilogy, Craven says he is willing to jump on a fifth wagon if Kevin Williamson and Bob Weinstein can develop a great story.

Craven also admits that Williamson had already pitched him a 5 and 6 storyline while still in the works with 4, but they were simply ideas at the time.

“Going into [Scream 4], the first meeting I had with Kevin Williamson, he did sketch out a Scream 5 and 6,” Craven said. “The idea was that we were doing the first in a new trilogy. We had to wait to see if we made enough money on each film to make the next one viable.”

Sadly the fourth installment did not make the money they had hoped for, however Craven says he’s still willing to go into the project if Williamson can come up with something good.

Earlier this year, another website, bloodydisgusting.com, reported that Williamson was officially out. The site attributed his decision to the rumors that he and the Weinstein bumped heads throughout Scream 4.

You can believe that I will keep you updated on anything involving any future Scream movies. I’m a huge fan of this franchise. They totally had me at Drew Barrymore’s “Hello?”

Three-Dollar-Thursday hits the spot at Babio's

Last Thursday, some friends decided they wanted to try something a little different. Originally we had discussed checking out a new lounge/club on Saturday. A new gay oriented club, which opened last May, had been a place we had yet to discover. But on Thursday, my friends got an itch to try it out, and boy were we surprised. Babio's Eat Drink Dance, located at 527 West Hildebrand, turned out to be a good choice for us to get together. Don't get me wrong, I love my bartenders at Pegasus, Sparky's and Annex, but this hidden gem we stumbled upon Thursday captured my heart with its ambience. The part of the lounge pictured above reminded me of The Cat House inside The Luxor in Las Vegas.

Not only was I instantly impressed with the whole vibe of the club, but I was quickly greeted by my friend Brian Espinoza, who also happens to be the club promoter. I think I've found my new Thrusday night hangout. And its Three-Dollar-Thursdays....wells and shots for three bucks! It's three-in-one! That's the reason for the name (eat drink dance). There are drinks, there's a dance floor, and YES! They serve food too. Although I didn't order anything to eat that night, the menu looked good.

I used to leave the bars at the strip only to see people stumbling across the street to eat at Luther's. Why wait til you're that drunk to grab a bite, when you can easily have something to eat with your beverage of choice at Babio's. If you don't want to eat at the bar or sit at the cute lounge area with your food, take it out to their lush patio area out back. What a great place to hangout. The lighting just happens to be in all the right places, and the plant life lining the fence around the bar gives you that "having a drink in the cabana" feeling.

You can't just take my word for it. You have to go out and experience Babio's Eat Drink Dance for yourself. If you're afraid of going alone, contact me on Facebook and let me know. I'll gladly meet you there for $3 Thursdays or any given Sunday. I'll probably make any excuse to go there. See ya at Babio's!

Crossing the picket line

They've been known to be nuisances and cause annoying scenes at funerals for fallen soldiers, and some high profile funerals. But when the members of Westboro Baptist Church hit close to home, they're crossing the line.

According to the picket schedule on their website, WBC will be in full force protesting the Washington Convention Center on Wednesday, July 25, where the AIDS 2012 Conference is being held, but rumor has it the group plans to make an appearance in San Antonio for a memorial service celebrating the life of Jessica Ghawi (aka Jessica Redfield). She was the aspiring sports reporter who had her own sports blog. Ghawi was killed in Aurora, Colorado in the massacre at a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

Although Ghawi was not in the military, nor gay, WBC will protest any funeral they believe will give them media exposure. San Antonio is not a scheduled stop on their world hate tour, but there is a stop on July 28 in Arlington at Cowboy Stadium to protest Glenn Beck, who hosts a national syndicated radio show. With Arlington being less than 5 hours from San Antonio, it's likely they could make the short trek to the Alamo city and show their fangs.

I decided not to take any chances as I took to my Facebook and Twitter pages to announce a warning of what may come this weekend. Jessica was someone's daughter, someone's sister, someone's friend. Just like any fallen soldier, she too deserves to have a memorial service where her friends and family can gather and remember her. I will do whatever I can to make sure those assholes do not disrespect her loved ones.

According to the website for the Southern Poverty Law Center, WBC earned worldwide attention when they picketed the funeral of Matthew Shepard on October 16, 1998. Shepard, the victim of a hate crime, was beaten to death for being gay by two men in Laramie, Wyoming. WBC held signs that read, "God hates fags," and "AIDS kills fags dead."

The site splcenter.org also claims that WBC is funded through many lawsuits they have won because of protection from their first amendment rights. Well I'll tell you what, Shirley Phelps, the first amendment also allows me to call you a nasty-ass, saggy-tit, fugly looking bitch! Get some conditioner for that dry hair of yours, and some anti-wrinkle cream before you decide to come into my city and talk a bunch of shit. FUCK YOU WESTBORO! (photos were all taken from buzzfeed.com where they posted their top 30 favorite Westboro anti-protest signs)

Public Shame? Or is it a fancy phrase for bullying?

As I was reading through my news feed tonight on Facebook, as I do every night, I came across a photo posted by one of our local news stations (not the one I watch, by the way). They posted a picture of a tollway booth with the caption that read: "PUBLIC SHAMING: If you have an outstanding tollway fine you might consider paying up or face public shame. The North Texas Tollway Authority is publicizing a Top 100 list of toll violators in hopes they pay up. What do you think? Should local groups follow the NTTA's lead? We'll share your comments at 6am."

I read through all the comments, and then I weighed in. What would you expect me to do? There were mixed feelings about this by everyone who commented. Some agreed. One person said if you don't want to be bothered, you should pay your bills. Simply put, good point. My initial post (that's right, I commented more than one time) was this: "Everybody's doing it, so why not. We advertise the addresses of sex offenders for the public. We post photos and a blurb of arrest reports in the paper. Why not publish names of those with tollway fines. Maybe after that we can advertise people with outstanding credit card debts. And maybe soon we can advertise pictures of people who default on student loans. Let's just advertise all the scum of the world. I mean, afterall, that's what we're making everyone seem like."

Still, I wanted to see what others would say. A few "liked" my comment. Then I saw another woman's comment which read: "Absolutely a great idea. Maybe if ALL LAWBREAKERS were publicly humiliated before punishment, there might be less crime."

This one really made me think. In a way, I wanted to agree, but I just couldn't. My interpretation of her answer was to bully those with outstanding fines. They would be bullied by being humiliated in public. But isn't this what kids today are doing to one another? Yet, we tell them bullying will not be tolerated, and here we are as authority figures doing it to private citizens who haven't paid what they owe. Granted, I don't know HOW MUCH they owe, but I think it's a little extreme to publicly humiliate them in this fashion.

Why is it ok to humiliate other adults in public, but when kids do it to one another, we scold them? I already know the answer to this, but I'm waiting to see if you do. The answer is, it's not ok. In fact, it's just plain wrong. Yes people have obligations to pay their outstanding fines, but there are other methods of collecting than public humiliation. Send them a collection letter and let them know legal action will follow. You can send them to a collection agency. Remember, some of these options my bring down their credit score. Isn't that punishment enough?

So with that being said, maybe I just think people are going too far with what they publish and whose faces they publish, and for what reasons they are published. But that's just me. I'd love to get your opinion. Subscribe to my page on Facebook at facebook.com/christopherleeperez or TheGossipGuy on Facebook, and on Twitter @thegossipguy.

If you have to ask patriotism or racism, the choice is obvious

I mean, really, if you have to ask whether something is patriotism or racism, chances are it's going to be the latter, otherwise no one would be questioning it. This story is old, but for those of you not familiar with it, I thought I'd rehash the headline for you once more.

It was Saturday, March 3, the playoff basketball game between two San Antonio schools, Thomas Edison and Alamo Heights high schools. Mind you, Alamo Heights is a predominantly Anglo campus, while Edison is predominantly Latino. When the buzzer sounded, Alamo Heights came out on top with a 50-39 win over Edison, but it was what happened after that made national news.

As the Alamo Heights Mules were presented the championship trophy, the Mules' fans began chanting from the bleachers, "USA, USA, USA." It was a chant that would be heard around the country and one that did not sit well with officials of the San Antonio Independent School District. SAISD athletic director Gil Garza, filed a complaint with the University Interscholstic League, an agency which governs extracurricular activities for Texas public schools. Although Garza credited Alamo Heights head coach, Andrew Brewer, for putting a stop to the taunting, he said it was these kind of attacks that make minorities feel that they are not wanted in this country.

Alamo Heights superintendent Kevin Brown apologized to SAISD and informed them those involved in the incident would be banned from attending the state semi-finals game. He added that the students are teenagers, and that kids make mistakes.

SAISD spokesperson Leslie Price told KSAT-12 News that the actions of the opposing school's fans was "very disprespectful."

Fox News host Greta Van Susteren also weighed in on the controversey, "A San Antonio Independent School District spokeswoman defended Thomas Edison High School. She claims chanting 'USA' is not wrong in the appropriate context, but in this case it was targeted at a school that is predominantly Hispanic."

I couldn't agree more with Price on that. But what bothers me, is when idiots decide to post comments regarding the matter, and are not educated enough to read the entire article or listen to the entire story before making ignorant remarks. Here are a couple of comments I pulled from the KSAT-12 web site. And yes, I am actually putting some San Antonio assholes on blast here:



Jeri Cooper said:

"This is the USA and Americans are all colors. Were people from other countries at the game or what? Since when arent' minorities proud to be an American. I don't get it. If this is about anti-American Hispanic students who burn our flags and wave their own in our country, then they need the wake up call. This is America. If you are a citizen or here legally, I would hope you respect this country. USA USA USA If that offends you, get the hell out."

Well of course you don't get it you stupid inbred fucktard. The issue here isn't American pride. The issue is chanting "USA" to a group of minorities at a high school basketball game, not an international basketball game, but perhaps the next comment from Ismael Jr, can put some sense into the previous moron:

"I'm proud to be an American, and I am Hispanic, but when is it ok to chant USA to kids when it is not countries playing and winning. It's a high school winning. Chant for the high school, not the country. When our Olympic team wins, then chant USA. I'm ready to chant USA, but not for some young teenagers. Check yourself."

This next comment from Tyler Hall worries me:

"Why the **** can Mexicans be proud of their country, but it's racist if you're white."

Tyler, bless your heart. Again, someone implying that the U.S. was in the playoffs with Mexico. I think you may have been at the wrong game. Go back to texting your high school bff, and studying for the STAAR. You'll get it one day.

These next two....well, you decide because I couldn't stop laughing!

South Park Conservatives: "If chanting USA! USA! USA! is racist, what is chanting "Si se puede!?"

Ismael Jr: "Learn some Spanish...."Si se puede" is saying "yes you can" not "Viva Mexico."

Breastfeeding is a very natural thing, no matter who you are

I feel that it was my duty to totally chime in on this one. I heard about this photo of two military moms breast-feeding in uniform on The Billy Madison Show on 99.5 KISS FM this morning. Now granted, I don't listen to that show, I have to say, I was offended at some of the content, then laughed at other parts, so I think they did their job. Ok, back to the military moms. I'm not a mom, I certainly don't care for breasts (being gay and all), so chill the fuck out people. It's really sad that mom's get some bad flack for feeding their kids naturally. Unless their abusing their kids in anyway, let it be already.

There were so many mixed opinions, not only on The Billy Madison Show, but also on Today Moms, a section of the Today Show online website. In fact, Today Moms referenced another ex-military mom's blog where she too has stood up for military moms who breast-feed in uniform. One of the quotes that I thought was idiotic came from a woman whom the site referred to as a retired captain in the Marine Corps who advocated for breast-feeding moms in the military, and who as a civilian still nurses freely on base. She said commented the following:

“I would never nurse in uniform. I took my child to the bathroom or a private office when her nanny brought her to me …. Not because I was ashamed of nursing, nor of being a mother. All the guys knew I pumped. The military is not a civilian job. We go to combat and we make life or death decisions, and not just for ourselves but for those we lead. The same reason I would never nurse in uniform is the same reason I do not chew gum, or walk and talk on my cell phone, or even run into the store in my utility uniform. ... We are warfighting professionals. Women before us have worked too hard to earn and retain the respect of their male peers. I don’t want my Marines to look at me any other way than as a Marine. When I am asking them to fly into combat with me and do a dangerous mission, I do not want them to have the mental image of a babe at my breast. I want them to only see me as a Marine. Let’s be a realistic folks. We give up many freedoms being in the military…Breastfeeding in front of my fellow Marines was one of them."

Maybe one of the reasons I can't agree with this moron is that, yes, you do give up a lot of freedoms when you enter the service, but being a mom should not be one of them. Her last statement, to me, sounds like maybe she believes having children should be a freedom all military women give up when they enlist. Just because you're in the military, it doesn't make you a fucking robot. If your kid is a few years older and you're in the store with this child who happens to be whining about some toy he/she wants, do you just ignore it and continue to stand at attention, or do you react? And I understand the military is not a civilian job, but give me a break. You're not the only ones who make life and death decisions for yourself or the people you lead. If you're a soccer mom, or a coach, and you have a car full of kids, you bet your ass they have to make life and death decisions when driving those little ones around. When I drive my car, I'm making life and death decisions based on WTF situation I'm in. So save your whining for someone that gives a shit because I certainly don't, at least, not with your ridiculous argument.

The fact that you're female in the military has already won you a great amount of respect. Whether you're a woman or not, I don't care. I don't care if you're a man, woman, straight, gay....it doesn't matter. If you're serving this country, you're serving this country, period! So get your head out of your ass and support military moms who breast-feed their kids, just like any other moms who breast-feed their kids, whether in uniform or not. I also can't believe that people would compare women in uniform breast-feeding to someone urinating in public. That's the same thing as saying: breast-feeding your kids in public is the same as urinating in public, therefore, when you breastfeed your kids, you're urinating on them.

Shut the F up! Really? Who the hell compares those two things to each other, seriously? If you're a mom (especially a mom in uniform) who breast-feeds, I salute you. It's a brave thing, especially when you have to take so much criticism from idiots. The way I see it, if you've made the decision to be a mom, and you decide you're going to breast-feed your kids, well those kids come first, especially at such a young age. They're certainly not going to feed themselves. Now you can either agree with me, or you can agree to disagree. It's your opinion, just as it is mine. So feel free to chime in and let me know how you feel about the whole thing.

Not all women are created equal

Selena looked frantically through her bag. She couldn’t go on stage without her large gold hoop earrings. Four minutes remained before her stage performance. She practiced all week for this particular show. Even hours before she walked into the dressing room, she managed to add a few final touches to her choreography. Her makeup looked perfect. Her costume literally radiated from the light reflecting on the sequins. The extensions in her hair added a dramatic flare to her overall appearance. Only a minute remained, but she was prepared to walk out on that stage and dance her heart out. Selena looked flawless, like a spitting image of Jennifer Lopez. Selena worked hard to look this great. Some people may not be aware she legally changed her name to Selena Austin only one year ago. Before the name change, she was actually Ricardo Samudio.

The transgendered performer appears at The Saint nightclub on Monday nights. The voice you hear during her performances, the one captivating the audience, is not hers. Selena lip syncs to the music. Her favorite artists include Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. She said she knew since age twelve she wanted to go into entertainment. “Back then it was different,” the 29-year-old said. “I didn’t start living my life as a woman until about ten years ago. I grew up in Tennessee and performed at places like Opryland. I was a young boy and it was a strange feeling for me to see all these young girls swoon over me, but I still liked the attention.”

She decided to live her life as a woman ten years ago. Austin said there was nothing easy about it, but she knew it would bring her happiness. Not everyone shared the same happiness she did. Her mother still referred to her as Ricardo and refused to acknowledge her as a woman. Her father seemed a little more accepting.

“I think that my dad always knew I wasn’t happy,” Austin said. “It was a little strange for him at first, but he accepted the new me. My mom, on the other hand, would not call me by my new name. I had been using this name for about ten years now, since I first started living as a woman. I’ve always loved it. I named myself after the Tejano singer, Selena Quintanilla. My mom has learned to live with it, but I can tell she’s still not completely comfortable about the whole idea of having a daughter now.”

At the nightclub, many of the regulars know about Selena and her life, but outside of the bar people have a hard time telling she’s actually a man. She admits she gets hit on by men and often envied by women, but still has to take precaution because she never knows how someone may react to the truth.

“Many people are not understanding of how I live,” Austin said. “I have to make sure I’m careful about where I go and who I reveal myself to. It can be pretty scary. When I first started dressing as a woman I looked awful. My friends joke that I looked rough around the edges. I started taking hormones about two years ago. This made my chest bigger and made my facial features just a little more feminine.”

The hormones she injects are not prescribed, but she gets them administered by someone with experience, she said. This is often the case with transgendered individuals. But not all opt for the injections. Ashley Vega also lives as a woman, but not 24-hours a day. The 22-year-old said he enjoys going out as a woman, but hangs up the brassiere at the end of the night.

“I have fun going out as a girl,” Vega said. “I love being all made-up and wearing some lavish outfit and having everyone look at me. My boyfriend has no problem with it. I just don’t think I could ever go through the hormone process. I’ve seen so many things go horribly wrong with it. This happens because the people injecting the girls are not professionals. So many things can go wrong. I’m Ashley when I’m out at the bars, but when I get home, and the makeup comes off, I’m Rudy again.”

Vega said he still goes out in public as a male from time to time. Rudy, as he is known at the cosmetology school where he works, refuses to take Ashley there.

“It’s not that I feel it’s a matter of professionalism, but I hold myself in a different regard when I’m at work,” Vega said. “The person I am at work, is not the same person you meet when you see me out having a drink or dancing. I just refuse to define myself as one gender or the other. Some people say I am playing a game of dress up when I go out. Whatever people want to call it, I love myself and at the end of the day this is all that matters.”

In 2005 Felicity Huffman starred in the film Transamerica about a pre-operative transsexual whose life changes when she discovers she fathered a child. In one scene, Huffman’s character is being interviewed by a doctor, whom she needs to sign a consent form in order to proceed with her male-to-female operation. He tells her the American Psychiatric Association considers gender dysphoria as serious mental disorder. She replies, “After my operation, not even a gynecologist will be able to detect anything out of the ordinary about my body. I will be a woman. Don’t you find it odd that plastic surgery can cure a mental disorder?”

Selena said she never looked at her situation as a disorder. It was just something that never really crossed her mind. Despite having a supportive network of friends, she said she has always been comfortable with herself.

“I’ve just been really blessed to have friends who are there for me,” Austin said. “I’ve known other transgendered people who seclude themselves from the rest of the world because their families turn their backs on them. I guess this makes it hard for them to make or hold on to friends.”

Selena said one of the managers at The Saint, Randy Ellis, makes sure the girls feel safe in the bar environment. The performers are known there as the showgirls. Ellis assures that his showgirls are taken care of.

“We’ve had trouble in the past,” Ellis admitted. “But every bar has its share of drama every now and then. It doesn’t happen very often, but we’ve had the occasional heckler or nuisance come into the bar and try to make our girls uncomfortable. People need to understand this is their territory, and we’re going to do whatever we can to protect them from outsiders.”

Selena said she never feels out of place at The Saint. She called it her second home, and she said the atmosphere is welcoming to most of the patrons. Despite being a gay bar, many heterosexuals also go there to catch an occasional drag show.

“People don’t realize how difficult it is to be a woman,” Austin said. “Guys particularly have a hard time with this. There is so much work involved. It always looked so easy when I was younger. Once I started living this way, I learned the hard truth.”

Behind the times

Tonight, as I do most nights, I was watching my local news and one of the stories, yet again, focused on the future of San Antonio's public transit system. It's sad and heartbreaking to see such news because for the last two decades, the city has been proposing a new transit system, much like that of our nation's "big cities." The city is constantly proposing a modern light-rail system, yet the public seems to shoot it down every time. WTF is wrong with this place? Are we that behind the times? YES, we are in fact! What the hell are people so afraid of, and we all know that by people, I'm talking about all the old people in this old town! Are they afraid of a higher taxes? Give it the fuck up! This is still one of the least expensive cities in the U.S. to live and raise a family. If you wanna evolve in an ever-evolving world, then you have to be willing to catch up to the rest of the planet. I feel like even some third-world countries have surpassed us in some areas. How sad is that? Every day, I hear about friends wanting to leave this place, which I have called home for quite some years now. When they say it's boring, I tell them: Find something to do! There's so much going on here. When they say this place is not evolving fast enough, I have no argument. Just the other day, I was driving away from downtown and I happened to look through my rear view mirror at our downtown skyline. The sad part: There wasn't much of one. Unlike other major cities with blocks and blocks of high rise buildings, ours are far and few in between. I'm sure most natives (again, the older generation) think it's what gives our city character, but it's also why it lacks it.

Think about it: A modern day transit hub with public transportation to include streetcars, buses, and trains going every which way in the city you can possibly think of. It would make things so much faster and easier. I mean really, how attractive is it to drive down San Pedro and see an old woman waiting for the bus, that may or may not pass every 20 minutes if she's lucky, in triple-digit-weather. It's not attractive at all. In fact, if anything, it's just plain sad. I know the people waiting on those buses work their asses off everyday to get to and from work on that overcrowded bus at all hours of the day/night. It would be so much nicer if we had a better/faster transit system to get them back and forth. Let's just think about it for a moment. When "we" as a city, say "no" to projects like this, we're simply being selfish to those who actually use public transportation. So stop being a selfish dick, and do something about it! We owe it to our city, to our community, to our neighbors. I've said my part, now do the right thing next time this issue comes up for debate. Someone will thank you for it.

Self-esteem issues are for kids

Children are vulnerable beings, so it's obvious many of them have issues with self-esteem. Many kids just want to belong. They want to fit in. As adults, many of us can understand that because we were once those kids. But when an adult, someone 30+ years of age, says they have low self-esteem. I just don't know that I want to hear about it. I've never lied about it. I had low self esteem as a young man. I had people tell me I wasn't good-looking, or that I wasn't good enough. I outgrew it. It took me some time to find myself, but I did. If you feel that you're not confident enough in yourself to handle life, then don't be. Find something that will help you realize that "you is smart, you is kind, you is important." But don't judge me or my friends for loving who we are, and being confident enough to know what we have achieved and where we are going. It's really a downer. This must sound like me whining, and yeah, maybe I am just a little. But I'm the kind of person who used to drink because I didn't think that anything mattered. I had a brother, who was a role model to me, that died when I was still in high school. I had a mother who sat around and watched life pass her by while her other kids tried to remind her that we were still there. I dated people who disrespected me, and sometimes made me feel ugly. Well guess what? That's all in the past. I'm a grown man now. I've learned to love and respect myself, and many of my decisions, for the most part (ok, so I know I don't always make the best decisions, but not everyone does, right?). Now I drink because I'm an adult and I'm allowed to do so whenever I want, and wherever I want. Having a drink with friends on the weekends doesn't make me someone with no direction in life and it certainly doesn't make me someone who has a problem. In any case, I've learned to smile at my brother's memory. I've learned to help my mom out wherever I could to make her get over her slump. I've learned that no one can love you more than you will ever love yourself. Although there's definitely plenty of room for my Boo, whom I've made #1 in my life the last several years. So in a nutshell, what I'm trying to say, is please try and find yourself as an adult. Just don't get too cocky as I've seen in many cases. It isn't flattering.

Ginger is the new black

I'm still not sure who came up with the expression, "blondes have more fun." I'm not blonde, and I'm constantly having fun. In fact, I can probably say I'm having more fun than my blonde counterparts. Tonight, while watching ABC's What Would You Do (kinda like Punk'd, but with a morality check), they aired a segment with red headed kids getting picked on in public. The writers decided to air this after a young boy wrote to them describing how he constantly gets picked on for being a ginger (for those of you not familiar with the term, it's someone with red hair). These actor kids that were playing the bully victims had gorgeous red locks.

My first thought was, "are kids really that naive that they don't realize how HOT red heads are? HELLO?! Ginger is totally the new black!" Sure, there isn't much of an abundance when it comes to celebrity men sporting the red, but women...now they KNOW what's going on, and they're working it for all it's worth. Natural or not, many women in the entertainment industry have gone red at one point or another, that is of course, unless they were already red. One of the first gingers to ever catch my eye as a child was supermodel Angie Everhart. That stunning red hair graced the cover of several magazines, numerous shampoo commercials, and then transitioned onto the big screen in movies like Last Action Hero and Bordello of Blood, and eventually went on to do television.

Today, people are going red, because red is just hot. Lil Kim collaborated with other artists on Lady Marmalade and looked amazing with the red do. Let's not forget the queen (because according to Nicki Minaj, there is only one queen, and that's Madonna...bitch!) who went ginger for Confessions on a Dance Floor. Lead singer for one of my favorite rock bands, Garbage (Shirley Manson), didn't have to change her hair. She's naturally red, and she rocks it! What about bad boy, Chris Brown's, ex-girlfriend Rihanna who went red for a while (not one of my favorite examples, but it was a good look for her)? AND we can't forget how Julia Roberts won over audiences everywhere with her red locks in Pretty Woman, well, that and her hooker charm (but you don't have to be a hooker to be charming).

I always feel so bad for kids who feel they're not good looking enough. Damn, I used to feel bad for myself when I was young. LOL! I never thought of myself as a good-looking kid. It didn't help that I dated someone who practically reassured me of that as a young adult. Although my self-esteem wasn't the highest it could be growing up, I eventually realized that despite what I thought, people still found a quality in me that was attractive. Whether it was my looks, my personality, or just my all around attitude, there were actually people who liked being around me. I like to think my quirky ways just grew on people. I don't remember having too many ginger friends growing up, but I think red is red-hot! So kids, do yourselves a favor, and embrace your beautiful red hair.

You may not realize it now, but some people would kill for the perfect shade of red. Even animated characters such as Jessica Rabbit and Poison Ivy proudly sport an awesome red mane. You may not realize it now, but later in life, you will be the envy of everyone. When that happens, do ME a favor, and make sure other kids that may be experiencing what you went through, know that they're not alone either.

So if you're a red head, and someone tries to tell you that blondes have more fun, just remind them that at least your carpet matches your drapes. That oughtta keep them quiet for a bit.

Sad time to be a child

It really is a sad time to be a child. I'm constantly reading about kids being attacked or bullied, and in the most public places. Just today I saw a story out of Houston from KHOU-TV, about a girl who had been threatened by another student. When the girl's mother called the principal at the high school, he claimed he was "on top of it." But three hours later, the girl was beaten by a sock stuffed with a combination lock. I'm sure it's been a while since a lot of you have been in school, but if you don't remember, those things are freakin' heavy! Some people responded to this story with comments about parents sending their kids to school because it's supposed to be a safe place. According to whom, people? School is no more safe than a prison. Yeah, that's right, prison. Sure, there are guards to keep an eye out, but they don't see everything. School isn't supposed to be a safe haven, it's a place to get an education. Well how are those children supposed to get an education when you have savages attacking them when no one is watching. If your kids don't know how to act like human beings in public, get them the hell out of there, and place them somewhere that society doesn't have to worry about them beating or killing someone else who might actually be there to learn. Oh there's a thought. It sucks that we don't live in a perfect world, but you would think that administrators, and educators, and parents would step up their game. It's like no one ever notices until it escalates to the Columbine level. The images are still haunting.

There definitely needs to be a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bullying. When we allow bullies to get away with their actions, it only teaches them that it's acceptable. Well it isn't. Bullies aren't cool, they're assholes. So if you're a bully, you're an asshole, a major asshole. Wow, I'm not a parent, but I can only imagine how parents must worry everyday they have to send their kids to school, not knowing whats going to happen, or if they're kids will come home alive that day. Good manners start in the home. So parents, you may want to sit your child down sometime and have a talk with them. You need to know if your child is a bully, or a victim, and then find out what you can do to help them. There is no reason why a child should fear attending class, I mean, for any reason other than the ever surprising pop-quiz.

Try The Chili Queens' Bomb, but stay and sample a little bit of everything at Alamo Street Eat Bar

San Antonio has become synonymous with Taco Trucks, just as New Orleans has their Lucky Dogs. Well now it seems more and more gourmet food trucks are popping up around town. But these mobile eating stations aren't new. Perhaps the cuisines are becoming more diverse, but we've all seen them in one corner or another around SA. Just a few weeks ago, I made my way over to a funky little voyeuristic sex-inspired art show, where I had my first taste of The Chili Queens. The eatery on wheels was different from my usual taco spot parked out in front of the Silver Dollar Saloon located at 1812 N. Main St. My typical taco dive after a long and entertaining night of drinking and socializing. By the way, if you like street tacos, Guero's tacos are the shit! Although I have to warn all the breeders, it's a gay hangout after hours. If you don't know how to behave amongst the gays, don't go. This is usually a safe haven for them to get their grub on. As I was saying, I discovered this truck known as The Chili Queens. I had a Frito Pie and their Mint Lemonade. The drink was to die for. And this was no ordinary Frito Pie. This one screamed AWESOME going down my throat. Today, The Chili Queens can be found at the Alamo Street Eat Bar at 609 S. Alamo. One of the new items on their menu: The Bomb. Let me tell you, this sandwich is to die for! It's brisket topped with a fried egg and shredded cheese. I know...delicious! Right?!

But don't just take my word for it, it's got all the things any South Texan would love. Wash it down with their Mint Lemonade, or just have an old fashioned Coke, OR a San Antonio favorite: BIG RED! Being the big Coke head that I am, I of course opted for the cola. But the Alamo Street Eat Bar isn't limited to South Texas cuisine. Four other trucks share the space, so you get a variety of eats to sample. Wheelie Gourmet specializes in Moroccan street food. Some of the entrees I noticed on their menu included lamb and salmon, yum! Cullum's Attaboy is the resident burger truck, but you have to try their sweet potato fries. Rolling Pig offers a variety of pork products in their entrees, and Tapa Tapa...well, I think the name of that one says it all. All of these guys can be found on Facebook and Twitter, so if you're interested in learning more about these great eats and treats, follow them, or become their friends. San Antonio doesn't have to be tacos 24/7 (although you have to admit, we are known for some of the best damn Tex-Mex stuff around). Stop by Alamo Street Eat Bar and try some of these awesome eats. And if you're not one for food, just go for the bar and have a cold one. I don't think it's possible to be disappointed here.

Blah, Blah, Blah!

Last night my friend, Aaron, resurrected Paul Reuben's character, Pee Wee Herman, from the 1985 movie, Pee Wee's Big Adventure. As entertaining as this was, other performers didn't quite agree with Aaron's winning outcome.

How do I know this, you ask? I'd be glad to tell you. I actually posted on Aaron's Facebook page last night to congratulate him and to say that I found his performance outstanding. Well, you know, compared to the other two, whom I described as boring. In order for you to understand, I'll have to pretty much describe the other performances.

Performer #1 lip-synced to a couple of songs from West Side Story. The back up dancers all dressed like characters in the movie. Yeah, the outfits were cute, but there was nothing magnificent about the performance. It was a song and dance, if you will. Performer #2 (Aaron) started out with a bit from the movie mentioned earlier. If you recall the film, Pee Wee Herman is providing evidence at his town hall meeting in an attempt to prove his bike was stolen. He mentions something about being crazy, which suddenly segues into the song, Crazy, by Gnarls Barkley, then back into the Pee Wee character. Aaron actually had a theme throughout which was executed nicely from beginning to end. Performer #3 pretty much mimicked just about every R&B video you can think of. It was a lip sync performance with backup dancers.

I really feel like this blog is a waste of my time, but what do I care? The only reason I thought I should chime in on this topic is that one of the performers, whose name I won't mention because it's not worth it, and because she knows who she is, sent me a private message on Facebook to let me know that the only reason Aaron won is that he sold more seats for the show, which is taken into consideration when tallying up votes. If you lost, YOU LOST! There's always next time. I don't need to hear why you feel that the votes should be counted over. This isn't a presidential election. Oh god, could you imagine?

Aaron, I love you, I think you're entertaining, and your show was great. But if you don't see me at future shows, you'll understand why? I don't need to hear from runners-up on why I should change MY opinion. In fact, I was only there to watch your performance. I was in no mood to see any of the others. I was anxious to see yours because I was curious to see what you had concocted. The other performances were just distractions to me. From what I remember, I mentioned above already. And on top of that I remember one transsexual's cheap dress coming apart. Who wants to see that?

I could never be a drag judge. I guess I would expect camp drag. I've mentioned before that I wasn't too thrilled with drag at Pegasus, but I have to admit, their Pegasus in Pumps show was a blast. Why was it different, you ask? Because they weren't taking themselves seriously. It was a bunch of guys in girls dresses having fun with the idea. It was awesome. This is what drag should be. When did it turn into an "art form?" Lighten up, everyone.

Faceless friends on Facebook worry me.

What if Facebook didn't allow the option for pictures? What if you couldn't see anyone you were friends with? Yeah, I know, if they're your friends, you probably already know what they look like. But what I'm asking is, what if Facebook was a networking platform for you, yet nobody could see you? It would feel a bit awkward, wouldn't it? At least for me it would. So today I get a message from a faceless Facebook friend. Oh, the irony! Afterall, it is called "face"book, isn't it?

So I take a look at said friend's profile to find out more about this person messaging me. To my surprise, the account was so vague! There was nothing about this friend's likes or dislikes, there were not pictures other than the two (which by the way, were the same photo) in his profile pictures folder. It was a headless body, with some great abs, and a pair of shorts pulled up almost to his abdomen. Yeah, I thought that was strange too. Aside from one of my co-workers, I don't know anyone who wears their pants that high.

In this message, he says, "hey." Yes, I say he, because the body picture in the profile is that of a man. So I replied, "hello," just like I would to any of my FB friends. I think he proceeded to ask how things were going, and I paused for a second. I thought to myself, "what is this guy hiding from? Why is it that I can't see his face? Is he a fugitive?" Then I just got tired of asking myself questions.

I'm the type of person on FB that doesn't delete friends. Yes, I know I have many friends who go through their accounts every so often and refresh their friend list, deleting people whom they don't think are worth keeping. I don't know why I can't be like that. Maybe it's just because I'm an attention whore. Whatever the reason, it made me think of something another friend mentioned on FB a few days ago. Something about deleting people with fake profiles or pictures. I thought to myself, "why would anyone do that, going as far as to create a fake profile? What is it they're trying to do?"

It was something that was on my mind all day today. Not the part about inventing fake profiles, but the fact that someone had tried contacting me without a face. What was his intention? I'm asking a lot of questions aren't I? Oh well, you're still reading, so I guess it's all good.

Maybe for me it's just odd, because I feel that FB is a great place to make friends and connect with current and old ones, but also network with others around you. So when you can't see the person trying to talk to you, it just makes things a bit odd. Wouldn't you agree?

It's a drag, but let's see where it goes from here.

Pegasus, the once safe haven for having drinks and just hanging out, has recently become a drag...well it's become the new venue for drag shows, at least.

For years, The Saint was home to most of the drag shows and pageants in San Antonio. Everybody knew if you wanted to see a drag show, The Saint was where you needed to be. That's why it's now known as The Saint Showbar. When Heat opened up across the street, many of the drag queens/trannies (transexuals, for those of you who aren't familiar with gay-speak) moved there, opening another venue for drag.

Oh, but it didn't stop there. Suddenly drag queens and trannies were serving up more than attitude at Luther's, across Main Street. Luther's was a little burger dive that had been purchased by the owners of Heat. Not only did the quality of food decline, but along with it, the customer service. It's the perfect location though, considering they're open after hours. So all those drunken hot messes usually exit the bars and cross the street for a late night bite. Too bad most of them are too drunk to realize they're either being overcharged, or just ignored altogether.

So now, one of the last places to hang out and just enjoy a nice cold one, has been invaded by she-males. I'm not gonna lie. I enjoy a good drag show just as much as the next guy...or maybe as much as the guy next to the next guy. But is it too much to ask that we have one bar, JUST ONE, where we don't have to watch a second-rate version of a Rihanna impersonator, or a WannaBeyonce?

It doesn't help that unlike Station4 aka S4 in Dallas, Pegasus doesn't have an indoor area solely dedicated to these shows. Instead, the stage is outside. So if it rains, those queens better hope they're wearing waterproof mascara. And with the kind of summers we have here in South Texas, I hope they get plenty of hydration.

Let's face it, I'm not going to stop going there. Afterall, my favorite bartenders, Jason, Chad, and Lonnie are all there. And at least I can walk freely on the inside without running into a queen every two seconds. But all kidding aside, who knows where this will go. Maybe its just a phase. Maybe they're just testing the waters to see how patrons will respond. Where else is one to go to avoid this kind of circus? Sparky's Pub? Twenty-Fifteen Place? OH GOD NO!!!

Stand Your Ground law in Florida allows murderers to walk free

Are you fucking kidding me? I didn't even know about the "Stand Your Ground" self defense act until the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin gained national attention. The shooting happened in Sanford, Florida on February 26. According to several sources. Martin was walking home from a nearby 7-11 store where he purchased a pack of Skittles and an iced tea for his younger brother. A neighborhood-watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, spotted the boy walking and called police, informing them that he suspected Martin of being a prowler. According to 911 tapes, Police told Zimmerman not to follow Martin. Zimmerman disobeyed and followed anyway.

From what the public has been told by several media outlets, an altercation ensued, and Martin was shot once in the chest, killing him. "Zimmerman has not spoken publicly," according to usatoday.com, but in a statement his father said, "the portrayal of George Zimmerman in the media, as well as the series of events that led to the tragic shooting are false and extremely misleading."

So I ask you this, Mr. Zimmerman: Exactly which parts are misleading? The fact that your son shot Martin in the chest (which by the way, he admitted to, even after police told him not to follow the boy), or the fact that your son murdered a defenseless boy in cold blood? From the reports I've seen in the media, and 911 tapes that have been heard by the public, I don't find anything of it misleading.

Zimmerman's dad even went as far to say that "George is a Spanish-speaking minority with with many black family members. He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever." Give me a fucking break!

The Los Angeles Times reported that 28-year-old Zimmerman dreamed of being a cop, stating that he took his volunteer role as a neighborhood watch captain very seriously, and claiming he had called 911 on at least 50 occasions last year to report suspicious activity.

Miami-Dade prosecutor, David Waksman, told the Miami Herald, "If he was attacked, he can stand his ground. But if police say back off and we'll take care of it, he's not covered."

In December 2010, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that judges should consider more lenient standards than the usual "beyond a reasonable doubt" normally used in criminal cases. Zimmerman has not been charged with any crime.

Under a 2005 law signed by Jeb Bush, the Stand Your Ground defense, or as it has been known by it's critics, the "Shoot First" law gives Floridians the right to shoot and kill someone if they feel they are in a deadly situation. It was a bill that the NRA also lobbied for. I personally think Zimmerman is just a nut job, and I think some time behind bars would be good to deflate his bloated ego.

New television show has me asking, "do people change?"

The television premier of ABC's new show, GCB, aired tonight. It really got me thinking though, do people really change? I should know the answer. I've known many people and have noticed many changes in them since childhood. But how do you get others to see that, or should it even matter? My friends know that I'm not the kind of person who likes to be disliked without good reason. Well, I guess I shouldn't be giving anyone reason to dislike me to begin with, but everyone knows shit happens, right?

In light of all the anti-bullying campaigns, this show centers around five women in Dallas: a former high school queen of mean, and four others set on revenge. The show is based on Kim Gatlin's book, Good Christian Bitches. If you missed it, you really should consider recording it, or watching it On Demand.

Just watching Leslie Bibb's character trying to explain how she wasn't the same person she was in high school suddenly brought back memories of things I had done as a kid. Ok, I'll admit, I did some crappy stuff, and I was somewhat of a meanie, but no more than anyone else was. But is that a cop out for me to justify my actions as a child? Maybe so. But I realize as an adult that back then, I was definitely in the wrong.

For some unknown reason, I've always seen myself as being really sweet...well that, and the fact that I hear it from everyone. Fact of the matter is, I used to be somewhat of a mean kid. Whether it was wreaking havoc by telephone and allegedly terrorizing school mates, or convincing another classmate that a celebrity scout would be at our talent show to check him out, I guess I had a way of being very bad. I'm just glad I grew up, as most of us usually do.

So my question still, do we change? I know that I have, but I guess I need validation from friends, someone to confirm it for me. Or is it that we still see our friends the same way we did growing up? I admit, I still see some of my friends the same way, while others I've seen a change in. I guess in a way, many of us are "good Christian bitches."

Cruise line popularity likely to sink after second incident at sea.

Only six weeks after the Italian cruise ship, Costa Concordia, was capsized after hitting a reef along the Isola del Giglio, another ship owned by the same company had to dock in the Republic of Seychelles after sitting adrift the Indian Ocean three days.

The BBC reported that the Costa Allegra was without power, depriving passengers of hot food and air conditioning for three days. Because the weather in Seychelles is hot and humid, I'm sure this made for a very sticky situation. But all kidding aside, what does this say for the cruise industry?

Luckily there were no fatalities, unlike the Costa Concoria incident which claimed over 27 lives. Maybe Americans can take comfort in the fact that they weren't American cruise ships. Costa Allegra and Costa Concordia however are operated by Costa Crociere of Genoa, Italy, which is owned by the Florida based Carnival.

So how safe are we when we board one of those luxury cruise lines on our next vacation? According to a blog posted in the transportation section of thehill.com on January 16, a spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said the Costa Concordia accident was a "terrible tragedy," but not a common problem. The CLIA also reported that "accidents such as (the Costa Concordia) are extremely rare occurrences in the cruise industry and cruises continue to be one of the safest means of travel among all types of vacationing."

Here are just a couple of things you should keep in mind when deciding to book your next cruise:
1. A safety drill called a "Muster Drill" must be conducted within the first 24-hours of sailing. This drill should include instructions on how to use life jackets and where to gather in case of an emergency. Find out ahead of time what the safety procedures are. Once on board, they should be listed on the back of your cabin door.

2. One Fox News correspondent stressed that you should pick a cruise line that specializes in your native language. Having to listen to five languages simultaneously as most European ships do, can be very confusing and stressful in a life and death situation.

3. If disaster strikes: Look for the ship's officers, get your life jacket, and know where to find life rafts just in case life boats are not available.

Until the next incident out at sea (and let's hope there isn't another one), happy sailing everyone.

Three more days for Seven Minutes In Heaven

Remember the game Seven Minutes In Heaven? Two of your friends were selected to go into the closet for seven minutes to do whatever they wanted, which mostly consisted of making out. These days, making out in a closet is is for wimps. Or maybe it just seems to me that teens these days are more about going into a closet for seven minutes and playing their luck with pregnancy and HIV. Anyway, I'm straying from the point. Seven Minutes In Heaven is back!

Thanks to the talented minds of Jessica Garcia and Linda Arredondo, SMIH will be on display Saturday, March 3 from 6pm to 10pm at the Fox Motel located on 302 Newell Avenue, just Northeast of the downtown area. And if you ask me, the curators of this sexually inspired art show picked the perfect location. The disclaimer on the invitation alone is enough to peek one's interest: "Warning: This show contains explicit imagery."

For those of you not from San Antonio, or just not familiar with Fox Motel, it's got quite the reputation for renting out rooms by the hour. I don't think an explanation is required for you to get the picture of the kind of seedy establishment this is. But who are we kidding, we all know sex sells, right?

According to a press release, SMIH is a "curated group exhibition of 13 artists whose artworks will explore ideas of the erotic and notions of sexuality."

Erotic art is intended to evoke erotic arousal by depicting sexual scenes. The exhibition will feature paintings, sculpture, performance, and site specific installations. The featured artists include Alfonso Espronceda, Ana Fernandez, Catherine Garant, Wesley Harvey, Mira Hnatyshyn, Barbara Justice, Jung-Hee Mun, Kelly Reid Walls, Matt Van Hellen, Vincent Valdez, John Cody, and works from the curators Garcia and Arredondo.

Although I wish I could give you more information as to what to expect on Saturday night, I'm still in the dark myself. Although I can say that Fernandez, one of the artists, hinted about an installation she would be exhibiting on a bed in one of the rooms. It's an installation which she admits was inspired by the venue itself.

The show is free to the public. Music will be provided by DJs Phoenix and Sneaky Le Sneak. Food will be available from the Chili Queens Food Truck. For more information, you can visit the Facebook page for SMIH at www.facebook.com/events/217671898321853/

What are they singing about now?!

So Katy Perry's new album is scheduled to drop March 27th. But really, can we call it a new album? Not really. Teenage Dream: The Complete Collection is a special edition album which includes all 12 tracks from her original Teenage Dream album, but also includes three new songs, and a mix of her six No. 1 hits.

So technically, it's a new album because you don't own it, but seriously, it has all the same music you've heard before. According to critics, her latest song, Part of Me, is supposed to give listeners a darker side of Perry, given her post-breakup situation with former husband Russell Brand.

One Aol Music blogger said that Perry's music is being described as "darker" and "deeper." The blog went on to say that Bonnie McKee, a collaborating songwriter of Perry's, told MTV News that Perry is "going through some major life changes, so it's not all about bubble gum and fun."

I have to admit, I listened to Part of Me for the fist time tonight, and despite the lyrics of the song, the melody is still bubble gum and fun to me. Who hasn't done the whole post-breakup "fuck you" song thing anyway?

Let's go back to a Jagged Little Pill that Alanis Morissette sprung on us in 1995. It was such an angry album with an edgy sound. And who can't forget 6x Grammy winner Adele who poured her heart out about her loser ex. And although everyone loves a little Taylor Swift, we all know she's talking about her latest tragic relationship. Katy Perry's words may be a little "darker," but her music will remain the same pop fun that we've been getting from her, and that is why her fans will continue to support her.

Another major recording artist in the headlines today is Britney Spears. According to multiple sources, Britney, along with Janet Jackson and Fergie have been linked to the new season of The X Factor. But according to the Chicago Sun-Times, it seems Britney has the best shot at this point.

While others seem to be on the fence regarding Spears as a judge, the fact is whether or not people thing she has a voice or not, she's been very successful in the music industry. Did anyone seriously believe that Paula Abdul had a great voice? Granted Abdul never shaved her head in public, nor did she have a very public meltdown where she had to rise from the ashes, Abdul also had a pretty fruitful music career.

With another successful album and tour behind her, Spears seems like she may have time to devote to a tv show, but who knows what will happen at this point.