Above:
Jon by Chris Teel
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Happy Birthday today February 5th
Happy 28th Darren!
R.I.P Samcedes
Speaking of Glee, the delicious Chord Overstreet is another alum I am hoping we see lots more of after the show ends this spring. Chord is pretty much sex on a stick and one of the few reasons I have checked back in every once in awhile the last season or two.
Thumbs down to Glee this season however for a couple of reasons. First off, in possibly a money saving move, the show has been claiming 'the entire old gang' is back together, but in truth the entire gang are rarely all together in a scene. One of my favorites, Harry Shum Jr won't appear for another few episodes and although most of the rest of original cast is back, they are shuffled in and out at different times, usually not all together in an effort to make us thing there is an actual crowd in that choir room. They are also usually not used for anything other than glorified extras's hanging out in the background.
In truth, most of the supporting cast of Glee have rarely been used enough, usually serving as background to Kurt and Rachel, the two cast members the writers have tried to shove down our throats. Lea Michelle and Chris Colfer are talented, but to me, they have become insufferable characters, annoying and the least interesting of the group. I would much rather see more of Sam, Mercedes, Mike, Puck, well any of them! Amber Riley is one of the most talented singers and actress's the show has had, yet it continues to push her aside in favor of Michelle.
One of last seasons few bright spots to me, was Samcedes, the romantic pairing of Sam and Mercedes. The two have dated on and off over the last few seasons and last year they finally gave the couple a bit of attention. This season, in order to give their star Michelle a partner, they are again pushing Mercedes aside. Thumbs down Glee, big thumbs down!
Favorite Import Of The Day: James Norton
Anyone tuning into Downton Abbey on PBS this winter could not avoid the endless commercials for the new series on Masterpiece Mystery, Grantchester. Well, the networks promotional department gets a high five for having this storm stayed and snow bound Downton Lover to tune in. It was not hard when the lead in the commercials was actor James Norton and his perfect head of blonde hair!
Grantchester is sort of the PBS version of Murder She Wrote. Maine has been replaced by small village of Grantchester and mystery writer Jessica Fletcher has morphed into the hot as hell clergyman Sidney Chambers played by Norton. The show is based on The Grantchester Mysteries, a series of novels by James Runcie. The show is not exactly ground breaking television, but Norton is a great actor who makes every scene better than the scripts that inspire them.
The producers also know they have a star on their hands, and a handsome one as they take every opportunity to get their man of the cloth out of his clothes. No nudity, just shirtless and often sweaty, secretly enjoyed especially I think by his cranky and tight housekeeper Mrs Maguire. Maguire spends a lot of time cross our dear Sidney, but me thinks she has a wee crush.
Norton's star is on the rise, so fast in fact co-star Robon Green worries he'll be fleeing Grantchester for movie roles before too long. James has already hit the big screen in Rush, Mr. Turner and Bolomo (see below). James got rave reviews playing the bad guy on the crime drama Happy Valley and will soon be seen in an updated version of Lady Chatterley's Lover and was recently cast to play gay painter Duncan Grant in new BBC2 drama Life In Squares. One to watch and if you're not watching yet, check out Grantchester, Sunday nights after Downton Abbey on PBS
Late Night Filming with James and Robon
Bonobo (2014)
'Bonobo monkeys resolve all conflict through sex, as does our hippie commune!'
James Northon
I have been trying to put my hands on a copy of Bonobo, a film released in the UK last December. Thus far, I only found the trailer, but as you can see from these caps, James appears to enjoy a little fun with the older ladies, and a little naked yoga. Bring on the DVD!
Unleashed: Jon by Chris Teel
'The pup side of me has really allowed the playful part of me out and has allowed for me to also become more assertive.'
It is odd to think that something created for the purpose of holding and restraining could actually lead to independence and freedom. Collars have historically been used to bind and control. To keep pets, and sadly at one time humans in line. Anyone who has raised a puppy, and especially anyone who has raised a child, understand that in order to teach independence and assertiveness one must start with control.
Learning self control early is essential to growth and safety. Knowing not to touch hot things, knowing the dangers of traffic all are taught not just with words but also by physical restraint. Anyone with a young child has at one point during the learning process, physically held their child back, protecting them from harms way. It is this holding back that ultimately allows them to grow and one day fly on their own without the safety net of a love one catching them if they fall.
It was this theme which is at the core of these images of Jon from Chris Teel. Jon shares that his collar and puppy play have actually been essential to helping him slowly figure out who he is and have played a huge role in helping him out of shell and to become comfortable with who he is.
When Chris first sent on Jon's images, I have to be honest and say that I was initially perplexed about some of the puppy shots and which ones I should use. I eventually decided on these images, some might argue the safe choice, but at the same time, they are the most beautiful and powerful to me. I always love how Chris shoots his subjects, and his work with Jon is no exception. I love the waste up shots, the collar and spikes and the contrast of color with Jon's dark head and body hair and the blues and turquoise from Jon's tattoo with the beautiful blue in his eyes.
'Working with Chris seemed so easy and second nature, he has a way of just letting you do your thing and then capturing the best of you with his lens. Even when we were shooting in the alley next to the warm trash he managed to snap the shots without catching the looks I was giving him regarding the overhand rat traps:)'
Jon
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