Manhattan Offender

Name dropped? Really?

ON THE PHONE, AT HOME, EARLY EVENING FRIDAY

Dan:  I read your name today.
Me:  My site?  I haven't posted to it forever.
Dan:  No, your name.  Writer Rod Townsend in the East Village.
Me:  But I don't live in ...
Dan:  No, it was about the East Village and how you're ... hold on, I'll grab it.
Me:  What is 'it'?
Dan:  Oh, Time Out.  The East Village issue.  Here.  Wait ... Okay, "The Hose, Who you'll see:  Guys in muscle tees and trucker hats, writer Rod Townsend, DJ Josh Sparber and Justin Bond (one half of Kiki & Herb)".
Me:  Why would anybody care where or what Rod Townsend goes or does?  Did they quote somebody?
Dan:  No, it's just ...
Me:  Who wrote it?
Dan:  Leslie Price.
Me:  Is that a girl or a guy?
Dan:  It doesn't really say.  It's not a big deal and it's not why I called anyway.  About the beach tomorrow, ...

As it's the first time I've seen my name in print in such a manner, it has me a little confused.  This is not a person "on the scene" for sure; it says so in my ManHunt profile.  My recommendation for just about anything is not something one would typically follow.  As for The Hose, well, yes, I've been there a lot, especially for the now defunct MooseKnuckle.  (Also, pictured in the article is Scott Anthony, so maybe there is some technophile thing going there.)  It did sort of encourage me to start writing again, so, um, thanks?

You see, when you've studied comedy, sometimes you lose track of "the funny" and you start to look at it as, "How would I have handled that?" This takes the joy out of it, but when John Stewart agrees with you, it provides a gratification.

(See yesterday's post if this makes no sense to you.)

Study: Facebook profiles can be used to detect narcissism

"because narcissists tend to have more contacts on Facebook, any given Facebook user is likely to have an online friend population with a higher proportion of narcissists than in the real world."

I'd say my 200 friends is a good number.  Especially since I own the fact that only twenty per cent are people I would say I really consider friends.

Link: Study: Facebook profiles can be used to detect narcissism.

Gaybies is not a rash, but it is spreading

If you're interested in papayatinis, Mary J. Blige, momos, hot tubs, Clay Aiken, Dyna-Douches, Promises, thupkas, Ricky Martin, physical trainers, Gewurztraminers, or Paul Wolfowitz then perhaps you might be interested in this article on the new gay power accessory, the gaybie.  It's my first piece at Radar, and hopefully not my last.  I hope you enjoy it.

Link: Radar Online : The New Accessory for Hollywood's Single Fathers? Gaybies, of Course!.

My opening of a Twitter account does not imply a belief that mine is an interesting life.

There was a party Friday night where I found myself discussing where one places oneself at a party.  My thesis was that those in the middle of a room, actively seeking attention from large groups were far less interesting than those on the sides of the room, observing the action and having intimate, less competitive (as it were) discussions.  While not a slam against the 23 year old petite Kuwaiti with whom I was chatting (from my location, lounging in a hammock in the corner), since he was of the 'middle-of-the-room' set, he took it as such.   Being gracious, I suggested that we were both right.

But what does that have to do with Twitter, the site of those who believe the minutiae their lives to be interesting enough to be publishable "content"?  My guess is that the majority are middle-of-the-room types, wearing summer scarves, bright accessories, and with amazing stories of what happened to them on the subway on the way to amazing parties.  So what happens when a different mindset attaches itself to the website du jour (or d'hier, since I'm late to this story; even the freaking Times is twatting, um, tweeting.)

Further, I'm looking at how the Internet has increasingly transferred from outsiders looking in to outsiders looking to be in.  Is this part of the hand-off from Generation X to Millennials, or is it simply a matter of different personality types being attracted to the medium?  Or is it a matter of the technology dumbing down enough becoming more accessible to be used by a wider assortment of users?  Or maybe it's a system of "begats" going back to the 90's?  Anyway, it's something I'm sort of focusing on currently.

With the above, I've rationalized my narcissism enough to self-delude myself that this post isn't a beg-off for followers on Twitter.  (Oh, and follow me!)

Rod Townsend is a criminal. And so is Rod Townsend. (But Julia Allison is a convicted vagrant.)

While I'm not on the database pulling criminal records from all fifty states, it seems that everyone else with my name is.  Go and try it yourself.  Put in names of friends and family and coworker and media personalities.  (Did I just join the Julia Allison namedrop-for-clusterfuck parade?)

Link: Criminal Searches - Summary.

Via:  http://www.facebook.com/share_redirect.php?h=4e02d0a49bc601893e286b425af02ee6&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2008%2F08%2F03%2Ftechnology%2F03essay.html%3Fex%3D1375502400%26en%3Dc088f5e09b684874%26ei%3D5124%26partner%3Dfacebook%26exprod%3Dfacebook&sid=33628534920

Via Raf.

Standing next to people in their early twenties is never a good idea if you're a homo in his early forties

Begin rant.

Seriously?  Upon multiple requests that my picture not be taken, the two frozen margaritas finally allowed the control freak in me to subside.  It's not a lack of self-esteem or confidence.  Nor is it a displeasure with the fact that I am, in fact, aging in a way very typical of my heritage.   I'm cool with the genetic/environmental hand I've been dealt.

It's a knowledge that just cannot be imparted to a spunky 20-something event photographer (whom I adore and would totally bang if he weren't straight):  Flash photography enhances shadows, and therefore, the lines and crevices formed when smiling, winking, etc. So if you're not going to photoshop the hell out of a flashed photo, please, oh please, just don't take it.

End rant.

Link: DSC_0200.

Manhattan Offender must die so that Rod Townsend may live

Over the weekend, all of the bloggery here will be transferred to the rodtownsend.com site.  And all of the lolgay.com info will go there as well. 

(And lolgay.com expires next week.  I'm debating its renewal.)

2007: It was a year that started with a two and ended with a seven: Part Five, the year in pictures (of me)

Navel gazing

Just a quick note that my 'bio' site is redone.  There are changes afoot that demand improvements there.  Some may pan out.  Some may not.  Regardless, it was time to put an hour or two back into the basic piece. 

Obviously, the html is wonky in places.  The picture is 'meh'.  But for a self-published person, I'm okay with it.

Check it out!