that guy - 3758 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News

Have you recovered from the deep freeze yet? As I sit here typing these words it's a dreadful -2° outside, which isn't too much warmer than it has been. Unfortunately, such bitter cold coldness can wreak havoc on an already sluggish time for bar business. In that vein, I didn't really accomplish all that much in the way of covering the scene this past week. I will attempt to stretch it out a little, thus creating the illusion that I put in a full week. I seem to be quite good at doing that. I bet you didn't know that I'm doing it right now. What's that you say? You picked up on my not-so-clever little scheme? Well aren't you razor sharp! Somebody needs to give you a big, fat cookie.

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Images: TPAN's Rhett Lindsay ( L ) and Todd Kiech ( R ) and friend at Hydrate;

With Emmanuel Garcia at Cocktail;

Brandon and friend at Mary's Attic

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Our appetites are officially whetted ( and other stuff is wet, as well ) for this year's Chicago Takes Off event on February 9. And how did we get so wet ( and whetted ) ? If you braved the cold and made it to Hydrate last Thursday, you'd be just as wet as me. Hot bodies, gyrations, all that good stuff... and all for a great cause. Thanks to Rhett, Keith and the whole TPAN bunch for blazing a trail by showing us that you can have fun and raise money at the same time. And if you see the occasional nekkid ass, so much the better.

Another woeful side-effect of the big chill is the massive inconvenience to smokers. I know, I know. 'I'm so happy I don't have to smell other people's smoke. Blah, blah, blah.' But sparking a square ain't pretty in these frigid times ( and frigid atmosphere ) . Lucky to meet a nice guy at Crew who made it a little warmer. I asked if I could take his picture and he would only do it if I gave him a cigarette. Tobacco has become a rare commodity. It's like one big prison movie some times.

Oh, Emmanuel! You are the master of the extended arm self-photography moment. That picture of us at Cocktail is a true treasure. Thank your friend for me for the intense political discussion. Nice to slip in some seriousness amid all the stripperiness ( take THAT, spell checker! ) .

And Dcota, don't think I didn't see that myspace bulletin inspired by last week's 'cakes and pies' comment in my column. I wonder if you'll be so jolly when you're skinny.

Discounting, of course, Chester A. Arthur, Buck Marshall may be our first bear president. Check out page 14 for the skinny ( or whatever the bear equivalent of 'skinny' would be... Dcota, I'm looking at you on this one ) on Bear Force One, the prescient tale of America's first hirsute head of state and his struggle to defeat the Catholics and heal a nation. I say hail to the chief!

kirk@windycitymediagroup.com

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985