25 May 2008 11:00
Chicago, IL –- Derek and I arrived and made our entrance at the Grabbys with the crew from Titan. Sister Roma was there with NakedSword on the red carpet and we stopped for a quick interview with the paparazzo’s cameras flashing away. Once inside we had an opportunity to reconnect with some of our friends in the industry before settling into our seats with the guys from Titan and LeatherPost.
Early into the show, Brian Mills was inducted into the Grabby Wall of Fame. I was happy for him. Brian is one of my favorite people in the business and has become a trusted friend. His work is among the very best in the industry and the honor is well deserved. Congratulations.
Not long afterward the nominees for Best Fetish Video (Extreme) were read. Fear had been nominated in this category and it would be dishonest of me not to admit Derek and I had high hopes for Titan taking home this particular award. We had worked hard, along with many others, on Fear to bring content that resonated with the leather/Sm community and we were looking that effort (and the market) to be recognized at this level. As the nominees were read, Brian turned to me and said, “You know, if we win, you and Derek need to come up with me.” The picture (captured by fellow TitanMen Exclusive Dillon Buck) above shows the three of us accepting the award on behalf of Titan.
During the second half of the show, Derek and I were slated to present a couple of awards with our friend Ago Viara. While I didn’t know it prior to the show, it became clear that each set of presenters had a bit of shtick, so I rigged a couple of matching Shibari harnesses on the boys before we went on stage (photo Left). Derek and Ago looked so good I wished we were in a dungeon instead of at an awards show. Mr Pam had made a shout out to Derek and I earlier in the evening talking about how her hand hurt from punching Derek in the nuts the night before so I encouraged her to come up and repeat the experience for the audience. It was definitely a blast if not a little over the top.
Some quick shout outs: Steven Sarborough and Hot House, congratulations; Braxton Bond, it was great to see you again and I’d love to see you in LA sometime soon; Josh Vaughn, wish we could do a scene together… I’ll bet you cry real pretty; Ago Viara, you are so fucking hot if I don’t get to do a scene with you I’ll go crazy; Steve Cruz, keep up all the good work buddy; and Mr Pam, keep up the training ‘cause you pack a punch.
Tags: Art Films, Boys, Fear, Grabbys, LeatherPost, Rigging, Titan Media
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15 February 2008 21:20
San Francisco, CA – Derek was waiting for me when I arrived at the Oakland International airport. It was so good to see him standing there in baggage claim. The time apart is rough on both of us and it had been three weeks since we last saw each other. After the short shuttle into San Francisco we checked in at the W and found our room.
What I didn’t find in my luggage nearly wrecked me. While unpacking I found the notice from the Transportation Safety Administration Notice indicating that my bag had been inspected at Sea/Tac Airport. What I didn’t find was my six-foot David Morgan Bullwhip. Panic struck when I didn’t immediately see it after I saw the Notice and pulled out my CHC colors vest revealing my boots and the three smaller bags containing my head kit, rigging kit and miscellaneous equipment.
Side Bar: I tend to be a very organized packer. I served as the Embarkation NCO for my artillery battery in the Marine Corps. Even the NATO style backpack I use for carry-on contains a smaller bag for socks and underwear (if any) along with my neatly rolled clothing for the trip… a place for everything and everything in its place.
So, the sinking felling of loss came before I even pulled the last item out of my checked bag. Apparently somewhere between Check-In at SEA and Baggage Claim at OAK someone with access to my bag had stolen the bullwhip I had spent nearly $700 purchasing and countless hours conditioning for use of the past year. Those of you that throw single-tails will understand the crushing effect this could have had on my spirit.
I called TSA. Right. I called lost and found at SEA/TAC as directed. Give me a break. Once I finally got through the automated system after being directed back to a second number for the same TSA call center and being effectively disconnected through a dead-end menu option, the ever so helpful representative informed me that no one had turned in a (What color was it again?) black whip. Check back in on Tuesday and thanks for calling. Click.
Stand up, step back and take a deep breath. In anger management I was taught that Rule #1 was Don’t Put Yourself in Situations that Piss You Off, but you can’t always avoid those situations, so I employed the backup plan. I counted to ten then reviewed my options and analyzed the efficacy of each before acting impulsively.
I call Alaska Airlines’ MVP Customer Care. Christine was far more helpful. She took my report, initiated a corporate investigation and suggested I download, print, complete and submit a few forms to the TSA when I got home. I called the Port Authority Police Department after that and filed a Stolen Property Report. Do you think if I filed a request to waterboard every agent that had access to my bag with the Department of Homeland Security to determine any information relating to the theft on the item in question would place me on a watch list?
Punish-fucking Derek like he was a baggage handler and dinner followed.
As it turns out, the GayVN Summit held before the awards show, was located at the W this year and as we walked back into the lobby we ran into Mr. Pam (pictured on the left) the Director of the Tim & Roma Show and were quickly invited up to the Falcon Personals sponsored cocktail party upstairs. Derek and I got to see a few of our Industry friends. While there, Stacey from Gay Chicago Magazine and the Producer of the Grabbys asked Derek and me to be presenters at this year’s event and we agreed. I also got to meet Jonah Davies, the author of the Unzipped Magazine interview in person and thank him for the article.
One rather shocking moment came when Michael Lucas introduced himself, said he knew who I was and congratulated me on my performance in Breakers. That was followed by an involved conversation with one of the executives from Falcon about niche markets, movies that feature heavier play and his perception of my introduction into adult films. It was an interesting event to say the least.
We’re off to the Eagle and then the Powerhouse for some playtime.
Tags: Art Films, BDSM, Boys, GayVNs, Grabbys, Press
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by Titan Media
by Titan Media
by Titan Media
by Titan Media
Chicago, IL –- Derek and I arrived and made our entrance at the Grabbys with the crew from Titan. Sister Roma was there with NakedSword on the red carpet and we stopped for a quick interview with the paparazzo’s cameras flashing away. Once inside we had an opportunity to reconnect with some of our friends in the industry before settling into our seats with the guys from Titan and LeatherPost.
During the second half of the show, Derek and I were slated to present a couple of awards with our friend Ago Viara. While I didn’t know it prior to the show, it became clear that each set of presenters had a bit of shtick, so I rigged a couple of matching Shibari harnesses on the boys before we went on stage (photo Left). Derek and Ago looked so good I wished we were in a dungeon instead of at an awards show. Mr Pam had made a shout out to Derek and I earlier in the evening talking about how her hand hurt from punching Derek in the nuts the night before so I encouraged her to come up and repeat the experience for the audience. It was definitely a blast if not a little over the top.