Timothy Bloom: the music and the [nude] man.

Oh my god. This video would be insanely hot and steamy if the song wasn't so insanely beautiful. Proof that sometimes sweetness trumps sex.

I may have just cried a little watching. Enjoy.



Download the track from Said the Gramophone.

Calvin Klein's raciest ad yet ires Aussies.

The other night at Marianne Williamson's weekly lecture (yes, this cynical atheist went to hear a woman who talks about miracles and God speak--what of it??), Williamson took time to bring attention to the above billboard--the raciest ad yet from a brand that has built its name on racy ads. Calvin Klein has long sold everything from jeans to perfume to tighty whities with the attitude that sex sells. And sell, despite many controversies over the year, it has. The controversy has even become a marketing tool in itself--recently played up by the brand with a billboard on Sunset Blvd. that showed nothing but a scannable code, through which the user could see the ad's naughty bits from home--implying that the image was too risque even for the Sunset Strip.

Which brings us to the recent hype about this now-censored billboard in Australia--the nation (slash continent)'s Advertising Standards Bureau has decided that model Lara Stone looks like she may be getting raped by three handsome, if expressionless young men and has demanded the billboard come down.

Do I buy it? No, not so much. To me, it looks like her blank stare matches the gentelmen's perfectly and they're all tangled up in a consensual orgy of equal disinterest.

Perhaps, however, I'm being callous and insensitive and should be more of a stodgy feminist about all this.

What are your thoughts?

[via AOL News via Marianne Williamson]

Culver City ArtWalk. I came, I saw, I took pictures.

What's cheaper than art I can't afford? Taking pictures of my favorite pieces that I can't afford and posting those pics here for posterity. Almost like having them on my walls. But much, much smaller and only visible on my Mac Book. As opposed to, ya know my walls.

N.B. There is a picture of a small boy in here. He is NOT an example of something I'd like to have on my wall. Do not get the wrong idea. But he did play nicely with my god-doggie.

N.Very.B. Galleries repped below include Carmichael Gallery, LeBasse Projects, Corey Helford Gallery, and Thinkspace, amongst others. Stop by and support all of them! The Culver City arts community is incredible and deserves the city's attention.

This is an illustration. I will give it no other disclaimer.

In searching for illustrators for a project today I came across this interesting designer with an, um, interesting perspective.

Thought it was worth sharing.

Design Dish: Sex sells. Armani Exchange. Big whoop.

Armani Exchange, the fashion brand best at putting its name on everything, has now figured out how to capitalize off of today's hot topic--same sex relations. The brand's latest campaign, titled 'Share the Love,' features a trifecta of man-on-man, woman-on-woman, and good ole hetero action. And considering that each couple shares a participant in common, one might say that the ad also implies a good ole partner swap.

Of course, some people are angry. Because some people are always angry. About something or other. The American Family Association's OneMillionMoms.com wants to clean up the 'filth' and [blah blah blah, whatever]. Well, OneMillionMoms--I have this to say to you. A) You should be happy--Armani features the hetero couple in the most contrasting photo of the three. The brand's clearly not as daring as you'd like them out to be. B) The couples aren't actually engaging in anything more than a brush-by. I saw more action at your church last Sunday. And C) Have you seen the other filth that's out there?! Hanna Montana is as straight as an arrow and as slutty as a sexpot. Go take her poster off your kids' wall before you take stabs at Armani Exchange. That brand's got enough to worry about without your yammering.

[via New York Magazine]

Text o'the Day: Hey Papi Wus Up

Earlier today, in a case of mistaken phone identity, I had the pleasure of participating in the following conversation over text...

Texter: Hey PAPI WUS UP WIT U

Me: Who is this?

Texter: Dis is DASHKA U GAVE ME UR NUMBA OFF MYSPACE U LEFT IT ON MA COMMENT DO YOU REMBER OR U STILL NOT SURE?

Me: Wrong number.

Well, not 'rember'ing Dasha or our apparent MySpace love affair, I entered in Dashka's name in the MySpace search box, intrigued by who might show up.

What showed up was this:

Allow me to zoom in closer so that you might get a better glimpse of Daksha's literary interests.

I am so, so scared.

People who take themselves too seriously debate: Vanity Fair -- sexy or sexist?

I just found this amazing picture on WomenAndHollywood.com. She thinks it’s awful. I think it’s friggin phenomenal.

It makes fun of the 2006 Vanity Fair (cover sporting Tom Ford with Hollywood beauties Scarlett Johannson and Keira Knightley.

She thinks that cover was sexist. I think it was pretty rad. Can a picture that features two vastly different female forms and a gay guy all getting cozy together really be that offensive?

[Women & Hollywood – Sexist Alert: Vanity Fair Comedians]
[Gawker – The Vanity Fair Cover: Hey, Who Invited Tom Ford]

4 year old takes hooker to school for show and tell.

The above picture was taken this morning on the corner of Vermont and Wilshire on my way to work. I was as shocked as I'm sure you are that this small child had picked up this woman on the street. He kept reaching for her hand, while she attempted to free her hands in order to keep her skirt below hoo-ha level. Kids are growing up so fast these days.

Oh...that's his mother? Well then, I have no words.

Blast from the past: Lisa Frank

In recent weeks, I've been reminded of a collection of characters and colors I'd long forgotten--those of Lisa Frank. I've been struck by memories of the colorful rainbows, unicorns, bears (like 'Hollywood Bear' above) and puppies that decorated every school supply I could get my hands on--the designs were vibrant and magical--they made the purchase of a binder exciting, the use of a notepad exhilirating. In the '80s, of course, the brand didn't include recently added characters like 'Glamour Girl'--the purple haired bobble head that looks like a hooker, likes 'getting manicures' and dislikes 'taking out the trash and camping.' But the fantastical cast of dancing bears and other magical friends were an integral part of my childhood, and one I'm glad to have remembered.

Even the porn industry takes a hit.

Apparently, even sex and porn are not immune from the economy's recent nosedive. BizBash reports today that Playboy will be suspending its annual Super Bowl party this year. The article quotes a Playboy representative as saying "we didn’t want to compromise the integrity of our event." Integrity. Hmmmm. Really makes you think.

This news closely follows the plea by Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis and Hustler's Larry Flynt for a porn bailout. For, as Flynt put it, "it's time for Congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America."

Well, folks--there you've got it. The people have spoken. The sex addicts and porn junkies are hurting. They are hurt and they are outraged! Can we, as a people, sit by and watch this happen? Well...yes, yes--I think so.

[BB: Playboy nixes Super Bowl Party]
[Huffington Post: Porn Bailout]

Photo Credit: BizBash

Cunning cunnilingus in Kentucky.

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Marketplace: Thicker and wider, you say?

As you may already know, I'm partial to radio infomercials, commercials and, in general, anything marketed at me while I'm too distracted to put up a fight. So, the other night when I heard a radio spot for Prolixus, the only product on the market that will make a penis wider and thicker [because, there is, apaprently, a distincton between the two] and was being offered with a free tape measure no less, I had to find out more.

In googling the product, I've not had much luck finding the free tape measure offer [sorry guys--you'll just have to trust that your member is growing], but I did find out a bit more about the creators of this miracle drug.

Apparently, '3 former medical students' discovered the amazing formula. The three fellas below are pictured...

I'd like to point out that nowhere does it say that these images depict the actual creators, does it mention their names, a way to reach them, or does it say that the inventive students ever actaully earned their degree.

Value: The website for Prolixus promises that with use 'you'll see...women are worshipping you and desiring sex from you more often!' If this thing works...priceless. If it doesn't work, but you can find the deal with the free tape measure...4 bucks.

The verdict: My guess--you'll have more luck enlarging your hoo-ha with a pump and some penis pilates. As for 'enhancement,' I'm sure you can find some ways to spice things up that don't involve a 60 day pill regimen.

Photo credit: Prolixus.net

Special delivery. One rich bitch.

When talking of the things I'd never done before, I used to be able to count ordering items off the radio amongst them. That was before last Saturday. Maybe it's been the general economic climate. Maybe it was a suspicion that my employer would file for Chapter 11 just two days laster. Or maybe it was just the early morning, pre-caffeine haze clouding my judgement. But as I drove along, listening to the paid programming that's airing more often now on my am news station, I was enraptured.

Loral Langemeier was being 'interviewed' on the air about her wealth-building philosophies--essentially that each of us can be rich--a millionaire, she'd say. And it's by capitalizing on things you're already doing. Let's say you're always watching the neighbors' kids...start a day care business. Perhaps you just love to knit...start ebaying those scarves in your closet (just because your family thinks they're awful doesn't mean someone in Alaska won't need one come winter). Or maybe you're already sleeping around town like a wild rabbit...well, get paid for those hours honey!

Since I already have hobbies--I like to write, I like taking walks, I like cleaning my sock drawer--I figured one of these interests might be sellable. Why not start a business of separating out my tall socks from the short ones?

I arrived home tonight with a reminder of this car ride--the call I hurriedly made and the conversation I had with a gentleman who asked what my financial goals were, tried to sell me a 'free' series of books and cds, and gladly took my VISA number. My book and CD (free, but for $9.99 shipping and tax) had arrived!

It was only now that I thought to do a little research on Loral. I've learned that her company, Live Out Loud, doesn't take too kindly to cancellations and isn't that keen on refunds. One woman calls her 'a crook.' Another warns that she'll 'sleep with your husband.' Well, luckily I'm not married. And I don't have much to steal. But needless to say, I might have looked into this before I provided my home address and banking info to her cronies on the phone.

In the event that I am evicted next week due to overdue payments I didn't realize I'd owe to the 'Loral Langemeier Knows I'm an Idiot and Will Buy Anything' Foundation, I'm going to get to reading my free 'Millionaire Maker' book tonight and listening to the free CD as soon as possible.

Here's to a richer tomorrow,
Your friend [the sucker] Jessie B. R.

Google game - Rich Things.

Over the last 2 days, I have heard about even more people in my circle of industry friends getting laid off. Yesterday I even walked in on 2 colleagues packing files, removing personal affects off the walls, and being watched by eagle-eyed HR folks who stood in the corner as they stowed their hard work and years of dedication into brown cardboard boxes.

I am sad for my buddies, am shocked that the companies who've let them go don't know their worth, but am even more frightened by an economy so drastically recessed that it's driving businesses to cut out the very assets that make them tick. It must be bad when you cut off your nose to spite your face...or is it the hand that feeds you...you see my point, I'm sure.

So, to cheer myself up, I turned to a little inspiration from Google. I entered rich things into the search bar to see what would pop up in Images--I thought that perhaps I'd find a picture to illustrate the more important 'rich things' in life--perhaps a mother hugging her child? A field of lush growth? You know, the things I can hope to attain if I too lose my job and have only grain rice left to eat.

Instead, amongst images of Hillary Duff in tight jeans and rappers in front of customized SUVs, the only thing to catch my eye was the above grill, bedazzled into the mouth of a male who appears not only to have bad taste but also terribly sparse facial hair.

And this fine specimen to the left. I suppose I can figure out how such a--well, large--item might be considered a 'rich thing.' But I was not nearly curious enough to unearth the picture's context in the article. I'll leave that to you, my reader, to whom I wish the richest things and finest weekends.

xo * Jessie