My Name Is Peter

I usually don’t like to devote space on my blog – or in my mind for that matter – to people and things I find as loathsome and vile as I find Mr. Lieberman.  But tonight I had to write something.  I am in Connecticut tonight, the state where I grew up, which also happens to be Joe’s state.  And tonight, after watching the news, I find Mr. Lieberman not just moderately disgusting but absolutely appalling.  And, quite frankly, I believe he borders on corrupt.

Senator Lieberman is betraying the wishes of the very Connecticut residents who elected him to his seat in the Senate.  He is a Democrat who says he will side with Republicans and filibuster should the Health Care Reform Bill with the Public Option come to the Senate floor.

Let us not forget that this is the man who has taken large sums of money from insurance companies for his Senate campaigns.  And back in 2005, Lieberman’s wife took a position at Hill & Knowlton working on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical giant that benefited from legislation Lieberman introduced the month after his wife agreed to the position.  He is also the man who broke with his party to campaign against Obama and on behalf of John McCain.

Interestingly enough, it was not too long ago that Mr. Lieberman told reporters that he did not think Senators should engage in filibusters.

Why, Democrats, have you welcomed this man back into your caucus?  Why, President Obama, did you stand up on this man’s behalf?  Why is this man still allowed to retain his position as chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee?

Please – Democrats – distance yourselves from this charlatan.  It is time to move on.

I have been hard at work these past couple of weeks finishing up post production on two new webisodes that we shot in 3D.  Very cool, right?  They will premiere around Halloween, and I will definitely keep you apprised as to when and where you can watch!

Here I am on the set, with my 3D glasses in my hair, figuring out one of the last shots of a long day with our Director of Photography, Adrian…

As you can imagine, this whole project has been quite a challenge.  I wrote, produced and directed these webisodes, and so I want more than ever to make sure they are nothing short of outstanding.  Now, at the end of the post production process, there are a number of people working very hard to finish all the 3D compositing, the score, the sound mix, the color correction, and then to marry all these elements together into one fabulous final product.

The problem I am having today is in the realization that I must let go and accept that I cannot control everything!  And in my work life, that has always been a challenge because I am a perfectionist and an occasional control freak.  Right now, other than giving copious notes and granting my approval to the various elements coming my way, my part is essentially done.  I have to rely on the talent, ingenuity, and dedication of others as I watch from a careful distance.

My mantra today:  It always gets done.  It always comes together the way it’s supposed to.  It always get done…

I saw this ad this morning from Protect Maine Equality.  It’s a simple and yet powerful, positive message about love, faith and family.  Very well done.  Please take a look and support Protect Maine Equality.

My friend Charles sent me this video this morning.  While I don’t really endorse all of her message, there is something strangely fabulous about Ke$ha…  She’ll definitely make you smile.  Love the boombox.

It’s raining in Los Angeles today!  And I love it.  There is something so cleansing and dare I say even cathartic about a rainy day in LA, don’t you think?  Yes, today I am in a contemplative state of mind.

Bottom line – Belinda Carlisle is very cool.  Please take a look at the video message she’s recorded in support of marriage equality in Maine and across the country.  As she says in the PSA, she recorded the video “not as a musician or public figure, but as a Mom.”  She continues, “My son James is gay, and I want him and every other gay person out there to have the same opportunities and rights that I’ve had in life.”

She is absolutely right.  We must win the vote next month in Maine.  A win in Maine will send the message to our elected officials that the tide has turned, “that public opinion is with us, and it is time for Federal action.”

Please go to PROTECTMAINEEQUALITY.ORG to lend your support!

In case you have not had a chance to read Oliver’s hilarious account of his trip to Las Vegas to see Mariah Carey, you must read it!

Onstage meltdown – check
Possible pregnancy – check
Train wreck of a show – check

Quite a tale!

Kylie was fantastic!  Amazing!  There was not a minute of her show that I didn’t love.  This is how she entered…

Pretty incredible, right?

The thing is I have always liked Kylie, but I’ve never really been a die hard fan.  A Kylie gay, if you will.  My friend Oliver, however, is absolutely a Kylie gay.  He, his friend Davinia, my friend Brady and I all went together.  But I digress.

Kylie’s show was amazing, and her stage presence was undeniable.  While she was without a doubt a powerful presence and force to be reckoned with even in front of over 17,000 people, she was at the same time humble, grateful, and clearly in awe of her surroundings.

She knew her audience, too, which was the largest assembly of gay men I have seen outside of a gay pride parade.  I think there may have been 10 women there.  Total.

At one point, there were male dancers in Speedos taking showers onstage, and then they assembled beneath her so that she could walk on their hands.  Notice the shower on the right…

The show itself was an incredible spectacle of light, sound, costume, video, theatrics and general innovation.  The word ‘thrilling’ comes to mind.

Still, Kylie never once pretended to be anything she is not.  For the dance routines, her songs were layered with backing tracks for her to sing over.  And at times she would stop singing and yell, “Los Angeles!” or even talk over the music, engaging the audience, sure, but also letting us know that she knows exactly who she is.  She, like us, was there to have a great time.

But for me what truly set her apart from the pack was that she could actually have fun and be spontaneous with the audience.  She could literally step out of the routine, have an impromptu moment with the crowd and walk right back into the performance without missing a beat.

And so I left The Hollywood Bowl a huge Kylie fan.  She won me over.  I loved all her songs, and the staging was beyond.  I left there a happier, more hopeful and joyous Peter, which is, I think, how you know you’ve just seen a true superstar.

So excited. This is our view! More to come…

Check it.

While on the treadmill this morning, running up my 15 incline, I got to thinking. I have been taking Barry’s Bootcamp class for about a year and a half now. In case you haven’t had the pleasure, Barry’s Bootcamp is a totally crazy, insane ride of a workout that would give pause to even the most ardent of masochists. And yet, every morning like clockwork, Barry packs novices and fitness nuts alike into his West Hollywood location for an hour of sweat-filled abuse like you have never imagined. He has three classes Monday through Friday: 5 AM, 6:30 AM, and 8 AM. Everyday. Yes, even on holidays.

But there is something very special about Barry. Barry genuinely cares for each and every person who walks through his door with unparalleled kindness and sincerity. Sure, he yells at you and pushes you beyond what you thought humanly possible, but that’s what you are paying for! Still, the reason I believe people keep coming back day after day, week after week, year after year is because the idea is simple. You get out what you put in. No gimmicks, no unkept promises. Just hardcore sweat that equals results. And the fact that Barry is there everyday with the same caring enthusiasm. He notices how you are changing. He takes pride in the fact that even though yesterday you couldn’t quite make a 7 minute mile, today you managed to clock in at 6:57.

For me, personally, Barry’s class has changed my life. It transformed my body from the inside out. It gave me back a core strength I haven’t had since high school. But most importantly, it helped to restore my confidence in my ability to make it through life everyday. I know that if f I can survive Barry’s class first thing in the morning without vomiting, then the rest of my day is probably going to be all right.