MOB WIVES: At Big Ang's Book Launch

Last night my loyal photographer Dr. Jeff and I attended the launch party for the new book by Mob Wives breakout star Big Ang, whose own show debuted this summer. Immediately upon our arrival promoter Chip Duckett hustled us to a downstairs lounge where Ang and I chatted about her Staten Island nightclub, the Drunken Monkey, which recently began hosting a night called TuesGays. "Oh my gaaawd, Joe, the place is fricken packed!"

Back upstairs we chatted with Mob Wives stars Ramona and Karen and Big Ang cast member Linda, but much to the dismay of the bear contingent in the room, the histrionic Renee and her (sometimes) best pal and hair-pulling champion Drita were not in attendance. Later I worried Boy Culture blogger Matt Rettenmund somewhat when I too-loudly began speculating about what seemed to be gun bulges under the suit jackets of some of the large men quietly observing the goings-on. Thank you, open bar.

GLAAD Manhattan 2012

A couple of days ago my loyal photographer Dr. Jeff and I attended GLAAD Manhattan, a casino-themed fundraiser that swarmed with a couple of dozen of the Housewives, news anchors, pop stars, nightlife legends and a few regular schmoes like us. In the slideshow below you'll find the likes of MSNBC host Thomas Roberts and his fiance, GMA weatherman Sam Champion, disco legend Martha Wash, American Idol's Kimberly Locke, radio star Elvis Duran, actor Wilson Cruz, and a galaxy of Bravo-verse stars that we'll have to depend on you to name. (The duck lips will help you ID the Housewives.) I'm in there somewhere at the end. Full-screen photos.

Morning View - Manhattan From Brooklyn

Submitted by Dr. Jeff. Embiggens nicely.

Afternoon View - Manhattan From The BQE

Submitted by Dr. Jeff.

Photo Of The Day

Here's another shot that Dr. Jeff took as he landed at LGA. Amazing and embiggens wonderfully. Previously.

Photo Of The Day

Dr. Jeff snapped this as he landed at LGA yesterday. Embiggen and dig how huge the new WTC tower is getting.

Daily Grumble

Last night Dr. Jeff and I saw Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. Two tickets, two medium drinks, one large popcorn, Twizzlers: $47. SRSLY. And we saw it at the decidedly downmarket Beekman, whose houses probably haven't been updated since the mid-80s. No 3-D, no stadium seating, regular sound.

Freep This Cat Lady Poll

As a silly diversion from all this DADT drama, I promised Dan Savage I'd help him freep this Tidy Cat poll in favor of his cat lady relative, Colleen K. In return, Dan has promised to lunch with MY cat lady, Dr. Jeff, a massive Savage Love fan who'll be watching Shelley while I'm in Florida for two weeks over the holidays. So go vote for Colleen K. It'll make Dr. Jeff and Shelley very happy.

SLIDESHOW: Blowoff NYC

Another fantastic Blowoff party last night, where I hung out for a bit with Alan Cumming and singer/songwriter Aiden James, and met lots of handsome JMG readers. And Rich Morel even played his smoking remix of Cumming's Next To Me, one of my favorite tracks of the year. Full-screen photos are here. Enjoy the hotties.

Slideshow: Instinct Magazine's Leading Men Of 2009 Party

Thursday night's party for Instinct Magazine's Leading Men Of 2009 issue was a blast. Editor Mike Wood and publisher JR Pratts were genial hosts, the open bar flowed copiously and the room swelled with bold face names, much to the delight of my loyal companions Dr. Jeff and Father Tony. Jeff intro'd me to some Project Runway dude (Velvet?) and Tony positively squealed when Amanda Lepore arrived on the arm of gay rapper Cazwell. And it was cool to see my mug flashed on the overhead screens, even though the crowd was more interested in hearing Tardy For The Party, in regard to which DJ Bill Coleman did not disappoint. Gay pop artist Ari Gold performed a couple of discofied numbers, after which Father Tony tipsily decided to don Ari's mirrorball helmet. After leaving the very swank venue, Soho's Greenhouse, we decided to drop in at Gym Bar in Chelsea, where our Instinct gift bags were promptly stolen off a cocktail table. Ah, well. I didn't need all that fancy hair product anway. It was a great night and I humbly thank Instinct Magazine and their team. Some of the photos below are lifted from Father Tony's Flickr set, which is here.