This week has been busy, but good busy. I’ve worked a lot and I’ve been unusually productive and I’ve been watching a lot of movies and TV on DVD. I went to the New Beverly with my friend Bob for a kung fu double feature at the two-month-long Quentin Tarantino-programmed Grindhouse Film Festival. I’ve been watching Twin Peaks with Rudy (his first time) in preparation for the impending release of Season 2 on DVD.

We made the trek up to CalArts for a screening of Wild Tigers I Have Known, one of the most affecting and unique films I have seen in a long time. The director, Cam Archer, did a Q&A (moderated by my former mentor– the illustrious French critic of Chinese cinema, Berenice Reynaud– who, literally, had no idea who I was) after the film. Cam holds claim to the title of being the youngest person to have participated in the Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab. It was inspiring to hear such a down to earth filmmaker talk about how he got his film made. It made me realize that, even with my propensity for doing things my own way, I think way too much about making films the “right” way as opposed to how I’d be naturally inclined to.

I go to a weekly poker night organized by my friend Kyle, “for talented and interesting gay men”. What that means is: no straight people, and no women. Kind of fascist, but that’s how we roll. I hosted the night for the first time on Monday, clearing out the Black Diamond living room (which was still in post-traumatic shock from our recent out-of-control crowded Pisces Party) to make room for twenty talented and interesting gay men. Wednesday I photo assisted for Bob’s boss, Catherine Ledner. She was shooting a veritable menagerie of assorted animals in synthesized domestic settings– a sloth, an alligator, a hedgehog, a miniature fox (who, in a moment of true tragedy, devoured a mouse– and fellow animal model– that the trainer was dangling above him, in a bid to make stand on his hind legs) and the two remaining mice.

But most importantly, this week I put together my very first zine. It’s called “Green Nights Ablaze With Snow“. I wanted to create something physical and put it Out There. There’s something highly satisfying in holding an object in your hands that you created. I mean, what would I do if the Internet collapsed tomorrow? There would be no record of my existence. Rudy used to write a zine called Scutter back in the 90’s that eventually turned into a nonprofit music festival that donated college scholarships to gay teenagers. So that kind of inspired me, even if I can’t hope to be so radical or philanthropic with this simple offering of my short stories and photos.

I’ve been meaning to make something like this for a long time, so I finally organized a photo shoot last weekend and spent the rest of the week going back and forth to Kinko’s putting it together. It’s three short stories and a handful of new photos that are all kind of about gay love (and shit like that). I’m going to try and get some independent book stores to sell it through consignment, but for now you can buy it directly from me (you know, if you have a couple extra bucks). It’s $5.00, including shipping.