It’s the final countdown… Insert Europe (the band) here !!!!!!!
Only the number one slot can move on to the in-person round and sing it up with seven other luck peers of Karaoke Enthusiast cheer 😀
2 for 1 Votes can really make a difference! “You help decide who will win $10,000 and a trip to LA to do karaoke with the stars!” Does that mean they’ll get me an uber? I’m a licensed (misplaced it, but found and ordered another one… so now I have two!) car-less fun loving metro rider and supporter of local spots, small biz and my fellow LA peeps!! A care bear who wants to use his magic to shine brighter w/ your assistance #LetsGetPersistent
Cast a free daily vote, or make a tax-deductible donation supporting families to overcome the financial obstacles of adoption below.
Many of the proceeds for donation votes go to supporting a great cause, via:
You may remember me from such things as… @veganwinelushorhottesome.yelp.com I was a more avid and active blogger across multiple platforms promoting body positivity, self care, creativity, kindness and overall hottesomeness… because reading is fundamental!!! And everybody’s awesome in multiple ways aka Hottesome!!
Recently coming more into the world that is after a small “blip” via quarantine life and slow strides back into all things social (physically and digitally)… Which includes a different side of sharing my experiences, interest and life through social media.
Being more creative or rather creating more frequent content seems to be effective on certain platforms, but also factoring in less media uses as well as perhaps another methodology is redefining and once again breaking the mold hashtag#BuildingTheNewhashtag#InstaTuesdayThoughts
While I agree I also think TikTok and other visual platforms have created a sense of constant sense of stimulation that can be as powerful as an infinity stone… SO much so that it leads to large breaks or a step away from the world of IG and co… Where shopping, breaking news, politics, financial opportunities, job opportunities and a literal assembly of offerings gather in one. A good mental break via self-care should always come first, so how do to return or get others to engage… Sometimes you have to break something down in order to restructure or rebuild… Letting new mediums lead can often help longstanding ones flourish by digging deep. Let fire drive what burns and rise like a phoenix [who could totally wrap up an Avengers showdown] https://youtu.be/dxytyRy-O1k?si=julxF689o6B1ve3K
A friend of mine looped me into a group study through UCLA hoping to start soon… If you’re an lgbtq+ male (or men who have been with men) Los Angeles county resident this could be a cool opportunity…(wish everyone could participate, but I think the info being gathered is for males specifically):
Who we are
We are UCLA and UC Irvine researchers in the School of Medicine. We are conducting a study about how people use Facebook to communicate with others and how Facebook can potentially be used to educate people about health.
About the study
This study is intended for males (with a special emphasis on Latino and Black males) who live in the greater Los Angeles area and are 18 years old or older, have had sex with a man in the past 12 months, are HIV negative or don’t know their status, and have a Facebook account.
Participants
This study is intended for males (with a special emphasis on Latino and Black males) who live in the greater Los Angeles area and are 18 years old or older, have had sex with a man in the past 12 months, are HIV negative or don’t know their status, and have a Facebook account.
Come one come all… as I celebrate turning 34… not a “major milestone” …but like all years of being alive it deserves to be celebrated and I can think of no other way to celebrate than with you!!!!!!
Starting Wednesday December 11th through December 17th I will be having a Yelp inspired week of shenanigans. I don’t need gifts I just need your faces and your Yelp check-ins as I go on my quest with my starter Pokemon (Jigglypuff) to collect eight badges, enter the Pokemon League and defeat the elite four….
JUST KIDDING (though I do play P-Go and misc others #gottacatchemall… but I do have badges through Yelp (mobile app only) and I’m trying to get 34 for my 34th O.O… so close and figured why not do it with friends… new and old…. and not just for those badges that require group check-ins but for the sheer joy of Yelp and spending time with YOU.
To do so… I’m just having a series of fun hangs and you’re all invited… before you run away for the holidays…
There’s different adventures, outings or eatings depending on days and I hope you can be apart of my Yelp obsession to collect more badges, review more places and have some fun photo ops with you for memories, laughs and of course YELP… lol seriously I have a problem… but everything’s better with “fronds” (Broad City reference):
I don’t in any way expect to you to attend everyday, but hopefully a weekday (after work) and/or maybe a weekend activity… por favor/s’il vous plaît/please 🙂
12/11 – Wine Wednesday – Bacchus + Happy Hour Power Badges (2 for 1) – 6ish PM until 9pm
on Ventura Blvd – (one to two roll(s) per place)
Do you know a good sushi spot?
Do you know more than one?
Let’s venture and have a roll
or deux/two at each of those/these spots:
Cho Cho San:
19010 Ventura Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356 *check in and get a free scoop of Ice Cream*
(by 630pm)
Mon Japanesse Restaurant
19463 Ventura Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356
*check in and get one free sample*
(by 745pm)
New Light & Healthy Sushi
19817 Ventura Blvd,
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
#chopsticks #soysauceinmybagswag (9pm until stuffed)
12/13 –Friday Feet Feeling – Footloose, Night Hawk (check in’s after midnight) & Instigator Badge(s)
C-Frenz
7026 Reseda Blvd
Reseda, CA 91335
(9pm-)
*might hop over to a second location – text me and see yelp collection list for details*
If you’re able to and want to attend feel free to txt me directly or DM me on Yelp (first under Quintin E.), Instagram (@hottesome) or email me at hottesome@gmail.com – I hope to see you soon… at least once 🙂
For the first time ever, the Larry Evans Cabaret series is producing a Halloween Cabaret.
Come to see polished and professional singers perform songs from The Adams Family, Toxic Avenger, Heathers and Beetle Juice. A wacky, campy, wild and hilarious night of story and song.
Five different singers will be featured for in this elaborate production..
A great night with dinner and a show for just $24, which includes a $10 credit off your dinner bill. Held in the dimly lit and creepy, but fancy Sorriso Restaurant in Old Town Pasadena. The best way to celebrate Halloween this year is happening at Sorriso on Oct. 27th, the Sunday before Halloween. We will try to clear the spider webs before you arrive. You are quite welcome to come in costume, but please don’t upstage the performers. Not to be missed! See you there!”
It’s October 19th and only just sixteen days ago Aaron Samuels (aka Jonathan Bennett, pictured above from Halloween Wars) was asking Cady Heron (Miss Lohan) what day it was… that means the limit does not exist!
It’s 12 days left until judgement… I mean costume day and we don’t know what to be… the costume game for the uniquely built can be challenging but also fun…
My Top Six Costume Idea for Guys (because we don’t step up our game enough… ladies always do it better), Couples and/or the indifferent:
Scary Theme
This isn’t that Us (2019)
Winston Duke as Gabe Wilson (or Abram); The Tethered (works for a couple, family, etc) – grab a Howard sweatshirt on amazon on possibly a quality vintage store, glasses at the dollar store if you don’t already have and dig out some old dad shorts in your closest or you dads… or better yet thrift it. The red jumpers are going from anywhere as low as $29 and as high as $70 (popular minimal piece costume indeed)
Dark Phoenix/ X-Men
Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix – will compiling a wardrobe might be costly if you can show or have a friend who can fabric is usually on great deals this time of year and cosplay is always in year around.
The X-Men (in uniform or in street clothes)
Stranger Things Gang
Will, Lucas, Eleven (Genderless – I’ve seen some cool male and androgynous versions over the years)
Building a thrift store wardrobe for this halloween might be the way to go.
Joker/Joker Inspired
with Joaquin Phoenix cleaning house as the new iconic DC super villain I imagine aside from another popular clown (Pennywise)…. this will be a party, event and bar favorite throughout the world this year.
Other easy Villains to portray – Poison Ivy (male version can be pretty fun… just go green… the faux kind… glue those leaves onto some fun earthy fabric/clothing and bam ), The Riddler, The Penguin (bust out a suit, and just grab that monocle and cheesy long cig… maybe a stuff penguin or two…)
Tarantino Made Me Do It
While Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is a classic breakout of the year it’s no Kill Bill Vol 1’s Crazy 88 is a great group costume… plus you get to carry a prop ninja sword all night and still be a tiny bit mysterious with a black mask.
Rock, Pop, Hip & Hop
legends of music are fun to listen to live and on the way to work but have you ever dressed as one for Halloween it’s a great way to remember those who only live in our heart now or honor the ones still kick butt on stage today.
Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, No Doubt (group), Beyonce, Pink, Gorillaz…. sky’s the limit on which look you want to use to capture the idol of your choice… go nuts in your closet and on google… the rest will follow… Even dressing up as your favorite actor, actress or personality can be fun or getting inspiration form their amazing costumes… Heidi Klum is the queen of Halloween
When in doubt go in the closet… you know what I mean…. Back in time to past Halloween’s, Outfits, Fashion Choices, and so on…
One year I grabbed an old oversized sweater and bored some every day accessories from my girl Christina Duran Guevara and was a flapper within 5 minutes… sometimes last minute costumes are the best…. but there is still time if ordering on Amazon… I just put in an order for some things above 😀 … check me out on Instagram, Twitter and the rest to see what I’ll be… use the hashtag #hottesomehalloween so I can like and share all your cool post and ideas as well 😀
Special Birthday shout out to my nephew Zachery Samuel Ellis, Jr. love you dude… officially 11 as of the 14th… birthday wishes this month to my friend John Kirkman, my old pal Mark Van Gorden #MoreThanABromance, my lil’ cousin John Williams III, My Aunt Nicole (his mom) and all my libra season friends and family especially the October ones 😀
Body positive… something that isn’t just set to people who are on the plus side of body beauty… “Being too thick”, “too thin…” or “too inbetween…”
Loving your body starts with YOU… and you alone… first and always…
Easier said than done, right?
Especially sense we all have these preconceived notions of what’s right and wrong in terms of body image:
Thick is toxic… or Big is Broken…
I don’t see it… if you do… maybe you’re being kind of dare I say…
Lean is mean…
Not everybody sees the world so one-sided… You can be slim and supportive
There are more allies in the world of all genders, races, nationalities, sizes and textures… (what are we made of stone…)
So when do we say…. NO enough is enough… your definition of beauty and body doesn’t have to match everyone else’s nor do you EVER have to fit into it… some “box”… don’t do it for the gram… do it for you!!!
Don’t let someones self hate or judgements let you think otherwise… if someone is judging you based on a your physical appearance odds are there’s something about themselves they don’t quite like themselves… or maybe they need constant validation in this social media driven “likes” world… that’s sometimes a borderline black mirror episode staring Bryce Dallas Howard… (I’m just saying).
I’m a queer gay black man who doesn’t look like everyone else… made up of mostly African, a little over a quarter European and Native American ancestry. I’m 250+ lbs of thickness… sometimes more sometimes less…
I’m comfortable in my skin and strive for ways to stay healthy…. living a plant based/vegan lifestyle for the last 10+ years… staying active in a variety of ways:
I dance, I cardio, I gym, I walk, I move weight, I jog, I hike (on some occasions), I laugh… I smile… I try to stay happy, optimistic and positive which believe it does more for your body than you can imagine…
I enjoy life with very small limits on what I eat, do or don’t (your body is a temple and temples need rest as well as destress). I encouraging myself, others and receiving it in return. I share my positivity in body, mind and spirit as much as I can on the gram not for validation (well some), but mostly for others to validate themselves:
Big is beautiful.
Black is beautiful.
Men are beautiful!
Multiracial is beautiful!
My friends are beautiful!
My family is beautiful!
Strangers are beautiful!
Life is beautiful!
We are all beautiful!
So wear what you want… eat what you want… flex how you want…. “We’re born naked and the rest is drag,” as RuPaul would say… the same applies to the way we perceive body image, self image and so many things… let that marinate for a minutes…
First and foremost happy end of July!!! It’s National Avocado Day and that’s one “friend” who will always be there for you… each time you’re willing to spend the extra dollar… I’ve been sitting on this idea for over a month… so here it goes…
The Art of The Unfollow
Friends, Acquaintances, Avocados… old flames… why after years of (mostly) platonic social media ship does someone suddenly decide to walk away or play sheep…
It’s August tomorrow… already and you spent it being ju-lied to worst than Hanna B. was on this season on The Bachelorette (she should’ve choose Peter… I mean she only slept with the guy four times… but we dig Tyler too… Jed… however… just wow):
So I invested my energy maybe two years ago into utilizing an unfollowers app for Instagram (which now allows you to track your stats in that department) and sometimes for Twitter as well…
Being followed and unfollowed happens frequently for all people and even more so for those who are noteworthy or verified. Say you’re Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) and you’re trying to reach out to potentially new fans… but you.. your social media specialist/manager, legal guardian or mom (depending on your age and/or habits… maybe she’s your manager or publicist)… isn’t putting in the work to actually connect with fans… like a comment… typing out a responses… and all the ways to socialize/network with people via media…
Are you/they jaded or detached… Is it just a numbers game… why do you want me to follow you…. why do I want you to follow me… I’m no better or worst than anyone else in the world (if everyone had a clean slate, which they do before you personally get to know them truthfully)…
For me when I connect (in person or online) with everyone who wants to connect with me and even those years after college, working, living or collabing together… I continue to be invested. It doesn’t really change the friendship or relationship with those people when time passes… however social media is how everyone will eventually predominately stay in touch as time progresses and Generation Z adapts amazing new concepts and we’ll all still collectively agree that life is expensive, but being yourself in person and/or expressing it online is all pretty much free… and your validation is always your own.
Depending on what you do or what you want to do career wise having a channel, blog or social presence is almost all about the visual resume nowadays… not just for employment but for life goals… new friendships… new loves… If you’ve ever been on a dating or “casual dating/hookup app” you know you’ve trolled your potential love or lust interest in a matter of minutes and made your notions about said human based on those “visual resumes” (Twitter, SnapChat, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and so on).
So what in a visual resume is enough to make you swipe left on an old “ship” or person you could be interested in but they have odd features (to you)… and what’s enough to keep swiping yes to way too many friends to count…
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make more friends in person or online… but keep an open mind… it takes effort to be effortless… it takes pull push… if someone you’re already friends with of any nature makes an effort… make the effort back…. if new person connects with you first you could consider their outreach in the form of a hopefully genuine re-friend/follow/like/comment/snapchat/response back… like an interview… granted you’re not going to get everything from that individual right away… however you will know that it’s worth getting to know that person within a few days depending on their history and productivity… if you follow someone first note they might be approaching this as you would when you are in their shoes…
Not getting those likes, follows, etc.. is not the end of the world… at the end of the day you’re still living your truth and that’s all that matters… be your biggest fan first and always.
As for the Purge…
Those FB and IG friends who filter out all the bad/negativity in their life you’re amazing… however if you lump people who you’ve never had any issues with and only good vibes or memories and support you no matter the last time you physically interacted… but haven’t reached out or been reach out to sense the last life event or months ago… consider reaching out first before you group them in with that epic post “sorry not sorry if you’ve been deleted”…. In truth any relationship is not going to be limited by a simple lower follower count you’ll still keep in touch the old school ways… No not MySpace, Facebook or even SnapChat… but the phone… an email… a postcard… a letter…. game night… the reunion… until then… “Ride til you can’t no more!”
12/11 – Wine Wednesday – 
Hottesome 