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SGL Contents
4 Editor’s Letter 5 Ask Nathan 6 Hollywood Loves the Legendary Michael Airington 10 The Dangers of Flirting 13 Movies 14 Music 15 Books Cover photo by: Michael S Place
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Editor’s Letter
Hey ya'll, we are back with an exciting new issue this week with Movie Star Michael Airington. I had the opportunity to sit down and interview him about his new movie Hollywood Je t’aime and what is going on in his life. Our life coach Nathan 7 Scott is back with his wonderful advice about supporting your mate. We also have or new columnist Lester Greene back exploring the dangers of flirting. Go to www.sglliving.ning.com to read, Please let us know what you think about the issue sglweeklymag@gmail.com. Cordially, Cleavester Brooks Editor In Chief http://twitter.com/cleavester
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Ask Nathan
My husband got laid off last year and is starting his own business, which will take time to become successful. Meanwhile, I'm working overtime to cover our bills and he sits around playing video games. What should I do? –Bob Bob You and your husband need to have a serious conversation. Remember al things are possible through communication. Find out what his intentions are. Create milestones together. Find out if he needs your support. Often time’s partners don't feel support from their friends and families when they launch new ventures. Make it work! Create a "Sevenly" Day! _____________________________________________ Nathan "Seven" Scott Professional & Personal Life Coach Committed to Entrepreneurs & Women's Empowerment 917-771-6611 Visit me online: www.nathansevenscott.com www.twitter.com/nathansevenscot
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Hollywood Loves the Legendary Michael Airington A Cleavester Brooks Interview Photo: Michael S Place and Life Recently, I had the opportunity to interview the legendary Michael Airington and it was a lovely interview. I am so happy to sit down with someone I have been admiring on screen. In his latest movie Hollywood Je t’aime he plays a drag queen with a big Ol’ heart willing to take anyone into her home. By watching him on the screen; I can tell his heart is like Norma’s. So sit back and enjoy this wonderful interview. Cleavester: Hello Michael Airington, How are you doing? Michael Airington: Fine, Thank you
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Cleavester: What is your new movie Hollywood Je t'aime about? It's about a French guy coming to Hollywood to get away from a recent breakup...and thinks he might become an actor. He finds there isn't much tinsel in tinsel town! and get adopted by a Tranny and a middle aged Drag queen Cleavester: In your new movie Hollywood Je t'aime you play the character Norma Desire who is a Drag Queen. What kind of person is your character? Jason said Norma was the heart of the film. She been around seen a lot and had a lot of heartache in life. Norma never got to live out her dream. one of the lost souls in Hollywood. Cleavester: How did you get the part in Hollywood Je t'aime? Jeremy Gordon (casting director) cast me...after my agent sent me on the audition. Cleavester: Who is the real Michael Airington? HA! the real Michael Airington is a stand up comedian - actor- writer - producer- director who's been in this Bizness for 35 years. I was the youngest standup comedian in the country. Cleavester: Where are you from? Born in Annapolis MD. Cleavester: What was life like growing up? I lost my family when I was 5...and was on my own since I was 15 years old. Along story...but I am survivor and believe you can get anything in this world you want...if you believe and work hard. I got discovered as a teenager...and opened for ROSEMARY CLOONEY for two summers. ..the rest is history so to speak. Cleavester: What did you want to be growing up? IN showbiz...doing anything making people laugh Cleavester: Which talent would you most like to have? God was pretty good to me. I can sing- play the guitar- act- do impressions - comedy...Hmmm.prolly to be a really good dancer. I'm not that good. I took tap once. Cleavester: What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate and sleeping in Cleavester: What is your idea of perfect happiness? being with someone I love and sharing my life with them. Cleavester: Celebrity you've been mistaken for? I get called bon jovi a lot now cuz of my hair. and when I was younger Harrison Ford. At Halloween, in Weho...people asked if I was dressed as the Rocker...LOL! Cleavester: Favorite TV show you would like to star in and why? My own... I would love to do a Graham Norton no holds barred talk show in the USA Cleavester: Last movie you saw in the theatres? AVATAR
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Cleavester: Tell me something about you that your fans may be surprised to know? I'm a loner Cleavester: What can we expect from you in the future? My character Ester is taking off...and My theatrical show OH MY GOODNESS...its PAUL LYNDE, will tour next year. Cleavester: How can the people get in contact with you? My facebook for now!!! ... http://facebook.com/michaelairington Cleavester: If you could see on change happen in the GLBT Community in your lifetime, it would be and why? The Hypocrisy! We have such a divide in our community- with class and gender. I wish we could respect ourselves more, and treat each other with the same respect we want society to treat us. We have to start with respecting ourselves before we can expect respect from the world. Cleavester: Thank you Michael Airington, Do you have any special message for our readers? read my Blog VIEWS FROM A BROAD http://estergoldberg.typepad.com
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The Dangers of Flirting By: Lester Greene
From the job to the classroom, from the streets to the club; flirting is ever-present in our everyday living. We get off on it. We piss people off by doing it. Sometimes we do it and don’t even realize it. It almost seems like its part of our genetic make-up. It has become instinctual, a mere extension of the self – a walking autonomy. For some, it’s a way of living and being – a way of survival. Flirting has been around forever and it will probably be around long after we are dead and gone. In this day and age, flirting is becoming so easy to do. A simple LOL can go a long way depending how you read it. I guess this is why I like texting so much, along with the fact that it’s quick and easy. Someone says something and you reply with a LOL. Problem solved. But is it really? Why do we laugh at a joke that isn’t funny? Is it because we don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings or is it more than that? Maybe we act like we are laughing because we are flirting, and we just want to make the other person feel special. It’s a cat and mouse game of who can break the other person down and still maintain a certain level of dignity. With that being said, at what point does flirting become wrong? We see flirting on the job all the time, so much so that it has become acceptable. People do it for that raise or to get that promotion. Some will even go at lengths to sleep with the boss, if it means getting ahead. I guess sex sells after all. But when then does this behavior borderline sexual harassment? What was once considered a place of professionalism and great integrity; the 10
workforce is now a place for players to play – literally. Politics is the name of the game. It seems like every single day a high-profile sex scandal is unfolding. One doesn’t have to look very far for scandal when former President Bill Clinton had an unforgettable encounter with Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was and is still married but that transgression will forever leave a stigmatic impression on America’s clock. Even celebrities are dispensable to the consequences of flirting. Tiger Woods was the consummate professional. He was envied and revered by all that is up until his lustful scandal of orgasmic flirtation broke. I do wonder if people would be so hard on him if he wasn’t married. The question now becomes: Are people upset that he used these women, or are people having a hard time dealing with the fact that he cheated on his wife? One by one woman came out telling their stories about betrayal and hurt. These women are emotionally scarred for the rest of their lives. Granted, they’re not all innocent. Some knew what the consequences were and yet they still got involved. The real victim is Woods’ wife. How does one recover from such betrayal? Did she set herself up for disappointment by getting involved with a high-profile celebrity? Should Woods be giving a pass because being a celebrity makes the temptation of flirting all that much greater? In Hollywood, money, power and fame are driving forces in the world of flirtatious promiscuity. What then is the motive for everyday, regular people flirting and parading themselves about in an untruthful manner in all different settings? Surprisingly, the classroom is not off limits when it comes to flirting. Students and teachers play the same game. Teachers give their favorite students good grades in return for favors, and students sometimes use bribery to get what they want. A classic example of this can be seen on the Hollywood screen of the movie, “A Serious Man.” Here you had this student who tried to bribe his teacher into giving him a passing grade. How low is that? I always like to think that movies are a clear representation of our current status of living. That said, flirting can be more than sexual and monetary. It can also be physical (a simple touch), verbal or non-verbal (body language). The club is a heavy spot for flirting and cruising. All it takes is a wink or a nod to get your point across. I never really cared for the club scene because most of the flirting starts and ends in the club. Okay, maybe if you’re lucky you get a special night. But for the most part it’s all about being in the moment. You’re dealing with total strangers who are just interested in playing the game. I see the same game being played on the streets everyday of the week where a beautiful woman walks by with her overly exposed breasts flapping in the wind while the construction workers hoot and holler perverted thoughts and gestures. And then the woman gets upset. For what? I always say that image is everything. You dress how you want people to see and view you. If you dress with very little clothing, then what do you expect? It all starts with you, the individual. A look, rather a picture, says a thousand words. In other words, you get what you put out. It’s a give and take kind of thing. One might even call it prostitution on a lesser scale, of course. 11
People say that prostitution can be seen as a form of flirtation. Prostitutes put out a certain energy or look, in hopes of making bank. We all know that prostitution is illegal and yet people still do it. It’s a very dangerous lifestyle because their job is to mislead and entice the clients, who for the most part are total strangers. Prostitutes have to do whatever it takes to make the sell, and in doing so, sometimes find themselves beaten, raped and killed. Clearly, it’s a dangerous world that we live in. Why make it even more dangerous by sending the wrong signals or even giving mixed signals? Do what you say and say what you mean. Stop playing games. Leave that for the children at heart. Here’s my thing on flirting. People are going to do it anyway. So do it but be very aware of the consequences. There is a reaction to every action you make. When in doubt, I like to use honesty as my rule of thumb because it is the best policy. At the end of the day, it’s all about being true to yourself and respecting other people enough to not play games. Can you dig it, player?
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Movies
Dare Originally a short on the Boys Life 5 collection, this gorgeously-crafted film tells the story of a high school gay boy who dares to seduce a mysterious (and very hot) bad boy, while his best girlfriend has designs on the same guy.
Liza's at the Palace From the Executive Producers of Hairspray and Chicago, a Tony Award-Winning Broadway performance by Liza Minnelli. Love, Love me some Ms. Liza this is from her hit 2008 performances at the Palace.
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Music
Soldier of Love Known for their one of a kind timeless sound, Sade has enjoyed phenomenal success both internationally and stateside throughout the span of their twenty-five year career. The highly anticipated new body of work SOLDIER OF LOVE features 10 new songs including the latest single, "Soldier Of Love".
Another Round With his smooth, sonorous tone, Jaheim is the forerunner and torch-carrier of today's souloriginated R&B. A vocalist in the tradition of such greats as Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross, he signed with former Naughty By Nature beat man Kay Gee's Divine Mill record label in 2000. Jaheim released three albums over five years: his 2001 debut, Ghetto Love; 2002's sophomore set, Still Ghetto - both of which reached RIAA platinum status; and 2006's Ghetto Classics. During that time, he also scored nominations for the BET and Soul Train Music Awards. In 2007, the chart-topping artist returned with his Atlantic Records debut, The Makings of a Man. After taking time off following the release of Ghetto Classics, Jaheim returned with a renewed focus on the direction in which he wants to take his career.
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Books
Workin' It!: RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style More than just a style guide, this is a navigation system through the bumpy road of life. Let RuPaul teach you the tried, tested and found true techniques that will propel you from background player to shining star! No more playing small, your time is now! "Workin' It!" will provide helpful and provocative tips on fashion, beauty, style and confidence for girls and boys, straight and gay - and everyone in between! No one knows more about life, self-expression and style than RuPaul! With photos by Mathu Andersen from the new season of RuPaul's Drag Race and a fresh look at style and inner beauty, "Workin' It!" will pick up where the show leaves off. The book will be as colorful, fun, and intriguing as RuPaul, with insights into makeup, clothing choices and the illusion of drag. Fans of RuPaul will get piece of Ru's philosophy on style and attitude - and how it's more than the clothes that make the man, or woman! With four color photos throughout and a fresh, funky design "Workin' It!" will be the perfect guide to RuPaul - part style guide, part confidence manifesto, and entirely fabulous!
SGL Weekly (Volume 1) This book is a collection of interviews done in SGL Weekly Magazine from the first 23 issues. This book is a wonderful read and addition to your library. I have my copy, get yours.
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