LGBT UK Film Toast

As is most often the case these days, I came across a fantastic LGBT film, Toast, by accident. And it was originally a British TV film, which was even more surprising because here in the US quality TV films are not exactly the norm. And I had absolutely no idea Toast was based on the true life story of cookery career writer, Nigel Slater, until the final credits came on.  

From Wiki:

Young Nigel Slater (Oscar Kennedy) is keen on cooking while his mother (Victoria Hamilton) – who suffers from chronic asthma – is a poor cook whose speciality is toast. As her illness worsens, so does Nigel’s relationship with his father Alan (Ken Stott). After Nigel’s mother dies, his father begins to spend his evenings with newly divorced cleaner Mrs. Potter (Helena Bonham Carter), whose signature lemon meringue pie is a hit with Mr. Slater; Nigel would later try to extract the recipe from her. Alan and Mrs. Potter embark on a relationship, and soon both move from Wolverhampton to a remote part of the Herefordshire countryside with Nigel, who dislikes his father’s new partner.

This isn’t just a film that will attract LGBT viewers. It’s also a film that will attract those who have ever seen a nasty middle aged man do a complete change when he remarries a much younger woman who knows exactly how to get what she wants. And this one, the second wife, is about as bad as they get in real life.

There’s also a very poignant first gay kiss scene. You can read more here.   And here. As you’ll see the reviews are mixed, but most of the negative comments came from hetero reviewers who don’t have a clue. I also have a feeling the film hit a nerve with a few younger second wives who marry much older men who don’t like seeing the truth (smile).

Nose Jobs Self-Esteem

I thought this article was interesting because it’s titled, Can a Nose Job Make You Happier? I’ll mention why it caught my eye in a second. But the gist of the article is that getting a nose job may or may not make you happier because there’s not enough research right now. So why bother writing the article?

Trading in an extra-large nose for one that’s more petite may not be the confidence booster you’re looking for says one new study.

It’s a very misleading first line because the information that follows clearly states there’s not enough evidence. But I can tell you, from personal experience, having a nose job or any other cosmetic surgery does make you happier and it does help with self-esteem. I know we’re all supposed to believe that all happiness comes from deep within, and that looks shouldn’t matter. And to a certain extent I do agree with that. But I also can tell you the day I had my nose done in 1990 was a day that changed my life. It was a fantastic out patient procedure, it made me feel better about myself, and it was one less thing in life to worry about. And in my case, which isn’t always guaranteed, it helped me breathe better, too.

So for any of you who are thinking about a nose job, or any other small cosmetic procedure, and someone tells you how beautiful you are on the inside and they try to talk you out of it, tell them to mind their own business and get a life. Trust me, you will feel better. It might not change your entire life, but at least you won’t be thinking about that big nose anymore. The interesting thing is that people who know you well won’t even notice the difference in most cases. But you’ll notice it, and that’s all that matters.

For those who are happy with their noses, good for you. I wasn’t and I fixed mine.

Gay Naked Birthday

An editor at Gay Star News, Jean Paul Zapata, celebrated his birthday at a nude beach in Spain. I’ve never been to a nude beach there, but I’ve been to other nude beaches and it’s very enlightening.

There must be something about the open and accepting environment of a nude beach that prompts members of the LGBT community to gravitate to Mar Bella’s soft sand and warm waters.

Yeah, that’s it. It’s the warm water and soft sand that attracts gay men to nude beaches. And don’t forget about that bright blue sky and those puffy white clouds.

What else could it be? Certainly not all that swinging penis.

In any event, it’s a great article about Mar Bella, and there are a few excellent travel tips for those who are planning a trip. I know a lot of people who have been to Spain and they love it.

The gay area in Barcelona is concentrated in the eastern side of the Eixample (pronounced ai-shum-plah), or Gaixample as it’s come to be affectionately known to locals. To my knowledge, public nudity is only allowed on the golden sands of Barcelona’s clothing-optional beaches, but the city’s openness and acceptance of the LGBT community is felt everywhere, day or night.

You can read more here.
 

Photo attribution.