Last week, I mentioned the new film fest from the AllGood Cafe and the Dallas Video Association. Just got word today of their lineup for the next few screenings. Some great stuff that’s a tad out of the mainstream. For your viewing and dining pleasure, put these on your calendar:

TRUE STORIES - Jan 17th - filmed in Dallas, featuring David Byrne from Talking Heads and many local celebrities

FEARLESS FREAKS - Jan 24th - A documentary featuring Oklahomas’ FLAMING LIPS

BE HERE TO LOVE ME - Jan 31st -The troubled Life and Times of TOWNES VAN ZANDT

THE DEVIL & DANIEL JOHNSTON - Jan 24th -The Bizarre Story of Texas Cult figure DANIEL JOHNSTON

HEART OF GOLD -February 14th -  Jonathan Demme directs this doc about Neil Young

So pretty much everyone knows that famed Deep Ellum club Trees has been closed. And it was sad and all that considering its history and this continued idea that Deep Ellum is dead and what not. And some of you may know that Lewisville’s Fat Daddy’s Sound Shack is reopening Trees, or taking over the building rather. In fact, FDSS is auditioning bands now to play the new venue. Personally, why not just book some established popular bands already? But hey, that’s just me.

As they get ready for the opening, FDSS wants the public to help them decide what kind of music Trees…ooops, Fat Daddys should play with their Fat Daddy’s “Deep Ellum” in the Trees Building Music Survey on their website.

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Hello this survey is for our new venue: Fat Daddy’s “Deep Ellum” in the Trees Building. We want you to know that this is YOUR venue. We would like to know what type of live music you want at your new venue. VOTE NOW!

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Looking at the stats, Hardcore/Grindcore is in the lead with 21% of the vote followed closely by Rock with 19%. But you can also vote for pop, country, acoustic, punk. I think though, why limit the music? Despite their Lewisville rep as a harder rock venue, Deep Ellum is home for all kinds and with this specific venue, I say let it all play. FDSS doesn’t have to be Trees, but it’s got big shoes to fill.

This month’s Instinct magazine gives some love to and from the Big D. I’ve yet to make up my mind on this publication because it has really great moments but then gets super shallow. Drives me nuts. But doing the Dallas rounds really made me appreciate them more.

Charity Case intros Dallas classily with “Dallas is a truly fabulous city full of big hearts, big cowboy boots and hot men with big…well, that’s just how this big girl sees Dallas!” Cheeky much? I guess it’s to be expected. Where was I when they were optioning this introductory piece of the seven page layout? Grrr.

And so each month they do a blind date which is fun to read as two strangers meet and the magazine follows the date to the very end. Well, down to the proper goodbyes. It’s always sweet when they like each other but engaging when they merely get along. Then they’ll talk to a couple and compare notes on answers to test compatibility. These are really charming and ingenious pieces. Then there’s the obligatory hunk of the month with this issue naming 26 year-old water, Sergio Camacho as the monthly stud. He doesn’t do much for me but congrats anyway. Although, I do question anyone who would name The Day After Tomorrow as their favorite movie. Hmmmm…wow…yyyyeah. Some basic city info and an on the street interview (called Cornered) finish it off but the inclusion of a great article about Zeus Comics and owner Richard Neal is the cherry on this sundae. I’m not even into comics and I want to go there (been before but forever ago).

Zeus scored major player points last year by winning the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer award, apparently the Oscar equivalent of the comic book industry and judged on criteria including community activity and ethical business practices. Belated kudos to Neal and staff. But closeted comic buyers beware. Neal lists his top five ways to tell if a comic reader is gay (reprinted from the magazine):

1. They touch my hand while exchanging cash.
2. Their pull-list consists solely of Aquaman and Green Lantern or conversely, Strangers in Paradise and DC’s 52.
3. They talk endless about their hero’s outfit in City of Heroes.
4. They comment on the “bump” on the male action figures.
5. Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman.

But back to the magazine. My favorite part of the layout was in Cornered when Dave lists his Dallas Must Sees and one was, well printed as the Mesonite Rodeo. Editors…if I may, that would be Mesquite. Heh.

The gay media is all about Dallas lately. Travel quarterly magazine Destinations for Men has a four page layout all about our happy home here [Ed note: I have huge problems with their site. Uninformative and I can't find the issue on it even though it's sitting in front of me now]. A little less than inspiring as it’s mostly listings but hey, we’ll take it. Dallas has worked hard to attract the LGBT community. With all this attention, they might be doing something right.

I’m working on a healthier lifestyle for 2007. I’m old enough. I should know better. So I’ve done little things like restrict my dining out and cutting off my time to eat at nine p.m. And then there’s the gym where I’m only doing a bit of cardio until I tailor my workout. And my goal is to drop a pound a week (please tell me that’s a realistic goal).

With that, my grocery shopping has changed a bit. So off I was to Kroger’s and noticed this ad. I’m curious as to who’s the genius that thought of this offer. The pairing here doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, especially since many new and returning dieters might take advantage of the first part of the deal. But then to be tempted by free ice cream? For shame.

But I’m loving me some Rocky Road.

And having said that. Wish me luck.

Sorry ladies and gents. I didn’t have much of an urge to get to here until now even though a big chunk of the day has been spent in front of this computer screen. But you’ll soon learn the reason for the delay.

In the past few months, my weekends seemed to have morphed from the usual to Thursdays - Saturdays. And it’s a good thing because these past few days have been outstanding.

Thursday night found me at Club Dada once again for Amanda Newman’s Listening To series. I wasn’t sure what the crowd would be like since local upcoming big shots The Theater Fire were playing the Double Wide with Ashburne Glen and Chicago’s Dogme 95. I also didn’t care because I was stoked by the fact that Millicent Friendly was playing. I have their cd Downtime and have played that sucker out along with Black Tie Dynasty’s Movements. And much to my happiness, I lucked out for once. They played all my favorites and I thanked God personally that they included Timid Troubadour in their set. Drummer John Solis describes their music as pop/rock and I guess that’s fair but they jammed hard and with conviction despite cable issues and a not so great mike for singer Chris Machart. I could hear him but not. Weird. Dave Little played before and Tuesday Debut after but no matter, I was there for MF and they didn’t disappoint.

Also met this guy who turned out to be quite the swell dude within the span of maybe five minutes.

Friday Night, Girl On Top was researching drag kings and Jonanna and I were along for the ride. Every first Friday of the month, Buddies II hosts Dukes of Dallas, the drag king show of Big D. The opposite of drag queens (duh), women dress up as men and lip sync and dance to music. At first, it was very weird and awkward. I was uncomfortable and not sure why. Maybe because reading this, you might just think they were dressed like guys. Suits, jeans, whatever but no. Mohawks, open shirts, Korn and similar music all made up the show and it caught me way off guard. My memory fails me but when the mohawk guy and two chicks sang about pain and love, he was so committed to it that I was swept up in it. And instead of just coming out and doing a number like a drag queen will do, they would do actual acting and choreography and props and the whole bit. It really was amazing and one of the best times I’ve had out in a long time. Bravo! Check it out for a different night out.

OMG, and then there’s Saturday. You may have read that I would be at Cosmo’s celebrating my friend’s birthday. It’s hard for me to agree with $5 Red Stripes but they are so good. The place was full not packed with a young hip and unpretensious crowd. I highly recommend Cosmo’s for your drinking pleasure. However, I wouldn’t recommend mixing your liquor or letting drinks sneak up on you. Because then your friend will have to put you in his car, let you vomit on the side of his SUV and carry you up a flight of stairs to endure more dry heaving. (insert wink here)

Fortunately, all that drama took away from that oh so heartbreaking Cowboys game. Nothing says it more than this.

Romo screwed it up but I can’t help but feel bad for the guy. That’s a big ole load o’ shame to carry. And I wonder if we’ll be having Tuna next season. Don’t think so. And ya know…without a lot of fanfare, I’ll give Romo my Seven Day G-Man Hottie of the Week this time around. How’s that?

After going to bed at five a.m. today and waking up three hours later, today turned out to be quite productive. Breakfast at Garden Cafe (recommend their sausage but not their eggs), car wash to get the vomit off, newspaper and Mexican coffee at Crossroads and even eked out some gym time. Quite the weekend filled to the max with fun and festivities…and a bit of drama.

Hate that this sounds more like a journal entry but I had to fill ya in. Although, I need to crash soon. REALLY SOON.