Outside Lands 2012: The Foggiest Music Festival in the World

Walking with a mission – to have a kick ass time.

Here we are now, so like… entertain us.

Oh, look who we found hanging out in VIP! The dudes from Passion Pit. And by “found” I mean I called them up to come over so I can interview them for Rolling Stone.

Away from the maddening crowd.

This is how you create a time-lapse video. Set up the camera and go get drunk.

VIP view of Beck performing on the mainstage.

Die Antwoord were a racist, homophobic riot. And the first clip is out of focus cause I was too hiiiii to know how to work my camera.

The natural beauty of Golden Gate Park makes this festival one of the most scenic.

Local see-through pizza truck, Del Popolo, fed the hungry. The mobile pizzeria is housed in a shipping container that’s been remodeled into a kitchen with a wood-fire oven.

Five seconds before this dude face planted. You had to be there.

The dreamy air pop rock of Washed Out.

Friends were not ready for our grand, train wreck entrance.

Take two.

Santigold

The crowd piled up on the hill to see Alabama Shakes, while the guy on the lower right got a makeover.

Let’s meet up! We’ll be stage left by that big tree…

After sneaking in to VIP, JP made a new fleeting friend dressed in fur. Also check out that random woman eyeing his beer.

Jaime Hince and Alison Mosshart of The Kills are the sexiest rock and roll non-couple ever. Lucky Kate Moss gets to be caught in that sexual tension (and release).

Ashley, Currin and JP shiver and smile.

Currin’s signature hotmess hairflip.

Lighted trees.

Justice

Wonder through the magical path…

… to find the construction sounds of Skrillex.

Skrillex

We are somewhere on this damn map.

Event: Reading About Being ‘Born This Way’ at Books, Inc in the Castro

Paul Vitagliano, creator of the hyper-popular Born This Way blog, has recently released a compilation book of some of the most endearing and inspiring tales of queer childhood. The book features submissions by Barney Frank, Michael Musto, Mike Ruiz, Sia, HuffPost editor Noah Michelson, journalist Matt Baume and Unicorn Booty co-founder Kevin Ferrell, whom I interviewed for this Burning Man story.

I was originally asked to be included in the book as well, but I was in Bangkok at the time and didn’t get a chance to find a good enough photo. Regardless, Paul has invited me to read my submission next Thursday at Books, Inc. in the Castro. Greg Zhovreboff, who was instrumental in helping me start the Magnet Book Club, will also be reading his submission, so I’m looking forward to that. Won’t you join us?

And as you can see, I have now found tons of photos for the book sequel.

‘Born This Way’ in San Francisco: Thursday, January 17 at 7:30pm at Books, Inc. in the Castro.

My Dream Travel Itinerary Around the World Courtesy of GayCities

For their annual Best of GayCities, the travel guide and social network has created an interactive world map where members can select their dream destinations. In essence, it’s a virtual trip around the globe, and a totally new way of presenting the usual end-of-the-year travelers’ choice awards. My “Ultimate Dream Voyage” itinerary includes Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv, Barcelona, Puerto Vallarta, Cape Town and Toronto (I’ve never been to Canada!)

Choosing a city zooms you to the city map, where you can see at a glance all the gay-friendly hotspots that particular city has to offer. After selecting six of your favorites cities according to the categories, you can share their “Ultimate Dream Voyage” itinerary for your friends to see. Just to show off how big of a jetsetter you dream of being one day. :)

Oh, and GayCities members who participate and create an itinerary get automatically entered to win a free trip to the island paradise of Curaçao, to help quench just a bit of that worldly wanderlust. Go now and create your own dream vacation!

Video: Electric Guest Live at the Ticketfly Holiday Bash

Ticketfly has been giving Ticketmaster a run for their money recently, nabbing online ticketing for great venues like Public Works, where they held their holiday bash for San Francisco’s music insiders earlier this month. The folks at Ticketfly sure know how to throw a great party, for Outside Lands they held an show in their parking lot, so it was no surprise when I read they had booked Electric Guest to play a private show at their holiday party along with an opening DJ set by Hard French.

JP watching one of his favorite bands for the fourth time this year, this time however he was within arms reach to the band and about to get closer…

Excited for the show to start!

The venue was far from capacity so there was plenty of room to dance and act a fool.

Kate and John

Denys and JP

The InnerCircle Labs gals get close and personal with the band.

And so did JP – pulling Electric Guest lead singer Asa Taccone into an intimate photo booth session. It was great to hang out with the guys from the band and learn that the hype has not gone to their heads just yet. Originally from Berkeley, Asa is still crashing on his mom’s couch when he comes home for a show.

The photo booth shots were then projected for the whole club to see.

Secret Santa Against Humanity: Adult-Friendly Gifts for the Kid in All of Us

Last week our friends got together for a Secret Santa event facilitated by Secret Santa Generator, which emails you with your anonymous gift exchange recipient. Since we are all busy, busy cityfolk, we also had to restort to using Doodle to select the most available date for all parties involved. All these dot com-ness led JP to dub our event, “the techiest Christmas party ever.” The day of the party, hilary ensued!

Ashley and Renée were pros with those lobster cookies. For next year, I am urging them to take their decorating skills to the next level.

Now on to the nifty gifts we exchanged!

Coastermatic turns your favorite Instagrams into stone coasters!

Fondue set from Crate and Barrel comes with tiny candles for a classy dinner gatherings.

Stuff is a warehouse full of incredible antiques, especially 50′s kitsch souvenirs and 60′s mod decor. The furniture is on the pricey side, but their record collection has some unique finds in the $10 range.

Cards Against Humanity are the must-have party game for the politically incorrect. My favorite card ever? “Pac man uncontrollably guzzling cum.”

The Bold Italic has put all their graphic design prowess into creating this useful guide for anyone looking for their own furball buddy.

Man of the World is a new, heavy duty magazine for men who are into the finer things in life.

Another stocking stuffer for those with arrested development, Coloring for Grown Ups will have you fostering your creative side while tickling your funny bone.