Tennis: Mr Darcis Says Nada

Wimbledon is always good for a surprise; but some surprises really surprise. Steve Darcis from Belgium put Rafael Nadal out of the tournament in the first round. He managed this after his start into the grass season by losing to Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round at s'Hertogenbosch in Holland a week ago. It put an abrupt end to Rafael Nadal's dream comeback, but is a dream comeback for Steve Darcis.

Outing Others

Outing others can take several forms. There are homophobic individuals or groups and haters who do it out of spite and pettiness. There are gays who do it out of wishful thinking or in a moment of pique. And then there are boys asserting their bragging rights. None of these scenarios are pretty.

Gigathlon Six Day Challenge Race

Are you feeling bored by a mere triathlon? Is the Iron Man just a piece of cake for you? Then it is time to get into Gigathlon. The Gigathlon race in Switzerland for 2013 is a six day event starting in Chur in the East and ending in Lausanne in the West. The distance to cover is roughly 1,400 km (870 miles) long. Are you game?

Brighton Craft Fair

Do you like flea markets? When going for a leisurely shopping browse, there is nothing more satisfying than a visit to good arts and crafts fairs. Combine meeting chatty strangers with window shopping as a sort of free therapy. With the occasional surprise find thrown in you’ll get all the excitement of a treasure hunt. Then bargain as if you were in the oriental bazaar. Who needs a holiday after that?

Narcissus in Modern Times

Narcissus’ (or Greek Narkissos) story has been brought to us by many sources and in many guises. It bears repeating here, as it is still highly relevant to today’s society; or maybe it is even more relevant today than it has been in a long time. Join me and meet the modern Narcissi or Narkissoi.

Your Picture for a Dating Site

When you upload pictures to a profile on a dating site, it has certain advantages if you do this just right. Even not doing it wrongly can help. In general, there are certain things you should take on board before you do so to keep you out of the worst blunders.

The Body Image of Man

Women have a problem with their body image, we are told over and over. But a little study showed that men are just as self-conscious as women about their body shape. I have always been in favor of equality; sharing minor traumas seems only right therefore. In the end, though, it comes down to making the best of what you have.

Where Do You Look First?

Countless studies have shown to researchers that humans flicker their eyes to the left of a person facing them. This happens to you as well when you use a mirror as, obviously, you're facing your mirror image. This automatic reaction has implications on your everyday life you should consider.

Wear Skirts if Shorts Are Not Allowed

People with nothing better to do in some institutions and businesses feel called upon to decide what people are allowed to wear. Apart from their own atrocious dress sense, these executives have no other motivation or call to do so except self glorification on having implemented at least something in their otherwise useless life. Therefore, if shorts are not allowed, check the rules; skirts usually are allowed. Guys, get your skirts out!

  

France Joins Gay Marriage Countries

France has taken the plunge and joined the group of countries that allow gay marriage. Despite massive protests organized by the far right, fascists, self proclaimed Christians, and other reactionary political and religious groups, parliament passed the new law with a more than comfortable majority. The law is expected to be in force by June.

Europa League: Chelsea FC vs FC Basel

FC Basel was receiving compliments from soccer (football) clubs all over Europe for the defeat it handed to the Tottenham Hotspurs in the quarter final of the Europa League. Once again, Basel showed that they enjoy their status as underdogs. They will fill the same comfortable position against Chelsea FC against which they were drawn for the semifinal.

No Spring, Good Thing

We are missing out on spring. Everybody is moaning about it. Time to list all the positive aspects this has for you (and me). After all, the proverbial silver lining on the clouds is easier to see when there are clouds. Wouldn't you agree? Join me in enjoying the spring that never was.

Easter Bunny Special Edition

The Easter Bunny is one of the great remaining mysteries of our world. Now that the Higgs Boson has been found, only Atlantis can steal the show. And they don't do chocolate in Atlantis, so who cares? Lets go and delve deep into Easter Bunny history and see what we can find. And maybe we can also uncover its hidden friends in high places, who knows.

Brideshead Revisited, The Movie

With Ben Whishaw as camp as a row of tents and the long shadows of an incomparable TV series putting the movie Brideshead Revisited into the category of been there, seen it, bought the t-shirt, it really is Brideshead Revisited, again, one might say. I even revisited it for the third time, being on the wrong (or right) side of forty to remember the TV series from the eighties and to have read the excellent book by Evelyn Waugh. 

Take a Ride

Despite the weather, cycling time is coming soon. Don’t miss out on showing off your prowess in riding. To make a ride satisfying and complete, a good bicycle is needed. There are a few things you should consider when buying one. Once you have found the perfect fit, nothing will stop you from slipping on, sitting tight and snug, and riding to your heart’s content day and night. 

The Paperboy

The Paperboy was booed in Cannes; it got no Oscar nominations, no Golden Globe, and no other so called prizes from the self-appointed cinephile community: This must finally be a movie worth watching. It turns out to be one of those movies where you have to make a decision after seeing it. It is either terribly, terrifyingly good; or it is atrociously, abysmally bad. There is no grade in between for this cinematic work. What it does in either case is tell you everything about America you ever needed to know.

Justin Bieber: 19th Birthday in London

Justin Bieber was bashing out in London for his 19th birthday (isn't that sweet, thinking of him being around for years and still only 19) and it turned out to be his worst birthday ever. We should excuse him for his age, then, as the events that unfolded were purely down to teenage thoughtlessness. Despite inconvenience to himself, he looked out after his guests first, though.

Compulsive Liars Apply For Minority Status

A group of compulsive obsessive liars appointing themselves as 'Christians' have applied to the High Court in the United Kingdom to get recognition as a suppressed minority group. They aim at having their lies acknowledged as 'free speech'. And no, to my knowledge they aren't politicians who do just that for a living.

Coming Out Overwhelms Many Teenagers

Gay teens have a much higher risk of committing suicide than their heterosexual peers. The reason is mainly mental stress before and after their coming out. Scientists are calling for more prevention and a fundamental rethink on family and society values.

Time to Plan for The Beach

What was first, the chicken or the egg? And I am equally uncertain about what comes first, booking your summer holidays on the beach or getting your body into form in the gym? Just imagine cavorting your flab in the midst of all those sexy hunks on the beach. Isn't that daunting?

Splash Line-up Next Round

Splash didn't make a splash with all viewers after the first heat (featuring Jake Canuso as the candy) had been aired. But it left a lot of room for improvements. And I have to give it to ITV, they did improve, and dramatically, too. The second and third heats were worth watching for several reasons. And then there is always Tom Daley.

Be Prepared!

You stuffed yourself over Christmas with every kind of food that would add handles to your perfect body line. Still gravid from Christmas dinner, you piled it on again on Boxing Day. Then you drank yourself stupid on New Year. Now you face the choice of either stuffing your face through Easter, or to start thinking about taking off your shirt when the warm weather will come again shortly after that. So what is it going to be?

Splash: Tom Daley on ITV1

When I decided that I would write about this TV show of Tom Daley's, I expected it to be nothing more than a good excuse to write a bit more about him and to have an even better excuse to post some pics of him. Well, I got a positive surprise by the show as such.