Drop Dead Diva!

Tonight, I tuned into the season premiere of "Drop Dead Diva" at the recommendation of my friend Lisa Allender. As I turned the channel to Lifetime, I was worried that I was about to lose an hour of my life and regret the hell out of watching the show; however, I thoroughly enjoyed "Drop Dead Diva." There wasn't a moment of the show that I didn't find entertaining. The first episode of "Drop Dead Diva" had touching moments mixed with loads of funny moments-- it really was the perfect mix. Brooke Elliot (Jane) and Margaret Cho (Teri) rocked my socks off, and I enjoyed eye candy Jackson Hurst (Grayson). I respectfully ask Executive Producer/Creator/Writer Josh Berman to give us more shirtless scenes starring Hurst's character; please and thanks!

I plan to follow this show, and I think you should check it out too. Below you'll find a trailer to give you the gist of the show.

Fundraising & More Limp Wrist Pics

I've been researching the procedures to establish a nonprofit corporation since January, and I've finally reached the conclusion that I do not want any part of the paperwork headache. I'd rather have a company like BizFilings handle all the "dirty" work for Limp Wrist. Plus, I know a couple people who have used BizFilings and had no complaints, so why risk me making an error? The IRS isn't too forgiving when the average makes an error.

The down side to using Biz Filings is the cost. I'll have to spend close to $700 to stay headache free, so I have decided to do a fundraiser. At work we've started the Biggest Loser competition. I I thought it'd be fun to ask friends and family to pledge $1 to $3 per pound lost during the competition. We started March 28, and I've lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks. Our last weigh day is June 30-- so that's a total of 12 weeks of losing!

Starting next week the competition organizer, Jan McAlister, the Nurse Practitioner who runs our Lipid Management Clinic (and is the smartest NP I've ever met), is going to write a note about how much weight I've lost. Then I'll post her note in the blog. Maybe we'll do some pictures too. (Even though I'm not a fan of chunky-Dustin pictures---see the launch party pictures below as evidence of chunky-Dustin.)

All money raised from the Biggest Loser Fundraiser will go to establish LW as a nonprofit organization. And if by some horrible chance I gain any weight throughout the competition, I'll make a YouTube video as my punishment. I'll do drag and let everyone vote on what song I should sing. If you're interest in the Biggest Loser Fundraiser, send an email to dustinvbrookshire@gmail.com.

Audience shot....

Stacie Boschma reading; see her work in the 1st issue of LW.



Collin Kelley and Dustin Brookshire striking a pose.

Another audience shot...



Genevieve Lyons read the work Denise Duhamel.



Lisa Allender read the work Beth Gylys.

Donna Narducci, Atl Pride ED & Dustin Brookshire

More pictures will be available by Friday on the LW Myspace page.

All of the fantastic pictures were taken
by the talented Greg Gimpelevich.
Visit Greg's Online Portfolio

Overdue Pictures from 2/28/08 Limp Wrist Launch Party

Here's a couple of pictures.... more later...

Bottom Row: Genevieve Lyons, Stacie Boschma, Lisa Allender

Top Row: Philip Rafshoon, Dustin Brookshire, Collin Kelley, Laure-Anne Bosselaar

Laure-Anne talking before reading a poem

Pictures by Greg Gimpelevich.

Greg's Online Portfolio

Limp Wrist Launch Party!

Last night was the Limp Wrist launch party at Outwrite, and it was fantastic event. We started off with a minute silence in memory of Lawrence King. If you haven't heard of Lawrence King read the NY TIMES article that I've linked; then take a moment and Google his name. His story is tragic and needs to be shared.

Laure-Anne Bosselaar was the guest of honor and started off the night. Then I read followed by Collin Kelley and Stacie Boschma. Lisa Allender and Genevieve Lyons rounded out the night-- these talented poets graciously read in place of two other poets. Lisa read for Beth Gylys and Genevieve for Denise Duhamel.

There was such good energy in the bookstore for which I am glad and thankful. The evening went off without a hitch. A dear friend of mine, Greg, took tons of pictures of the event. I'm going to meet in a week or so for a drink and to receive the CD with the pictures. (can't wait!)

I have to give a shout out to Cousin's Bakery for donating cookies for the event as well as Jenny Allen for donating some her tasty Jenny J's Cheese Dip. Please contact me if you'd like more information on Cousin's or Jenny J's.

I give a hearty THANK YOU to Phillip Rafshoon, Outwrite owner. When I contacted Phillip about wanting to do the launch party at Outwrite, there was never a hesitation about making it happen. Phillip is unbelievably supportive to the GLTB community in Atlanta, so stop by Outwrite when you're in the city!

Atl GLBTQ Literary Festival

Here's a shot of the readers from Saturday morning.

left to right:

Cleo Creech, Collin Kelley, Reginald Jackson, Megan Volpert,

Dustin Brookshire, Franklin Abbott, Lisa Allender

not pictured:

Debbie Fraker & Larry Corse