The Journey

2008 Pontiac G6 - Chicago, IL. Photo by Randy Stern

Amid the sell-off of General Motors’ bad assets, the automaker also announced the wind-down of the Pontiac brand off of their product portfolio. This is the second brand that GM has eliminated this decade.

Since its inception, the brand always had an identity crisis. At first, the Oakland Car Company turned out some pretty good cars back in the 1920’s. Corporate efficiency integrated Pontiac into a brand that was just slightly upward in the pecking order of North American offerings. In Canada, Pontiacs were also built on Chevrolet chassis for local consumption.

It wasn’t until the late 1950’s when Pontiac began to forge a different image for itself. It began to differentiate from the rest of GM not by design, but by asserting its performance image. The full-sized 1962 Grand Prix sparked a different kind of muscle car as it exuded mid-level luxury with big engine grunt. The 1964 GTO gave the mid-sized Tempest something affordable and fast – starting the trend of mid-sized muscle cars. In 1967, the Firebird joined a growing number of pony cars that were smaller, lighter and packing a huge wallop under the hood.

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2010 Ford Fusion SE - Minneapolis, MN. Photo by Randy Stern

Recently, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) sent a message via Twitter of his next automotive purchase. One of the points made in last year’s Presidential election was of the Republican candidate’s automobile collection, which included a fleet of SUVs, luxury cars and an older Honda Accord. Still, it was a collection befitting of his political agenda in contrast to the current President of the United States – his former opponent. There was plenty of press surrounding the fact that President Barack Obama traded in his Chrysler 300C for a Ford Escape Hybrid.

The Tweet by Senator McCain seemed a bit strange. However, it was almost predictable considering the outcome of last year’s election. In his Tweet, McCain announced his intention on buying a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The Fusion has certainly grown in stature since its debut in the 2006 model year. Ford’s half-successor to the venerable Ford Taurus (before the name was applied to the Volvo S80-based Five Hundred sedan) made inroads towards the big leaders in the hotly contested family mid-sized sedan market. This high quality sedan earned MotorGeek Vehicle of the Year honors a few years back.

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When I was about six or seven, my father asked me to pick out an album as the first one I ever owned. I looked around and saw the “Greatest Hits” collection of the Jackson 5. It seemed so appropriate a starting place for someone so rooted in R&B music to embrace the five eldest sons of Joe and Katherine Jackson.

From there, it all fell into place. For another decade or so, the music of the second youngest son, Michael, was the foundation for every form of music I listened to then and now. From “I’ll Be There” to “Scream” (the duet with his sister Janet – and the last Michael song I truly enjoyed), that voice defied convention and rose above the music behind it.

This weekend, a few days after the pronouncement of Michael Jackson’s death, I soaked in my fill of tributes to the “King of Pop.” An old Jamie Foxx radio show had super-producer Teddy Riley talking about the backstory of recording “Remember The Time.” Between the words and the groove, Michael came up with Riley’s biggest hit.

This weekend’s Foxx show, live from BET Music Awards Press Day, had the crew, their guests and Foxx reminisce over moments with Michael. Foxx recalled attending the Jacksons’ “Victory” tour at Texas Stadium in Irving from eleven rows from the stage. The experience of watching Michael influenced Foxx in his endeavors. You can hear the admiration for Jackson in the voices of Keith Sweat, Lyfe Jennings and football great Doug Williams, among others.

The Poetess was right on one point: “(Jackson) belong to us…to the world.”

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“Being gay has taught be tolerance, compassion, and humility, It has shown me the limitless possibilities of living. It has given me people whose passion and kindness and sensitivity have provided a constant source of strength.

“It has brought me into the family of man, Mama, and I like it here. I like it.”

- Armistead Maupin through the voice of Michael Tolliver
More Tales of the City

Since my initial coming out process, this quote from Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series provided a center for my soul. Through the pen of Michael Tolliver, the primary gay character in his books, Maupin expressed the thoughts that would otherwise take more eloquent and oblique wording on my part to explain to my mother and everyone I grew up with about my sexual orientation.

This passage also serves to signify my existence within the Bear culture. The idea of a subculture as a family is something of an anomaly in mainstream society. As far removed as we are from our birth relatives, we often search for a sense of “family.” Once we find it, it is through the closest friends and confidants whether they are in a particular neighborhood or across state and national borders. Within this “family,” you are free to express yourself without reprisal and recourse.

Then, something happened in the process. Over years of establishing a life within the context of sexual orientation and cultural identity, one wants to ensure there is constant contact with the past. One wants to understand where they stand with the people they grew up and were fond of during one’s formidable years. Clearly, the paths taken by each of us were different, but with similar traits that are unique to a person’s experience during those younger times.

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Photo by Randy Stern

It’s been a short time since Sergio Marchionne walked into the Auburn Hills corporate campus of Chrysler its CEO. Since then, the combined team of Fiat Group and Chrysler LLC staffers has been busy crafting Number Three’s return to normal. Its remaining plants in North America are slowly returning to building automobiles again. From Brampton, Ontario to Toluca, Mexico, there is a major sigh of relief in the remaining assembly facilities that the legacy of Walter P. Chrysler, Willys-Overland and the Dodge Brothers will continue under the guidance of a 110-year-old Italian powerhouse.

As the run-out of the old begins at Chrysler, we are anticipating the new. Believe me, there’s plenty to get excited about.

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I used to like this car: 1981 Saab 900 Turbo. (c) 1980, 2009 GM Corp.

Finally, General Motors has a buyer for their Swedish unit, Saab!

They did not have to look too far for its potential new owner. Would the Swedes sleep well at night knowing their company, once American owned, could be owned by either a private investment firm in Wyoming or a Chinese automotive concern?

How about a company that turns out 18 cars a year, each of them priced in the ballpark of US$1 Million and employs only 45 people? Oh, and they’re located in Sweden.

Christian von Koenigsegg is a master of the supercar. At age 22, he fashioned his first supercar. From there, he attracted the attention of extremely-well-heeled purveyors of driving with a heavy right foot. Jeremy Clarkson and company cooed orgasmically of the prowess that makes the CCX more attractive than the Bugatti Veyron.

With a Norwegian investor and the European Investment Bank in tow, Koenigsegg signed a memorandum of understanding with General Motors to buy Saab Cars AB.

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Photo by Scott Schumacher

At the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis on Sunday evening, I debuted some new works that served as an update to my previous work. It was a way to contemporize The Boy from Reseda and After Party for the largest room I’ve ever read in.

Now, these works are now available online for your reading pleasure (including a bonus piece that was not read tonight). Thank you for supporting me on this literary path and for being there at the Guthrie tonight!

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On Sunday evening, June 14, you have a choice of events at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. You can go to a production of Tony Kushner’s award-winning and thought-provoking musical Caroline, or Change in which tickets start at $20.00 for rush tickets (10 minutes before showtime). Or, you can catch 19 local GLBT literary artists upstairs for free.

Even at regular prices, productions at the Guthrie are an event to capture. Since opening the new building, the Guthrie continues to be on the cutting edge of stage performance with two houses and other architectural treats for the visitor.

While Caroline tells her story of race relations through song and wonderful dialogue downstairs at the Wurtele Thrust Stage, I will be among the 19 telling our stories at the McGuire Proscenium Stage on the 4th level of the complex.

Believe me, this is not about me. There are some wonderful people that will be up there as well. It is presented by some of the finest writers I know: John Medeiros and Andrea Jenkins. My friend Doug Federhart will be on stage as well, along with 17 other headliners from the literary arts community. Believe me, you’re in for a special evening.

What am I doing at this gig? Reading, of course. I have some new material I will be debuting that will update and pay tribute to my previously published work. Don’t worry, they’ll be released online – somewhere.

Not to mention there are still copies of The Boy From Reseda and After Party out there. If you come to the Guthrie Theater on Sunday, you can score a copy! I’ll have them with me!

Again, the details are as follows: as a collaboration between Intermedia Arts and Hamline University, the Queer Voices literary arts program will hold their annual Pride Month reading at 7:00PM at the Guthrie’s Proscenium Stage on Sunday, June 14. Admission to the reading is free.

I hope you can join us for a great night of queer literary arts at the Guthrie! Certainly there is a choice of things to do this weekend in and around The Cities, including pool parties, bear busts, softball games…and so forth. But, if you come Sunday evening, I’m very certain that you will be thoroughly entertained.

Thanks!

Times Square - New York, N.Y. Photo by Randy Stern

Is New York City still a great place to visit?

My couple of visits, essentially about 9-10 years ago, were one-day affairs from my home near Washington, DC – achievable by taking the first Delta Shuttle from National Airport into LaGuardia and taking the last one home. I recalled the remoteness of the Marine Air Terminal where the Shuttles would fly in. These convenient flights were compounded by the wait for the airport service bus into Manhattan. Once into Manhattan, I had free reign of the island stretching sometimes from Central Park down to Battery Park. That’s not much real estate to cover, but Manhattan offers a ton of stuff to do inside of it.

At that time, I visited a New York under Rudy Giuliani, a mayor dedicated to making his city the happiest place on Earth. And, it was! People were friendly and helpful – not like the old days when the city would not be a safe and friendly place. Not like my first trip, which was done under dire circumstances I rather not get into.

To make up for time and all previous adventures into the big city, this return to New York was done differently. Getting into town was done differently, as I flew into Newark. Unlike my last two times, I’m stayed overnight at a hotel in Manhattan’s Tribeca district. Again, the theme of this trip is about doing things differently than before to maximize the enjoyment of this country’s center for almost everything.

What I found was a city that is still evolving every minute - a state of constant change, despite signs of familiarity that is the city’s signature. Richard Florida envisioned the city as one transitioning from its reliance as a financial powerhouse to a balanced economy with culture as the driver. It is in bloom, with video screens and blaring horns (looking for a $220 fine to be assessed in some areas of Manhattan).

The backdrop for this weekend was indeed intriguing. In Midtown on Sunday, they had the Tony Awards at the Radio City Music Hall. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin showed up with Giuliani at the same Yankees game I did. Not to mention a new experiment to reduce vehicle traffic in Times Square was in effect. The fashions certainly changed, but this city loves to witness its own constant evolution. A city that is narcissistic welcomes those who want an equal shot at reinvention.

To see what I’ve seen, click on this link for a photo essay on this return to the Big City after nine years.

To New York, the mirror never cracks when you smile. No matter how you change over time.

2008 Saturn Vue Green Line at the 2007 Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Auto Show - Minneapolis, Minn. Photo by Randy Stern

As General Motors pawns off pieces of their “old” company, there are deals to be had. These deals will include product development, manufacturing contracts, dealerships and distribution networks.

This week alone, two assets of the “old” GM are being negotiated to potential new owners. The controversial Hummer brand may be in the hands of heavy equipment manufacturer Sichuan Tengzhong of China, while the kings of customer loyalty, Saturn, could be in the hands of Roger Penske’s empire.

What do these deals entail? What is being affected on GM’s side as well as the brands themselves? What else is at stake? Let’s see what I know or could speculate so far…

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