Hot Ginger of the Week: Macklemore

Well this is one for the books, a hot ginger rapper? Can’t say I saw this one coming. We be representing. 

I have been listening to a lot of Macklemore lately and I got to say I really dig him. His lyrics and rhymes buck convention and really hold a mirror up and question what we should find acceptable in modern hip-hop. Conventions of excess and ego are turned on their heads examined. I particularly like his honesty and self-deprecation in “The Penis Song”, I think it takes balls, in the ego driven world of hip hop to admit your penis is only slightly above average. Being Irish and incredibly self-deprecating by nature, I find this is incredibly refreshing. I mean I firmly believe in mans god given right to take the piss out of himself. It’s got me to where I am today. 

Take his biggest hit so far ‘Thrift Store’ (see below), I love the concept of a rapper going into his local Goodwill store, rummaging through shitloads of second hand fare to find the most fly attire. Most rappers today talk of the excess of being dressed head to toe in Gucci and popping Crystalle. Don’t get me wrong I do love the Kanyes’ and Jayzs’ of this music world but as I said it’s just refreshing to see raps excess being examined. 

And lastly, as a gay man I can’t help but choke up a bit every time I  hear ‘Same Love’. I guess I have never been that active in terms of getting involved with gay rights movement. I’ve only been out for 5 years so my time was spent getting used to this new world I now lived in. Lately though I have been feeling pretty strongly about marriage equality, a referendum is coming in Ireland (currently we only had Civil Partnerships and that was a very recent thing) and I’ll be sure to make the necessary steps to make my vote count even though I am way over here in Switzerland. 

Anyway I appear to be getting off the point a bit. Macklemore, hot and ginger, nuff said.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Jane Levy

This is another Hot Ginger I worried might be a little to young, I mean she does play a 16 year old on TV. Yet in true Hollywood style, the internet returns our darling redhead's actual age of 23. Yup she's a lot older than you thought, eh?

Best known for playing lead character Tessa Altman in the hilarious Suburgatory, Jane is the epitome of cuteness.

Not for long tho as she's about to crop up this year on the silver screen playing Mia in the remake of Evil Dead. Early screenings point to a terrifying movie indeed and fans of the original will know what I mean when I say it's Jane's character who is taken advantage of by a usually inanimate piece of nature. Ew.

Till the movie is released we can enjoy her in her weekly and more adorable role on TV.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Alicia Witt

What ever happen to Alicia Witt? Why does she not grace us with her presence anymore? I remember in the late 90's it appeared her star was on the rise with big TV roles such as Zoey in Cybil and Hope in Ally McBeal and even a lead role in slasher movie Urban Legend (I know people think this is a terrible movie but I kinda have a soft spot for it).

Then what happened? She has since seemed to be relegated to supporting and walk on roles on television  I don't understand really but I guess it's just the way Hollywood can go sometimes.

Here's hoping she has something up her sleeve for the future to bounce back onto our radar.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Greg Rutherford

There is always something sexy about a winner, isn't there? In this years Olympic games Rutherford grabbed everyones attention as the Gold Medal winner in the Long Jump athletic event. Doing us gingers proud.

I recently saw him appear on the Million Pound Drop and it reaffirmed my beleif that I needed to include him in my little auld list of attractive redheads. He's has got the boyish good looks akin to a redhead Neil Patrick Harris and Husband and I sure do love us a bit of NPH (FYI Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog needs to be seen by all or it is a travesty).

Oh yes we all know which redhead we will be cheering on in Rio in 2016.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Amy Adams

Is Amy Adams hot? Maybe this weeks post should be renamed cute ginger of the week or well, maybe not. She is a beautiful redheaded woman and yes is worth of the label of Hot Ginger of the Week.

Amy first grabbed my attention in the 2005 indie movie 'Junebug' playing the ever bubbly and heavily pregnant Ashley Johnson, a role in which she received her first ever Oscar nomination (she now has had three). After this she became a household name and one of the first ever live action Disney princesses in 'Enchanted'.

She's gone on to have huge success in a long string of movies including last years 'The Muppets' in which she performed this hilarious song.

Girl knows how to have a laugh. Next up for Amy is no doubt another Oscar nom for Paul W Anderson's 'The Master' and in 2013 we will see her grace our screens as Lois Lane. And you know what dear readers she kept the red hair for the role.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Toby Stephens

Husband clued me into this week's Hot Ginger. I had seen the face before but did not know the name.

Toby is an English stage, television and film actor who was once asked to become the next Bond. Considering how people reacted to casting the blond Daniel Craig, see Toby's own reaction after all the hubbub, "Can you imagine if they'd given it to a ginger? There'd be assignation plots".  Well I am sure we wouldn't mind Toby.

Toby does a lot of TV in the UK and was actually in one of the bond movies too. He's also the son of the Dowager Countess herself Dame Maggie Smith, so look at that for thespian routes.

You can see him currently shaking his ginger locks on the BBC series Vexed.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Jessica Chastain

This Hot Ginger seemed to be in every movie out last year, in total starring in 7 movies released in 2011 including Oscar nominated 'The Help' and 'Tree of Life'.

Girl was everywhere all of a sudden and we were all like who is this beautiful new redhead that came out of nowhere.

Her star is on the rise with a bag of new movies on her slate including 'Lawless' with Tom Hardy and Shia LeBeef and as the voice of a Jaguar in the third Madagascar movie.

Sorry for the quickie post Jessica but I am bout to hop on a bus bound for Dublin and will be sans internet again for a bit.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Andy Butler

I'm surprised I managed to wait this long to feature this particular redhead considering I maybe ever so slightly have a massive crush on him, almost to the point that if Husband and I say had a 'list', Mr Butler's name would probably be on mine.

I'm sure most of you out there are thinking 'GBM who in God's name is this guy?' and that's fine, makes sense even. Andy is the mastermind/DJ behind 'Hercules and Love Affair' that dance outfit that had us all sweating up a storm on the dance-floor in 2008. Still not sure well let me remind you here.

'Blind' was voted best track of 2008 by 'Pitchfork' media and I personally think it was an truly inspired idea having Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons fame) provide vocals and turning him into to this new found disco diva. Bravo Mr Butler, bravo.

For those of a nervous disposition I apologise large amount of giant man nipple on display in this particular post, it's just difficult to find any pictures of Andy with his shirt actually on (it must get hot up in that DJ booth).

For everyone else, enjoy.    

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Bryce Dallas Howard

This weeks Hot Ginger is one I've tended to avoid for quite a bit of time in terms of her acting roles. It's not her fault really, she is a promising actress and a rare beauty it's just most of her roles never grabbed my attention.

First off the bat I tend to avoid M Night Shamalam movies as they have a tendency to infuriate me (especially his adaptation of my favourite cartoon of all time Avatar: The Last Airbender, how could you M? How could you?) Then popping up as Gwen Stacy in the third Spiderman movie threw the timeline all out of whack for me, Stacy was Peter Parker's first love interest so to appear three movies in as sort of test to his and Mary Jane's relationship just didn't work for me in the terms of the story (Oh no, when did I become this comic geek?)

Finally in last year's 'The Help' I saw a role for her that she was amazing in, as Hilly Hilbrook she is a vicious bitch from hell and a character you love to hate (and one you gladly see get her just desserts if you know what I mean, heh heh). I am still waiting for the role to fall in love with Howard  (hated her character in the cancer comedy 50/50 but again that was the point) but I do think she is on to a winner at the moment playing these god awful bitches in her current string of movies.

Still though her beauty is at times breathtaking and another champion of the redhead locks.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Stefano Masciolini

So this weeks Hot Ginger is someone I have never heard of before and I am afraid I won't be able to give much info on him as his Wiki appears to only be in Italian, as Husband is in work at the moment I can't ask him to translate for me (Google Translate did not give me the option and also I am lazy) .

I've pretty much picked up that Stefano is an Italian actor from Rome (yes they make them ginger in Italy too) who apparently had a small role in 'The Life Acquatic with Steve Zissou' (really don't remember him in it).

I think nowadays you'll find him on screen in some Italian TV shows but whatever lets call a spade a spade here. This is one very attractive redhead. I may have developed a new crush object. Swoon

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Kate Mara

I bet you are all looking at this Hot Ginger thinking, I know the face but from where? Kate is one of those actresses you've seen around but can never remember from what. She's actually been carving out a good career for herself bit by bit over the years.

First notable place you may have seen her turn up is in Brokeback Mountain playing Heath Ledger's daughter. Oh yeah, now you remember her do you?

No? Try TV then, she appeared in a series of 24, Entourage (eugh) and more recently American Horror Story. Still nothing?

Well you are bound to have seen this Hot Ginger somewhere even if you cannot remember where.

Things are going good for her career and I envisage a big breakout role for her very soon.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Damien Lewis

This weeks Hot Ginger is bringing sexy redhead brooding to the masses. First attracting attention in NBC's short-lived TV show 'Life', this year Damien is the sexy redhead on everyone's lips thanks to his powerhouse performance as Sergeant Brody in Showtime's 'Homeland'.

Viewers were glued to their screens watching the tense cat and mouse playoff between Lewis' Brody and Claire Dane's CIA agent Carrie Mathison. Was he a turned POW? Or was she a crazy bitch? Or maybe both? (No Spoilers)

One thing we know for sure is that Lewis is bringing a new type of sexy redhead direct into our living rooms and we salute you for it sergeant.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Karen Elson

I was vaguely aware of Ms Elson during her time as a supermodel and I thought she was interesting. Fare play to you love, doing us gingers proud. But it was when she became Mrs Jack White (now ex) that I suddenly began to stand up and take notice of this English rose.

Through this union we suddenly saw a different level to Karen, from her initial appearance in the White Stripes 'Blue Orchid' music video and her eventual evolution as a singer/songwriter in her own rite. Naysayers came down on Karen's debut album 'The Ghost who Walks' complaining that it had her then husbands finger prints all over it. If true, who cares, you cannot deny the album's quality. These 12 tracks drip with, longing, lust and a raw sexuality not heard since Isobel Campbell decided to team with Mark Lanegan.

 I greatly anticipate the follow up and seeing how Jack is now out of the picture we will know for sure whether or not the album was all his orchestrating. That said you cannot deny the voice, it's her dulcet tone that makes the listen an altogether more sexy affair and this is something Jack could not have done with his vocal. More please, more.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Eddie Redmayne

This weeks Hot Ginger name has never been more suitable to the title, I mean red-mane (sorta). Model and actor, Eddie caught everyones attention playing Jack Johnson in the BBC miniseries Pillars of the Earth.

Since then his career has gone from strength to strength, most notably playing the heart and soul of the movie in My Week with Marilyn opposite  Michelle Williams oscar nominated turn.

He is about to blow up huge on our radar as one of the leads in the movie adaptation of the broadway musical Les Miserables.

Things are looking to promising for this Hot Ginger.

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Deborah Ann Woll

For those of you who do not recognize the name, True Blood fans will surely recognise the picture above. Deborah plays Bill Compton's progeny Jessica Hamby in the HBO supernatural drama. Thing is (and I'm sure a lot of women and gay men will agree with me here) True Blood is known more so for it's incredibly attractive male actors,  watching an episode can usually leave you in a state of wanton lust but alas none of these aforementioned hotties are in the Ginger club (so glad it is back on TV).

Luckily for us the most beautiful female on the show is Miss Woll herself (sorry, Sookie and Tara, you just do not do it for me). Flawless porcelain skin and those ravishing red locks, long and dazzling. When she is on screen there are times I question my sexuality. For Deborah, I could maybe tip from a Kinsey scale six down to a five or even a four. There's just something about her that makes it impossible for you to keep your eyes off her. I reckon very soon Hollywood will come a knocking for this redheaded beauty.

That said careful with this Hot Ginger, she's known to be a bit bitey.

GBM

 

Zurich Sunday Brunch: Huusmaa

If there is one thing that gays know how and where to do, it's brunch. Ask me where to go for Sunday brunch in Dublin and I would have a list for you as long as me arm. In keeping with this I am going to try to suss out a few new places in Zurich and post about them.

Now understand this, I think mine and Husbands definition of brunch versus the common perceived conception does differ slightly.  Commonality being that it is a meal served in between breakfast and lunchtime ergo you should have brunch somewhere between 11 and 12 o clock. Well Husband and I usually throw that convention on it's head as we enjoy staying in bed till at least 12 o clock on a Sunday morning so brunch for us is usually a meal served between 2 and 3 o clock that's big enough to satisfy our insatiable appetites to cover two whole meals. Come on think about it? Which version sounds better to you? More often than not brunch usually follows the night before, whatever that may have been and you could generally tell how we were feeling by what we ordered. For example if I was particularly hungover more often a stodgy fry or pancakes would be my plate du jour.

So our first taste of Zurichian brunchness (yes I know it's Zuricher but I prefer my word. Whatever, I do what I want) was in Huusmaa on 138 Badenerstrasse in Kreis 4. It was buffet style, all you can eat with one hot drink for 32 francs. So come on an empty stomach and you will get your moneys worth (went back for seconds and thirds). We actually were invited to brunch by a workmate of Husband's who didn't know about our flipped brunch rule and booked us in for 11 o clock (first strike against Zurich brunch, you need to make a reservation). Naturally being Irish we were late but alas not our fault, as my bike Stella was acting up. You order your drink and then approach the counter, you are given plate and a croissant to start you off. My croissant had this extra pointy bit on the middle, it's like they knew I was going to blog about them so they gave me extra. Then it's a case of help yourself, freshly baked bread awaits you, along with cereals, muesli, fruit, continental meats and cheeses, the traditional fry, the swiss staple (potato rosti, nom) and bizarrely enough some pasta dish (I guess veering more towards the lunch side of brunch).

The revelation was this Spinach and Goats cheese spread (that green thingy on my plate) I went back for forths with that one. Nom Nom Nom. Also of note is the decor, this place pretty funky I must say, an assortment of different light fixtures (some working some not) spray painted turquoise, litter the ceiling. Along with obligatory disco ball and throughout, portraits by one particular street artist.

Noice

Our waitress was an absolute delight, incredibly friendly and only too glad to answer our questions (of which there were many) in English.  Of note is that Huusmaa is not open for business on a Saturday, rather the premises is rented out for large parties and such on this day. Sadly as well just as we were leaving one of this waitress's cakes collapsed on itself, she took it in her stride like a trooper and laughed it off. It made me want to buy the whole thing off her, cuteness.

All in all Hussmaa was a complete success.

Noms: 4 Noms out of 5

Hot Ginger of the Week: Michael C Hall

Hot Ginger is early this week as I'm feeling lazy and I can usually throw these together on the quick. Step up to the plate mister Dexter Morgan himself. It is no mean feat to play a serial killer and not only make him likable but also sexy.

It's a weird one this, as David Fisher in Six Feet Under I never really found him that sexy. I think it was maybe because that character was so uptight. Then Dexter came along and when I saw that opening credit sequence I was like hello Michael C Hall, you have arrived.

With each new season we see Dexter develop his humanity and also his sexuality and ability to be intimate with other people (he starts out almost impotent). So with each new season we've watched Mr Hall become more and more attractive. 


Careful though now, this is one Hot Ginger that you don't want to turn you back on (well, if you are another killer yourself at least). 

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Lily Cole

This weeks Hot Ginger is a bit of an enigma. Most famous as a model but what I love about Lily Cole is once you think you have her figured she goes and pulls the rug from under you. Like all models she tried her hand at acting, her debut was as the intelligent one of the rag tag group of teenage prosititues who were trying to save their brothel from foreclosure in those St. Trinian movies (at least that's what I thought that movie was about. A girls boarding school you say? Then why were they all dressed like hookers?). Not off to a good start eh? Then out of nowhere came her performance in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, I went in for the curio of Heath Ledger's final performance and found Cole to be the revelation (sorry Heath, but the Joker knocked me socks off). 


So I was all okay Lily Cole, colour me intrigued. Then last year she popped up again on my radar, girl had gone and gotten herself to college. Cambridge University no less, graduated top of her class with a Double First in History of Art. Beauty, brains, talent and red hair. 

What more can you ask for?


GBM 

Pronounced with a Silent J: Mark III

Went out for another jog yesterday, probably my personal best yet in terms of distance and lack of tortuous stitches. It was a 25 degree day in Zurich and the sun was shining when I started. Things were going great, my app told me I was halfway so I did a 180 and started making my way back. It was at this point the rain came, at first I thought it was exhilarating, light speckles for rain to cool me down in this sweaty summer heat. Listening to some old school nineties trance I started to quicken my pace.

Then the heavens opened, the downpour came and I could barely see a few steps in front of me. Still kinda exhilarating up until a giant bolt of lighting struck close by me, suddenly leaves and branches were falling all around me, twirling in the air. If I wasn't nearly wrecked by this stage I should have been running for cover or my life (overdramatic yes, but that's who I am). What was exhilarating was becoming a tad hurricane like. But it did give me an incentive to run faster.

When I finally made it home I looked like this.

My runners had become a squelch-factory of moistness. Nary a part of me was not soaked.

Swimming Pool Runners anybody?

 That said it could of been worse. A tree nearly fell on Husband (he's fine by the way).

Awesome Jogging Tuneage:

GBM

Hot Ginger of the Week: Michael Fassbender

This week's Hot Ginger is also a fellow Irishman and what an Irishman (I know, I know, German too). Fassbender burst onto our radar when playing a barely dressed Spartan warrior in the movie '300' (was it the director's intention to make the most homoerotic movie since 'Top Gun'?).  Since then he's been going from strength to strength impressing us with his powerful performance in 'Hunger' and managed to help breathe fresh life into the 'X-Men' series after it was nearly destroyed by Brett Rathner's third installment, 'X-Men: The Last Stand'.  In fact anyone who has seen Micheal in last years 'Shame' will be well aware of his huge ahem talent. No in all seriousness, the man is a terrific actor and was unjustly snubbed by the Oscars for his harrowing performance of a sex-addict in the movie 'Shame' (a great movie but one I will probably never watch again, tough going).

Go on ya good thing Mick.

GBM