I for one am used to a life of Hyundai’s and Toyota’s when it comes to my vehicular activities, so when I got the opportunity to review a limo company for the first time I instantly jumped at it. What differs this one compared to the other run of the mill businesses that are out there is how the company came to be and the efforts that they are making in order to get themselves to another level. This company is called Luxor Limo, located in the heart of Brooklyn. What makes this company different in fact? Owner Simon Chkifati, is one entrepreneur who is leveraging technology to boost his fleet at Luxor Limo. In addition to GPS in every vehicle, Luxor uses a vehicle tracking system that helps with accurate dispatching. His company also offers a user-friendly online reservation system so clients can book a car from anywhere in the world under a New York minute. Superior custom service is what ultimately drives Chkifati’s business. The latest model cars, hand picked drivers and a comfortable and relaxing ride are guaranteed. [Read more…] about Luxury Rides by Luxor Limo- The Manhattan Digest Review
The Affinia 50- Stylish And Comfort Meets Affordable. Yay.
Many people dread the thought of finding an affordable place to stay when they visit New York City due to the hope that when you walk in you hopefully will not find a reason to take a 2nd shower that day due to how gross the place looks and feel. Affinia Hotels does the exact opposite- it has great rates for all of their types of rooms and comes with a ton of amenities that work well for a variety of “stay-scenarios”. I got to spend a night at the Affinia 50, located at the corner of 50th and 3rd Street in Midtown a couple of weeks ago to much happiness and satisfaction with many aspects one looks for when it comes to a good night stay at a hotel. It provided warmth, big beds, a stylish room and of course fantastic hospitality from all of its staff members. While I was there I got to speak to their fantastic press rep Amy Mierzwinski who told me a little more about the history behind Affinia 50 and where they see themselves going in the near future. Take a look!
How long has the Affinia 50 been up for?
Affinia 50 opened in October 2004 after a $12-million renovation as an executive club suite hotel. In December 2013, the hotel unveiled its latest $19 million, top-to-bottom redesign, encompassing all guest rooms and suites, as well as all public spaces, including the lobby, popular second floor Club Room and corridors. The first renovation for the property in ten years,
Style wise it is very eclectic. Where did you draw inspiration for its colorful designs?
Affinia 50’s transformation, pays homage to its surroundings; capturing the energy and evolution of the neighborhood, while blending the comforts of home. The boutique hotel’s overall design offers more of an open layout, created to reflect a chic, city-smart space.
Affinia 50 is an artfully residential hotel that captures the spirit of the Midtown neighborhood and energy of New York City in its atmosphere with a collection of local artwork and eclectic treasures found throughout the city. Re-imagined by celebrated architect Nobutaka Ashihara and international interior design firm Dawson Design Associates, the property’s approachable yet modern environment is achieved through textures, rich woods and classic lines – all of which underlies the Affinia 50 boutique hotel experience.
There seem to be a variety of rooms for your customers. Can you tell me a little bit about each?
The renovation expanded the hotel’s inventory with 41 additional rooms for a total of 251 guestrooms, including 100 rooms with kitchens and 19 with private terraces with Manhattan skyline views. The oversized guest rooms are approachable and carefully designed with flexibility to meet the needs and requirements for all guests – whether for the business or leisure traveler. Guest rooms offer wireless high-speed Internet, cable TV with web browser, in-room safe (laptop compatible), dry cleaning / laundry services, signature Affinia Beds, choice of Affinia Dream Pillows and bath amenities by Comfort Zone, the exclusive Italian skincare line.
Following is a breakdown of each category:
Guest Room
Sleeping area with one or two beds and living space with coffee maker. The expansive Guestroom Deluxe includes a pullout sofa for extra room. Can accommodate up to three people (325–400 sq. ft.).
Studio
Oversized Guest Room with living space and one or two-bed sleeping area; all have full kitchenettes. Can accommodate up to three people (433 sq. ft.).
Junior Suite
Extra-spacious suite with one or two beds, living space with sofabed; fully appointed kitchenette. Can accommodate up to four people (507 sq. ft.).
One-Bedroom Suite
Comfortable living space with sofabed, dining area and separate bedroom with one king or two queen beds; fully appointed kitchenette. Can accommodate up to six people (790 sq. ft.). Connect two suites for up to 1,580 sq. ft. of space.
Terrace Suite
Comfortable living space with sofabed, dining area and separate bedroom with 1 king or two queens beds; fully appointed kitchenette and private terrace with views of Midtown and the East River. Can accommodate up to six people.
Hotels in New York City tend to be expensive, are your rooms affordable for the masses?
Yes, our rates are competitive. Our guests find a real value in the sizes of our guestrooms and suites and the added bonus of having kitchens in many of our rooms. It’s a great way to experience the excitement of New York City while still having the comforts of home.
What are you hopeful for Affinia 50 in 2014 and beyond?
As part of the new overall direction for the NYC hotel, we look forward to forging more strategic partnerships that will enhance our guest’s experience. Recently, Affinia 50 launched a collaboration with FreshDirect, offering guests ready-to-make meals delivered to the hotel; NakedWines.com, an online community that supports independent winemakers, to host the hotel’s nightly wine hour, and Love Grace, an organic juice cleanse brand offering guests the choice of a one- or three-day customized juice cleanse.
For the modern profession, the hotel wants to continue offering services to suit their needs. The new Cupboard features food and beverages, and other convenience items for the professional on-the-go. Then after a long day of meetings, guests can relax in the Club Room with a complimentary glass of wine or a signature cocktail. They can also benefit from late check-out, access to our state-of-the-art fitness center and complimentary WiFi when they book the Keep It Professional package.
Want to know more about Affinia 50 and their other great line of hotels? Check out the official website for more information!
Gaby Brasserie Francaise- What is French for Delicious?
When it comes to dining in New York City, you have your endless amounts of cultural food experiences that you can enjoy in any of the five boroughs. However, for the ones who work around the midtown area, you are left with a ton of chain restaurants and your run of the mill local deli which doesn’t exactly leave you wanting more. Gaby Brasserie in The Sofitel New York on West 45th Street has proven itself to change your mind on how you can find a unique and delicious spot right in the heart of Midtown. This spot bodes a ton of convenience for me as I work directly across from it and walk past it on a daily basis yet never went inside to experience just how amazing this place is. Luckily for me, I got the chance to do some tastings last week with a good friend of mine and suffice to say we were both blown away by the technique, flavor and overall presentation of each dish.
The food was prepared by Sylvain Harribey, the hotel’s award-winning executive chef and a recent winner of the Food Network’s Chopped (one of my personal favorite shows. I gotta find the episode that he was on!) His friendly demeanor in presenting each course definitely gave me a better sense of the restaurant as a whole, which had a warm and inviting feeling to it upon entrance. The first course, or the “Amuse Bouche” that was presented to us was a Butternut Squash Cappuccino. I am normally not a fan of Butternut Squash Soup due to how sweet it is, yet this was presented in a great duality of sweet and savory for sure. Great balance and an overall great start to the meal. For our appetizer, I got to experience for the first time in my 27 years of existence Foie Gras, which is the liver of a duck or goose. As odd as it sounds, I was apprehensive due to this being a new type of food that I have never experienced before, but just like the soup I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of each way the Foie Gras was presented to us. The first one was a Foie Gras spring roll with Prosciutto, fig and mixed greens. The second was a Sesame crusted foie gras au torchon served on Brioche. The third option was Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras over sweet potato mash with an Asian Vinaigrette. All were delicious but I would have to say that the latter was my favorite due to the contrast of the mash with the Vinaigrette.
For our entree and sandwich courses (Because you really can’t have one without the other, right?) we were treated to two very different delicacies that were packed with flavor and punch in its own right. For the entree, we were presented with Oven Roasted Dijon Lamb Loin on a crushed white bean puree flavored with pumpkin seed oil, vegetable tian gratine (eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, roma tomato, Provencal herbs and Parmesan cheese). As odd as it sounds, my favorite part of this dish happened to be the gratine due to the enormity in flavor that Chef Harribey prepared for each of the vegetables. Don’t get me wrong, the Loin was off the chain, but sometimes the supporting roles play just as much importance as the main star. For the Sandwich, it was what they like to call the “Franburger”– Served on a crispy baguette with melted brie cheese, lettuce, tomato and Provencale fries. I am not one for brie really on anything with the exception of a Ritz cracker, however it tasted really well and balanced with the burger and baguette. I am a big fan of french fries, and the sprinkling of Provencale on top of them really made it tasty and balanced with the burger.
We were then treated to an assortment of mini desserts including Caramel Cake and Creme Brulee to name a couple. Overall this was an astonishing meal, and I can totally see how Chef Harriby not only won “Chopped” but also runs such a successful establishment with some of the most professional staff me and my friend have ever experienced. Overall, a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my book!
What’s even better is what they have planned for Valentine’s Day on Friday. It is a Valentine’s Day menu so studded with aphrodisiacs it warrants a tongue-in-cheek “consume at your own risk.” The seduction begins with an amuse bouche of East Coast oyster with shallot raspberry vinegar, followed by a choice of pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras with sweet potato purée and fig sauce or an assortment of smoked fishes served with mậche lettuce, avocado, citrus and vinaigrette. For their main dish, patrons can choose Filet de Boeuf – a pan-seared Angus beef tenderloin with almond, cauliflower and potato purée served with grilled asparagus and topped with green peppercorn sauce – or Sole Roulade with basil salmon mousse, fennel and vegetable gratin, and a sauce of saffron and fine herbs. Dessert is a delectable Saint Honoré of raspberry mousse with crème chiboust topped with Grand Marnier sauce.
Sounds insanely yummy! For more information on The Gaby Brasserie, be sure to visit their website! Definitely a place to check out for Valentine’s Day and beyond!
Are Gay Men the new face of Body Dysmorphia?
At What Point Do We Take Body Image to Dysmorphia Land?
When we are young our parents (if they are good of course) teach us to play well with others regardless of traits such as physical appearance and difference of interests. As time goes by, we get older and start the “Human Nature” process of either quiet or blatant judgement when it comes to anything from the popular girl that you hate but secretly want to be like or the nerdy kid with the bad acne who you want to laugh at but probably will realize how much richer and better off they will be than you in the future. We also consistently compare each other, both men and women, in terms of weight. Now that I have been in the gay community for a number of years, it seems to be a common thread that so many men talk about- weight. Gaining, losing, maintaining- I’ve heard it all. It has become an obsession in our culture in particular to be a certain size if you want to be desirable to a group or variety of groups who like your body type. Be it the muscle jock who fits in with the up and coming trendy Hell’s Kitchen scene, the muscle bear who you see chugging beers with his friends at Gymbar, or even the husky dude who loves the belly rubs from his friends and admirers at Rockbar, we all think about how we want to viewed in the physical sense. But at what point does weight become a dysmorphic lifestyle and when does it become something that you can take control of?
I have several personal friends, who are all in great shape, tell me in confidence that they still see themselves differently. They don’t see how great they look now, but instead tend to always focus on the past and not the present tense. This bodes so many issues that are included in dysmorphia- including confidence, insecurity, and above all not having overall positive outlook on yourself and your life. This can lead to clinical depression which is something that I have seen happen both inside and outside of the gay community. Why do we put ourselves through this?
I had a friend of mine who is well known in the adult industry. What makes this guy so damn attractive outside of the aesthetic that he has worked very hard at is that he is also a very smart and intelligent guy. However, he has told me several times that in the mirror, in his scenes and even when other guys want him, he still looks at himself as the dorky gay kid that got pushed into lockers by his peers. It’s mind blowing to me that this is their reality. One time we were headed to dinner with his boyfriend and his boyfriend and I suggested Outback and he opted for sushi simply stating- “I have a shoot next week and don’t want to look fat”. To which I replied- “I highly doubt the guy who is watching this movie is going to turn it off because he can see the pumpernickel bread with butter in your stomach mid thrust”. Granted I can joke about it, but he takes it very seriously. So why all of this in today’s modern world?
Many solutions are from within but its also the image that the gay community has kind of made itself to be. We are shown so many different images of male models who are in shape with rock solid bodies that we feel we need to live up to that type. Unless it is a bear related magazine, all of the other trendy gay magazines have the same type of model on the front just a different name and hairstyle or unique tattoo placement. We also are in the world of the Smart Phone, where each app comes with its own sort of judgement. If your profile blatantly states “In Shape” it then shuns away a good amount of guys who automatically feel that this one dbag won’t even talk to them because they don’t have a 6 or 8 pack.
I’ve heard from several different people the lengths they will go to have said bodies, one being the ever so popular “juicing” or taking steroids which can lead to a ton of physical and mental problems. I think the extremities that men will go to to achieve this type of quote unquote “physical perfection” is very alarming and is something that needs to be more of an open conversation and ultimately a way to find inner happiness that doesn’t revolve around the amount of guys who turn around when you walk into a gay bar.
What is your opinion on this? If you want to learn more on Body Dysmorphic Disorder, click here.
Is Macklemore’s Agenda Pro-Macklemore or Pro-Gay?
Macklemore- Gay Crusader or Selfish Poser?
Tonight will be a big night for rapper Macklemore and his sidekick Ryan Lewis. They are at the top of the leader board in Grammy nominations with 7, including the illustrious Best New Artist and Album of the Year, something that they are both heavily favored to win. As if that isn’t big enough, he is now doing something on tonight’s show that has never been done before.
According to NewNowNext, 34 gay and straight couples will be wed during Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ performance of “Same Love”, which is up for Song of the Year. Further than that, Queen Latifah, a devout supporter of the gay community will be officiating this group wedding. Crazy right? As awesome as this has sounded to some, it doesn’t sound that great to many others. Funny part is that the ones that aren’t down for this quote unquote “prop” are gays themselves. Here is why.
There have been people who think that what he is doing, on top of the song “Same Love” is just an agenda for him to further push his career into being the next big “pop hop” superstar (their words not mine). They believe that it doesn’t come from an authentic place, even having someone write- “Straight pop-rappers are ruining the sanctity of homosexuality”. There needs to be a bit more depth in that very honest quote, but I get where they are coming from because in a sense there isn’t a gay one out there that can speak their mind freely the way that they do without the words “fag” or “homo” being put into it. Why is this? Because hip-hop remains a very homophobic industry, and even with the support from huge stars like Macklemore, it shouldn’t be him that is speaking the message- it should be us.
At the same time, the song and what he is doing is groundbreaking in so many different ways. He is publicly said that the reason why he did this was to further help the state of Washington legalize same-sex marriage, which has now completely come to fruition. So in a way I don’t think what tonight is going to be is a prop. Now, if we look back 12 years ago when Elton John joined Eminem on stage for their performance of the controversial “Stan”, that to me is different. That was Eminem’s way of saving his ass because so many organizations like GLAAD were after him for his spewing hatred of gays in his songs on top of his misogynistic lyrics. Suffice to say, it was a well received performance, but it is like apples and oranges in comparing the both of them when it comes to pushing someone’s agenda.
So there is two very different sides to how people view Macklemore, how would you view him? Pro-gay, or pro-himself?
HBO’s Looking- Predictable and Pretentious… as Promised.
Looking for… Substance?
HBO’s highly anticipated and publicized show “Looking” premiered last night as the latter part of the comedy hour they are now sharing with “Girls”. There has been a ton of hooplah surrounding “Looking” even before it started, as social media exploded with its accusations of the cast alone looking very one note without much diversity (something that I agree with). Also, to some annoyance, it has been touted by websites such as Buzzfeed as “The Next Great Gay Show” which is a bit premature as I’m sure they only got a screener of the first episode and can only judge so much from that. Seeing as there isn’t much gay shows on TV where we aren’t supporting characters but much more an entire cast, I severely looked forward to dissecting this show to it’s fullest content.
Then I watched it, and my primetime erection went down faster than Chris Christie’s political dreams. This happened for so many reasons honestly, but there is a smidgen of hope I feel for this show as a whole. That hope is Jonathan Groff, who many people know as being Rachel’s love interest on the former hit now please cancel it before I shoot myself “Glee”. He plays Patrick, the lead of the show who starts at the beginning attempting to get fellatio in a park from a rather hot bearish type guy. This was the high point in the show as he nervously answers his phone in the midst of it as he thought it was his “Mother”. Cute.
Here is my problem with his character- the problems he encounters throughout the episode would be cute if he was in the 21-24 age range, but I feel if you are an out and proud gay man at 29- these things shouldn’t be happening to you still. The BJ thing maybe, but the awkward date, the “6 month relationship” and so on and so forth. I just think his character lacks maturity that is made up for in his cuteness and impressionable behavior which is lose it’s gum flavoring very fast if things don’t pick up.
Murray Bartlett, who most gays know as the shoe maven who stole Carrie away from her wing eating time with Aiden on “Sex & The City” plays Som, a pushing 40 waiter who whines and bitches that a twinky 20 something rejected him mainly because of his age. At the end of the show he tries to get redemption on said twink by going to the bar with Patrick to make himself feel better about the rejection. So boring, no depth and if there is one character that should be a one off it’s him.
Lastly the one diverse character we have in this show is Agustin, played by Frankie J. Alvarez, who is Patrick’s roommate. He is in a relationship with Frank, played by OT Fagbenie. They run into the ever so present problem of having an open relationship which seems to be a big topic of debate in the gay community and end the episode not necessarily wanting the same thing. Should be interesting to see how it plays out.
Overall I would give the first episode 3 out of 10. Sorry if it’s harsh, but “Looking” is “Queer As Folk” for the iPhone digital world. The semi digs at bears or guys that don’t fit the size 29 stereotype, the severe lack of diversity ESPECIALLY in a place like San Francisco, and the dialogue which no one really says (“Are You Drug and Disease Free”, on a first date) lead this show to be just like the rest. I am not saying I need to watch this show to find a guy exactly like me, however this show has been done before. So until I see some changes and maturity in the upcoming episodes, my thought process is this.
Talde in Park Slope Brings the Flavor and More
I have been a big fan of Dale Talde for quite some time now. As someone who is an avid “Top Chef” fan, I saw his ferocious personality and cooking ability shine through in not only “Top Chef: Chicago” but also in “Top Chef: All Stars”, where he should’ve made it quite further in both seasons (IMO). Now, with the help of the show and his own drive and determination, he has successfully launched his restaurant simply called “Talde” in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn. “Talde” just celebrated its second anniversary of being open, and consistently has a packed house on a nightly basis, and is helping the thriving area of Park Slope become known for a foodie destination for all New Yorkers to experience. I got to sit down with the Culinary Institute of America grad a couple of days ago to find out more about him and this fantastic eatery. [Read more…] about Talde in Park Slope Brings the Flavor and More
Natasha Owens, An Unconventional Look at Pop: Music Reviews
It is hard in today’s sex crazed, pop sugar type of a music world for anything not of the norm to make it big with what we have in front of us. Especially when you throw the word “Christian” in it as it tends to have its own connotation attached to it. Natasha Owens proves that you don’t have to go to extremes like the Rihanna and Britney Spears of the worlds in order to get people’s attention, you can do it in two other ways- your voice and your message. That is what she is expressing on her incredible effort, “I Made It Through”. On her official website, she explains it as “A Journey Of Healing And Restoration”, something that seems to be needed for so many people today.
In the video about the album itself, she talks about losing her father back in 2010 and the daily struggles of something as simple as getting out of bed was a task to do. She had an anger with god originally that over time quickly changed when she drew inspiration from other people’s songs about the man himself and realized that he was really looking over her all along. Now I am not much of a religious person, but I can relate exactly to how she is feeling because I lost my mother roughly ten years ago and part of what got me through was uplifting music and the spirit to go on, and that is why I think this is an album that truly should not be missed.
Two of the stand out tracks from the album itself is the title track and “The Cure”, which are both beautifully written and easy listening songs that anyone can personally relate to. She also has this to say about her music- “I strive to create music that contain songs of restoration that can help each listener with whatever trial in their life that they were facing. To let them know that they are not alone, that there is a God who loves them and will never leave them.” I couldn’t agree more. She is someone to look out for in 2014, and my hopes are that her music is heard by as many people as possible and get her message.
Natasha Owens Album Video
Check out her site for more information, and best of luck to Natasha in the future!
Besito In Huntington Village in Long Island | Restaurant Reviews
Sure this website is meant for all things Manhattan but we can’t forget one of the greatest (and not so greatest) part of New York- Long Island! As someone who grew up on the island of long I have faced my fare share of stereotypes that we Long Islanders face on a daily basis. A consistent one seems to be that all we are is delis and chain restaurants. Whereas I believe we have some of the best freaking delis in the world, we also have really good and authentic food that doesn’t come from your run of the mill chain establishment. If you are looking for some damn good Mexican cuisine mixed with a downtown, NYC type vibe, Besito in Huntington Village is the place to go.
“Long Island’s Premier Mexican Restaurant,” Besito, “leaves the competition in the dust” says Joanne Starkey of The New York Times. The authentic Mexican restaurant, translated little kiss in Spanish, is owned by veteran restaurateur John Tunney III, David Tunney & John Rieger. Besito Mexican Kitchen and Agave Lounge opened its first location in 2006 in Huntington, followed by the second location in 2007 in Roslyn, followed by the third location in 2009 in West Hartford, CT. Both Long Island locations garnered “excellent” ratings from The New York Times, while the West Hartford location was named Best Mexican Restaurant by Hartford Magazine and Open Table’s #1 Mexican Restaurant in the New York/Tri-State Area.
I grew up right around Huntington Village and it always reminded me of the actual village area in New York, minus the annoying tourists and hipsters. Although the restaurant scene and businesses in Huntington Village seem to change on a yearly if not monthly basis, Besito has managed to keep itself there for years running. Not having been there in a couple of years, I was delighted recently to go with a good girlfriend of mine and see what all the fuss was about since I have been there. Boy oh boy did they not disappoint.
Anytime you hear the worlds “Table Side Guacamole” you instantly get a happy face, I don’t care who you are. Guac is life my friends, and their guacamole is truthfully delicious and packed with a ton of flavor. Definitely a good starter in my book. Another good appetizer for you and your team to much on is the Flautas De Pollo and the Empanadas de Hongos to name a few. The Empanadas are quite fresh tasting and beat your everyday frozen type you can get at the supermarket by a long shot. Same go with the Flautas, which is also known as a crispy type of chicken taco. Both were quite delicious.
I think every meal on the entree menu deserves some type of Academy Award for how awesome it would taste in my mouth, however me and my friend chose two that suited that bill and beyond. I’m a stickler for steak being cooked correctly and having a good amount of flavor and taste to it as if it is left alone can taste quite bland. The Alambre de Res, or Strip Steak with Salsa Verde, Chorizo and rice, fit the spot completely. But the standout dish for me and my friend was hands down was the Camarones Ajillo, which were jumbo shrimp cooked in a garlic chile salsa with a side of mashed boniato, their version of a mashed potatoes. It was such a great mixture of savory, sweet and salty that blended really well together. The beans and rice on the side are always a good addition to any meal, but what side really tasted incredible was the Elotes de la Calle, or roasted corn with Roasted Local Corn, Chile Molido and Queso Fresco. Incredible. Overall, this meal was quite phenomenal.
You also get a couple of churros on the way out which is the satisfying end to a great meal. If you are ever in the Huntington Village area of Long Island, Besito is definitely something I would recommend going to. A bit pricey for my demographics standards, but if you can afford it it is worth the dime. Trust me. Besito’s menu varies from lunch to dinner so check out the official website so more information.
Barber Pete- Staying Relevant While Under Construction
In today’s ever changing world, many people are realizing that the industry they are working in simply just isn’t doing it for them anymore. Whether it is a money thing, your surroundings or simply not happy where you are we are have our reasons. Barber Pete, or my good friend Pete Karjalainen is a prime example of that. After successfully being in the adult industry for over twenty years under the names Eric York and Pete Finland, he has decided to go off on his own as a successful barber in the Washington D.C. area. He has developed himself into something quite different from what he used to do yet still keeping up with his image in his former life and not making any apologies for it. I know several people who have denounced what they used to do in that industry, and Pete simply just looks back on it. Now he is “Under Construction” and doing his best in another field which seems to be doing quite well for him. I sat down with him over the weekend to get his take on it all, including a very controversial commercial that he was involved in a couple of years back. Take a look and see for yourself.
How did you get your start in the industry?
It began when I met porn agent, David Forest. At the time, he had all the big names under his wing- Ryan Idol, Chi Chi Larue, and so on. He asked me to sign up with him. I was new in LA and needed the cash. That’s how it started.
Did you prefer being Eric York or Pete Finland?
David Forest came up with name Eric York. Peter is my real name. I prefer Pete.
Why the name change?
I felt like I needed a change. With Eric I was the guy next door, I’m a grown man now. Like I said, peter is my rel name. My rel last name is one of those typical Finnish last names that no one can pronounce. And since I had been working with The Tom of Finland Foundation since 1999, using Pete Finland just made sense and it was easy for people to remember.
What’s your opinion on the industry today?
When I started, Viagra didn’t exist, therefore, we relied on our own passion on the set. These days, they have all the pills and injections to get hard, so there often seems to be very little chemistry. There are a lot of hot guys, but I think those who enjoy porn wish to see more chemistry and passion.
Why did you ultimately leave it?
It stopped being fun. I did my last scene in London in the summer of 2012, and it was anything but fun. Sex is supposed to be passionate and intimate, not cold and calculating. Don’t get me wrong – I’m VERY grateful for the twenty years in the business … and that I lived to tell about it. The places i saw and the people i met were just awesome. Simply, it was time to move on to something that I enjoy and feel passionate about. At the end, I received the Raven’s Eden Living Legend Award. That was a good place to retire.
Tell me about the experience doing the rugby commercial.
It was such an interesting experience. I was walking my dog in West Hollywood and a woman approached me and asked if I wanted to be in a commercial. We did short video interview. They called me to a casting agency in Santa Monica a few days later. There were 17 guys for the same role. Since i have a Finnish accent, I thought that I didn’t stand a chance and I almost left. I was already there, so I decided to stick around. When it was my turn, they kept asking me if i had a problem kissing another guy. I said, “Absolutely not”, and I was hired. The day of the shoot, we started at 7AM in a Venice Beach sports bar with a real rugby team and several extras. The famous kiss was a secret from the rugby team. The funny thing is that while we were waiting around, I started to bond with the guys from the team and felt very comfortable. Late in the day, knowing that the kiss is going to come, it started to be nerve-racking. I didn’t know how the rowdy team was going to react to the surprise. Randy, the guy i was kissing, froze! That’s why i grabbed his head and pulled him in. I figured: if we are going to do this, we are going to do it like we mean it! The first take was the most important and the one that really mattered. The camera needed to capture the reactions of the rugby players. Of course we had to do it 7-8 times, but the reactions you see are totally real. Afterwards, everyone was very cool.
How did you transition into becoming barber Pete?
l’ve always been fascinated about facial hair and barbering. Facial hair for men is what make up is for women – both can hide or enhance your facial features. I view the interaction between me and the guy sitting in my barber chair as the ultimate in male bonding, even is there is no conversation. I enjoy that. In addition, my sister has her own salon in Helsinki, so it’s kind of in my blood.
Anything else you are working on now?
No, I’m just focusing on barbering.
What are your hopes for the future?
To make a name for myself as a barber. Maybe even develop my own product line for men’s hair care later on.
I have been doing this whole blogging thing for four years now and in doing so have interviewed some pompous and arrogant people in their own fields. Barber Pete is the exact opposite, and he is not only a kind and sweet guy but also smart and sexy to boot. Did I mention sexy? Yeah because thinking otherwise would be like saying pizza tastes disgusting and is stupid. If you would like to know more about Barber Pete, including how you yourself can book an appointment with him in the D.C. area, check out his Twitter & Instagram for more information. He works for the Logal 14 Salon & Spa which you can find more of here.