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SMITTEN :: We all have our guilty pleasures. Mine is Pauly D. Don’t pretend like you don’t know who I’m talking about. Jersey Shore is a cultural phenomenon whether you like it or not. How did it become such a phenomenon when most of the people I talk to hate it? Is it that they are simply hiding a secret. A secret love affair for one of the trashiest shows on the air!

There is a lot of power in keeping a guilty secret. Fact is, when you hide something from others, your attachment to it only grows! Like the attachment I feel for Pauly!

At first glance, the cast of Jersey Shore look like they are all the same person. But they are as individual as snow flakes; well, they aren’t clones of each other anyway.

Of the guys on the show, Pauly is by far my favourite. Always smiling, always joking, everyone’s friend with not a care in the world, Pauly is sunshine wrapped in overly tanned skin and topped with helmet hair.

Too many tattoos, eyebrows too manicured and obviously too tanned, this guy is too much on all levels, and it’s great!

Most endearing to me is his bromance with fellow co-star Vinny. Watching these two together is heaven! Two guys, loving each others company, totally connected and always there for each other. What could be better?

So, when I heard that Pauly was going to be in Toronto on February 8th at the Sound Academy, I knew I had to be there! I pulled some strings and have some tickets to give away. Enter here to hang with me, get whisked to the Sound Academy in a limo courtesy of A Celebrity Limousine and see DJ Pauly D doing his thing live!

RELATED :: Eddie does Pauly for Halloween.

WATCH :: A Bromance Is Born

Image: Shaun Proulx Media

SURVEY SAID :: Billed as the most comprehensive survey of men who have sex with men in Canadian history, Male Call Canada is collecting data for another three weeks about the attitudes, knowledge and sexual behaviours to help inform future public health and HIV prevention strategies. It was announced Monday January 9th soccer star David Testo announced his support of the survey to help encourage men to call and participate; last week Eddie Stone picked up the phone:

Last week I did my part for gay men’s sexual health by taking the Male Call survey.

The survey, I was told, was going to take forty five minutes.  At first I thought, “Forty five minutes?  That’s a long time!  I don’t have that much time to spare!  Urg!”  But as the survey started, the questions came at me, the answers flowed from me, and something very interesting started to happen.

This survey – which I thought I could do while making dinner, playing Scrabble and ironing tomorrow’s shirt – turned out to be a lot more thought provoking then I had imagined.

Firstly, and most importantly I felt safe.  I knew that whatever was discussed would only be used in the context of the survey, and that my identity was protected.  That allowed me to be completely honest in my answers.

Eddie Stone :: Where the power lies.

Answers to questions about race, religion, financial standing, current and past drug use, sexual practices, relationships with friends and family, STD’s, HIV, discrimination and the law.

Some blocks of questions I rattled off answers easily (had I slept with a woman before, how do I identify sexually).  Others made me realize how lucky I was to be out, open and have a great support system of loved ones (was I out to my immediate family; had I ever felt discriminated against because of my race). And still other questions really made me think (whose responsiblity is it to disclose HIV status; is it a criminal offence for not disclosing HIV status).  They made me think about my role in our community, how I have contributed, my opinions on leading edge topics of HIV and the law, and challenged what I knew (or thought I knew) about sexual health.

RELATED :: Watch our video on Male Call Canada

After all was said and done (the time flew by!) I was offered numbers for support or counselling should I want them.  I hung up from the Male Call survey having learned a little about myself and having felt like I really did make a difference.  So do yourselves a favour, pick up the phone, take the survey… after all what do you have to lose? Call 1-855-846-MALE.

- More Eddie Stone.

THE WHITE STUFF :: They say that without bad times we wouldn’t recognize the good times.  I believe these words are true.  It’s the contrast of life, the ups and downs, the talls and smalls, the hots and colds, that make life worth living.

All too often I heard Canadians complain, “It’s so cold outside!”  Newsflash, it’s winter!

I embrace the winter.  I embrace the cold.  There is so much to look forward to.  The sparkling white snow as it falls gently to the ground.  The hot chocolate.  The roaring fireplace.  Skiing.  Cuddling with loved ones.  Rosy cheeks.  More options for fashion!  Think about it, how much do you appreciate the warmer months when they come?

My one wish for the holidays is for everyone, especially those that dread the winter, to find and focus on at least one thing they can appreciate about this time of year.  Hold your focus there, and you’ll quickly notice other things you enjoy about Canadian winters.

Happy Holidays!  Happy New Year!  Happy!

POLL :: How are you feeling this holiday season?

Triple-threat: The Frobisher Down Puffer Jacket for serious winter warmth. 550-fill premium goose down, 100% water repellant, lightweight. Black, coffee, navy: $395

CANADA GOOSE GETS GOOSED :: We’re fans of the ubiquitous Canada Goose brand and thankful it brought fashionable warmth to the massess these past few winters. Except the “to the masses” part. The brand’s market saturation has unfortunately put dull back in winter, a rousing game of “here a goose, there a goose, everywhere a goose goose” to be played every time one ventures out of doors.

Until now. In November, new gear guru Company of Adventurers debuted it’s wild-meets-city Winter 2011/12 line of technically functional outerwear for men and women, an impressive collection that includes t-shirts beginning at $75 with at outerwear from $350 to $795, available exclusively (and fittingly) at the original company of adventure, The Hudson’s Bay Co.

TheGayGuideNetwork's Eddie Stone wears the Radisson Wool Systems Jacket. Quilted wool 3-in-1 coat, metal shank buttons, Thermolte snap-out water-resistant inner jacket. $575

Company of Adventurers has mined deep into the Canadian psyche, drawing inspiration from our diverse topography, surrounding oceans and the rock and ice of our rugged landscapes to create cold weather sophistication with a heritage feel. Company President Michael Purkis explains their “north of where you are” ethos:

Style meets function, in or outside city limits. Above, hooded cable sweater features wax cotton trim, underarm gusset and a waxed cotton hood with sherpa fleece lining $245. Below: limited edition Founder’s Snorkel Parka made with British Millerain cotton convas is coated with wax resin for water repellence and insulated with 550 fill premium goose down. $795.

- TheGayGuideNetwork

IDENTITY :: Following our recent poll inspired by MTV star Ish Furoz (1Girl5Gays), Eddie Stone responds with his own thoughts about the labels attached to men who identify as bottoms:

RELATED :: Watch Ish Furoz’s video post / poll that spurred this response from Eddie.

SPOOKY :: This is it! The stage is set and I’m ready for my grand entrance. It’s my favourite time of year. It’s Halloween! Over the weekend I carved three pumpkins. One was from a lumiere pumpkin, a Victorian bird cage complete with black bird inside.  The second is a candy barfing crazy pants pumpkin.  And the third decided to dress up as a mummy!

Eddie Stone gives good carving / Image: Shaun Proulx Media

But the most fun I have for Halloween is of course, dressing up. If the occasion calls for it, I’m in full costume (although sometimes this is so even when it doesn’t call for it). If a party has a theme, I’m there.  If a night has a dress code, I’m first to be dressed.  And so, every Halloween I drag my friends and force my husband to dress up and hit the town.

Two years ago for the AIDS Committee of Toronto’s mega fundraiser ‘Fashion Scares’ I went as a 17th century aristocrat.  Later that month for Halloween I was The Queen of Hearts from Tim Burton‘s Alice in Wonderland.  And last year I crafted a paper mache headpiece and went out as Pauly D from Jersey Shore.

The many faces of Eddie Stone / Image: Shaun Proulx Media

This year a group of us are going as zombies.  Decaying, flesh eating zombies!  You better sleep with one eye open, or you may find me feeding on you!

GIDDY :: How do you know your in love? That’s the eternal question isn’t it? How will I know I’m in love? When should I say ‘I love you’? What does love feel like? I’ll tell you one surefire way of knowing you’re in love: when something great happens to someone and you couldn’t be any happier if it had happened to yourself.

Monday I was sitting in front of the television watching Canada AM. My face lit up and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I was glowing. A ridiculous grin stretched across my face. I was starting at my husband’s face. Poised, gorgeous, he was eloquent. That face that I look at everyday, the one I feed, the one I hold, the one I kiss, the one I console, was rocking it on Canada’s biggest morning show. He’s on TV all the time, but this morning it was different. As a PR friend said, Canada AM is the holy grail of media.  I was proud. Proud of the way he carried himself. Proud of his achievements. Proud to be his husband.

He would never write a blog post about how great he was on Canada AM, so I am. I had to. I’m in love and I know it.

KEEP READING :: Jeanne In A Green Room. Shaun chats with Jeanne Beker about a hero in the Canada AM green room

While at rest, Chef Eddie Stone enjoys a Grey Goose martini, with Brie-stuffed olives.

TRYPTOPHAN :: I think I’m still full.  Full of turkey. Full of stuffing. Full of mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. All of it prepared by yours truly. That’s right, this year I hosted my first ever Thanksgiving Day meal, and it was a butt load of work.

There’s the shopping.

There’s the prep.

There’s the timing of all the food so that you are enjoying it all at the same time.

EDDIE STONE :: What I’m thankful for this year.

And of course, there’s the advice.  Oh yes, everyone suddenly became a turkey expert.  Everyone had their tricks and tips and they were going to share them with me whether I wanted them to or not.  There’s nothing better than unsolicited advice coming from all angles.  Delicious!

“Start with the turkey upside down to keep the breast moist.”

“Make sure to baste the turkey constantly.”

“Don’t baste the turkey, it makes the skin soggy.”

“Cook it with the stuffing inside.”

“Don’t cook it with the stuffing inside because it plays havoc with cooking times.”

Catch Eddie’s infamous Porn Star Bedtime Stories, Wednesdays at 8pm ET – only on Twitter!

But I think my favourite turkey advice came when I was browsing the internet looking for turkey tips.  One site (which looked especially homemade) suggested that “…cooking the turkey is definitely the wife’s role, but if you want a Happy Thanksgiving, it’s best to let your husband choose the bird.  After all, a man’s hunting instinct is strong, and he will be proud to choose which turkey you eat for Thanksgiving.”  Holy crap, 1950 called, they want their advice back!

Anyway, my kitchen looked like a war zone.  Pots and pans everywhere.  Knives, spatulas, mixers, bowls, it was crazytown!

But by the time the plates hit the table, the food was perfect and the guests were happy!  I can now check ‘Prepare and host a Thanksgiving dinner’ off my bucket list!

Thank god.

RELATED :: Eddie Stone gets married!

DOWN THE ASILE :: With The Gay Wedding Show this Sunday at The Delta Chelsea Hotel set to introduce same-sex couples to the vendors stepping up to help you do your I-dos right, we asked a few of the many experts out there for their best tips for a perfect day.

The Expert: Malvina Chevolleau
Expertise: Sweet Beginnings Wedding and Event Planner
The Ultimate Tip: “Plan ahead and stay organized! Don’t leave all the small details until the last minute or they will bite you in the butt. Grab your partner and get to work as early as possible on all the tasks that seem most painstaking. From figuring out where you will seat your embarrassing uncle to gluing tiny bows on your menu cards, you’ll be thankful you did it early. As well, it’s your job to look your best; your guests will expect you to bring your A game on the wedding day. That’s hard to do with no sleep and stress levels off the chart, not to mention that  puffy eyes are never flattering in photos. Plan to have all the details taken care of 3 days prior to the wedding so you can get some R&R and enjoy the pre- wedding jitters with your partner. It’s also a great idea to hire a wedding planner for the day of the wedding to coordinate all the little details, even if you have done all the planning yourself. This allows you and your families the luxury of sitting back and feeling like pampered guests at your own wedding.”

The Expert: Eddie Stone
Expertise: Newlywed
The Ultimate Tip: “Don’t worry about others, which is easier said than done. But remember: It’s your day.”

The Expert: Jeff Mandell
Expertise: Bandleader (The Bluesual Suspects)
The Ultimate Tip: “Encourage your guests to get up to dance earlier rather than later. A lot of people make the mistake of saving the music for later, but after a long day of being couped up in confined spaces (posing for pictures, sitting during the ceremony) it’s very important to get them up to dance. Rather than wait for dinner and speeches to end, have them get up during dinner between courses!  Although this is counter intuitive, the net effect will be a wedding full of energized guests who end up staying longer and partying more.

The Expert: Russell Day
Expertise: Vice President, Daniel et Daniel Catering
The Ultimate Tip: “Do your homework!  Ask friends and family who they have used to plan/cater their weddings. Choose reputable suppliers and let them guide you through the process. Listen to them—they have done this before. Stick to your theme and don’t make things too complicated and don’t try to cram too much into your day.”

The Expert: Shaun Proulx
Expertise: Newlywed (catch him hosting Sunday)
The Ultimate Tip: “I’ll offer two. First, it’s all about the photos. All you’ll have after a whirlwind day is the memories captured, so make sure it’s not just whatever gets posted on Facebook. Choose a photographer whose style grabs you immediately and don’t skimp out budget-wise. I’ve seen people spend triple on flowers what they did on the photos – which lasts forever? My other tip is to focus yourself on the Big Day into the moment the minute you get up. Notice the little things, breathe, whatever it takes to keep you staying engaged so to enjoy everything you possibly can.”

The Expert: Joan Brennan
Expertise: Elite Catering
The Ultimate Tip: “The hardest thing for wedding vendors to deal with are last minute changes. They precipitate a series of changes, all of which then have to be dealt with. And gotten right! The chances of problems are magnified if changes and decisions are made late in the process.”

Tickets are $10. Enter online or at the event to win your wedding.

- TheGayGuideNetwork