You all heard me talk about how much I loved seeing a little preview of the musical HAIR during last week’s Tony Awards. The dance, the music and the hair were all rockin!

The musical inspired me to try a little something new with my own hair. I invited the well known hair braiding expert Chantal Rollins over to my home on Saturday to give me a hot new summer look! Now all I need is a neck brace to fix the crook I have in my neck from shaking these beads around like Bo Derek at a 1980’s Discotek :-)!

May the hair be with you…

Cheers,

Paul Wharton xx

This weekend was Gay Pride in DC. My man RuPaul (pictured on the left) was in town on Friday night and performed on Sunday on the mainstage. You know he turned it out! You can also catch Ru hosting the New Now Next Awards on Logo.

As you all may know, The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, which currently has two members and one vacancy, will determine whether voters should have a chance in a referendum to block a bill legalizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere (Happily Married Gay Couple - Elton John and David Furnish pictured here).

The board heard four hours of testimony last Wednesday and is expected to make a decision early next week.

Both sides presented legal and political arguments about whether the same-sex marriage issue should be in the hands of voters or the politicians who represent them.

“All we are asking for is a public debate,” said the Rev. Dale Wafer, a supporter of the referendum and a minister with the Harvest, a religious community in Northeast Washington. “We are not afraid of a debate. All we want is a public debate.”

Philip E. Pannell, a longtime gay rights advocate and Democratic Party activist, accused referendum supporters of “advocating for a popular vote that will give vent to public homophobia.”

“Unfortunately, in our society, it is still acceptable in many polite circles to vilify and victimize gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people,” Pannell testified. “Hopefully, we in the District of Columbia will not have to be subjected to a campaign of misunderstanding, intolerance, fear, bigotry and hatred toward a minority group.”

I believe this is a basic human rights issue. If you don’t want a gay person getting married… Well then “YOU” don’t marry one. It’s just that simple. And why are people so obsessed with famous gay people “coming out” (like Adam Lambert).. Who in the heck said they were in? I rarely see popular television personalities and other public figures (that may or may not be straight) constantly identifying themselves by their sexuality.

Remember everyone, we are much more alike than we are different. Love yourself, respect your neighbor and stop trippin’ :-).

Peace,

Paul Wharton xx

I’m excited that I’m going to interview the fabulous rapper Fabolous today at The CW!

Fabolous was born John David Jackson on November 18, 1977, of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. While a senior in high school, Fabolous rapped live on DJ Clue’s radio show and on WQHT Hot 97. He began to pursue a rap career late into twelfth grade.

Fabolous decided that it was time for him to start rapping seriously. He would call into DJ Clue’s radio show in late 1998, he ended up rapping for Clue, who would immediately sign him to his newly-formed Desert Storm Records. He would be featured on several DJ Clue mixtapes and mixtapes with Roc-A-Fella artists. This earned Fabolous and Desert Storm a distribution deal with Elektra Records. In 2001, they began to promote Fabolous and his debut album, Ghetto Fabolous, first by placing him on the remix to popular label-mate, Lil’ Mo’s “Superwoman (Remix).”

My interview will be up on TrenDC in a few days! Enjoy rap lovers!

Paul Wharton xx

For all of you that love America’s Next Top Model and think you have what it takes to be on the show, your chance to be considered is coming in just a few short weeks. The castings will take place in July. Check back to TrenDCtv.com over the next few weeks and be sure to watch DC 50 TV for more information.

Have you seen my interview with Sandra from ANTM Cycle 12? If you haven’t, check it out in the celebrity section of my blog.

Good luck!

Paul Wharton

I can’t complain about much in my life. That doesn’t mean there aren’t things that need to be changed or that aren’t going the way I want. I just don’t think you want to hear all of that :-). I’ve been inspired by my dear friend, comedienne Karen Williams to explore some of the root causes of my “temporary roadblocks”.

Last night, I sat in silence and meditated over a few thoughts;

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

This points to the abundant nature of reality. The abundance mentality says there is enough for everyone, we only have to realize and live by it. It is the opposite of a scarcity mentality, where you have the belief that you always have to fight for your part in a limited world.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

The essence of living in the present moment, the Now, is focusing the mind here and take attention away from thinking about past or future. The present moment is all there ever is to experience life directly. Past and future are only concepts of our mind and therefore are good for learning from the past or conceptual planning when it is useful, but after this there is no need for them. Especially not to dwell in them and get stuck there in the mind by constant thinking loops.

Living in the present hasn’t been the easiest thing to do for me. I’m a dreamer baby!! I’m always thinking of what’s coming down the line, how good it’s going to be and how much fun and love and fabulousness may be in my future. I’m learning to take the time to live in the moment.

It’s Tuesday and I’m really hoping to make something special happen this week. I’m taking an early morning run at 7am, working from home for an hour or so and then heading over to CFL www.cflwellness.com. I love my new partnership with Dr. Dyson. We enhancing the face of Washington, one fabulous soul at a time!

Peace Friends,

Paul Wharton xx

The 63rd Annual Tony Awards was a wonderfully produced show. I’m not much into awards shows (unless I’m nominated :-), but I decided to give this one a shot. I love all things New York… The fashion, the people, the nightlife and of course, Broadway. Sir Elton John did it again with his original Broadway hit “Billy Elliot, The Musical”. The show about a boy who longs to be a ballet dancer swept the night.

“Hair,” the favorite to win Best Revival of a Musical, took home the prize. The show went up against “West Side Story”, “Guys and Dolls” and “Pal Joey.”

The Best Play award went to “God of Carnage,” which also picked up the Best Actress award for Marcia Gay Harden. “God of Carnage” beat out “Dividing the Estate”, “Reasons to be Pretty” and “33 Variations” for the honor.

“The Norman Conquests” won Best Revival of a Play. Nominated in the category were also “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”, “Mary Stuart”, and “Waiting for Godot.”

Also receiving honors this evening were Karen Olivo for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Anita in “West Side Story” and Geoffrey Rush for Best Actor in a Play for his part in “Exit the King.”

The awards for Best Featured Actor in a Play and Best Featured Actress in a Play went to Angela Landsbury for “Blithe Spirit” and Roger Robinson for “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.”

I had to rewind my DVR and replay the performance of “Hair”. My dog Oscar and I jumped around my living room for the entire performance!! It was the ultimate cardio work out.

Very inspiring work… Have a wonderful Monday my friends.

Paul Wharton xx

On Friday night Alexander (pictured on the left) and I decided to hang out on H Steet. We started at one of my neighborhood favorites, Sticky Rice. Now these children know how to party! The food is tasty, the drinks are strong and cheap and the music videos will have you singing and dancing on the top of the bar! After we were nice and ready to party, we headed over to The Rock and Roll Hotel to check out my head banging buddies! Fun was had by all.

Once it was Alexander’s bed time, Brock and I (pictured, above right) swung over to the new H Street Country Club (left). There’s definately something to be said about doing some low-key hanging in the neighborhood. They have the hottest set-up complete with miniature golf and everything!

On Saturday, I headed out to Potomac to Delband’s house (Alex and Butch getting down on it!) to celebrate Carmen’s birthday. The dj was pumping, the pool was warm, the Veuve Cliquot was flowing! All the usual suspects were there and I invited my new friends LaVar Arrington and his wife Trishia out to spend the day with us. We all had a blast for sure :-)!

Sunday was a chill day for me.  Worked around the house, caught up on some reading and organized my assistant’s office. I feel ready to rock and roll this week.

Let’s make something awesome happen!

Paul Wharton xx

The UBF Awards ceremony was really nice. I was honored along with Dick Gregory and Chuck Brown. My Mom, Dad, StepMom, Donnell and Joelle came out to support me. I’m very proud.

Late last night, I went to a new place called “Spot”. My friend Osmar owns the cool, little underground “Spot” that’s sure to be a hip and trendy hit!

It’s Friday and it’s raining :-(. I’m planning on attending a big pool party tomorrow. I hope this weather clears up. Have a great day friends!

Peace,

Paul Wharton xx

I am so very proud to accept the Youth Services Award for my work with the youth of Washington, DC. The UBF (United Black Fund Inc.) is holding their annual awards luncheon today at the Grand Hyatt. The basic concept of the United Black Fund, Inc (UBF) was born from a need that became readily apparent in the 1960’s. At that time, a number of Washington, DC, Black-oriented, nonprofit organizations were either denied funds or received a disproportionate share of them from the United Givers’ Fund (UGF) and the Health & Welfare Council.

Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr., a publisher and prominent leader in the Black community, conducted a study in Washington, DC, which confirmed UGF’s discriminatory policies and practices. The United Black Fund developed as a result in 1969. Rolark was joined in his efforts by Reverend Douglas Moore, head of the Black United Front (BUF), who charged UGF with employing discriminatory fund allocation policies to agencies within Black communities and having very few Blacks, if any, involved in policymaking decisions.

In 1973, UBF reached a major milestone. In June, UGF reported a deficit of $1 million and due to UBF’s continued pressure, UGF decided to enter into a fundraising partnership with UBF. The first joint UBF-UGF campaign was a big success. That year, UBF granted allocations to 17 member agencies. UBF’s struggle with the Civil Service Commission was resolved when it became the first Black fundraising organization in the country to secure rights to solicit Federal employees for payroll deductions

.

In 1974, the United Givers’ Fund and the Health & Welfare Council merged to form the United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA). The United Way and the United Black Fund entered into a partnership fundraising campaign with both agencies sharing equal status. The joint venture was successful as 120 agencies received allocations from the campaign. Each year, UBF and UWNCA have a partnership campaign. These two agencies also serve as co-administrators of the District of Columbia Government Employee’s One Fund Drive (also known as the DC One Fund). This service is provided free of charge to the DC Government.

Today, the United Black Fund continues operating as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises funds for financing organizations operating charitable, health, welfare, recreational and allied programs in the Washington Metropolitan Area and throughout the United States. We provide plans, facilities, manpower and community leadership for unified fundraising campaigns.

The United Black Fund of Greater Washington, the United Black Fund of America and the International United Black Fund remain as lasting legacies to the spirit, courage, humanity and love of both Calvin and Wilhelmina Rolark.

I’ll share loads of pictures and other info with you after the event!

Big Love to ya!

Paul Wharton xx

Did you all catch “Inside The Obama White House” on NBC? Wow!! I love our first family! The President is really an awesome guy. He did an OTR (Off The Record) trip to Five Guys with NBC’s Brian Williams and the people went crazy!! It was wonderful to see our President amongst the people. Can you imagine the President ducking into your office and asking you for your burger order?? Fantastic!

Brian Williams takes viewers “Inside the Obama White House,” for an exclusive, wide-ranging look at what happens throughout the White House and the West Wing during a day in the life of the Obama administration. There were more than a dozen crews and cameras strategically placed throughout the White House, capturing nearly ever aspect of the day. This unique documentation consists of behind-the-scenes footage, as well as interviews with key administration players and those who make the West Wing work.

Catch the second half tonight! I’ll be sure to tell my new neighbors how much you loved it the next time I’m at the white house :-)!

Peace,

Paul Wharton xx