OOOOHHH,yes...
This one has been my fairly consistent (orange?) crush for the past two decades. I generally keep it to myself, but now the pussy's out of the ziploc...
We met a few times back in GA...first, when I was just going out in my late teens. His boyfriend worked the door at WEEKENDS, one of the last great mixed underground clubs Atlanta had before the city council began scrubbing and Febrezing everything. Back then she was just peaking as a "personality" so tried to keep this beautiful art-school boy a secret, yet would show up so she could keep her eyes on that prize.
A couple of times after some of their Thanksgiving concerts (they always end their tours in ATL on that weekend); I was wearing a lot of make-up and glammy going out fare, nails, hair, the whole bit and MS seemed to like my style. Giddy didn't even describe how I felt receiving a compliment from her.
Years later I'm living here in W. Village and having a rough spot, walking down 4th Street thinking about leaving NY, when I spot MS walking towards me. We trade glances and smiles, she jumps up on a lamp post and spins around on it...it was one of those "only in New York" moments that pushed those moving away thoughts right out.
And, finally, the day that record came out in summer of 2001 (or was it 2002?) where MS finally talking about his sexuality in interviews. He was in the building where I worked, and talking about his queerness on K-ROCK, of all stations in promoting the album. I went downstairs for lunch, and she was outside on the sidewalk. I just went up to him, said "Thank You," and walked away without waiting for a reaction.
Great talent, personality (though territorial), some quirky, sultry energy there.
See Butt Issue #9
http://buttmagazine.com/Issues/9_Stipe.html