Monday, January 30, 2006
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Remembering Anna Malle
Beverly writes:
My husband and I met Anna a few short years ago at a convention in Las Vegas, I forget the name of it (Lifestyles?) but Anna was the most beautiful and nicest lady we had ever seen or met. She welcomed us both and was gracious and sexy and the nicest person ever. Her enthusiasm and her infectious good nature were unstoppable. She and I clicked immediately and she was larger than life. God bless her and you and we are sharing your grief, though we can't possibly imagine how difficult this must be for you. Heaven has a very beautiful and loveable and wonderful new angel this week. God bless and our hearts and prayers are with you.
To answer the question in the headline, there's about as much stuff in each of the monotheist religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) that defies reason. Very few people will convert to any religion because of the magnificent march of reason in their lives.
Over the weekend, I read two superb books by conservative Christian sociologist Rodney Stark -- The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success and The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History.
I didn't have much respect for that argument then or now. I've heard too often that Mormons or whatever religious group gains most of their adherents from the dumb poor.
Rodney Stark writes in The Rise of Christianity:
Religious skepticism is most prevalent among the more privileged.But skepticism does not entail a general immunity to the essential supernaturalism of all religions.
In short, people must have a degree of privilege to have the sophistication needed to understand new religions and to recognize a need for them.
Cult movements overrecruit persons of more privileged backgrounds...
People are marginalized when their membership in two groups poses a contradiction or cross pressure such taht their status in each group is lowered by their membership in the other. People will attempt to escape or resolve a marginal position.
People are more willing to adopt a new religion to the extent that it retains cultural continuity with conventional religion(s) with which they are already familiar.
Many Jews in the diaspora had taken Greek names, and they had incorporated much of the Greek enlightenment into their cultural views, just as emancipated Jews responded to the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. Moreover, many Hellenized Jews had embraced some elements of pagan religious thought. In short, large numbers were no longer Jews in the ethnic sense and remained only partly so in the religious sense.
But neither were they Greeks, for Judaism could not easily be separated from the ethnicity intrinsic to the Law. The Law set Jews apart as fully in the first century as in the nineteenth and prevented them from full participation in civic life. In both eras the Jews were in the unstable and uncomfortable position of social marginality.
People in porn live on society's margins. They want to retain their relationships in the non-porn world, yet they do work that is shunned by mainstream society. So porners will seek to resolve their marginalization by either withdrawing from the general society or leaving porn. To keep a foot in both camps is inherently unstable.
Jason Sechrest writes:
Wow, the comparison you make is so true and could be made for endless circumstances I'm sure. The next question that we have to ask ourselves though is: Why? Why does that "feel" unstable to us, to have a foot in both camps? Why do we lean towards being extremists? Maybe because it is the easiest path. Maybe because then we can put on these "sunglasses" that make our world seem more "focused" when in reality, it is only one-dimensional. It's easier to focus on one dimension than three, isn't it? Or maybe it's because we're afraid of being judged, afraid of rejection. It is a real test to really ground yourself in both worlds. But as any religion or spirituality will teach you, a test is just an opportunity to connect to the source.
Fear is, in my opinion, the most powerful weapon of dark forces. If you subscribe to the theory that there is "a reason for everything," then you must also willingly accept that if it is in your life, if you're already in a balancing act between two worlds, you can handle it. You're meant to handle it, not run from it, not fear it. I feel like so many people lose the point of life because they're so afraid to bring themselves to the place where people might judge them or put them down or make them a target -- when in reality, that's where they're supposed to go. That's their purpose. After all, it's the few people who aren't afraid of that who change the world and change one society's view of another.
Ruby's Eulogy To Anna Malle
When I first met Anna, we were at a convention in San Diego. She hunted me down at the pool and introduced me to her group. We shared some of the coolest party experiences of my life, and I will forever be eternally grateful to her for that. Anna was a force of nature and I felt honored to be around her, caught up in whirlwind that was Anna. It was like grabbing a live wire for as long as you could hold on. Her soul was always a little too big for her body. Thank you and good-bye, my friend. I send my heartfelt condolences to Hank, and everyone who knew her.
Red Light District Vs. Evil Angel Vs. The World
April writes in with these views:
In the past year, Red Light District [and Platinum X Pictures] has lost Julian, Kylie Ireland, Mike John, Vince Voyeur, Erik Everhard, Jessica Dee. They are desperate for directors but nobody wants to direct for them. They're accounting is [accused] to be shady, which is why most directors left them. Manuel Ferrara is staying and not going to Evil Angel.
Jules Jordan is also trying to get more directors for his new company. Mike John is not going there. He left Evil and it was mutual. John Stagliano didn't want him because he was causing trouble with his ego.
Jules wanted to create another Evil with Evil and John wasn't down for it. Jules is trying to get Mike John and Jonni Darko and Erik Everhard to go with him. So far he's failed.
Dion's Combat Zone company is funded by his half-brother David Joseph [Luke: I believe Dion and David would dispute this]. Dion's trying to recruit Chico Wang and Sal Genoa from anabolic to come over. Sounds like RLD vs. Anabolic two years ago. Sal Genoa is happy where he is and Chico Wang is too drunk to be concerned.
An informed source insists that Jules Jordan is focusing on one thing -- himself.
In response to my invocation of the phrase "I hear," Tricia Devereaux of Evil Angel writes me: "You need to schedule an appointment to go have your hearing checked."
Anna Malle Interview From Late '98
Al: Is there anything sexually that you won't do?
Anna: I won't do animals, children, or some types of devient behavior like defecation.
Al: You've done some infamously nasty scenes with Max Hardcore. Is it true you don't really speak to him anymore?
Anna: We speak but on a business level. I realize that he is the character Max for the market he is after. Personally, he's a great guy. I don't want to be involved with him as Max in a movie, though. I am not into being cut down and degraded by a character that's an asshole. We have been at the same functions and parties together and in a porn sense, I know his market of fans and don't need those kinds of fans.
April Storm's Birthday Party Report
Jan 26: Amber Rayne says she spent her Saturday at the AVN Show in Las Vegas watching football and drinking beer with the Red Light District directors. "That's the kind of girl I am," she says. "I like football and beer."
"There aren't many girls like that," I say.
"I'm one of a kind," she replies. "I'd rather go to a bar or a football game on a date."
"When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?"
"I wanted to be a performer on camera."
"What mainstream stuff did you do?"
"I did Kids in America with Nicole Richie. I was a cheerleader. I did... Cafeteria 3. I did a lot of theatre."
Amber grew up in Detroit and lived in Northern California before moving to Los Angeles almost two years ago.
She says she had a 4.25 GPA in highschool.
"Do you find your minor in Art History helps you in porn?"
"It does. The photographers tell me to do various poses and I know what they're talking about. I can get into intellectual conversations with them."
Erika Kole says she's going back to school, possiby NYU, to study film.
Standing next to 5'11" publicist Dusty Marie, I don't feel big enough.
"Never act out on any insecurity you feel," journalist Gram Ponante advises his Adult industry clients.
"You're as big as you feel," says Dusty.
I chat with Scott Nails's (23yo) date Holly Morgan, 21. She just did her first boy-girl scene with him.
Holly's a dental assistant in Las Vegas, where she grew up and still lives.
"How does porn affect your relationships with men?"
"I only do girl-girl," she says. "What kind of man has a problem with me f------ hot girls?
"Girl-girl is fun, but after a while, you get curious about what boy-girl is all about."
A guy named Frank gets in trouble with the bouncers for not turning off his video camera. Several people were surprised I got my camera into the party.
The party seems to be 95% civilians. Cousin Stevie and a few others smoke inside the club, which is illegal in California.
Erika becomes emotional about the death of Anna Malle. "She was such a good person," says Erika. "I did my first orgy for Anna."
The pounding loud music makes it hard to carry on a conversation and the lack of light makes it hard for me to focus and get good pictures.
The Ten Commandments for Courting Luke
Basia in Weehawken writes: "39 and still single. Just what does it take
to land Luke? Like, do you have certain rules a woman must obey?"
Well Basia, as a matter of fact, I do, and they are not that different
from the rules most men would articulate. To marry Luke you must date
Luke, and to date Luke here are some of the rules that you must obey.
1. Thou shalt have no other man before me. This means that you don't talk
about past boyfriends in my presence. It means that you don't post pictures
of them on your websites or have them tacked onto your refrigerator. It
means you don't engage in any sort of physically or psychologically intimate
activities or conversations with them, either.
2. Thou shalt place Luke at the center of your relationship universe.
3. Thou shalt not play telephone games with Luke. None of this "gee, I
just called him yesterday, so I think I will wait to see how long before
he calls me" crap. And when Luke calls you, you return the call as soon
as you can, even if it means using a public pay phone with homeless dude
cheese on the earpiece and TB germs on the mouthpiece. (But clean yourself
afterwards.)
4. Thou shalt do nice things for Luke without being asked. If I am sick,
I want you by my side feeding me good things to eat, reading to me, and
consoling me even if I have not asked this of you. Remember, the role
of Girl Friend is but a tryout for the role of my Dead Mommy.
5. Respect that Luke respects the Sabbath, and keeps it holy. I have certain
rituals and special sabbath mitzvahs (commandments, rituals etc) that
I follow. Respect them. In some instances, I may require your assistance.
Offer it cheerfully.
6. Thou shalt not flirt with others. In public (especially) show no interest
in other men.
7. Thou shalt not fry your brain on drugs nor pickel your mind on alcohol.
Alcoholics stink, ditto smokers (of anything). Yech. You who would be
with me should have nothing less than minty fresh breath.
8. Be clean. Bathe, when you are with me. Brush your teeth, floss them
too, and use some mouthwash. Clean yourself head to toe and every place
in between.
9. Dress attractively, but not sluttishly, unless it is for my private
viewing pleasure.
10. Be prepared to accept me as I am, even when this means that I am not
taking the initiative you would have me take. You must always be there
for me, as I would be for you.
Remembering Anna Malle
Chloe Nicole writes:
I am gonna miss her sooo much. Anna was the craziest, sexiest, most over-the-top LADY I ever had the pleasure to be friends with. She was the real deal, no bullshit, no apologies, just always shooting straight from the hip. I looke up to her, and our friendship was probably destined because I am the same way. She pointed that out to me once in Tampa on a tour we were together on. Hank was always right there beside her, or at least trying to keep up.
My heart goes out to Hank, who is a wonderful man...and has good fisting skills on top of that. I remember so many stories that I could share about Anna and mine's escapades...because most of them weren't on tape...but suffice to say...I hope she is in the same place where someday I'll end up, cuz I didn't get enough time with her...nobody could of. I remember the moment when I thought to myself, "I've truly arrived in this industry". At some club somewhere in America, I had blurted out some sexual innuendo, as I've been known to do on occassion, and Anna was with me, and she turned to me and said "f--- Chloe, you're the only person in the world that can still make ME blush...and that's not an easy f---ing thing to do."
And she's right...that woman had been there and done that 100 X's more, longer, and better than any of us. I bragged for years about being able to make Anna Malle blush...and hopefully I will again someday. Where ever you are right now, Anna...I still have a couple things to say that could make you blush. And for Hank...I love you and I love your heart, and if there is anything I can do to make any of this a little better, don't hesitate to reach me...I'll be on the next flight. Aside from that, what can one really say to those left behind...except I have NO doubt that she'll wait for you. I LOVE YOU , ANNA. AND I LOVE YOU, HANK!!!!! My sincerest condolences and I've cried more than a bucket already, and I'm not done.
Monkey writes me:
I just read what Steve Hatcher wrote about Anna and I have to say bravo. With as many people have passed in the last year of more, I have never seen as much sorrow and admiration as the fans of Anna have poured out.
Anna was one fiery performer and sounds like she was quite a character to hang out with off the set or in her personal life as well.
Your coverage of the events has been nothing short of flawless and I also love how you continue to close the mouths of critics who question your ability to publish the unadulterated news.
Hats off to you and my most sincere thanks and condolences go out to the family of Ms. Malle.
Jack writes:
I thought I would add some balance to the boo-hoo-ing hand-wringing over "Anna Malle." Oddly "Nina Hartley" first recommended her but she & "Hank" acted like total assholes (to which "NH" at the beginning of her decline simply said "oh well.") So I never got to know them well but a dancer I knew in Philly decided to go to East Coast Video Show in Atlantic City one year to check out the porn biz & apparently partied with the couple & woke up in their hotel room & told me to her shock that Anna could not function at all unless until Hank gave her the requisite fixes "from the time she wakes up in the morning til the time she goes to bed at night." I was not there but the dancer had no reason whatever to lie, at least as far as I know. The passing of Anna, even if the accident was not drug or alcohol related (& just why do you think your source felt it necesary to add that?) combined with that of "Chris Penn" of whom I have no idea even who he was, besides lengthening your Dead Porn Stars page, just makes more wakeup calls that the industry will likely refuse to heed, but the rest of us should.
Mike Ramone Vs. God
Jack, an ex-porner and an agnostic, writes:
It would appear that the heat in Chatsworth has taken its toll on Mike Ramone’s reasoning skills. If he honestly believes that the only people opposed to pornography are Christians, then his self-delusion is greater than Mary Carey’s double DDs (before she lost weight).
The average American does not want their son or daughter entering the porn biz. And their objections are far from religious. Porn is simply capitalism taken to the extremes; it is Walmarting your sex life. It may disappoint Ramone, but Mr. and Mrs. America are not willing to casually slap a price tag on their private moments and market them at low, low prices.
The fact is, it’s not just Christians who speak lowly of the biz that Ramone so dearly loves; those in the porn industry itself are constantly ripping it. Porn’s top star, Jenna Jameson has made more than one disparaging remark about the adult industry.
Why doesn’t Ramone attack Jenna Jameson publicly and tell her she is “too uptight” because of her anti-porn sentiments? Or would dissing the big J come back to hit Ramone in his deeply held convictions, i.e., his pocketbook.
So Jameson gets a free ride, and Ramone tries to convince himself (and those who read his blog) that it is only the Christians who oppose porn. One would have to be higher than Scott Fayner locked in a pharmacy to buy that one. If Ramone has a problem with Christians exercising their first amendment rights, he should lay the blame for free speech in this country where it rightfully belongs, on Larry Flynt and Paul Cambria.
As far as Ramone’s claim that there is “zero empirical evidence” to support the bible, perhaps he should put down his copy of Taboo magazine (come on Mike, really, put it down) and read up on archeology discoveries which support biblical accounts.
For example, for years the Hittites were referred to in the Encyclopedia Britannica as "a mythological civilization mentioned only in the Bible." But after archaeological evidence was found in Turkey, proving the existence of the Hittites, the Encyclopedia Britannica entry had to be rewritten.
It happened again when the once “mythical city” of Nineveh, from the story of Jonah (an atheist favorite target), was discovered by archeologists.
It happened again with the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. That event is recorded in the bible (2 Kings 24:10-14) and in the Babylonian Chronicles.
It happened again with the biblical account (Acts 18:2) of the Jews being forced to leave Rome during the reign of Claudius.
This event was also recorded by the Roman historian Suetonius. For a so-called “fairy tale,” the bible hits the mark over and over.
At the risk of turning Lukeisback.com into a class on apologetics, there are even more examples of the science of archeology supporting the bible and outside historians supporting biblical accounts. It really sucks balls for atheists like Ramone when pesky little biblical things like cities and records of biblical events are discovered by archeologists. Science always ends up throwing a monkey wrench in the atheist mantra: “I’m tellin’ ya, the whole bible is just a fairy tale! None of it is true!”
“Well, ya know, except for the places that science discovers that were imaginary up until last week.”
Indeed, Ramone’s bitter skepticism must be constantly readjusted to accommodate archeological science. Given that, perhaps Mike Ramone ought to write his dogma with pencil instead of ink. Try coming off your high horse and mounting a hobby horse.
Do I Have A Contract?
Joe writes: "Do you have a contract the same few people that we see over and over. How about some variety?"
No, I just suck as a photographer and feel shy approaching new people.
Ed writes:
I am sober now, and was wondering if the karaoke at Sardo's is chill or about heavy drinking. Also, are the porn stars cool with "normies" hanging out with them? Are there many performers who go there? What nights do you recommend?
Nadia Styles/Stiles: Do you have info on her, like what's she's been up to, or does she have a website, is she engaged or married? I think her personality is one of the most fun/coolest I've seen in a long time... I am dumbfounded at how gorgeous her big pussy lips are and how hot she is, wow... She's a gal I'd like to meet.
Have you seen Iron Maidens II? I saw one of the deepest, hardest, intense anal scenes EVER, and I've been watching porn since 1984, with Lexington Steele going TRULY BALLS DEEP anally to a performer named Angel... Who the heck was she and where the heck did she go? She was a truly gifted anal receiver, perhaps because she is tall, she looked about 5'9" or 10"... I think she was British.
I do not drink, so there are some sober people at Sardo's.
Steve Hatcher writes:
Luke, please for me just give Hank this message. It is with a very heavy heart that i write this I just want him to know that Annas passing to all of us who were ever graced to know her is nothing short of a tradgity. She is the stuff that legends are about not just in this business but in life as a whole. She was what most women can only dream of being.from here first movie till this day and forevermore i have and will consider her and Hank not only friends but two of the good people on this earth and my main regret is that i didnt spend more time with them and that is my loss.
Hank, I know your a very strong man and i know your flooded with letters and calls just like this one but please know if there is anything and i mean anything i can do or say to help. I am here for you.
All I can do for this moment is believe that she is in a better place and be sad for those she left behind myself included. I can promise you one thing Hank, anyone who ever met Anna will shed more than just a tear and will say more than handful of prayers for you both. You have a massive support system all around you more than you know please don't be afraid to use it and to Anna my sweet you will be missed in ways that one misses a family member by all of us in your extended family but you will never be forgotten. All my love to both of you.
P.S. The rest of you rag tag web sites and movie sellers that only mention a sentance or two of this tragedy yet youll give 3 pages to who got f---ed in the ass with a garden hose this week i say f--- YOU ALL YOU ALL SHOULD ROT IN HELL WHILE MAGGOTS EAT YOUR SOUL. In 13 years I have never said one bad thing about the press or anyone in this industry and believe me I understand that the buissness is all about who got f---ed in the ass with a bulldozer cause thats where the money is not in some dead pornstar but once again I must say f--- YOU YOU f---IN USED UP ENEMAS. Things like the passing of alegand such as Anna Malle deservs way more than a 4th page story with a sentance or two and if you had any idea about this f---ing industry you would no that, most of you would still be working at Taco Bell if it wasn't for women such as ANNA giving her all to this f---in industry we all love and abuse so much. Hell When Savannah passed you all could write enough and not to say ill about the dead, but she couldn't hold a candle to Anna. As a matter of fact she (SAVANNAH) was a bitch and not much of a lay. I believe me I know and on top of all the she killed herself so I have no pity for that. So please get your heads out of your asses here people we have lost one of the few who truly helped shaped this industry into what it is today so for maybe once in your god damn lives you show the respect that has been earned tested and proven tried and true cause most of these new little girls will never even be able to hold a candle to ANNA.
No matter how mant Baseball bats or bulldozers thay shove up there ass Im sure i have met most of you before i started my Sabbatical and I'm sure I thought most of you were good people, so damnit for just one day can you please show me that 13 years in this job is at least worth something because as it is here and ponder my soon to be return to porn I'd sure like to know that you are all a part of this family and not just some piece of shit low lifes that dont have a clue.
To end this thing i will beg and plead to those of you i speak of and you know who you are. Please Please as talent we walk that line of respect and disgust our whole careers. So please show the respect that this beautiful lady has shown all of you and her fans for so long. I know all the pewople we consider legends of porn and i bet all that I have they will all agree that WHEN we lost Anna we not only lost a great performer and super cool person but we we lost a legend thats as big as they get. So all you magazines so concernd with flower of the week, please wake up and recognize.
I met her at the Tampa Show with Christy Wild.
Kristen (her MySpace page) emails me:
I just did a photo shoot for Genesis Magazine and I'm suppose to know Friday if they are publishing it. I haven't been in any movies yet but I'm looking to do some along with more magazine shoots. I'm a dancer at Ybor Strip right now. Cross your fingers for me that I make it. I want to do mainstream movies if I can.
Erik Everhard Leaving Evil Angel?
I hear Erik will join Jules Jordan's new company.
I heard these horrible things about Jonni Darko. That he was getting fired by Evil Angel, that he directs for New Sensations, that he has a cocaine problem.
I asked Jonni about this Friday afternoon. "Everything is great at Evil Angel," he says. "New Sensations has a lot of my old product. They asked if they could distribute it under the name Jonni Darko. I said no. They distribute it under "Xavier Mann." Yes, I've used cocaine. I don't use it anymore. I can't stand the stuff."
I asked an Evil Angel source about Darkko. My source responded: "Jonni Darko is one of the best cameramen in the business."
I hear from Evil Angel that Jonni Darkko is there to stay.
I get this email:
Old product? Right. Check out some of the girls shot by Xavier Mann: Jamie Huxley, Brianna Love, Courtney Cummz, Alicia Alighatti, Alektra. These girls were not even in the business when Darkko went to Evil Angel.
I was also told Friday that Nacho Vidal is getting fired by Evil Angel (but I hear nothing out of Evil Angel to that effect). I was told that he's too difficult to deal with. He's now a celebrity in Europe and his ego is out of control.
April Storm's Birthday Party Thursday Night
Alex Sanders, Phyllisha Anne Alex Sanders, Phyllisha Anne April Storm April Storm Phyllisha Anne, Alex Sanders, Nick Manning Nick Manning Hailey Young Amber Rayne Amber Rayne Amber Rayne Erika Cole Seymour, Hailey Young Kane, new talent Kane Kane Sunny Lane, Flower Tucci Journalist Gram Ponante and publicist Dusty Marie Estelle Maria Menandez Dane and his date Dane and his date Monstar, Maria Holly Morgan, Scott Nails Holly Morgan, Scott Nails
I arrive at 10:25pm to Privilege (at the intersection of Sunset and Crescent Heights Blvds), walking half a mile to get free parking near Santa Monica Blvd. Organizer Brad Thomas whisks me in.
"You were downcast the other night," asks Monstar. "About Holly posing nude."
"Yeah," I say.
"I told you," he says. "I've got something I've got to show you."
It takes him a minute to get it on his cell phone. I look around the party, paying little attention. Then Monstar puts it in my face. It is of some woman squeezing her breasts together to make them look big.
"Is that Stormy?" I ask.
"No, due" he says with a smile. "It's Holly."
"Holly f----- Randall."
I stare at the picture. I recognize those breasts. Damn.
"I can see her nipples," I yowl.
"No, you can't," says Monstar.
"You turned her out," I accuse. "You turned her into a ho."
"Dude, what's wrong with you?" says Monstar. "No wonder girls throw you out like a parking ticket."
Dr. Phil says that if you find a girl with 80% of what you're looking for, you should grab her and grow the other 20%. You'll do that a lot quicker than waiting for someone who's 100% of what you're looking for.
So I grab on to Amber Rayne (she turned 21 last September) and spend much of the night talking to her.
In porn six months, she's done about 40 scenes, mainly gonzo for such companies as Red Light District.
"I was doing mainstream," she says, "but I can't deal with mainstream anymore. I was so interested in [porn]. I enjoy it."
Since age 15, Amber has loved porn. "I've always been a sexual person."
With Bad Ass Models, Amber has a couple of small tattoos. She plans to get "Bad Ass Models" tattooed on her ankle.
Luke: "Why do you like tattoos?"
Amber: "I like the needle going into my skin. The pain. The burning."
Luke: "Do you like to cut yourself?"
Amber: "Do I like to cut myself? Oh no."
Luke: "Are you into pain?"
Amber: "You mean bondage and hot wax and that? Yes."
Luke: "I've had a couple of porn friends who cut themselves and I'm trying to work it through. So I'm asking everyone today if they cut themselves."
Amber: "That's a little scary."
Luke: "It scares me. That's why I'm talking about it.
"How has it affected your life to be a porn star?"
Amber: "I've learned to accept myself for who I am."
Another person comes up and says hi to me.
"Hey," I say.
"You have friends everywhere," says Amber. "That's awesome."
She's such a positive person, I feel my gloom diminish.
"I realized this is who I want to be," purrs Amber. "This is who I am as a person. Before, I was quiet and composed. I didn't want to let myself go. Now I feel like a free person.
"I worked hard at school. I entered college as a junior [because she did so many AP prep classes]. I have my BA in Theater Arts and a minor in Art History [from Cal State LA]."
Luke: "How does your family think [about Amber doing porn]?"
Amber: "My mom and and dad were concerned at first. My mom mostly. Now they've broken into manager mode. My mom's like, 'You have a shoot tomorrow. Make sure you go to AIM. Have your test with you.' She's very supportive. I've set up a 401K plan for retiring. She's my financial advisor. I'm investing in real estate."
I give a bedazzled look.
"I'm something else," she says. "I know. I'm not your normal girl."
Luke: "They don't watch your movies?"
Amber: "I've sent my mom my boxcovers and my clothed shots. She'll say they're cute."
Luke: "Not spread shots?"
Amber: "No, no, no."
Luke: "Were you traumatized as a kid and that led you into porn?"
Amber: "Not at all. I was a regular girl. I played sports. I played the guitar. I went to school. I worked."
Luke: "How's porn affected your love life?"
Amber: "I've had a boyfriend for a long time. He's awesome with it. He knows that I come home to him every night. We'll watch my scenes together. He's a musician. I love musicians. I love '80s metal bands. This is Motley Crue's Shout at the Devil. I'm the biggest Motley Crue girl you'll ever meet."
Luke: "I'm the biggest Air Supply boy you'll ever meet."
Amber: "Really? I love metal."
Lynn LeMay is back. She's going to parties, she's drinking, and she's hanging out with directors again (lately it's been Nic Andrews).
My pictures suck. Even by my low standards, I can only publish a couple dozen of them. It's so hard to get focus in the dark. I need an external flash and a battery pack to supplement my Nikon D100. Does anyone have a good deal or a good recommendation? I need to be able to lock the focus in low-light situations.
David writes:
If it is a matter of not being able to focus because it's dark an external flash or quantum flash with a battery pack will not help you. Those flashes are to be used if you are covering a large area and want to fill in the light throughout the large area. Even if you had those flashes, you still won't be able to focus in the dark because the flash is off while you are focusing.
What you need to do is use the nightshot capability on your camera. What it does is pre-flash several times so that the camera can focus before the shutter is released and the flash goes off again. Your on-camera flash is adequate for what you do.
James DiGiorgio writes: "With my canon cameras and a canon speedlite on board--there's not enough light to auto-focus, the speedlite will fire a "pre-flash" that will allow for focusing and, in any of the auto modes, will set the exposure and the power output of the strobe. I rarely shoot in the conditions you shoot in, i.e., i don't take snapshots (heheheh) but I'm pretty sure that's what the proper strobe will accomplish on your camera."
The other thing that sucks with my camera the way it is is that I have to wait about four seconds between shots when I'm using my manual flash.
Jack writes: "Nikon Speedlights fire an infra red beam to help with focus."
Why Do People Go Down On LA Direct Models?
His agency becomes a bona fide success and the other agency--the 9,000 pound gorilla-- suddenly becomes an anorexic chimp.
And then a bunch of people who envy that success begin working overtime trying to knock him and his agency off its pedestal or to account for his success by citing a bunch of unsavory allegations about him.
Okay. He runs a tight ship. Probably the tightest ship that's ever been run by any porn model agency in the whole sordid history of porn model agencies. He sets standards for his models. And he's tough when it comes to enforcing those standards. What's wrong with that?
Pimps set standards for their ho's. But pimps use violence to enforce their standards. I've never ever heard of Derek using violence to keep his models in line. Not ever. Not once. Sure, he uses the power of his agency's dominant position to ensure his models adhere to his standards. And he uses the power of his own will. What's wrong with that?
I tried doing the model management thing for a while. I still do so a bit. But I gotta tell you, in spite of the potential for monetary rewards, guys like Derek can have that business. I have never in my life had to deal with as much drama as when I was pimping out chicks to the jizz biz. And I've seen a fair amount of drama in my life. I found out I don't have the personality or the tolerance for it. Sure, I can get girls work. How hard is that? If you have a chick people want to shoot they don't care where she comes from--agency-wise--they just know they want to shoot her. Getting these chicks work ain't the hard part. Dealing with them on a daily basis, holding them accountable, and trying to get them to approach this business as a business is the tough part. And its the part I can't handle and, frankly, I don't care to.
Ryan Knox On His XPT Suspension
He emails me:
The reason I was banned from XXXPORNTALK is simply because I'm too hardcore for them. Everyone that posts on there is constantly insulting someone else. Just because my posts are more creative and original they seem to have more of an impact on fellow posters who thrive off of insulting other people.
Also, I'm sure that Tony Malice has never liked me because he tried to get me to do a dialogue shoot for $40 bucks and I said Nah. He has every copy of Amrican Bukake in a collection in his office. He truly enjoys watching men masturbate.
As for Have2cit, the fan who I'm at constant online war with, the reason I was banned and not him is because my posts are a little more clever and banning him would be like singling out the retarded kid and telling him he cannot participate in touch football durring P.E. He has a handicap wich is stupidity and I enjoy helping him share it with the rest of the world. XXXPORNTALK can dish out a lot of insults but cannot stand the taste of its own medicine.
Funeral Services For Anna Malle
Her husband Hank wants this kept private. People he wants to know will be informed by him. webmaster@annamalle.com.
Lexie Marie's Drug Problems
I believe these problems are in the past.
I called her ex-roommate Cassie Pishone, who tells me Friday, Jan 27: "I have not lived with the girl for four months. I've been clean for two months. I've been drug-tested. I haven't seen her. She moved out in October. From October until AVN [show in Las Vegas Jan 5-8], I have not seen her. The first time I saw her was at AVN and she has not been over to my house since. I don't really talk to her on the phone."
Lexie is back living with her boyfriend. She's no longer in Los Angeles and no longer parties hard.
In Praise Of Kim Chambers
Jason Sechrest writes:
I believe they are still separated, but she and Scott Styles both are without a doubt the kindest people I've met in my 7+ years in this business. And oddly enough, they're not boring or humorless! They just wouldn't harm a fly and look out for everyone else before themselves almost 24/7. They are total health nuts too, so that could have something to do with it. When you speak, they listen. Very attentive and very considerate. I couldn't say enough good things about them. Honest, genuine, sincere. More about my personal experiences with Kim and Scott at: Kim Chambers @ JasonCurious.com and Scott Styles @ JasonCurious.com.
Joanna Angel - As Long As I Have A Website, She'll Have A Home
I call her Thursday night and leave her this message: "Hey, you probably don't want to talk to me anymore now that you're a big VCA contract girl and you had that 30-foot poster at the AVN show and you were such a sensation and you had that documentary film crew following you around. You probably don't even remember who I am. But if there is still a tiny part of you that remembers what we had, and if I still mean something to you, if you just call me for old time's sake, just to reminisce and to remember the way we were and how things could've been, then please call me."
An hour later, Joanna phones. "You sound like my mom," she says.
"Trying to guilt you into calling?" I ask.
"Hmm. It's a Jewish trick.
"I'm not too famous for you. It's all a big scam. It's not like when I walk down the street anyone knows who I am. Only on lukeisback does anyone know who I am."
"I am your true home."
"I know. It couldn't have happened without you.
"I've been on lukeisback more than any other porn star. I've been on there more than you have."
"I talk to you more than I talk to myself."
"Are you over your ex-girlfriend?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
"Have you found another girl that you can call a whore?"
"No, but I got laid a lot in Vegas."
"Did you take photos of it and put it on your website?"
"No. I'm not into photographing sex."
"That's very nice of you. You could've sold it to Red Light District for a lot of money. You were like a porn star. That's good. I didn't do that during the convention. I was too busy working. It's hard. You don't get laid too often when you're famous. Nobody wants to have sex with someone famous. They want your autograph.
"I remember when I went to Texas for this feature dancing thing. I went with two friends (a photographer and another girl). At one point during the night, I needed to leave my booth, but I couldn't because both of my friends were having sex. One friend was in the parking lot having sex with some guy and the other friend was in the bathroom having sex. I couldn't have sex with anyone. The guy who was hitting on my friend came up to me and asked for my autograph. He was too nervous to talk to me. But he wasn't too nervous to talk to her.
"They went home happy.
"It's not all glamorous up here."
"How was the convention for you?"
"I had to sign the whole time. It was exhausting. I had to be in make-up at 6:30am. I didn't get to have much playtime. I stayed for an extra day and I lost $200 in five minutes."
"Has your VCA contract changed who you are?"
Joanna laughs. "No. How does a contract do that?"
"Does it swell your sense of importance?"
"Really? Is that what usually happens?"
"Yeah. Have you dumped a bunch of friends lately?"
"I don't have that many friends to begin with."
"You have a friend in Luke."
"I didn't dump you. That's all that really matters. I haven't called my mom back, but I usually don't call her back. I haven't dumped any friends. I'm still driving the same car. I'm still wearing the same clothes. I'm still living in the same house. I'm sitting at home in New York editing Joanna's Angels 2."
"What happened last night? Did Eon and Malachai kick Bad Ass Frank's ass?"
"I don't know."
"Eon [and Frank] told me to talk to you [to get the story].
"I'm sorry. I have to check this call. Please hang on."
I take another call for 15 seconds then click back to Joanna. "I'm sorry."
"I was going to hang up the phone. Contract stars usually don't sit on hold."
"It was only because I had a date scheduled but the girl didn't return my email today, so I wasn't sure if she was blowing me off. I guess she has."
"You are like a changed man. You followed my advice."
"I got my mojo back."
"I wish I knew who all these girls were. Porno girl?"
"The one in Vegas was an ex-porn girl turned webmaster."
"Have I fallen in your eyes because I slept with an ex-porn girl?"
"No. You can have sex with everyone. Unless you had sex with an animal or non-consensually or your little sister, then I'd lose respect for you. Other than that, you're free to bang anyone."
"But what if I used my position as a porn journalist to cop a seedy blowjob?"
"I think most people do that. Don't they?"
"I'd like to think so."
"It's OK. Good luck. I hope you get one from every girl in the industry."
"You wouldn't lose respect for me if I used my position as a journalist to advance my sexual interests?"
"No. I would have more respect for you."
"I find that a hot scenario."
"I've done that. I remember one time I only interviewed this band because I wanted to have sex with someone in it (Nick from Eighteen Visions). And then I never even did the interview. I just had the sex.
"The guy I run my website with got angry at me because I told him I was going to interview them and I came home without the interview. So I had to make sure I got the interview a month later. Then I had a hard time talking to him because he'd already gotten what he wanted from me. He didn't want to talk to me that much."
"How do guys normally treat you after sex in the real world?"
"There's something weird with most guys. There's something inside of guys that once you have sex with them [on the first date or two], they simply lose respect for you. They lose interest. I can't figure it out because girls gain interest in a guy once they have sex. There are guys I've had sex with who afterwards they wanted to talk to me and I didn't want to talk to them. Things just get weird. I had this friend for a long time. Then we had sex. I didn't want to talk to him for a few weeks. It felt weird.
"My friends used to tell me to hold out. If you don't have sex with a guy for a little while, he'll like you more. For some reason, that always works. I really hate that because I don't like holding out. I like to do it right away. I think it's important. So it's a problem. There need to be more men out there who respect girls who have sex with them the first time they meet them."
"Have you had sex with Malachai Ecks?"
"No. He slept in the same bed as me. He spooned me without asking permission. He just went to sleep. He didn't even try anything. Maybe that's because I'm not attractive."
"Are Malachai and Eon interested in girls in that way?"
"Yes, they are. Eon has a girlfriend. Malachai used to have a girlfriend. They're all really polite."
"How's your relationship with your mother?"
"I feel bad. I haven't called her in so long. She keeps calling me."
"Do you think it is time for me to meet your father?"
"I think you should meet my father. Maybe when I go home, I'll call you so you can talk to him. He's a little upset at me because I'm behind on bills. Every time I go away to California, these bills come in the mail and I forget to pay them. Sometimes my dad gets notices when I don't pay parking tickets.
"I was broke at one point last year and I borrowed a few thousand dollars from my dad. I still owe it to him."
"Maybe if you do an extra anal scene, you can pay him back."
"True. But I'd rather keep the money than pay him back."
"You could say on camera, 'Dad, I'm doing this for you. To pay you back the money I owe.'"
"I don't want to do an extra anal scene and then have to give it to my dad. I want to go shopping with that money, buy a handbag, get a new tattoo."
"You need more tattoos."
"I do. Vince Voyeur shot me last time I was in California. He said, 'Joanna, I think it is cute that you have tattoos, but I think that you have too many. You can't get anymore.' Just because he said that, I'm going to get more. I want to cover most of the space on my body so I can't see any of it. I want to look down and not see any skin. I just want to see ink. Do you think that's weird?"
"I think it is perverse."
She giggles. "That's what I want."
"Do you ever cut yourself?"
"No. I did when I was in seventh grade."
"Do you drink your blood?"
"No. I didn't even get to the point where there was any blood. I've always been a pussy about that stuff. I didn't even get there. So I just swallowed a bunch of pills instead and fell asleep. I was twelve years old and not happy with my life. I just woke up the next morning. It didn't really work."
"You haven't cut yourself in the last few years?"
"It hurts. I'm not into that stuff.
"Do you have a date for Valentine's Day?"
"No. I've had two first-dates cancel on me in a week."
"Maybe if you had a more exciting MySpace profile. It amazes me that you get any dates at all.
"You know that stuff that makes the bathroom smell good? I had one. Somehow it disappeared. I don't know who took it. Those people coming in and out of here."
"I've got to call this person back."
"Go do it. I'm not too famous for you. Now you're too famous for me, Mr. I-Have-To-Call-Someone-Back. You must be a contract star. I guess I'll be seeing you on set."
"I'd like to work with you."
"I'll request you. I'll say put me in a DP with James Deen and Luke."
Jamie writes: "Joanna Angel is indeed getting too big for her britches. She actually had her sidekick with her on the show floor at AVN instead of sitting and greeting fans!"
I saw her greeting fans and hanging with her girl.
What's The Proper Protocol For A Girl Who Wants A Contract?
I got a call from a hottie Thursday evening. She wants a contract with a big company and asked me for contact info, which I supplied.
What's the proper protocol for getting a Vivid contract? I'd like to make a joke about blowing Steve, but I blew out my quota on gratuituous bashing of Steve Hirsch years ago, and it's not true, and it's not even funny, so I'm not even going there.
Heather: man I wish you
would have walked down that isle at that church during the alter call!
you could have helped me answer all these emails.
Heather: hey Luke I am going to be on a show called Heartland on Saturday
on Fox. And Good Morning America on Thursday.
What Went Wrong Between Bad Ass Frank And Eon McKai And Producer Malachai Ecks?
Something went terribly amiss Wednesday night in Eon's livingroom. I'm trying to piece together the story.
I'm going to kick the living s--- out of both Eon McKai and Malachi Echs if/when I see them. Or maybe there's a reason that I'm just not telling you. Our beef is really none of your f---ing business. Maybe I just don't like emo porn guys. Maybe I'm jealous of their hot hunky man-love for each other. Maybe Eon needs to clean his living room. It's difficult to say. But I'm saying it. And they can hide behind Joanna Angel all they want but I'm 99% sure I can take her. Who's going to stop me?
Eon says he kicked Frank's ass Wednesday night. "We got into a fight," says Eon. "Frank thinks that Malachai and I think we're better than everyone else."
"Is that true?"
Eon laughs. "Does it sound like it's true? We beat his ass. He's just being a little bitch now. This took place in front of a couple of girls from his agency. I know people don't think of me as a bruiser, but sometimes you have to kick somebody's ass. I'm sorry I'm laughing. It's been a weird day."
"Was Joanna [Angel] around?"
"I was talking to Joanna on AIM before.
"I hope to patch up things with Bad Ass Frank."
Frank replies to my inquiry:
Eon threw his cat at me as a distraction but I dodged it Matrix style. So Malachi picked up James Deen who they keep in an umbrella stand by the front door. He swung James at me like a baseball bat but he's got the coordination of a girl, so it was a full on strike. I did a back flip to create distance between us and broke my fall on an unsold pile of 'Art School Sluts' DVD's (it was a BIG pile). At that point Eon was really scared and started crying and saying s--- like, "don't hit me, I'm wearing glasses." Malachi was just sitting there smoking and talking s--- in a British accent which I, for one, think is fake. But it sounds cool so he should keep using it. At this point they both realized that, in spite of being old and kinda short, I am actually sort of Bad Ass and would probably win in a fight. Since they know I don't hit guys in glasses, Malachi put his on and we all pretty much just watched the cat use James as a scratching post. James was screaming, "I'll f--- that pussy up", but we paid him no mind. Either did the cat.
I Did Bishop Wrong
I unintentionally quoted somebody incompletely today on my website about Bishop. The remarks seemed innocuous to me but they weren't (Bishop had helped the guy), and as soon as this was brought to my attention I removed them.
Thursday evening, I called Bishop to apologize. We had a nice chat.
Bishop: "You know me. I'm never one to hold my tongue. All you had to do was call and ask.
"I believe you have your value to this ridiculous thing that we do for a living as well as any of us do. It's not just the video that they watch. There's a purported lifestyle. Some of us do live up to that stereotype. You should exist right along with the rest of us. But something unfortunate could've happened today.
"I had these industry friends who've had a tough time of late. Right before Christmas, my son found a beautiful car on the internet. I bought it. I had another car that I wanted to sell and have some extra money for my kids for Christmas.
"Out of the kindness of my heart, I took just $200 from my friends on a several thousand dollar car and told them that 'just give me some money before Christmas so I could take care of my kid. Pay me when you can.'
"I gave them the car. I held on to the title. They made payment arrangements. We have a written agreement.
"These folks didn't make the payment and didn't make the call to me, and avoided several of my calls. I had a feel for where this was going and I wrote a provision in our agreement that I could repossess my car if they did not live up to their end of the deal.
"I went over there. I broke the back window out of the car and put my steering wheel lock on it so that the car couldn't go anywhere before I had it towed home.
"I called the police before I did this [Jan 24] and I told them what I was going to do. The dispatcher told me that I was going to have the police there when I came for my car.
"Ten minutes after I left, the police get there.
"It turns out, regardless of the agreement, I am not allowed to repossess my car when it is on their property.
"They attempted to have me arrested for something that they knew was their fault.
"I'm still on probation from the marijuana [violation] a couple of years back.
"This could've turned around and caused me to be away from my son for a while.
"This is the thanks I get for doing someone a favor.
"Any time you go out of your way for folks, they are the ones who will go the furthest to show you what a mistake that is.
"I hope that this is not indicative of people in this industry because I hear this thing a lot.
"Are you doing OK these days? I know what it's like to break-up. If you try to have relationships in this business, you learn what it is like to break-up. I haven't found a girl yet who can handle what I do for a living. They all think they can handle it but that has a 90-day shelf life."
Bishop says he's boycotting XXXPornTalk because it temporarily suspended Ryan Knox's posting privileges (after the flame war only Ryan was suspended).
Bishop: "The banning of Ryan Knox was arbitrary at best. The flame war he and this other guy were in, they were both equal participants. It was unfair and unexplained why only Ryan got banned. I don't think it's cool. I know they don't care what I think. I'm sure I can find something else to do with my time. I enjoy a good book."
I asked XPT moderator Tony Malice why Ryan had to die on a cross to save us from our sins, I mean, be temporarily suspended.
Tony rambled:
Lol it's a gray area, i suspended ryan becaus he was specifically asked not to go back and forth with have2cit, and he started a thread specifically to bash have2cit.. now, is have2cit guilt of something, perhaps.. i'm basically giving him a warning not to instigate..
However, ryan is no innocent, the guy is always ready to jump into s--- flinging contests even when it doesn't involve him. It's just a temporary suspension, sometimes we put people in the box just to keep things interesting. Ryan doesn't contribute much useful info, so having him sidelined for a couple days hurts no one, lol.
LA Direct Up and Comers Pictures
Tara writes:
LA Direct Models and Rouge Gentlemen's Club presented a talent showcase called 'Up and Comers', which featured LA Direct beauties making their dance debuts. This week's theme was 'Blonde Sensation'. Brooke Haven, Dakota Cameron, Lacie Hart, and Courtney Simpson were the featured performers.
He calls me back Tuesday afternoon.
Tim: "I started off as talent in 1997. I don't remember exactly when because I didn't pay taxes back then.
"It was an accident. A girl I was dating got booked on a Jim Powers shoot. She brought me along as male talent. She had to talk me into it. She ended up chickening out. He used me anyway.
"The next day, the girl I was working with was shooting with Israel Gonzalez [pornographer who died in a 1997 shoot-out with the LAPD]. I [became] good friends with Israel. I hung out with him a couple of days before that went down. He was shooting a lot of the Dr. Fellatio stuff. They used used me every day. I functioned properly. I arrived on time. I did what I was told.
"I got out of the industry. I came into some money.
"I was in Vegas [in January 1998] with Marc Wallice when the story broke [about Tricia Devereaux testing HIV positive]. I stayed with him at the Rio. I got real nervous about that. I shot a few things after that and said forget it. It's too risky.
"I was staying with Holly Woods. We got into a fight. I ran into Marc at the IBar. He said, come crash with me. The next morning I got up and he was gone.
"When I got back to LA, everything broke. We did the quarantine. I said, I'm not interested anymore."
Luke: "When did you come back?"
Tim: "Six months ago. Money doesn't last forever. I was going to have to work at something. This is the only thing I know how to do.
"I have three companies now -- TWTalent.com, B&WMedia, and BedtimeMedia. My partners on the East Coast, club promoters, were sending me girls to shoot. I figured I might as well rep 'em. I can't give them $10,000 each to come out here to shoot for two weeks.
"Then I had some other girls who wanted to do it out here. So we started TWTalent.com.
"I still perform, but pretty much only with my girlfriend Lexi White (other than for us, she hasn't shot for anybody else yet) and a couple of girls who are friends of my girlfriend."
Luke: "What do you love and hate about this industry?"
Tim: "I hate the gossip, the infighting, the lack of separation between business and pleasure. I hate not getting paid on time. I hate that there's such rampant drug use. Even if they are good people, they can't keep their s--- together because they are so whacked out of their brain all the time. A lot of people don't run their business like a business. It's personal to them. You can't be successful that way.
"TWTalent doesn't take anybody who has a drug problem. I don't take the same recycled talent that has been over to every single agency.
"I started Paris (aka Ashton Rage) in the industry. Then she went to Jim South and flaked on him. As of yesterday, she's back with me. She'll be doing girl-girl and boy-girl with me. She's a ten. She's absolutely gorgeous.
"She shot for Vince Voyeur. He wanted to keep her on an unwritten contract. He was paying her a ridiculous amount of money per scene. She didn't have her head on straight at that time. She thought the grass was greener on the other side. She decided to go try it out and didn't have the best results. Now she's back.
"I offer a guarantee to producers that if my talent doesn't perform the job described with a good attitude and arriving on time, the producer doesn't have to pay my talent. I'll take care of the tab.
"I run a tight ship. I'd rather keep my agency small and reliable rather than big and a mess.
"I have people calling me up and asking me if I'm Tim from Naughty Talent. I'm not. He obviously had his share of bad press."
Luke: "What are the joys and tribulations of being a talent agent?"
Tim: "The joys are few. The tribulations -- the phone calls at 4am, talent coming to my house, housing them is a pain in the ass. If you can get responsible people who are business-minded, it is relatively easy. I don't bind my girls to a contract.
"Before a girl shoots anything, I give her all the negatives of the industry. It's not all glitz and glamor. It's glitz and glamor for three days a year -- at the AVN Awards when everybody is standing around and saying how great you look. The other days of the year, it is not glamorous. But it pays well. You could be cleaning at McDonalds for $6 an hour or you could be making $1,000 an hour for something you might be doing on your free time anyway.
"I give the talent the dirty truth. They have no surprises when they go on the set. I let them know what it will be like.
"That's why some girls work with me -- because I try to give them a more incubated environment. They don't have to work with every single guy out there. I tell the girls that they can take the jobs they want to take. I don't force them to take any jobs. Before I book a girl, I ask her if she wants to do it. Do you want to work with John Strong on Wednesday for Red Light Pictures? If she says no, I won't book it.
"Sometimes girls lie to me and I'll tell that lie to someone else [unintentionally] and that'll make me look bad. I encourage my girls to tell the truth."