Who's hot? The good, the bad and the ugly!

All this talk over on Terry Tye Lee's blog about what's hot (and what's not), got me thinking about what I think is hot (and not) here on AnD.  Perhaps its my age, perhaps I'm just odd, but I think there are some hot men (notice I say men) showing up here on AnD.  So, here is my totally subjective list that, at the end of the day, means absolutely nothing, as you will see when you get to the end of the blog.  Take it all as a game.  Ladies, feel free to add your own favorites.  They don't necessarily have to be artists or fans here on AnD, but their picture has to have been posted on AnD.  I think the guys will be surprised by what we find hot (and not).  We all might learn something about the power of the imagination, fantasy and reality.  So, in no particular order, here goes.

First off, Charlie Wan.  Charlie has one of the most visually interesting blogs on AnD.  He is always posting something edgy, erotic, or that grabs you and takes you someplace you may have never been before.  He also seems to be a good sport.  Add to this some really killer eyes, and you get a very interesting package.  Brains, artistic sensitivity, talent, and those eyes.

Next, a true gentleman who has appeared in photos in several blogs in recent months, and one of Hong Kong's most beloved actors.  Chow Yun Fat is a charmer with a smile that melts the hearts of the ladies the world over.  From the comments of those who have met/worked with him, he seems to be a genuine sort of guy and someone who doesn't seem to take himself too terribly seriously.  This man is like fine wine--he just gets better and better with age!

Now don't think that I haven't noticed some of the fine young men (notice I say men, not boys) here on AnD.  There is quite a crop of 20 somethings hanging out on AnD (and more than a few 30 somethings, too).  But one, at least in my book, stands head and shoulders above the rest:  Li Xu.  Sure he's a looker, and he has the modeling portfolio (and some fine shots by Norm Yip) to prove it.  He also fronts a Hong Kong band by the name of Gong Wu, singing and composing for the outfit and tearing up the stage live from what I see in the photos.  But what really impresses me about Li is, here is a guy who is all of 25, but he is searching for his true path in life.  He came to Hong Kong to follow his dreams, and he's making them come true.  But even more than grit and determination, this guy has heart.  He's asking a lot of the big questions about life and his place in the world.  He's also smart enough to know that he doesn't have all of the answers, but is always open to learning more.  He's got an open mind and an open heart.  He's living life with heart and soul and guts.  He may be only 25, but what a man!

And now for something out of left field.  Ohm Phanphiroj is one of my dear friends.  He's not only a talented, creative and daring photographer, he is also a sweet individual with a lot of heart.  But, in addition, he is also one of the most beautiful men I have ever met.  He has the same kind of rare beauty that Leslie Cheung possessed--feline, refined, and with a breath of the feminine.  I know that Ohm's preferences lean most definitely to fine young men, so maybe he shouldn't even be on this list.  But, if I was a man of that persuasion, he would most definitely be hot in my book.

But you know, sometimes reality is 100 times better than fantasy.  My husband, Mark, is the hottest guy in my book, and he lives in my world, every day, 24/7.  He's been there for me through thick and thin.  We've shared a lot of really great times together, and some really tough ones, too.  In a few weeks time, we'll celebrate the 27th anniversary of the night we met on the floor of a hot and sweaty Southern bar, tearing up the dance floor to a local cover band belting out the greatest hits of Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones.  We just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in June.  Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat wondering how I would ever manage if the worst happened and he was no longer by my side.  Having just lost my father and turning 50 this year, mortality is palpable for me right now.  Sometimes, when Mark is too quiet in the bed next to me, I'll poke him a little bit and get him to stir a little, just to reassure me that he's still here.  These are things you never think about when you're young.  I'm just so thankful for every day we have together.  Now I must concentrate on taking them one day at a time, and being present and aware of the gift from God this man has been and continues to be in my life.  He is the greatest love of my life.