Jack Scribe

Yes, Bob, I do remember. If I'm not mistaken, CJ was big on this three years ago. It is good to understand the strange ways the minds of certain narrow-thinking people work.

I support the view that reviewing biblical rationale conerning us 'abominators' is never too often. On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger has said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura that was posted on the Internet. Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination... End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? 2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. 4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? 5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it? 6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? 7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here? 8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? 9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16.Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your adoring fan.

Maybe I should have said, "deviation from the norm." Although how does one define what 'norm' is? He certainly marches to his own tune.

Mario, with all his flaws, is one of my favorite characters. He's the type of guy who was somewhat of a loner in high school, but would get in a bully's face if he saw someone being picked on. Yes, Tiger, we've definitely got to focus on finding a man for Cray. Something will happen soon to explore that train of thought. And, pupster, be patient.

Happy Birthday Jeremy/methodwriter85! A 20 oz steak? Yikes! Good luck on your finals...and your cloresterol.

Very funny! Since we're in a rubbery mood today, here's a Durex commerical that was banned. The young UK actor, Dominic Cooper, was in The History Boys and is terrific in the current hit film, An Education.

I wanted to watch a clip from the Steven Colbert Show and this commercial proceeded it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xly08W_voeA&feature=related Love the guy's facial reactions to the dialogue. Knowing the prudish ways of American commercial TV, I'm sure this is only on the Internet.

I didn't mean to imply that this film will be hard to find (well, maybe my friend Kevin in China may have difficulties). A Single Man will start in limited release and slowly build presence in markets. Believe me, the Weinstein brothers will aggressively push the film. Here's a terrific article in yesterday's NYT concerning Colin Firth. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/movies/06firth.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=a%20single%20man%20tom%20ford&st=cse And an article about Tom Ford and background about the movie. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/fashion/03ford.html?scp=3&sq=a%20single%20man%20tom%20ford&st=cse

This thread cracks me up. I'm in the James camp - don't text people, period. However, I am aware that many lads loooooove to show off their attributes. Thank God for cellphones, mirrors and immodest posing! The sexting posts prove that all men are not created equal...and then some.

The Single Man - a screen adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel that takes place in 1962 Santa Monica - opens next weekend, 12/11. It's a phenomenal first directoral effort by fashion designer, Tom Ford. Check out the Orange County/Long Beach Blade's review: http://www.nbrmp.org/awards/ Colin Firth won the Venus Film Festival Best Actor award and should garner an Oscar nomination. He is ably supported by Julienne Moore, hunky Matthew Goode and yummy Nicholas Hoult. Jon Kortajarena, a Tom Ford fashion model from Spain, plays a very hot James Dean-type hustler. This is an important cinematic step forward for our GLBT community. It'll probably be initially released only in larger cities. Watch for it! Here's an excellent 2:00 trailer:

Check out Holiday Inn. It's a 1942 film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with music by Irving Berlin. An original song from this movie is White Christmas. The main character develops an entertainment venue that's only open on holidays. I hope the screenwriter had a trademark on the title.

We'll continue to follow Jack's life, as well as Cray's, in later chapters. Chapter 13 may be pivotal.

They had agreed that Randy wouldn't be at the party. Any anyway, Randy had an affair at his school. I think Michael was feeling guilty about the split up which led to getting into his dad's beer stash. Male actors still have to tread carefully about being out. NPH is an exception. A case in point is the star of the hot series on USA Network, White Collar. The star, Matt Bomer (one of the most handsome Hollywood actors with whom I have a tiny crush - check him out on Google and Hulu), is currently living a life that suggests he's gay. However, his PR people are having kittens with his new status as the lead of a hit show and the homo speculation. Attached is a promo picture of Matt. You're right, MikeL - Cray has put Michael into his past and is now ready to move on. Or, as HappyReader put it: closure.

Happy Birthday Tiger! Goodness, Paya has an excellent taste in gifts. Here's to many more, Tim.

I saw the YouTube repeat and Adam's vocal performance was not up to his usual standards. I think the reason of the ABC freak-out wasn't the kiss...the simulated falacio was rather tasteless (pun intended). As Benji suggested; any publicity might be good publicity. Adam's big on merchandising/marketing.

Handsome lad, Kevin! Glad we've finally met visually. Maybe it's the "HaHa" pattern on the shirt that creates a shorter image?

Maybe not "only" but close to it. Steve Wynn's ENCORE has the interior of Strike Steakhouse constantly changing. Here's a brief comment from a reviewer: Hey, the walls are moving! I exclaim, putting down my glass of A.H. Hirsch Reserve bourbon. Ive only had one sip, yet apparently it was a large one, because looking up, the ceiling is opening, too! Relax, says the waiter, with an indulgent, seen-it-before smile. This is why the restaurant is called Switch. The scene changes every twenty minutes. I'll pass up on Pinky's, HappyReader. However, I do recall making a pitstop in a LA Gay bar and they had individual flatscreen TVs at each stall running tasteful homoerotica. Here's my inspiration for the urinal idea: http://funlok.com/index.php/creativity/creative-urinals-4112008.html Yes, Tiger, Spence has been his brother's guardian for the past couple of years. And theschnauzers feeling about Cray and Spike is a possibility. However, with Spence entering the picture...

CONCUR! Happy, Happy Birthday...however belated. Jack

Here's an excellent story from the current ADVOCATE It touches all the bases - from the hunks running around shirtless to the author's Mormon background and that church's feelings toward gay rights. Here's hightlight from the article: As we all flock to the theaters and fawn over the beautiful faces and flawless bodies, maybe we should take a step back and notice how surprisingly unevolved it appears. Its 2009, and this is a major piece of pop culture, but the resolutely heterosexual film could have happened in 1955, starring James Dean and Sal Mineo. Or in 1980, starring Kristy McNichol and Matt Dillon. It makes you wonder: the vague state of gay life in the mainstream entertainment market is still a big annoying c**k-tease and its uncomfortably reflective of our fangless mundane reality: a world where we cant get married, adopt children easily, or even make out in public. And in places like Rhode Island, we cant even die equally. Will an openly gay vampire ever come to Forks? When will we be allowed to get married? It all seems like themes in a shelved screenplay at this point. http://advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Commentary/Love_Bites_for_Twilights_Gay_Fans/

He'll be 'popping up' throughout the story. But Spence does have redeeming qualities.

I'm not a Twilight fan but the publicity campaign rolling out this movie is wild. They say that (wink, wink) the casting direction was to develop the fan base of girls 25 and under. But what I'm seeing is one of the most blantant homoerotic PR launches in quite a while. Cracks me up. While Robert Pattison is a little too exotic for me, Taylor Lautner and Kellan Lutz fit the bill quite well. Go vampires! Did anyone see Ellen yesterday and Kellan Lutz doing pushups in lieu of taking off his shirt?

I think, Connor, after three rather somber chapters, it was time for a little fun. And you picked up that samaritans come in different flavors...expecially in Las Vegas. As HappyReader pointed out, Tiger made some very astute comments.

Thanks, Tiger for your comment. Jack didn't undertand the ramifications of his flight those several years ago. That the wife would continue to hold this threat over his head and cut off any communication with Cray were situations he didn't anticipate.

I knew this chapter would cause some controversy. Jack's decision to leave/desert Cray obviously wasn't the fatherly thing to do. He was swayed by the wife's threat to falsely accuse him of child molestation...which would have meant being thrown in jail for several years. That decision, however, has haunted him forever. Drew and Bob are still there as loving adults; to support Cray as situations arise. Whether they're called 'dads' or 'best friends', I felt this would be a natural transition period in this nuclear family relationship. I hope that this will come through better in chapters ahead.

I grow attached to the characters of the stories. It is fun to revisit them in follow-up volumes. theschnauzers is correct - Cray and Spike can help each other in dealing with the "dumpee" situation.