Jack Scribe

A serious and more retrospective CJ. I must admit I didn't pick up on the Senator being in the closet until I read Graeme's comments. I originally thought it was more a case of the Senator being a hyper-workaholic - toiling for the right wing - who grossly negected his family(ies). The man made peace with himself in the end. Good job, CJ! P.S. I learned a new word: legerdemain.

I, too, was very amused. David, the protagonist, is really the antagonist. He is a 'shit', but a likeable one. The ending and the cluster of photographs of the expanded family was perfect. Jack

I must admit this story - done very well - was quite depressing...for me. Graeme served up a slice of life that is probably duplicated too often in civilized parts of the western world (Darfur is a whole other subject). Nevertheless, it was a hopeful ending (and beginning for Brat and his siblings).

That's an easy question. Has to be Fred Segal on Melrose in West Hollywood. Check out the link. http://www.seeing-stars.com/Shop/FredSegal.shtml. Jack

Hilarious! Without getting into politics, it would be a hoot to see Al Gore react the same way. Jack

"The talk between Spike and Cray was heart warming. I think wasn't really mad at the by Spike, he was just having some fun with him. And the good night kiss was a nice touch in showing his brotherly affection to Cray." Thanks for the comment, Jan. I was afraid I was bordering on writing soaked with too much saccharine. "The best laid plans of mice and men... ... " CJ, as your provide with your stories, there will be some speed bumps ahead. But, I'm really a romantic softie at heart. Jack

That's funny! Probably closeted in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. I've been "out" in a conservative, subtle form for quite a while. But I am marching in my first Gay Pride Parade next month. Because of the Palm Springs summer heat, Gay Pride is always the first weekend in November. I'll be with a contingent supporting one of the city council candidates. The election is the following Tuesday. We will probably elect a new mayor and at least one more city council member who fly rainbow colors. Jack

Had to post a picture of Jesse Spencer in his role last season as Dr. Chase on House. This Aussie actor, IMHO, is way beyond 'pretty' or "ish'.

Here's an advance release of T.R. Knight's PSA for GLAAD in conjunction with Coming Out Day: http://www.livevideo.com/video/GLAAD/DFF73...coming-out.aspx. It starts airing tomorrow. Jack

Happy 24th Birthday! I join your thousands of fans and wish you well. Jack

Ditto. Jack

Worth reading this story concerning senior gays "facing prejudice at twilight" - percieved and real. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/us/09age...nted=1&_r=2. It features the pre-Stonewall generation who grew up using defensive devices to hide their sexuality from an unaccepting society. Times are changing but to what degree if you don't live in a community with a significant LGBT population? Jack

Dad is only in the background for now. He may appear in the third series. Jack

Steven Colbert interviews advice columnist Dan Savage on a range of gay topics: http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/pl...p;is_large=true. Colbert shows his comic mettle in this 5 minute clip (after a promo). Dan (good looking man) is able to hold his own. Note the wedding ring - he and his partner are married. Enjoy. Jack

One of my most cherished memories - 25 years ago - was a driving trip from the Mosel/Rhine wine regions of Germany to Lake Como (BC - before Clooney). I stopped in Lausanne and asked the hotel concierge to book a luncheon table for one at Freddy Giraret's restaurant in Crissier...a village outside Lausanne. There was one open table - reservations were usually made months in advance. This was in 1982 and Freddy Giraret was considered to be the best chef IN THE WORLD. The experience was superb. The service staff treated me - a young American nobody - as if I were royalty. I do remember an exceptional white Swiss wine and a red Pinot Noir bought by the glass. I still remember the cheese "trolley" cart being presented at the conclusion of the meal. I'm not exaggerating when I say the cart was six feet in length and displayed more cheeses than you would find in a specialty store. At the conclusion of lunch, I asked to see the kitchen. The crew had gone for a break and the kitchen looked like a hospital surgery room. Spotless and ready for the next meal. Thanks, Bob, for shaking my memory bank. I know Chef Giraret has retired. Oh, I also recall forgetting to convert Swiss Francs to Italian Lire. At the border, I didn't have Italian currency for a toll. I had to turn around and convert my Swiss money for entry into Italy. Jack

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY! All the best to GA's almost-as-prolific-a-poster-as-CJ. A friend just returned from vacationing in your beautiful country and loved the experience. Best, Jack

I'm basically a hopeless romantic and the story(ies) reflect that. Populating the story with good guys and knowing the characters (warts and all) are part of my process to paint a picture. Cray is pretty mature for a guy his age. I took the posture that his real dad was a very strong influence in parenting during the first eight years of Cray's life. This gave our hero the "stuff" to withstand issues he faced up until when he left home. Being in the hotel/restaurant business for a long time gave me the opportunity to observe hundreds of people - all sizes, shapes, personalities, intelligence - on a daily basis. However, there are a few aspects (re., Mario and his business) that is pure imagination. And a few bad guys, like the parents, will pop up from time to time. Cray's a nice guy who deserves a better life. As Steve points out, "Cray's family is continuing to grow in some aspects and decrease in others." Jack

But whatever world you're in - gay or straight - hair definitely doesn't grow on your palm...left handed or right handed. Except for a few genes, we're all pretty much alike. Jack

My guess is that the three tart-let, vestal virgins wanted their 15 minutes of fame and outed Chase and Brandon to Perez Hilton or any of the other cheesy, gossip mongers in Hollywood. In the celebrity news cycle, this would be fodder for "Page 6" in the New York Post. Then, paparazzi video photographers will try to get footage to sell TMZ. Later, the cable news channels will have a field day before the "story" moves on to Entertainment Tonight. Ain't life grand? At least the guys got to kiss. Jack

This is too good not to share. Caption this:

NBC must have pulled it for some reason. Try the link below. It works at this point (4:06 p.m. EDT) and is worth the effort. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnpNkPCcfBM. Jack

I became aware of this trend last season. Don't know about CW, but the other nets make the top shows available on their sites after broadcast. Just another indication at how important the Internet has become to sell other media formats. Some trend forcasters suggest that there may not be many newpapers in print in another five years. Only their Internet editions. And the recording industry is in a tailspin. Jack

From Towleroad: Andy Samberg Fred Armisen and Maroon 5's Adam Levine riff on Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in this brilliant digital short. And the Jake Gyllenhaal cameo is just icing on the cake. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhBQxbxAcLg&eurl=. Adam Levine rawks! Jack

Cray's mother makes an appearance in Chapter 5. I love your character analogy of Mario vs. the setup in "My Own Private Idaho". I hadn't thought about that before but it makes for an interesting comparison. Mario has a sense of compassion and is able to compartmentalize his job. Jan: I also am beginning to think that despite their ages, Mario may be developing feelings for Cray, other than the love of a brother. It's not the age difference so much that's the issue but Cray's real age. Given Mario's profession, that could spell big problems, even if nothing happens between them. I do like the fact, that Mario is willing to help He's probably seen guy's hit rock bottom in his line of work. Mario is taking on the role of protector for the underdog. And you're right about the age difference. Even if there may be deeper feelings - which we don't actually know, but can suspect - Mario doesn't want to get into a legal snare. Connor: I'm pleased Cray is allowing himself to trust a few people. In his situation, it would be extremely difficult. Cray didn't have time, when he abruptly left home, to consider all the consequences of running away. Fortunately, so far, he's run into mentors who are looking after his best interests. Chapter 5 takes a few abrupt turns. Unless posting problems occur again, look for the new chapter sometime Wednesday. Jack

Sorry, guys. http://alpha.cbs.com/primetime/moonlight/. BTW, the show is also being replayed tonight - Saturday on CBS - 8/7 Central. Jack