The Skull Cracking is Over

Study halls across the land are mourning the death of actor Paul Gleason, who played mean principal Richard Vernon in 1985's classic The Breakfast Club. He was 67 and died of mesothelioma, the type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Neither Barry Manilow nor John Bender were available for comment.

Not too shabby for 60

I don't think I would be a proper gay man unless I wished CHER a Happy 60TH Birthday on May 20!!

That woman just doesn't quit. I saw her in Milwaukee a few years ago and it was a blast. The show is a retrospective of her career - I liked it a lot.

Gay men love Cher. I think it's the costumes and wigs, mixed with sassiness. Plus the sense of kinship you get from one outcast/freak to another, maybe. Anyway, most gay men love, or at least like, Cher (those who say they don't are lying just a little). One summer day, two gay friends and I were driving along a city street when Dark Lady came on the CD. We were stopped at a stoplight with all the windows down, sunroof open, etc., song blaring. Another car pulled up alongside us to stop at the light and the three of us gay guys clapped in unison at the clapping part of the song. The people in the other car all just slowly turned their heads to look at us like, "what...the...hell...??" Anyway, it was a good gay, Cher moment...

I hope I have half her energy and youth when I'm 60, not to mention money...Although I doubt I'll even make it to 60 with the way I smoke & drink, but you never know.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Cher!! You old fag hag, you!!

So long, farewell to Count Drunkula, Jack 2000, Wilma and Gracie

After eight seasons, tonight marks the end of Will & Grace. It's kind of sad, really -- the end of an era, of sorts.

Will & Grace was in the NBC Fall lineup of 1998. I was a junior in college and only out to a few people at the time. It really was a big deal for there to be a TV show featuring two main characters who were gay -- and out of the closet...wasn't it?? I don't remember it being a *huge* deal, but people certainly were remarking about it.

Sounds kind of simple and stupid, I guess, but I think the show really did help with the acceptance level from mainstream society, and therefore, helped the younger gays realize they weren't freaks and that they could find acceptance. I know it opened my eyes a little wider...

It seems that by 2000, maybe before, most girls either wished for or "bragged" about having their own Will. God knows I had a few girlfriends calling me their own, personal Will. It's kind of funny looking back on it.

A lot of the "radical" gay critics denounce the show for the obvious stereotypes, etc., but also for the gay characters being rather sexless. Sure, they talk about guys and relationships, but nothing intimate is ever shown, they say. Well, I say, who cares...I personally don't want to see Jack taking care of business with his trick of the day anyway!

So, anyway - here's to Will & Grace. A landmark and very funny show. I'm going to miss Karen the most, I think.

Favorite Karen moment that comes to mind: When Grace tries to throw a dinner party and makes it Japanese'ish because she doesn't have a table and chairs. Karen walks right over the dishes & tablecloth in her search for the liquor. Love her!!

Line that my friends and I use that should have been uttered by Jack: I met a guy last night and went home with him. Guess I won't be seeing him again, though, because when we woke up this morning he didn't ask for my number...or my name. Just threw a Pop-Tart and a bus token at me and I was out the door. Typical.

Reunion in Jamaica

This is me at the swim up bar in Jamaica with that girl I had gone to elementary school with. I still can't believe we saw each other - and realized who we were (without recognizing faces).
Yep, this was after our second full day on the beach and at the pool bar. I'm just a little red. That usually happens to me - it was a good tan by that evening.
T., if you happen across this and don't want your picture on - email me.

Happy 128th Birthday!

I don't know if I really believe this, but apparently, this lady, Cruz Hernandez, turned 128 yesterday. Yes, one hundred twenty-eight years old! She lives in El Salvador.

That means she is 100 years older than I am. She was born in 1878. Her childhood was the 1880s. She would have graduated high school in 1896. Could this be for real??

Apparently she doesn't talk anymore and spends her days sleeping. Can't say that I blame her.

I wonder what I'll be doing in 2106? I bet a lot of napping. And mumbling.

At any rate, Happy Birthday, Cruz!! And many more...

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