Some bigotry is just idiocy by another name - The Family Policy Network, the lunatic fringers who brought you their zany lawsuit against UNC-Chapel Hill's Koranic studies, wants to (quite predictably) target gay-positive curricula in Maryland state colleges and universities. Read Thomas Friedman's two cents on the teacup tempest.

Mr. Beamer et al. - Adam pointed me to coverage of conspiracy theories surrounding United Flight 93 in Britain's The Independent. While the article is not outright offensive like some, I'm not always appreciative of views that question my faith in the heroism of the passengers. Haven't we been here before? It just sounds like a broken record. I can be comfortable with the mythos that events like 9/11 engender and sustain. I don't always need to know all the facts. Still, I can't resist a bit of a rebuttal.

Stories like one in the Independent make me wish newspapers were peer-reviewed. (I guess blogging is going a long way in that direction.) It wasn't a particularly bad piece, and there were moments where it carried me along, but my biggest beef with conspiracy-theory articles is the ubiquitous citation to some supposed expert whose word is gospel on this or that subject. In this case, it's "Harvard academic Elaine Scarry." Given that the subject she expounds upon is the development and deployment of electromagnetic energy weapons by the U.S. Air Force, I suppose that it would not have made her sound so authoritative to note she is a literary critic who teaches in the English Department up there in Cambridge, Mass. When the Independent hides that ball from the reader, it's bad journalism.

Conspiracy nuts also tend to take the smallest inconguities and build an elaborate explanation around those, rather than work with the main body of evidence. The piece of engine and the paper scattered thousand of feet from the crash site do not impress me. Planes are flying machines built of fairly lightweight materials, and heavy pieces tend to break off in throes of a fatal dive. More interesting to me is when an investigation turns up people who know more but aren't telling - such as witnesses and air traffic controllers. (Here I am having to rely on the Independent giving me the facts truthfully.) However, air crashes are the kinds of things people don't and probably shouldn't go mouthing off about, especially when criminal activity is involved.

It will be interesting to see whether any of the peculiarities noted by Adam's article bear out. In the long run, articles like this one may help bring out more of the truth than we might otherwise learn, even if that truth isn't the same as the theory put forth. In the meantime, I'm going to adhere to my faith in Occam's razor and the courageous actions of some ordinary Americans.

Lisa Beamer - Do I detect a note of sarcasm in this National Review piece? Come on now, if anyone deserves a little ribbing, it's Mrs. "Let's Roll" herself!

Much a-do about nothing? - So we can finally get our cute little commitment ceremonies in the newspaper. The Boston Globe takes a look at the fact that almost no gay couples do so. Where are the activists on this issue? Aren't there any married GLAAD staffers? Personally, I have no desire to publish my nuptials (when they occur) in the local society pages. I'd be much more interested in making a splash in PAW.

Without Him - Can I say I think Eminem is a genius?

Can I get disability coverage for this? - First I hear from Ben that surfing the Web is effective at treating depression. But then a San Diego firm releases a study that says one in four Web-addicts are getting high at their workplace. Shocking! Something has to be done to curtail this vile habit. Good thing my workplace is in the home where I can't easily be watched. My fellow junkies may have to look into pharmaceutical alternatives. The Washington Post suggests it may not be a coincidence that Websense also sells workplace surveilance software. ZDNet covers the angles.

Election Watch - California gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon has come out of the closet on his feelings about domestic partnerships. I'm always a little surprised to see how disorganized the Simon campaign seems to be. His statements about opening up domestic partnerships to any "special relationships" doesn't seem to be especially well thought out, and so I wonder how well prepared he was for this radio interview. I also have to say that I probably couldn't pick Simon out of a lineup, and I'm relatively well informed about the upcoming election. I think the Simon campaign needs to recognize that just getting the public to hate Gov. Gray Davis even more than they already do isn't enough to win the race, demonstrating yet another hole in their campaign strategy.

And then there were two - At 5pm EDT the USOC will pare the contending U.S. hosts for the 2012 games down to two cites. The Washington Post gives a run down. The smart money seems to be on DC and SF, discounting bids put together by the more prominent but arrogant NYC team and the athlete-favored but unsexy Houston group. (The ultimate nominee is to be decided in November.) Stay tuned for an update later today.

America's Melting Pot - Sacramento(!?!) has been identified as the most diverse city in America, with racially diverse neighbors living side-by-side. To some degree, I think that's probably true. I interact with many Asians, whites and Latinos at work, but fewer African-Americans. But there does seem to be a higher than average number of relationships between people of mixed racial heritage here. And, with the Kings making a name for themselves and housing costs being (relatively) low for Northern California, can it be that my new hometown is a hip place to live? Rumor has it we're already slated for a downtown PF Changs, a new Whole Foods and an IKEA. Well, if we can just get a Cheesecake Factory and an Armani Exchange, I think we'll be on our way. (Because, yes, being hip--and by extension, being gay--is all about consumption)

Station Location - It is curious to me why Clear Channel has decided to get rid of local DJ's in favor of DJ's pretending to be local. Does that actually draw more listeners, over syndicated content like a Howard Stern show? Occasional mentions of the County Fair or a local restaurant as in introduction to a song don't really do very much for me, but is it reassuring to other listeners? I'd rather have truly local content or listen to a nationally syndicated program instead. NPR is a great example of mixing local and national programming, similar to the concept on network television morning shows, with cut-ins from local stations at certain times. My final question: why are we not able to listen to my beloved Rick Dees in morning drivetime all over this great land?

Ben's Two Favorite Things - Homos and shopping. Read all about it here.

Who needs chicken? - Recent news from Arizona State concerning campus sexcapades reminded us of a reputed porno filming at a certain elitist college in New Haven, Connecticut almost two years ago. First exposed by this article in the Yale student newspaper, the university's "Porn 'n' Chicken" club (PnC for short) and its film project had tongues wagging among the Ivy establishment and even lesser circles.

I remember thinking at the time that this must be what Rutherford was hinting at when he told Joel Goodson's father that "Princeton could use a guy like Joel." Not that Ivy Leaguers don't know how to let their hair down. Back in the present, just in time to take advantage of the efforts of the ASU fratboys, Comedy Central is about to present a made-for-TV movie "based on the true story" of the randy Elis. Read all about it here. Yes, from the people who bring you The Man Show. I can't wait.

Gay News Today - In our ongoing quest to bring you the latest in gay news and entertainment, we offer an inside preview of the new television documentary series Gay Weddings. Will the couples be able to find his-and-his cake toppers? Believe me, I'm on the edge of my seat.

In other news, the SF Chronicle profiles the gay, Jewish potential candidate for LAPD chief. Of course, some people disagree with that option, but it will be interesting to see which of the candidates makes the final cut.

Backseat Driving with Big Brother - Interesting, but not entirely accurate, NY Times article on the use of electronic toll collection transponders to track traffic patterns in the Bay Area. However, only on seven Bay Area bridges is the toll $2. It is $3 (and rising) on the privately-owned Golden Gate. Having had to stop for idiots without a FasTrak at the toll plaza of 5 of the 8 bridges in recent weeks, let me offer that there aren't nearly enough people actually using the FasTrak system to yet make this data very useful anyway.

Quotable Quotes - Is trusty old Robert Thompson of Syracuse University the only pop culture expert that writers know about? I happened upon a couple stories quoting Thompson today, one about the 5-year anniversary of Behind the Music and the other about a new book on college life. Hey, I could tell you that The Simpsons had a Behind the Music parody too!

Sexy Bald Men - Okay, first off, mea maxima culpa. I've been so derelict in keeping up with mainstream pop culture that I only just this morning noticed Matt Lauer's new haircut. In order to understand the drastic change, compare this photo from 1997 with this more recent shot. Now I would be the first to agree with that shorter haircuts bring out stud appeal, but I challenge the notion that it applies only to older men. (Both Jamie - age 25 - and my dad - age 53 - are successful converts to the philosophy.) Remember, thinning hair is a sign of an abundance of testosterone. So gentlemen should always keep a short buzzcut in mind when faced with this situtation. The alternative is just too grim to contemplate.

A Service to Beaverhausen Reader(s) - Notice how every other big-time blog is on vacation these days? Sullivan is gone, and so is OJ's Best of the Web. (Even Bob Edwards is away!) But not us! Ben and I are still hard at work bringing you fresh content daily during the August hiatus. So keep reading! We thank you for your support.

Vote4Me - According to the Washington Post, the Federal Election Commission has approved a petition to waive its disclosure rules for political ads delivered via SMS. What's next? PAC payoffs by emoticons? Right now, software for instant messaging has fairly robust tools for controlling who can send you messages and when. Mobile phone messaging is far more rudimentary and, since most services charge by the message, abuse could be far more costly. This sounds like a bad idea permitted by bureaucrats who don't understand technology. The Euros have been dealing with SMS spam for a lot longer than us Yanks and have started taking action against it. But we all know how effective anti-spamming legislation is, right?

Where There's A Will - Rumor has it that Will will be getting a new boyfriend, since Grace will be busy with Harry Connick, Jr. Could it be Gene Wilder?

Fallen Idol - Jamie can't believe that Tamyra got voted off American Idol. Neither can most commentators. Maybe there is a dark conspiracy afoot. Now that could be an entertaining premise for a show. Ben, your thoughts?

Guilty Pleasure Alert - In the dog days of August, with nothing on TV, I'm developing a few new guilty pleasures.

Having finally gotten BBC America, it should come as no surprise that I'm thoroughly enjoying Changing Rooms (the better-paced inspiration for old favorite Trading Spaces) and So Graham Norton. But my greatest TV joy of late comes from two shows hosted by Rachael Ray on the TV Food Network: 30-Minute Meals and $40-a-Day.

On 30-Minute Meals, Ray is an unapologetic anti-Martha. By making meals live-to-tape, she has to cut corners and use store-bought ingredients, like a normal person would do. Rachael is big on making expressive noises: laughing, chortling, snorting, mmmming and awwwing. When she's not yucking it up, or ham-handedly mooning over her own culinary creations, Rachael is yammering on, in an incredibly predictable fashion, inspiring me to think about starting a 30-Minute Meals drinking game. (1 swig for every time she mentions her grandpa Emmanuel, 2 swigs if she explains her "garbage bowl" concept, and chug if she uses the acronym "EVOO"--extra virgin olive oil, to the uninitiated).

On $40-a-Day, Rachael pretends to be able to eat well while traveling on a budget. Of course, her tallies never represent the cost of taxes and tips, so her 40 bucks goes a whole lot farther than yours or mine. And, it doesn't count if the price of your breakfast is included in the cost of your hotel room. There are so many unwritten exceptions, it's got the intricacies of a schoolyard game of foursquare. Why not just eat all three meals at McDonalds and pocket the extra cash, Rach?

Yay! Bob Barr Lost - That's a direct quote from Adam, who also notes "I don't like that guy." Barr lost his primary fight against John Linder (a fellow GOP incumbent forced into the same district by crafty redistricting), so another lightning rod for gay apoplexy passes from the Congressional scene. Maybe George Bush can find a job for him in his cabinet. (But I doubt it.) Hmm, I wonder where Bob Dornan is these days?

Kopp'ing a Deal - The Federales have been leaning hard on the Enron boys, and - surprise - they got the homo to break. The Washington Post reports that former Enron Corp. executive Michael J. Kopper will plead guilty to financial wrongdoing as early as today and has agreed to surrender $12 million. Kopper is the one who ran one of those sweetheart limited partnerships together with his domestic partner William Dodson. According to sources, turncoat Kopper's testimony will be key to prosecuting higher ups like Fastow and Skilling. Expect more typical blather from the gay left about how homosexuals in the business world are part of the problem.

Life at the Firehouse - Salon has a hard-hitting look at how news outlets have been too meek to criticize the lapses of the NYC Fire Department on September 11. I guess those news outlets include Salon, since their 'meta-news' story, in and of itself, hardly makes any critical comments about the FDNY at all. On the other hand, I found this morning's front page article in the Wash Post to be exactly the sort of tough expose Salon said hadn't been printed. Striking to me was this good-ole-boy characterization of the fire department:

This is a department still grounded in successions of father and son, uncle and cousin. Its esprit de corps is considerable. Leaders rise from the engine houses, often on the basis of displays of raw and brave leadership.

But the McKinsey report took a dim view of the Fire Department leaders, noting that $2 million is needed to train them. Fire chiefs, the report notes, are not "effective managers," don't understand their roles and responsibilities, and need to learn how to better command and plan. Even the most senior chiefs enjoy civil service protection.

The department also suffers from a long tradition of resistance to technological innovation -- in the 19th century, the Fire Union fought the move from hand-pulled to horse-pulled engines, and in the 20th century it resisted the change from horse-drawn equipment to fire trucks.

These revelations don't surprise me. My first inkling that not all was right with the FDNY was when I noticed how many relatives were listed among the dead in the first fireman casualty reports. Then followed the brouhaha over the proposed tribute statue, which had, in a politically correct fashion, modified the famous photo by Thomas Franklin (now a postage stamp) to include a black and an Hispanic firefighter. In fact, the department has little such ethnic diversity (aside from Irish and Italians, of course). Also, I would have thought it apparent to everyone watching CBS's docudrama 9/11 that there was considerable disorganization and disarray among fire commanders in the WTC lobby on the fateful day. At least criticism of the FDNY is now being heard, and perhaps this rather backward institution will see some needed reform.

Speaking of Teen Crushes - Undressed has a predictably racy and unrealistic version of the gay crush story showing currently. (Link not yet available.) It's the tale of two high school boys who enjoy fooling around until one of them decides he's gay and wants to make their friendship something more. Unfortunately, his friend isn't ready to give up on girls -- he's also dating the poor gay kid's sister! Solution? Bro and sis get to "co-date" their mutual friend.

My Best Friend - There are a lot of stories out there about the unrequited love of gay teens. Many of us have personal experience, having gone through phases where we were stuck in a crush on a straight male companion who shared much but didn't return the longed-for affection. (I can count three big ones of my own, each lasting more than a year, stretching into my early twenties.)

The Advocate serves up a tale that proves that things haven't changed, even in today's more tolerant society. Gay kids may be figuring out their sexuality younger than ever, but they are still falling for all the wrong guys. The ubiquity of this abortive boyhood gay-straight relationship must say something meaningful about friendships and love on the cusp of sexual adulthood. At an age when our straight peers begin to pull away from one another, gay boys often engage in an inappropriate and inevitably doomed effort to keep the ties together. Robinson rightly points out that sex, per se, isn't even what it's all about. These relationships are often platonic and certainly transcend physicality. They leave a lasting mark. {Sigh}

I wonder, though, how it feels on the other side. I've never seen the story told from the viewpoint of the "straight" friend. Where are the sensitive remembrances penned by the boys who grow up to be the self-assured heterosexuals? Oh, right, they're guys -- they don't have all those feelings.

Survivor Scholars - John's buddies at GLAAD highlight an important piece of scholarly work: an academic investigation into fan posting boards about Survivor. While I enjoyed reading rehashed recaps from TelevisionWithoutPity.com, notes cribbed from message boards and articles lifted from Zap2it.com, I still don't really think that there was much of an investigative research question to be answered. While we're still guessing who will be The Gay One on Survivor Thailand, E! Online has learned about the soft-core porn past of one male castaway.

Luck of the Draw - The NY Times sheds light on the delicate process of getting to know your college roommate. Thanks to technology, it's easier than ever to establish a relationship from a distance. Instant Messenger can be a good way to get to know the likes and dislikes of a person and figuring out logistical concerns. But there's no guarantee that making that contact will ease all the tensions of the getting-to-know-you phase. I know that buying matching bedspreads wouldn't have been my top concern.

At Stanford, it is tradition to not learn who your roommate is until you arrive on campus. Nearly all freshman have a roommate, but the process of assigning students to particular dorms and rooms is done by hand by a team of two students who work in the housing office. I remember being incredibly anxious the night before moving into my dorm, but would I have been any better off had I known in advance who my roommate was? I'm not convinced that I would have. I think I would have gotten bogged down by preconceived notions about my roommate, without having the chance to get to know him. In the end, we were a great match and became friends and roommates for our whole undergraduate careers. Remarkable that the match made by the housing gods was so successful.

Put an umbrella in it - An explanation for why I'm such a lightweight when it comes to alcohol?

All the vows fit to print - The activists have finally gotten someone at the New York Times to listen to their case. For years the Times has been accused of hypocrisy for failing to post gay "wedding" announcements in its Sunday Styles section, even as its editorial board championed the cause of gay equality. On Sunday, the Gray Lady's leadership announced a reversal of policy. Wonder what Drew thinks of his nemisis Howell Raines on this one? Ben, be sure to add www.nytimes.com/weddings to your "to-do" list as you plan your fabulous nuptuals.

Confessions of a Space Nerd - Even before an epic childhood battle with my cousins (they wanted to watch that lame Star Trek when the tres-cool Space: 1999 was on), I was an avid fan of the space program. In high school, my senior speech, delivered a year after Challenger, argued in favor of expanded human exploration of the cosmos. In college I belonged to the Princeton Planetary Society (whose logo is still derived from my design) and subscribed to Aviation Week & Space Technology. I even worked one summer at NASA, and my undergraduate thesis was on the domestic politics of space travel. Somewhere along the line, though, I realized that most space-related careers involve life as a cog inside the world of giant government contractors and aging bureaucracies that saw their heyday under Kennedy and Johnson. Besides losing the natural impetus of Cold War rivalries, the Internet came along and people decided the web, not space, was where it was at. I got a real job, and space faded to just one of many subjects of occasional interest.

All that is background for why I reacted wistfully to this Times article which notes that 2001 was the slowest year for space launches since 1962 (the year after Shepard and Glenn made their Mercury flights). Not exactly the brilliant future envisioned in Kubrick's revolutionary space opera. I guess if I had followed my dreams, instead of the stars I might be heading for the unemployment office these days. In any case, that reservation at the Hilton will just have to wait a bit longer.

I just love musical theater! - Jamie and I went to Aida on Wednesday night, in honor of Ian's birthday. Apparently, it was senior citizen discount night at the Kennedy Center. Much of the audience just didn't share our appreciation for such lines as "I have to hand one thing to the E-gypt-shuns... their thread count is fabulous!"

Paulette Ivory's performance as the title character, a Nubian princess brought back to Egypt in chains, was powerful, but I felt like the chemistry just wasn't there between her and her would-be captor/lover, the warrior-captain Radames (Jeremy Kushnier). I found myself really enjoying Lisa Brescia's Amneris, the Pharoah's daughter and Radames' spurned bethrothed, especially when she appeared with the women of the palace in the delightful romp "My Strongest Suit." Ivan, on the other hand, predictably swooned over Aida's gospel-rock rendition of "The Gods Love Nubia."

As befits any Elton John/Tim Rice (not to mention Disney) production, there was a strong homosexual undercurrent in a few scenes, especially among Zoser (Radames' father) and his fellow conspirators. What is it about a cabal of dancing boys with a trim-bearded leader all wearing tight-collared Prussian officer tunics that makes me think "gay gay gay"?

P.S. We had an unscheduled departure from our pre-theater dining plans, since Dominque's at the Watergate is now The Brasserie. Sure looked the same, and the Chilean sea bass over tagliatelle was good, so I'm not complaining.

Why I don't support Yasser - In recent years, there has been a groundswell of liberal fealty in the U.S. towards the Palestinian Authority. Ever since Arafat and his ilk came into respectability with the Oslo Accords, it's been fashionable (even in establishment circles) to see the Intifada as just the Middle East's version of the "No justice, no peace" mantra. Palestinian statehood was a matter of the basic human right to self-determination. How could anyone disagree with that?

Classical liberalism (now better associated with conservative libertarianism), however, always asserted that self-determination was an individual right, not a group right. Israel is not a perfect place, but it surely offers a better model for how a Muslim in Palestine could achieve personal freedoms than does Arafat's corrupt and cronyist administration. A prime example of this principle lies in the case of gay Palestinians.

Under current regimes throughout the Arab world, gays are persecuted either by Islamic fundamentalists or by governments who find them to be a convenient scapegoat and distraction. (Recall the recent events in Egypt.) Nothing like the Israeli gay rights groups could flourish under those regimes. You certainly wouldn't find them out on the streets lending aid to runaway Israeli teens the way Agudah helps Palestinians. Gay life in Israel can be favorably compared to the United States:

[S]odomy laws were repealed years ago, discrimination was banned in the workplace, and immigrant same-sex partners of Israelis are eligible for visas even if they’re not Jewish ... More significantly, the Israel Defense Force policy on gays in the military resembles what Clinton once envisioned for the United States — before he broke his campaign promise. And perhaps more surprisingly, the Orthodox in Israel are less concerned about homosexuality than one may think.

Contrast that with the Arab world, where homosexuality is either punishable by death (as among our allies in Saudi Arabia) or subject to severe sanction under a crooked penal system (most everywhere else). There is little reason to hope a similar system wouldn't take root under a Palestinian state, at least not until there is a wholesale change in leadership and an embracing of moderate politics. I wish I could say I was optimistic about that development, but I'm not. In the meantime, Israel is a sole foothold of democracy and individual freedoms in a land that knows virtually nothing of those things. It deserves my support.

City Fags, Country Fags - New York City takes a sensible step. Meanwhile, back at the ranch... I've had little experience with the gay scene in California's Russian River valley, but I have been through Guerneville and taken the gorgeous drive down Route 116 along the river to the coast. Say, couldn't the Times find anyone other than 40-something men to interview? Ben, any comments? I know you have younger friends who've been.

No Holiday - In the National Review, Alan Dowd makes the absurd case for designating September 11th as a national holiday. But not just any old regular national holiday, but one that actually has meaning, defined by him, of course. He advocates mandating that the American public show their respect and grief:

"If the nation's political leaders were able to convince employers to do this — whether through moral suasion or legislation — September 11 would have a dramatically different feel and tone than every other national holiday. There would be no presents to buy, no holiday sales to visit, no cards to send, no feast to cook, no parades to orchestrate, no customers to serve. Instead, an entire nation would reflect on what we lost and what we have."

You can close stores and schools and offices, but you can't force people to reflect. My objections don't have anything to do with our "secular, multicultural society." No one wants to forget the people who died as a result of the terrible events of September 11th. But I think that designating September 11th as a national holiday is a short-sighted idea, and the author's argument glosses over the reasons why many national holidays have lost some of their symbolism. Even though holidays have become commercialized, they are still an opportunity to spend time with people you care about, to have the time to do things you want to do. And, aren't some of the reasons to reflect on September 11th to think about the freedoms we enjoy and to spend time together with our families, perhaps over a feast?

I believe that each individual should have the opportunity to decide how he wants to reflect and remember on that day. The act of choosing to take that day off is much more symbolic than simply getting it off as a matter of law. You're not going to stop people from taking a weekend trip if September 11th falls on a Friday or Monday. The type of holiday the author describes exists only in his own imagination and there's no persuasion or legislation that will change that fact.

Market Me, Market You - What's that funny message blinking on your Tivo? It's just the latest ploy to sell DVR technology - which should be a birthright - to the fascists in Hollywood who think that they can control information. Maybe I should join this hotline2hollywood.com and let them have a piece of my mind!

In the mix - I was over at the S.E.C. twice in the past two days, including one trip to deliver sworn statements by public company clients required under Commission orders. Kinda fun when your work is newsworthy. And I expect Sarbanes-Oxley will keep me busy for awhile.

Still a spring chicken - OJ noted this article on the stages of life in Turkmenistan. I'm usually satisfied if a survey groups me with the 25 to 34 year olds. Now I get to be youthful until age 37! At that point, Jamie will be 30, so maybe Adam will then stop making fun of me for dating a younger man.

Purple Daze - It's nasty outside, though we haven't quite reached code purple yet.

Zero Tolerance - The LA Times shows the struggle that a suburban family...just like you and me!...went through with their school district as a result of a bread knife accidentally being left in their son's car.

I fell victim to a zero tolerance policy my freshman year of high school. I distractedly allowed a neighbor to borrow my homework to "compare his answers" right before the bell rang. I didn't really think anything of it, and didn't have any malicious intent, but the teacher caught him copying the answers and turned us both in for cheating, regardless of intent. However, the administration didn't quite see things the same way...here was a teacher carrying out the letter of the law, without thinking about circumstances.

Should there be a room for extenuating circumstances? How do you deal with the fact that actual cheating is prevalent on campuses, but that very few people are actually caught? Does a zero tolerance punishments have any meaning if there was no intent to violate a policy?

Secret Menu Revealed - The NY Times profiles In-n-Out Burger, a California institution, and notes that much like political trends "food trends in the United States tend to track west to east."

So Sorry - Princeton apologizes. Interesting tidbit: Yale was told about this, by Princeton, in May? And no one on either side recognized that misappropriation of personal information was identity theft? Shirley is clearly right that

even individuals with a high degree of sensitivity to ethical principles in traditional settings can fail to be equally sensitive when technology is involved ... as when someone who would never open a sealed envelope addressed to another person enters a secured Web site

Viva Elvis! - Despite the Code Red weather outside, Jamie and I went down to the Mall last night to watch the final Screen on the Green presentation -- Viva Las Vegas:

He's a race car driver out to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix. She's the sexy swim instructor that really gets his engine going. But can he keep his mind on the contest when it's really his heart that's racing?

I think we were both entertained. Ann-Margaret stole the show with her performance (perhaps more humorous than intended) in "The Lady Loves Me." I was suprised Elvis couldn't really dance. Gratefully, the movie did not have a soporific 20-minute interlude of dialogue-less dancing like some previous SOTG showings. It did however have the most abrupt ending I've ever seen in a movie. Did they run out of unexposed film?

I gave at the office - So I was coming out of Dupont Metro to meet Jamie for lunch, when I was accosted by an eager twinkish thing in a bright yellow Greenpeace polo shirt with a clipboard. (I guess t-shirts would be too low class for proselytizing in the CBD.) He started his spiel, but I cut to the chase and told him that while I supported many of GP's goals, I found their tactics and ideology to be too radical for my tastes. (Not to mention, counterproductive.) The solicitor looked a bit dumbfounded and could only mumble an astonished "Really? Well, thanks anyway, and please vote for environment-friendly candidates." I assured him that I would.

Now Dupont is of course a center of typical urban-gay leftist thought on everything from hate speech to gun control, so my earnest young friend (with his rainbow pride necklace) probably hadn't encountered too many contrarian views. If I had had time, I might have engaged him in a debate on the merits. I've always had a lot more respect for organizations that choose cooperation over confrontation, such as The Nature Conservancy or even the Sierra Club. GP gets a little too close to those Earth First types. Basically, they're the nature lovers' answer to PETA. And, as I investigate them on the web, I discover that even their founder has eschewed their approach for consensus building.

Ben, perhaps you can give us the Left Coast perspective on Greenpeace and other environmental protection groups...

Old Nassau under siege - The on-going anthrax investigation has pointed to a Princeton connection. The university had already faced difficulties last fall when mail delivery was interrupted in the Trenton area. Could it be that our friend Steve Hatfill isn't involved after all?

Wither Martha - News just keeps getting worse for Martha. The distributors of her TV show are even lining up potential replacements. Even if she did do something illegal, I'd be sad to see her good things disappear.

It's Not Easy Being "Green" - News from the comic book world of a gay supporting character coming out in the Green Lantern series. I am not much of a comic book afficionado, but any story with gay themes and a reference to the Real World in the NY Times piques my interest.

You want fries with that? - The bankruptcy filing of Washington's hometown airline has left us all a little shaken -- not that it's totally unexpected. Certain twists in the saga tend to get a little bizarre, and it remains to be seen how it's all gonna shake out. But what I really want to know is, what about my 100,000 frequent flyer miles?

Cinematic Musings - With TiVo recording fantastic new summer material like Road Rules, American Idol and The Anna Nicole Show (plus new-to-me reruns of Scrubs), I haven't had much of an occasion to rent movies lately. But, Friday night, Kevin decided he wanted to stay in and we'd already cleared the hard drive of everything that looked remotely interesting. So, for the first time since moving nearly 8 months ago, we rented a movie. Our choice: the charming Amélie. While the pacing and editing seemed to be a little off (no need for it to run over 2 hours), the movie more than made up for it with its distinctive art direction and use of color and set dressing. There was a very cohesive theme to each place the camera took us, really adding to the idealized, mystical Paris Amélie inhabits. The movie reminded me, stylistically, of Run Lola Run with its quick camera cuts and humorous take on absurd situations. As long as you're in the mood for subtitles and willing to believe in unbelievable coincidences, Amélie is an enjoyable little distraction.

After seeing Amélie, Kevin and I decided we wanted to see a small, quiet, period piece...a costume drama in the Merchant/Ivory spirit, filled with turn-of-the-century European charm. Well, not really, but a lot of XXX does take place in Prague. To review the plot would be completely irrevelant; it something to do with a maverick spy (and eXtreme athlete) named Xander Cage trying to stop the end of the world. Call it a lovesong to Bond flicks, with tattoos and an anti-smoking message(!). However, the flashes of Vin Diesel's hot body more than make up for those plot holes. The one thing they might want to beef up for XXX2 would be Vin's attempts at showing his romantic side. In this movie, his on-screen kisses with Asia Argento generated zero heat. Wonder if our friends at Datalounge are on to something? The other useless plot point for me whether or not Xander had been killed while trying to save the world. I don't think anyone was doubting that Vin's character was going to survive at the end. Hello, we all know that he's signed for a sequel already! And judging by this week's box office seems like public is up for more. With a reported $10 million paycheck and an executive producer credit, Vin Diesel's got to have the smartest agent in Hollywood.

Finally, we had Not Another Teen Movie on in the background while making dinner this evening. Overall, it was dreadful, save for a few laughs from a Molly Ringwald cameo (and I've even seen most of the titles in the Freddie Prinze, Jr. oeuvre Teen was mocking). However, the movie did have one standout, the delicious Chris Evans. His face is cute, but it's the surprisingly hot body, shown in a Varsity Blues-inspired whipped cream bikini, that made me take note. A little digging shows that our boy seems to have been working out. He was even featured in an A&F Quarterly. I'll be keeping my eye out for this one.

Indian Influence - Thomas Friedman's latest dispatch explains how India's tech community, dependent on its economic ties to the US and Europe, helped cool nuclear tensions with Pakistan. If they did play an important part, then perhaps Robert Kaplan's pessimism isn't entirely warranted. One facet of globalization in our millenial age is the bonding of wealthy technologically advanced elites across national boundaries. (Or within them -- hey, Ben!) On the other hand, Kaplan would point out that the software parks of Bangalore -- and other outposts like them -- are tiny islands amidst a sea of Third World poverty and burgeoning discontent. Whose world view will prevail? Stay tuned.

Signspost II - I'm gonna agree with Ben that, despite its flaws, M. Night's film deserves some serious -- if not overwhelming -- praise. I've never seen a movie audience so quiet when filing out of the theater. It felt like I hadn't been able to breathe for the last 20 minutes of the movie. (Perhaps because inability to breathe is a key plot element during the conclusion.) Ebert noted that "I cannot think of a movie where silence is scarier, and inaction is more disturbing." In that sense, parts of Signs reminded me of Blair Witch. (It's been noted that Signs is derivative of a lot of other films, even as it gets new mileage from their concepts.)

While I didn't love the plot, I really enjoyed the craft of this movie. It was actually my first experience with a Shyamalan film, so forgive me if it's old hat now, but I completely agree with Glieberman's observation that

Shyamalan slows the pace to a hypnotic semistandstill, composing each shot with meticulous formality, focusing on a single element -- rows of corn lit by a flashlight, otherworldly scuttling claws -- so that you're as aware of what may be hovering just outside the frame as you are of the shots themselves. That signature style can be chillingly effective at creating a mood of terror, or wonder, or both.

As an erstwhile photographer, the almost antique, still-life quality of Shyamalan's frequently unmoving camera impressed me deeply. His use of unusual shooting angles to heighten tension (as when the camera looks up from the crack between a closed door and the floor) was genius.

It was also nice to see Mel Gibson play a part where his character's always-evident emotional failings didn't ultimately turn into strengths, and he ends up just as human as the rest of us. On the other hand, it did bother me that Shyamalan put himself in the movie. It's not that I couldn't believe a dark-skinned Indian man could be a DVM in rural Bucks County, but knowing it was the director was a real distraction. Methinks Shyamalan thinks rather highly of himself. Maybe he will turn out to be an heir to Hitchcock, but let's have him make a dozen more movies before we decide.

What's Up with That? - Why do homos feel the need to act the part? The invite to this little get-together asks:

"Have you ever been to a musical film and had the uncontrollable urge to burst into song? Do you muse over the endless tailoring opportunities for chintz curtains? Have you always wondered what it would be like to wear a wimple? This is your chance to test your vocal range with several hundred other assorted nuns, Von Trapp family members and Julie Andrews look-alikes."

Okay, the answer is no, but thanks for asking. Or am I just denying my inner Mary?

America's Non-Smoking Section - As with most political trends that move from West to East, New York is considering adopting a version of the "much-reviled" California law prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants. I'd bet Joe Eszterhas is a proponent.

You know, I'm really worried that such a ban would be a terrible blow to New York's image! Because, non-smoking restaurants had such a powerfully detrimental impact on California's economy during the '90s.

It's okay to laugh - The Million Moms had me worried for awhile, but I'm glad to see they're back to their typical pathetic form. Their latest target is Bally Total Fitness, which apparently has a new ad campaign featuring Kylie Minogue in that outfit from her "Can't Get You Out of My Head" video. Here are some choice comments from concerned Christian mothers:

“I saw a commercial yesterday for Bally Total Fitness. It was disgusting, more like a porno flick. The woman was dressed in almost nothing making sexual jesters while the music played on."

“Ballys health and fitness clubs are running a commercial that pushes the sex and porno sell to the limit. A model dances around in nothing but a sheer cloth cover that barely covers her nipples and rear. Her lips are swollen and red. The camera pits them right up in your face. She looks like a prostitute poll dancer!”

“I have never seen anything so unbelievable to TV. My sons got a quick lesson on the female anatomy. There was a girl dressed in a sheet, I guess, that was V cut down to her waist in front. She was dancing so erotically that her breasts keep popping out, not completely, but enough.”

Now Kylie is admittedly a spicy little number who likes to push the limits of moral rectitude, so maybe these ladies have a point. We certainly can't have dancing prostitutes voting for sexual jesters whose breasts are almost but not entirely popping out. Somebody could lose an eye!

Bloggers R Us - I've added a link to a rugger blogger, Jamie's teammate Jimbo. He's been doing this for a year? Where have I been?

Hangover Animals - Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have won a big court victory against the agency sponsoring the festive street donkeys and elephants dotting Washington's sidewalks this Summer. According to this Post report,

The District's summer-long "Party Animals" street exhibit, a collection of 200 cheerful donkeys and elephants, must also include the statue of a chained and weeping elephant, a federal judge has ruled, finding that the city's arts commission had unfairly rejected the somber entry by an animal rights group.

(Source: Jamie.) Apparently, PETA compromised by removing "tacks and blood" from the design and adding "some decorative aspects." Boy, these animal rights nuts love to rain on everyone's parade. Or is it picnic?

I don't want to look like a weirdo. I'll just go with a muumuu - The New Republic's reliable Michelle Cottle shares her perspective on the recent NY Times article, "What If It's All Been a Big Fat Lie?" Of course it's not just about carbs or fat grams, it's about balance. Even though eating steak and butter seems counterintuitive to the dieting message fed to the American public, clearly her sensible assessment that "down[ing] a box of Snackwell's fat-free Devil's Food cookies" leads to obesity is true. Shockingly enough, same goes for fast food! See you at Krusty Burger!

Day 38 - As California's budget crisis continues to be at an impasse, the National Review makes the outrageous comparison of Governor Gray Davis and the California Teachers Association to Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee? Not exactly the most cutting edge reference, but the tactic got me to read the article.

Rolling Right Along - I'm sure Lisa Beamer's attorneys will be in touch with Florida State soon.

Duck Dodgers in the 24 and a 1/2th Century - In Afghanistan we had unmanned bombers and GPS "super" smartbombs. In Iraq, we'll have -- laser beams? Well, close. Aviation Week & Space Technology, famous for leaking details of America's coolest weapons, reports that

An attack on Iraq is expected to see the first use of high-power microwave weapons that produce a split-second spike of energy powerful enough to damage electronic components and scramble computer memories.

Apparently these gizmos would be put in cruise missles or perhaps a remotely piloted unmanned aircraft. HPM weapons could fry the electronics of an undergroud command bunker yet cause litte structural or human damage. Cue the Eludium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator...

Guns Don't Break Glass Windows, People Do - Funny that I just saw The Simpson's episode where Homer buys a gun for home protection. It seems that Rep. Bob Barr, that paragon of all that is good and righteous in American life, had a bit of an incident with a firearm last weekend. Perhaps he and his host should consult long time NRA advocate Rep. John Dingell on handgun safety. On the other hand, maybe it would be preferable if he continued to play with loaded guns.

Nancy Boys Part II - More left-wing propaganda from the Village Voice, this time making the absurd claim that lesbian mothers can raise boys to be men just as well as, or better than (!), their heterosexual counterparts.

The core thesis appears to be that boys who lack a father in their family will "create" their own male role models. Ms. Drexler says boys draw from occasional visits to biological fathers, from men their mothers have deliberately introduced into the family circle, or from the world of sports as well as real-life heroes or fictional characters. This last category leads the author to make the claim that "these boys are forging healthy, well-integrated masculine identities whether they actually meet their role models or not." (Italics mine.)

At least, these SOL's (sons of lesbians) measure up to Drexler's vision of what the perfect man would be: sensitive, thoughtful, open, self-aware, empathetic and "integrated into a post-feminist culture." In other words, a new generation of Voice subscribers. Well, it could be worse. They could be making french toast out of the Nancy Drew Cookbook.

Literature and The Valley - I happened upon the America's Suburb website, a comprehensive site on all things about the San Fernando Valley, courtesy of a link from LA Examiner.com. One of the most interesting pieces for me was the page that highlighted works of fiction that feature the Valley prominently. The Valley is so frequently bashed by its more fashonable neighbors on the other side of the Sepulveda pass...and often with good reason. These books mock the Valley, but do so from an insider's perspective, revealing the quirks and inferiority complexes that make Canoga Park, Van Nuys and Tarzana unique.

Sandra Tsing Loh has always been a favorite of mine, caputuring the local flavor of Valley-ites struggling to move up the social ladder. I'm pleased to see this underappreciated talent be recognized for the nuggets of brilliance in her books, but I still miss her monthly Valley column for the now-defunct Buzz magazine. However, she can still be heard as a regular contributor to NPR's Marketplace. I especially identify with her character Bronwyn, who experiences a crushing blow upon realizing that shopping at Trader Joe's is not an automatic step to becoming worldly and sophisticated. This epiphany always sticks in my mind when I think about the mother of a friend of mine who needed to have a similar realization.

However, one glaring example left off the list is Maybe The Moon by Armistead Maupin. While typically known for his expert descriptions of San Francisco, Maupin does a fantastic job of zeroing in on quirks of the Valley. Even with requisite gay characters and Hollywood stereotypes, Maupin's thinly-veiled references to the making of E.T. are just as compelling as Tales of the City.

Nancy Boy - As a young boy, still blissfully unaware of my gayness, I was a voracious reader of Nancy Drew mysteries. I even owned the Nancy Drew Cookbook and made the french toast recipe many times. The question remains, how could I have been so clueless? Maybe it was a self-preservation mechanism. (By the way, note the retro-chic Restoration Hardware reference near the end of the Advocate essay.)

In addition to the potentially queer subtext of Nancy Drew, my interest was sustained because I always thought her mysteries were actually mysterious. Her stories were unlike those of the Hardy Boys, who always seemed to be less about detective work and more about adventure. That sense of a true whodunit is probably why I also enjoyed the Encyclopedia Brown series so much and fondly remember The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin as a childhood favorite as well. Nevertheless, it's fun to see that other little gayboys read Nancy Drew too. (And for the record, I do NOT admit to reading any books featuring the Sweet Valley Twins.)

Is this what an MA in Media Studies gets you? - Buffy slaying vampires is emblematic of the fight against terrorism? Even I think these comparisons can be taken just a little bit too far.

RW Vancouver - Depending upon who you believe, the new Real World parody movie is either brilliant or idiotic. I'm inclined to believe the latter, as Entertainment Weekly cites its lack of "satiric insight." But, since its a show that people love to hate, I'm sure the viewers will tune in.

I, of course, won't have a review until Thursday at the earliest, because The Lost Season: Vancouver conflicts with American Idol. Speaking of recent MTV reality shows, I want to learn even more about Shane, the adorable gayboy from Road Rules: Campus Crawl anyway. This week, he won a stripping contest and made out with a cute guy at the bar. Give Shane more screen time by getting rid of the dreadful, poorly conceived Sorority Life, MTV!

Poor Johnny - Reports of childhood same-sex shenanigans aside (heard firsthand from someone who should know), our favorite left-handed relief - ahem - pitcher is back in the news, "harrassing" gays. Somehow, though, it doesn't seem far-fetched that the fruitcakes in question made some derogatory remarks. Lesson: People in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks.

Aerial Combat - To quote an acquaintance: "Arena football, roller derby, WWF... move over. It's time for SlamBall baby!" I guess everyone is vying for the teenaged males who are bailing on professional wrestling these days. Not that I ever understood how that "sport" caught the buzz in the first place. WWF has been around since I was a kid, but it was never all that cool until sometime in the late 90's. Now I'm just happy to see it go, whatever may take its place.

John Ashcroft, eat your heart out! - Operation TIPS, move over! The people who brought you WeatherBug (italics mine) are now teaming up with the government to feed information directly from your computer to national security officials. Sure weather data is useful, but think about all the other handy info that's out there, if, say, Microsoft were to link up with the Justice Department.

Dammit, I forgot to TiVo! - TV reporters, start your double entendres.

Yeahhhh, baby! - Went to see AP3 last night. At the 10pm showing there were maybe 10 other people in the theater. Thanks to realistic expectations, I was reasonably entertained, although the best laughs came from material rehashed from earlier Powers installments. Mike Myers' newest persona, freaky Dutchman Goldmember, suggests that his comedic wellspring may be running a bit dry. Will an American audience even get the Euro-centric stereotype of the Dutch pervert? Among the cameos, I thought Nathan Lane put in by far the best showing, and Beyoncé Knowles added enough spice to make my friend Ivan (a huge fan of DC) proud. But am I the only one who noticed the continuity problems with Austin's teeth? Was that deliberate?

P.S. The trailer for Die Another Day looked pretty cool, but you had to be a sharp observer to notice Academy Award® winning actress Halle Berry, who was uncredited in the voiceover that mentioned Pierce Brosnan's title role. This was one of the previews attached to Goldmember as part of the deal struck with MGM in return for New Line's right to spoof the valuable James Bond franchise. (Bonus question for Ben: Who is singing the theme song for this 20th installment of the James Bond saga?)

The Deeper You Link - The WSJ notes the controversy surrounding so-called "deep linking," a practice by which websites (say, for example, a blog) posts links to pages deep inside another website, thereby by-passing the other site's front page and other intermediate steps. The article follows the saga of a Dallas neighborhood site that earned itself a nasty letter from the lawyers for the local paper's publisher. You may recall the last time this subject made legal news, the case of Ticketmaster v. Tickets.com (and a similar lawsuit against Sidewalk, the late, lamented Microsoft venture) failed to reach any firm precedent because the cases settled before appeal. Happily for us bloggers, the WSJ reports that the top free news sites are happy to have deep linkers remora onto their websites:

"We have no problem with other news sites and Web logs linking to NYTimes.com -- the more, the better," says a spokeswoman for the New York Times Co...."In general, we think linking is helpful," agrees Cliff Sloan, general counsel for WashingtonPost Newsweek Interactive, which publishes WashingtonPost.com.

In fact, it seems that the Journal has even posted their article at a permanent free link in this one case. For a list of sites that don't permit deep linking (at least legally - it can be quite difficult to prevent it technologically), see DontLink.com. And for you bloggers out there, keep your lawyer handy.

Surrounded by History - The little backwater exhibition hall known as the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia is poised to receive a prized artifact, the turret of the U.S.S. Monitor later this week. This is the last phase in a five-year program to recover, conserve and exhibit items from the Civil War ironclad that fought the C.S.S. Virginia to a draw at the Battle of Hampton Roads, but later foundered off the coast of North Carolina. The project has attracted a lot of media attention. Also look for a very special National Geographic TV documentary coming soon.

Secondary Virginity - I have a friend from the South who experienced the secondary virginity written about in the NY Times. Even though she'd had live-in boyfriends in the past, when she and her fiancee first became engaged, they decided not to have sex until the wedding night. Maybe that explains the relatively quick 5 month courtship and betrothal.

I had another friend in high school who also was searching for the answer of secondary virginity. However, in her case, after seeing the unchristian error of her slutty ways, she went to church and prayed really, really hard. After hours of prayer, she claimed that God had forgiven her, restored her hymen, and made her pure again. I know that she bought it, but you have to wonder, once a slut, always a slut?

Signspost - I was debating whether or not to comment on Signs, and I've arrived at the decision that I'll post a couple reviews (I found myself agreeing most with Roger Ebert's praise), mention that I really enjoyed it (a solid B+) and leave it at that. The less one knows about the movie going into it, the better.

For post-viewing reading, here are some notes on the making of the film, from Entertainment Weekly.

Deconstructing Barbara - The Washington Post has an entire article on the analysis of the emails Barbara Walters sends to viewers of 20/20 each week. Imagine if the author also took some of the personal things BW says on The View into account, and I think we'd have the makings of a stalker-in-training.

Shouldn't That Be "It's A 'Regional Lifestyle Center' World"? - The LA Times takes on one of my favorite topics, Southern California malls, making a case against the argument that malls are simply a deck of cards, each one shuffled a little differently. I've been to The Grove and I have to say that I enjoy its faux European village facades of Barnes & Noble, Crate & Barrel and the Apple store. How does it compare to the Clarendon Market Commons, John, since I know the two centers share these retailers?

In A World... - Ever notice how movie previews often give away the entire plot of the film? (Hello, Road to Perdition?) Well, the NY Times has a revealing little article on the artistry behind the making of the theatrical trailer for the new M. Night Shyamalan movie, Signs.

The Surging Wave of Missing Persons - Well, we knew it was coming. The national media reports of kidnappings and missing young people just keep on coming. Today's latest case comes from SFO, involving a Chinese girl who got separated from her group travelling to Space Camp (with a stop at Stanford?).

In response on the criticism that the media was ignoring the kidnapping of a poor, black girl to cover the Elizabeth Smart case, we are now being innundated with any story possibly connected to a kidnapping. And like last year's shark attacks, the public might be under the mistaken impression that kidnappings are on the rise, as a result of these reports. The New Republic has a thoughtful commentary on the situation.

Building on the hype, California has introduced the Amber Alert to keep everyone aware of the latest kidnapping cases. Although, some of the kinks in the system still need to be worked out. There's also some trepidation about how to deal with the circumstance when kidnapping victims are also revealed to have been victims of rape.

Martha in the News - There's a rumor of a new thinly-veiled fictional account of Martha Stewart's domineering ways. Meanwhile, there are rumblings of a stock buyback at Martha Stewart Omnimedia.

The Rerun Show - I had very high hopes for The Rerun Show, having seen the stage version of The Real Live Brady Bunch that inspired the television series. The stage show was terrific, playing up the quirks of each of the characters. However, the Rerun episode that aired last night definitely did not live up to expectations. One of the main reasons that Brady parody succeed was that it lampooned episodes that we knew by heart. For most of the 80s, The Brady Bunch was repeated every weekday afternoon, and viewers know almost line-by-line what will happen next. I suspect that for children of the 90s, the same would be true of endlessly repeated episodes of Saved By the Bell. The audience's connection with the material serves to make the parody even more ripe. Instead, last night's Rerun featured fairly generic episodes of Diff'rent Strokes and The Partridge Family.

The other cause for complaint was the NBC's promotions department was at it once again. The commercials clearly hyped what will be one of the funniest moments of the show: a large man playing Mrs. Garrett from The Facts of Life. (Paul Vogt seems to nail the voice!). Of course, that segment didn't air. Instead, the unfunny take on The Partridge Family with a guest cameo by Danny Bonaduce did. Even though last night's episode failed to impress me, I still plan to tune in for the Facts of Life episode next week.

Everyone's Favorite Whipping Girl - Seems that Katherine Harris -- you remember her, the Florida Secretary of State in desperate need of a makeover? -- had some difficulty following Florida election law recently. The story is covered in the NY Times and Washington Post.

Clearly, I'm no fan of Katherine Harris, but it's fascinating to me how openly the articles are mocking her, calling her the "empress of the infamous 2000 presidential recount" and "the official who made so much of 'following the letter of the law.'" Glad to see there's no liberal bias at these two journalistic institutions.

Bitter Reality - Word from 365gay.com is that HBO has decided to halt production on a new reality series featuring gays on Fire Island. For a biting commentary on why that might be the case, see the Jon Jon Diaries.

Mr. Jill Goodacre - Following his Oscar-caliber roles in Copycat and Indepedence Day, NBC has announced that Harry Connick Jr. has officially signed on to play Debra Messing's love interest on Will & Grace this season. He's committed to at least 12 episodes or about half the season, beginning with the season premiere on September 26. Looks like a baby is not in the cards for W&G. Meanwhile, look for Kevin Bacon to appear in the show's second episode playing himself!