Frank Taylor left early for his NUTCRACKER stuff. It was very pleasant being able to enjoy his beauty close-up for the last few days.

Philip went and resigned from Harrah's casino. It was either that or get a job working in their buffet until his wrist healed fully. But honestly, Philip had been wanting to get out of the poker-dealing for quite a while.

And just like a voice from above... right after Philip quit the casino... two friends of his bought a house and hired Philip to renovate it!!! This is exactly what Philip wanted to do with his silent partner, but faithful readers know how that deal fell through recently. But now things will be made right. I'm so happy for him. And I'm going to feel much more secure knowing Philip has a job.

And if all that was wonderful enough, Varla Jean Merman's movie GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS opened at Canal Place today! Now, if you all go to it and expect to see "Varla Jean Merman" in the credits, you won't. Varla is actually a man... my dear friend from college, Jeffery Roberson. So that's the name you'll see. Varla Merman is a character he developed... kind of like Paul Reubens created Pee Wee Herman... most people just know him as Pee Wee... But Jeff's character in the movie is called "Varla Simonds", so that'll be easy to keep straight... Anyway, the movie was fantastic! Sure, it makes SOUTH PARK seem like a Disney cartoon... but I like irreverant humor. It's not nearly as offensive or shocking as I was expecting. It actually had a message... forgiveness. But if that sounds to sappy and dull, believe me... it's full of silliness, rudenss, slapstick AND lipstick! Go see it!!! It's at Canal Place in New Orleans this week... or check local listing for other cities. And if you're a member of netflix.com you can save the movie for when it's released on dvd! Do that!

As the end credits of GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS scrolled up the screen, I was nearly speechless. I was so impressed... so proud of Jeff / Varla. I knew he was on stage up North somewhere, but I had to call his cell and let him know that I'd just seen the movie and how much I loved it. I nearly cried when his voice rang through the auditorium singing "You're my sister!" for indeed Jeff / Varla is my soul sister.

Philip's friend Joel (who we last saw in Atlanta when we were there filming MID-SUMMER DREAMS and parts of Pueris Collection # 39... but now he lives in Washington DC with his lover Blane) was passing through New Orleans and crashed on the futon (still warm from Frank Taylor's hot bod, no doubt). Hopefully we'll get to hang out with him a bit longer when he passes back through next week...