Chris Meloni is one of the few men who looks totally hot completely naked.

Talk about being comfortable with yourself...  I'm pretty fearless when it comes to my body, but even I would have issues with doing nude scenes that I know will be aired before millions!

Ready for the most stupid thing of late in the life of Tom?  I live in DC, but teach in Maryland, about twenty miles across the border -- no big deal, against traffic flow both in the morning and evening.  The problem is that my school isn't able to take state taxes out of my check because I live out of state.  (It's a little more complex than this, but that is its essence.) 

So now, because of this, I have to hire an accountant and pay quarterly taxes -- which are due.  It's frustrating and annoying, at best.

When complaining to my mom on the phone today, she said the inevitable, "Well, you CHOSE to live in DC" bit, which pushed me a little too far.

"I live in DC because I can own a house with my partner and be on his insurance and have our union recognized... sort of... which is more than I can say for Maryland, where I'd have no rights at all!  See Mom, that's what it's about -- the whole stupid marriage thing!  This is why I get so frustrated with these idiots who don't want to let us be together!  This is what I mean when I say you have rights that I don't have!  You have TAX rights!"

Taxes -- the reason for marriage.

Nickelodeon movie yesterday called Gym Teacher, and he's the lead!!!

Now, THERE'S a fantasy for Tom -- Meloni as my gym teacher...

The Nickelodeon kind of ruins that, tho...

Tom wrote:
"Taxes -- the reason for marriage."

Well it is a financial contract to be sure. Kind of like making a business partner, but for your private life.  So naturally, why should people have the right to choose business partners as they please?  *add sarcasm till it drips*  Why this whole thing is an issue to begin with is WAAAAYYY beyond my understanding.

Where's your mother stand on gay rights, Tom? 

My parents are both very conservative, though my Dad more than my Mom (Mom tends to be more socially liberal than Dad).  Dad has made it clear more than once that he doesn't approve of the "gay agenda," but has never been able to articulate what that means when I've chosen to confront him about it.

That said, he gave a beautiful toast to Eric and me at our wedding and has been nothing but supportive of our relationship (whatever you call it). 

Mom loves Eric and has gone out of her way to welcome him to the family, going so far as to sending him "helpful" things from QVC, etc.  Of course, I think she's just happy to have me married off. 

I don't see Mom or Dad riding the float at the PFLAG parade, but the didn't throw me out of the house and demand I give up the family name, either.