If you're gay you're ageless

The Metropolitan Opera is holding a series of "Connect at the Met" nights--singles events with a pre-opera reception ("a chance to mingle with other singles over hors d'oeuvres") and a champagne-dessert reception at intermission.

What is curious is that there are three different sub-series: one for those in their 20's or 30's, one for those in their 40's and up, and one entitled "gay and lesbian events." If you're gay or lesbian your age doesn't matter.

What does matter, though, regardless of which sub-series you want to attend, is your gender--there are separate sign-up links for "females" and "males." I guess the gender-queer are out of luck.

Neologism of the day

"Shittiquette list." Thank you, Helen Boyd.

Google lists a half dozen references to "shittiquette," all dealing with shit in the literal sense, and mostly as synonymous with bathroom etiquette. Helen, though, has invented a new usage.

Just another example of why I like Helen's writing.

A presidential candidate who really stands out from the rest

The list of candidates for president includes a woman, an African-American, and a Mexican-American on the Democratic side, and a crossdressing control-freak currently on his third wife trying to convince the conservatives of the Republican party that he's their man. Oh, yes, there's also an actor auditioning for the role of Reagan II. In this crowded field of unconventional office seekers it's pretty hard to really stand out. But now we have a candidate who I think can outdistance all the rest: Stephen Colbert.

It's been quite a while since we had a comedian run for president. At least an intentional one. But I fondly remember Pat Paulsen's run in 1968. My favorite line of his concerned equal rights for women: "It is wrong to discriminate against someone because of the shape of her skin."

Living with bears XXXVI

Canada: Berry shortage in Northern Ontario sends bear encounters soaring, Children trapped in West Vancouver treehouse by plum-seeking bruin, Gut-shot bear upsets Dettah resident
Colorado: Don't blame lack of bear hunt, says DOW, Pitkin Co. adopts emergency bear law
Nevada expands bear control efforts, Bear seeks necessities in kitchen
California: Bear report, South Lake Tahoe Bear Incident
Wyoming: Bear is killed during capture attempt