It feels like there's been no shortage of bad news this week.  The death of Chris Skinner.  The Winnipeg bathhouse arson.  The passing of former Whistler, BC mayor Ted Nebbeling.  The thought of losing The Hidden Cameras to Berlin.  And then...this completely appalling baptism footage:

I hate to break it to the padre here but I too was baptised as a child and, well, look how that turned out!

So I'm not going to let another dime-a-dozen religious homophobe get me down.  At times like this, I like to focus on the little things -- a few random bits that made me smile and hopefully you too:

-- Three words, people:  Ecuador transgender makeovers!

-- The over-the-top delight of the Palm Beach Sugar Daddy Ken Doll. My Earring Magic Ken's been so very lonely!

-- Levi Johnson's veiled threats to blab Sarah Palin's secrets.  We joked about wanting to see what's in his pants; who knew we'd now want to see what's in his mind?

-- Actor Forbes March finally confirming what soap opera fans already knew: gay teen couple Luke and Noah are so tragically bland because they're forced to be

-- The Ooh La La guys are showing off the new Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.  I may hate the clothes but I love the models who don't wear them:

-- Michael Bublé insisting he's not that "clean-cut" Canadian kid by revealing that he smokes pot and was once pegged as gay.  Ooooh...badass!

-- "A Tragic Video History Of Male Nudity In Science Fiction [NSFW]," the amusing list that reminded me how hot Russell Crowe looked in Virtuosity

-- what, you thought I'd forget to mention Obama finally signing that hate crimes bill into law?  A great day for our American friends!

-- and finally, another hit of silliness from late-night comic Craig Ferguson.  Sure, I posted his last dance number just a couple weeks ago but this one is just as hilarious and really, really, really gay: 

Sure, the economy is tanking but that doesn't mean wishes can't come true. Lots of people are still getting what they want:

 

It wasn't enough for Mike White and his father Mel to be, respectively, the writer of "School of Rock" and the leader of gay Christian activist group Soulforce -- no, this family duo dreamed of reality television!

Stephen Harper needed someone with charisma to read his conciliatory Throne Speech yesterday and there was the adorable Michaelle Jean, covering his ass and debuting her brainy specs for the occasion. Take that, Michael Ignatieff!

Lynette worried that our cute-and-snarky Canadian ex-pat actor Chris Leavins was "going downhill."  Chris crushed those fears, along with the rest of Lynette:

When I interviewed "Torchwood" star John Barrowman last summer, he admitted to wanting to host his own variety show on BBC One.  If you're an aspiring UK singer, looks like it's Captain Jack to the rescue once again.

Hong Kong audiences are in love with 3-D movies! But will their desire for having things thrust in their face extend to the first 3-D porn film?

At 62, Sylvester Stallone seems determined to maintain his late '70s "Rocky" physical peak. I don't know what demonic ritual is responsible but, on the set of his new movie, he seems to be pulling it off in vein-tastic style: 

In younger, prettier news, Paulo Henrique wanted to be a model.  Now he is and I couldn't be harder happier for him!

"I don't know how to be sexy," says "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe, adding, "when you know a gay guy has a crush on you it is the most flattering thing." I think Daniel's naked plea for manly attention will pay off very soon.

I once drank too much white zinfandel and imagined an album that would combine Pet Shop Boys, Girls Aloud, Final Fantasy, the Smiths and Tchaikovsky. My dream comes true in March!  And here I thought the Boys' cover of a classic Madness song was already closer to heaven:

"I don't know how to be sexy," says "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe, adding, "when you know a gay guy has a crush on you it is the most flattering thing." I think Daniel's naked plea for manly attention will pay off very soon.

Out gay singer Matt Alber set out to make a lush, gorgeous video for his heartbreak song, "End of the World."  I think he succeeded: