So whatever happened w/ the mystery Hackers guy?

He didn't show up, that's what happened.

In one of the most soul crushing twists of fate since this entire IRR saga began for me nearly 19 months ago, Jesse Bradford (of Hackers, Swimfan, Bring it On, and Flags of our Fathers fame) failed to report for duty for the Bagram Airfrield leg of the "Ambassadors of Hollywood" USO tour.

I don't know if Jesse specifically wanted to deny me the opportunity to take what was sure to become one of the greatest "celebrity holding an exploitative sign" photos of all time, or if he had a simple schedule conflict. Perhaps I'll never know (though if I had to guess, I'd go with "too busy smiling jauntily").

What I do know is that Maria Menounos, Kelly Hu, and some random guy who was on the Sopranos bravely came to Afghanistan to serve their diplomatic duties for the nice people in Hollywood. Thanks to them, and to all the nice people who take time out of their lives to do the USO do in support of the Global War to put an end to neo-global islamo-fascism.