RonFrost

It looks like I will finally get to go this year. I'll be down there for my Gran's 95th birthday the week before the event, so I may as well stay the week and hit some parks I've not been to in years. So excited!

Unfortunately, there aren't any All Age Drum Corps near you, or you could march guard. I did several years in the San Francisco Renegades. I had a lot of fun, and just rehearsing on the weekends makes marching and keeping the job possible. DCA 2009 - Renegades I'm the one in the middle.

My age-out year with the Scouts, 1987. Stars and Stripes all rifle feature. This picture was on the Scouts page in the '88 DCI program. From the 1988 DCI program.

Hey Ron, big fan of the Scouts! My favorite Scout shows was 1988 when they did Malaguena and 1993 when they did Strawberry Soup. '88 was a hard year for me, having to watch from the sidelines after aging out. I'm happy for all my friends that got to travel to Europe that summer, and then take home the DCI ring for first place. But, I will always be a Madison Scout. The brotherhood is an amazing experience, and I was fortunate to have participated in the Alumni Corps Project and take the field again at Camp Randall Stadium in 2006.

Awesome! Have a great summer. I marched DCI 1984 and 1985 with the Sacramento Freelancers, then 1986 and 1987 with the Madison Scouts. All four years in the color guard. Drum Corps is an amazing experience, even if the activity has changed so much over the years. I have memories and friends from those years that I will never forget.

Sometimes we don't really know how much we touch people's lives. I came out to my family many, many years ago. I think because of that, and because my relationship with my brothers and the rest of my family, when my niece came out as gay, she felt safe and loved and came out to me first, as I had sort of paved the way. It was no big deal...well, not the first time. When HE came out as trans-gendered, that was a little harder. But, because my family was already practicing unconditional love, it quickly became a non-issue. My cousin also has a trans-gender offspring, and called me for advise not long ago. These things just make me remember that by living your life honestly and openly, you do change the people around you. You just can't help it.

This made me a bit misty eyed, I cannot lie. I came out about 3 decades ago, and it was a lot harder back then. Luckily for me, I have an incredibly supportive family. I just wanted you to know that it is so heartening to read things like this from our straight allies. Thank you for putting it out there. Your support does not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated!

^^ Moose, I didn't know you got left for a drag queen. Sorry to hear that. And, my first time watching Drag Race was on the Scandi trip in '09. Dave had the season on his iphone, so we watched it on the bus rides.

You just let me know when you want to come out to San Francisco for one of the events (just not Pride this coming year because the Scandi trip overlaps, so I won't be here). I'm happy to show you around. And, if you can swing a week plus, the Folsom Street Fair is always the last weekend of September, then the Castro Street Fair is the first weekend of October. While the Castro Street Fair is much, much smaller, and calmer, it is a fun event. FYI - the best time of the year to visit San Francisco tends to be mid to late September through October. Summer time is the foggiest.

^he he I miss you too Jon! Wish you were going to be on the Scandi trip.

^ I like your soapbox; I've been standing on that one for most of my life. We call it "internalized homophobia" when our fellow gays condemn us being the big 'mo we are. Most people wouldn't peg me as gay just looking at me, but when I open my mouth, a purse falls out. Well...a purse, feather boa, high-heeled shoes, and a beaded evening gown. It's okay that we are all different, and if the butch gays don't want to date the nelly ones, that's their prerogative. But, don't bash us for being ourselves. We ask our straight friends and family members to celebrate diversity, so let's celebrate that in our own community.

OMG OMG OMG!!! I made the 1000th video post! I am so honored!

What I find most interesting about this topic, and to BeemerBoy's point, is that in this age where there is a world of information at your fingertips, the shows on TV and cable getting the most attention are the ones that show people in the worst light. Out here in California we're a world away from New Jersey, so it's easy to believe that everyone out there acts just like those "characters" on The Jersey Shore, or the Housewives, or any of those people on those shows. I don't think this issue is specific to us gays, but I understand how if feels when these shows are supposedly about us. And, they all seem to be showing just one type of gay (even if it's a very real type -- bitchy drag queens do exist; I know this because I am one, or was at one time many years ago). This is why it is so important for us to be out in our own lives, so we can show all those we touch in our lives how diverse our community really is. Play sports, ride coasters, enjoy opera, just do what you do as your authentic self. People will get it faster when they know someone personally who isn't like the stereotypes they see on TV.

I haven't posted in a while, and I find it encouraging to come back here to find this thread still very active. It's really great that there are not only a lot of out, proud gays in TPR, but that so many are so willing to offer advice to the ones struggling with coming out, or who are just accepting that they are not 100% straight. You guys make me proud!

I've been in the travel industry for the past decade, but was only a leisure travel agent for a very short time. The stress of planning and putting together someone else's dream vacation is enormous. And to have something go wrong, or have them complain about the details, was way more than I could take - I hated it and moved on to corporate travel, and now travel tech support. I have the utmost respect and admiration for what Elissa and Robb do in putting together these trips. Very few professional travel planners and travel agents do what they do - I don't know any who host their trips once they've planned them. The benefit of having them with along on the entire trip is invaluable. There have been many instances during the three trips I have been on when either, or both, of them were scrambling to confirm arrangements down the road, or making alernate arrangements when something had to be cancelled. I could never do what you guys do, and I'm so grateful that they've allowed so many of us to experience these trips with you! See you on a trip next year (come hell or high water, I will be there!). PS - I love this thread, and getting the chance to see things from the planners' side. THX

I just finished reading the book "Healing Anxiety and Depression" by Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Lisa Routh. I have dealt with general anxiety most of my life, and I found much of the information in the book to be really helpful. There is an entire chapter on different medications, what they're used to treat, and what side effects are associated. They also talk about vitamins, supplements, and life style changes that can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. I've sent copies of the book to several people that I know suffer as well. Distraction is one of the best methods of dealing with specific triggers for anxiety, and this could help for your symptoms while you're in line for a coaster. I find that this is especially powerful when I'm able to talk to other people. Being "stuck" in your head with anxious thoughts can send you spiraling into a full blown panic attack, so talk it out. Physical exercise is also a really great release for all the pent up energy that runs through your body when you're anxious. It may be difficult to run laps in the park, but you may consider doing some aerobic activity before your visit. When you get your heart rate elevated, your body releases endorphins and dopamine; both of these are natural "feel good" brain chemicals. Lastly, try diaphragmatic breathing, or breathing from your diaphragm. Sometimes just focusing on your breath is enough to calm you down, but check that you're not breathing short and shallow. Oh, just thought of one other, very important thing - diet. If you're prone to anxiety at the park, avoid stimulants like coffee and other caffeinated energy drinks, and stay away from all the sugary foods. Ingesting these is like adding gasoline to a fire, and can make your feelings of excitement change to anxiety.

Thanks Robb and Elissa, and everyone who planned, packed, and supported the Bay Area Bash event! We only hung out at Six Flags on Saturday, but it was so much fun! Jolie and I are feeling very spoiled now, and it will be difficult to visit the park as "regular" people. The exclusive animal time was a really great bonus!!

Finished the Avenue of the Giants marathon in 4:13:15 last Sunday. Not the greatest time, but not bad for just my second one. I went into it feeling really under-trained, too. Must say, this is one beautiful coarse. Running along the Ell River, in the Giant Redwood trees is really increadable. I highly recommend this race for any 10K, 1/2 Marathon, or Full Marathon runners!

I'm running my second marathon on May 2 - The Avenue of the Giants in Eureka, CA. I only started running a couple of years ago, and my first marathon was last July here in San Francisco. Like someone posted before, running is a convenient form of exercise because you can do it anywhere, and it requires very little equipment. I'm not a very fast runner, so I prefer the longer distance. I would love to do a Disney marathon some day. Looks like so much fun.

Loved the report Divv. Got to read the whole thing in one sitting as it's really slow at work this time of the year. Such great memories! Thanks for posting all the fun pics, and stories! This was truly one of my favorite vacations ever!!! The TPR trips are amazingly fun, and I highly recommend them to everyone who loves parks and rides.

I am moist with anticipation!

Great job on your trip report, Chuck! I love how you captured the splash on that ride! We truly got soaked, but it was worth the fun! Can't wait to see more - keep it up!

I loved this park so much that I bought a hoodie and a t-shirt. Today, I'm wearing my Grona Lund t-shirt at work. I was happy to throw some coins their way after the incredible hospitality they showed us on the trip. The reception with all the free drinks was fantastic. Thank you Grona Lund!

Probably not, if you ask Moose.

Back from Hawaii, and finally got caught up on the thead. I laughed so hard at the Photo Shopped edition of season 20! Yikes...me with a Santa beard? Kinda creepy. You're twisted, sister! Thanks for the fun - Ron