bert425

Not sure if you realized, but back in 2010 Obama mandated that any hospital receiving funding through a federal program (Medicare or Medicaid) has to extend visitation and care decision rights to gay couples. So we do get that much at least! For now. not Valid in Texas (nor do they recognize any benefit from Marriage in other states (DOMA is the excuse they use, but when that is eventually overturned, you can expect Texas Attn General to fight for State rights to deny Gay couples). Heck, just yesterday, our "wonderful" idiot. . . I mean. . "Governor" came out in favor of the Boy Scouts keeping their ban on Gay Scouts/Leaders (since the BSA are indicating public pressure has *finally* forced them to reconsider their discriminatory policies. our State Leader -- who didn't make enough of an ass of himself while attempting to run for President -- seems to think that "teaching Sexuality has no place in the Boy Scouts" (which of course, any rational person knows is NOT at all what this is about, and allowing a gay scout to participate, has nothing at all to do with teaching sexuality in any way shape or form" lovely, isn't it? but that is exactly why we need to stay as visible as possible, or at least as visible as one is comfortable with. Heck, I absolutely applaud both Jodie Foster (for her speech at the Golden Globes) as well as Jim Nabors (for marrying his partner of 38! years this week). Yes, I think it would have been better for both of them to have officially "come out" years earlier. . they could have influenced a whole generation of minds who grew up watching them on TV & Film. . . but the fact that both of them are basically out? Is only a good thing. My Mom even called me to talk about Nabors (she's a huge fan of his Hymns albums)

You probably know a few gay guys but don't realize it. Not everyone... tacks it on to the start of their screen name or anything Well I know several gay guys at my school but I'm just happen not to be friends with any. I dislike that there is the one guy on my bus though who is ALWAYS talking about how he is gay just for attention. It just gets really annoying. I don't think that sexual orientation is something that people need to make into a big deal. as long as there are not equal rights? yeah, it needs to be made into a big deal. I realize you are young, but did you know that my partner and I, who have been together 9 years, and own a House together, cannot file our taxes together? nor can I leave him anything untaxed in my Will. Nor do I have any right to visit him, or make any medical decisions for him in terms of treatment/medical care (god forbid)if something were to happen that required hospitalization? those are just a few rights -- of the top of my head -- that I don't have. but if you were to go to Vegas, meet a girl, and marry her that night? You'd have all of those rights immediately. so yeah. . until things change? Yep. .it's a big deal. Visibility = acceptance acceptance = rights.

5 years is nothing. my Partner is 8 years older, and my best friends have a 15 year age difference (she's 15 years older than him).

^^ that would normally be an option, but we have to start in Vancouver, since the reason for the trip is our friend's wedding. we are much more seriously considering a 1-way trip, as Elissa mentioned, with a flight into Vancouver, do the wedding/reception, then get on a trip that ends in a city with an airport that has a flight back to Texas

ugh. . . trip confirmed, we are now booked at CircusCircus for our upcoming trip. the head is telling me -- "you won't be in the room THAT much" the body is telling me -- "ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww" LOL. . I'm a little scared!

thanky thanky! Just got back from a wonderful dinner at Chez Zee here in Austin. food was fantastic as always, and since they are known for their deserts, of COURSE we had to get some Creme Brulee French Toast to bring home for later!

Never would have thought that I'd meet the love of my life, less than two months after a heatbreaking split from my ex (we had been together 2 1/2 years long distance relationship -- we met at a convention). but what do you know. we met on 1/23/4. . if he ever forgets that easy date, I'll kill him Happy Anniversary, Hun! (and here is my favorite pic of us, from the 2011 trip to Hawaii)

^^ Helps a TON! thanks (and although we aren't old fuddy duddies (I'm ~45, and Nick is ~54), we'd rather do the Nature crap, over a party nighclub anyways tho woudln't mind if we could find a casino on the boat! hehe thanks so much. bert

Hey Robb & Elissa, we are going to be in Vancouver in late May for a friend's Wedding. Having visited my friends in the past, I know that Vancouver has a big Cruise Ship port, and I'd assume some decent Cruises (Alaskan?) that leave from this port. Since we'll be in the city anyways, we are thinking of doing our first cruise (anywhere from a 4 to 7 day cruise) after the wedding, but before coming back to Texas. Y'all plan amazing trips, and I very much respect your opinions -- so I figured y'all would be the best people to ask. 1) what is the best cruise line to take from Vancouver? (assuming there are more than 1 option). 2) what do you think would be a fun cruise to take from Vacouver? although we are a gay couple, and our travel agent is pushing Gay or Gay-friendly cruises to the Carribean.. we're thinking since we'll be up North, this is a better option any suggestion would be appreciated! (I did a search and found a couple of posts referncing cruises ending in Vancouver, but not starting from there. . so hopefully I'm not asking something y'all have answered tons of times). best, bert

and you DO know that Joan is family too? (and used to "date" Cherie (who is Bisexual)). small world sometimes, huh? the book that Cherie wrote about the Runaways ("Neon Angel") is a fascinating read.

oh, and I should also add, that you don't HAVE to tell anyone. that's completely up to you. I thought Jodie Foster's non-outing confirmation last night at the Golden Globes to be just beautiful. it was a bit of a rambling speech, but here's what I'd consider the *key* part:

good for you! (and it won't take long at all, because it's NOT weird, so you'll get used to saying it rather quickly) (((HUGS)))

Huge Cirque Fan here, and I've seen several shows multiple times. it's hard to pick a favorite, so I'll cheat and pick 1 Touring, and 1 permanent Touring: Alegria (love, love, love the music in this show, and the CD actually gets pretty regular play). Permanent: O (not as technical as Ka, but just as impressive live. Just BARELY inched out LOVE for this spot) in terms of what I/we've seen: Disney: La Nouba Vegas: Mystere' (twice), O (twice), Ka, LOVE, BeLIEve, & Zoomanity (which we HATED. . good lord we were bored, maybe "shocking" for lil old ladies from Idaho, but was a pretty standard Vegas show to us, and not enough Cirque) Touring: Saltimbanco (just saw the final show in the states before they went back to Canada to retire it), Alegria (3 times), Quidam (twice), Dralion, Varekai, & Delirium

Best of both worlds. . . propose to him while riding front row of the Barnstormer. or better yet, work with Disney (ie: pay the fees to get their input), and have the Barnstormer crew involved (say. . unraveling a big banner between the time the train leaves, and comes back in?). worst case? drop to one knee in front of him (and in front of this from the queue)

LOL. . see my post up above re: Hawaii (only one thing is really 'lying on the beach' related). there truly is SO much to do -- heck just on Maui, there is the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium, Tropical Plantations tour, and the Botanical Gardens (off the Road to Hana).. those are all full day things. the only islands were there isn't anything much to do other than lie on the beach are Lanai' and Kaua'i (tho there are tons of Waterfalls to look at there). highly recommended if you ever get the chance to go. (oh, and here's the link to the Polynesian Cultural Center. . it really is like an Epcot, just without the rides) http://www.polynesia.com/

Very surprised not to see Hawaii. We did that last year, so that knocked it off my top "wanna go before I die" list. I'd highly recommend for those who have never been to do what we did, and Island Hop, as there are several "do not miss" things on Hawaii: 1) Big Island : Don't miss Volcano National Park, Kilauea eruption into the sea (via helicopter), Sunset/Star-watching from the top of Mauna Kea (right in front of all the international observatories). 2) Maui: Road to Hanna (but recommend strongly a tour, instead of trying to drive, so you can actually look at the scenery), Io Valley National Park, Scuba at Molokai. 3) Oahu: Swim on Waikiki beach, Pearl Harbor Visitor Center (USS Arizona Memorial, USS Utah Memorial, USS Missouri tour), Punchbowl National Cemetery (with STUNNING mosaics and an incredible view of downtown Honolulu), Polynesian Cultural Center (its like EPCOT, but for all the Polynesian Islands!. . we spent HOURS here). and of course, a Luau -- on any island, really, but the one on Maui was fantastic, and the one at the Polynesian Cultural Center was very authentic.

Paris. 2 days at DisneyLand Paris. 3 days at the Louvre 1 day for Arc du triumph 1 day to roam around to cafes my partner won't fly overseas, but one day. . . one day. . .

it's been gone since they put in Runaway Mountain (they put it in storage, then it showed up at Fiesta as "Wagon Wheel") I'm sure someone has better info on it than, I, but I believe that is correct

Isn't that why they removed Wagon Wheel at Fiesta Texas? I heard that its a parts donor for Highlind Fling at SFSTL? I was so sad to see that one close I loved it when it was still at SFOT (Spinnaker!). RIP

agreed on that. we were shocked to see so much of the "lagoon" gone, and a giant Gilley's there but I guess with Frontier (long) gone, the club had been looking for another Strip location. and to note, since we always stay at Flamingo, we simply cross the street to Mirage, cut thru the casino, and simply take the shuttle car from Mirage to TI, and come in thru the back. So that doesnt' really even register to us, since we rarely come in past the Gilley's/Senor Frog. . . .so I guess that's why we don't consider it a low class joint. and we honestly do enjoy gambling there (and we win there too).

yah. . we have started gambling more and more at TI, since the ownership change. (and we are what you would refer to as Mid-Level gamers). we *hate* with an absolute passion the Tropicana refurb.. we weren't comfortable there at all (too much marble and leather!) and for the first time ever, we didn't gamble there on our last trip. We always stay at Flamingo (sometimes in Go room, sometimes not), simply because of the hotel history, and the location on the strip. Tho this upcoming trip for NASCAR weekend in March, we're gonna go "cheap" and likely stay at Circus Circus

anyways. . I know this is a very emotional topic, but overall, this is a fun - getaway type site. so let's not get into a political argument. let's just try to enjoy ourselves, and our families. bless everyone, and especially those who were impacted yesterday in any way.

Yes. that's what the police are for. How often do police get to the crime scene before the innocent are dead? more often then you think. there are "hostage" situations all the time. and I'm not saying I have a perfect solution, but I believe it's better than 20 dead children in under 2 minutes. or 13 dead at Columbine or 32 dead at Virgina Tech Make it harder for ANYONE to get guns (including strict enforcement and punishment for those that break the law?. . incidents like these disappear).

you keep saying this, but look around the world at the level of gun violence. and then look at the gun control laws in the Countries that have little to no, gun violence. then, make your argument again. as to this: it's a totally flawed argument: 1) the monster yesterday was not a "criminal" (neither was the shooter in the Mall, or the Aurora movie theater, or the one who shot Congresswoman Giffords). none of them had any criminal history -- there was NOTHING in place that would prevent them from acquiring the guns they used for their rampages. 2) you really think the death toll wouldn't have been HIGHER if others had guns and fired back? There would be more dead people, not less. Same argument that was made after the Aurora shooting, which has been "shot down" (pardon the language) by many experts who have said if more guns were in that theater, there would have been more victims. 3) guns are not meant for Protection. The entire, and sole purpose of a gun, is to shoot a bullet (and therefore cause harm to something/someone). It's a weapon. period.

Yes. that's what the police are for.