Thanks 2008!

We don't know about the rest of you, but we sure can be stinker thinkers when it comes to remembering 2008! So, we did a quick think and search on line and have found some great stories to share with you. We look forward to hearing your happy stories from 2008, personal or from the headlines. Here are the ones we found:

- Incredible number of world-records broken in Beijing this year
- Nobel Prize Winner predicts AIDS vaccine within 5 years
- Sub-Saharan Africa economy growing quicker than expected
- AIDS rates in US falling
- Large Hadron collider switched on, Earth is not destroyed
- Cancer patient cures...himself?
- Barack Obama is elected President of the United States
- Advancements in Afghanistan

Here is to health and prosperity to you and yours in 2009!

Back in Vancouver...

We received another email from our friend Robin from Burn The Floor. The troupe is onto its last two German shows before heading to Vancouver. Apparently this isn't Robin's first trip to Vancouver. Here's what he had to say about his last visit:

I have been to Vancouver with the show back in 2003 with the origional production ... I had a Blast there ... It's beautiful, great people ... and if I remember HOT GUYS!!!!!!!

Speaking of Vancouver, we just found out that they have added an additional show here. Now with a show on Saturday, 10 January @ 8pm and the new show added on Sunday, 11 January @ 5pm. Tickets for this additional show go on sale at Ticketmaster on 31 December.

Small Town Gay Bar

We caught the 2006 documentary Small Town Gay Bar as part of our holiday movie viewing.  For anyone that grew up gay in a smal town or wonders why bars still play such an important part in the gay community, this is one movie you don't want to miss.  And if that isn't enough incentive to buy/rent it in of itself - the doc was also directed by Canadian Michael Ingram and an official selection at the 2006 Sundance Movie Festival.

1,577,917,197 seconds

Half a century. Five decades. 50 years. 600 months. 2,609 weeks. 18,262 days. 438,310 hours. 26,298,619 minutes. 1,577,917,197 seconds.

It's certainly a long time no matter how you look at it. And for anyone to be married for that long, especially in "gay years"! This weekend my family celebrates my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Wow! Congratulations Dorothy and Hugh, Dot and Robbie, Mom and Dad.

Merry Christmas to you too..

Seems the Pope has stirred controversary during his annual Christmas message to his Catholic followers with many in the gay and transgendered community seeing his latest pronouncements as another attack.

At a time when the world needs its leaders to give hope and comfort I can't help but wonder what went through his mind when he came up with this piece of drivel.

Merry fricking Christmas to you too Benny...

A dream come true...

We heard from Robin again from Burn The Floor (seen below with one of his fellow dancers in "Tainted Love").  The troupe is still in Germany (last show today before the holidays) but they are back at it again on December 26th.  We were curious to know what it was like to be on an international tour - he obviously loves what he is doing (but can be tough on the love life)...

Being on an international tour is a dream come true and is

 something I always dreamed about as a young boy. Obviously the best thing is that I get to see parts of the world that I would never get to see.  Also, we are given the opportunity to show to the rest of the world what it is that we do and the most rewarding thing is the response that we get from audiences all over the world.  

I also get to meet many people on my travels some friends and yes of course lovers too (LOL).  Many 1 or 2 week relationships have been formed over time but I always stay in contact and have made many friends.... I guess being single on tour has its good points!!  But it also restricts me in being able to be in anything long-term as I am away for 10 months of year.  I have tried the long distance thing ...... and NO it doesn't work !!!!!! :)

Don't forget GayVancouver.com is giving away tickets to the show AND backstage passes.  This could be your chance to take Robin up on his challenge!

Just as good the second time...

In our four star review of The Drowsy Chaperone currently playing at The Vancouver Playhouse we talked about taking in a second showing of this hilarious holiday treat.  Good to our word, we braved the cold and caught the matinee on Saturday and we were once again not disappointed!  There is so much to see in this little gem that it was defintely worth the second show.  

Be sure not to miss this one before it is too late - it runs through December 27th.

Let it snow...

Vancouver is headed for a White Christmas as the snow continues to fall and more accumulation is expected through the week... From what I can find the last time Vancouver actually had a White Christmas was in 1998!

And even more amazing than ten years without a White Christmas in Vancouver is the fact that Environment Canada is expecting a White Christmas for ALL of Canada - the first time since 1971!

Looks like we'll finally live up to our nickname as the Great White North...

My knight in blue overalls...

On Thursday night while everyone in town was cueing up at their local Canadian Tire for winter tires I was trying to buy a new car battery. Even with up to a three hour wait the "service desk guys" said there was no guarantee I would get one.

Frustrated by this I went home and enjoyed the warmth of our home and started surfing the web. I had told my partner the frustrating time I had trying to buy a new battery for our car and he suggested a company called Road Runners.

After a few clicks of the mouse I found their website and called. By now I am a complete "stinker thinker" and was considering hanging up, "why waste my time..." Jack answered the phone and was polite and chipper and asked me a few questions about my car and said he call back "in a few".

About 30 minutes later he said he had a battery and could be there in about an hour. Within the hour my Knight in Blue Overalls showed up, battery in hand and with in 20 minutes had my battery changed, all the garbage picked up and took my old battery with him.

If you are interested in getting home service for your car needs (tires and battery) you can find Road Runners here.

Spot the gays...

Got another note from Robin (that's him in the photo on the right) from Burn The Floor today.  I had asked him about stereotypes in dance and being gay.  I wondered about the drama of dance and the sexual chemistry sometimes necessary between him and his female partners.  I posited the idea that it might be similar to acting (boy was I wrong)!

I don't think about acting while dancing ... everything just comes naturally to me.  Funnily enough the general thought by the public is that I'm the only guy they would have thought was straight - I guess I'm quite provocative in life and this kind of reflects on the stage.  Each dancer/couple has thier own character and its who they are in life.

As for gay dancers in the show there is me and one other, which out of 10 boys would blow people's general thoughts of all dancers being gay out the window. Most of our couples are really couples in life - we have a couple of marrages and couples in mixed partmerships.

Ill let you decide the gay boys when you come to see the show ... call it a challange if you will!

Don't forget GayVancouver.com is giving away tickets to the show AND backstage passes.  This could be your chance to take Robin up on his challenge!

Germany calling...

We got an email from Robin, one of the dancers from Burn The Floor. The troupe is currently in Germany and had this to say:

Right now we are in Germany.... Worth the trip for those who have never been... especially at Christmas time.... they really know how to do it here..... It will be the first time the company has been on tour at christmas time. We are like one big family.... everyone is awaiting to find out who their secret santa was!!!!!!!! 

Robin has promised us more "tidbits" from the road and some more photos (check out some of the guys in the photo below - that's Robin in the middle!).  Stay tuned.  

In the meantime, be sure to enter for your chance to win tickets to the January 10th show in Vancouver PLUS a chance to meet Robin and the other dancers backstage!

Dear Mr Robertson...

Vancouver Mayor elect Gregor Robertson was recently sworn in and has quickly launched his homelessness initiatives. We applaud Mr Robertson on starting to act so quickly on this problem that has afflicted Vancouver for so long.

However, we would also to remind Mr Robertson that the GLBT community in Vancouver helped get him elected and during an early interview he actually listed homelessness as his #3 priority.

What were #1 and #2 you say? #1 was making the West End a safer community and #2 was affordable housing and renter protection. While certainly not wishing to take away from what Robertson and his new Council are doing for the homeless we couldn't help but notice his #3 priority now seems to be taking centre stage.

And don't forget your promise to reinstate the city liaison to our community and your assertion that the city needs to support Vancouver's Pride week "more robustly".

We're watching Mr Robertson. Please don't disappoint us!

Five bucks...five bucks...five bucks...

Seems our friends at Burn The Floor like us (and our visitors)! They are giving $5 off tickets to their show on January 10th when you use the passcode DANCE at Ticketmaster (under the "Promotions and Special Offers" category of tickets.

This is shaping up to be a great show and we're really pumped about being part of it. We're still waiting to hear from Robin who is busy with the show in Germany and we hope to have juicy gossip to share from one of the show's gay dancers...

In the meantime, the gang at Burn The Floor have their own Blog as well. You can check it out at http://btfloor.blogspot.com/.

Your fifteen minutes...

Showtime in the US has announced it is developing a new reality television show about gay and lesbians coming out to family and friends.

Titled Way Out, what I don't understand is why in the world it is being compared to the A&E show Intervention which is all about quitting addictions.

Do we need a show about the process of coming out to be compared to those addicted to heroin or alcoholics?

Where's the foundation...

Yes, it appears the rumours are true! Dame Edna (aka Barry Humphries) is coming out ... no, not that kind of coming out ... she's coming out with her own cosmetics line in association with MAC Cosmetics!

"I'm doing this out of love - I'm a giver," said Dame Edna. "The audience's applause was a little louder when I was wearing MAC on stage, so I was a convert. They didn't have to coerce me."

Apparently there is lipstick, lip gloss and eye shadow. We're wondering where the heck the foundation is!?!

Oh, BTW, just in case you didn't figure it out - the line is for the ladies ;)

Burn the floor ... backstage!

GayVancouver.com is giving away tickets to Burn the Floor in January.  But we have just been given backstage passes along with the show tickets!  Be sure to enter for your chance to win for what looks like it is going to be a great show...

We've also hooked up with one the dancers in the show (Robin) too and will have some thoughts from him as the troupe moves on its international tour.  They are currently in Germany through to December 21st, will take well deserved break for the holidays before re-grouping at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in January.

Want more show information?  Check out http://www.burnthefloor.com.

Can you see me yet...?

This morning I had to drive out to Delta, yes, people do leave the downtown core... sometimes. Anyway it was 7am this morning and man was it dark out! It was raining and dark! I was really surprised how hard it was to see pedestrians in these conditions and so I slowed down from the posted speed limit in town of 50km/hr but still people kept running across the road against the crossing light and not in the crosswalk. It was really stressful as a driver to deal with all of this ...

Please everyone, be extra careful out there when it is so dark out (and raining to boot). Take extra care in crossing the road, try to not wear dark clothing or at least get some reflect tape or bands. Look both ways 2x before crossing the road. Drivers, please slow down and take more care in watching for people and pets.

Let's look out for each other.

What is art...

The Vancouver Contemporary Art Gallery's newest exhibit is causing a bit of a stir. Located at one of Vancouver's busiest intersections in downtown Vancouver.

Now featured in its window exhibit through 19 January 2009 is "a collection of new Feminist slogans" in its "Keep the IS in FEMINISM" window exhibit. Included in one of the windows is the slogan pictured here. Others, perhaps less controversial include:

• Walk softly and carry a "big" feminist
• My other car is a vulva
• I know my kant inside and out

One comment posted on the CAG site already says "this is reflecting poorly on the image of your gallery in the community and creates a negative image for the gallery’s role in the community."

Now, we're not making any judgements ourselves (art is so subjective and we love art ourselves) ... what do you think? Is it art? Some great marketing by the CAG? A real comment on the times we live in? Or perhaps just a big to-do about nothing?

A season for hope...

The holidays are traditionally the season where more people consider those less fortunate in our communities. This year, with the economic slowdown, more and more people will come to rely on charitiable organizations more than ever. We ask you to consider making a donation to one of these great organizations* during this Christmas when the need is most:

• A Loving Spoonful
• AIDS Vancouver
• Greater Vancouver Food Bank
• BC Persons With AIDS Society
• The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

Or check out our directory listing of Community Groups across the Lower Mainland area that may also need your help!

*GayVancouver.com (Gay Vancouver Online) are not affiliated with any of these groups, however we can fully endorse the great work that they do in our communities.

Where's the ho-ho-ho?

It was a busy day in the malls today with the Pacific Centre jammed to the rafters with shoppers (I know it is kind of icky outside so most were probably just looking to stay dry and warm). You'd never really know there was a recession (or for those that prefer, an economic slowdown) given all the purchasing going....

But with all the hustle and bustle and this joyous season there certainly doesn't appear to many happy campers out-and-about right now.

Let's all take a collective breathe in and try to get through the season with a smile on our face and perhaps a little joy...

Get on the bus...

Having been stymied with their plans for a "Pride Parade", the University of the Fraser Valley's pride group and Abbotsford Community Services are holding a Social Justice Rally in Abbotsford on Saturday, December 6th.

The Vancouver Pride Society, Out on Screen and The Centre are providing three buses that will leave the West End at 9 am from The Centre, 1170 Bute Street.  There is room for 144 people on a first-come-first served basis.  The buses will return to Vancouver at 3pm the same day.

For those that want to make it to the event on their own the event starts at 11am at the Abbotsford Community Services (2420 Montrose Avenue, Abbotsford), will proceed up McCallum Road to the University of the Fraser Valley (33844 Kind Road, Abbotsford) where there will be speakers beginning at approximately 12:30pm.

Let's just call it Priscilla, Queen of the Valley...

Rockin' elves

What gets you into the festive season? Is it the Christmas music in the malls the day after Remembrance Day? Is it the first Christmas card that came to you in the mail before the first of December by a very over zealous friend who you only hear from once a year? Is it hanging those Christmas lights on your balcony and realizing that they don't work? Is it digging into the back of your storage locker in the basement trying to find your tree and ornaments? Is it making a list and checking it twice...? For our house it is making the elf yourself card. This year they really out did themselves and allow you to create your own Christmas music video as an elf! You can make up to five elves per video and choose your format of song! We are definitely from the disco era. If our moves don't get you into the groove of the Holiday Season perhaps discovering the traditions of a West Coast Christmas in Vancouver might!

Hello December...

It seemed like every time I heard the weather forecast on the news or radio it said rain, rain and more rain, then inevitably, if not the person giving the weather report it was their colleague that would say, “Well it is November”. Well I say Toodle-loo to November and hello December. Just because December 21st is the start of winter and also means shorter daytime hours and colder temperatures, doesn’t mean we can’t look good.

Just this last weekend, my partner and I ended up spending a bit of time in one of our favorite hat shops, Edie’s Hats on Granville Island. We tried various caps and hats and each found the perfect one. My partner found a very stylish hat fedora style chapeau while mine is a practical cap with a knitted brim which will fold down and keep my ears warm on a more bluster west coast day. Check them out on line at http://www.ediehats.com.

World AIDS Day

Today is world’s AIDS Day. I can remember as a kid, 30+ years ago, the “adults” talking in hushed tones about an aunt’s cousin who was “sick”. Then my uncle in his usual discriminatory way, raised his voice saying “the guy got what he deserved!” This then caused even more raucous as adult family members started taking sides. It was my two uncles vs. the rest of the family. It was a few years later the topic came up again when “the cousin” died, of AIDS. It didn’t take a rocket science to figure out what the conversation of a few years before was about.

This year AIDS Vancouver is 25 years old and is hosting an open house today. You can also find out more information about AIDS Vancouver and other HIV/AIDS organizations in Vancouver on our website.