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From CNN studios in Atlanta...
Jun. 10th, 2003 09:04 amI know, when will he stop with the questions already...Donald (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
woofytexan) gives me another set of five.
1. As a newly out gay man, what are the pleasures and disappointments that you have experiences so far in the gay community (not just bears)?
To be brief, I really enjoyed TBRU, and I’m really enjoying the new friends I’m making…probably because they “get it’. I have been telling some of my straight friends about my latest adventure (since none of them read LJ) and they just stare at me. Things that I’m starting to think are totally vanilla in the gay community are exotic and wild to my friends. They are a rather conservative bunch. I’m just enjoying connecting with like-minded people.
Disappointments. I guess I’d say that it’s just hard for a shy person to dive right into the community. So many differences, so many screens put up. For good reason of course, but those screens can really be off putting. Take getting to know someone…internet, gay bar…and? There’s some clubs (and yes, Bruce, I know when Houston Area Bears meets), but sometimes it’s hard to find people you click with, especially if your not a bar guy.
I know Houston has a Gay and Lesbian Community center, but I never can find what’s actually happening there. I might get involved if I knew.
2. Do you have any plans as far as your musical talents? Have you thought about join the gay band in Houston? Do you plan on joining the Oak Lawn Band when you move to Dallas? *g*
My musical talents are pretty much on hold. I’ve always been a hack, more than a musician. My skills have pretty much dropped off (especially when I changed from B-flat to C Tuba). I don’t know if I’d go back to consistently playing. Oh, and there must be one other Tuba player in the band. I don’t do solos…very nerve-wracking.
I’ve seen the Houston band, they played for the AIDS walk. I’d have to get to know them. As for Dallas…are you trying to say that I would move? What would make you say that? (*embarrassed grin*)
3. We know you have had "the talk" with your father and waiting to have it with your mother and I am glad all seems to be ok in this area. Do you have any siblings? What about close aunts or uncles?
I don’t know when the talk with mom will happen. I’m waiting on Dad to give the green light, but I’m guessing it will happen before the end of the year. Dad’s been silent on the subject. I would have thought he might ask more questions by now.
You, Donald, have met my sister, Laura, and she’s known for several years. I don’t have any other brothers or sisters. We’re a small family. I have one aunt, one uncle and I really am not that close to them, so it’s not an issue, really. As for my cousins, I made mention at the wedding to one that I would be staying with Chris when I was in Dallas, but left it at that…If they ever want to know, they can ask. My family isn’t that tightly knit, really.
4. As a native Houstonian that has been away from Houston for 12 years, tell me the new, current and trendy places/things I should do and see as a visitor. Do not necessarily have to be gay related but any insights to the bars/events would be great.
Houston isn’t trendy. Period. We just copy what everyone else has done. The new thing is the Downtown Aquarium. No, it’s not really and aquarium like you’re thinking, it’s a big theme restaurant park. They have a ferris wheel and a small kiddie train, and three restaurants all held together with this aquarium theme, right at Buffalo Bayou. This puts it in between the Wortham Theater, and the Municipal Courthouse, and under I-45. A really goofy spot, and hard to get to. Very touristy, though. It’s right that it’s close to the Hard Rock.
Some of the gay bars have changed hands. Downtown bars are getting better. We have some new sports stadiums that are really impressive, but all-in all, there’s very little for a tourist to get excited about here.
5. You seemed to really want to be in a relationship. That's cool because we have all "been there, done that". What qualities are looking for in your first relationship? Here is the tricky part: Do you want your first relationship to be your only relationship or do you want it to be a growing experience?
This is tricky since if you state that the first relationship is only temporary, you’re setting yourself up for failure. I don’t think I can plan how a relationship might go right now. I guess I just have this feeling that at this point in my life, I really should be in a relationship. Most of my straight friends are married off now, so here I am, the single guy. The third wheel.
A few of the things I’d like is a feeling of closeness, a person who understands my emotions, and I can understand his. I want to be able to open up and tell him my fears and my desires, and he be able to do the same. I’d like to know that when I’m thinking of him, he’s thinking of me.
Sappy, huh?
I have a set of questions fromfauxbear and there may still be a set from mattycub coming, and then i'll put a stop to this. It's been fascinating, because they've really made me think, and look at what I'm saying and feeling.
If anyone still wants a few questions, I'll be happy to oblige, just say so.
woofytexan) gives me another set of five.1. As a newly out gay man, what are the pleasures and disappointments that you have experiences so far in the gay community (not just bears)?
To be brief, I really enjoyed TBRU, and I’m really enjoying the new friends I’m making…probably because they “get it’. I have been telling some of my straight friends about my latest adventure (since none of them read LJ) and they just stare at me. Things that I’m starting to think are totally vanilla in the gay community are exotic and wild to my friends. They are a rather conservative bunch. I’m just enjoying connecting with like-minded people.
Disappointments. I guess I’d say that it’s just hard for a shy person to dive right into the community. So many differences, so many screens put up. For good reason of course, but those screens can really be off putting. Take getting to know someone…internet, gay bar…and? There’s some clubs (and yes, Bruce, I know when Houston Area Bears meets), but sometimes it’s hard to find people you click with, especially if your not a bar guy.
I know Houston has a Gay and Lesbian Community center, but I never can find what’s actually happening there. I might get involved if I knew.
2. Do you have any plans as far as your musical talents? Have you thought about join the gay band in Houston? Do you plan on joining the Oak Lawn Band when you move to Dallas? *g*
My musical talents are pretty much on hold. I’ve always been a hack, more than a musician. My skills have pretty much dropped off (especially when I changed from B-flat to C Tuba). I don’t know if I’d go back to consistently playing. Oh, and there must be one other Tuba player in the band. I don’t do solos…very nerve-wracking.
I’ve seen the Houston band, they played for the AIDS walk. I’d have to get to know them. As for Dallas…are you trying to say that I would move? What would make you say that? (*embarrassed grin*)
3. We know you have had "the talk" with your father and waiting to have it with your mother and I am glad all seems to be ok in this area. Do you have any siblings? What about close aunts or uncles?
I don’t know when the talk with mom will happen. I’m waiting on Dad to give the green light, but I’m guessing it will happen before the end of the year. Dad’s been silent on the subject. I would have thought he might ask more questions by now.
You, Donald, have met my sister, Laura, and she’s known for several years. I don’t have any other brothers or sisters. We’re a small family. I have one aunt, one uncle and I really am not that close to them, so it’s not an issue, really. As for my cousins, I made mention at the wedding to one that I would be staying with Chris when I was in Dallas, but left it at that…If they ever want to know, they can ask. My family isn’t that tightly knit, really.
4. As a native Houstonian that has been away from Houston for 12 years, tell me the new, current and trendy places/things I should do and see as a visitor. Do not necessarily have to be gay related but any insights to the bars/events would be great.
Houston isn’t trendy. Period. We just copy what everyone else has done. The new thing is the Downtown Aquarium. No, it’s not really and aquarium like you’re thinking, it’s a big theme restaurant park. They have a ferris wheel and a small kiddie train, and three restaurants all held together with this aquarium theme, right at Buffalo Bayou. This puts it in between the Wortham Theater, and the Municipal Courthouse, and under I-45. A really goofy spot, and hard to get to. Very touristy, though. It’s right that it’s close to the Hard Rock.
Some of the gay bars have changed hands. Downtown bars are getting better. We have some new sports stadiums that are really impressive, but all-in all, there’s very little for a tourist to get excited about here.
5. You seemed to really want to be in a relationship. That's cool because we have all "been there, done that". What qualities are looking for in your first relationship? Here is the tricky part: Do you want your first relationship to be your only relationship or do you want it to be a growing experience?
This is tricky since if you state that the first relationship is only temporary, you’re setting yourself up for failure. I don’t think I can plan how a relationship might go right now. I guess I just have this feeling that at this point in my life, I really should be in a relationship. Most of my straight friends are married off now, so here I am, the single guy. The third wheel.
A few of the things I’d like is a feeling of closeness, a person who understands my emotions, and I can understand his. I want to be able to open up and tell him my fears and my desires, and he be able to do the same. I’d like to know that when I’m thinking of him, he’s thinking of me.
Sappy, huh?
I have a set of questions from
fauxbear and there may still be a set from mattycub coming, and then i'll put a stop to this. It's been fascinating, because they've really made me think, and look at what I'm saying and feeling. If anyone still wants a few questions, I'll be happy to oblige, just say so.
