eggwards: (Default)
[personal profile] eggwards
It’s amazing that TBRU has come and gone so quickly this year. I find it even stranger that I didn’t get the major depression that had normally gone with the end of such events. Sure, there were lots of new people to meet, and many of them I would have liked to have spent more time getting to know (and for some that can be taken both ways), but it is what it is, a time where people come in, and people leave.

I didn’t buy the run pass this year. Money’s been tight and I couldn’t justify the expense. I never eat the food, I don’t drink much alcohol, and I’m not staying at the hotel. I’ve never gone to the contest, and don’t really care to. Just the ability to go to the hospitality suite and the pool are the things I’d miss, and even the hospitality suite can be yours if you know the right person.

It was much more relaxed than in past years. I didn’t feel the need to keep up with people and worried about where the crowd of friends was. I enjoyed going out to eat in impromptu groups – often picking up a person or two that we didn’t know much about. While normally I’d be worried about such a thing, strangers storming the Bastille and all, I found it worked successfully and added to the group well.

The best time was had when slowly be began to come up with where to go Sunday night. Like a bear Katamari we picked up a few people and decided on going to Johnny Carinos. As we were getting ready, Andreas stepped over and we asked him to come along. Andreas is a good guy from Italy who we saw on Bearciti and knew he was going to be in town. It was great getting his opinion on “Italian” food served here. He looked at the menu and certainly didn’t see Italian food, especially with such items and a Jalapeño skilitini. The dinner became a real gabfest with the seven of us discussing differences between Europe and the US, including nuclear power and culture. It was strangely serious for a bear run.

This is my fifth TBRU, if I’m counting correctly. They all seem to run together, but I’m thinking we had two years in the old hotel, and three in the current cockchugger’s central. This year I really noticed the shift – one that’s probably already happened, but I didn’t notice that the whole “Bear Drag” is over. While there were a small few people in leather, and a few wearing prison jumpsuits to go with the “cellblock” theme, most people were wearing t-shirts and jeans or shorts. Where five years ago there was still a large amount of flannel, it’s pretty much been replaces by Threadless T’s for those who can fit into a 2X, otherwise, there were plenty of big-boy tees at the vendor market.

Of course there were still plenty of shirts that referred to bears, cubs, pitchers, catchers, past runs, sports teams, etc. The “ironic” T still seems to be the big thing. I personally sported a Zeus T one day, and a Wire and Twine T (thanks for making bigger sizes, [livejournal.com profile] chrisglass) on another.

The talk of the event was the Bear 411 exodus with some people on board, others curious and others very angry about it, scared, I suppose that their bear gravy train might be ruined if the “smart” guys ran off to Bearciti. David ([livejournal.com profile] beefquest) from Bearciti had his work cut out for him, not only getting people’s opinions about the site, but also having to tell people he had nothing to do with the current kerfluffle. That’s not to say that some of the more vocal critics of Bear 411 were not in attendance, including Brian ([livejournal.com profile] kingfuraday) and [livejournal.com profile] bobaloo. Still, I never saw anyone tell someone they had to leave 411 or attack someone for liking the site. On the other hand, the 411 defenders seemed to be rather angry and surly about it.

Otherwise, the contest apparently ran too long, and again, only a couple of guys in the thing were even attractive, in my book. Now that the sponsor – American Bear – is defunct, can we also make this tired contest defunct? There was also an underwear auction held after the contest late on Saturday night. When people just wanted to get their drink on and meet people in the hospitality suite, here does this auction, and poor Bobaloo has to play auctioneer after he had already performed. Thirty guys means that the event wasn’t over until after last call. The organizers should really rethink this, while it’s for a good cause, thirty items is too much. People run out of money as well as patience.

I remember going around Friday night feeling like crap and seemingly noticed by no-one. I’m not sure what does that to me, where sometime during a run I get this feeling of dread that comes in and kills the good feeling of expectation one has. I don’t know if it’s not getting the attention of those you want to flit with, or sadly getting attention from those you don’t, but I always start to feel very much a part of the “out” crowd. Luckily it lifted on Saturday and the remainder of the run was fine. The crowd, well I sort of got involved with, but more often then not I’m quite while Chris gets the attention at these things. I often find myself as the third wheel – and occasionally the partner that someone else wishes Chris didn’t have. Always fun. Despite seeing a person or two comment about me after the event, I always felt like I make either a poor or neutral impression and I have to fight to actually get past that and actually talk to people.

The hotel moved all of the couches into the hospitality suite, which, for a lobby whore such as me, it’s completely, horribly wrong. The couches have been one of the bigger gathering places around, but this year there was a lack of seating in the busy times. It’s also always good to see a pile of bears fighting for couch space. Perhaps they decided not to have such seating in order not to completely frighten (or entice) the other people staying in the hotel, newly inducted army members who were to be shipped out to Iraq.

We had a wonderful houseguest in Jayson ([livejournal.com profile] standardtom) and certainly met some great guys along the way. Still, when Sunday got there, the hotel looked deserted. It seems that people came early and left just as early. Hopefully I can keep up with some of them on Bearciti until they come back next year. I’d mention more names, but then I’d end up leaving off dozens of others, old friends and new, so it’s best to leave it as is. Till next year.

Date: 2007-03-30 06:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rafdfw.livejournal.com
It was great meeting you on Friday. You and Chris are a wonderful couple. Have you run into my sister yet at the Ranch?

Date: 2007-03-31 01:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
I have not run into your sister. The ranch is big and there are a lot of people in it. I think they try to keep our misfit group away from the others!

Thanks for the complement! it was good meeting you as well in the kind of random way it happened!

Date: 2007-03-30 06:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dakoopst.livejournal.com
OK, here's what I don't get about the whole kerfuffle.

On one hand, I hear people saying things like you wrote here: "Still, I never saw anyone tell someone they had to leave 411 or attack someone for liking the site. On the other hand, the 411 defenders seemed to be rather angry and surly about it."

And then I see, said by the same people, what you wrote above: "...others very angry about it, scared, I suppose that their bear gravy train might be ruined if the “smart” guys ran off to Bearciti."

Isn't there a bit of a level of condescension in that second statement that's a bit, well, insulting? This is why I feel the negative feelings are flowing from both sides on this matter and why I really don't care to take a side.

Personally, I think in the end I'm going to end up with profiles on both sites and damn the picking sides.

Date: 2007-03-30 10:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kingfuraday.livejournal.com
That's all I'm askin' folks to do - pick up BC, make a profile, increase the BC numbers so the folks that are done with 411 have people to talk to :)

Date: 2007-03-31 03:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dakoopst.livejournal.com
And that's a much fairer way of phrasing it than much of what I've heard. :)

Date: 2007-03-31 01:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
Sorry about that...I didn't mean for it to be insulting. The "Smart" comment was a little out of the box. Still, the feeling I git was that people were upset that their site might be diminished by people leaving. obviously they thought that good people were leaving.

I haven't written much about it just because there are strong feelings, but the topic did come up again and again at the run. I think that you're free to choose any site you want, and at this moment, I still have a profile on 411 as there's a few people who I still want to occasionally chat with over there.

My impression was that the people who liked and supported Bearciti were the more level-headed of the groups, but then again, their favorite site isn't the one under fire.

Let's face it, if you write about the kerfluffle (and I use that word because it's also rediculous) it's just going to get people riled up. I guess you can't win.

Date: 2007-03-31 03:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dakoopst.livejournal.com
LOL...how right you are. :)

Date: 2007-03-31 03:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
No problem. You called me on my shit, and that's fine. I guess I didn't think I had made such a charged statement until you showed it to me. I thought I was pretty balanced. Damn...learning to much from Fox News I guess! :-)

Date: 2007-03-30 06:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] texwriterbear.livejournal.com
It was great to finally meet you this weekend :-)

Date: 2007-03-31 01:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
And you as well! I've heard so much tabout you from Jerry. It would have been nice to be able to get to sit down for dinner or something, but when you run with Jerry it's always a mile a minute.

Hopefully i'll be in Houston again soon.

Date: 2007-03-31 02:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] texwriterbear.livejournal.com
Yeah you know how the [livejournal.com profile] goofycubb is.
If you make it down, let us know.

Date: 2007-03-30 06:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] joshjeffcoat.livejournal.com
Last weekend is probably the most time i've ever spent around you, figure it would be after i leave dallas. wish i'd have had more time, guess we just ran in different circles. here's to next year!

Date: 2007-03-30 10:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kingfuraday.livejournal.com
Hey! Glad ya came up and introduced yerself Jeff! It was great to put an LJ with a person... yer a cutie...

Date: 2007-03-31 01:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
I know...i've thought that it would be cool to hang with you, but it never seemed to happen. Well, when you're back in town, just let me know!

Circles? I don't even hang out with an arc here!

Date: 2007-03-30 06:46 pm (UTC)
jkusters: John's Face (Default)
From: [personal profile] jkusters
I really know what you mean when you talk about feeling like the odd man out. My partner tends to turn a lot more heads than I do, and yeah, that kind of sucks.

But I have to tell you, from my one exposure to TBRU, both you *and* Chris are wonderful and sexy men, albeit in different ways. I really enjoyed the time I was able to spend in your presence.

JOhn.

Date: 2007-03-31 01:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
Yeah, I think that our differences sort of work against us in social circles, where I suppose people often divide you as "the cute one" and "that other one". I see it happen all the time. at least at TBRU, there's usually enough people that we both can find a group, but at some parties I often see that one of us is left out while the other gets attention.

I generally find those that gravitate towards Chris really hot, so unfortunately that can make me jealous as the ignore me.

It was still good to meet you both last year, and I'd be happy if you guys came out here to visit us again. of course one day i'll have to get out to see San Diego and the Padres as well.

Date: 2007-03-30 07:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bearinslc.livejournal.com
wow sounds like TBRU was a great time. Honestly the B411 thing amazes me. I mean yea I'm vocal about it (or was rather) but it's pretty funny how upset people get about the exodus. why would they care that we are leaving if they are pro 411.

Anyway glad you had a good time, wish I could have gone, so many LJ friend, and glad Jayson was a good roommate, I Soooo still want to met him in person

Date: 2007-03-31 01:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
He's a great guy. really nice. it was good to finally meet him as well. I'd love to meet you as well!

it's too bad you wern't here, you have the orange jumpsuit!

I don't know what the whole deal is. Just make your chocie. 411 still has more people, and probably will for some time. A lot of the kerfluffle surrounds the site's owner, not the people on the site, so it does become silly to attack those who choose to go.

Personally I'm glad that Bearciti is around, and I think it will continue to do well now knowing the site owner. Will it overtake 411? I have no idea, and i think plenty of people could have a profile on both.

Date: 2007-03-30 08:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jrjarrett.livejournal.com
Ya big silly! I wish we could have spent more time together! I kind of had the impression you had other things to do/on your mind....

Date: 2007-03-31 02:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
I know! It was good to see you again, and I hope you had fun. I always find it a little hard to navigate such events and crowds, so I'm sure I was a little off. I also get into a very "no touchy" kind of thing when in such an environment which kind of works against what you look for in a bear run! still, i did better this year than i have for the past two or three.

Date: 2007-03-30 08:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nightfallcub.livejournal.com
it was so nice finally getting a hello from you, a hug and such. I wish I had gotten a chance to talk to you more, but I guess that's what next year is for.

oh, and your pictures don't do you justice, AT ALL....you're really freakin hot, babe. made me all oogie inside :)

Date: 2007-03-31 02:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
What? these pictures? it's just little old me - or something like that. Thanks!


It was good to finally meet you as well. Unfortunately i only seem to cross paths every once in a while with Bruce and his crew, so it can be hard saying hi to everyone. Heck, I only saw Gus for a couple of minutes and he was gone again!

I'm so glad that you had a good time and that hopefully you didn't crash to hard with the after-run-blues. We'll see you around next year!

Date: 2007-03-30 09:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] grunter.livejournal.com
Bear Katamari, eh?

Add in a little nakedness and I think you've got yourself a run theme!

My, Earth really is full of things!

Date: 2007-03-31 01:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
It's certainly a better theme than "Cell Block 12" - though I don't think i hear a single "drop the soap" joke. Probably because it's harder to rape the willing.

I just like the idea that we kept gaining bears as we rolled out of the hotel.

My, cockcugging central is full of bears!

A run shirt featuring the King of all Cosmos would be great!

Date: 2007-03-30 10:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lucentnotion.livejournal.com
It was nice meeting you! I would have hung around more... I just got the feeling that you didn't really want to chat or anything.

Date: 2007-03-31 01:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
Now here's the thing...I was totally scared that you wouldn't like me, so I kept my distance. I have no real reasoning for this at all, but i often get these notions about people. It keeps me from probably doing a better job of socializing with folks.

I'm a total chatterbox once I feel comfortable with someone. We'll just have to put that to the test the next time we meet. Sorry if I came off as stiff. it was good to meet you as well. you get high marks from Chris!
(deleted comment)

Date: 2007-03-31 01:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
It was great meeting you as well. I think we were both a little shy and quiet there! i do hope to see more of you online and through your journal!

Date: 2007-03-30 10:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kingfuraday.livejournal.com
re: Threadless (hehe, I feel partly responsible for that as I maintained a Threadless/chris glass wardrobe all weekend... I love those Ts!

re: bear clone - I think it's great that you pointed this out. I will admit to one really catty comment (that I kept to myself a couple of buds)... this beefy bear guy comes out of the hotel in the sleevless open flannel, no shirt under, ripped up daisy dukes, and timberland boots... I whispered to my buddy "1995 called, they'd like their uniform back please"... hehe... I just like seein' people wear stuff they're comfy in and exploring options beyond flannel :)

re: 411 - I only had a couple of folks talk to me about it but they were all supportive (and in some cases very surprised to hear some of the facts). It's all good to me, I know it's tough to give up 411 - there are a crap load of hot guys on there...

re: you - was great to meet you buddy and was a pleasure sittin' in on the BC group with you too.

Date: 2007-03-31 01:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
I liek threadless stuff, but I'm just fitting into a 2X again, so I haven't gone hog wild over there. besides, i've got tons of T's. Still, I like that the old wardrobe is fading off (and I actually like flannel - but it doesn't go with shorts) and people are being more of themselves. Still, for all of the heat in the hospitality suite, folks wearing T's just didn't take their shirts off!

Perhaps now that the big events are over for a bit, the whole 411 thing will die down for a while. Still, there were a lot of curious people, and yeah, when something was said about the censorship, people perked up. Bearciti's filling in rather nicely, though, so I don't think there's too much worry of at least finding someone good to chat with - just the selection's a little slimmer. It will likely change, though.

you - it was good to meet you too. You're a hero for putting up your site several years ago before I was even out and needed something to work with, so to speak. now there's more options, but you still run a good site.

as for the BC group, I just hope I contributed well, especially for being one of the least tech-savvy people there.

Date: 2007-03-31 03:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] userid1999.livejournal.com
It was nice to meet you last weekend. Johnny Carinos was definitely an interesting outing. I didn't really know anyone there that well, so it was good to mix it up and meet new folks :)

Date: 2007-03-31 04:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
Hey, that was a big highlight, and getting to talk to you again! besides by partner, of course, I had only met the rest of the folks that weekend - though i've tlked to Jayson on line before. It was all new to me. Still, the conversation and the food were good, even if we couldn't get Andreas to try the Jalapeno dish.

Date: 2007-03-31 06:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] soonercubntx.livejournal.com
sounds like you guys had fun. Think you might be able to "host" me next Saturday? Do you all have my new number?

Date: 2007-04-01 12:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eggwards.livejournal.com
What? You're going to be here on Easter Weekend? That's the weekend we have the house exorcized!

Yes, you're welcome to stay herw that weekend, or longer if you like. We'll be taking Joey out to Lee Park on Sunday. I think we both have the new number.

Date: 2007-04-01 03:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] soonercubntx.livejournal.com
Ok. I'll have to get you my flight info. I am getting a rental car, but I get in mid afternoon I think.

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