I've been spending a lot of time in Rants & Raves since I joined LBT, partly because it's fun, but also because for the most part it's very GLBT friendly. Unless I haven't looked in the right place, I don't think there's a support thread for us, so I decided to start one!

A little about me. I'm Eddie & I'm a 42-year-old Gay man. I have a partner of just over nine years (henceforth referred to as DH), a 17-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. DH and I are stupid. Don't believe me, just ask our kids. DH has hypothyroidism and had not been able to lose any weight after his thyroid "went nuts" several years ago. I've just been overweight all my life. He was banded on 2/21/07 and I'm getting mine next Wednesday (5/16). I can't wait!

Anyway, I would love to hear from all the GLBT folks out there. Hopefully this can be a place for us to freely discuss our unique issues and get support we may not be able to get elsewhere.

What a great thread!!! Good luck to all!!

I know I haven't been around this thread alot (I've been so BUSY!) but I wanted to check in and say I'm interviewing Alison Bechdel next week and I am sooooo NERVOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

A friend of mine is the senior producer at a local TV station here in Philly, and their format is 5-minute learning pieces. She has to produce tons of these pieces each week, so she hits up her friends and family to come on the air as hosts, interviewers, etc.

She booked Alison Bechdel for next week and I will be interviewing her about her new book "Fun Home: A family Tragicomic." It's a great book (just read it two nights ago) about her relationship with her father, who was also Gay.

In case any of you don't know who she is, she is the author of the graphical comic books "Dykes To Watch Out For." She's amazing and I've been a big fan of hers since the 80's, so it's really like meeting a huge celebrity for me! I am sooooo freaking out!!!

I had a practice session this morning with the tv staff who sat in for Alison. It went pretty well, but honestly I think I'm going to have a severe panic attack next week when it comes time to actually film for real!

I'm thinking of taking an ativan before I go on!

Anyway, I'm really excited... and nervous... and excited...

Sunta, how exciting, I have been a fan of her for years. I am sure you will be fine. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Just keep checking in when you get a chance. We want to know how you are doing.

Sunta-

I'm so jealous! I've been a fan of hers for years. I've read nearly every thing she's put out!

You'll be fine no doubt.

Juli

Hi family,

Glad to see more new folks here (ConSafo, Chris, LadyBlue). Welcome! I haven't been getting any e-mail notices about new posts to my subscribed threads, so I'm glad I checked in tonight.

Pamela, what kind of trip do you have in mind and is there a specific geographic region you want to stay within? Since we're such big RVers, we plan a lot of destination trips, as well as "purpose" trips (where we have a specific purpose, i.e., relaxation, adventure, etc). If geography is not an issue, I know several places in the southeast, again depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Feel free to PM or e-mail me if you'd like.

Sunta, I was wondering where you'd been. Hanging out in R&R?? I still lurk there myself, just haven't felt very confrontational lately so I haven't posted anything in a while. Good luck with your interview. I know you'll do great!! Let me know if you run out of Ativan, I keep my script filled!

Hey Mark, my fill is tomorrow morning at 10:30 (my time). I'll report tomorrow afternoon. If it's bad maybe you won't be so jealous...

Eddie,

Good luck with your first fill ! Best wishes sent your way

Good Morning Family~

Sunta, congrats on your interview. I had not heard of her, but I googled her. I am sure you'll be great!

Eddie, we are still in the thinking stage. I will have A LOT of money in the next few weeks (took 100,000.00 against my house) and after we do some repairs around here, I'll still have about 60 left. I have been learning to the northeast, toronto, boston, etc. Again, we don't have a lot of time, but perhaps a quick week. We are going to Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe in 3 weeks! I think I am gonna surprise her and say, pack your bags and not tell her where we are going (unless she needs a passport).

Provincetown Chamber of Commerce

If you are thinking about Boston, Provincetown is a an hour south. It's where my partner and I are going on vacation this summer.

The link above is the goings on calendar.

Juli

<p>I just wanted to post an apology about a private e-mail that I sent to memeber of this thread. I went over board about my life, work etc. She did not care for that at all. I did send an e-mail to here and told here that I was sorry for the length of the letter etc.</p> <p> </p> <p>I hope that this will help clear everything up in regards to OH juili and my post.</p> <p> </p> <p>Chris</p> <p>Pre Band</p>

Juli~

Thanks for the suggestion. I just got off the phone w/ an owner of a beautiful condo in Ptown!!! Now, I am gonna find some flights! It is gonna be wonderful, if I can pull this off. I am waiting for the money, which won't be here for another 3 weeks or so. I am having a garage door put on now, and had to call the plumber because the cleaning lady broke the shower (I think the valve is stripped) and now she has turned off the main. More money. The kicker is that the appraiser will be here at 3 to appraise the property, and I have a broken and still leaking shower, lol.

Anyway, big hugs for the suggestion. I am so excited! Keep your fingers crossed I can pull this off!

I'll keep you posted!

Fantastic!

If you go before me you'll have to report back to the best places you find. I'll do the same if I go before you.

We are leaving in 6 weeks. I've got two six week classes to get through then off to vacation!!!!

I love being in school, the learning is great. The new opportunities it will open for me will be great as well, but god I love it when I'm between classes!

Even this weekend I'm finishing one class tomorrow and the other two start on Monday, so no homework! Oh to be 39 and feeling that way is weird.

Juli

Well, I had my first fill this morning. I had worked myself up into such a nervous tizzy that I had a nasty headache. It was all for nothing! Not only did the needle not hurt, I didn't even feel it at all! I had had a 4 cc fill during surgery, but when my doc aspirated the saline, there were only 3 cc there. I don’t know where it went, but he didn’t seem surprised or concerned, so neither was I. It was a very odd sensation though when he pulled the needle out of the port. Sort of a pulling/pressure feeling, but absolutely no pain. I now have good restriction again, so I’m quite happy. The down side is that it’s back to liquids/mushies for a few days. Ugh. (not a word, Mark )

Chris, thank you for your public apology to Juli. I appreciate that you’ve taken responsibility for your actions, whether intentional or not. I’m not a moderator, but I started this thread as a safe place for GLBT folks to be able to post without fear or shame. I feel very responsible for it and every member of it, and I will not allow anyone to hijack it for any other motive. I’m sure the mods would agree with me. IMO, as long as you treat others here with respect and dignity you are welcome to post here any time. I value your perspective as a GLBT-friendly Str8 man and I think you have much you can share with the rest of us. Thanks for understanding.

Lucy…swimming?? Honestly. I’m just over 5 weeks out and still have some port area tenderness. I can’t do anything that requires me to lie on my stomach. Yes, you heard right, not anything! Now, if I don’t have to be flat on my tummy, that’s another story! :heh:

Anyone have weekend plans? We’re actually staying home this weekend! Miracle of miracles…

No big plans here, just going to finish putting tile in the laundry room. Started it today and I will get the rest done this weekend. It was not what I wanted to do, but the wife had other plans.

I just wanted to thank Juli and Eddie for confronting an uncomfortable issue w/ class and dignity. I am proud to be a part of the GLBT thread, and am appreciative of the friends I have made here. I like that our thread is welcoming to everyone, forgiving, and sensitive to other's feelings...AAAHHH GROUP HUG!:grouphug:(ok, who grabbed my ass???)

I am 39 (for a few more weeks anyway) and am still in school too. I talked to someone tonight and told them, "Just make all this shit go away (refering to my dissertation homework). I feel your pain. But I too love the learning. I am actually sad, if I can just finish this dissertation, that I will be out of school. I figure I will have to take a Spanish or German class, just to keep learning. I will email you w/ the dates, etc on the trip. Thanks again for the suggestion, it looks fun!

just a quick note, if you plan to drive from Boston it will be longer than an hr., it's an hr. once you hit the cape. I think there may be a boat from boston that would be quicker. My wife and I got married there last October! it was just a day trip for us, as we live in the area. I wish we could suggest some places but didn't stay in any. We really did like the justice of the peace if you were so inclined!!:kiss2: maybe if I figure out how to post pictures ...........later, Oh, you can log on to Home: Provincetown, MA on Ptown.org for info.

now, for this site, it is doing weird things, I haven't been getting emailed either, and that is how I link directly to this thread. so I clicked on an old one to get here and it didn't log me in as a member, that was a first. had to go look my password!

and many thanks to Eddie for starting this thread, wish I'd found it sooner, it's great , feel really conected.

no special plans for the weekend, have to think about that one!