Mother May I Introduce?

[mrdreamjeans]

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May I introduce you to friends? Before the wonderful memories of March and April fade, I'd like to share a few pictures I took of people who are dear to me ... some new to my life, others I've known for some time; one is a cherished family member strutting her stuff! Thanks to gotmoof for the format and posting the pictures. I'm on such a slow dial-up that I couldn't get them posted. Tim came to the rescue once again and I appreciate it.

1. This is my niece Cait and her date Craig from last Saturday's Ring Dance at Texas A&M University. Cait graduates on May 12 with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies (actually Special Education) and has a 3.49GPA. Craig's in the Army (8th generation) and is wearing his dress blues. (I avoided any discussion of politics when meeting him:) I'm especially proud to say that I bought Cait the gown she is wearing and the antique jewelry. I think she is beautiful!

2. David Earl isn't on Live Journal, but he's become a close friend through our theatre work. We've done a couple of shows together; hung out together at his house; he's stored furniture for me and hosted me on more than one occasion. He's a non-actory actor and I adore him for that:) It's also fun to watch men get weak in the knees when they first hear David speak in his sexy basso profundo. He finally let me take his picture!

3. Say howdy to orangecrush206 and his partner Gene! Greg treated me to an early season Seattle Mariners game. When Gene joined us right from work, it turned out that we've met ... in 1989. He was the emcee of a CW dance championship in San Antonio in which my partner Karina and I competed. Circles and circles ... They are great guys!

4. Thanh, tkn1114, is from Houston and brings a commitment and vibrancy to everything he does ... playwriting, design, politics ... You name it, he has thoughts on the topic. I like that! Thanh doesn't write posts yet, just hijacks my blog occasionally:); He challenges me to think, makes me defend my beliefs, teaches me, makes me laugh and admittedly, he sometimes gets my goat. Friendship with him is never dull:) Thanh is as different from me as anyone I know and I delight in that!

5. Young Matt,intothedivine, is my protegee. He's a talented actor/singer/dancer. Matt, like David, is a bass. (They are the only two real basses who usually work at the 5th Avenue Theatre.) Matt's a great guy and calls me his Big Gay Uncle. I am honored!

Comments

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Ohmygod, tkn1114 has a FACE! I'm flabbergasted! :-)

gas

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

shut up, Chip! Did you come? :0) HUG

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Yes, he has a face and a body, a physical animation which matches his witty, stylish writing:)

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

your nice IS beautiful!!
Love the thumbnail format! -that Tim is a genious!!

p.s. could David Earl be your brother? :>

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

My niece is beautiful and classy and graduates this Friday ... a bit sad ... a lot of joy ...

Tim does these photo layout so well! I wish I had half the knowledge and eye!

As to David Earl ... we don't resemble each other at all, but he has a sexiness which makes guys crazy. Luckily, I appreciate it, but an not affected, so I get to spend time with him:) (He's very loyal to his partner)

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

I like the pic format! Thanks for introducing your friends to us.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Now, if I could just get Tim to teach me how to create it! I like it very much too.

I'm so lucky ... My friends are scattered around the country and are a very diverse group; the connecting thread is affection and respect.

HUgs!

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

It's amazing to me just how many degrees of separation can exist among us. Obviously (at least to me) the Bear Community is so small that everyone seems to know everyone else. In my life, however, various people intersect among the Bear Community, church groups, close friends, and even family! It's a little scary sometimes. I suppose I should be thankful that I'm not counted among the "A-List" bears, for such keeps the drama factor to a minimum. Hugs back!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Interesting that you should prioritize popularity ... ie .. A-List ... in terms of the Bear Community. I never look at people as better ... or less ... than me. It's just people. I read about folks jetting around attending events, or going to select parties, being part of social organizations, but I'm not interested in any of that, so I just think, "That's nice!" and move on.

Why would anyone put a bear on a pedestal because they have lots of disposable income or time on their hands? All of the contests and trying to be "seen" appears to me to be a product of low self-esteem, not being part of the "in group" in high school or college and trying to make up for it in a community where their size or hirsuteness is finally appreciated. It's fine to want to belong, but as the movement matures, I've watched this pecking order emerge. So, maybe that puts me on the outside ...but then again, I don't aspire to being "in":)

I admire people who do good deeds, treat each other well and work hard to make this world, their world, a better place. You're A-List to me! Oddly, for an actor, I like to keep my drama to a minimum too:)

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

You're A-List to me!

Thank you. I owe you a nice, big bear hug-- well, as big of a one as this compact cub can give. :-)

Occasionally, as in my original post, my frustration of being a non-San Francisco-living-bear comes out. In a recent conversation, I somewhat agreed that the various Bear LJers who live in SF are more apt to run into each other often and do more social activities at a moment's notice because they all live in the general vicinity. Such may be true; however, whether one admits it or not, a divide does seem to persist among SF Bears vs. the rest of the Bay Area, unless one is popular, very well-connected, or has celebratory status.

I know my frustration is a direct result of my being rejected all my life. I hate being rejected-- who doesn't? But rather than dwell too much on not feeling part of that "circle," I make my own circle of friends and try to live a life that is fulfilling in other ways.

Yikes!

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

Why you, ma cherie amor Nelly da hairy! I feel like one of them karaokers who just got her dress ripped off onstage - and she does'nt have her best undies on! :0) You coulda let me freshen up, not that I can ever escape from looking like coming right off the Ho Chi Minh trail. But we digress...

. Your niece looks like Holywood - and you know I don't flatter.
You're responsible for that dress and jewelry = Thank God for your gay genes! (finger snapping) But we knew that all along!

. KUDOS to gotmoof for the bar icons concept = VERY cool! The kid's definitely got an inventive eye!

. Hook me up with David Earl, will you? She khhhot! :0) A sweet-looking Jim Hightower look-alike who can sing? Why, what more can you possibly ask for Xmas?

Last but not least, I shall venture to sapville because the power that be mrdreamjeans demands it: Thank you for including me in the list of "people who are dear to you", and particularly for the review I dare not tamper with because, in true mrdreamjeans fashion that reaches and embraces in its own unique way, they are words of friendship that remind me that humility is but one of the many things I constantly learn on this blog for which I am eternally grateful.

Merci, MON cher ami! There, see? No fem twist :0)

Now back to piracy!

Sapville

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the compliments! I would have posted the other picture I have of you from Baba Yega, but you had your hand over your mouth. I wanted people to see your pearly whites:)!

You don't look too lost in the village of Sapville ... You should visit more often:) I meant every word.

As to piracy ... Get out there and swash some buckles! LOL!

HUGS!

Friends Is What We All Need

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

I just am picking a few names at random from Dennis' list. He is the one who invited me a few days ago to check out Live Journal. I am looking forward to meeting some new friends. I know Brenham is in Texas, but I have to admit that I'd need a map to locate it. I am guessing it's close to Houston. I invite you to look over my brand new journal, including today's entry. You'll find that my Texas roots are deep.

We also have theater in common, at least community theater. I've been in a number of shows but not recently. I first got my feet wet at Albuquerque Little Theatre in 1968. Gosh, that seems like a long time ago.

Re: Friends Is What We All Need

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Welcome to Live Journal! I'm located about half way, perhaps a wee bit less, between Houston and Austin. It's a nice area and I'm enjoying being home with my family after 19 months of touring.

I'll be happy to check out your journal and today's entry. May Live Journal be as rewarding for you as it has for me!

Re: Friends Is What We All Need

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I look foward to getting to know a fellow Texan better.

[pbehr.livejournal.com]

Late post here.

What a good idea introducing family and friends along with their pictures.

It would also be interesting to see more pictures of Brenham and your life there.