You are not the rare Hot Gay Nerd. Why you are the very common Hot Gay Opportunist.

So, in my haste, I apparently went over 10 minutes. here is the re-post, with the missing tidbits. YouTube is being stoopid lately.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Stuff I talk about:

Costa Rica Vacation
Kayaking
Tony and I
Tom got a new job
My experiences with flying to another Country

I don’t know what you people do in Costa-Guata-Mexi-Rico… But here in America, we don’t eat birds.

Part 1

Part 2

It’s hot; There’s Nature Everywhere; it’s hot…

Costa Rica

Videos of Costa Rica

Pictures of Costa Rica:

BillieHawkins.com photos

Soniq.org photos

Billie and Tony’s trip to Costa Rica 2009 – Including Gina, Sandra and David. Went through San Jose to the ferry, then to Bahia Rica hotel.

My review: This hotel is setup similar to a camp ground/bungalow/bed and breakfast. The owners live on location; they have a friendly, get-to-know-you feel. They home cook all your meals, taking cuisine ideas from across the globe. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and all accommodations met our expectations. They have a large variety of activities (kayaking, fishing, boating, scuba, beach front, long walks on cool beaches, sight seeing, I could go on…) I will be the first to admit, I am slightly spoiled with American living, so i had some lowered expectations going in on this trip. I expected to drink bottled water and wrapping myself in netting at night. NOT the case. Our room was clean of dirt and bug-free; the food was delicious, the weather stellar. I was told this is the ‘winter’ season for Costa Rica, but you couldn’t tell. I got a great tan, and was never too hot, and it never got below 75 degrees, so it was never cold. This hotel is just a Ferry ride from the main parts of Costa Rica; it literally is IN the rain forrest, so we were able to see monkeys and geckos and all that. The rain only came at night, leaving a full day to do what we wanted – and you can’t beat the prices. Activities are charged by the hour or by person, so we were able to budget a great vacation for a fraction of what it would have cost in America. Major and minor cities are only a few miles in either direction, or a quick boat ride to the more ‘touristy’ locations made this a perfect getaway. I could see myself wasting the whole day in a hammock catching up on a good book, listening to the birds and taking in some sun. Tip: Don’t go here if you are expecting an ‘American’ environment. This is real jungle with real living. They have full shower and toliets, but Costa Rica as a whole has not moved into a completely ‘modern’ age. To be fair to the review, the electricity did go out twice, which to me only added to the charm. It did not interfere with our events, and as a matter of fact, it was actually better to have a nice dinner by candle light. The owners were completely hospitable and met our every need as able.

(more)

It’s hot; There’s Nature Everywhere; it’s hot…

Costa Rica

Videos of Costa Rica

Pictures of Costa Rica:

BillieHawkins.com photos

Soniq.org photos

Billie and Tony’s trip to Costa Rica 2009 – Including Gina, Sandra and David. Went through San Jose to the ferry, then to Bahia Rica hotel.

My review: This hotel is setup similar to a camp ground/bungalow/bed and breakfast. The owners live on location; they have a friendly, get-to-know-you feel. They home cook all your meals, taking cuisine ideas from across the globe. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and all accommodations met our expectations. They have a large variety of activities (kayaking, fishing, boating, scuba, beach front, long walks on cool beaches, sight seeing, I could go on…) I will be the first to admit, I am slightly spoiled with American living, so i had some lowered expectations going in on this trip. I expected to drink bottled water and wrapping myself in netting at night. NOT the case. Our room was clean of dirt and bug-free; the food was delicious, the weather stellar. I was told this is the ‘winter’ season for Costa Rica, but you couldn’t tell. I got a great tan, and was never too hot, and it never got below 75 degrees, so it was never cold. This hotel is just a Ferry ride from the main parts of Costa Rica; it literally is IN the rain forrest, so we were able to see monkeys and geckos and all that. The rain only came at night, leaving a full day to do what we wanted – and you can’t beat the prices. Activities are charged by the hour or by person, so we were able to budget a great vacation for a fraction of what it would have cost in America. Major and minor cities are only a few miles in either direction, or a quick boat ride to the more ‘touristy’ locations made this a perfect getaway. I could see myself wasting the whole day in a hammock catching up on a good book, listening to the birds and taking in some sun. Tip: Don’t go here if you are expecting an ‘American’ environment. This is real jungle with real living. They have full shower and toliets, but Costa Rica as a whole has not moved into a completely ‘modern’ age. To be fair to the review, the electricity did go out twice, which to me only added to the charm. It did not interfere with our events, and as a matter of fact, it was actually better to have a nice dinner by candle light. The owners were completely hospitable and met our every need as able.

(more)

Karen, Steak & Brew are spitting at me through the phone. How would I get a table there?

Apparently, the computer or youtube or something cut off the rest of my blog entry – so I will type up the rest in text at the end. Ugh.

Topics in today’s video blog:

- Costa Rica

- Pridefest weekend

- Pics and Videos of the weekend

- Tony

- Steak Dinner – Butch’s

- Blog while driving, opinions?

- Fan club shout out (Mark/Mike)

Facebook:

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Email me about your comments or leave one below:

billie@billiehawkins.com

Pridefest 2009 Videos

To see them all:
Soniq.org Videos

Pics:
Soniq.org Picture Updates!

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THE REST OF THE BLOG:

- Pridefest weekend

As I was saying, Pridefest is what people make of it. I can see that there are different views on the topic. Part of me says that there shouldn’t be a need for it anymore. In the early years of gay culture, yes, there was a need to be recognized. now a days, I see it more as a celebration of who we are and the progress. I’m sorry, but this is such a big issue and there are so many views on it in my mind, I really can’t keep it all in order.

- I don’t like the association to the sub-cultures. Drag queens, furs, bears, Leather daddies, twinks, etc.. yes, they may be gay, but that isn’t what being gay is. The same fetishes and desires apply to straight culture, they just may bot have embraced them or put them out for the world to see.I don’t have a problem with anyone who wants to partake or enjoy any of those interests, I just don’t see them as ‘gay’ things. being gay, flat out, is about loving another person of the same gender. All the other stuff is just extra for each person.

- Pridefest *is* needed, because obviously there is still a need to be recognized as humans.

- Gays are still recognized as a ‘Minority’. Now, by definition, that will always be the case, as a minority is simple the lesser number.. Since there will probably always be more straight people than gays, that will never change. I am referring to a ‘Minority Group’ as defined by wikipedia:

A minority is a sociological group that does not constitute a politically dominant voting majority of the total population of a given society. A sociological minority is not necessarily a numerical minority — it may include any group that is subnormal with respect to a dominant group in terms of social status, education, employment, wealth and political power. To avoid confusion, some writers prefer the terms “subordinate group” and “dominant group” rather than “minority” and “majority”, respectively. In socioeconomics, the term “minority” typically refers to a socially subordination ethnic group (understood in terms of language, nationality, religion and/or culture). Other minority groups include people with disabilities, “economic minorities” (working poor or unemployed), “age minorities” (who are younger or older than a typical working age) and sexual minorities.

The term “minority group” often occurs alongside a discourse of civil rights and collective rights which gained prominence in the 20th century. Members of minority groups are prone to different treatment in the countries and societies in which they live. This discrimination may be directly based on an individual’s perceived membership of a minority group, without consideration of that individual’s personal achievement.

- I can completely see how a more conservative person would see just the glam of things; they would see the flamboyance, the sexual inuendos, etc. they wouldn’t see, for example, the two 17 year olds who got beat up in high school, who out of everyone in the whole place, managed to find each other; they couldn’t imagine that as a straight male, you would have 50% of the school class – that the pool of acceptance and potential love is so small for a gay boy; 10% may be the magic number in the world, but that doesn’t apply to a select age group. When you walk around Pridefest, and you see these two kids, finally able to be happy, even for a day – that they get to laugh and kiss and hold hands without getting gum thrown in their hair… that’s why I still think it’s needed.

Like I said, I am all over the place on this topic, so I am completely rambling.

In any event, I did take pictures and video of the events, do take a look when you get time.

- Tony

Ok, So I had SO much on cam to say about Tony, I am really dissapointed that it didn’t record. Tony and I have been getting very close. I have words, but they don’t stress enough about how he IS. Imagine one of the ‘good ones’.  You know what I mean, right? The ones who are genuine; considerate, kind, have so much love to give? Tony thinks ahead. he remembers and listens to what i say. He tolerates my weirdness, and even helps it along. He is thoughtful, and giving. I mentioned the steak dinner thing, right? Well, here’s the ddeal with that:

At some point a month or so ago I mentioned how I was craving steak. That because of my budget, and my inability to cook it right, I hadn’t bought or gone out for steak in a long time. It was a trivial thing at the time, and really, I just talked about it based on a topic we were on at the time. Well, Tony went online and researched the steakhouses in Milwaukee, found the best one he could find, all so he could take me to it on Saturday for dinner. To me, that says more than flowers on valentines day, or what ever. Isn’t that freaking sweet?

I’ll close with this:

I was at Pride on the first day, and just walking around, when this 20+ something kid comes up to me. I think his name was Mike or Mark, but i am terrible with names. Anyway, he comes up to me and says “Are you Billie?”

I was like, “yeah,” and he bursts out with joy. He was all, “OMG, I totally watch you all the time on your blog; I love your ‘blogging while driving’ thing – you know like everyone, don’t you?”
I wasn’t sure what to make of it, so I blushed a bit and conceded, that yes, I did know a lot of people. It was kind of flattering, because he was treating me like I was this major celebrity or something. So he continues:
“So, are you going to LaCage tonight?” I acknowledged that the usual plan was LaCage and Fluid, maybe a tour or something after Cyndi performed.

“Would you mind if we came and said hi to you at the club? You are cool and know everyone…” I was floored. Was he really *ASKING* if he could say HI to me at the club? Was I Lindsay Lohan or something? I mean, really – i totally laughed it off, and was like, “sure, of course, hang out with us.” He and his friends were happy with that and left us alone, and of course my friends gave me flack about it; I was just.. floored.

So, to my new found fan, I am sorry that I don’t remember your name, and I didn’t see you at the club over the weekend, but if you want to go out with us some Saturday, just fire me off an email and let me know! nice to meet you, all the same!

They say dreams are like soap. If you don’t hold on tight, they’ll slip away.

Ok, So I had this dream. those who know me will recognize that I have become slightly obsessed with the Twilight book series over the past couple of weeks, so this dream will not be all that shocking. It should also be noted that I am on a drug called “Chantix,” which is a non-smoking aide, and has been known to cause lucid dreaming. It also could potentially cause suicidal thoughts, but luckily I didn’t get those over the course of the first month ‘ramp up’ period.

Real blog to follow shortly – Pridefest Pics, videos, topics.

And I certainly haven’t marched nude in their gay Pride Parade. Twice.

A friend of mine told me he didn’t like Pridefest. Rather than answering, he asked me why I DID. Here was my answer, I thought I would share with you:

I love the idea of celebrating who you are, and I appreciate that I can go to an event surrounded by peers of similar persuasions, being that I was tormented relentlessly for trying to be myself in school. That being said, I really don’t like being grouped with drag queens and ‘leather daddies’ just because of my physical and sexual attraction to the same sex.  I also don’t think that it *should* be neccessary to ‘celebrate’ something that shouldn’t be a big deal in the first place. On that same note, I do think that it does serve a purpose – awareness leads to change, which I have already seen in my lifetime. I no longer fear walking down the street holding a guy’s hand, like I did oh so many years ago. Is that because I have changed as a person? Maybe. Is that because of pridefest? Partially. Is the world changing? Yes; and I think, just like slavery or women’s lib, it takes numbers and actions to bring human rights to fluition.

BillieLOG VLOG 6-6-09

Topics Today:
Tom, Mom, Tony, Colorado, Good days, weird conversations.

Don’t drink, don’t smoke, what do ya do?

Ok, just a minute for a soapbox rant:
As a smoker (who is on Chantix to quit), I have always been for the ’smoking ban’ – As much as I am/was addicted to it, and for a time enjoyed it, I never liked the after-effects – smokey clothes, bad breath, etc. While I still think that an establishment should have the right to choose whether or not to allow a legal product in their establishment, I think in the long run this will be a good thing. I know that may sound contradictory, but it’s how I feel.  It’s been ‘tested’/implemented  in other markets with high success rates.

My concern is, where will the smokers light up now? Will the sidewalks be littered with smokers outside the doors of every bar? What about venues that don’t have the ability to offer ’smoking’ areas like patios and such?
Personally, I almost think that the ’smoking ban’ should have been handled the same way we handle liquor. You get a permit to have your establishment ’smoking’ enabled. Just my opinion, of course.

No Wonder “London” is in quotes on the Letterhead.

So, I was reading through old blogs, and I thought I would revive this one. A bit of funny. Enjoy:

 

Ok, so, while it’s not a ‘real ‘ blog entry, I was looking over my old blog entries and found some quotes and quips that I thought were amusing; turns out, they are even MORE funny when they are completely out of context!

So, here they are, in no order:

“He totally smoked me for a fuck. ”

“HA! That’s it, Water and Diet pills until Prom.”

“Sonofabiznitch! DEVIL!”

“Last night was Chicago. I am death. I have slept a total of 35 minutes since yesterday morning. I am at work now, so sleep must not come.”

“Fluid has a new feature – they now accept credit cards! Oh what bloody hell trouble will that bring, hey?”

“I am so weirded out by all this. It’s like the whole rain and pour syndrome.”

“All I know is that when I was driving home tonight, I had this WHOLE thing laid out and planned to be very well written. Now, it sounds like I am a mesh of Shit.”

“Ugh, this is getting more complicated than I wanted. “

“91. I cannot stand having sticky hands. The idea of peeling an orange disturbs me.”

“I took tons of pictures as did Tommy (thanks!) and put them all up on soniq.org if you dare to care.”

“Lastly, I think I should say that this is really bad, but I stole m00sic videos from A0L today.”

“OK, I know it’s late (Read: early) (btw: I love that line …Read:LOVE IT) but I am awake”

“It felt like basically the past 15 years of my life rolled into like, a half-hour soap opera. “

“Speaking of which = Drama!!! = I was at the club working last night, and I feel the door open below me. “

“FUZUCK that.”

“Then, on convex, I get no less that 4 people (last night it was 13) asking things like, “Is so-and-so your boyfriend?” “No,” I reply. Poof. I am no longer needed. The prey has been found.”

“Soniq.org – That’s the Problem.”

“I mean, not crazy bad – just odd bad. “

“You see, whilst 90% of the people that looked at me and Kip picked Kip, there was 3 guys that locked with me. “

“I know there are some factors, like I have a couple ‘favorite’ bartenders – my wife being one of them! (That’s another story for another time…) “

“I feel like I have so much in my brain I could just burst (As “Break Out” by Swing Out Sister just started playing on Club 977 internet 80s radio). “

“I wonder where I am falling short somewhere else that I have this extra. It’s weird. I like it, but it’s weird.”

“I don’t have the perfect body or the biggest *ahem*; I am not the smartest person in the world (read: I am not dumb either), and I am not always graceful. “

“Gosh I talk a lot.”

“Listen, I am a realist. I know that I am a ’specific’ type. “

“Billie and a dog got a little rough playing on Sunday, and he got knocked the fuzuck out! “

“NO. NO no no no no no no! That is NOT acceptable. “

“Speaking slightly about the hotel.. It’s a little odd. It’s your standard 3 star, but we over-critique, and it’s kinda old.”

“arguably the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft in the world” (ref. SkyWest Magazine, February 2007).

“I have so. Much. Shit.”

“Not really all that much to say… while I’ve been doing a lot of drinkin’, I haven’t been doing a lot of thinkin’. . .”

OK so that’s just a taste.