Bear Bones

GOVERNMENT STIMULUS

2008-05-14T09:19:15Z

by Buzzed Beef

Greetings Bears!

I, like many of you, am eagerly awaiting my "economic stimulus" rebate check. Oh, what to do with the millions I am certain to receive. Due to a glitch in my electronic return this year, direct deposit was a no-go. So I am waiting for a paper check in the mail (can someone light a torch as we are in the dark ages.). Therefore I must wait a bit longer to spend my fortune--and spend I am. $600 would hardly make a dent in my bills, so I am going to treat this like found money and enjoy it. I've been working hard at my job and in the gym so I deserve a little reward.

I've decided to buy a small camcorder. With said camcorder I am going to film a documentary about my journey--a moving, visual record of my progress in the gym. Now, this will help in two ways. First, it will satisfy a particular interest of mine. I plan on posting the videos on one of those "be your own star" websites....YOU know the one I am talking about. It will surely lead to my "discovery" and eventual world-wide stardom. In reality, I am hoping to post a regular series of short videos over time to show my growth and change.

In doing this, I will have an excellent diary of my continuing gym journey. In a way, it may help me do more as I can't hide anything from the camera. If I slip up, the video will tell all. And doubtless, the viewers will let me know about it. It will be like having a boss or parent to answer too...in digital form.

Once my jackpot comes in and filming begins, I shall give you an estimated premier date along with the proper address and title to search for on the website.

Until next time,

Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)

It's Leather Season

2008-05-13T04:17:23Z

It's Leather Season

As the leather season kicks into high gear - This belt buckle is the perfect accent to your leather wardrobe.

3.5 inches x 3 inches Hand Cuff Pewter Buckle

Over the next few weeks look for us at IML and Bear Pride in Chicago, and of course Dore Alley in San Francisco. Come up and say hello - you can also pay respects to the Mistress.

Shop today

Up in smoke

2008-05-11T04:16:04Z

Cigar tips from our readers

Before clipping the end of a cigar, prior to smoking it - place it in your mouth and moisten it first then cut it. The end being clipped don't seem to crumble as much.
Use the cutter to just lightly cut off the rounded tip instead of taking a chunk out of it. Then slightly squeeze it to open of the air draw.
If you are just starting out - For the majority of men, I usually had them start with Dominican cigars. If they didn't smoke at all, I would have them try Macanudo as one of the first. It has a tight draw / low smoke output, to not overwhelm them.
If you find that you've purchased more cigars than your humidor can handle, store them in your freezer in a plastic bag or container with a lid. Two to three days before the planned smoke move them to your refrigerator's crisper bin.
To insure your cigars are kept fresh...keep a corner of a sponge moist with distilled water in the bag with the cigars, but not touching the cigars.

Where do you fit in?

2008-05-09T04:15:13Z

Our readers respond. . .

Do you identify with main stream gay society? Are you more at home in the bear brotherhood without all the trappings of the muscle boys and A listers? Or are you a square peg trying to find a hole?

Here's what you told us -

"A square peg trying to find a hole" - classic. While not desperately seeking that hole, this square peg has been so distant from mainstream society (gay and otherwise) that I wouldn't know Will or Grace if either asked me to dance (yes, I know referencing W&G is five years ago, but I am at a loss for what is mainstream today).

Don't want ot be a peg (round or square) in anyones preconceived hole (although I love to be in a hole as much as possible). Enjoy the closeness of Bears in general, but not necessarily the organized Bear scene. Like it one on one, or with a smaller group of trusted friends where fraternity and a nonjudgmental attitude prevail. Give me a couple of good friends I can be myself with, sunshine on my naked skin, and a big cigar to smoke and I'm a happy camper.

I am definitely more at home with the Bear Brotherhood, or at least the ideal of the Bear Brotherhood, which fortunately, is what I have experienced for the last few years being in a gay/bear/social atmosphere for the first time in my life. However, I hate seeing how the mainstream Bear community in some ways has become just another way to exclude others who dont fit yet another ideal look or attitude or amount of masculinity. In my mind, the Bear community IS and SHOULD BE about men existing as they naturally are, because, lets face it...the majority of gay men ARE just 'regular guys', not skinny beautiful hairless young men. I thought the Bear community was started for men who didn't fit into the gay mainstream...I think it should be that and IS that... not who has the perfect beard, chest hair, muscles and/or husky-ness, or amount of masculinity.

I am not a hairy man, but I feel at home with the Bears. Everyone I have met and spent anytime with seems normal and happy. The "Bear Brotherhood" is accepting, not spending time trying to make you look or be a certain image. Too, I enjoy the whole concept of just being men. We sweat, we have hair, we stink etc.... Thats what men are and do. So, lets all get naked and do what men do with some gusto and no apologizing for sweating and stinking while we do it.

Join the discussion

Happy No Diet Day

2008-05-06T21:18:03Z

International No Diet Day (INDD) is an annual celebration of body acceptance and diversity. It is observed on May 6 each year.

Dieting represents a huge money maker to the industry, despite is high failure rate. Only 5 to 10 percent of us succeed, but we all contribute to the staggering $40 billion in revenue amassed by the weight-loss industry annually. By the year 2006, revenues are estimated to top $48 billion.

According to Bankrate’s “10 things the Diet Companies Don’t Want You to Know”: All three of the largest national weight loss chains -- Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and LA Weight Loss -- continue to make millions in revenue. In 2003, Weight Watchers' revenue was approximately $943 million, while Jenny Craig saw $280 million and LA Weight Loss climbed from revenues of $105 million in 2001 to $250 million and counting in 2003.

According to the Marketdata's John LaRosa, costs of these programs vary regionally (franchises have latitude in what they charge) and individually. On average, joining Jenny Craig will set you back between $199 and $299 initially, plus $70 per week to buy its meals. Weight Watchers charges $29 to join and between $8 and $12 per week for meetings. LA Weight Loss sells a year's program in advance and averages $575 for a full year's service. Costs could go higher, depending on how many of the company's bars and supplements you buy. Marketdata Enterprises, Inc., is an independent Tampa-based market research firm.

There is big money in making you feel bad about yourself. Advertisers have a vested interest in selling you an unobtainable ideal. Since, you can never actually reach you goal, you keep buying. Beyond the financial costs are dieting are the true costs to your health and self-esteem. One of every 11 commercials has a direct message about beauty (this isn't counting the indirect ones).

So, today get off the diet roller coaster. Stop doing that to your body. Restrictive diets deprive the body of much needed nutrients and the weight tends to come back once you resume normal eating habits.

Instead of dieting, why not vow (and what better day than “No Diet Day” to do so) to eat healthier. Most of our diets could be a little healthier (Ok, mine could be a lot healthier). Eat more green things (and I’m not talking about the moldy donut you found rolling around the backseat), drink more water, and get out there and move.

If you’re not exercising, think about a walk in the park at lunch. Take the dog to the beach or the woods – whatever is nearby (he’ll thank you, too!). Go out and buy yourself a nice pair of walking shoes, and treat yourself to a little fresh air.

Finally, most diet ads are about making us feel bad because we are not supermodels. C’mon, you’re not really buying that are you? Appreciate your body – it has done a lot of wonderful things for you. It is you – uniquely you – embrace it. Find time to pamper it. Be nice to it. Don’t deprive it!! The cliché is that it’s what’s on the insides that counts, well – I can promise you until you start to feel good about you, it won’t matter what shape you’re in.

Stop, think about all you’ve accomplished. What have you done today to make yourself proud? We’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.

THE BEARS OF SUMMER

2008-05-06T04:18:37Z

Bikini season already?

by Buzzed Beef

Greetins yall!

Thought I would turn on a little southern charm this week. I do miss summers back home; not the wretched heat, but the good times: swimmin' in a clay pit, cool air-conditioning, my dad's summer tomatoes. For most of the US, summer is here or on its way. Are you ready for shirtless days? I wish I was as prepared as I would like to be.

Summers used to be horrors for me. There was always the risk of having to take my shirt off. I have wrestled with this particular demon for years. Only in the last few years has the thought of being shirtless not petrified me with fear.

As I move into these summer months, my gym focus is going to be doing work that makes me more comfortable with my body. The results may not be close to my ultimate goals, but a step in the right direction. I am going to focus on my diet and eat to nourish my body and fuel it without hindering it. I am going to use both building and toning exercises to help me shape up more. I am going to set realistic goals within a reasonable time frame and work to them.

It's roughly 8 weeks until the 4th of July. That is my goal to reach my summer body....roughly half the summer to work my body and half to enjoy the fruits of my efforts (as I continue to work it, of course).

Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)

Bear Fitness

Mistress of Procurement

2008-05-05T04:53:01Z

I went to IMsL and all I got was one boot

We are pleased to announce that our very own Mistress of Procurement was a contestant in this year's International Ms. Leather contest (L to R - Rope, Larry & Liza).

Liza was first runner up to the title.

Congratulations to Hobbit who is the 2008 IMsL titleholder and Cue who is the 2008 International Ms Bootblack. And a very special thank you to one and all who made us feel welcome.

The 22nd Annual International Ms Leather contest and the 10th Anniversary of the International Ms Bootblack contest returned to San Francisco this past weekend.

IMsL can boast being the longest running women's leather competition. There is no other contest with its history. No women's contest has continually brought fierce, yet friendly, competition of leather women, educational seminars, one-stop shopping for all kinky needs at the vendors' space, and, of course, hot play parties around the clock.

. . .and Liza's fantasy rocked!!

Next, its off to IML - see ya in Chicago! Ask me about the boot . . .

IMsL 2008

Who were your role models?

2008-05-03T19:47:23Z

As a gay man (or where ever you fall on the spectrum) what role models did you have growing up? How did these role models (or the lack there of) affect you?

Here's what you told us -

I don't know about anyone else but I had no male role models growing up who I actually identified with. I was raised in a small town and felt like I was completely alone, relative to being gay. The only hint of anything gay was the occasional stereotypical portrayal that was presented as comic relief on a sitcom.
When I was twelve, my cousin was doing theater and she became best friends with a gay guy from the cast. He was very effeminate and caused a quite a stir with my extended family. But, he was accepted. One day, he complimented my mother's shoes and asked if he could try them on. My mother let him and they were the same size. His example gave me hope that, one day, I, too, might be accepted by my family.

Tell us your experiences . . .

Into the Wild

2008-05-01T19:23:29Z

Equipping the Larger Paddler by Wes Boyd

Until fairly recently, the opportunities for larger kayakers -- weighing, say, 250 pounds and up -- have been limited due to the lack of boats and gear adequately sized for them. While the "extra-large" kayakers still don't have the selection that's available to their smaller brethren, manufacturers and dealers have started to take notice that it's a growing market. Even so, adequately equipping and training the larger kayaker can have its challenges.

I'm one of those large sized guys. When I first got back into kayaking, after years away from it, I was nearly a hundred pounds larger than I'd been before. There wasn't much gear available for the big guy -- it seemed like all the neat boats and great gear were designed for people half my 300-pound weight, and I was left out in the cold.

Over a period of time, with lots of searching around and trying things out, I discovered that while the situation was bleak, it wasn't impossible. It's been a slow learning process, but I've found out, at least partly from other people that have the same problems, that kayaking is something perfectly reasonable for the bigger person.

Wes Boyd is a country newspaper editor from southern Michigan who's been paddling off and on for 40 years, mostly on inland lakes and the Great Lakes. His non-commercial hobby web site, kayakplace.com, has a lot of resources for the larger kayaker and much besides.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

2008-04-29T22:49:54Z

by Buzzed Beef

Greetings Bears!!

I am literally in the door from my workout today. I haven't even showered - you should smell my (fill in the blank with your body part of choice). Please forgive my forwardness, but I am a little high -on life that is! I'm still feeling the rush from a great workout this afternoon.

I got the week off to a bang with 10 minutes on the elliptical machine to get my heart pumping and then followed that with a great biceps and abdominal workout. To round out the workout, I did another half hour on the elliptical machine. All in all, it was a great gym session that really pumped me up both physically and emotionally for the day. When I left the gym, I was greeted with an absolutely stunning San Francisco afternoon. Even my walk home was a delight.

I think the beautiful turn of weather here has been a boost to my attitude and energy levels. It has really jazzed me and put me in the mood to really up the ante at the gym. I hope those of you reading this, wherever you are, are enjoying a beautiful spring. I also hope you are finding inspiration, in whatever form, to push yourself in your workouts and make some great changes. Remember, beach and bikini weather is right around the corner!

Until next time,

Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)

Mama Bear

2008-04-29T00:21:40Z

Mother's Day is Sunday May 11, 2008

With over 2000 items (and growing!), you’re bound to find something from Big Sky Silver Jewelry that is a perfect addition to her collection.

We thought you were reading . . .

2008-04-25T17:34:09Z

Gay and Lesbian Adults Are Reading and Responding to More Blogs Than Heterosexuals

According to a recent national survey conducted by Harris Interactive^®, gay and lesbian adults online are reading more blogs than their heterosexual counterparts. When asked, just over half (51 percent) of the gay and lesbian respondents reported reading some type of blog, compared to 36 percent of heterosexual adults. A similar question on blog readership also was asked in November 2006, and at that time 32 percent of gay and lesbian adults then reported reading blogs.

Bears have always been early adopters (remember Compuserve and IRC chat?) when it comes to the Internet. The Bear Code was deirved as a means to identify a few bearish characteristics for our fellow cyber bretheren. So keep reading, keep positing and support your bear bloggers. Here's a list of a few you might want to check out - Bear Blogs.

A year's worth of Beef!

2008-04-23T22:50:26Z

Coming in June!

Cythian Bear Pendant

2008-04-23T03:03:39Z

Cythians or Scyths were horse-riding nomads originally of Iranian stock, who dominated the northern steppes of the Black Sea.

Cythian art represented their common life, warfare and popular games, sports and so on. A significant place in cythian art was occupied by the images of wild animals (lions, snow leopards, panthers, indomitable horses) representing the Cyth's dominance over his domain.

This iconic tribal piece reflects the quiet strength of the bear and is designed to be worn by the modern warrior.

The sterling sliver Cythian Bear measures just about 2 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall and is handsomely displayed on a braided leather cord.

Shop today

As The Gym Turns

2008-04-21T23:39:18Z

by Buzzed Beef

Greetings Bears!! Hope everyone is having a nice Spring...enjoying the weather wherever you are. My original topic for today is getting shelved this week because I want to share something with you that is out of far left field.

As a member and employee of my gym, I get to see it from all sides. I get a little different perspective than most of the members. Most of what I see, 99% I would wager, is good--it adds to the whole experience. But there is that remaining 1% that has, on occasion, gotten under my skin--an irritation. You can already guess where this is going.

Yes, recently I have found myself tussling with a certain 1% that has made me the brunt of some unnecessary and childish drama. Obviously I can't go into specifics or name names here, but it does NOT involve my employer or the gym facility itself. It stems from my "perceived" failure to do something for someone that is not part of my job description. As such, the party(ies) involved have taken great delight in causing me some discomfort: being ignored, snubs, and insulting phone calls. Suffice it to say that the situation has really gotten in my craw. Sometimes drama is justifiable, but here in this case, it is not. It's petty and immature. And it reeks of impaired judgment brought on by illegal drug use.

Ah, who knew the gym could be such a hotbed of drama? Stay tuned for exciting developments. Seriously, I'll keep you posted, but I intend to return to fitness topics next week.

Until next time,

Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)