The Out Games, French Canada & Chicken Poutin

Before I jump into this blog entry (which is long overdue), I want to point out the fact that my previous blog entry left you in San Francisco and that I haven't blogged once in the past two months. I have tons of pictures and stories to tell from Seattle, Boise, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago and New York, but before I do all of that, I want to blog about our incredible weekend in Montreal for the 1st Out Games.

After six weeks in New York City with Rich and John, Gavin and I couldn't muster the energy to part ways when it was time for the boys to head north to Montreal for the Out Games, so Gavin and I bought a train ticket and joined the party posse for what would end up being one of the best weekends ever!

Montreal is the second largest city in Canada (after Toronto) and also the second largest metropolitan area that speaks French (after Paris). Montreal is also the cultural and arts center of Canada and a kick ass city! After a beautiful 13 hour train ride through Upstate New York (we were at the border for way too long and the once we crossed into Canada, the train moved at a snail's pace) we were suddenly in a different world. Not only did we have to translate Quebecois French into English, but we also had to ThinKMetric!

Montreal is a great destination and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't been before. I found the city to be one of the cleanest I have been to and everyone was so friendly (even though they didn't speak English and I don't speak French!). There is so much more to Quebec than Fur Traders, Maple Syrup and Celine Dion and we were about to find that out.


Gavin was the lead navigator for the group. He has an uncanny (or is it mutant) power to find his way around any city. I, on the other hand, couldn't find my way out of a wet paper bag.


Gav, me, Rich & Ty striking a pose in Le Gay Village.


Although we didn't compete in any of the 35 sports, we did cheer on Tyler and the rest of the Seattle Soccer Team.


Rich and I had to take a picture outside of La basilique Notre Dame de Montreal. (Can you tell me what famous Quebecois got married here?)

No stop in Montreal would be complete without trying a Quebecois delicacy known as Poutin, which consists of French Fries topped with fresh cheese curds and then covered with hot gravy. (I ate this and thought that I had gone to munchies heaven!) For more information, check out wikipedia. They have a great entry on poutin.

In addition to gravy and cheese covered French Fries, Montreal is also famous for its strip clubs and Gay Nightlife, which are all top notch, and when you throw in our still favorable exchange rate (it's not as good as it used to be, but it's still better than 1:1.), and tons of gay athletes from around the world, you have the recipe for an awesome weekend.

Last, but not least, I have to talk about the Out Games and Montreal Pride Parties. The Closing Party, Soul, was done by the same people who do Black & Blue and it was a huge event. Thousands of boys dancing in the convention center made for a great evening. On Sunday, the block party went on for several blocks and had at least three different stages with various forms of entertainment. The beer was flowing and the music was pumping as we danced away the evening and shared the happiness that comes along with meeting people from all over the world.

In closing, I have to say that my weekend in Montreal ranks as one of the best times I have ever had with my friends and Gavin. There was something special about having people come from all over to compete in games and to party. Gav and I were so inspired that we want to go to the next Out Games in Copenhagen and spend the next two years training in some event (any suggestions??) so we can participate and compete in the next Out Games. 

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

San Francisco

"I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill it calls to me.

To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars.

The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care.

My love waits there in San Francisco, above the blue and windy sea,

When I come home to you, San Francisco, your golden sun will shine for me."

In my opinion, San Francisco is one of the United State's most beautiful and vibrant cities. Home to cable cars, fresh seafood, giant hills and liberal and progressive culture. San Francisco is also where my brother lives, so that automatically gives it ultra cool brownie points!

We invaded Dustin and my brother's house for close to two weeks and explored as much of this wonderful city as possible ... from Chinatown to the Castro and Twin Peaks to Golden Gate Park.

Pedestrians in the Castro. (Unlike other West Coast US cities, it's easy to get around without a car.)

San Francisco's skyline.

World Famous Golden Gate Bridge.

Terumi and me striking a pose.

The crew exploring Richmond's Chinatown.

One of the many hills that make up the city.

You should always be wary of what lurks in the bushes.

Alcatraz Island.

On a sunny day, we took my brother's hawk kite to the park.

Gavin with the kite in a field of wildflowers.

If you're going to San Francisco, make sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

Watch out Gavin! The hawk will attack!

San Francisco's Chinatown.

Kai, Dustin & Teru on BART.

A picture perfect view of the city and Oakland from Dolores Park.

SLO - San Simeon - SFO

SLO - Hearst Castle - San Francisco

Well, it's been quite sometime since I've updated this blog and I wish I had some sort of explanation as to why. The only thing that I can say is that Gav and I have been so busy exploring the United States and I just haven't had time to sit down and format pics, upload images and write about it!

Gavin and I drove his Honda Accord up Hwy 1 from San Luis Obispo to San Simeon, home to Hearst Castle. It was a beautiful drive along the coast and we were treated to lovely weather.



Hearst Castle was built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and sits on a 40,000 acre ranch overlooking San Simeon. Construction started in 1919 and continued through 1947. It was donated to the State of California in 1957 and is now a State Historical Monument and a National Historical Landmark. For more information, check out what Wikipedia has to say.











After our tour of Hearst Castle, we continued north on Highway 1 to San Francisco. We chose this scenic route over 101 and Interstate 5 even though it was the longest of the 3 choices. The drive took us through Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, Monterey and Santa Cruz and was well worth the extra time and distance. It was just me, Gavin and the iPod cruising up the California Coast. Perfection.







Pelicans flying in formation.







Gratuitous food shot.

Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo



I'm going to try something new with my formatting. I don't know any HTML or how the internet really works, so I'm using whatever free HTML software myspace.com gives me.

The drive from LA to San Luis Obispo (SLO) was about 200 miles and took us about 3 hours. Thanks to our friends at google maps, I have a graphic for you to see.

After a great time in LA, it was time to head up the coast. We packed up our stuff (how do we have so much stuff?) and picked up Gavin's Honda that we had shipped to Long Beach and then headed north to meet Hilary for lunch at Disney.

I love corporate cafeterias. My favorite used to be Microsoft's because you could have a freshly grilled fillet of salmon over your salad, but at Disney, they make these great pizzas that you hold (it's hard to explain).


Gav, Hilary and a Mickey Mouse (I LOVE topiary!)

After Disney, we jumped on HWY 101 and started our way up the coast. We drove through Santa Barbra as we listened to Jack Johnson (UCSB Alum). The drive up 101 was beautiful and it was nice to get out of the city to where the air was a bit cleaner. Past Santa Barbara, we started seeing parts of the Central Coast's wine producing areas. I couldn't stop thinking of Sandra Oh in "Sideways." (Gav refuses to drink Merlot to this day.)

Once we reached SLO, we checked into our $60 two bedroom suite at the Ramada Inn (thank you Priceline.com!) and hit the town for some grub. We ended up getting some finger-lickin-good ribs at Mo's Smokehouse (102 Cross St Ste 120, San Luis Obispo, CA).

Later that night, we ended up at SLO's only Gay Night at a bar called Tortilla Flats. The locals were friendly and filled with young gay students from Cal Poly (young activist gays and lesbians), but there were a few nice young boys who were kind enough to ask if we were currently enrolled at "Poly". So sweet.




Let's just say that Gav does most of the driving.


Central Coast wine country.


Gav working downtown SLO

Day 16 & 17: Hollywood and Disneyland

It's been about 2 and a half weeks since Gavin and I left Hawaii and although we miss our friends dearly, we're having the time of our lives. We've managed to stay under the "suggested daily budget" and spending less than we anticipated. Gavin has come up with a strategy that he has named "Creating Value." This occurs when we opt for choice that is either free or cheaper than what would usually be our first choice. For example, we went to Disneyland, but we made our own lunch at home and kept it in our cooler in the trunk of the car. Another example would be sticking to the drink special at a bar instead of ordering what we would usually order (Sapphire & soda for Gav or a micro/cratft beer on draft for me.) Creating Value is what is going to allow us to visit countless cities and travel to foreign countries.


In search of the perfect "LA Meal," we went to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles in Hollywood.


If you're not familiar with "Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles," you're probably trying to figure out what exactly the appeal is, right? Well, belive me, you have to try this. We ordered a 1/2 chicken fried Southern Style and 2 waffels. We also ordered a side of mac-n-cheese, which was so delicious. Roscoe's also serves up an awesome omelette and other dishes that are not for the health-conscious!


After the gut-bomb, we decided to walk it off by strolling along Hollywood Blvd and seeing the many stars that line the sidewalk. Did you know Liberace was Gay?


Gav in front of the famous Mann's - Grauman's Chinese Theatre.


Gavin "getting the axe" in front of Joan Crawford's little piece of history.


No trip to Hollywood wouldn't be complete without getting an audit from the Scientologists!


It was a rather clear day in LA, so we could see the famous Hollywood Sign.


Gav on the phone in front of an American Apparel Store.


Gav's friend Hilary hooked us up with some sweet passes for Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park. Now that's what I call, "Creating Value"!


Here's a pic of the Thunder Mountain Ride. I took this minutes before we went to stand in line for the ride. We waited for about 20 minutes and then the ride stopped and one of the attendant's jumped on the speaker and announced that the ride was not working and instructed all of us to turn around and walk out. It sucked.


Disney's California Adventure Park was a real treat. Although it is a bit smaller than Disneyland, the rides and attractions were a real treat. If you've been to Disneyland before, I recommend checking out the California Adventure Park. The rides were a lot of fun and it's an experience that really makes you feel like you're in a different world.


My personal favorite was the Tower of Terror. A must-do!


Gavin in the Muppet 3-D movie.


On our last night in town, we ate at Dolce. It's one of the restaurants that's owned by Ashton Kutcher and his buddies. It was delish!