Slog - Comments on No Longer the Only Gays in the Village http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g This is as hard for me to admit as it will be for many of you to believe but... I'm a snowboarder. Dude, really, don't laugh. I know it seems unlikely, considering my advanced age (34) and my taste in music (Sondheim, Gorme, Carr). But last fall I was ordered to attend three snowboarding classes at Snoqualmie Pass. Not only did I quickly learn to snowboard, I fell madly in love with the—what the hell is it anyway? A sport? Maybe when Sean White does it. For me it's more of, oh I dunno, an activity? I didn't wanna... Copyright 2008 Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:10:06 -0800 Thu, 30 Nov 2006 04:54:51 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by OldMan 34?

]]> OldMan http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504197 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504197 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:28:07 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage Hey, I'm younger at that altitude. Isn't everyone?

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504202 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504202 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:30:17 -0800 Comment by catalina vel-duray Dan has every right to be 34! That makes me what - 32? 33?

Why don't you try for 30, Dan?

]]> catalina vel-duray http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504205 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504205 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:36:20 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage I don't know... 30 seems bold, and slightly undignified. By 34, you've made peace with your 30s, you know? So I'll stick with 34—I have for, like, seven or eight years already.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504208 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504208 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:37:56 -0800 Comment by Tiffany How do you know your son is straight? Is he dating already?

]]> Tiffany http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504224 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504224 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:52:35 -0800 Comment by defman23 Shameless plug for:

http://www.skibuddies.org/

]]> defman23 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504226 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504226 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:53:28 -0800 Comment by jenniferjane Whenever I read about you and your family I get really happy. Like, teary-eyed happy. I'm really glad that we (people, not just gays) have such good role models as you and your family Dan. Thanks!

]]> jenniferjane http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504232 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504232 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:01:49 -0800 Comment by monkey I usually feel like the loan mo skier but given the 'white party' feel of most gay ski events I'm usually okay with that.

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504234 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504234 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:03:21 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Try Red Mountain in Rossland, BC.

Rent one of the ski places.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504407 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504407 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:38:14 -0800 Comment by Dougsf Tons of gay friends living in SF that snowboard. So I'd presume Tahoe is gets a pretty mixed crowd.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504459 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504459 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:45:39 -0800 Comment by DOUG. Those green pants are sooooo gay.

]]> DOUG. http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504583 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504583 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:04:56 -0800 Comment by PeteNice Welcome to one of the best reasons for living in WA.

Snorting Elk Cellar is best drinking spot at Crystal.

Good bands also.

]]> PeteNice http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504604 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504604 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:07:09 -0800 Comment by Gloria Seriously, you three are so GODDAMNED CUTE.

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504675 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504675 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:14:05 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways dan IS 34...he counts his birth from the first time he heard his first Sondheim album...it was Christmas Day, 1970, the tears ran down little Danny's ruddy cheeks as Dean Jones plaintive tenor sent shivers up young Savage's spine and he vowed on that glistening 'Company' album jacket, that THIS day would be the day of his spiritual 'birth'...

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504734 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504734 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:21:25 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways oh, wait that would make him 36...uh, then it was Christmas, 1972...little Danny is crying and clutching a copy of 'Follies' in his bemittened hand, vowing that THIS is the day....

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504767 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504767 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:25:19 -0800 Comment by Sean Dude!! Way cool that you've discovered snowboarding. It's so much fun, and it puts a whole new spin on the winters here.

Your son is lucky to be growing up here, he'll be a wicked shredder in no time. Just make sure that once he starts to hit the backcountry he's had some avalanche awareness training and that he always wears a beacon.

I was at Crystal yesterday. 14 inches of fresh. It was on!!

]]> Sean http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504804 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c504804 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:30:24 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage My son is a wicked shredder now -- he was boarding down double black diamonds at age seven. He's almost nine now. Does rails, boxes, 180s. He's a maniac.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c505190 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c505190 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:43:25 -0800 Comment by dkstar I envy your son. After 5 years boarding, I just now am getting comfortable on the rails and boxes.

He is one lucky kid to have parents that snowboard with him.

And as a suggestion - try Steven's Pass. They always have nice powder, especially on the backside.

]]> dkstar http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c505989 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c505989 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:40:45 -0800 Comment by SHARON NEADLES 34? Try 44

]]> SHARON NEADLES http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c505991 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c505991 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:45:34 -0800 Comment by Stalker of Celery 44? Try 42.

]]> Stalker of Celery http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c506000 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c506000 Sports Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:59:35 -0800 Comment by Sean DKSTAR is right, the backside of Steven's Pass has the killer powder. It's opening day today for the backside, so it will be epic. Wish I could go.

If you're looking to step it up, you should try heli-boarding. North Cascades Heli-Ski in WA is awesome (http://www.heli-ski.com/), and they may have the best pilot in the business. Points North (http://www.pointsnorthheli.com/) is probably the best operation in Alaska, and they handle all levels of experience, plus you get to hang out with Olympic medalists, pros, and film crews. You'd all have the time of your life.

]]> Sean http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508067 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508067 Sports Wed, 29 Nov 2006 07:22:26 -0800 Comment by brian Ya I snowboard too I am gay and 51 but do not give a damn or make a big deal if there are gay guys or lesbians on the hill. I just go because I like it, just the same as a few other gay friends I have go. Actually we mostly avoid any gay organized ski/snowboarding events. It is just a great equalizer and nice just to hang out with people in general not just seek out or have to have a gay experience while snowboarding. In-fact it is great when I have a day where nothing has anything to do with my sexuality and no one is making about being gay.
Nice picture on the mountain

]]> brian http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508154 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508154 Sports Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:40:51 -0800 Comment by Dyke Skier I've always gotten a good gay vibe at Crystal. My girlfriend and I were dyke skiers on Thanksgiving Day. We decided on Crystal because the thought of saying "no, one bed is fine" to the hotel at Crystal was much less frightening than "no,one bed is fine" to someone in Sultan or Skykomish near Stevens.

]]> Dyke Skier http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508168 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508168 Sports Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:59:45 -0800 Comment by elswinger Dan. At what point does the other father of your son become something more than a boyfriend? Partner seems too stodgy. Your task for 2007 is to come up with a new word for "spouse of the same sex." If you don't Stephen Colbert will.

Have fun at Mt. Baker!

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508678 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508678 Sports Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:04:06 -0800 Comment by skinny I'm assuming that boy is wearing a helmet!! Especially if he's doing tricks.

]]> skinny http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508737 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c508737 Sports Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:43:20 -0800 Comment by Gloria I agree with #24 ... there needs to be a term for that "more-than-boyfriend/girlfriend." I never liked "husband/wife" but I find "partner" too clinical ...

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c511323 http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/11/no_longer_the_only_g#c511323 Sports Thu, 30 Nov 2006 04:54:51 -0800