A couple of years back, I was doing a lot of running around with Eric (galleries - profile), and whenever his buddy David (galleries - profile) from the States would cross the border, then the 3 of us would get together and take a lot of photos. Those days seem kinda long gone. Since then, I have sold my house and met the Bear of my dreams (that's right... Roger - galleries - profile). As for Eric, he too sold his house, he moved around a bit from place to place until he finally settled into a condo in Ottawa. As for David, he tried to get a Canadian citizenship awhile back and I think it's still in process, but for now he works at a Big & Tall store in Albany, NY.

Anyhow, they sent me some recent photos and I thought I would share them with you - check them out here. They are still a cute couple. As an aside, I do see Eric from time to time altho we haven't worked on anything in awhile. Here's hoping that we'll come up with some new material in the new year.

After hearing how same-sex marriages are no longer permitted in California due to 'Proposition 8' (article), there's news from the other coast that Connecticut is now recognizing and permitting gay marriages. From this CNN article: "The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on October 10th that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples". Will the east-coast Mormons come out and formulate their own Prop 8...? If so, there's always Vermont... or Canada...

I usually skip over 'gay' news and leave it to the bigwigs like Gay.com and PlanetOut, however the recent news about Prop 8 in California has caught my attention. I first sent out a RIM to my buddy list about it, asking if people knew about it. I got a few people saying they either don't follow gay news either or they don't live in the States. I myself live in Canada and same-sex marriage is legally binding from coast to coast (thanks CBELA).

About this Prop 8... in California, back in May '08, they became the 2nd state to recognize same-sex marriages. I remember the hoopla it caused and saw the stream of photos that poured thru as gays and lesbians took pics of their newly bound matrimony. Well just very recently, Proposition 8 surfaced... it's a ballot and the title of this ballot wants to 'Eliminate (the) Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry'. From Wiki (article): "Proposition 8 is a California State ballot proposition that would amend the state Constitution, to limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman".

From what I understand, not all the ballots have been counted for yet, however if it's reversed - meaning if it goes thru and same-sex marriages are no permitted in California... what happens to all those who did get marry? There's lawsuits right now involving those who did get married and those who planned on getting married.

2ndly - what interested me about this case - is that the church has gotten involved. 8 such religious groups have supported this ballot (the Mormons being the best known) and have poured a ton of money into it.

So... from what I understand... it's still up in the air. Here's a few videos I found in relation to this. This one a little cartoon which explains this Prop 8 (it's more for Prop 8 than against)... and here's one showing people protesting (chanting 'separate church and state' and 'shame on you').

Anyhow, as I mentioned, I sent out a RIM (Recorded Instant Message) to my buddies on TubeBear and I got quite a few responses back. Here's a fine response from DJ Reed (profile - what a fantastic beard he's got going there). DJ is one of the coordinators for Maximus - a group that organizes quarterly socials for butchy men who enjoy a good smoke:

His name is Damian Abraham but he's also known as Father Damian as well as Pink Eyes. He's the lead singer for the hardcore punk band 'Fucked Up' (blog) that are from Toronto, Canada. He's straight and married however that doesn't stop me from looking as this guy just loves to show all that he's got when doing a show.

During a regular concert, Abraham will be covered in blood, spit, beer as well as other unsightly object. He just lets it all loose on stage. It's just great to see a Bearish guy just lose control every once in awhile. Here are a few photos of him (pic #1 - pic #2 - pic #3 - pic #4), and to see a few videos of him in concert, check out this one (you can barely hear him but he does drop his drawers), this one and this one. There's others, just look for 'Fucked Up'. And from what I have gathered, they have 2 albums out: 'Hidden World' which came out in '06 and 'The Chemistry of Common Life' which they just released in October '08.

[Members ~ click here and here] Jacques aka PandaMontreal has been kind enough to share with a bunch of pics that were never posted here on PlanetBears. He sent in so many that I'm going to divide these updates, this being the 1st one (click here to see all of his photo sets in the PlanetBears' Galleries section - click here to see his TubeBear profile).

In this update, there's 2 sets. The 1st set Jacques calls it his 'Black & White' set; pics of him on a black chair in a white setting. At the end, I added some photos from his 'Dreamland' series; photos of him in bed surrounded by his collection of teddybears.

In the 2nd set, you get to marvel at the magical work of GianOrso (gallery - profile). the Italian GianOrso is truly a master photographer, and in my opinion he has taken some of the best photos ever of Bearish men found anywhere in this universe. Well GianOrso came to visit Canada a few years back and Jacques was fortunate enough to have a photo session with him. As a bonus, there's a bunch of 'behind the scenes' photos in which you get to see GianOrso photographing Panda.

In the next update, which will be in a couple of days, we will be posting Jacques' 'Sex-capade' set - a hot little jerk-off solo session. 

The BEARmuda is a rendezvous for Bears in the city of Quebec. BEARmuda is coinciding with Gay Pride as well as Quebec's 400th anniversary, so there will be all kinds of great things to check out. This will be taking place from August 29th thru the 31st. They plan on brunches, dinners, open-air spectacles, happy hours, as well as participating in all the other activities which will be going on in irresistible Quebec. For more info, contact the BEARmuda gang.

Here in Canada, we're just starting our summer season while on the side of the world, in Australia, they are now enjoying their winter ~ altho I doubt their winter is anything like ours in Canada. But just why am I talking about the seasons...? Simply because I found some pics of Sylvain, aka TeddyBear (Gallery) from February '06, pics I never got around to adding (because they are a little boring, to be honest) and altho it's warm and sunny and muggy here, I decided to add them today.

You can see these pics here. It's just pics of TeddyBear walking around a small town that's built on a frozen lake, a city for fisherman. Some of the huts are pretty 'out there'.

Every time I go thru my older files and folders, I seem to unearth some photos that I seem to have forgotten existed. I then question whether I should re-post them, since part of me says that I should move ahead and there's no need to post older photos... while the other half of me said that these pics are surely going to be of an interest to someone, and it's always fun to reminisce a little... anyhow... as you can I decided to add them.

They are from an event I attended called Bear Fest '00 which took place in Washington DC, an event held by the Highwaymen TNT. Actually, a TV show called 'Dot Comedy' from Britain had contacted me, liked my site I was working on at the time (BearPress.com) and they wanted to feature me. I met up with their cameraman, had a great weekend, and then was expecting to see myself on British TV. Well seems the cameraman was a newbie and we didn't follow the script so they didn't use any of footage. Oh well, they at least paid for my weekend so it wasn't a complete loss.

Looking back at these pics, I realize just how often I do not go to events. This was the only Bear event I've ever been to in the States, and that was 8 years ago. My only true excuses are - I'm in Canada, I'm not rich and I have 2 very large Shepherds I have to take care of. I always want to go, especially since I'm always writing about Bear events... I still want to go, and I'm not dead yet.

Click here to check out the photos.

There is a new bar opening up this weekend in Montreal (Quebec, Canada). It's called Woof Bistro and the doors are opening on Friday, June 20th at 5PM. As they state on their site, it's "Happy Hour for all the Bears and friends". At 10PM the DJ will be showing up. On Sunday there is comedy night.

More from their site: "The Bistro is open daily from 8AM until 7:30PM. Whether it's to check out the daily news in our papers, surf the net on our free Wi-Fi Internet access, take advantage of our video poker machines or simply to relax in front of our wide screen TV you will find something for all tastes.

From 7:30PM to 3AM the activities at our lounge/bar will entertain you with our festive atmosphere. We welcome all Bears, MuscleBears, Cubs, Furry Men, Jeans, Leather, Uniforms, Masculine Men, Lumberjacks or anyone who can appreciate them. Ambient musical atmosphere nightly with a special DJ invited on Saturdays and during special events. Whether you're relaxing at our bar, during a special evening with friends or dancing up a storm on our dance floor, you will find many activities to make your visit to Woof an enjoyable experience".

Click here for the directions.

It's the dead of winter here in Canada, there's literally 5 feet of snow outside my window and all I think about all day is some hot Australian beach with even hotter looking Bearish men wearing really tight Spank swimsuits... this is true, there's not one word of a lie that I've written.

If you dig Bears in snug fitting swimwear, then head on over to JOHNcc's website (TubeBear profile) where he and his partner Peter make some of the finest swimsuits in the universe. They now offer them in white. You need to go to the Shop section to see all the hot colours they offer, and to see some examples of some Bears wearing their Spanks, click here.

As an aside, my partner Roger has a pair and he wears them every time we go off to the gym for our swim. I really need to get a photo shoot of Roger in (and out) of his Spanks (Roger's gallery ~ TubeBear profile). However you can see Roger with his Spanks (either at Youtube here or from our newsletter here) from one of the little trailers for our upcoming show. I also need to accredit JOHNcc and Peter for having his trunks show up in the preview like that.

The following is from the Hairrison Street Fair Newsletter:

"DJ Martin Petersen (aka FunkyBear - from the Eagle in Seattle - website) returns for an encore performance at Bear Trap, the smash hit party of WinterPride and Gay Ski Week in Whistler BC Canada. The line was down the street and the scene inside was hot, sweaty and jumpin'.  The Maxx Fish Nightclub features a renovated interior and new state-of-the-art sound and light system and a new pub food menu for late nite munchies. Plus we're staying open late for an exclusive after-hours party, but you have to be inside no later than 1:45am".

Bears... in the Alps...! Yes, this sounds like a ton of fun. Bearline Tours is organizing Bears in the Alps from March 5th from the 15th.

The following info is from their site: "Bearline Tours is happy to welcome our Gay and Lesbian friends and family from the US and Canada to join us for some great fun in the sun and snow in our home country of Switzerland, our neighbours Austria and Germany - and don't forget Liechtenstein! Our home base in the Alps brings you all the fun and charm of old world Europe with the hottest night spots and great shopping. I will show you where to get cheese right from the farm, not to mention chocolate - after all, we are home to Nestlé and Lindt.

With 'Bears in the Alps' - here is a chance to meet up with your Bear brothers where that fur can be put to good use! Bears in the Alps is held in Arosa, home to the annual gay ski week and especially set up for all the mischief a Bear can find. Hot men in the winter, skiing, snowboarding and lots of after ski activities will keep you busy. Our local bear community host will ensure that you are treated right!".

News Release: "The Ottawa Knights and the Boston Bears are hosting their first time winter event ~ WinterLewd from Friday, February 8th thru the 10th. We hope to make it an annual February event in our Nation's Capital, Ottawa, Ontario during Winterlude. Events are still being worked out. Here is the unofficial list of events planned: Meat & Greet Play Party - Skate on the canal and enjoy a hot bowl of chili or just chill out baby - Ottawa Knight's Bar Night - Brunch.

Billeting is available on a first come first serve basis. To date we have 12 beds available. More may open in the coming weeks. If you cannot be billeted, there are many local hotels and gay B&B's at your disposal. For more information, email Murray. Let's make winter more fun for all so cum out and play on the longest skating rink in North America! Winterlude official site is here.

This fun-filled event runs the first three weekends of February 2008 - but this year it will be even more special as Winterlude celebrates its 30th anniversary and the Ottawa Knights present it's take on Winterlude, presenting 'WinterLewd 2008'!".

Call to Artists: "The Fur Real Collective, a newly formed Bear Art Collective based in Toronto (Canada), is proud to present Fur Real: Bears Without Boundaries.

We are inviting artists who are Bears or who identify as Bears to participate in a new art show to be launched in Toronto at the beginning of June. We are interested in work that explores themes relevant to the Bear community and identity such as sex and erotica, fraternity and brotherhood and solidarity, beauty and masculinity and fun.

'Fur Real: Bears Without Boundaries' hopes to attract submissions reflecting a diversity of media such as painting and drawing, digital art, film and photography, performance art, etc. We invite interested artists to email us a jpg sample of their current work and/or a brief written statement about their work with photos attached. Do not send original work as submissions will not be returned!

Size and quantity of work by artists selected to participate to be determined. All work must be submitted by March 31st. Only those artists who are selected to participate will be contacted by email on April 14th. Gallery location, and date of opening to be determined. In addition, a $50 administrative fee will be charged to all artists who are chosen to participate in the show.

For more information please contact Mark Ciale, artistic director and curator. He can be reached by email or through his MySpace page".

The following is from Jacques, aka PandaMontreal (homepage - PlanetBears gallery - TubeBear profile): "We have a new home for the UpBear Brunch in Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Hotel des Gouverneurs is 5 star restaurant and they agreed to give us a special of $19.95 instead of their regular $21.95 so we will be going there for a while We have our next brunch on January 27th.

Also, we are planning a 'Sugar Shack' outing for Sunday, March 30th which will be the 5th Anniversary of UpBear Brunch.  More details to follow".

If you would like to have your event posted here in the PlanetBears and TubeBear news, then simply email us or use the contact form and we will add it here.

What is up with the husky and extremely cute Canadian stand-up comic Richard Ryder (website - Myspace page - YouTube page - TubeBear profile)...? After his exposure on Last Comic Standing, he won a contest at a classic rock station Q107 as 'Funniest Person with a Day Job' and as one of the prizes he received a spot in the legendary Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. While in NYC, he worked at another few clubs like Stand Up New York and HA! Richard was also invited to be a part of Accent On Toronto, an annual comedy showcase put on by CBC Radio. He was asked to perform at his 1st Bear run in Buffalo with the Buffalo Bears. He stated that 'it was a lot of fun and they completely wore me out'.

This year, he plans to audition for Last Comic Standing again and he will be at the Michigan Gay & Lesbian Comedy Festival on March 8th.

Keep an eye out for more details and updates on his site - he also plans on giving a page a new look for 2008. As he states - he's a 'Stand-up Comedian... Supermodel... Bear'.

The Ottawa Bears are having their Mr. Ottawa Bear contest on January 19th at Swizzle Bar & Grill in Canada's capital city of Ottawa, Ontario. This year the Montreal band Bear Crusader will be providing the entertainment. A couple of the Bear Crusader band members consist of Steve (website - TubeBear profile) and Sylvain (TubeBear profile). As well, there will be Bear go-go dancers.

A very happy birthday is going out to GianOrso (website - TubeBear profile), the very well known Italian photographer who has taken some of the most beautiful pics of some of the most handsome Bearish men on this planet.

Now a good friend of his, Jacques, aka PandaMontreal (website - TubeBear profile - gallery) is very 'up' on anniversaries. For Jacques, birthdays are very important, so much so that he wrote a little ode to GianOrso for his birthday. Click here to read what Jacques wrote to GianOrso while checking out some shots of this equally handsome photographer (the pics of GianOrso were taken by Lupercus). Hugz and happy bday, Gianni.

In life, we only need a few things really... food, sleep, shelter, sex... and comedy... and Richard Ryder provides 2 of those necessities by being a very sexy comedian who just happens to be a husky handsome guy that has a great smile to boot (you'd think I'm trying to hit him up for a date writing all that about him).

First off, check out his website - richardryder.ca - and you'll find out a whole bunch more about this Bearish comic, see some pics, some videos and his upcoming scheduled acts. Then head on over to his MySpace page to see some more pics and to learn more about this cute guy (who's 6'4'' I just had to in there randomly - very hot) and then make sure to check out his YouTube profile to see a few more videos. This man will definitely bring a smile to your face even if your feeling lower than low.

A bit about Richard, from his site: "Fast thinking and quick witted, Richard Ryder takes the stage with a refreshing energy and 'no holds barred' attitude that audiences welcome again and again. And why shouldn't they? Richard's ease and ability to include the audience in his act makes every show uniquely hilarious. No topic is too taboo for this Toronto native whose comedy is fresh, fast, funny and a constant source of embarrassment to his family... which is exactly how it should be".