I guess it depends on how you want to look at life - either as a half-empty glass or half-full...

For the past 11 years, I've been working on Bear websites and one of my jobs has been doing Bear news. I have done my best at mentioning new Bear sites, however it's hard for me not to notice all of the Bear sites that have disappeared over the past decade. With the net, it's impossible to keep track of all the sites that come and go; one day your favourite site is there, the next day it's gone.

But just like extinction; when one site disappears another one takes its place, so with that in mind, I don't think we'll ever be short on Bear sites. However it is kind of sad to see some cool sites just 'go'... without a word nor warning. Most of the time, people who run these sites realize at some point that running a 'good' website is actually a fulltime job, however trying to make a fulltime living from a site - or more precisely - a 'Bear' site - is really tough to almost impossible.

As for myself, I have come to appreciate just how much is involved in running a site. Also, working on a website is like watching the grass grow, especially since you sit in front of your own site all day, plugging away at it, only to see minimal inflection in traffic. And of course, don't expect any love from the other sites because more often than nought these other sites will see you as a competitor if anything.

if you plan on making a Bear site - know that - nobody is going to care about your site more than yourself, and nobody is going to make your shit important aside from yourself. Sure it's great to think that there is a Bear community out there; that there is this entity known as a Bear culture, but don't expect this Bear community to embrace your website simply because you have the word 'Bear' in it. That's not how it works. Trust me, I know.

All this to say - there was a cool Spanish site called BCNBears (articles), a profile site, and one day it was gone. It was quite popular, or I think it was, however its omission from the net has not affected the net. And unfortunately, nobody except the webmaster cares that this site has gone, and I bet you that some guys who run Bear profiles sites are actually happy another Bear site has bitten the bullet (this way lessening the competition). As for myself - I'm still trying to hold onto my initials reasons as to why I started working on Bear sites in the first place: and that was (and is) to try and create that virtual Bear culture - to have Bear sites work together and not against each other, however I'm just an idealist, but fuck anyone who tries to change my ways of thinking.

I've said it before - if you want to create a site - make sure you do it with the full right knowledge that you're on your own, yet always keep your doors open to opportunities and don't burn bridges. Bears - to me - means maturity... mature men, and that's why, 11 years later, I'm still doing what I'm doing, because I like the thought of man as a mature being, and I still hope that us mature men known as Bears will be able to come together, and what better place than the net to come together, right? The net is truly our global village on Mother Earth.

I know that a site like PlanetBears is a small site, and what I do - Bear news - is relatively a small contribution in comparison to the eternal and limitless light that shines throughout this universe - but no matter how small my part is, PlanetBears partakes in this universal light nonetheless, and while you work on your site, keep that same thought... that we're all doing a part to make up the whole.

What better way to advertise your 'thing' than by using a real live person and follow him around for a year, documenting their every move. This is exactly what Groupon did. Groupon is a 'deal a day' web-based business; you get coupons from their site and this coupon might be good for only a certain day. Groupon then ran a video contest and whoever could won this contest would have to live off Groupons for a full year, all the while documenting this person's activities.

Enter Josh Stevens who submitted this video which was enough to convince Groupon to have him Live Off Groupon, which Josh has been doing for over 3 months now. From his site, check out Josh's interview on the Today Show to find out more about what this plight.

Now why did I mention this? The only reason is because I think Josh is kind of cute - and I have no clue of his sexual orientation (nor am I interested), however I think Josh is quite charming. Good luck on the next 9 months.

There is a new site opening up on September 1st. It's called BearCubHouse. From their site: "BearCubHouse is preparing the launch the first all-inclusive Gay Bear social network, that serves as a way to meet and interact with Bears around the world, not just hookup with them. Our goal is to invite all who visit, and encourage growth and brotherhood in the community as a whole".

For now, you can follow their progress from their Facebook page. There is one thing that is a bit 'interesting and that you won't find with any other Bear (or Cub) site': the signup age is 13+. I thought - by rule of thumb - that being a Bear (and/or a Cub) meant being an adult man. BearCubHouse states that "this is a social network site, and not a sex site, and there will be 'adult' features for those who want to find hookups and so forth".

BearCiti has 'temporary' closed their doors, as they posted on their website; that they are on "vacation for a bit while we revamp BearCiti to be bigger and better than ever. Stay up to date with us and get your daily fill by joining The Daily Snack on Facebook".

As someone who runs Bear sites as well, I realize just how rough it is to established oneself on the net, as well as wanting people to come to your site, keeping them there and making them happy (all at the speed of light).

I also know that the internet is simply saturated with profile sites and more and more profile sites are completely free. It's very difficult to run a free site, trust me. Yet with all that being said, it looks like BearCiti is taking a step back to revaluate, reassess and rethink their place on the net, so here's hoping that BearCiti is back up and running real soon because what the world needs now is as many Bear sites as possible.

Do you have a Gravatar?

I am not sure who long this has been around (2007 or so), however Gravatar is your 'Globally Recognized Avatar': "Your Gravatar is an image that follows you from site to site appearing beside your name when you do things like comment or post on a blog. Avatars help identify your posts on blogs and web forums". From what I can see, it's mostly for WordPress sites, however there are plugins that your can add to your own forums and sites.

When I 1st started up PlanetBears, I was reporting about a lot of Bear podcasts, and if only time would permit, I'd write about them all still to this day, but time is a bitch, so for today I'll say - go over and check out the Daddy Bear of podcasts, or better known as - BearPodCast.

Frontman Nard has given us 329 episodes so far - 329 episodes? Holy shit is this a full time job? Nard and his seriously cute partner Ray HouBearDad run a #1 Bear podcast show, with their sole intent...? It's all for the Bears.

And these guys are everywhere. And they interview everyone, like guys who run amazing Bear events to directors like Doug Langway with his recent Bear City the Movie, and Malcolm Ingram and his recent Bear Nation the Movie. Just go to BearPodCast, type in whatever you want in that search and guarantee you'll have fun either listening or watching Nard with his many, many cute Bearish friends.

Usually I find Bearish sites by roaming about the net, clicking links here and there (like everyone else), however when it came to this very hot site - AltantaScott.com - I first came across the extremely cute Daddy Bear Scott's profile, which then brought me to his site, and I'm real glad I followed this link. Scott is one incredibly hot husky man but that's just the beginning; Scott likes to make videos - TONS of them - with Daddies and the 'lil Twinkish brethrens that dig Daddies.

Head on over and check out all of his links. There's a bunch of video previews for you to peruse, and Scott is a man who likes to be connected, so check out all of his social network sites as well (like his XTube profile, etc.).

Ah - hot Daddies doing dirty videos... life is complete.

BearNation.us has teamed up with Roy's Hideaway (in Collins, Georgia) and the talented gang that makes up Bearapalooza as they all plan on going 'live' right on your computer. It's all so simple - just log into Bearnation's livestreaming section on April 17th, get a drink and some food and enjoy what I'm seriously betting is going to be a memorable show.

The last I heard, Bearotic has Gaybies, and they are hoping it will spread. Bearotic has been nominated for Best LGBT Blog in the first annual Gaybies awards which is honoring the best films, books, actors, blogs, film festivals & more for 2009. The winners will be determined by web votes so it's all up to us Bear lovers to make sure Bearotic wins best blog.

Vote here.

Awhile back, I posted an article about a Turkish Bear site entitled İçimdeki Ayı, stating I really wasn't sure on how to pronounce the name of this fine site. Well a year later and my Turkish is still no better, however the fine gents who run İçimdeki Ayı inform me that they have changed the layout to their very cool site. Also, check out another site they are working on - Who is this Bear.

(This is not Bear related) The site is called PleaseRobMe and what this page does is check to see who's Tweeting their whereabouts. Some people tweet their home address, which isn't very smart, while others Tweet that they are away from their home 'I'm at McDonald's', which allows others who are following your Tweet to realize you are not home, making you a target to be burglarized.

From this article: "The developer noted that he does not intend the site to become an aid to burglars. "The website is not a tool for burglary. The point we're getting at is that not long ago it was questionable to share your full name on the internet. We've gone past that point by 1000 miles", he remarked, adding it would be 'very difficult' in practice to commit a burglary solely with the information provided".

It's funny, the last time I posted anything about BTalkWorld (website - articles) was in late September in which I stated I really enjoy the look to their new site. I didn't mention (nor did I know) that the guys who run the BTalkWorld podcast did their last show - #200 - even before they redesigned their site, in August.

There was a time when I was posting a lot of news here on PlanetBears for a bunch of Bear podcasts (articles), however there came a time when there were so many Bear podcasts, it was a real chore just keeping up with them all. I realized I did not have the time to listen to them all as well as post news about them all, so I just stopped. This is why I missed the news that BTalk is no more.

I don't know if BTalkWorld is the 1st Bear podcast, but it was the 1st one I heard of (followed by Nard's BearPodCast) and I'm going to miss their cute voices.

A new photo set from Pantheon Bear: "Sexy Northern California Bear, Chad MacMillan did two hot scenes in our Bear release 'Bear Season'. Before we started shooting, Chad posed for these pics of his hot, beefy body and his big dick. His scene partner, Ben Martin, kept sneaking in to suck Chad's dick, but we'll show you those pics later... Check out Chad in Bear Season, available in their online store". Click here for the photo set.

Every now and then I get photo sets from a variety of Bearish and Daddy websites. The following is from Hot Older Male: "Sexy Daddy Bear Max Ryan got naked for our cameras and showed us how they stroke down in Texas. We loved the show and felt our own dicks swelling as Max brought himself to a hot climax. We're booking a flight to Houston real soon!". Click here to see the photo set.

It's sad that when I finally get around to mentioning Riot Bear's blog, he's gone ahead and closed shop. Riot Bear maintained an excellent blog since 2007, posting about all kinds of stuff and posting a ton of photos of himself in the process.

From RiotBear: "For 2 1/2 years RiotBear was therapy for me. Like I said in the very first post I wanted to shake off any expectations the world and I placed upon myself and my body image. I was thrilled to be free to gain weight and be a Big Fat Bear. Things change. What changed for me was moving Upstate. My new lifestyle caused me to lose 40 lbs in 3 months". 

Now that the holidays are fading memories, the only thing to remind you of the good times is that extra poundage you put on. Well if you have a profile on BeautifulPeople and you decide to show any of that extra weight - forget it because your profile will be deleted. Only the beautiful are allowed to sign up, and other members vote you on or off (from what I understand). Recently they have kicked off 5,000 'chubby' members (CNN video).

The results are in for 'Got Fur?' Best of the Bears 2009 and you can see them all right here. From the site: "First and foremost, I want to thank all of you who took the time to nominate these wonderful bears and came back to vote. Apparently, some of you got a little carried away with the voting. Where we saw obvious voting irregularities - we attempted to correct the tabulation. Was the system perfect? - not even close - but we tried to control it the best we could. Understandably, this left a few of you frustrated. It was never our intent to create DRAMA - and our apologies to any and all who felt slighted. We have a year to figure it out. And for those of you who are still unhappy, I'm sure we'll read about it on Facebook. The spirit of the Best of the Bears has been to celebrate those in the community who go above and beyond. And this year, I am proud to call many of the winners and nominees my friends".

A new set of photos from Pantheon Bear: "Joe Ferrara from San Diego is in a hot scene with a Dallas Cub - Robert Elephante in our next Bear movie - due for release in early 2010. This past summer, Joe was in our studio for a solo shoot, showing us how he likes to stroke that big thick cock of his. Enjoy the pics". Click here to see this set.

Just reminding you all to bookmark Bearotic because it's truly one of the best Bear sites on the internet right now. It's going beyond the blog, almost working on professional news, and when you wrap your mind around that for a second, just realize how tough that must be. Excellent and resourceful - like discovering great artists like Dchooi Doodles (wow, I would have never guessed Santa looking like that!). I am definitely keeping an eye out for Bearotic come 2010.

BearFilms right now has some really great specials going on over at their site. First off - buy one month membership and get one month free. This deal expires on December 31st (just use the coupon code 2009joy while signing up). Secondly, you can pick up their 2010 Calendar for only $4.95, and this deal will expire as well on December 31st. If you need some more convincing, just check the archives here on PlanetBears for photo previews they sent us over time.