Olympic Fever :: Part Trois

How about those Opening Ceremonies?! We were blown away up here and so proud of the amazing job VANOC did. Aside from that one little phallic glitch (Patty said the fourth caldron needed viagra), it was absolutely stunning! My favorite parts included: the whales swimming in the floor, the mountains and the red skiers, the little boy who flew through the prairies, Sarah McLachlan's beautiful song and the special effects, the Anne Murray cameo and--of course--the barefoot dyke who brought down the house: kd lang singing Hallelujah.

In case you missed kd's song, enjoy a very similar rendition below...

Every big country up here has a host "House" for people to visit and for their people to hang out in. We visited the "Swiss House" a couple days ago (they're serving up bratwursts and bier) and on Friday we hung out in the "Pride House," hosted by GayWhistler.com. It was a great space and was very warm and welcoming, a place for the LGBT athletes and visitors to take a load off, have a drink, eat and just chill. The bronze pictured here is called "Slapashotolus," inspired by the famous discus bronze. Classic!

The women's downhill alpine was postponed today. Good news for America's sweetheart Lindsay Vonn, bad news for us--we had tickets. It was rescheduled for Thursday. We also scored women's hockey tickets for Saturday--a playoff game, teams TBD. Very excited for that! Those bitches play just as hard as the dudes! Canada beat Slovakia yesterday 18-0. Ouch.

More soon....

Olympic Fever :: Part Deux

Do You Hear What I Hear?

It's the world coming and turning their eyes to British Columbia. As the snow falls outside our window, the cars are winding up the sea-to-sky highway making their way to Whistler. They're also circling the airport in 747s from all over the world getting ready to land and go through customs before descending upon Vancouver.

If you'd like a sneak peak of the Olympic mayhem, watch the Today Show. They've been here this week covering many different angles and Natalie Morales has been live from outside the Longhorn (our favorite place for apres ski in Whistler).

We went up on the mountain earlier this week to ski and it was a eerie ghost town. Even though nearly 80% of the mountain is still open, people would rather be sipping toddies in the village than treading the slopes. Not us. We enjoyed a wonderfully sunny day in heaven.

Last night we hit the village again to ride the Olympic wave some more and it was really exciting. We snapped some photos with the Olympic rings and then hit the Bearfoot Bistro to experience the Belvedere Ice Room, where we sampled vodkas from all over the world. Brrrr. It was 30 degrees below zero (C) and I was in a skirt!

More to come soon...

Here Come the Olympics!

After making its was across Canada toward Vancouver, the Olympic torch arrived in Whistler on Friday to much fanfare. While they didn't ask Patty or I to be a part of the Olympic relay (do they know who we are?!), the flames arrival is still buzzing through the Village. The photo included here is of Shania Twain, who lit the flame in her hometown (Timmins, Ontario) a month ago.

While gallivanting around Whistler Village yesterday, we ran into one of the people who was lucky enough to be part of the relay. She posed for a photo with us and said they get to run 300 meters with the flame before handing it off to the next relay member (and she got to keep the torch!).

Beyond the flame (it was lit in ancient Olympia, Greece in October), which is the biggest Olympic symbol--second only to the colorful rings--Whistler and Vancouver are all ready to host the big party next week. When we left Vancouver, nearly every single parking meter had been bagged, Olympic traffic lanes had been added and everyone was a little on-edge waiting to see if anyone's going to show up. Surprisingly, the streets were eerily quiet (because there is nowhere to park), everyone is taking public transit. It's like the perfect Utopian society without cars on the road or smog.

We are headed out today to wait in line to hopefully score some tickets, so keep your fingers crossed. More soon...

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Is all of North America in a deep freeze right now or what?

It's colder than a witch's tit up here in Vancouver, BC and I hear it's equally as chilly down in Portland, where the Dipster is. The news is also littered with stories of woe about the deep freeze that's happend across America.

Nothing, however, compares the cold that is found "whistling" at the top of Whistler Mountain. (Side note: Whistler is named after the hoary marmot, which whistles.)

I braved the slopes on Sunday with two good friends, Jill and Jess, and we had to stop after two runs to thaw in the powder house.

On the mountain, there were ominous signs warning of cold effects and frost bite (that can happen when you simply take your glove off to check your blackberry on the ski lift). I had every inch of skin covered and a subzero ski jacket and ski pants (that's me in the red coat), but it wasn't enough. Next time, instead of being a shredder, I may just hang at the cabin with Patty (the smart one), who stayed behind with Jill + Jess' adorable baby girl, Harper.


Stay warm~

Lip

Whistler Wishes for Meredith

Greetings from sunny Whistler! Dip's right. I had intended to write about Meredith Baxter to give her a holler and a "woot woo!" for coming out before I left town, but ran out of time.

By now, it's quite old news, but it was funny how we learned Meredith was on the boat. We were sitting at the pool when I first heard rumblings about her. Laying on my back reading a novel, I heard a dyke a few chairs down say "MB alert" to her friends. In gay unison, they all sat up, pulled down their sunglasses and looked in one direction. Curious, I, too, followed their gaze, assuming that they were alerting about some ex-girlfriend who'd been stalking one of them or about a hot woman they'd all had their eye on and intended to encircle on the dance floor that night. Nothing stood out, so I pried: "What does MB alert mean?"

"Meredith Baxter is coming our way."

"Who?" I asked, looking toward the woman. Super surprised, I saw the mom from Family Ties headed in our direction. (Of course, I thought she was still Meredith Baxter Birney.)

"Huh," I said to my girlfriend, "I didn't know Alex Keaton's mom was a lesbian."

And then the firestorm of media attention after we got home and her big proclamation on the Today Show, which was extremely brave. It's hard enough to come out on your living room couch, let alone on national morning TV.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Curve Magazine's Heather Robinson did a great job covering the story, so if you want to read more, check it out online. Congrats Meredith!

All that Hollywood stuff aside, we're here in Whistler celebrating my birthday this weekend. We've been having such a nice time and it's simply amazing how "Olympic-ized" Whistler (and Vancouver for that matter) are becoming. To illustrate my point, I've included the photo below of Patty and I having a sample of the "Triple Lutz," a martini shooter saluting the famous figure skating jump yesterday at the Mallard Lounge (our favorite place to warm the tootsies apres ski and start an evening off right). Thanks to bartender Lisa Marie!

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has a whole list of special drinks for Olympic enthusiasts and athletes, who dare throw a few back while in Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics (which is February12-28, 2010).

Alcohol aside, so many other things are changing around here. The roads are wider, the traffic patterns have changed, some of the golf links are being turned into parking lots, huge nordic centers and bobsled tracks have been erected, buildings are popping up, new restaurants are putting up signs, and parking lots are filling with trailers for temporary housing. It will be pretty amazing to be up here for the Olympics, but I think we will all be happy when the torch is passed to the next city.

I'll try and take some more shots this weekend of things in Whistler Village that drive home my point.

Snow Makes Me Wet

It was another beautiful day in Whistler yesterday. The sun was hot and the snow was dripping--no pouring--from rooftops. Spring is definitely in the air up here in the Canadian Cascades. Soon enough, people will be heading down the mountain on bikes instead of skis.

Patty and I took it easy yesterday, and decided to spend the afternoon strolling through the Village taking in some sun. We snapped this picture at Fitzsimmon Creek, which runs between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb.

In a month or so, it will really be raging once the mountain starts melting.

Spring Skiing at Its Finest

We're up here in Whistler for a long weekend of spring skiing and what a day it was yesterday. This photo looks a little hazy, but it was sunny and warm--so sunny the Village was nearly sold out of sun screen.

This photo was taken from the top of Blackcomb Mountain, right before our final run.

The little phallic thing far in the distance is Black Tusk, which is rare to see. The clouds usually keep it well insulated.

More to come from the slopes...

Webisode :: Messy in the Mountains

The next installment of our webisode is going live in Curve's website today--www.curvemag.com.
Be sure to check it out on their site and make a comment about how you like it.

If you saw the first couple webisodes, you'll notice that this one is quite an improvement. We're learning as we go along.

Enjoy!

Final WinterPRIDE Recap!

What a week we had up in Whistler! Saturday night proved to be the highlight for Lipstick (probably because I just got to play and didn't have to work!). We had a fabulous friend in town--Jenny (pictured to the right; she's beautiful, fabulous and SINGLE, believe it or not!)--and hit the champagne bar at the Bearfoot Bistro for bubbles and oysters before the girl party. Of course the renowned restaurant was packed with gay men, sitting in huge parties all over the room.

Our intimate pre-party was the perfect kickoff. After a medley of oysters, paired with a delicious bottle of Charles Heidsieck--and a tremendous amount of laughter--we headed into the village in search of the lezzies. We found the Shred Betty Bash right on the edge of the mountain, literally in the building where the gondolas are housed. The girls who put on the Pampered Pussy Party (Mandy and Leigh of Flygirls) threw this party, too, and did a great job with the venue. Beyond the sea of women gyrating on the dance floor, there were wild, Yeti-looking (albeit hot Yetis) women dancing with colorful hoolahoops on platforms (see video).

We saw a lot of familiar faces at the party and it was a really good time. We danced the night away and, again, had way too many laughs. Lesbians are such a funny bunch to watch and mingle with--never a lack of fodder for a hungry advice columnist/fiction writer.

Thanks WinterPRIDE for having us back! Be sure to look for our WinterPRIDE vlog (posted on Curve.com in March) recapping our whole week in video. There will also be a new webisode posted on Curve.com of Lipstick & Dipstick helping a couple who needed some advice in Whistler ext week, too, so stay tuned in!

Women's World Cup Bobsled

One day of skiing was enough for me in Whistler. But as you probably know, Vancouver and Whistler are going to be the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. If you know anything about Dipstick by now, you know she's a sucker for women athletes. I couldn't wait to head over and watch the best bobsleigh athletes in the world zip down the icy shute. Especially after meeting this cute Switzerland bobby.




The sleds go really fast: 140 km per hour. So it was a miracle that I snapped this photo of a sled as it reached the final curve before the finish line. 

Watching at the bottom was fun, but the real exciting part was when I made the long hike up to the top of the bobsled course, where the athletes were preparing to start their races.

There's just something about a female athlete, in tip-top shape, completely in her element, so fully in her body, confident and in the moment that totally turns me on. And even more so when it involves teamwork. 

It's all about power and concentration and skill and just being so completely engrossed in that moment. Watch these Canadian athletes start their race and see if you can relate.  

I 
I doubt I'll make it to the Winter Olympics, but seeing these races was the next best thing. The best $5 I ever spent.

Whistler Saturday Recap

Dipstick pushed off this morning for home and I'm still up here in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Today, I finally hit the slopes. It was a bit of a scene getting up this morning after the Pampered Pussy party last night. The sexy party went into the wee hours (you'll have to wait for more about that on our vlog on Curve's website).

Tonight is the big girl party--Shred Betty Bash. Surely there will be some great pics from our night of debauchery. Stay tuned....

Dipstick Hits the Slopes

Yesterday I went skiing for the first time since high school. Lipstick quipped yesterday about me being in urgent care and I have to admit, the thought did cross my mind a few times, especially walking around Whistler Village and seeing people hobbling along on crutches or with their arms in slings. It HAD been a long time since I strapped on skis.

But with only a tiny bit of trepidation, I met up with Ken, my ski instructor for the day. He came highly recommended, and so I knew I was in good hands. After a quick review of the snow plow and a few turning tips on turning, we were off! I was amazed at how quickly it all came back to me. And at how much fun it was. To be out on the mountain, on a beautiful day, zipping down the slopes. Okay, maybe zipping is a bit of an exaggeration, but I was pretty pleased that I didn't fall once.

That is until the end of the day, on my last run, where I fell twice. Either I got too cocky, or I was just tired. Either way, I didn't end up in urgent care and the whole day was a blast. Especially riding up to the top of the mountain and seeing where the Olympic runs will happen in 2010.

Today Lipstick and I are going to cram into the new Peak to Peak gondola with a bunch of drag queens and Mr. Gay World contestants. That should be a lot of fun! And later, I understand there's a lesbian couple who needs some relationship advice from Lipstick & Dipstick. Stay tuned....

Whistler Fun I

Dip and I have been whooping it up in Whistler this week and having a fabulous time at WinterPRIDE. Last night, we hosted Gay Retro Bingo + Games night. About 100 people cameo out for the event and we had a blast! As promised, I wore an afro and rollerskates. Dip was a butch version of Harvey Milk meets David Cassidy.

Today, Dipstick is hitting the slopes on her first ski lesson. God help her. It's a gorgeous day here in Whistler and there is still time to hop in your car or book a flight to get here for this weekend, when we'll take it up a notch higher at the Pampered Pussy party.

I shot a little video of Dipstick yesterday playing in a huge pile of snow at the center of the Village. She will embed it here (if she's not at the Urgent Care center) after her day on the slopes.




Cah!

See You in the Snow!

Dipstick and I are headed to Whistler today for another year of fun at WinterPRIDE. If you'd like to join us (you'll miss out if not), come on up the mountain! The details of our events are below. We hope to see you on the slopes, too. Dipstick will be taking her very first ski lesson and I hope to be nearby with a camera.

WinterPRIDE

Retro Queer Bingo + Games Party

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

8pm -10pm

Telus Conference Center

(Rumor has it Dipstick will be posing at Harvey Milk and Lip will have an afro and be on rollerskates)

Pampered Pussy Party

Friday, February 6, 2009
9pm -2am

Telus Conference Center

(Rumor has it there may be dirty games and a vibrating saddle)

For more: http://www.gaywhistler.com/

Vail Lift Accident

In honor of the upcoming WinterPRIDE Dipstick and I are a part of next month, I thought I'd share this story with you, as it also gives a whole new meaning to "free balling." This happened in Vail, CO when a man, who was just trying to get on a lift to go skiing, somehow fell through the seat (rumor has it it wasn't working properly--duh) and it pulled his clothes off as he slid through, only to be caught by his ski boot. Rumor also has it there was a lawsuit filed (double duh).

When I first saw this (thanks for sending Dad!), I didn't want Dipstick to see it, as I knew this would be the lynch pin--coupled with the fact one of Whistler's gondola's recently collapsed and people were injured--for Dipstick backing out of her proclamation that she's going to take a skiing lesson while we're there. A day after Dad sent this to me, however, I decided it was too good not to share.

My first thought was how cold and humiliated the guy must have been. My brother, who is a male version of Lipstick, had a different immediate concern: "The horror for that poor little girl to have to sit there while this guy's junk was dangling in the wind!" Well said, brothah.

Happy Friday!

Slip Sliding Away in Whistler

In honor of New Years Eve, Patty and I went innertubing yesterday on Whistler mountain. It was a beautiful afternoon and we decided it was time to hit the slopes, kid-style. Patty shot this little video as we were sliding down the hill. Very good times. It's so much fun to be a kid again!

In lazy North American-style, you don't even have to "earn" the joy ride. They have a conveyor belt that totes you to the top. See pic of Patty hitching a ride below...

Join Us in Whistler for WinterPRIDE 2009

Come one, come all! This year at Whistler's WinterPRIDE, Lipstick & Dipstick will be hosting a crazy retro gay Bingo + Games night. The annual week-long celebration will be held the first week of February and our game night is sure to be one crazy time! And that's not all of it; we'll also be hosting the Pampered Pussy Party on Friday night, an evening of sexiness and dancing. If you live in the Pacific Northwest and have a passport, all you have to do is hop in your car and head to the border. If you live far away, book a flight now!

This is Lipstick & Dipstick's second year at Whistler's WinterPRIDE and let me tell you, we had a BLAST last year!

Details
February 1 - 8, 2009
Whistler, BC
www.gaywhistler.com

Follow this link for more info about the women's events this year at Whistler's WinterPRIDE.

See you in the snow!

Falling For Whistler

It's been snowing like crazy up here in Canada, too, and I'll be sure to get some video later today as the sun is shining bright. Much more snow is expected tomorrow and into Christmas.

After Boxing Day, Patty and I will be heading up the mountain into even more snow--Whistler! We'll spend New Years Eve amidst the other revelers in the Village and I'm super excited to get some runs in. In honor of where we're headed, I thought I'd post this article I wrote, published in Passport Magazine this month.

Oceans + Bubbles

Have you ever seen someone saber off a champagne cork? Me neither -- until last night. See the video below to watch this man (who was half in the bag, BTW) saber off the top of a Pommery bottle. It was amazing and -- in hindsight -- so totally dangerous. The sliced top of the bottle actually landed on Patty's chair. See for yourself as the crazy pony explains what happened...

Anyhoo, we had FUN last night at Araxi's Oceans + Bubbles party. On our way to the party in the cab, Patty and I joked that we hadn't left the house to go out at 10:00pm for ages. The party, which started at 10:30pm and went until sunrise (no doubt), was held at a wonderful restaurant known for its seafood and raw bar called Araxi. It's a sexy little spot we've eaten at before, but the Cornucopia Festival transformed it from intimate dinner spot to lavishly sexy champagne lounge with endless waiters serving spoonfuls of seared ahi and asparagus, skewered braised short ribs and an all-you-can-eat sushi bar where signature rolls kept on coming in mass quantity until you, too, turned into a little roll yourself. Wake up, little sushi, wake up.

It was delicious and superfun and we met lots of hipsters from all over. We'll be back for more Cornholing next year!