WINTERLICIOUS :: Head for the hills! Yup, that was our mantra as we got ready to head up to Whistler for WinterPRIDE 2012. As some (most) of you sat down for the marathon that was the Super Bowl – or, maybe more accurately, the Halftime show that was Madonna - my wife Laurie and I were aboard a Greyhound bus headed north.

We’ve been to Whistler many times and to WinterPRIDE once for just a couple of days, but this year we’re here from start to finish, diving into all that this alpine celebration of queerdom had to offer.

This is the 20^th anniversary of Gay and Lesbian Ski Week at Whistler and the itinerary is jam-packed with guided ski and snowboard treks, dog sled runs, snowmobile tours, après ski, wine tasting, themed parties; more fun than you can shake a ski pole at.

On top of the queer world at WinterPRIDE / Image courtesy Jennifer Breakspear

SPIRITUALITY :: It’s not that I don’t believe in ghosts and angels and aliens, I just happen to have a little cynic sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear, “Ya right, that’s bullshit.”

But that doesn’t stop me from trying new things and experiencing the unexplainable.  Case in point, my good friend D is very spiritual and believes we all have guardian angels looking after us.  One day we were talking ghosts, and I was doing my usual, “Sure D, whatever… hocus, pocus!”  When suddenly I remembered something that happened to me as a kid.  Lying there, in bed, fully awake, I saw an apparition enter the room and walk directly towards me.  I wasn’t scared and I couldn’t look away.  Then, just as suddenly, it was gone.  When I described that experience to D, she said, “You still don’t believe.”  “Nope.” I said, having fun at her expense.

But like I said, I’m not one to turn down an experience, so when the opportunity for my husband Shaun and I to each have individual angel readings by Adam Busch came up, I took it.

Shaun has had readings before. I didn’t know what to expect so I went in first with a clear mind and no judgements.

When I entered the room, the smell of incense filled my nose.  There was a table set up with crystals, decks of cards and three peacock feathers. Adam explained to me that the feathers were his but as he prepped for my reading he sensed they ‘wanted to be there’ for mine and Shaun’s readings.  I told him that was very appropriate since Shaun has a thing for peacocks, and we lovingly call each other ‘Bird’.

Okay, one point for the Angels.

RELATED READING :: Psychic Miki answers your burning questions.

Then we sat down and got right to it.  I chose a deck of cards and we started talking.  My angels appeared to Adam, two ladies with distinct personalities.  Those personalities jived perfectly with the core of my being right away.  Bear in mind, I didn’t know Adam from… well, Adam.

Two points for the Angels.

Then it was my turn to ask any questions.  I thought hard, and came up with one I knew Adam couldn’t know anything about (okay, I was testing him a bit).  He started asking me who this person was and who that person was, as if he had some inside knowledge about what I had asked him.

Angels three, Eddie zero.

Finally, Adam came out with something very personal.  I was speechless.  I started tearing up.  He asked me, “Are you okay?”

“Ya, I’m fine, but you’re right.  You’re right on.”

Angels shoot, and angels score.  I couldn’t deny it any more.  I gave right in at that point.

I left feeling clear minded, focused and surrounded by love.  The cynic was quiet.  He had nothing to say.

RELATED READING :: The Rock Store

RELATED READING :: Psychic Miki answers your burning questions.

For more information about angel readings, Adam Busch can be reached at [email protected]

More Eddie Stone here.

SOCIAL MEDIA :: It’s safe to say our evolution has not yet caught up with the emotional implications associated with social media. The psychological phenomenon of tools like Twitter and Facebook are forcing us to consider the power they have over us, and reconcile with the emotionally high-impact territory we now find ourselves in (like getting along famously with someone online while having little in common with them in reality.) But the question remains:

Follow and Like us! (Sometimes however, we do indulge in a bit of housekeeping.)

FB – GayGuideToronto.com
FB – ShaunProulxMedia
Twitter – GayGuideToronto.com 

Take more polls.

Manuela Stefan is a professional photographer from Romania who refuses to tell us what kind of panties she wears, which leads us to believe: commando. She also thinks George Clooney has a twin, and we don’t have the heart to tell her otherwise. As her first fine art show approaches – starring white horses from the South of France she laid down in front of as they raced towards her – we dusted her off and made her take our TMI Questionnaire:

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a: Taurus.
I’m: Forever young.
I was born: Bucharest, Romania.
I am a: Photographic artist.
My fave colour: Red.
Passions: Travel, fine art, films, books.
Inspiration: All things beautiful, people and places.
My Canadian icon is: Frank Gehry.
Fantasy entourage: George Clooney and his twin brother.
Fictional best friend: My own white horse, named Pure.
Turn-ons: Stimulating conversations.
Irresistible in a mate: Great sense of humour.
I’m currently crushing on: Ryan Gosling.
Phrase I most overuse: Can’t quite tell.
Most people would be surprised to know I: survive on little sleep.
Talent I wish I had:
 Flamenco Dancing.
The celebrity I most closely resemble is:
 Debra Messing (and I wish I had her money and fame too!).
The one word my best friend would use to describe me is:
 Spiritual.
My parents wanted me to be this when I grew up:
 An engineer.
When I order a cocktail I ask for: A mojito, por favor!

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: Dexter.
Song: “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses.”
Greatest extravagance:
 Jewelry purchased in Greece.
Candy:
 Liquor-filled dark chocolates.
Last impulse-purchase: 
iPhone 4S to replace the iPhone4 I left in a rental car.
Last regretted purchase:
 
Je ne regrette rien.

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: Whatever fits.
Footwear:
 Simply Comfy.
Underwear:  Nevermind.
Watch: Analog.
Eyewear: Marc Jacobs.
Casual: Almost everything in my closet.
Formal: An inspired gown by Lucian Matis.
Perfume: 
Crystal Noir by Versace.

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: Aveda.
Face wash: Neutrogena.
Moisturizer: Oil of Olay.
Body Lotion:
 Jergens.
Make-Up Line: MAC.
Indulgence: A spa day.

GOTTA-GET GADGET

Gadgets: Red convertible Mustang.
On my music player now: Hopes and Fears by Keane.
I always PVR: I don’t own a PVR, so I catch shows I like on the internet when I have time.
Best app ever: Silent Film Director.

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: The Tao of Equus by Linda Kohanov.
Last movie seen: The Artist.
Last concert: Roger Waters at the Air Canada Centre.  Amazing!
Last play:
 Dinner for Schmucks, National Theatre Bucharest Romania.
Last song sung in the shower:
 “Singing in the Rain.”

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: White horses.
Past obsession: Tailoring.
Future obsession: Travelling around the world.

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be:
 We will all be able to communicate telepathically and dismiss all the gadgets that are invading our lives.
I see myself in this place in ten years:
 Owning a gallery with a little café at the back, close to the ocean.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: Clarity is not always something we have while on a journey. We just need to trust that at some point, all bits and pieces come together magically in creating a surprising landscape. The kind our spirit is ecstatic to freely run through.

TELEVISION :: It takes a certain kind of man to get the attention of iconic daytime bad girl, Jill Abbott. Soap guru Nelson Branco is that kind of man, and sat down with the woman behind Genoa City’s force of nature, Emmy Award winning Jess Walton (fun fact: Walton attended Toronto’s prestigious Catholic school, Loretto Abbey). The two divas talked about Walton’s disappointment over losing Tristan Rogers as her definitive leading man, what soap fans really want, and leaving Y&R:

As a respected soap vet, how do you feel about all the recent soap cancellations? Did you see this coming?

It’s strange…. Everything that’s been happening in the soap world. But yes, I did see this coming. I saw this whole thing coming years ago. There’s nothing that can be done to change it, I don’t think. Years ago, my husband said, “You guys have to do something about all this reality stuff.” But there’s no changing it. People want reality, and they’re going to get what they want. What can I say? I think there are ways we can delay [the inevitable]. I have my own ideas of what soap fans want from a soap…

What are those ideas?

I think they want to see their favourite characters. They want the families intact. They want to see interpersonal relationships. They want to see everyday life instead of cops and car chases. They want to see character reactions. After something dramatic happens, they want to see what Gloria will say. Do you know what I mean?

Yes.

And when I say “they,” I mean our old-fashioned, diehard fans. I don’t think this new generation will become the soap fans the way you and I became soap fans. But, having said that, I think we still have a huge amount of baby boomers left that like soaps. Niche advertising to the baby boomers could easily solve the problem because it’s a huge, lucrative market. I also don’t buy this erroneous assumption that older consumers are stuck in their buying habits. It’s simply bullshit Madison Avenue has created. [Groans] It’s such a lie! I’ve never understood why networks are buying intothat [corporate propaganda]. I change brands all the time, and I’m in the forefront of the baby boomers.

RELATED READING :: Inside Adam Newman

What are you talking about? You’re 39, damn it! [Laughs] What do you think of the influx of all these ALL MY CHILDREN and GUIDING LIGHT actors on Y&R?

Well, I make an exception for Tristan Rogers. But he was off GH for a long time. And he became such a Y&R favourite. There is no doubt there are wonderful actors from other shows on Y&R now, and I love them, but I don’t think fans want to see the Y&R brand watered down. I hope our show isn’t unrecognizable to a lot of fans. I don’t want to be disloyal to our show, and I’m sorry if anyone doesn’t want me to say that, but I feel it needs to be said because I love this show. It’d be easier to digest if the addition and introduction to these actors and characters was more organic and happened
slowly, you know what I mean?

I think if the right role comes up for a soap-hopper, then cast a fan favourite. But unfortunately, I think Y&R is working backwards. They cast the actor first, then come up with a role. Character should come first — always. Marcy Rylan worked, for instance. Did the passionate audience reaction to Colin and Jill’s surprising romance take you by surprise?

I didn’t realize it! When I remember our first scene together, Jill was sitting in a coffee shop, and Colin came over to sit down but nothing much happened in the scene. But slowly, the love story started to develop. It was interesting to see a man, who really is a mob boss, truly fall in love. It was a really nice idea. Jill, who had always been deceitful, really opened up to Colin because he was so nice to her, especially after Cane “died.” Colin and Jill’s love affair truly made these people who were really flawed better human beings. They were really happy together. Unfortunately, we were alone in that argument! [Laughs] That was the only fly in our ointment.

RELATED READING :: Nelson Branco hacks the Twitter feed of Genoa City!

The fans have mobilized on social media and are demanding you guys be reunited. There was a bit of mystery involved for me, which made your coupling more fascinating, because I wasn’t sure if Colin really loved Jill, and vice versa. I suspected Jill and Colin truly loved each other — but I wanted them to start fresh without the lies. The psychology their love story introduced made them an atypical romance, which got me all wet as a soap fan on many levels. Colin and Jill had a five-year love story ahead of them, tops! Thoughts?

They loved each other to death. They adored each other. They also adored the best in each other — and their love made them feel like good people. I think Tristan and I are on the same page with Colin and Jill. But we were really fighting City Hall because there was another story being told [with Cane’s history]. Colin and Jill evolved almost by accident. I just wish someone in power had recognized the magic of Colin and Jill.

Colin and Jill have a lot of young fans out there. I know because they tweet me every day demanding Tristan’s return to Y&R.

I also thought Y&R handled Colin and Jill very tastefully, too. I’m always cognizant of the fact if things get too risqué. And it didn’t. Well, the only time it got kind of risqué was when handcuffs got involved at the end there!

Tristan’s aged very well… he’s such a handsome man.

He’s a very, very handsome man. I really felt like Tristan and I were collaborators.

You’re not so bad yourself, you Tigress! Have you given up hope that Tristan may not come back to Y&R? He’s currently on GH —poor guy! — but we don’t know how long that will last, especially since ABC has given away its timeslot to KATIE.

Exactly. There’s always a possibility that he could come back. It would be so wonderful. At least for me, anyway. The door is not shut.

One beat of the love story I really dug and appreciated was the fact that in the end, Jill became a mother, albeit a stepmother, to Cane, a man she always thought of as her son —and, at one point, believed he was. It was kind of karmic.

It really was a great story! I thought! [Laughs] Thank God I can laugh about it now, because if you had interviewed me a few months ago, Oh my goodness! [Laughs]

Jill’s on the back burner. How are you playing where Jill’s heart is at with Colin? Because clearly it’s not on the page.

She’s totally in love with Colin.

Poor Jill.

Well, that’s what I think the character is feeling — and as an actress, I have to be true to it. I’m not interested in flirting with other men on the show. It’s been even written that Jill should be flirting but I soft-pedal it because I can’t go against that love. I can’t negate Jill’s love for Colin. I think Colin is the greatest love I’ve ever played on that show.

What was it like working with two GH superstars, Genie Francis and Tristan?

Genie and Tristan were brought in to be a couple, and I was just the foil. I loved working with Genie! I just love that woman. I loved the comedy that ensued when Gen found out Jill and Colin made love on her desk and she had tosterilize her desk. God, I thought I was going to die, it was so funny! I just can’t get enough working with Genie and Tristan. I mean, they’re daytime icons, so it was a privilege to work with Genie and Tristan. That’s the upside with having an influx of actors from other soaps on your show. We’re getting the best of the best.

And they get to work with the bestest, too! What did you think of Jill’s paternity retcon? Personally, I hated it.

It never felt real, and it’s been dropped, so it still doesn’t feel real. I loved working with Tracy, though. I like the fact that her new family ties make for fun holidays with the Baldwins, Gloria and Jill in the same room! [Laughs] But you’re right; I still think of myself as Jill Abbott because that was her name for so long. It’s been an adjustment… I have to remind myself I’m Jill Fenmore. It’s
weird that Jill owns half of Fenmores — and fought for her stake — when she’s working at Jabot.

Are you submitting yourself for the Emmys this year? You had some kick-ass stuff, especially with Cane’s death.

No! I’m done. I’ve told you that before.

I know, but I’m a dog with an Emmy, er bone!

I have my two Emmys and that’s good for me. One for supporting and one for lead… that’s all I wanted.
Don’t you want a Younger Actress Emmy?

Yes! [Laughs] Wouldn’t it be great if they accidentally did that.

Knowing NATAS, you never know — it could happen! [Laughs] Your contract is up. You staying or leaving?

I’m not sure. I’m not sure.

You’re going to re-sign; do you hear me?!

RELATED READING :: Inside Adam Newman

Enjoy Nelson Branco’s steamy weekly, Soap Opera: Uncensored, where the full version of this interview appears.

PANIC ATTACK :: The nineteenth in a series as we await the release of Madonna’s new album, and, now, a brand new tour.

The press release for Madonna‘s brand new world tour, appropriately named “The Madonna World Tour 2012″, was posted on Billboard.com late last night. Yes, Madonna is coming to Toronto on September 12th, and the ICON Fanclub pre-sale began this morning at 10AM.

Instead of just retyping everything out from the announcement, I’m going to, rather, freak out.

MADONNA IS COMING!

I know I’ve said this several times before, but the feeling that I get when seeing Madonna in concert is a high like no other. Every memory and emotion I’ve ever associated with Madonna, her music, her looks, her videos, her interviews and her voice come flooding back to me when I see her in the flesh (I just got goosebumps typing that). Every time my mother would catch me dancing in my underwear in my bedroom, every time I would stay up all night watching MuchMusic just to see if a Madonna music video might, by chance, be on. Who knew that “Borderline” live would make me breakdown into tears?

Every song has new meaning when performed live – you feel them so much differently. I was definitely in a trance during the show, and the depression that followed for at least two weeks afterwards was horrible. Yes, I’m being dramatic.

I remember waiting five months from the time I bought my tickets to the day of “The Sticky and Sweet Tour” (the highest-grossing solo artist world tour ever!) to the day of the concert. They were the longest five months of my life, but I remember telling myself that I would wait all over again just to have that feeling back.

Today is February 7th. So, that means I have seven months to wait. Although it may seem like a long time, I know it will be worth it, and I know that I will wish one day next year that I could come back to this very moment and wait all over again.

Philip Tetro is our resident Madonnaologist. He’s created a religion-based lifestyle, worshipping everything she’s ever done. You can also catch him as a regular panelist on MTV Canada’s 1 girl 5 gays and read his non-Madonna blog here.

TOUCHDOWN :: The Madonna halftime show at The SuperBowl (“Madonnabowl”) was one of the best performances of all-time. I know people expect my play-by-play, from outfit to hairstyle and song choice to shoes. However, I am not going to do that. That entire twelve minutes and forty seconds of our lives was so electric, energetic, and groundbreaking, that there is nothing I can say that will emphasize anything Madonna hasn’t already. I am just going to give my highlights as I see fit.

So, she lip-synced: big deal. Can we please remember that she wasn’t able to do a sound-check during the game? So, she used a couple of themes that had already been done by other artists in the past: big deal. Can we please remember that all Madonna is doing is showing them who can do it better? So she fell: big deal. Can anyone else come out of a fall so beautifully and with such choreography? No. No they cannot.

The song choices were spot on: album versions of songs with little twists here and there for entertainment. Brand new arrangements would have thrown off the majority of people who just want to hear the hits. I never in my life thought that I would hear the original arrangement of “Vogue” again after over twenty years. Not to mention that entrance with the feathers and choreography and video screens. So much new, brilliant, cutting-edge choreography to learn! Definitely a gay boy’s dream come true.

“Music” was great with the LMFAO inclusion. Fun and quirky, proving that she’s still hot and athletic and “down with it.” Then onto the new single (“Give Me All Your Luvin’”), then a drum-line “Open Your Heart”/”Express Yourself” interlude (which must have been a very last minute addition, because no site ever published those two in the final version of the set-list!). And to finish with “Like a Prayer,” was just brilliant.

High-energy, brand new technology, fresh and current faces to help along the way, and an amazing set-list just prove that Madonna is still the Queen, and will forever be the Queen. It was a visual and audio orgasm, and I keep on cumming.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some voguing to learn.

Here’s one more of my gay boys freaking out over the @NFL half time show! #Madonnabowl lmao!!!!

Feb 5, 2012| Source: Keek.com

My good friend Aliya-Jasmine Sovani sneakily took videos of my reactions during portions of the performance. Here’s one!

Philip Tetro is our resident Madonnaologist who has been following Madonna’s every move since last summer. Read all of Philip’s Madonna Watch posts here.

REACTION :: The seventeenth in a series as we count down to Madonna’s new album release.

If I said I weren’t crying right now, I’d be lying.

Madonna‘s brand new music video for the first single off her upcoming album M.D.N.A, “Give Me All Your Luvin’” featuring Nicki Minaj and M.IA was literally just released minutes ago! Madonna is seen with a gaggle of young football players, protecting her from danger and transporting her from once place to another, and masked cheerleaders walking through city streets.

Hands shaking. Can’t type.

Then the three starlets transform into 60′s-style movie-stars – MADONNA ACTUALLY BECOMING MARILYN MONROE… AGAIN! Short, bleach-blond curls and a VERY short, white dress. BEAUTIFUL.

Madonna looks no older than 30 years old in the video, with a hairstyle reminiscent of a hot, young club-goer, not a 53 year old mother of four. Her body looks amazing, snug in body suits and mid-drift-bearing, skin-tight black two-pieces with leopard-print detailing. The hair, make-up and jewelry is just out of this fucking world!

I’m trembling and shaking and I am about to pee my pants.

Things only a Madonnaologist would be upset with: there is literally no more than three choreographed dance-steps in the entire video. I was really expecting Madonna to blow it out of the park with a huge dance-break. The song is so fun and catchy, I was envisioning myself practicing choreography all day, but there really isn’t much to it. I’ll take Madonna being a hot bitch over dancing any day, though.

Perhaps she’s saving the huge reveal for The SuperBowl and this is her warm up? Actually, that’s exactly what she’s doing!

Give someone all your luvin’ while I go memorize Madonna’s walking patterns in the video. Oh! And watch it yourselves!

Philip Tetro is our resident Madonnaologist. He’s created a religion-based lifestyle, worshipping everything she’s ever done. You can also catch him as a regular panelist on MTV Canada’s 1 girl 5 gays and read his non-Madonna blog here.