alandchuck

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GAY TRAVEL SHOULD BE ABOUT FAMILY… But a NEW Kind of Family

GAY TRAVEL SHOULD BE ABOUT FAMILY… But a NEW Kind of Family

I have traveled the planet.  More than almost anyone I have encountered.  Because of that experience I have learned a few valuable things to make the trip, vacation, journey even better than your hopes and dreams.  Here are a few suggestions.   First, TRAVEL WITH FAMILY. It’s obvious, but frequently forgotten as to why.  Family can be relatives, yes.  But much more often for gay men and woman it…

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Al's Travel Desk

Al’s Travel Desk

CUBA WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE In December 2014 when a friend at the State Department told me of impending changes for People To People program for American’s to Cuba I was excited by the possibilities.  In June 2015 we announced the first Gay Cruise to Cuba. Our program began December 2015 and we did 17 sailings with gay and traditional sailings for an 8 day cruise from…

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The Top Ten Drag Race Editing Archetypes

With season 8 coming up, it’s time to remember how the show turns complex, real people into easily distinguishable characters for your entertainment. Study and see who you can pick out this time around! . 

THE ACE

This queen is flawless. She can do no wrong and seems to excel at every challenge. Even if she has to lipsync, she will be the best lipsyncher ever. A good edit will humanize her, giving her a moment of generosity or two, handing her the crown. A bad one will play up her ego and make you wish her death, leaving her dead in the top 4/top 3.

Examples: Bianca Del Rio, Raja, Courtney Act, Chad Michaels

THE PERSONALITY

She may not always win, but goddamn you love her any way. She’s fun, she’s quotable, she’s your best friend in the competition. Of all the contestants she will have the most pronounced arc and wind up in the top 3. That being said, only one of them has ever won.

Examples: Jujubee, Jinkx Monsoon, Adore Delano, Pearl (yup, she had the most pronounced arc of the season and everyone wanted her. Deal with it)

MISS CONGENIALITY

Not always a winner, but a strong competitor nonetheless. That’s not the reason you like her though: you like her because her confessionals kick ass. She’ll be hilarious as fuck, or otherwise lend commentary that amps up the fun. She won’t win, but strange how voting always starts when she gets eliminated.

Examples: Latrice Royale, Ben DelaCreme, Katya, Pandora Boxx

THE BITCH

She’s not the best in the competition, but she keeps surviving elimination. Why? She provides the most drama. This queen wreaks havoc and causes chaos. You won’t like her, but you’ll blog the shit out of her fights and tune in intently to watch her fall. Every Ace or Personality needs a good bitch against them. 

Examples: Phi Phi O’Hara, Rebecca Glasscock, Gia Gunn

THE TRAINWRECK

What is wrong with this girl? She seems to lose her shit at a moment’s notice. She takes everything way too personally and makes such a production when there shouldn’t be. She’ll called out for being fake and it will take her a LONG time to recover publicly.

Examples: Mimi Imfurst, Langanja Estranja, Max

THE EYE CANDY

They are there to be seen and thirsted after. Regardless of their talent, people will only think about doing them in or out of drag. Sadly, they won’t win because the show won’t flesh them out, and they will be gone when producers want to show that the game is getting tougher. Expect an outcry, but trust that they will have a solid career and a YouTube show with WoW after the fact.

Examples: Milk, Trixie Mattel, Carmen Carrera

THE ASSASSIN

Can’t seem to win a damn challenge, but can never go home. Why? Because her lipsynch is fucking FLAWLESS. She gets every word, nails every beat, does splits, spread eagles, back flips, flip flops one right after another. Pity she can’t bring this to the competition, where she’s too insecure or unprepared. She’ll be sent home after three performances, barring circumstances. 

Examples: Coco Montrese, Akashia, Jaidynn Diore Fierce, Trinity K. Bonet

THE OLD WASHOUT

Oh the poor dear. It’s clear that she’s a talented queen, but unfortunately she’s OLD. She may be a pro at pre ’90s styles of drag, but younger queens/viewers won’t get them. Worse, the competition will be stacked against them. A nude challenge tailored to younger bodies? A lipsynch by an ex-Disney star who still sounds like a kid? Sorry, once you’re over 40 the edit is not in your favor.

Examples: Penny Tration, Vivacious, Tempest DuJour

THE KOOK

She’s weird. You have no idea how she says what she says, but you cannot stop listening to her. Not a winner, but definitely a novelty. The most GIF-worthy queen of the season. May overlap with other archetypes, but you’ll remember her for this. 

Examples: Tammie Brown, Alyssa Edwards, Miss Fame

THE FILLER QUEEN

The edit doesn’t care how talented she is- she’s quieter and not as big as the other girls. She’s going home early and will be forgotten quickly. She definitely doesn’t deserve it, but with so many contestants someone has to get screwed.

Examples: Phoenix, April Carrion, Kandy Ho, India Ferrah

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Imaginative Food Choices in the Heart of Havana!

Imaginative Food Choices in the Heart of Havana!

We took away a lot from our first trip to Cuba earlier this year, so much so that we are happily returning next year bigger and better than ever for our Drag Stars at Sea 2017: Cuba Adventure! Cuba has a lot to offer any traveler, with excitement in several cities and great people to meet along the way. Something in particular from Cuba stands out though: its amazing food. The Cuban people have a…

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Good Times on the #DragStarsAtSea Cruise

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We are very pleased to announce the 6th installment of Drag Stars At Sea North America aboard the unique Greek Cruise ship CELESTYAL CRYSTAL.

The ship carries just 1,000 guests and the INTIMACY allows us to get to ports not possible any other way.  NO AMERICAN SHIPS (or any international ships that do not do a People 2 People program like ours) can go to Cuba.  IT’S ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF THE EMBARGO. Best of all, Drag Stars At Sea North America “CUBA ADVENTURE” includes the largest AND ONLY gathering of Drag Stars in Cuba’s history, fantastic shows, incredible theme parties, unique and exclusive shore excursions, and many other special activities make this a vacation of a lifetime. There is NOTHING like this in North America and it promises to be a vacation of a lifetime!

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Drag Stars At Sea North America - Cuba Adventure

We are very pleased to announce the 6th installment of Drag Stars At Sea North America aboard the unique Greek Cruise ship CELESTYAL CRYSTAL. 

The ship carries just 1,000 guests and the INTIMACY allows us to get to ports not possible any other way.  NO AMERICAN SHIPS (or any international ships that do not do a People 2 People program like ours) can go to Cuba.  IT’S ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF THE EMBARGO. Best of all, Drag Stars At Sea North America “CUBA ADVENTURE” includes the largest AND ONLY gathering of Drag Stars in Cuba’s history, fantastic shows, incredible theme parties, unique and exclusive shore excursions, and many other special activities make this a vacation of a lifetime. There is NOTHING like this in North America and it promises to be a vacation of a lifetime! http://www.alandchuck.travel/trips/trip-dsas-cuba-04.19.2017

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Where The Locals Eat Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner In Rome.

Where The Locals Eat Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner In Rome.

  Rome is not Milan. Moving from one part of the city to another can take hours (no exaggeration, just try). So here are some tips for a top notch breakfast, lunch and dinner, a gastronomic day in Italy’s capital without wasting time waiting for buses. Breakfast: Bar Le Sorelle If you go to MACRO (Museum of Contemporary Art), you have an excuse to drop by Via Alexandria for a coffee and a pastry…

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What's Next For #DSAS #whysoblurry #Rupaul #DragStarsAtSea #secrets #gay #instagay #instamessage #instasecret #drag

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There Nothing like a #Barcelona Sunset after a GREAT cruise on #DragStarsAtSea #europe ..... Don't miss out on #DragStarsAtSea #NorthAmerica www.DragStarsAtSea.com (at Barcelona, Spain)

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That time we went to #Amsterdam on #DragStarsAtSea #europe (at Amsterdam, Netherlands)

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#alaska5000 #thebigpinkunicorn #DSAS2015

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Exploring Beautiful Palaces in Montevideo, Uruguay

Exploring Beautiful Palaces in Montevideo, Uruguay

We are proud to offer exciting excursions all over the globe, from places deep in the jungle to some of the greatest cities man has ever dreamed to build. We like to share our passion with others so that they can see why we are so invested in the places we go. The world is remarkably big, and there are more amazing sights to see than can be imagined. Today we go to one of the most beautiful…

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Artistic Brilliance Shines in Florence!

Artistic Brilliance Shines in Florence!

We are proud to offer exciting excursions all over the globe, from places deep in the jungle to some of the greatest cities man has ever dreamed to build. We like to share our passion with others so that they can see why we are so invested in the places we go. The world is remarkably big, and there are more amazing sights to see than can be imagined. Today we take a trip to one of the most…

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Grabbing Pieces of Pizza in Rome!

Grabbing Pieces of Pizza in Rome!

One of the great things about traveling is the chance to experience different cultures around the world first hand, and there are few better ways to do that then to take a bite of someone’s food. Like music, food is a universal language. We all eat, we enjoy food in vastly different ways, and one person’s supreme meal is another person’s garbage.  I have been doing a lot of research lately when…

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Restoring Your Faith in Great Landmarks in Santiago!

Restoring Your Faith in Great Landmarks in Santiago!

We are very proud to offer trips all around the world, and we are invested in letting others see why we are so passionate about the places we go. The world is a very big place, and within it are numerous sights to see that are unique as they are beautiful, historically significant, or both. Today we will take you to Santiago, Chile! The Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception on San Christobal…