788 replies to this topic

[Surin Nix]

Yep. In the days I was coaching kids football (soccer), 14 seasons, I could not imagine a time when it would all be a distant memory.

Now, it's a distant memory.....and getting ever more distant in an accelerated way. I know what you mean.

I commend you Mac for the way you have chosen to march to the beat of your own drummer. So many guys in my profession, they have no idea whatsoever to do when they retire. No relationships or outside interests cultivated over the years, the suddenly, "now what?".....I like how you've chosen to do things. You're actually a bit of a pioneer for many of us.....falling in love with a transgender woman, and devoting your time, resources, and heart to her. I wonder if I could, or would, do it.

Sometimes, I think about the possibility of living in Argentina. There, same-sex marriage is legal. Also there are some of the most beautiful trans-women you've ever seen. In their country, it's perfectly fine to legally marry your same-sex girl (did i say that?).

I travel frequently there, but mostly i just fantasize about the possibilities. It's nice seeing someone actually living-out those possibilities.

Nix

[Macman]

You bring up a very interesting point, Nix. I didn't know that about Argentina. I've been racking my brains, trying to figure a way to bring Angel to the States, even if it's only for a visit. Since 9/11, it's extremely difficult to get a visa for a Philippine national not your wife, and even more difficult (if not impossible) for a transgendered person. I don't even know if Argentina has a policy of allowing Filipinos into the country. If they did, and you were able to get married, I wonder if the U.S. would recognize that union, seeing as a few states allow same-sex marriage. Probably not. Damn,every time we see a show or movie that shows New York, I get so frustrated, wanting to show her the sights, and to meet the few people back home who know about her.

[Surin Nix]

I can relate to your desire to bring Angel back the Big Apple, Mac.

I'm dating a Brazilian gg (don't tell anybody, hate to ruin my reputation), and intend to do precisely that in a few months. Love that city and can't wait to hit the theatre district.

I think that there's a possibility that Argentina might be a legimate work-around to your dilemma of getting Angel back to the States.

First, she IS able to travel to Argentina. Their economy is hurting, and they love tourists. With her Phillipine passport, she can get a visa upon arrival. I did that, no biggie.....and about $140.

http://en.wikipedia....ippine_citizens

Can you guys get married abroad?

Why not? US citizens travel all over the world to get married, and as far as I know, those marriages are generally not questioned. I was in a beach resort in Mexico not long ago, and saw a US couple getting married on the beach there.

Same-sex marriage in Argentina is not just some ceremonial statement, either. It's legal, and it's real. Should you make that choice, I don't see how anybody can say she's not your legimitate spouse.

As we all know, spouses have a much easier time of it getting access to the States.

Here's some information I found on marriage abroad:

http://marriage.abou...riageabroad.htm

Seems to me that armed with that info, you might have a real shot at getting her home. I hope so, anyway.

Also, if you haven't been to Argentina, Buenos Aires is really an exciting city. It's extraordinarily affordable, (taxis among the cheapest in the world), offers a lot to see and do. If you want more info on it, PM me.

Take care buddy. "Hands at 10 & 2"!

Nix

[Macman]

Thanks, Nix. That's some really great information. BTW, I haven't been to Argentina, but I have a friend who went there a couple of years ago with his family. He loved it.

[Macman]

Nix, I checked the link you provided regarding visa requirements, and it looks as though she would need a pre-arrival visa for entry to Argentina. I don't think that would be a problem, although we'd have to go to Manila for it. I also checked on flights. Wow. That's some trip. Of course, all of this is a little premature for us, but it's good for me to start checking on this stuff now. Thanks again.

[jayarr]

think you might go to new york? you could get 'same-sex' married and be closer to family

[Macman]

We'd love to, jayarr, but it's next to impossible for a transgendered filipino to get a visa. Even if Angel dressed as a man, it's very difficult to obtain a visa for any filipino. Even spousal visas are hard to get, but you can't get one as a LB.

Speaking of dressing as a man, Angel told me that when she was dressed as a man, before she decided to live as a woman, a lot of people took her for a lesbian.

[Macman]

I received a bit of unsettling news. One of my golfing buddies has a friend who went to pick up her child at school last week. She was sitting in her car, waiting for her son, when a man with a gun got in, and relieved her of all her cash, her cell phone, a watch and a ring. The school is fairly close to us, and this happened in broad daylight.

Speaking of these matters, there's something I keep forgetting to tell you. Do you remember that I told you about 4 or 5 weeks ago that our cheapskate landlord bought a padlock and chain for the gate? Well, that didn't even last 2 weeks. Somebody stole both the lock and the chain. He hasn't replaced them.

[Macman]

Well, tomorrow Angel and I are off for Hong Kong. We're not taking our laptops, so I'll be out of touch with the forum until next Wednesday.

Before I go, let me give you the latest on our recent crime wave. This morning at around 10:00 AM, a gas station that's less than 2 kilometers from here was held up by 3 gunmen. They killed 2 of the workers there. The robbers were apprehended, but that didn't help the 2 dead guys, or my sense of security.

Talk to you next week.

[rxpharm]

Have a great trip! The crime increase is worrying - some advice - make yourself and Angel a lower visibility target - ie: don't wear/carry anything that looks pricey. Keep alert for signs of being followed or your house being surveyed, etc.

The worsening economy cause crime rates to increase in any country.

I really appreciate your slice of life reporting - and by the way, my Thai lb girlfriend also drives in a heart stopping style!

[kliome]

I never feel as safe in the Philippines as in say Thailand or Cambodia, rightly or wrongly I've wandered about in quite a few Thai cities, ending up in tghe wrong part of town. In the PI I have stuck strictly to the beaten tracks and tourist zones so far, and when someone says 'don't go down that street' you know they mean it.

You know they are serious when 7/11s in the tourist areas have a full time secuirty guard packing a semi automatic!


Enjoy Hong Kong.

[Macman]

Thanks, RX and Kliome. Good advice, RX, on the low profile. Angel has some knockoff stuff that looks pretty genuine. I'm going to tell her to cool it with that. Kliome, I know what you mean. The funny thing is that this was a very, very safe city just one year ago. As RX says, the bad economy is changing how we live even if we're not directly affected by the hard times.