LOVING MORE CONFERENCE
June 14, 2002 - Jun 16, 2002

Harbin Hot Springs in Northern California. Our triad (Terry, Paul and Marcus) is presenting a workshop on Triads, Bisexuality and Group Living on Friday night from 9:00pm - 10:30pm in the lower pool). Harbin Hot Springs features hot tubs and pools in abundance, two of which are reserved for the private use of our group. It is completely clothing optional. One can sleep in a tent or inside on cushions or reserve a private room if that is your desire. We all eat together in a big dining room and the food is healthy and delicious. It feels like a real family reunion. Many close relationships have started from such gatherings. The chance to make contact with someone delightful and having those warm evenings (free or in intimacy enhancing workshops) to follow up on such connections really makes special experiences possible.

Last year we were treated to a premiere of the about-to-be-commercially-released poly oriented film When Two Won't Do--shot from real life by its writers and producers who were right there with us! Gaia's Consort played songs like A Different Kind of Family (Daddy Is A Man's Man & Mama's Got A Girlfriend--It takes a lot of courage to stand up and get what you need...) and "Gonna Move to the Country" (with a half a dozen lovers--honey squeeze on over) which gently laughs at hippies from the 60's who thought they could live off the land (without learning how) whenever they took a time out from making love. Some members of Gaia's Consort may actually have tried this.

The convention is always fun and offers an opportunity to connect with like-minded people while learning more about who you are. Call (303) 543-7540 for more info on Loving More--the convention and the magazine.

LIFESTYLES CONFERENCE
August 1, 2002 - August 4, 2002

Happens in Las Vegas at the Tropicana. This started out as a swinger's convention, however all kinds of alternative life styles are now represented. Attendance gets bigger every year. Top academic papers on alternative ways to live and to love are presented here as workshops and seminars. Swimming (sexy bikinis/trunks--not clothing optional) is a favorite activity throughout the weekend. There are erotically themed dances Thursday and Friday nights culminating in the big Masquerade Ball Saturday night. The awards banquet on Friday honors those who have contributed most to expanding our knowledge of human sexuality as well as offering a fascinating keynote speaker.

Founder Bob McGinley is a political activist who appears on radio, TV, the Internet (and occasionally courtrooms) defending rights, which are dear to all of us who espouse sexual and social freedom.
The triad of Terry, Paul and Marcus will be presenting "Living Your Dream through Polyamorous Love" Saturday from 2:00pm - 3:30pm. Participants will hear about and then experiment with ways to relate to more than one special person. Deepen connections with those you already care for and draw someone new closer through sensual connection and loving touch. During the final guided imagery, you'll receive a LOVE MAGNET imbedded deep within you which will draw to you delightful friends and lovers yet-to-be as well as bring more joy into your primary relationship. You'll learn to ignite response in others both by releasing pheromones at will (naturally) and exuding a Love in the Light which shines like a beacon... Homework assignments must be done in private rooms! For more info, call the Lifestyles Organization at (714) 821-6117.

Both these conferences offer great chances to meet open-minded kindred spirits from all over the country.

LIVE THE DREAM ANNUAL CAMPING TRIP
July 19, 2002 - July 21, 2002

Mark your calendars. Leo Carillo State Beach. One of the few places where forest and ocean meet--it's beautiful! Tent or Van camping is available--no hook ups. Saturday we'll swim in the ocean, build sand castles, and be kids together. That evening we'll have potluck supper and a moon lit walk by the ocean. For Saturday night: LTD provides marshmallows to roast, meat to Bar B Q and paper goods to serve it with. You bring: A-H cold vegetable or fruit salads, I-M fruit juices or soda (no alcohol please), N-R breads, muffins, biscuits, etc and S thru Z reasonably healthy deserts. All other meals--please bring your own food and supplies. Sunday we will go somewhere in Malibu for a lovely brunch. Cost: $25 for 1st person in car+ $18 each additional person in same car if check is received by 7-10, $35 for 1st person in car+ $25 for each additional person rates apply at campsite. Send check made out to Success Center--6454 Van Nuys Blvd. #211 Van Nuys, Ca. Camping fees for Friday and Saturday nights are provided by LTD. RSVP A MUST BY JULY 10 (818) 361-6737
More to happen on page two!

BUILDING AN INTIMATE
FRIENDSHIP NETWORK
Saturday, August 17 11am to ?

This event is lead by Brian Gitt and Terry Brussel-Gibbons, co-founders of Live the Dream. Many people today (especially those living in big cities) feel very much alone at times, unable to find anyone close enough to share fun and special moments with. Part of being Poly is a response to this feeling of isolation, an attempt to bring back the closeness found in extended families and villages of the past. So is the community of Science Fiction fandom. Brian and Terry will share how they have each developed special circles of friends and lovers as part of their lives. These people are Family-By-Choice. They share fun weekends, movies, parties, SF cons etc. as well as special holidays, weddings, baby showers and more somber occasions generally shared by blood families.

Some members of these groups have been close since high school -- over 25 years. How does one put together and (at least as important) maintain such a soul satisfying network of relationships? We'll also discuss how the relationship ground rules presented in Stranger in A Strange Land have affected these friendship circles. How are Water Brothers different from good friends? How can the ideas in Science Fiction serve us and how must they be altered to work in real life? Join us for some answers and lively discussion!

Pot luck lunch--bring healthy and delicious picnic items to share--no cooking or refrigeration available.
Afternoon activity: POOL PARTY and picnic. Bring suits, sandals, towels and healthy foods (not requiring refrigeration or cooking) to share. Evening: We'll do dinner at a local restaurant and maybe a night hike afterwards. Let's have a fun evening together!
Cost: $5 for non-members.

Location: 12028 W. Saratoga Way, #557 American Beauty Dr. in Canyon Country.
Directions: Take your favorite freeway north to the 14 north to Sierra Highway (4th off ramp north). Turn right to Soledad Cyn. Due to construction, Park at Lucky's by Where house Records. Walk to Sierra Highway (left) Turn right on American Beauty Dr. (1st street after Condos start) Go to grassy area by cul-de-sac at end of block -- look for Live the Dream Banner.

WORDS FOR OUR KIND OF LOVE

Compersion, term coined by the Kerista poly family, is the ability to be not only jealousy-free, but to actually delight in your partner's joy with another. Reflected Compersion, (Claire W. at the LA Binet Conference 8/99), is the feeling a lucky loved one gets when his/her partner experiences compersion. While these terms are new to me, the concept is not. I have been blessed with lovers who gave me many soul-satisfying examples...and am now in a triad with two of them. I myself have been on both sides, too.

Compersion
I watch my husband make love to a lady dear to us. His face is filled with ecstasy. Her sounds are driving him wild. As they reach a shared zenith, I enfold both in loving arms.

Reflected Compersion
Later that morning, my husband and I have a romantic brunch together. He gives me one of his delicious love looks and says "Terry, if we weren't married, I'd propose to you all over again. You make marriage work for me in ways I never believed possible."

Compersion
My two husbands are both interested in a lady whom they give a great deal of attention to when she attends a Live the Dream meeting. She returns the interest--loving hugs and warm smiles for both of them. Enjoying their pleasure in her, I invite her back for dinner, hot tubbing and sharing.

Reflected Compersion
After the meeting, my two loves take me to bed and share their excitement in ways most delightful...

Compersion
I come home from a weekend with my lover (celebrating our 25th anniversary) to find my husbands waiting for me with warm embraces and long, tender kisses. They tell me how good it is to have me home...no resentment in voice, manner or feeling.

 

GIVE US YOUR STORIES. We need your stories for research purposes--your names will remain anonymous. If you have been hassled by the government for your lifestyle, particularly by any child services department, we want to hear from you by phone, in writing or by E-Mail.
Our phone number is 818-361-6737.
Our mailing address is
6454 Van Nuys Blvd #211
Van Nuys, CA. 91401.
Our e-mail address is: [email protected]

     PLEASE FILL OUT AND MAIL THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NOW or at least call to indicate an interest in continuing to receive this newsletter by USPS. NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION ONLY IS FREE BY E-MAIL--WE NEED YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR THAT. REGULAR MEETINGS ARE NOW FREE WITH CURRENT MEMBERSHIP CARD.