I'm so sick of indecisive DAMN bitches!

You sound exhausting. Your friends are ridiculing you behind your back.

Yes. But Mancation? Ick.

R1 I would love to see them plan it out. They take it for granted. Yes I'm venting

[quote]Is it always this difficult to get 6 gay men to agree on something?

Not if people really want to go.

In some people's minds, it's easier than dealing with the tantrum that someone like OP will inevitably throw if people just say no up front. Each person figures he won't have to be the bad guy if the whole thing just never comes together.

Six friends shouldn't be too difficult. Try 12 people, and worse yet, try 12 relatives.

OP = Mike from Palm Springs

Also, it's a dump.

If you can't get all six to make it, big deal. You and your friend can cope.

I would bet some are being cagey about dates because they're dreading having to deal on the trip with your obvious enormous control issues.

[quote] Forget about the activities I had planned.

LOL!!!

I am rolling my eyes hard at mancation.

But yes OP, people love to complain and poke holes. All jokes aside I've been in your position where I am trying to plan something for a group and everyone rather complain than give suggestions and be helpful.

But hey, someone has to be the bitch that gets shit down. Once the time comes everyone will have fun.

Let's be the activities OP had planned!

So, they’ll see this post and realize the error of their ways?

Why not let one of the other five men plan it?

Mancation? What a stupid, silly word.

Don't overplay on activities, that's a fatal mistake. You don't need every minute of the day planned. Have a few key things, and everything else can be play it by ear.

I am picturing OP planning facial mask night.

Obviously there has to be themed nights. Like Caftan night. Dragapalooza, Mommie Dearest quotables night, Best International Male looks revisited and Pray to the Moon Goddess night for the finale.

[quote] Let's be the activities OP had planned!

I'm the complicated birthday dinner for the friend that will take everyone HOURS to make! It's super difficult and tricky, so everyone better be on their game, or the entire thing will be completed ruined!

I'm the secret hope there'll be skinny dipping in that lake.

I don't think this thread is going according to God's plan. And when I say God I mean OP.

OP is definitely a control freak

Just wait until one of those queens can’t make it and someone else decides they only agreed to pay a 1/6th share not 1/5th and who decided to spend $500 on groceries anyway?

You’ll wish you had stayed in a hotel.

That’s a great Air BnB, OP. Just know that Lone Pine and Bishop are Hicksville and Republican, although they are beautiful. You better like the outdoors, like fishing, hiking, and golfing otherwise there isn’t much to do.

I hate being forced into "activities" when doing group vacations. I just came back from one where one of the guests (an unsuccessful actor and his partner from Improve) had it in his head it would be fun if we all played improve while he videotaped the event. I know many queens love the attention of being on stage, but not everyone is into that or thinks it fun. And at that point you are trapped, if you dont want to do it you look like the bitch spoiling the vacation. And it never occurred to them that their interests would not be loved by all.

Rule of thumb OP make sure EVERYONE is into whatever activities you might be planning. Give them warning before forcing them to commit to a date. Otherwise there will be some very uncomfortable moments.

And that includes turning your orgy fantasy into reality.

I would never do this in a million years. It sounds like my definition of hell.

"EVERYONE, RISE AND SHINE! I've planned a brisk hike for everyone before we make breakfast, and it's already 6:30!!"

Fuck Rick and his mancation, go with me and buds on a dickation.

R2 probably doesn't like the term "babymoon" either!

And this is EXACTLY why I prefer to travel solo or just with one other person!

Jesus Christ, this is hardly Sophie's Choice.

Just pick something

If through some crazy confluence of circumstances I ended up on this Mancation, I'd do a a full on Virginia Woolf into that Alabama swamp as soon as the sun went down.

I have been to several of these. The only time it works is when you DO NOT plan a whole bunch of activities. People need to feel like they can sleep in when they want, stay up as late as they want, take a walk if they want, read book, stay indoors whatever they normally do. Even meals can be difficult. Maybe just a planned time for dinner outside of the house if you are near a local town. If you try to make it a thing where everyone cooks you asking for trouble. Some don't cook at all, some people don't eat meat, some have carbs issues the list is endless. And shopping for food, everyone likes their own brands. Dont do it.

The one I went on that sucked was partially because it was agreed we would hit the local town at night but some cheap queens had a different idea. They didn't say anything until they were there and suddenly they wanted to eat 2 dollar pasta with crap jarred tomato sauce 4 nights in a row to save money. And they live in a million dollar house, they could afford to go out. If you go out to a restaurant, everyone can eat what they want.

[quote] If you go out to a restaurant, everyone can eat what they want.

And then one of the richer guys decides he's always wanted to try a really expensive wine on the list, and now he can afford it because he decides everyone else will chip in for it with him.

I've sure as hell been there before.

It's called separate checks R33. Not rocket science.

[quote]I hate being forced into "activities" when doing group vacations. I just came back from one where one of the guests (an unsuccessful actor and his partner from Improve) had it in his head it would be fun if we all played improve while he videotaped the event.

I would’ve booked the next flight back home if they tried to make me take part in that nonsense.

[quote] Also, it's a dump.

The house is not a dump. I like it. Not sure about this Mancation though.

[quote] Is it always this difficult to get 6 gay men to agree on something?

No. You just have to go with six low-maintenance, go-with-the-flow type of people. If you're going with people with very specific needs and opinions, you will probably have a challenging time.

OP sounds worse than Palm Springs Mike.

This sounds like it will become a Terrance McNally play.

Or a WONDERFUL NEW WEB SERIES starring various Instagram hos I've never heard of even though I've probably seen their bleached anuses posted right here on Datalounge!

What times we live in today!

OP The word that eluded you is GAYCATION.

Please do share your activities you had planned! That would be DL gold!

It is nice of you to be doing this OP.I know it can be a pain in the ass. I agree that the main component for a fun trip is having the others have a "go with the flow" mentality.

MANcation? Because VAcation sounds too much like vagina? Are you the male version of a radfem?

R34, separate checks work only as long as Richie Rich buys an expensive glass of wine - but not the bottle. But if he buys the bottle, then the wait staff will bring glasses for everyone, there will be social pressure to "have a drink", and unemployed Thomas will still end up paying 1/4 of the cost of the bottle.

That place is a dump. Good luck cooking in that 1950s oven.

I stopped at “mancation.”

What the fuck is wrong with you?

It's not a "mancation" or a "gaycation" it's a "gaygaytion"

Do I have to teach you whores everything??

OP, be sure to write a 58-page guide to your mancation and SHARE IT WITH US. Or Buddha will strike you.

Yes OK, the mancation name is silly but that is my friend's idea. Some activities I had planned to keep some of these bitches from being bored were trips to Death Valley, Manzanar, visit Schat's Bakery, checking out the towns of Lone Pine and Bishop, massage spa day, horseback riding, fishing in the Owens river and a few others. Most optional of course but heaven forbid I plan nothing and somebody complains that there's nothing to do! We're from out of state so I figured it's a chance to really explore the area.

By the end of the week, OP's friends will drown him in that lake.

[Quote]Is it always this difficult to get 6 gay men to agree on something?

Yes, especially if it's not a typical gay destination, like Provincetown or New Orleans' Southern Decadence. Who decided on Mt. Whitney, anyway? It doesn't seem like the type of place the average gay would go to.

[quote]I am picturing OP planning facial mask night.

He's already pre-ordered a case of Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque on Amazon.

[quote] I agree that the main component for a fun trip is having the others have a "go with the flow" mentality.

Well, that hardly describes OP.

You sound like you're telling him that everyone else should do exactly what he tells them to do.

r31 It's in California, not Alabama.

[quote]Who decided on Mt. Whitney, anyway? It doesn't seem like the type of place the average gay would go to.

Some deluded queen probably thought it was a memorial to Whitney Houston.

[quote] [bold]Most[/bold] optional of course

LOL!!!

This trip will end in tears!

American Horror Story: Mancation

Just wait until the first queen complains to OP that Grindr doesn't work out there. OP's head will probably explode!

OP's friends will all have a common enemy which will bring them all closer, strengthening their bonds of friendship. How sweet of OP to do that for them.

[quote]Let's be the activities OP had planned!

Surprise Anal Night, who will draw the short straw?

I'd opt out, too. Sounds like hell. How about a 3-day weekend at a resort or a short cruise?

Diversity is wonderful until it comes to paying for things.

[quote]He's already pre-ordered a case of Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque on Amazon.

Don't forget to enter it into the Splitwise app!

Wait till the Ariana vs. Taylor Swift debate happens. Blood will be drawn.

R60 LOL

OP You better take a case of Helenesque to control these complaining bastards

R49 those are way too many fucking activities! Optional, my ass. I'm sure Miss OP uses passive-aggressive guilt and resentment to get everybody to go along with this laundry list of tourist stops.

What the five hear before, during and after

You will all have FUN this weekend, goddammit! When I say you will and how I say you will!

Mt. Whitney was Birthday Boy's choice R51. Only two of them are planning on ascending that damn thing and I have my doubts.

Too rustic for 99.9% of the gays. This won’t end well.

There's a Kmart in Bishop. You should probably make an outing to see it before the whole chain goes under. (And there's nothing else to do in Bishop, other than a tiny Indian casino.)

can’t the friend plan his own mancation??

Why are you even invoked in this??

Fuck them all.

Traveling solo is best.

[quote] So I'm planning a friend's Mancation this upcoming early summer, so keep in mind this is one year in advance.

I don't know what's worse: beginning a sentence with SO or using the nonsense word MANCATION.

R70 is right on!

Personally, I would just decline. This is too much drama waiting to happen.

Better than a CUNTcation. Imagine having to listen to half a dozen cackling hens all weekend.

R36: I agree. The place is far from a dump. It looks exactly like what it's supposed to be: a rustic, western homestead, and a nice one to boot.

Many classic old westerns were filmed in the Alabama Hills. The Lone Ranger, The Man from Utah.

OP, out of curiosity, what is median age of your group? Do they all get along? I can see a “Dangerous Liaisons” situation brewing.

Ranging from ages 37 to 55, R81.

OP, do you secretly love being the martyred organizer? Is it a constant thing with you?

r61, the "short straw" is having to be the only top, correct?

The short straw is having to share a room with the OP and her sleep apnea.

R84 The guy who draws the short straw get the surprise anal.

So, OP, where are we standing on this? Or should we check back with you next Spring?

OP, are “gentleman callers” permitted?

What you got here is a Situcation.

Never heard of mancation. We always called it vacay when I worked in HR.

Face it - gays will commit to something until something better comes along.

OP, I would love to stay at that chalet. Million dollar view.

I hope your friends are prepared for Mt. Whitney. It's not for the inexperienced or unprepared.

When that vacation ends, so will some friendships. One full bathroom, cramped bedrooms and 6 gay men equals infighting and extreme bitchiness. God help the guy who gets the master bedroom.

That place looks like it smells or cat, old cooking and weed. Worn out couch and only 1.5 baths for 5 or 6 gay men!? Drop the cheap friend and get a more expensive, decent place to stay.

They wrote a song about OP:

To avoid all the drama you have to do one tiny, little thing: Pay for the entire vacation and let your friends come along for free. They'll be your entourage and what you say goes. You'll be in charge of activities and be the Queen Bee the entire time. If one of your friends has a problem with that, he should decline the generous offer of a free vacation.

r95 Again, it's in California, not Alabama.

Real Word: Mt. Whitney

This is the true story, of six gay men, picked to live in a house, work together, and have their lives taped. Find out what happens, when people stop being polite, and start getting real… The Real World!

This will end up on Dateline.

This will end up on Snapped.

I would watch, r98, r99 and r100.

This will end in pointless bitchery.

Alabama Hills Chalet

Group vacations are always death. Everyone always ends up in factions bitching about the others. It’s rare to have a fun trip with more than four people.

Good luck op.

Nobody wants to see frisky old people. I know, I’ve seen “Cocoon”