Meet Jamie ... A 'gaymer' at heart

My name is Jamie Dexter, and I’m coming out of the closet.

I’ve kept this a secret from many since I was old enough to form thoughts inside my tiny, Pixie-Stick-addled brain.
Yes, I have a secret identity. Several of them, actually.

Sometimes I don a costume and fight the evils of Gotham City with many expensive gadgets.

On other days, I may feel a little above the law and jack a few cars and drive recklessly, plowing down pedestrians while I’m running from one errand to another.
Lately, though, I’ve felt more comfortable in a suit of armor, lobbing fireballs at gigantic spiders and slaying dragons with my two-handed sword. That is, until I took an arrow to the knee.

No, I’m not crazy. I’m a gamer.

I first picked up the joystick even before I began elementary school. A cousin handed me an old Atari with a box full of games, and I was blown away by all the different types of games I could play.

“Frogger,” however, was my absolute favorite. Though I was too young to actually be good at anything, I did enjoy watching what passed for a semi-truck smoosh what was supposed to be the innocent little frog I was controlling.

Years later, as a young and slightly feminine nerd, I found myself the brunt of bullying and jokes, and sometimes violence. I was, and always have been, about as athletic as a paper weight.

I watched as some kids coped with alcohol, drugs or whatever they could get their hands on, but when I was feeling like the world was against me, I’d just boot up a game where the world actually WAS against me.

And through hours of gameplay, a few tantrums and a ton of victories, I’d forget all about all the challenges that faced me in the halls of my school.

While game graphics have changed, and storylines have become more like summer blockbusters than a simple task of rescuing a princess in need, my love for gaming has only grown.

There’s nothing more satisfying than coming home from a tough day at work and tearing through a pack of zombies with a chainsaw.

By day, I may be mild-mannered, nerdy writer Jamie Dexter, but once I’m off the clock, I can almost be anyone I want. I welcome you to join me on this journey from my Out & About blog, even if you aren’t a gamer.

You might just find that you have a few secret identities waiting for you, as well. Be sure to follow my blog called “Dexter’s 50 Cents” at outandaboutnewspaper.com.
 

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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