Moosestock 2014

I have a bad habit of forgetting things.  If I don't have a list when I go shopping, I forget stuff.  Dan asked me to take the time off from work, because it was the annual Zumba weekend at Point Sebago.  This is a private event, that Shaunna Rai started performing at, quite by accident.  The story goes, the first year that Shaunna and Vanila did it, that the event was planned, and then, the entertainment cancelled.  At the last minute, Dan received a call from a frantic lady, who heard about Shaunna from a friend who had gone to Dragapalooza, about this amazing drag queen.

From there, the rest is history.  Shaunna has attended every year since, with Vanila in tow.  I tagged along last year, for my first time, and Benni went along this year, for E'on's first time.  However, somewhere along the way, I forgot to put in for time off.  So, guess who had to work?  Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled about it.  This was, in fact, going to be the first time in more than a year and a half, that I have actually missed a show.

We got to Point Sebago on Friday night.  We got unpacked, in the big island house, same as last year.  And, then, we headed down to the main building.  Friday night was just dancing. And, for Zumba ladies, dancing means doing Zumba.  Dan, Ryan, Benni and I spent the evening in the back of the room, just observing.  People randomly coming up to us, and asking if we were the entertainment.  Some of them recognized us from last year. Some of them, only knew of the girls from reputation.  It was funny for me, because I was being counted as one of the "girls."

Saturday night was the real "show," and of course, it was the piece of the weekend that I missed. The girls did their show, and then comedian George Ham did his thing.  Apparently, from what I heard, he didn't go over very well, with the Zumba ladies.  I hear that he said that "Maybe I would've gone over better if I'd come out in a dress..."

When I finally got out of work, and back to Point Sebago, the night was in full swing.  The ladies were drinking and dancing...this was the part of the night, that I don't remember about last year's event, because one of the Zumba instructors took quite a liking to me and Shaunna, and I think I may have blacked out.  This year, was different.  Namely, because I didn't drink a lot, mostly because I had to work the next morning.  It's nice being able to remember what happened.

Upon arrival back at Point Sebago, Shaunna introduced me to Ann, who is, honest to goodness, what Shaunna would be, if Shaunna was an actual woman.  I had a couple of drinks, to loosen up, since I was feeling horrible about having missed everything.

Next thing I knew, I was dancing with Dinah, the head of Moosestock, and we "had a moment."

Then, the girls did a couple of impromptu numbers on the stage.  Then, there was mingling.  I'm pretty sure I got another drink.  I got introduced to a table full of Zumba ladies, as Shaunna's boyfriend, and they asked if I ever did drag.  After an emphatic "No," they asked if I ever got curious and tried on Shaunna's heels.  The answer again, was a no, because, frankly, my feet are too big.  But, the Zumba ladies, decided that that wasn't a problem, and I was feeling pretty good.  So, off came my sneakers, on went Shaunna's 6 inch heels, and I started dancing with a Zumba lady.  Totally not the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn, since they were probably about 3 sizes too small for my feet, but, I was pretty proud of the fact that I didn't fall, the entire time I wore them.  And I was quite happy to put my sneakers back on. I can honestly say, now, that I understand how Cinderella's step-sisters felt when they put on that glass slipper...

A little bit later, and we were back at the island house. And I was trying my best to fade into the background, so that nobody would miss me when I went to sleep. Only, it didn't work out that way. I still had to work Sunday morning, but, I let Dan talk me out of being my usual anti-social self. Not, however, before I grabbed myself some water, a cheese stick, chicken taquitos and my gluten-free crackers and block of cheese. When trying to head off a hangover,it's best to gift it with food...much like meeting new people.

Per the usual,the ladies were all about the hair and makeup, and couldn't begin to believe that Dan and Shaunna Rai could possibly be the same person. And, so I did a little bit of a zone out and tuned out any conversation that didn't specifically pertain to me. I chose to stuff my face with taquitos instead. That is, until I heard for the second or third time, the reason that the ladies love the drag queens.

"You're gorgeous," that's how it starts. "But,you're not a typical woman. I mean, you're not a woman at all. But,my point is that the three of you walked out on that stage,and you made took for us to be who we are, because it's ok for you to be her and do what you do." I'm paraphrasing,and probably not nearly as eloquent as the lady who actually made this speech. Diana's response was equally powerful. "I do this because I enjoy it. I like the attention that it gets,but I like making people feel comfortable in their own skin. Be whoever you are, and be that person to the fullest. (It was funny hearing this in this context,because,previously, I heard Cherry Lemonade thanking Shaunna for that same piece of advice.) I think shortly after that, I put in a couple of plugs for the blog, and realized that I really should get some business cards made for these kinds of events.

Then ladies started dropping off to bed, quickly, and so did we. And, offering taquitos to the hangover gods was a good plan. I was a little groggy, but no hangover for work.

I'm sure that I still have missed people,like the girls that shared the downstairs floor with us, and the Ripped trainer,who looked a little like Hoda Kotb, if Hoda were a body builder. But, the point is,that I meet all these amazing people,and have a great time. Sometimes, I wish that we did far more of these kind of events, and other times, usually just after them,I'm glad that they don't happen all the time...because, if they did, I think I would give up a day job, and pick up a job as Shaunna's manager,or something,just so I wouldn't have to miss out on events due to my forgetfulness.