A Few Things Coming Up...

So, I know, I normally write about events that have already happened.  And, I know, that I'm behind by about three events.  But, I have a couple of events coming up that I want to talk about, because they're for causes that are close to my heart.

If you follow me on Facebook, you probably know that this weekend is the Southern Maine HIV/AIDS Walk, in Ogunquit.  It's an amazing event that raises money for the Frannie Peabody Center, to help with their funding.  The Frannie Peabody Center offers free HIV testing, goes to schools to talk about prevention, and also assists with care for those who are currently dealing with HIV or AIDS diagnoses.  At one point, when I was single, and stupid, a free test from the Frannie Peabody Center helped me to realize how dumb I was by not being a little more careful.

With Shaunna Rai, having been Miss AIDS Awareness for like 4 years running, it is also a cause near to her heart.  Shaunna and I, along with Miss E,on will be at the Red Party: Roundup at the Front Porch this Friday evening, with an after party and show at Mainestreet afterward.  This is always a fun event.  I'm actually excited, because this year, I actually have a red outfit to wear.  (Yes, there will be pictures later, I promise.)

The Walk itself will be on Saturday afternoon.  Shaunna, E,on, and I will be around to cheer on the walkers/runners.  I'll be snapping pictures, like crazy, just like I did last year.  The walk is followed by a cookout at Mainestreet, then a Tea Dance.  If you're not able to make it, and want to make a donation, you can do so here.  Tell Jimmy I sent you!

The only thing missing this year, is the Brunch on Sunday at Bessie's.  Well, and having Joslyn Fox around for the weekend.  That was pretty cool last year.

Dragapalooza is coming up the following weekend...There's a ton of performers this year, so it'll be a good show.  I'll be there with my parents.  You'll be able to tell that it's us, because there will be three cameras going, right in a row.

Of course there are a bunch of other events coming up, but one that I want to get some attention, is a fund raiser for Ariel Maranda Gibbs, who is a good friend of Shaunna's.  While I have yet to meet her, I am friend with her on Facebook, and have been following the heartbreaking Mouth Cancer diagnosis last year, through the treatments, to the seeming remission, and back to another round.

Cancer has been a biggie in my family, and with people around me.  So, it's another thing that is close to my heart.  July 26th, at Jacques Cabaret in Boston, Shaunna and a whole host of kings and queens will be performing for us to benefit Ariel.  ALL proceeds will go to Ariel to help pay for medical bills.

A GoFundMe has been set up for her as well.  So, if you are able, make a donation here, as well.

I enjoy the shows at Jacques, and I'm very much looking forward to this show, due to the number of performers that will be at the show.  Many of whom I have not seen before.  Their names, I recognize, but that's about it.  It will be an emotional show, I would imagine, but it will definitely be worth checking out.  So, if you can, make sure to be there.

Vodka is a Breakfast Food, Right?

Shaunna Rai, Miss E'on, Katie, and Lorena.

Sunday morning started, much the same as the rest of the weekend.  Get up, run to Cumberland Farms, and pick up breakfast. (This is when I finally realized that their homemade peanut butter/chocolate rice crispy treats were my new favorite food.) While I got breakfast, Benni and Dan got into E'on and Shaunna Rai, respectively.

By now, we had things down to a science.  By the time faces were on, I had everything extraneous, that wouldn't be needed later, packed in the car.  And, just like that, it was time to head to Bessie's for the Drag Brunch.

Shaunna's Taking Orders

This was the final part of the fund raising for Frannie Peabody, for the weekend.  We got there, and there were already quite a few people.  The menus were handed out, and people were told that they got their choice of a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary with each meal they ordered, and that part of the proceeds from the meals went to Frannie Peabody.  And, then, the Bessie's staff disappeared.

I found myself a corner, per my usual, and hid out there, while the girls socialized with the customers.  And, then, Shaunna jumped behind the bar, and got a quick rundown on "how we do it here".  So, drinks started going out.  But, still no meals.  All the while, I keep thinking, there's something really weird going on here.  

The lady who ran the golf cart taxi for the AIDS Walk came in with a couple of friends, and we started talking a little bit.  She kept telling me how much fun she had had with taking us around the day before, and wanted to make sure that if we were back in Ogunquit that we looked her up, for any travel needs.

Lorena, Katie, Joe and DJ

The next thing I knew, Shaunna was back on the customer side of the bar, saying that she was told she needed to get out from behind the bar, as she was not employed at Bessie's.  Shaunna's mouth tends to be one of her more endearing traits, and one of the most cringeworthy traits (from my perspective.)  After all, this is the same mouth, that one of the first times my parents met Shaunna, said that she was going to "fuck my boyfriend doggy style, because he says I look like a dog," after I made the mistake of drunkenly saying that she reminded me of a husky, because one of her colored contacts was missing.  But, anyway, the same lady who told Shaunna that she couldn't be behind the bar, made the mistake of saying that she was volunteering her time, and not getting paid for being behind the bar.  Shaunna took her down right after. She went off about how, "you may be donating a couple hours of your time, but I've donated 5 days of this!" The customers loved it.  And, so did I, because, quite frankly, Shaunna is the voice that I wish that I had, in real life.

Shortly thereafter, the meals started to come out, and Bessie's got quiet. Because, let's face it,  whenever food is involved,  people stop talking until it's gone.  So, while everyone was eating, I spent time trying to figure out ways to make sure that I didn't eat.  The weekend had been a long one, and so much traveling had been done, that I didn't want to even think about how much money had been spent.  And, the last thing that I wanted to do was to spend more money, just to feed myself.

Katie, from Frannie Peabody, and DJ and Joe from Gaycation Magazine came in for their brunch, and invited me over, to hang out with them for a while.  The Gaycation boys started talking about the magazine, and how they were considering having people doing some freelance work for them, via YouTube.  Which, I think is an amazing idea...people would go to events, and report on them, and they'd get recognition from the magazine.  And, then I got bummed.  Because, this is something that I would love to do, but I hate how gay I sound on recordings.  And, I feel like I do better writing about my experiences than I ever do talking about them.  This was also when I found out that the boys had bought me a drink to try to break me out of my shell of silence.  And, I felt foolish, because it totally backfired, because I didn't know what to say, aside from "thank you," when I got the drink.

Jimmy and the girls. Shaunna sporting Jimmy's Red Party hat.

The end of the weekend fast approached.  The guys left to go home.  Katie took off.  Jimmy, who is one of the driving forces of the entire weekend, stopped by, and bequeathed the hat that he wore to the Red Party (in drag) to Shaunna Rai.  And, put brunch on his tab for the three of us. (Me, E'on and Shaunna)  Thanks Jimmy, the food was great!

Then, the faces came back off, and it was time to take Benni home, and come home and crash.

The Girls and Chris, the waiter at Bessie's.

Looking back, at the weekend, as a whole, this was probably the most fun that I've had.  And, it's the first time that I've really felt like a part of the gay community in Maine.  I spent time with people I didn't know, and people who I do know, but haven't really ever spent time with.  And, I got the chance to document it all, both with pictures, and with the blog here.  And, it finally occurs to me that this is the reason that I actually do the blog.  It's not because I want to get rich and famous from it...although that would be nice...but, it's because I want a way of looking back at my life, later and being able to say, "Look, I was there.  I was a part of that."  I may be 45 years too late for being a part of Stonewall, but I'm a part of the current fight for equal rights.  And, if that just means attending events, so be it.

Daytime Drag

This ended up being one of the most emotional days for me.
Snapping this picture, I got caught up in what it all meant.

Saturday was the longest day of the entire weekend. Saturday brought about the AIDS Walk, and Lewistunning Dragapalooza. So, the day started in Ogunquit, took a road trip to Lewiston, and then returned to Ogunquit.

The morning started with me making a coffee run, while faces started to go on. As usual, I got to sit and watch both faces go on.  And, as usual, I was impressed by the difference in how the makeup gets applied.  Because, neither of the ladies puts on their makeup the same way.  And, oddly enough, this will not be the last time that I'm impressed by the differences in makeup application.

Because I get to be in the same place with them, while they're putting on the makeup, and, at this point, we're on day 4 of putting on a face, it seems like the time just flies by, and the face is ready.  And, then, I do the "husbandy" thing, and fix bra straps, and tuck fabric flaps, and then, my job is done.

And, they're off!

We walk to the beach.  The girls are getting attention, and if it were anywhere other than Ogunquit, I'd probably be worried about the fact that they're getting attention because of the daytime drag.  But, because it's Ogunquit, and I realize that the majority of the attention that they're getting is from people that I know, it's all good.  We arrive at the parking lot, where Frannie Peabody has set up, to give out numbers, and the race is going to start, and I start snapping pictures like crazy.  Chulani, one of the karaoke singers from Friday night sings the national anthem.  The girls pose for some pictures with runners/walkers.  The race starts.  And, we get to go ride on a stretch golf cart, to cheer on the runners.

Our Limo Awaits!

The girls originally got in the way back, which faces out away from the driver, until Shaunna pointed out that maybe it would make more sense, for me, with the camera, to be facing that direction, to take pictures of the runners.  So, we do a short Chinese Fire Drill, and I end up in the way back.  And, within minutes of the switch, I almost fall off, when the taxi starts to move.

Miss E'on, Shaunna Rai, Leanna Love

We only go to the halfway point, because the taxi isn't allowed on the beach, which is pretty much (from my understanding) the rest of the course.  We cheer on the last of the walkers, and then head back to the parking lot, for lunch, and more pictures.  Then, it's tear it all off, pack up the car, and get on the road!

We stop home long enough to repack bags, with new outfits, for Dragapalooza, throw clean clothes in the overnight bag, and then we're off again.  We pick up Cherry Lemonade, and book it for Lewiston.  And, it hits me while we're driving to Lewiston, that I totally need a bigger car!   Between the passengers, and the drag, we're packed. Fully.  And, I'm supposed to be fitting one more person into the car.  It's impossible.  And, I stress about it for a little bit, on the drive.

ClubKid MizzDiveena

Once we get to Lewiston, I get to relax again.  There's not a whole lot going on, other than reminiscing, and discussing the show.  This is Cherry's first year doing Dragapalooza.  And, this is really the first time that I've spent much time with Cherry or her male alter, Conor.  This is also the first time that I've really caught myself being judgmental about people that I don't really know.

I've always tried to not make snap judgments about people in general.  Give people a chance, before you decide for certain that you like them, or not.  This has a bad habit of backfiring on me...when I give people the chance to prove that I shouldn't dislike them, they prove to me just why I should dislike them.  Fortunately, this was not the case this time.

Because Cherry had hosted Cherry's Drag Race, and had taken a former friend of mine "under her wing," I had a preconceived notion of the type of person that Cherry is.  Read as, someone that I'll be social with in a social situation, but not someone that I would spend much time with.

One of the best parts of the weekend for me, was finding out how much of an ass I was, when I found out that Conor/Cherry was nothing like I thought.  It was decided that I needed to go pick out something for lunch, because, with my specialized diet, I should be the one to do the looking for something gluten-free.  And, Conor decided to go with me.  The first part of the walk was quiet, because I didn't know what to say.  And, then, there was a bit of bonding over, of all things, the blog.  From there, conversation came pretty easily.  I actually realized that this is someone that I have a lot of respect for.  He does the drag thing, he works for a magazine, and dj's at Styxx.  He puts me to shame.  Lol.  I work in group homes, and write a blog...

After eating, I felt better, and faces started going on.  And, with Shaunna, E'on, Leanna Love, and Cherry Lemonade, there was no shortage of differences in how the faces were done.  Some of it's war paint, some of it looks like geisha face paint.  The eyes are all different, even when the same colors are being used.  Tips are traded.  Upcoming shows get discussed.  And, then it's time to go...and I'm lost. I have no idea how to get to Bates College, from Benni's (E'on), and thus have no idea how to get back.  And, I know that I can't fit four drag queens, all their hair, outfits and makeup in the car.  So, I end up taking two trips, with Leanna as my co-pilot.

Prodigy

Returning to the college, to drop off Shaunna and Cherry and park myself, I get the first hint that the weekend is catching up with everyone, because some fool has decided that since the queens get to park by a side door, that so can they.  And, my parents are walking up, trying to figure out where they're supposed to get their tickets from.  And, I just want to run screaming away from the whole thing, at this point, because I'm having a hard time staying focused on what I need to do first...which is get the costumes/hair back to the dressing rooms.  So, I dismiss my parents, and tell them I'll be right back, because I still have to park...two blocks away.  And, by the time I get back, they've already got their tickets, and mine as well.

Shaunna Rai

We go get seats, and it hits me that, I've been using my camera all day.  I have no idea how much battery I have left.  And, I start panicking.  What happens, if I killed my battery during the walk, and can't get any pictures during Dragapalooza?

Cherry Lemonade

The show starts, and there is a request for no flash photography.  So, we can still take pictures, but not with a flash.  On the one hand, this is a good thing, because the lack of the flash is going to save the battery life.  But, on the other hand, it's going to make it harder for the camera to focus on what's going on on stage, because we're kind of far away from it, and it's not like the stage is super well lit... So, I start snapping away, and I have changed the speed to action, so that I can get more pictures, with less work.  And, then I realize that I'm taking too many pictures!  Because, the battery starts to flag, quickly.

Jacinda

And, 2/3's of the way through the show, it dies on me.  Mentally, I begin to curse the camera out, for having wronged me...because, apparently, this is a Leo trait, or so I was once told.  Then, I spot it.  At the end of our row, is a plug.  And, I have my charger!  The night's not a total loss for me.  Not that it would've been, even if I wasn't able to take pictures...but, I like having the record.  Finally, it's intermission.  Hopefully the battery will charge enough in the 15 minute break, to survive through the rest of the show.

Sara Tonin

Unlike last year, I never made it outside to snap pictures, thanks to a dead battery.  So, I sat with my parents.  And, this is when I find out that there's a good possibility that my dad is going to need to go in for back surgery.  ('Cause, of course, I'm not stressed out enough already, I need something else to throw in the mix.)

Intermission is nearly over, and Shaunna comes looking for me.  I try to gauge how much longer the show is going to be, because I'm going to have to leave, literally, as the last number ends, to get the car, and get it back to pick up all the drags before the lot empties, and I'm stuck in traffic forever.  As we're halfway through the show, there's no real time given.  So, I make it known, that this is my plan for the rest of the evening.

And, lo, the battery has charged enough to get me almost all the way through the show.  This year, there were far more first time performers, both picked from Outright, and established performers who haven't done the show before.  And, I was blown away by how good they were.

And, somewhere in here, Shaunna made the announcement that we'd been waiting for all weekend.  Frannie Peabody Center's fund raising had broken the record by more than double last year's numbers.  They had in fact broken $100,000, and there was still money coming in.

The turning point in the night, for me, was ClubKid MizzDiveena's second number.  In unloading the drags initially, I thought I'd recognized a friend backstage, who I wasn't expecting to see.  But, I wrote it off as being delirious from all the other days that we'd been going.  It turned out, that I, in fact, had seen Tony backstage.  And, he was performing with Diveena, as a demon of some sort.  And, so he came down the ramp around the seats, and happened to be on my side.  Putting things together, and realizing that it was him, made me chill out, and enjoy the rest of the show.

Then, just like that, the show was over.  I booked it to the car, and beat all the traffic.  Then, it was time to load the car back up, bit my parents goodbye, and head back to Portland, to drop off Cherry, and head back to Ogunquit, to rest up for the Sunday Brunch at Bessie's.

The Red Party

Most of my gay life, I've heard about the color parties, all over the place. Black parties, white parties. And, I've never been to one. Well, until Friday.

I'm a bit behind, because I've internetless, for a week or so. So, this is day two of the amazing weekend of drag. After going home Thursday night, we drove back to Ogunquit on Friday afternoon. On the way we stopped at Starbucks on the interstate.

We arrived at Mainestreet again, with overnight bags and stuff.  And, like the good drag husband I am, I did the majority of the transporting of suitcases and bags and makeup.  As we were going to be spending the night, and I'm able to eat little of anything that can be found in the immediate vicinity due to a gluten allergy, I was sent shopping.  But, before that, I was asked to pop open the wine for Shaunna Rai and Miss E'on.  Only, we didn't bring wine glasses.  So, wine in Starbucks cups it was.

When I got back from the store, faces were half put on, and I was getting excited.  E'on had made Shaunna a Red Ribbon dress, and for months that's all I'd heard about, was how the dress was going to be amazing.  So, I was excited to see it in person, with the face.  (I'd already seen it in fittings.)  And, finally, the faces were done, the bodies went on.  I changed into my red pants and black shirt with red bow tie.  Shaunna asked me to take some pictures before we left, so she could post one before the Red Party.  (Little did I know, it was going to be one of the "most liked pictures I've ever taken, with over 100 likes.)

So, it was off to the Red Party, at the Front Porch.  The Front Porch is a piano bar, practically across the street from Mainestreet.  I think, years ago, when I was 18, I went there for dinner, once with some friends. Aside from that, I've only been there for the Red Parties.  So, we get there, and there's a donation to get in.  After all, this is a fund raiser for the Frannie Peabody Center.  At the top of the steps, there is a photographer, who will take your pictures, for a donation, and immediately, the girls get pulled aside for photos with random strangers. And, I melt into the background for a few minutes, trying to stay out of the way of the waitstaff.

Shaunna recognizes Katie, who has been the contact for all the Frannie Peabody stuff for the weekend.  The usual, "you look beautiful", and "that outfit is amazing", goes on.  And, I'm offered a drink...which I take, because, let's face it, it's going to be a long night, and I barely know anyone here, and the girls are going to be mingling for quite some time.  Especially, since there's another event at Mainestreet immediately afterward.

And, then, they're off.  I spend a while just kind of standing in the corner, with some people who I actually know.  I realize how few people I actually know anything about.  And, I realize that at some point, I need to change my behavior, and try to be a little more social.  In the 20 minutes or so that I spent with Mat, Doug and Patrick, I learned more about them than I have learned in the last year and a half that I've known them.  Meanwhile, the waitstaff keep coming around with appetizers, that smell amazing.  Unfortunately, they're all either flatbreads, or fried stuff with a breading on them.  So, no appetizers for me.

The girls come back around, and then it's time for the auction.  So, I get up front, and start taking pictures of the items, and the caller.  I knew from last year, that this was going to be a weekend where money flowed freely.  I was not prepared for the amount of money that was dropped at the auction.  A massage went for like $600 or some crazy large amount.  Murals that had been done specifically for the Front Porch, years ago, went for a minimum of $1000 each.  One was almost $3000.

And, it's time to head back to Mainestreet.  On our way out, we run into Joslyn Fox, who is there out of drag.  And, same as the night before, he's super sweet, talking about how beautiful Shaunna is.

Once we get back to Mainestreet, the girls go back upstairs to readjust, and touch up.  And, I take up my post at the corner of the Gaycation Magazine table. Before they go upstairs, Shaunna meets a lesbian couple, and introduces them to me.  It turns out that they've been together for like 30 years, and been married for 8.  They were very nice, and bought me a drink.  And, we chatted for a while.  They begged me to make sure that nobody roofied Shaunna's drink (since they'd bought one for her as well) and then had me keep an eye on their drinks as well, while they went out and danced.

Meanwhile, I get all in a bad head space, and decide that this life is not for me. I hate being shy. I hate having to be the guy behind the scenes. I want to just not be me anymore.  I want to go home. I want to blend further into the woodwork, and disappear.  When they came back down, people started asking to snap pictures with us...and for once, I actually get to be in the pictures, which is exciting for me. Why is this exciting? Well, because I'm always on the other end of the camera...by choice. But, it's nice, sometimes, to be able to prove that I was actually at an event.

Shaunna did a number. Karaoke happened. E'on performed while doing karaoke. The guys from Gaycation Magazine bought me a drink. (I later found out that it was because they thought I should loosen up, and thought that a drink would help me break the silence. )

The night ended for us, relatively early. The girls left before I did. I was still nursing my Cape Cod, at the Gaycation table. Shaunna gave me the perfect excuse to leave the drink, and head upstairs to go to bed.  This was a moment for me. When we go out, I'm never alone, by design, for longer than a bathroom break. I needed to prove, after my headspace breakout, that I could do my own thing for a little bit. Of course, once the drink was gone, I booked it to bed. But, I managed to prove to myself that I could be happy doing my own thing and not needing to be entertained by anyone...even though I enjoy my people.

Joslyn Fox Guest Bartends

Thursday was the "beginning" of the long

weekend of drag. It came down to the wire as to whether I was even going to be able to participate in the weekend. Fortunately everything worked out.

The ladies started putting on face, and I did my own thing. I did my little flitting around thing and got drinks and stuff for them. And then, they were ready. The suitcases were filled. I loaded them in the car, and then we were on our way to Ogunquit.

We got to Mainestreet, where Joslyn Fox was going to be guest bartending,  and the ladies would be mingling and performing around karaoke songs. We arrived and checked in with Steve and Eddie about what was the plan for the night. So, the first stop was the Gaycation Magazine table. The ladies would be selling tickets for a raffle, with a Maui grand prize and a Key West first prize. This table would end up being my perch for the majority of the weekend.

The Gaycation guys, DJ and Joe were snapping pics all over the place.  And so was Steve. I had liked them on Facebook prior to actually meeting them, but knew nothing about it. Over the course of the night, I heard the story of how the magazine came to be. Apparently, the guys had taken an RV trip cross country,  and upon returning home,  decided to start a magazine.

Shaunna Rai started talking to a lady, which is nothing new. And, she turned out to be a relative of Joslyn, who had come with some other family members.  In the course of conversation,  they bought us drinks. This is one of those weird moments that doesn't happen for me...I didn't want to make them pay for my drink,  but also didn't want to offend them by saying no. So, while I battled it out in my head, Shaunna placed an order for me.  Joslyn's family was super sweet.

Then, Joslyn arrived.  She made the rounds, starting with her family and Shaunna.  When I imagined what she would be like, I thought that she was going to be nice, because that's how she came across on Drag Race. What I didn't expect was how nice she actually was. Who she was on tv is who she is in real life.

Dan talks a lot about how during shows out of state, the audience kinda freaks out because the performers generally hide out until it's time for the show, and leave immediately after. Shaunna will mingle. Joslyn mingled. A lot. Pictures were snapped left and right...some were mine, most were not. And, finally I got my picture taken with her. unlike Jujubee,  I had no idea what to say to her. So, I just asked for my picture,  then spent the rest of the night with a foolish grin.

Shaunna introduced Joslyn on stage, and Joslyn did an impromptu performance, while the ladies were selling raffle tickets and mingling.  And I just spent time in my little corner. Then, before I knew it, the night was over, and it was time to go home. It almost came as a relief, knowing that we were going to be back at it all again Friday.

I Love the Night Life...

It's Monday, and I'm alive. We made it through the weekend of drag.

I went into the weekend not sure what to expect.  Because,  let's be honest.  I'm painfully shy. To the point of standing around in a corner, being perceived as anti-social,  because I just don't know how to go up to someone I don't know and start talking. I expected it to be fun, because Ogunquit is always fun.

I did what I always do at events, and took pictures all weekend. And managed to get them all posted to Facebook within 24 hours...which is a rarity...I still have pictures from last summer that I haven't posted,  I think.

There were so many events to cover, that it will take more than one post to get them all. So as a preview of what's coming, here are some highlights:

*I got my picture with Joslyn Fox.
*I took a Shaunna Rai picture that has received over 100 likes.
*I got to be a part of the Red Party and the AIDS Walk.
*I got to see another Dragapalooza with my parents.
*I got to promote this blog to people I don't know.
*And, I got to have a weekend away where I wasn't worried about the stresses of real life.

For one of the first times in my life, I felt like I was actually a part of something far bigger than myself.  I was part of an event weekend that not only blew my socks off, and made Frannie Peabody fund raising history, but also gave me an opportunity to give back to the community.

It's Spring....Hello Ogunquit!!

For many people, the unofficial beginning of the summer, is Memorial Day.  For us, it's pretty much the Frannie Peabody Center's AIDS Walk/Run Weekend.  Last spring was my first of these.  This year, I'll be lucky to wake up on Monday morning.  This is the (technically second day) first day of the Frannie Peabody events and other events both at Mainestreet and Front Porch in Ogunquit and Bates College in Lewiston over the next four days.

It's already been an interesting ride, to get to this point.  I started off last week, knowing that before I got hired at either of my jobs, that I'd mentioned that I was going to need the days off this weekend.  And, at both places, I was told, "It's no problem."  And, then, I got scheduled to work, three of the four days that I needed off.  And, panic set in.  Fortunately, I brought it up in time to get it covered.  But, the wait for confirmation that it was actually covered, was literally at the last minute.  I found out for sure just before I left work for the night.

Tonight, is going to be an Ogunquit night.  This means Mainestreet.  This is the spot in the summer. It's walking distance to the beach.  It's the destination if you want to really get your dance on, during the warmer months.  They're open year round, and it's the place we go if we want to go out of town, without going all the way to Manchester or Boston.

Joslyn Fox of this season of RuPaul's Drag Race, is going to be in town for the entire weekend.  Tonight, she's guest bar tending at Mainestreet, and Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on will be selling shots, or tickets, or giving stuff away...I'm not entirely sure.  Tomorrow, she'll be around for the Red Party, if I understand correctly at both Front Porch and Mainestreet as will Shaunna and E,on. Shaunna will be hosting and judging a contest for the best Red outfit, then the party continues afterward at Mainestreet, where Shaunna and E'on will be performing.  Saturday morning, Joslyn's rumored to be running in the Walk/Run. Shaunna and E,on will be cheering the participants on.  Saturday at 7pm, on the other side of the state, Shaunna and E,on will be co-hosting and performing in the 6th annual Lewistunning Dragapalooza.  Saturday evening, she will be performing at Mainestreet. And, Sunday morning, Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on will be waiting tables at Bessie's in Ogunquit for a brunch.

With the amount of driving involved in this weekend, I'm a little bit overwhelmed.  But, now that the weekend, is for sure off, and I don't have to worry about working, I can start to relax.  And, I can let myself enjoy the reason that I've been looking forward to it in the first place.  It's a drag weekend.  Which means, it's gonna be fun.  And, I get to add another RuPaul girl to my list of girls that I have met, by the end of it all.  My grand total will be: 3.  Raven, Jujubee and Joslyn Fox.  You gotta start somewhere, right?

So, two hours to go time... And, hopefully, I won't be killed by any exploding suitcases this weekend.

"It's Showtime Synergy!"

Kids growing up now, have very little imagination. Everything comes to them immediately.  And, what doesn't, is taken care of by their (insert name of electronic device here.)  

Growing up in the '80's, there were a lot fewer electronics, and a lot more imagination.  For one, you had to come up with things to do, because my parents made us go outside and play.  Sometimes, for me, playing meant taking a book outside, climbing a tree, and reading, high up in the branches, until supper was ready.  But, a lot of times, that time was spent imagining that I was someone else, doing something more interesting. 

Why wouldn't this be the case?  

The '80's brought us Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari doing drag on network tv in Bosom Buddies.  And, Dustin Hoffman in drag in Tootsie.  As a kid, I was inundated with alter egos.  Superman/Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne/Batman, Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Jerrica Benton/Jem, Prince Adam/He-Man, just to name a few. And, then one of my favorite books: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  Alter egos, are just cool. 

Somewhere along the lines, I lost that in myself.  I went from being Steve, who led adventures through the jungle, in the neighbor's field, where the grass grew taller than I was (where we always ran the chance of being yelled at by a wicked witch for being there), to who I am now. Steve, who speaks little, listens a lot, and wishes that some day his mutant power will show itself, so that I can be cool.  The likelihood of that actually happening is about zilch.  But, it doesn't mean that I can't hope.

So, you're probably wondering what my point is in all of this?  For whatever reason, the drag community gets me back in touch with that part of my childhood.  The part that makes it so that everything is possible, and I don't have to be a boring adult forever.  In a way, I'm lucky, in that I don't have to stand outside the phone booth to watch the transformation happen, or be in the bat cave.  It takes much longer than the cartoons make it out to, but I get to watch the transformation in the same room, if I choose to.  Maybe we're not out saving the world, but every so often, I get to be a part of something, where I can feel like I am making a difference.  Shaunna Rai does a lot of things for AIDS Awareness, through the Frannie Peabody Center, and has taken up the Pride Portland cause as well.  These have become my causes as well, in part because they're hers, but in part, because I need to feel like I'm doing something good for the world.  (See how I fall back to the kid of the '80's? Good must always prevail over evil.  And, knowing, is half the battle.)

So, maybe I'm not a getaway driver for a bank robber.  And, maybe I'm not a superhero in a speedo and blue tights.  But, every so often, I get to be the chauffeur, for one of the best known drag performers in the state of Maine.  Pair that with the fact that at the end of the night, Shaunna Rai or Dan, is going home with me, and that's all I need.  Who needs an alter ego? Although, I'm still not opposed to mutant powers.  Just sayin', if anyone knows anyone who can make that happen for me...

Happy New Year!

Shaunna Rai

The period between Halloween and New Year's, was kind of a slow time for Shaunna Rai. And, it's been an interesting time for me. 

I gave up my job, in an attempt to eliminate some stress from my life.  Of course, immediately, I picked up some new stressors...like being broke, and the search for a new job.  Because, at the moment, the blog isn't making me any money...nor are any of my other talents.

Right around Christmas, though, Shaunna Rai started making appearances again.  The first was for the USM Drag Show. Then, an event at Styxx to promote World Aids Day in affiliation with the Frannie Peabody Center.  This was a bit of a disappointment, because there was very little interest in free testing. Shaunna and I both got tested, and I believe that Vanila did as well. And, the good news is that the tests came back negative.  This was the culmination of a few other events around town with the Peabody Center.  And, gave me more of a human face to the disease.  This of course, makes me sound like I didn't know anyone who has it.  The truth of the matter is, that the event prior to the Styxx event, held at the Salt Museum, was the first time that I heard a first hand experience of what it was like to have it, from the beginning of the epidemic.  It was the first time that I felt like I wanted to do something more to contribute toward finding a cure, or even assisting people who are afflicted with it.

Mercadies Chanel

Christmas came, and this was when Shaunna started really making her weekly appearances around town. Dan has been working less hours, and has had a lot more time at home, to work with wigs.  So, over the last couple months, Shaunna Rai, and Vanila Honey-Bush have gotten new hair.   I got a new camera from my parents for Christmas, so new pictures will be coming.  And, the new pictures have helped me with a new business venture of my own...

The drawings here, are drawings that I have been doing, as commissions for people.  Dan has been encouraging me to do something with my drawings for almost as long as I've known him. And, for the most part, I've avoided it. Why? The same reason that I avoid a lot of things.  Fear.  Fear of not being good enough, fear of having people tell me that I suck.  And, the stupidest fear of all...the fear that I would actually enjoy it, and start drawing again on a regular, full time basis.  And out of them all, the last was the one that has come true. I've drawn more since the start of the new year, than I did the entirety of last year and the year before combined.  Sad but true. Commissions can be requested via my email: swd8880@yahoo.com and can be paid for via paypal using the same email address. Pricing starts at $25, but varies depending on the complexity of the picture.  The drawings will be totally customisable, to the buyer's specifications.

Mizery

Two out of the last 3 weeks, Shaunna Rai has been out of state performing, with the two other queens featured in the drawings, Mercadies Chanel, and Boston's Mizery.  And, she's in fact headed back there this weekend to perform with them again. At the end of the last show, I got a shout out from Mercadies, for the drawings that I had done of her...she called out my name in front of everyone, and told them to check out the drawing that she is using as her profile picture on Facebook, then told them that I am accepting commissions.  It was an awkward, but awesome feeling to hear my name called.

Shaunna Rai will again be performing with Mercadies and Mizery at Club 313 in Manchester, New Hampshire, this Saturday.  She has a show coming up in March, and potentially may have a show on a cruise out of Portland harbor sometime in May.

Her show schedule is starting to fill up, and that means things get a little busier. I kinda love it, because this means I have more to blog about. I never know what to expect.  Shaunna Rai changes up her look all the time. I can't wait to see what she has in store for 2014!

Tell Me a Story?

So, last week was a busy week. Taffy's RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Party was Monday. Wednesday, was the Blackstones' Valentine's Day show, Thursday was Taffy's show at Geno's, and Friday night was Andrew Christian Models and Kenya Michaels at Machine in Boston.

Needless to say, by the end of the weekend, I was a bit exhausted. And, with a bit of personal drama that stemmed from the night at Geno's, my mind was in a place of complete and utter chaos. And, I needed a distraction, stat. So, Monday, I asked Dan to tell me about Shaunna Rai. When and why she made her first appearance, and how she was "born".

I was surprised to learn that Shaunna Rai's birth came at about the same time as Dan's coming out. She was born to a former roommate. She only went out for an hour, the first time she went out. And, originally, she was a way of getting into bars without being ID'ed.

As time went on, Shaunna Rai started being asked to participate in shows around the state, and eventually, even out of state.

Back when Shaunna Rai first hit the scene, drag was bigger than it is now. The "cities" in Maine all had their own queens. Or, the queens claimed their city. Shaunna Rai saw every show as a way to get her name out, so, she didn't claim one city over another.

Over time, Shaunna Rai got involved in events. She was one of the first performers at the Portland Pride Pier Dance. She has been involved with the Frannie Peabody Center, and was named Miss AIDS Awareness. She has been a part of the Screaming Queens show, in Waterville, which is another fundraiser for the Eastern Maine AIDS Network. She promotes the First Friday Art walks, here in Portland, along with some friends. And, I know there is a ton of stuff I've forgotten.

Anyway, as he told me Shaunna Rai's story, I got lost in it.  Though she's applied multiple times for RuPaul's Drag Race, and made it quite far in the process, she has yet to make it to the show. In my eyes though, the glitz and glamour of that life is already there. And, I look forward to being there for the next chapter in both Dan and Shaunna Rai's life.