Midsummer Night Queens: Week 2: Joslyn Fox

The trip to Portsmouth, was very uneventful, and conversation was much like it was the prior week...these guys take drag seriously, as a business, these guys don't, and the ones who don't, and go out in drag every night (for fun) ruin paid gigs for the "business-minded" queens.

We got held up again at the York toll. This time, for even longer than the first time.  Sundays, and the end of the summer, lead to mass tourists heading south, to return home. (I know, tourists make or break businesses in Maine, during the summer, but I'm usually glad to see them go home.)

We got to the Rep, and I again dropped the girls off, then drove around trying to figure out where I could park. Unfortunately, the bank parking lot was full, and I didn't want to risk it with the church possibly towing the car. So, I drove around the block three times, and by the grace of all that is good, as I was getting ready to give up and go park in the parking garage a few blocks away, someone pulled out. So, I got a spot right in front of the theater.  Only, Portsmouth runs their parking meters until 7pm on Sundays, so I had to rush to find quarters for two and a half hours worth of parking. Once parked, I took a minute to relax before heading back down.

Because I spend so much time as a man on a mission, I had planned to just head backstage to get drink orders. Only,  I got held up by puppets.  The Avenue Q puppets were again a part of Bunny's number. And I walked in on the rehearsal for it. It was brilliant, and I was so excited to see it actually worked into the show.

During the Jujubee show, Wendy had asked me how to get a backstage pass, to hang out in the dressing room with the girls. I told her that with some begging, and her being there early,  that we could probably get her in.

Once we arrived, though, I had actually forgotten that I was going to talk to Bunny Wonderland about getting her in. And it occurred to me when I saw her outside, that I had forgotten. Fortunately, Cherry Lemonade asked, and it was not a problem.

Because the room is set up with lights and mirrors on both sides of the room, I could stare at myself in the mirror, and see everything that was going on in the rest of the room. (I'm sure everyone knew that I was watching, but, I tried to play it off otherwise.)

Wendy was all aglow, because she had just gotten back from P-Town, where she met John Waters, and saw Jinkx Monsoon and Trixie Mattel. And, she was in all her glory hanging out backstage with the queens. I don't think that the entire time we were downstairs I saw the smile leave her face.

Unlike last year, Joslyn painted at her hotel room instead of the theater. She arrived and they did a quick run through of the introduction staging directions , I did a last drink run, and then Wendy and I went to take our seats.

Our usual seats were reserved...for someone else. When I asked about who they were for, apparently, someone is trying to set up a ferry to P-Town from Portsmouth, and those were the people who stole my seat. Which worked out well enough, because with the puppet number, I wouldn't have managed to get the whole stage from the first row. So, second row it was.

It's always fun, watching the crowd come into the Rep, because, it's like walking into a crater. A very deep crater with very steep sides. (It really sucks carrying suitcases with drag queens in them down the steps, but it's fun to watch other people.) The reaction is usually somewhere along the lines of, "Jesus, could they make these steps any steeper?"

Finally, showtime! All my usual people were there this time, including the new people from Jujubee. The only one missing was the ever stoic Brian, who had to work.

My favorite act, by far, was the Mary Poppins/Avenue Q number,  which I watched in rehearsal after parking. Bunny Wonderland made an amazing stoned Mary Poppins, being greeted by the puppets of Avenue Q, to the tune of "It's a Jolly Holiday With Mary".  Which, incidentally was why I needed to not be in the front row this time...

Joslyn as JLO surprised me. The hair was spot on, and occasionally during the number, I went off into a world where I was watching JLO and not JFO. 

I guess I was in the zone, because, it's rare that I have a conflict of reality, that allows me to suspend disbelief enough to buy a person as another person. (If that makes sense? This is why I could not watch TED...Peter Griffin is not a walking, talking teddy bear...I couldn't deal with the wrong character with the right voice.)

I was excited for Shaunna Rai's "Out Tonight" from RENT, because when we saw the stage the first time, I was like, "YOU NEED TO!"

Cherry Lemonade did a number, that I really didn't get. It started off with a phone call about her dad (presumably) dying, and then launched into a chain of memories about lost time, and that kind of thing. It was amazing, and showed off her vocal projection, because the mic crapped out on her.  It was important to Cherry,  and I later found out that it was one of her "for me" numbers.  A number that the audience doesn't have to "get" because it's about the character, more than it is the audience.

Lili Whiteass did again, her number starting with Elsa Mars singing "Heroes", and transforming into a skeleton tap dancing to "Puttin on the Ritz." And, I accidentally got one of my favorite pictures ever, of her, with the skull mask on.

The numbers kind of run together,  sometimes, for me, because as a photographer, I'm paying more attention to whatever action is happening, than the actual music.

Joslyn, as I expected, did not disappoint. Where her night last year was Broadway based, I has expected at least one Broadway number from her. Instead I got three Pop divas...JLO, Rhianna and Pink. And, I can honestly say I have never heard Pink do "Bohemian Rhapsody", but she's brilliant. And, Joslyn amazed.

Before I knew it, the show was over. I ran backstage to check on Shaunna, and see if she needed any help. We got the corset off, and I headed back up, to be ready for the Meet and Greet. I was there before the queens were, and, so I started to chat with the people I knew.

Andre, Joslyn's husband came up and started setting up merchandise for sale. I, immediately, searched out Wendy, who had said earlier that she was looking for Joslyn t-shirts.

Joslyn and the rest of the girls made their way up, and, as usually happens, the crowd swarmed. "Joslyn, take a selfish with me," and, "You're so (insert any adjective here), can I get a picture with you?"

So, I went around to get shots of people, and began to hand out my business cards to people, explaining that I was the official photographer, and showing where I would be posting photos from all the shows. (Because, what blogger doesn't want to promote their blog along with their photographs?)

Joslyn finally set herself up, with a table, for signing items for people. And I took control of the line. "You're next," and, "Smile," left my mouth more that night, than they ever have in my life. When the line was gone, I got panicky, because, it's my thing to get my picture with the Ru girls, and Shaunna was busy with her own paparazzi, so I had no idea who would take my picture. I didn't need to worry. I got my picture...And only then realized that I had forgotten to get one with Jujubee, the week before.

Finally, the crowd started to peter out, until only the few people who were getting paid were left. (And me, and Andre) Everyone went down to pack up, and leave. Feeling a little awkward, because the dressing room felt very crowded, I stayed outside, and probably made a complete fool of myself. I reintroduced myself to Andre (because I had met him in Ogunquit the day before they got married, and again at last year's show.) And, so, because I was trying to actually have a conversation on my own, I talked about the only thing that I could think of...Facebook...And the fact that we weren't Facebook friends. So,  I asked if I  would be weird to friend request him, since I was already friends with Joslyn's boy page. He said I would be fine, and I was like, this is so cool.

The ride home was a very interesting ride. Apparently, there was a mix up in Shaunna Rai's check and Rainbow Frite's. And, there was a difference in pay scale.

This set up a huge discussion about how the pay scale should've been the same across the board, for all but the Ru girls. I was silent, because I didn't know what to say for one, and I kind of expected that from girls who do this as a living, as opposed to the girls who have day jobs.

When we finally got to Kennebunk, I was ready to get out of the conversation. The Burger King people who worked the previous week were working again, AND recognized us. Shaunna asked Cherry if she wanted to take more pictures in the gazebo. Cherry said she would, and this time, the BK guys gave her a hard time about it.

The rest of the ride home was uneventful, but, I was so glad to finally get home. With these trips, I realized that the only downside to living in Lewiston, is that it's so much longer a ride when we're coming from out of state. That is the only time that I miss living in Portland.

There's No Place Like Home...

The last few months have been a whirlwind.  I've missed blogging about so many events, and, I'm not sure that I could keep up, even if I tried.

May was full of the Southern Maine AIDS Walk, Dragapalooza (and I feel like there was something else...)  June was full of Pride stuff.   July was all about moving.  August has been about settling in, loss, and the beginning of a second run of the Midsummer Night Queens show in Portsmouth.  September is going to be about my brother's wedding, and a night to "Remember the Underground" (the previous incarnation of Styxx in Portland...before I was "allowed" to go out to the gay bars, so before my time...)

The AIDS Walk was three days of awesome.  Porcia Chanel and Scarrlett Couture came from New Hampshire, and spent the weekend in Ogunquit with us.  As usual, because they were essentially, new people, to me, I was kinda freaked out.  But, they made me feel like I belonged there, which is always a big thing for me.  The fundraising part of the Walk bypassed last years $100,000, which will go to benefit the Frannie Peabody Center, and all the work that they do with local people who are coping with HIV/AIDS and the struggles that come with it.  And, as it always does, the weekend itself makes me proud to know the people who I know, because they make me strive to be a better, more understanding person.

Dragapalooza was a huge show this year.  Like 39 numbers, or something like that.  As always, it was a fundraiser for Lewiston/Auburn Outright, and there were quite a few student entries, in conjunction with the professionals.  A couple of returning acts from last year. I'd brought two cameras, because I knew that I was going to need them, for pictures...and I wasn't wrong.  I drained the batteries from both cameras before the end of the show.  (Which, prompted me to go Ebay shopping, and bought myself two extra rechargeable batteries for my good camera, for less than I could buy them in an actual store.)

1920's Steve and Shaunna Rai
Photo by Steven Bridges

June started off with the Great Gatsby party, to kick off Pride.  It was a great time.  I looked like a cross between Mario and a News Boy from the 20's...Apparently, I can't pull off a mustache properly, and should probably just give it up...

Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on were asked to perform for a cruise out on Portland Harbor.  In spite of the fact that I am deathly afraid of drowning, I went, and had an amazing time.

I came thisclose to actually getting to go to Pride, but stupidly decided that I needed to work that day.  The closest that I got was that I drove by the set up sites, while everything was getting set up for the parade...and then I got to drive by the park at the end of the afternoon, when things were starting to be taken down.  I think I learned my lesson.

Dan and Ariel

July was the month that I didn't expect to make it through.  The old apartment had begun to leak, badly, in places that it shouldn't have been leaking, especially, since it was in the ceiling of the second floor of a three story building... Dan and I ended up in a time crunch, and I'll just leave it at there being a lot of yelling.  Things have since calmed down.  But, it was a very stressful time.

August sadly, marked the passing of Ariel Maranda Gibbs.  She's one of the few people who Dan/Shaunna talked about a lot, who I never actually met.  When things calm down, I would like to talk to a few people about her, so that I can get some idea of who she really was, and give her a nice "send off."

We're finally getting settled into the new place in Lewiston.  Dan has a car of his own again, for the first time in three years.  And, although it's had a couple of issues, he appears to be less stressed out than he has been in a long time.  Shaunna Rai's drag rooms are still in transition (no pun intended) as Shaunna is still half packed away.  I've claimed myself a corner of the garage for doing my own thing.  I have my drafting table set up for drawing, a 300 disc CD changer set up for music (that I need to update with some newer drag-ish music), and more space than I will be able to use...at least when the car(s) aren't parked in it.

Which brings us to the Midsummer Night Queens.  Last year was a blast...Manila Luzon, Jessica Wild and Joslyn Fox, along with Bunny Wonderland, Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on.  Tonight, August 16th, starts the Ru-Turn...another three part, weekly show.  It starts off with Jujubee (one of my favorites), and will feature Joslyn Fox (week 2) and BenDeLaCreme (week 3), along with Bunny Wonderland, Shaunna Rai, Lili Whiteass, Rainbow Frite, and Cherry Lemonade.  I will again be taking pictures of the three evenings, and am looking forward to sneaking a little bit of backstage time with the queens, to say hi, and geek out...(and hopefully creep BenDeLaCreme out less than I did when I met her after the BOTS tour.)

So, that's been the summer, in a nutshell.  I'll get back in the swing of things.  And, hopefully, be less stressed out about everything.  I managed to get a new job, where it's highly likely that I will have weekends off, and be able to do more with weekend shows...and have a life, like a real person, in a normal job...

Midsummer Night Queens: A Ru-turn

Last year was so much fun they decided to do it again. I can't wait.  As usual, I will be there with my camera for Jujubee, Joslyn Fox and BenDeLaCreme. Hope to see you there starting August 16th.

2014: A Year in Drag

Each year, I realize that I'm getting older.  A thought that I am still not ready to succumb to.  This year, like every year before, has gone by faster than I would have liked for it to.  Some awesome things happened.  Some horrible things happened.  Some things that are really sad happened, and some things that I will never forget, (because I took the time to write about them, so when I get to be old and senile, I'll at least have some kind of record of what I have done).  Over all, I don't have a lot to complain about for the year.  And, yes, I know I still have 4 days, technically, before the year is over...but the news channels have been pushing this end of the year crap for a week now, already, even before Christmas...

Manila Luzon

I'll start with the sad stuff, first, and get it out of the way.  This year marked the passings of Crystal Eaton, Scott Randall, Chase Wakeling, and Mildred Poland.  These are all people who at some point have had some kind of impact on my life.  Only one did any kind of drag.  Evie Does-It/Scott, made an otherwise exciting day, less so, as his passing happened to coincide with Latrice Royale's appearance at Styxx.  Crystal, who got her own post at the beginning of the year, was my babysitter, when I was a kid.  Chase invited Dan to live with him and his husband, when Dan had to evacuate an apartment, with only days notice, and Dan was still living there, when we met.  Chase was a supporter of us as a couple, from the very beginning, and it's still a shock to me that he's gone.  And, Mildred was my ex's aunt.  She reminded me an awful lot of my grandmother, and even after the breakup, she kept in contact with me via Facebook.  Her passing was a shock, but, it wasn't unexpected, and she had already made plans that it was her time to go.  Out of respect to the family, I opted to not go, because I didn't want anything to be weird, nor did I want to make it about me.  

Jessica Wild

2014 also marked the passing of one of the first "drag queens" that I was exposed to...Robin Williams, as Mrs. Doubtfire.  When I first heard the news, I thought it was another hoax, like, Macaulay Culkin's three deaths.  When it turned out to be true, it brought up a lot of things, for the kids I work with, as well as myself.  If nothing else, Robin Williams, as Mrs. Doubtfire, taught me that there is sometimes a thin line between the place where Love is Everything, and Love just isn't enough.  And, his final teaching, was that life is short, and let the people who mean anything, and everything to you, know that, because you never know for sure, when you won't get the chance to tell them again.

Joslyn Fox

There, now that the sad stuff is out of the way, I'll focus on some of the big things that happened this year.

2014 brought about my biggest year in RuPaul girls, yet.  I will have met, by the end of tonight, seven different RuPaul girls... Jujubee, Joslyn Fox (twice), Manila Luzon, Jessica Wild, Alyssa Edwards, Latrice Royale, and Mimi Imfurst.  It also brought about the first time I've ever won any kind of contest.  It only took me 34 years to win something more than a participation ribbon... This was the year, that I accidentally won a VIP ticket to see Alyssa Edwards...accidentally, because I forgot that I had entered, and, given that it was a Facebook contest, I didn't actually expect to win...

Alyssa Edwards

While my attempt to create a graphic novel, featuring drag came to a screeching halt, due to a lack of interest (on my part), and an attack on my creativity and imagination, due to doing some actual research by interviewing some queens, I put it aside.  It hasn't been scrapped entirely.  But, it's not a main focus.  At this point, I'd do better, writing a book..."The Boyfriend's Guide to Drag Husbandry." While it wouldn't necessarily be a best seller (or maybe it would), it would give me an opportunity to write what I know, and then nobody could attack me based on a lack of creativity, or plagarizing stories, by using bits and pieces of someone else's life...

Latrice Royale

I learned just how much my parents love the drag.  I have to admit, when I first started dating Dan, the biggest fear, was how they would react to the drag.  I obviously had nothing to worry about, since my mom's goal for this year was to start getting picture

s of her with the RuPaul queens, and, she's now working on hunting down DVD's of all the seasons of Drag Race.  It's been through this whole process, that I realized just how cool my parents really are.  They probably always have been, but you never think that your parents are cool, when you're a kid.  

Mimi Imfurst 

The year has been a giant teaching experience for me. I started to take my blog seriously, as a soapbox of sorts. On top of teaching about the acceptance of drag as an art, and an understanding of trans issues, I have also tackled why drag is dying in Maine, why we need to continue to teach about AIDS, and I grew a beard for testicular cancer. 

My No-Shave November Beard

At work, I've also been able to teach more about acceptance as well.  We took the kids to Salem, Massachusetts back in October, just before Halloween.  While we were there, the (at the time) Duchess Gigi Gill was out and about taking pictures with the tourists.  The boys all saw her, and started saying really mean things about her. So, it was my job to talk about the fact that not all drag is RuPaul "grade". And that it is as much about playing a character, as it is about dressing in the opposite gender's clothes.

Cherry Lemonade

Over the course of the year, I made some friends, and lost some friends. The friendscape of my life is in a big time flux right now. People are moving away. Other people just have stopped making the effort. And, I've done the same. Yet other people have surprised me. Cherry Lemonade has become someone  I consider to be a good friend...and she's going to be famous now. Starting January 7th we'll get to see her journey on American Idol.  

I went to so many shows throughout the course of the year.  Two fundraisers in January, March Dragness,  Jujubee at Styxx, Joslyn Fox at Mainestreet,  the Frannie Peabody AIDS Walk weekend in Ogunquit, Dragapalooza,  Zumba Wekend at Point Sebago,  all the Pride events and fundraisers, the shows at Seacoast Rep with Manila Luzon, Jessica Wild and Joslyn Fox,  Alyssa Edwards at Paradym, Latrice Royale at Styxx, the Miss AIDS Awareness Pageant, and Mimi Imfurst at Styxx. And I'm sure I missed a few shows as well.

The year gave me a totally different view of RuPaul's Drag Race, as a show. While it is still one of my favorite shows on tv, I learned through listening to stories from some of the girls, just how much the show is edited. What you're seeing on air, likely is not necessarily the way things happened in reality. 

I learned that some people just don't get how to promote. If you're trying to get people to come support your venue with a show,  it's important to get the word out on the street as early as possible. A last minute, "I need a poster for tomorrow,"  is NEVER going to get you the same business that you would get if you let people know a month or more in advance. 

I'm looking forward to New Year's Eve in Lynn, Massachusetts. I'm hoping that this will be the beginning of a year when I finally step out of the role of silent photographer, and start mingling on my own. I've done it a couple times this year, but it's always awkward.  I just have to keep trying. You know, "Fake it til you make it."

And, here's to a great 2015,  to all of you, my readers. Thank you for your support!

Dress Has Always Been My Strongest Suit

The universe has a strange way of making me totally aware that I have little control over other people. And, it tends to like to do so, at the most inconvenient times for me.

Asking for time off, so I can drive to a show is no big deal. Nor is getting the time off. But, getting out, on time, in a field of direct care, is nearly impossible,  when you need it to work for you.

The morning started off quiet. Too quiet. Which means something is brewing.  And sure enough, two hours to go, and all hell broke loose. And, my perfectly planned escape, to start my pick ups went to hell.

After a couple of intense texts, I had to resist the urge to sit out the last show, AND the urge to throw my cell out the window on 295. I picked up Benni, then headed back home to get Dan.

Recovering from stress, I stayed quiet for most of the ride to Portsmouth. And, given that Dan was driving,  and we were behind schedule,  I was a bit white knuckled the whole ride there.

Once we got there, I was sent on a quick shopping trip. Snacks for Shaunna, and something gluten-free for me, since I hadn't eaten anything all day. So, I walked around downtown Portsmouth, and saw a lady who had fallen on the sidewalk, surrounded by at least 7 EMT's. She seemed disoriented,  and I walked by as quickly as possible. I got back to the theater, and the "girls" were putting on faces. So, I did what I do best. I mowed down on Ruffles and Reserve's Pieces, and watched the transformations happen.

Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on base heavy, and work it out from there. Bunny Wonderland starts with the eyes, then works out the rest of her face. 

There are a lot of mixed feelings around this show. Happiness,  because tonight's show is sold out, with a two page waiting list for cancellations.  Sadness, because we haven't really done much with Bunny,  in spite of the fact that Shaunna was there for Bunny's inception. So, there was a lot of we have to do more like this (which I sincerely hope happens,  because not only is Bunny super sweet, but she's hilarious...and only her eyebrows scare me.) I'm excited to see Joslyn Fox again, because she was so kind in May when Shaunna worked with her in Ogunquit. And, because the other two shows went well, Bunny seems a little stressed out that something is going to go wrong.

Kitti Chanel arrives first,  with her entourage of boys, and comes bearing gifts of Mimosas. I gladly accept, and then quickly remembered why I dislike Champagne.

Joslyn arrived,  and I went back to the dressing room.  There was a quick introduction, and then Joslyn turned to me. "We're friends on Facebook, aren't we?" I said we are, because we are. She remembered that I had congratulated her on her marriage, as well. And, I kinda Geeked out, because, here is this tv personality,  and she knows who I am, and remembers me. At that point it was close to the start of the show, and to hide my fangirl-ing, I went up to claim my seat for the show.

Seating arrangements are backward this time. My new friend Wendy was on my left, and one of the Pinnacle vodka event people was on my right, with a couple of friends. The crowd was huge. I was shocked at how many people were there. And, I was reminded that a good reason for so many people was Joslyn herself. 

This show, in particular, seemed to be almost a show specifically for me. With me being photographer, everyone was posing for me anyway.  But this show, queens were seeking me out. During one of Joslyn's numbers,  there was a line about a bald man...so she came at me to rub my bald head...and almost fell in my lap. There was a one or two inch edge on the stage that she didn't realize was there. Later, Kitti Chanel came over, sat in my lap, turned sideways, with her head in the Pinnacle lady's lap and feet in Wendy's lap. Then, during Shaunna's final number, she was going for tips, and crawled up in my lap, chest in my face, to get her tip. 

By the end of the show, I was a bit worn down. I'd been up since 5:30am, and was going to have to be back up at 5:30 the next morning. We get to the Portsmouth Gaslight Co., and I realize that I'm starving and I'm running out of steam. Unlike the last After Party, I don't feel like being social, and taking a hundred and fifty billion pictures.  I just want to hang out and relax, before the long ride home.

Shaunna and E,on do their thing and socialize, and I follow along with my camera, just in case. I get a few pictures with Joslyn and some of her fans. I get a few pictures of My girls and their fans. Somewhere in the midst of this, Shaunna manages to get me hooked up with a couple who is looking to have engagement pictures redone by a new photographer, and would like to have someone do their wedding pictures.

I get my own picture with Joslyn, just before we go. And, on the way home, Dan tells me that Joslyn (Patrick) and Andre would like to come to Portland and hang out with us. And, all I can think about, is how cool this night was. How much I can't wait for this to happen again next year. And, how much I'm going to hate waking up in three hours to get ready for work.

But, I want to give a huge thank you to Bunny Wonderland, Shaunna Rai, Miss E,on, Manila Luzon, Jessica Wild, Joslyn Fox, Kitti Chanel, and Vanila Honey-Bush, for letting me tag along for these three shows, and not making me feel like I'm in the way. You're all amazing!

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.