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...

Where I Come From...

My parents, Kathy and Steve, with Mimi Imfurst

"You really should write an article about your parents."  That was Wendy, at the Seacoast Rep show, last weekend.  "I loved that picture that you got of them with Mimi."  Wendy really likes my parents.  She has met them a couple of times.

But, what does one say about their parents?  Generally, people don't have anything good to say about their parents, until after they're gone.

I grew up in a small town, near Rockland, Maine.  Up until I was about 5, my parents moved around quite a bit.  Robbinston, Waldoboro, Thomaston, before they finally settled down in Warren, Maine.  They've lived in the same house for nearly 30 years.  They've been married for 36.  And, they have the kind of love that most people only dream of, or see on tv.  I've never seen them fight.  On rare occasions, I've seen tears, but they were never inflicted by each other.

My mom, Kathy, has had a number of different jobs, throughout her life, before settling into a job as a manager of a group home.  My dad, Steve, has worked for the Maine State Fire Marshall's Office, for as long as I can remember.  He started off working as a Fire Investigator, and has since moved on to being an inspector...he inspects amusement park/fair rides, and things like that now.

Mom and Dad with Latrice Royale at Styxx.

Like most kids, I spent a good amount of time disliking my parents.  We were far from rich, growing up... Back to school clothes shopping meant going to second hand clothing shops.  When we wanted video game systems, we actually had to work for them...We spent a whole winter, shoveling driveways around the neighborhood, in order to get our Super Nintendo.  And, I hated that they wouldn't just buy it for us, because I had friends, whose parents would, and did, do that kind of thing.

What I recognize now, is that they were, at the time, trying to prepare me for life.  Contrary to what drag queens will have you believe, life is not all about Rainbows and Butterflies, and pretty faces.  Life is about working for what you want, and appreciating it more, because you worked for it.

My parents allowed me to go to Art School, in Philadelphia, 500 miles away from home.  It was what I wanted, and they supported it.  They also supported me through the mental breakdown, that brought me back home, to Maine, a year and a half later.  They didn't throw me out of the house when I finally came out to them.  They instead, continued to show me the unconditional love that they have always given. They have always had my back.

Mom and Wendy with Me and Shaunna Rai at Paradym
for Alyssa Edwards.

When I decided to make the move to Portland, for the first time, my mom wasn't really okay with it.  It was really going to be my first time on my own.  I was going where I knew hardly anyone.  And, I was going to be further away than she thought I should be...especially given that I was still grieving a dead relationship.

Little did any of us know, how much that move would change things for all of us.  Three years later, I can't even think of how many times that my parents have come to drag shows.

The first drag show my parents ever attended, was at the (now defunct) second location of Altera, in Lewiston.  My mom was excited, because she was going to meet Shaunna Rai, and Taffy Pulls...I actually think that she was most excited to meet Taffy.  She made sure to tell me that she was knocking things off her Bucket List that night.  It was her first time at a Bar.  It was her first ever drag show. (I think she had forgotten my one night stint as Spice Andrews, in Damariscotta...) And, it was her first time at a gay bar.

Mom with Taffy Pulls at Altera.

I was more uncomfortable than either of them, I think...because, I felt the need to protect the straight couple, who seemed totally out of place.  They didn't really need protection though.  I'm sure that they both had cameras blazing, as did I.  I get the photography thing from them.  They never go anywhere, without a camera.  Literally.  There is a camera in the back seat of the car at all times.  After the show, I introduced my mom to Taffy, and she got her picture with her...a high point of the night.  And, I found out how my dad felt about the show in the bar...he was great with the show, but thought that the bar patrons were rude, because they were there for a show, so should not be talking.

They've come quite a ways.  During the first Dragapalooza that they came to, Shaunna had been in their lives long enough for my mom to be "inspired" by her.  She came to Dragapalooza decked out in a Duck Dynasty t-shirt, and glittery heels.  Again, cameras blazing, during the show...and then, they came to the after show, at (the now defunct) Mama's Cabaret, also in Lewiston.  At this point, I knew that my parents would be "safe" at a show, and so I was less protective, and let my inhibitions down a little.  And, had a few drinks.  Enough so, that at one point, I noticed Shaunna's contact was out, and she had two different colored eyes, and said that she reminded me of a husky.  She then, went on the mic, not once, I don't even think twice...I think it was three or four times, and told everyone in the bar how she was going to "fuck me doggy-style", because I said she looked like a dog.

Dad with Alyssa Edwards.

Obviously, they enjoyed themselves, because they continue to come to every show that they can.  They were there for JuJubee, Latrice and Mimi, at Styxx.  They took the trip to Manchester, NH, to see Alyssa Edwards (where they met Wendy for the first time.)  And, I still get asked, so when is the next show?

During Mimi's Holiday Hangover Show, at Styxx, my mom got to see what really goes into making Shaunna Rai into Shaunna.  She knew how long the makeup took, and that there was some work to make the body.  But, she had never actually seen the process.  That night, she did.  And, she left, saying that she had a new appreciation for it.  Although she had known that there was a lot of work to it, she had no idea about the hips, and the butt, and the corsets and the bras...the list goes on and on.  She seemed to be in awe of the process.

Mom with one of her favorites, Alyssa Edwards.

While I'm on the receiving end of being given unconditional support, I am often reminded of the fact that not everyone is so lucky.  In three years, I have yet to meet Dan's parents.  And, they definitely haven't been nearly as supportive of the drag.  My parents, in the short time that they've known Shaunna Rai, have been to see her more often than Dan's own parents.  I'm extremely grateful for this, and a little bit saddened by it as well.

I started the blog, as a way to let my parents see what I was up to, much like any other blogs that I have had since I first got the internet.  It was a way of sharing people, places and events that I enjoyed.  And, in the process, I hadn't really thought about how much it has actually affected them.  Mom wore heels! She's looking for RuPaul's Drag Race to buy on DVD.  And, she was trying to talk Dad into going on the Drag at Sea Cruise next time it happens.

I realize now that I haven't been the only one dragged to the inside.  My parents have as well, although, to a slightly lesser degree.  And, I think I love them more for that.  Mom, Dad, thank you for being you.  Thank you for being so supportive of us both.

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.

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.