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.

Death of a Gay Bar...

Here in Portland, there are a group of gays, who on a monthly basis, take over a straight bar, just because they can.  They call themselves Guerrilla Queer Bar.  I understand the "We're Here, We're Queer, Get Over It" mentality.  Because, let's face it, it's 2014, not 1950.  We've become a visible.  

I've never participated in this, because, to be quite frank, even though, it's totally acceptable for a gay man to frequent "straight" establishments, I've never felt comfortable enough to do so. I would much rather spend my time either hanging out at the local "Cheers" environment, where everybody really does know my name...and everything about me, or go to a dance club, where nobody cares who I am.  But, a club where I'm the minority, that's just not my thing.  Maybe I am still living in a 1950's world, but I think we need the gay bars.

Unfortunately, gay bars, in the Easternmost states, are becoming a rare commodity.  When I first came out, the state of Maine had far more than it has now.  Bangor had a couple of bars, Augusta had one, Portland had (I believe) three at one point, and well, Ogunquit being Ogunquit, the gay capitol of Maine, had a couple.  Over the course of the last few years, the bars have been going out of business.  Bangor has "gay friendly" clubs, but none that cater to an exclusively gay clientele.  Augusta has none.  Portland still has two gay bars, which rumor has it, neither is doing as well as they could be...Lewiston, since I met Dan/Shaunna Rai, has had not one, not even two, but three different gay bars open and close.  And, Ogunquit has Mainestreet and the Front Porch (a dance club and a piano bar.)  

And, the blight that has been taking away the Maine gay bars, has moved on to New Hampshire, as well.  Over the summer, Shaunna Rai hosted a bag night at Elements, a bar in Manchester, NH.  And, a couple of weeks later, they announced that they would be closing.  (They've since reopened...)  And, then, this week, Paradym/Club 313 (whichever name you prefer to use, because it's the same club, under different management) announced that this weekend, they would be closing their doors.

Sadly, the state of business for many of these bars, is that everyone believes that they're doing fine, and then, all of a sudden, they're closed for good.  And, who is to blame?  

As a group, we, the gays, like to complain.  He's too ugly, he's too fat, he's too much of a whore.  This club is too dirty.  That club doesn't pay enough attention to their clientele.  This one has the same five performers, every week.  That one has too many performers, but they're always performing the same act.  We're never happy.  We need something newer.  Something flashier.  Something different.

And yet, the community as a whole, goes berserk when something happens to the club that they've been complaining about for years.  

I have some suggestions:

1.)  Instead of forcing ourselves on the straight people, why don't we invite them once in a while, to our world?

2.)  Even if you've seen the same seven drag queens at the same bar for the last seventeen years, performing the same seventeen numbers, let them know that you appreciate what they're doing.  More often than not, they're being paid minimal amounts, and getting by on tips.  

3.)  If you want to keep your gay bars around, so that when you feel like being gay, you can be gay, and nobody will give a fuck, SUPPORT YOUR BARS!!!!  I can't stress this enough.  People bitch the most about the bars that appeared to be doing well, that all of a sudden, BANG, they're gone.  Well, if you had been going there, instead of trying to "make a point of your queerness", maybe they'd still be around...

4.)  If you have suggestions for your bars, of what they could do to make things better, find out who you need to talk to, and talk to them!  The worst thing that can happen, is that they're going to say, "Hey, we tried that, and nobody liked it, but thanks for the idea." The best that can happen is that they say, "OMG! I hadn't even thought about that!  Thanks for the idea.  We'll try that!"  

5.)  A cover charge is not a rip off.  Often times, the cover charge is split between the bar and the entertainment for the evening.  If you're not interested in paying a cover charge, you might want to consider buying your alcohol, and having drinks with friends at home.  (You have less of an opportunity for getting picked up for an OUI that way...)

Some things just can't take the place of other things.  Your straight bar with a "gay night", is never going to take the place of your local Gay Bar.  It's not the same.  It's like saying that a Kindle is the same as reading a real book.  It's not.  While I love my Kindle, while I'm reading on it, I miss actually turning the pages, and the smell of the paper.  

Respect your present, because eventually, it is going to be your past.  And, if things keep going the way they have been over the last couple of years, in Maine and New Hampshire, the Gay Bar scene is going to be non-existent.  

Sure, you can still go play Guerrilla Queer Bar-hopper, but don't forget that you can go to your ACTUAL Queer Bar, and support them.  Because eventually, if we're not supporting our bars, they won't be there.  And we'll start bitching about the lack of a place to go where you can be gay, and not have to worry about being gay.

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.

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.

Let's Have a Kiki

Shaunna's Friday look

Some of you will know what that means.  Others, will think that I'm making up words.

According to Urban Dictonary, a Kiki is:

A party including good music and good friends, held for the express purpose of calming nerves, reducing anxiety and stress and generally fighting ennui. May involve locked doors, tea and salacious gossip

In the drag world, this is a term that refers to two or more queens getting ready together.  

Dana and I with the girls

One would think, that after a year and a half, that I would be used to the conversations that drag queens have.  But, deep down, I'm still the small town boy, who blushes when someone says I'm hot, much less when they're talking about anything dirty.  And, drag queens thrive on double entendres and skewing conversation so that it sounds dirty, even if it really isn't.  An example, "You've always got to clean the tip afterward." Maybe it was the Cape Cod and a half that I'd had, but when this came up in conversation, regarding eyelash glue, I couldn't help but think that it was meant to sound like something else... I'll leave it up to your imagination to figure out what that could possibly mean.

Sheneeda Diet

Anyway, this was a weekend of drag. Shaunna Rai and Vanila Honey-Bush got their kiki on, although, they were headed to two different locations, only to end up back at the same location...Blackstones.

Shaunna Rai

 Shaunna Rai and I went out to Mainestreet Ogunquit, for the Mardi Gras party, for a little bit.  We met some friends there. I might have made fun of a guy who sounded a little bit like Willie Nelson while he was karaoke-ing. And, then we went back to Portland, for Blackstones.  The night took a turn for the better once we got back to Portland.  I was more relaxed. I met a fan of my blog. (I keep finding out people are reading it, and it still surprises me that anyone's interested in what I have to say.)  

Miss E'on

The night, like the first night that I met Dan, ended up at Denny's.  Shaunna, Chad, Chad's man, and Lee. We were greeted at the door, by a couple ladies, who proclaimed to be the welcome wagon.  On the way in, they were like, "That lady is really tall." And, of course, Shaunna Rai, being Shaunna Rai, said, "And, he has a big dick." Stories were told, and fun was had.  At the end of the night, Shaunna got Dan a potential new client, by handing out a business card.  This woman loved Shaunna's "extensions." So, they got talking, and Shaunna was like, "I'm a man." And, the woman freaked out a little, but not before telling her friend, "I told you so!"  And, then, it was time to go home and get some sleep, because the drag was going to be happening all over again on Saturday.

Leanna Love

The morning started off badly. The landlords at our apartment, pay a bare minimum, apparently, for care for the parking lot behind the building.  Thus, it's a sheet of ice, that probably won't be gone until mid May... And, we got stuck on it.  After calling them, knocking on their door, and sending them a text, to see if anything could be done, I still got no response.  Although, they did get a car that was blocking us in, to move, so that we could get out.  Fishy much?  From there, things started looking up.  Dan and I have found a place that sells Gluten Free Donuts, so, I can stop feeling deprived of donuts.  The Holy Donut, is one of my new favorite places in town.  I recommend the pomegranate glazed and the chai glazed donuts.

Vanila's signature split

Once I had a happy tummy, Dan started packing Shaunna's bags, and getting ready to go.  And, I got to go shopping... For shoes... For Shaunna. I've been lucky, for the most part.  Dan never makes me do anything that I'm totally uncomfortable with.  And he's made it clear that if I'm not up for doing it, that I need to speak up and tell him.  That being said, I had reservations about going out, specifically to buy pumps. "You know what ones I'm talking about, right?"  "Yes, they're the ones that are half neon yellow vinyl looking, and half black velvet, with wings. And, I'm buying a matress pad for your AIDS walk outfit, and the nude color shoes from Deb's..." And, yep, that's what I did.   And, I just about died, when I bought the yellow and black shoes, and the cashier looks at me and says, "Wow, you're the second guy to come in and buy these shoes today."  Um...ok...wow...

Miss E'on

Sheneeda Diet

So, yeah.  The car got loaded up for the trip to Lewiston. And, we were off, like a herd of turtles (because apparently, I drive like an old lady, who ISN'T from Pasedena.  We got there, and got settled down, and then came the call for alcohol.  The ladies like to pregame while they're getting ready for a show.  Only, nobody thought to get alcohol, before we got to Lewiston.  So, it became my responsibility to go out and get some, while they started getting ready.  I managed. With a GPS, and a little luck.  Because I have no idea where I am, most of the time.  I'm one of those totally, undeniably stupid people with directions.  "You go, right, then right, then right, in my head, means that I'm going around in a circle.  Not that there's still one more right to make it a full trip around the block... But, I survived, and managed to get back, with alcohol.  So, all was good.

Shaunna Rai,
Mannequin Realness

The kiki leading up to the show...well, it was like it always is.  A lot of talking. A bit of calling people out. Some joking about things. And, a lot of vague references to the male anatomy, veiled by the conversation itself.  While the kiki is the weirdest part for me, because it's when the guys turn into the girls...and it doesn't always happen when the makeup is on.  Sometimes it's before.  Or, midway.  At some point, the conversations change just ever so slightly, so that you know that it's no longer Dan talking, but Shaunna Rai.  For all intensive purposes, it's jarring, even after so long.  Upcoming shows were being planned.  And, then, suddenly, everyone was ready.

Joey Starr

Having never been to the Acme club before, I had no idea what to expect from the venue.  Apparently, it's a private club, and so smoking in the building is actually allowed, if you have a membership.  (This was both good and bad for me, because as I'm no longer smoking but sometimes like to smell it, I had that opportunity.  However, it also put the craving in my mind, and I'm still trying to stifle it, two days later.)  The main area was larger than most of the venues that Shaunna has performed at, because it wasn't confined to a stage.  The "dancefloor" area was a runway of sorts.  Which would've been great, if the patrons hadn't been so into it, and crowded the floor to get close enough to take pictures of the girls...which made it awful for me to get pictures without pushing my way through the crowd.

Leanna Love

It was a good crowd, and interestingly enough, an overwhelming support of family was there.  My parents came out to see the show, and support Shaunna.  Benni (Miss E'on)'s dad and his wife came to support, and Larry (Leanna Love)'s mom and sister came out to support.  Along with friends of ours from Portland, and even a couple of people that Dan knew as far back as 7th grade.  

Sheneeda Diet

I got to help pick out the music that Shaunna would be performing to, which is always fun. Except for when I get nervous that I've read the crowd right that a song is going to work well with the crowd, and it flops. Then, not so much. But, it worked out okay.  I also got to help Vanila get her music. She didn't have anything picked out, prior to arrival, and so, it ended up being a last minute download, and send the email to DJ Craig.  And, for whatever reason, my email decided that it was going to crap out on me.  It took about 17 tries to get everything to work, before the email actually got to the DJ.

Shaunna Rai

Given that it was Mardi Gras Madness, people were dressed up with masks, and whatever.  And the main goal of the night was to get yourself some beads.  Like the real New Orleans Mardi Gras, people were willing to do whatever, in hopes of getting beads.  Except my mom.  While we were waiting for the show to start, someone came out with beads.  And a rowdy table to the right of us, started chanting, "Beads, beads, beads." And, then, like a bolt of lightning, out of nowhere came these pale white globes! One of the women had flashed her chest for beads.

Vanila 

"I can tell you right now, I won't be doing THAT for beads," my mom said.  And, I had a bit of a buzz, and looked at her and said, "that's okay, I'll do it."  And, then did a bit of a nip slip, and showed off the nipple ring I got for my birthday, that neither of my parents had seen before...Come to think of it, it wasn't really worth it.  I didn't get any beads for showing it off...

Miss E'on

The show itself was great, although, the sound system was way off.  From where I'd gotten my seat, I could hear about two words out of every 5, between feedback from the mic and I assume, the bass.  And, it didn't really matter who was talking.  The only time that I could actually tell what was being said, was when it was a name.  And, at the end of the show, when Sheneeda Diet announced that the buffet was open.

Sheneeda Diet

To be honest, the only reason that I understood that the buffet was open, was because aside from the donuts in the morning, all I'd eaten all day was a couple of Rice Krispy treats from the gas station.  And, I'd heard that Michael (Sheneeda) had made meatballs for the buffet, and during the entire show, that was all I could smell...well that, and the cigarette smoke from downstairs.  I was starving.  And, the meatballs were amazing.  I may or may not have brought home a large ziploc bag of them...

Shaunna's outfit was
stoned by me and Dan.

At the end of a show, I tend to avoid going backstage, until I'm summoned. Only because I know what goes into tucking, and I know what's going to come out of the untucking process. And, I like to imagine that magically, they just turn back into boys.  You know, like in Cinderella, when at midnight, her dress turns back to a rag dress.  Only, with boy clothes.  So, when I go backstage, I never know what exactly to expect.  And, at the end of the night, when Shaunna's suitcase died, well, it wasn't quite the perfect ending to a good night...

Prodigy Diamond