RuPaul's Drag Race Battle of the Seasons at the Troc 2014

This week, on January 16th, Paula & I went to the Trocadero in Philadelphia where Drag Race Contestants from several seasons were to perform. The night was hosted by Michelle Visage and starred Manila Luzon, Pandora Boxx & Sharon Needles  Ivy Winters, Alaska Thunderfuck, Mimi Imfurst & Phi Phi O'Hara with special guest Jiggly Caliente. 

I missed out on getting VIP tickets this time (those tickets sell out fast) but I at least had tickets for the show. When I go to a drag show I want to look like I at least Tried with my make-up (ok, i couldn't remember where I last had my foundation so that wasn't worn). I think I did well. I looked quite ...noticeable. It was a standing room type of establishment on the floor. We decided to stand a lil bit off from the stage to a slightly higher area where I could see what was going on well. The only con was that I wasn't allowed to bring my dslr camera and had to use a Canon Power Shot. Everything looked further away than what it really was. Ah well, what could you do?

The Show started with Michelle singing a version of 'Science Fiction Double Feature' from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Then went on to performances. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the performances. There were video clips interspersed in the show, before & during performances. Lots of live singing as well as a good deal of lip singing. Carmen Carrera was supposed to be there but couldn't so Jiggly Caliente stood in, which was cool. Ivy Winters did a few performances on stilts as well as juggling knives & eating fire. Pandora Boxx did an awesome comedy routine. Manila did a great...everything! I Love Manila's style & all over zaniness. I recommend anyone who can to see the show. They are performing in a few more cities together. 

While I was at the show I saw someone that I thought i'd met before, turns out it wasn't. But Long story short, I made a new friend. A local CD named Trixie whom i've been chatting with in the days since. Seems like a pretty cool person. You never know who you'll meet when you go to shows. I also saw one of my Karaoke friends at the show.

After the show there was a free after party at club Voyeur (for the people who went to the show) where a lot of the Queens from the show were going to. I went over there and they had their weekly drag show still happening. So I saw a few of philly's local drag queens. Some I'd seen before Like Satine Harlow & Lady Poison, as well as some I'd never seen before. There were maybe 6 performances left that I was able to see. All were enjoyable. During the ending of the show a few of the queens who had been at the Troc were in attendance. I saw (ok ...kinda chased down) Manila and told him how Awesome I thought he was...wish i'd had my camera out...whateva. Anywho, I went home around 2am happy that i'd had a chance to go and see some awesome performances!

The following is a link to the rest of the performances: http://www.inlandempiretouring.com/artists/RuPaul%27s+Drag+Race+-+Battle+of+the+Seasons

Here are a few pics & a link to all the pictures I took with my non-DSLR camera. RDR BOTS Pics

CDs Dates and Dating Websites

So I got a message from a CD who mentioned that he lets girls know that he CDs before he meets them offline and that because of that there usually is no first date. While I feel it is important to let the person you want to date know in advance so there is not a misunderstanding down the road...it may not be the best idea to let them know before you meet in person. Below is some advice I gave him.


*Small piece of advice.* You don't have to say anything about CD-ing before the first date. I mean, you at least wanna see if there is any mutual attraction offline, right? I mean if you don't like her offline, what's the use of telling her, eh? She may have friends on here [*here being OkCupid] and 'warn them' about you [*i know i've warned one or two of my friends about creepers]. Maybe after the 2nd or 3rd date let her know. So she sees your personality and knows that it's 'worth it' to know both sides of you. Some girls are more willing to accept, or at least try it out if they realize they really like you. Otherwise...well...they may just think you're a pervy freak. I'm just telling you this cause, I realllllllly want you to succeed in finding a GF. I...am not the typical straight female... Unfortunatly not all girl know they're in to dudes who are...so in touch with their feminine side. I hope more of them will read my blog and give guys like you a chance. I've been spreading the news as best I can but...I can only reach but so many within my contacts. Another suggestion. If you do what I say above and you do like them enough to let them know about the other side of you, send them a link to my site. Maybe the one about the advantages of dating a CD. It might help.


On dating sites that are not targeted towards crossdressers... most crossdressers are incognito. They generally don't out themselves (i say generally because i have seen a few on the sites that are fine with posting their CD pics and talking about their CD nature on there) Besides, most CDs that I know are closeted anyway. The choices for hot chicks are better on those sites as well. From what I hear, GGs on the crossdresser dating sites are sparse & among the few on there, very few that are 'Hot'. (the getting must be pretty low if i'm considered among the hot! lol, I kid) Besides, i'm sure most girls, even if they are in to cross dressers have no idea about the crossdresser dating sites. Even if they did, most are paid sites masquerading as free sites.  (you have to cleverly hide your contact info and hope that the reader figures out how to contact you...you know...and stop sending you messages that you can't read. They should just give me a free full membership!!! *ahem*) 


There are many girls that Love drag queens with shows like RuPaul's Drag Race & Drag U. I think many of them see the contestants/professors on those shows and might be receptive to a CD if properly presented. I just did a search for RuPaul on a dating site and found that a lot of straight females watch the show...might be a good icebreaker to feel out if they may be receptive...or curious. I only found crossdresser dating sites about a year ago. I think I will link the sites I am on here and if anyone here finds me feel free to find my messenger info on there and drop me a line and say Hi!


These sites are apparently owned by the same company and if you signed up with one, you can sign into both...weird.


http://www.crossdressing.com/
http://www.dateacrossdresser.com/


These 2 sites I think are associated with each other... not 100% sure, but you can actually message people on the site below...i think they have to have a paid membership for you to chat with them.
http://www.meetlocalcrossdressers.com/


http://www.cdmeet.com/

There is always Meetup.com. The Philadelphia group I am in is below. It's not really a dating site, but some people kinda use it that way. :)

http://www.meetup.com/patgirls/

I think that is all the info and advise i have to offer for the moment. I may add to it as i see fit.

Until next time....(i really need to think up an ending catch phrase, lol)

Pebbles

NYC GLBT Expo 2012

So I was invited to the Expo by Appolonia Cruz, a popular Drag Queen from the South Beach Florida Drag scene who is also part of the NYC Drag scene, to not only be her Photographer but also talk about my blog. Appolonia had a time slot on Saturday and Sunday in the Video Lounge.

On Saturday I wore my Pirate Pebbs costume. I traveled the trains from Washington Heights to The Jacob Javic Center in the Midtown West area of NYC. Don't worry, I had a body guard, my friend Cisco (singer, writer, actor, playright). Ok, not technically there as my bodyguard, but he was still with me the whole way. I arrived there a bit later than planned, it was St. Patty's Day in NYC so...

Arrived there and put some make-up & fake lashes on and started following Appolonia around and taking pictures. A couple of guys stopped me to have pics with me (i wonder if they thought i was a guy, lol) 

There were a lot of things being given away...mostly condoms...lots and lots of condoms. Mohegan sun was giving away cards & dice with holes drilled in them, There were keychains & beer bottle openers. Cupcakes, stickers, magazines, BEER, chocolate, cheese, tiny bits of wine. Pens, mirror compacs, tote bags, There were photobooths (will post those pics after I scan them). lipgloss, candy, saltwater taffy, hand towels, $20 off zipcar rental...etc.

I took pictures of a lot of performers. New York Cheer cheerleading squad was performing a few of their numbers. There were videos by various glbt persons that were shown in the video lounge. There were a good deal of shirtless men working the beer booth. There were men from a reality show that was shot and is going to air on cable in the fall called 'Mr. Gay World USA'. Lots of hot dudes...who aren't in to chicks (obviously). There were a good deal of Drag Queens as well. Tyra Sanchez was there on Saturday not dressed in drag. I say him at the end of the day and got a few pictures with him. I also photographed my friend with a few Drag Queens that I am not yet familiar with and some other awesome people.

At 4pm Appolonia Cruz started her show at the Video Lounge and I was the first act. I sang 'Lets Go Crazy' by Prince. Then I sat down for an interview where I talked about this blog as well as about Photography and Karaoke. There were other performers and guests that followed. Around the end of that expo day I approached some of the Mr. Gay World USA guys to see if any of them would dance during my friend's performance. They said Yes!!! Made my friend Uber Happy. After the expo I went to have Pizza with Appolonia, Cisco and my new friends Joshua & Ishmael (who helped me write my blog address on the back of my business cards...cause i forgot to print them on them...sometimes i forget important things.)

Sunday I went to brunch with some friends and then they dropped me off at the Expo. This time I had more time to roam with my friend Cisco. We got some photobooth pics taken, went around getting free stuff and took lots more pictures. I saw Manilla perform and took lots of pics. Also took pics of my friend's performance as well as some others performing. Lavari & PVAZ also performed and I have pics of them. I can't remember exactly when. But I have Pictures!  At the end of the day Tyra Sanchez appeared again in full drag!!! Looking like a Black Barbie from the 80's. Think Barbie and the Rockers!! (i am totally showing my age)

All in all I had a blast! Hopefully my readership will go up and I will have more opportunities to get my blog out there and talk about my straight CD-ing Men who deserve respect and love just like everyone else. :D

I'll probably add more eventually.

NYC GLBT Expo Photos

So I went to the NYC GLBT Expo this past weekend as a guest & photographer for Appolonia Cruz. I had a blast! Saw some reallllly hot guys who are not interested in me cause I'm a girl...but they were still friendly to me etc. I took a LOT of pictures which can be found at: photobucket.com/glbt2012

I am tired from a full day of photoediting and uploading, but I will post a pic here of RuPaul Season 2 winner, Tyra Sanchez, and myself from Sunday. I will post more about the expo over the next few days. I really have to get some sleep so I can function at work tomorrow.

Laterz!