from cowboy to showgirl

I haven't really been talking about it here on the blog. I'm not sure why really. I think I am nervous. (I know I am nervous.) And shy. And a little embarrassed. (Honestly, it's possible.) Frankly, I just think that I don't want everyone or just perhaps anyone to see me like this.

I alluded to it before but it was subtle and you may not have noticed.

Here's the sitch:

The Bay Area gay Rodeo needs to raise more money (it is at its core a fundraising organization). The board has been thinking up new ways to raise money beyond producing the annual rodeo, quarterly dances, and working booze booths at street fairs.

Last month, they came up with this: Cowboys You Would Pay to See in Drag.

I made the list.

Performers must be members of the Rodeo and must never have done drag before. At least I will be in good company.

John, Mr. Bay Area Gay Rodeo 2008, had the good sense to wait until after I had had a few before asking me if I would participate. Unfortunately, the scheduling worked out that we only got two weeks' notice!

The event—the San Francisco Bay Area Gay Rodeo Drag-A-Thon— is this Friday night at Marlena's.

I had hoped to drop, you know, like 20 pounds beforehand, but not so much.

I and six of my friends will be doing two numbers each (I am assuming in two shows). Both of my numbers will be songs form 77 El Deora. I got Mau's (songwriter) and Jen's (performer) permission at their last show at Thee Parkside. Jen even offered up her large bandanna-fabric cowgirl costume but I cannot imagine it would have fit me.

I am sorely disappointed too as the band was eager to come and support the cause, and see me drag up their songs. This Friday is the band's last gig for the year and they will be playing at the Fourth Street Tavern in San Rafael and unable to attend.

I would have been so cool to say from the stage, "The man who wrote that song is over there. The woman who sang that song is over there. And this is her dress!"

But alas.

Or in this case, a lass.

My drag name is Miss Otis Regrets.

This is called a Drag-A-Thon as participants have to raise money.

I AM STILL LOOKING FOR SPONSORS.

C'mon kids. Pony up $20 to put me in drag. Make a pledge (e-mail to andthegodslaughed@me.com), and money must be received by the night of the event.

I'm getting competitive here, so dig deep.

Donations are tax deductible and PayPal is accepted.

In preparation for Friday, I have been slowly losing the beard. I grew it as a lark after Barney shaved my head but now I can't stand that it is gone. I started by chipping away at it on Sunday:


This morning I am down to just the burns.



Now I suppose any fibbing I do this week will be bald-faced lying.