I really like the elaborate holiday windows that the traditional and high-end stores in New York City create. I took a few nights and took pictures of them. Bergdorf Goodman had the best. Below are six random pictures out of over 150.
For about ten years, I’ve wanted to attend a Click + Drag in New York City. The nightlife event evolved from the Jackie 60 crowd at Mother and grew into its own in early 2000. Unfortunately, I lived in Seattle and the event halted after the 9/11 conspiracy.
That changed this past weekend.
For the event, I put together a look that was a fetish geisha rubber dominatrix. I wore black leather boots what went almost to my knee, had 1.5″ platform and 6″ heels. A rubber corset with Japanese style flowers and bamboo on it. Fishnet hose. A rubber miniskirt. Makeup. And a geisha style wig.
Clck + Drag was wonderful; filled with engaging, fun, creative freaks in all their glory. I arrived abot 1am. Jessica Rabbit Domination and Hattie were working the door. I lost my ticket somewhere so coughed up some more dough; they were nice to give me a door discount. I handed off my coat and started back up to the main space. On the way, I met MaKi* who took this great shot of me. Thank you MaKi*! When I entered the main space, I was pummeled with Sammy Jo’s music; who by the way was wearing a rubber tuxedo. It was techy-deep-funked out bliss. People everywhere.
I was immediately approached by a woman. She said her name was Lucille and that she was waiting for me all night. I had never met her before but immediately I liked her. She was in proper high-end mature goth garments and beautiful. I invited her to have a drink with me; she wanted white wine. We went over to the bar hand in hand. Shortly after I ordered, an older gentleman came over and said he had to leave. I said to him, “So soon?” He said yes and left. I didn’t know him. And then Lucille said she had to go with him. I said goodnight and told the bartender she didn’t need that wine anymore.
I met my friends Julio, Ryan, and Blue on the dance floor. By then, both of them had stripped off some clothing. Julio to pants. Ryan to a jock strap. There was a faint smell of poppers and then suddenly I found them at my face. I ducked to avoid; I personally don’t like them. We were talking of outfits, or lack thereof, when Abby Ehmann appeared.
I love Abby. I’m slowly getting to know her and its a delight. She was one of the originators of the original Click + Drag years ago. She was also a Burning Man regional for the New York City area recently. She’s got a good soul, creative spirit, and a megawatt smile. She’s also a master of smut. We gabbed on about the night, the nightlife scene in New York, and how she thinks I’m the perfect mix of west coast, gay, Burning Man, and New York. I like to think so, even if it makes me quadpolar.
Soon after, the Pixie Harlots performed. I have two friends (and others I’m getting to know) in the troupe. Darrell Thorne was front and center holding fire and slowly gyrating while wearing a horned headdress. Machine Dazzle appeared later in a skirt made of football shoulder guards and a welders helmet; all of it sequined and mirrored. All of it. The Harlots’ performance was perfection. The Village Voice captured many pictures from the night. I’m in picture 34 with my friends Ryan and Blue.
And then (hang with me), Sammy Jo segued off the turntables and Xris Smack took over. Xris played a darker more industrial sound. I hadn’t heard that sound since my twenties in Atlanta dancing at the Millhouse with Angela. It consumed me and I was in dark dancing heaven.
And then (so much more to come), a tall woman named Jennifer appeared. She asked me if I thought I was the tallest person in the room; taller than she. We checked and I was maybe an inch or two taller. We were both wearing high heels. (Side note: my feet were killing me. It was my first time in heels.) She and I clucked on about everything from other outfits to the Harlots to laser hair removal.
Somewhere along the way, more glasses of Maker’s were consumed. I danced with a guy dressed head to toe in rubber with only a zipper open for his mouth, three small holes for his eyes and nose, and rubber port to piss. I caught up Machine. Complimented Rob Roth on his projection visuals. Exchanged compliments with another woman in Asian garb. Teased and was teased by Leo because his boyfriend/my friend, Blue, and I are his wet dream. Ran into
Slowly, we moved downstairs where Sammy Jo had started playing music again. This time in pansexual dance classics like West End Girls, Rio, and others that all of us just smiled and smiled. I felt as if the music warmly embraced our pansexual (in my case, gay) dance asses.
Sometime around 5 am, I and my feet were done. I gave kisses to all, hugs to some, and a grope or two. It was a fantastic night. It would have been great to experience the actual event back in the late 90s, but time has passed along with nightlife culture. New York is not the same as it was back then. Its a little sad. But we do have some groups, like the friends and family of Mother NYC and the Jackie Factory that march forward creative rich nightlife. I bow to them and give my greatest thanks! I also thank New York City for which there is no other place that Click + Drag could occur.
I was walking down 2nd avenue after having breakfast and it hit me. It was finally time to get my ears pierced.
Much like my first tattoo, I needed to be in a place that was right for it. And I had finally gotten there for my ears to be pierced. So I walked over to New York Adorned and had a consultation. I would have gotten them pierced that day but they didn’t have the larger gauge piercing needles clean.
So today, Saturday, I returned to get them pierced. He’s using an 8 gauge needle and stretching to a 6. My first goal is a 0 gauge. I’ll need to evaluate with the piercer as I go along because I don’t have large earlobes. However, I’m in love with some 0 gauge talons, various stone plugs, and with some 5/8″ ebony lotus plugs.
So here is the after picture. You can click it to see a series of before and after pictures of me.
Last Thursday, Sept 20th, my friend Khris held his first fashion show. It was in Astoria, NY. He had three models, many outfits, and pro hair and accessory support from his crew.
I liked several of his outfits. One woman fell in love with a dress and is having Khris make one specifically for her.
It was my first time in Astoria. I heard that is was originally a Greek community but has grown to be much more culturally diverse. I loved the models. They were beautiful, sweet, and reminded me of Jenny From the Block
There, Khris, his friends, and I stopped by Nowhere bar. Turns out it was Trannie night. Again, women in great outfits and having fun. Khris and I continued on to Lotus to meet my friend Rainblo where we picked up a friend of Khris’ and we ended the night at Cielo.
