Most of the pictures I have in my photo album are from shows, with friends and family, trips, etc., plus a few that may seem a bit more random. I'll try to periodically explain some of the ones the I feel maybe to people who don't know me need a bit is clarification. The first being the one where I'm playing my steel drums in drag.
Now I want to go on the record saying that I have not dressed in drag too many times (by that I mean under ten diffierent times I'm pretty sure) and it is not by any means a regular occurrence. Four or Five of them were in high school, the rest in college.
This picture in particular was my final farewell to high school (aside from the actual commencement). We had our moving up assembly, which was a psuedo rehearsal for graduation, but it meant that each class moved to their new bleacher section in the gym. There were of course a few speakers wishing the seniors luck, the cheerleaders did a thing for their seniors, a few musical performances (hence my playing steel drums), and various other activities. Along with choir, I was involved with our school's steel drum band with one of my best friends, Chris (not in the picture unfortunately). More about the band itself another time.
So, to explain a bit more on the dress. In the moving up assembly, speakers and musicians sit in the fron few rows for logistical purposes (and it makes you feel special as well). It's tradition for each row to dress up or somehow match and have fun (clearly not everyone was into it or did anything, but I was and am a big dork and loved high school (and was voted most spirited because I dressed up for every spirit day and football game, was the choir president (as cool as that is...my sister followed in my footsteps as well), did theatre, planned outrageously intricate and fun dates for all the dances, was on the Homecoming Court, etc.) so I of course wanted to do something with our row). The girls row across from us (who we walk in with as couples) decided on an army fatigue look, so we had to think of somthing.
As we got together to figure it out, throwing out lots of possibilities such as 70's (one of my favorites, since I have awesome bell-bottoms and an afro wig), Hawaiian, 80's, etc., and I joked about dressing as girls (which I had previosly done with our swim team Freshman year, and for a spirit day or two) mostly because I figured nobody would go for it since they weren't all crazy and weird like me (I ran for office a few different years with various costumes with my greatest attempt being my run for Student Body President in a full-on pink Energizer Bunny outfit and drum). But, Chris was into it as was everybody else, so that was what we did.
Normally, though, the walk in would be funny, except since we were performers, we had to get up and play a song, and although we always have a blast performing, this was extra goofy and fun. So that is the story behind this picture. I realize as I write, however, that all I do is bring up more odd and interesting things about myself (i.e. the Energizer Bunny outfit, other dressing in drag occasions, details of some of my great dates for dances (prom being some of my finest work)) that doesn't have anything to do with this particular picture that may also need explanation. And one day I might just do that. Until then, enjoy me in drag playing the steel drums. When I move into a bigger apartment or house some day I'll bring my steel drums to New York and start playing again...not in drag though...sorry.
