Today is Friday, June 14, 2024. I’m back from the Queens Pride event and I went without Elliot who decided to ditch the event because of the expected rain this evening. I preferred to use the subway instead of driving there because of the anticipated thunderstorm. So I left as early as 5 in order to get there before 6:30. This was no problem, even though I did arrive early, despite getting lost while using Waze to guide me to the Queens Botanical Garden. The ride consisted of taking the “Grand Central Express,” which is the affectionate name for the 7 train, to Main Street, Flushing, and then walk to the garden. This took close to 20 minutes, as I was directed around the entire botanical garden. The air was stuffy and humid, so I did not enjoy the walk this time. I was so relieved when I finally found the entrance to the site and I stoutly walked through the front station. A young man cursorily looked at my ticket and informed me where I needed to go. I walked to the administrative building and discovered this was the place for the Pride event.

Thank God the place had a roof, an overhang that protected attendees from the elements. I waited to see if more people arrived, and there was a slow trickle of attendees walking up to the terrace – there were families with children, gay couples with children, stand-alone gay couples, and groups of older women sitting and waiting for the main event to begin, which was a drag show. The only food being served at the event was some chicken and beef empanadas that I eagerly purchased since I didn’t have anything before leaving the apartment. I brought my own bottle of water that served as my drink of choice.

At the precise time of 7, the skies opened up and it poured, and the wind gusted strongly. The crowd stood around a little while until about 7:20 or so when it was time to go downstairs to the auditorium to see the drag show. As I entered the auditorium, I took an aisle seat. There were five rows where people hunkered down. And there was actually no stage. The performers strutted their stuff down the spaces in between the aisles. Thus it was hard to take pictures or videos of the performers. But I managed somehow. All in all, there were three drag performers, with one serving as the MC. Her name was Marti Cummings and she flowed very prettily in a yellow and green dress. She thanked everyone for coming and she gave a little speech about how drag is under attack in this country by idiots on the far right and how we must show our unity against such negative forces. The second performer’s name was Nani Tsunami, and she did one number to the hoots and howls of the audience. The third drag queen was Janae SaisQuoi who wore several flamboyant jumpsuits.

The show lasted only about 45 minutes. So by 8:15 or so, the show ended. At that time, Ms. Cummings announced that people could come up and take pictures with the entertainers, and this was my cue to leave. I didn’t stay around; I just walked directly to the subway, which was much easier to get to than the first time. I asked the same man by the entrance station where to get the 7 and he said to just make a left out of the gate and walk straight up which is what I did. Eventually, I got to the area that I recognized from my very early days when I took the bus to Flushing from Co-op City to get to Queens College. The neighborhood even then was becoming Asian influenced. And this was over forty years ago!

I didn’t have to wait too long for the 7 train and I made good time with the E that was just about entering the station at Roosevelt Avenue. I was back in Forest Hills in no time. I think I was back by 9:30.

In the lobby of our building, I was greeted by a huge box from Junior’s Restaurant. Undoubtedly, this was my Father’s Day present from my son since I received two cheesecakes from him last year for the occasion. That time they were sitting downstairs one or two days before a neighbor alerted us to the box waiting for us. This time I was more fortunate in that I spied the familiar box right away sitting on the front table. When I took the package upstairs, I immediately opened the box and took out two cheesecakes: one plain cheesecake, and another, a triple chocolate one. Yummy! Thank you, “Joshua,” for the delicious Father’s Day gift. My stomach thanks you too!

As you might recall, tomorrow is the 60th birthday party for my friend “Seth,” so I probably won’t be here in this space because of it.

Have a great Saturday.

Stay safe and be well.

This is the third drag queen, Janae SaisQuoi. She surely fills out her yellow outfit there, doesn’t she?

This is the MC, Marti Cummings.

PS: I just had a little piece of the triple-chocolate cheesecake. I had to wait a long time before it defrosted. It was very good!