The Bowels of Hell
Do you remember how evangelists like Jerry Falwell and his ilk blamed 9/11 and various hurricanes and last years tsunami on gays, lesbians, liberals and abortionists? Well, after last Saturday’s Pride Parade in Boston, I may think there’s something to their claims.
This was the hottest, most humid Gay Pride event I’ve ever attended. It must have been around 90 degrees with the most humidity possible. Even my friends, up from Washington, DC, said it was unbearable – and they’re obviously quite familiar with humidity.
We managed to snag a spot under some trees along the Public Garden/Boylston Street area. After the parade, we meandered with the masses to the Boston Common for the festival. We skipped the vendors (who’s displays were all in the open field with no shade) and bee-lined directly toward the top of the hill to take advantage of what little breezes and tree shade we could find. The crowds were much smaller than in previous years – presumably due to the oppressive heat. See? This was surely God’s punishment for the sinners.
Anyway, on the plus side, we ran into my friend, Mark, and then the 5 of us hung out the rest of the day. First we enjoyed the air-conditioned comforts of Newbury Comics, then we went back to take showers before having dinner in the North End. Finally, we decided to go out to the clubs. Chris’ goals was a bar crawl and we figured we stick to one neighborhood and do at least three of the following: Jacque’s, Dedo’s, Club Cafe, Fritz or the Eagle.
Well, we first went to Jacque’s – but they had a $10 cover charge so we kept walking. Then we skipped Dedo’s (Chris and I had gone there before) and headed to Club Cafe..but there was an enormous line to get in. We finally took the corner and found room at Fritz…which despite the heat and humidity, had all of the doors/windows wide open to the sidewalk. So, being a gay sports bar, I stood under whatever fan we could find and people watched. Despite only drinking water, I started crashing BIG TIME from the heat/humidity so I said I needed to go home (I did offer to get them to the Eagle first, but they all appeared tired and willing to leave).
Once home, I took my third shower of the day and went to sleep.
Yesterday, Chris, John, Rich and I headed to Provincetown (with a quick stop on the way to wish my Dad a happy Father’s Day). What a relief it was down there. Being surrounded by water, it was only in the 60’s! We had a great time walking and eating before returning back to Boston last night. We left Provincetown around 8PM and once we drove over the Cape Cod Canal, we immediately noticed the air in car getting more and more humid (and hot). Those seabreezes sure do make a difference.
And that was my weekend. All in all, the company was great and I had a good time. But the heat and humidity definitely have to go.
Oh, and I missed the finale of Popularity Contest!!!!!! I’m hoping the network re-airs it some night this week so I can see who won…and how!
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Well, if it’s any comfort, it was also hot in northern New Hampshire where I escaped with friends in order to beat the heat (not!). Is it fall yet?
I kept looking for you in the crowd–Fritz and I were with the Theater Offensive. They asked us to carry the banner at the head of the group–right in front of the two bare-breasted lesbians with the pasties painted on, riding the Vespa motor scooters.