Headed to OBX Pridefest

After work the boyfriend and I are headed down to OBX Pridefest in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for the weekend.  We have dog sitters/house sitters lined up and the weather forecast is great.  Last years event was great fun and we expect the same this year.  We will be staying at the First Colony Inn (pictured above and below) - a historic inn that was moved to save it - which is at the center of the Pridefest events.  The event represents more than just a beach party since net profits will go to support charitable organizations:

After receiving our 501c3 tax exempt status in February, the board of directors of OBX Pride, Inc. has announced our parnership with a local Dare County based HIV-AIDS assistance nonprofit called "Brandon's Beacon of Hope--HIV-AIDS Foundation".  BBH will become our 2nd charity recipient (last year it was the Outer Banks Hotline for battered spouses and children).  This group will be working with the regional medical professions to offer absolute private services and assistance to victims of HIV-AIDS in the Northeast region of North Carolina.  Up until now, those needing assistance had to travel to metropolitan areas to receive care, and thus, the number of victims in Dare County and the surrounding regions has gone unreported.  We are trying to change that and we hope you can help.  Even though people are living much longer lives with HIV, the average cost to these people is $367,000 for the rest of their lives.  Your donation or sponsorship of OBX Pridefest, our biggest fundraiser of the year, will help us help BBH.  Any profits made from OBX Pridefest (after we have paid our bills) will be donated to BBH.

I hope Hampton Roads readers and readers in Northeast North Carolina will consider driving down and joining the fun.   As noted in prior posts, Dare County was the only non-metropolitan, non-university related county in North Carolina to reject Amendment One.

I will be blogging over the weekend, although not at the usual rate in all likelihood.  Yes, we'll be posting photos and reporting on the festivities.

A Family Wedding - Part II

I had my misgivings a we headed out early this morning to my niece's wedding, but the day proved to be a wonder, happy and healing experience. I believe many old emotional wounds were healed and that my siblings all felt that moving on and allowing the past to remain the past was the order of the day. Moreover, the wedding was a sweet, sentimental and most enjoyable affair with good music, good food and good company. On top of that, the weather cooperated and we had a gorgeous day - even if some of us are a bit sunburned as a result. The view from the house is set out above and the wedding party is set out below (my niece's brother is second from the right and his English wife is at far left). Not surprisingly, the boyfriend worked his usual magic on the bride's and bridesmaids' hair. And at the risk of sounding a bit "woo-woo," I do feel that my parents were with us in spirit today.

Where the Boys Are

This weekend in Ft. Lauderdale - actually on this past Friday - the City celebrated the 50th anniversary of the song and movie "Where the Boys Are" which I remember well from when I was a kid. In retrospect, I guess I should have known what was up with myself even then since I focused more on the boys in the film than the girls. In any event, walking along the beach - particularly along Sebastian Beach - there were loads of posters like the one set out above. Saturday Connie Francis also performed her famous song. While we missed the event, it certainly brought back memories seeing all of the posters and event details. Here are highlights from a release issued by the City of Ft. Lauderdale that also has a link to a video clip of Francis' arrive in the city:

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Connie Francis still knows how to make an entrance! Riding in a vintage red Cadillac convertible, the star of the 1960 classic movie "Where The Boys Are" recently returned to Fort Lauderdale Beach to announce plans for the “Great American Beach Party,” a major special event scheduled for May 29, 2010 that will celebrate the film’s 50th Anniversary.

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We’re honored to welcome Connie Francis back to Fort Lauderdale Beach to mark this historic occasion,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler at the kick-off gathering. “It’s a unique way to unveil our plans for a one-of-a-kind event that pays tribute to this film and captures the spirit and nostalgia of the 1960s.”

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The Great American Beach Party with Connie Francis will take place on Saturday, May 29, 2010, and will feature a day and evening full of exciting activities on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Read the "Where The Boys Are" event flyer

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The free event will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. when a portion of Fort Lauderdale’s world famous A1A will be transformed into an entertainment mecca, featuring music, live performances, and activities for the entire family.

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Live bands will perform classic hits from the 1950s and ‘60s throughout the day in the vicinity of A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. Children and adults will enjoy an array of activities including hula hoop, limbo and Twister contests, a water balloon toss and a sand castle building competition.

Father's Day Musings

Today has been a strange father's day. First off, it's the first one that has occurred since my dad died last September. June used to be full of events involving him: Wedding anniversary on June 3; birthday on June 9; and fathers day. While we often did not get along and only fully reconciled a while before his death, it is simply so strange not to know he's there any more.

Second, I have so far had no word from the kids yet today. Sadly, I won't be surprised if I hear nothing from them. Their mother has worked long and hard for years to always make me the bad guy so that she could play the "good mommy" role. In retrospect, I should have left her many years earlier. She manipulated and used me for so long and, secretly trying to atone for hidden sexual orientation, I generally let it happen. For all those closeted married guys, my advice is DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE. You have nothing to apologize for in terms of who you are.

I continue to be glad about the Graduation. The photo at top is of my two daughters. The older, Lauren, at least has spoken to me in the last few weeks. I have got to do some work at the office - in a weak moment I said I would speak at a seminar and now I have to finish the course materials I am covering - and then Raymond and I are going to chill. The party in Willoughby Spit last night was awesome: open bar, great food, music, and on the beach with a fantastic sunset as the evening progressed. The hosts, Cindy Cutler and Craig Haines DO know how to throw a fabulous party, The down side is that I am suffering a bit from Grey Goose poisoning today.