INVASION 2011

HAPPY MARRIAGE RIGHTS ONE & ALL

 

It was like moving through clouds, the mist so thick at moments one wondered if all that hair, make-up, costume was even visible. But on the plus side the 90 degrees heat was much cooler without the sun. “Happy Marriage Rights to One & All” she bellowed. So began another exciting Invasion Now in its 36^th year (and possibly my 10^th) it never gets old – the ingenuity is amazing Mother, who was smothering me under her flowing garb in the front seat on the ferry warned: Marriages performed on board are only valid for the duration of the voyage”. I was surprised there were no as many “brides” but the topical did not bury the trademark gorgeous array of feathers, sequins, high hair and high heels.,

 

This year there were more multiples – The new Queen Yaneeda Dunes and her Disco Diva & Dancing Balls: consort Beach Debris, Lola, DJJames, Coco, Disco Sally, Fatal Faucet, Craven Morehead, Patti LaBall, De Vets,, Mel, Mr.Leather 2001, bouncer Switchblade Bobbie, Stanley Stanchon, Dancing King, Lotta Poppers, Velvet Ropes, and photogs Hairy Larry & Lucky Lens.

 

The most incredible was the Royal Wedding Procession, echoing the brand new emphasis on marriage – (with the same sex marriage bill barely a week old) the bride Kate was beautiful and her sister Pippa ravishing, the Princes Harry & William in full regalia so handsome, Queen Eliz & Phillip, Charles and was that Camilla who lost her wig on the runway in the Pines? (to the delight of the contingent of Drag Repair contingent who followed spraying hairspray in formation.

Even Fergie Duchess of Pork was there asking everybody if they had an extra ticket.

 

There were lots of other formations and even choreography. Specially the AARP Bathing Beauties, identical who performed a little water ballet – and 11 Pig Tail Pin-Ups who performed on diagonal (and gave Panzi specific instruction how to introduce them and when to wait!) While this does delay the procession too much of a good thing... is a good thing.

 

However there was still the gorgeous (and not so gorgeous) array of beauties with names such as: Lady Goldmember, Cassilina & Anita Volva, Summer Clearance (good one!), Busty Ross, Your Mom!, Prima Vera, Minnie Barr, Coma Tose, Delores Klitoris, Carmen Manranda, Trantoinette, V ictoria Bedlam, Mary Fagdeline, Tormenta, Sally Monella, Miss Jersey Shore, Slap-him, Miss Placed, Hsu-Nah-Mee, Anita Fixx, Merry Juana, Geri Act Trick, Anita Runway,, Patty Ho, Sany Knees,  Melba Toast, Elke Hollick, Popus Maximus & Sexis Slavus and my old friends Grand Duchess Mother,Jean Nate, Miss JoJo Gerard, Vanessa Diamond, Beth Page & Brooke Haven, Crystal Balls, Antique (who trotted out her terrific toothless Mona Lisa).

 

“Panzi, Panzi, Panzi” the crowd chanted as we docked. “We bring you gay marriage” she countered. “Do you know anybody single?”

BOARDING AT THE GROVE

 

 

 

 

 

How many drag queens out of drag can you spot here?

 

Good-Bye! See you in three hours……..

O.K. Requisite Group Picture

Even the Captain got into it!

 

Hang onto your wigs, er, hats

 

Drag Repair – so necessary, especially on the return trip

A friendly pat

 

This must be Valhalla !

There she is, Mona…….

 

Oh! Her bra is showing

AARP Synchronized Swimmers

LADY GAGA!!!

A little drag repair here

Quick, Pose, it a camera

 

 

A passing party boat…in the fog but they can’t miss us

My favorite job – tooting the horn and getting the yachts to answer

Panzi’s finishing touches

 

A patriotic welcome

 

There’s the red carpet

 

Yes, we love you too

 

 

Look at those boats……..

And our own flotilla - Timothea

Look! Another

The judges watch the bathing beauties ballet

Next…

Feathers a problem

It ain’t easy being a bird

Get ready

Go!!!

 

Words fail me!

Words never fail Mother

 

The Royal Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oops– a wig AND a hat – that’s tricky

 

Drag repair think it’s hilarious

 

Before they destroy the ozone layer with their hairspray

 

Wendy says “Whew – we got them all off!”

Pines debutantes do the drag straw thing

 

OK – THIS is an Alligator swallowing a human

Don’t know who he is – but only the humans feet remain

See?

Our friendly frantic bartender – a welcome annual face

 

 

Working the bar…….

The long and the short of it

 

The beauties are really synchronized

Our guardian Bruce Michael

 

The funny part is the tourists are oblivious

Prize winner

Another

Wow these shirts really wilted n the heat

I think it went well, don’t you?

 

A little support for my ass

 

Doncha just love these?

 

You Gotta Ring Those Bells Dahling

Great! I don’t have to smile for another 20 minutes

Mona takes a break!!!

Yes! I’m regal even without my wig!

 

Did she leave anything at home?

 

Remember. Onboard romances don’t count on shore

Priceless!

Also……

It’s the shoes……….

Coco NEVER looks bad

OK We Did It!  Free drinks at the Palace!