RADskillZ

A variety of photos that bring us back to life in a rad way.

[radskillz]

#hands that I don't mess with. #nails #realversusfake #canyoutellthedifference #cornermia #miaminightlife #idkifitsdayornight

[radskillz]

Oh San Antonio! 

I wanted to stay longer and play but time was of the essence and funding was not as fruitful as before. 

A big thanks to my cousin and her husband for allowing me into their home. And a SPECIAL thanks to their dogs for playing with me and keeping me entertained.  

Oh yea, and I drove by the Alamo, twice.

Typical Americans: Soda and Segways.

[radskillz]

Heat Nightclub in San Antonio, Texas.

I have a cousin in San Antonio that I was able to travel to see and stay at her place so I found out when and where the drag queens were going to be around for some photos!

Of course I happened to stumble apon one the local competitions as a stepping stone for the grand Texas Entertainer of the Year(EOY) title. 

This was a pageant. As I walked into the club the first person I saw was a somewhat familiar face. Her name is Nadine Hughes and she travelled from Austin to be part of the judges table. 

As most of us know, pageants are no joke. They are long and unpredictable. Most pageants have entertainers in between categories. Here are just a bundle of photos of some of the most memorable entertainers showing their passion for performance.

[radskillz]

Last group of the night at Oil Can Harry's in Austin, Texas.

The crowd was hot and excited. Dollar bills were flying out from hands every where. These queens did cart-wheels, dances and splits like it was as simple as sitting down. There was even a performer that resembled a much younger Ce-Lo. 

One of the queens came out and even did a mexican hat dance! 

[radskillz]

JuJubee and Raven!!!

The ridiculous entertainment that comes out of this drag queen team is fantastic. This was my second time seeing JuJubee and first time seeing Raven. 

I had no idea how tall Raven is...like whoa.

Their outfits were great and the styles were well thought out.

One of the best moments was when the host Kelly Kline ask for a kiss from both of them. First was JuJubee after her opening performance. She was so calm, gentle and a little seductive in the kiss, it included more tongue than lips from what I saw. It was cute, friendly and playful for the crowd to watch.

Then...Raven's turn.

She pretty much just went all in for a whole make out session that she dominated and Kelly couldn't have a chance to be free until the ever so tall Raven released her. 

It looked kind of scary but Kelly ended it with a lot of laughter and reapplying lipstick and maybe some makeup as well.

Raven continued to show the crowd everything she is by bringing up a mother that attended with her son. The mother's excitement and openness for the involvement in being part of the show was uplifting. 

JuJubee and Raven.

Thank you for a wonderful time at OCH Sunday. <3

[radskillz]

Oil Can Harry's: Austin, Texas. February 23, 2014.

I definitely made this place my home for a while. The staff was always welcoming. I could bring my backpack in. Skye was a lovely bartender and person. He talked to me about this show and sold me my ticket, which the bouncers wanted to tear down the middle and I begged them not to.  This particular drag show was planned months in advance and as the trip progressed, I built up A LOT of excitement to see JuJubee and Raven perform together. 

It was the birthday of the host, I believe her name is Kelly Kline. She was fantastic along with all of the other queens, kings, performers, crowd entertainment. The venue was perfect for many layers of people to be able to see. Some folks sat on the dance floor, others stood against the bars that surround the dance floor, some sat on top of the gogo dancing boxes. People even from far away could get a good view of the performance. The smart thing to do was reserve a table right next to the stage, but you must be willing to engage with the entertainment. 

Miss Gay US of A Classic 2013 Amy DeMilo was also in attendance this evening. She was a surprise entertainer that I had not known about in advance and goodness was she top notch. (Last photos.)

These Texas entertainers were one of a kind. The dance group was on point. Drag kings had drag queens as their side kicks, There were over 10 performances this one night. Celebrities in the house. Some of them even did two performances. Through it all, the crowd stayed, cheered, tipped and supported each and every unique entertainer.

[radskillz]

#threebridges #miamibeach #miami #ridingmybiketowork #scenicbikeroute #onlybikeroute #icantbelievethisislife #love

[radskillz]

Family. 

We are all related somehow.

This was our lovely trip to Red Porch in Austin, TX where Amanda's sister manages. Both are at the head of the table in the last photo. (Amy-left; Amanda-right) Amanda's daughter, Kayla is to the left of Amy and right next to her is her partner, Jennifer.

We all got together here because of Jennifer, whom I grew up across the street from. She was 9 when I was born and loved to come over and help my mom feed me, bathe me, and eat delicious mexican food my mom made. She was present in my life at a very young age where it was important to have a neighborhood community and we certainly knew how to have parties. 

Jennifer moved away during her high school years after a tragic death of her old brother Greg. (RIP) I was so young when it happened, but it is one of those moments I will never forget. He is also one of those good people that will remain in our hearts forever. Even though she moved away while I was still young, it never meant that we were going to lose contact. In fact, she has been there for me through some tough times and some learning curves. I love you Jennifer! Thanks for being my sister! <3

My Aunt Pat (top right side) is the only reason I got to stay in Austin for so long. She housed me, fed me, and spent time telling me stories about my family and specifically my dad. Thanks to you Aunt Pat for being one of the kindest souls I know on Earth. 

My little, not so little anymore, cousin Nathan! Goodness, he is turning into a grown up. He just started at UT in January, is an awesome cartoonist for the Daily Texan, a University of Texas based newspaper. He is the nephew of my mom's sister. Obviously they are blood related as you can see in the goofy faces these two were making. <3

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My mom. I wouldn't be able to do any of the things I have done with out her. Sometimes we don't agree on things, like my art, but in time and explanations she has started to open her mind to the world that I live in and love so much. I cherish her and wish to see her more but it just makes moments like this when family from all different parts come together and she is the connection for all of us. 

I love you Mom. Thank you.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

[radskillz]

Zilker Park!

I am pretty sure everyone in Austin knows about this park. It serves as the host for Austin City Limits, it is near Barton Springs Pool, it is a huge public piece of land that belongs to the people of Austin.

AND, IT IS AMAZING.

I met up with a lovely lady named Sarah and was given a tour of this spectacular place for our dogs to play. Twitch was so happy to be able to run around so freely and meet other dogs both big and small. She made bitch buddies with Sarah's dog, Dolly. Dolly and Twitch ran free as they took on the world!

Dolly also enjoyed drinking muddy water followed by peeing in it to claim it was her own. The mud puddle left a chocolate milk-stache look on her. Too cute.

Here are a handful of photos from the park excursion with two bitches, a lion with a large mane and myself.

[radskillz]

Weird City Sisters -- as brothers.

My first real friend I made in Austin was none other than Jason/Jaque/A Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. I met him on Valentine's night at an event called Love Bomb - Queer Bomb. He was a guard for all the Weird City Sisters. At one moment, all the sisters at the table went inside so I asked if I could join the seat next to him. 

We got to chatting and I told him my story which really kicked off our friendship. Photography was a common piece of the puzzle and we discussed a potential name of the book documenting these adventures. Needless to say, I will always visit him when I go back to Austin. 

Because of his kind nature, I met almost everyone else in these photos (except the two group photos surround Jason's kissy photo) and developed unique relationships with a couple of them. Jason, thank you for being the first and Tom, well you and I had way more adventures together than expected! xo.

These are photos of all the debauchery that happened at OCH - Oil Can Harry's which resides next door to Castro's Warehouse. Gina is apparently rumored to be the only woman bartender in all the gay clubs, (except for the newly opened Cheer Up Charlie's). She also enjoys body shots to be taken off her chest by gay men. She has the skills to do it,...and so did he.

Epic adventures with gay men in Austin, Texas. OCH, I think I spent most of my time in you, so thank you for wonderful experiences in all areas. 

[radskillz]

Austin, TX. 

Over on 4th street and Lavaca there is a small strip of gay bars next door to each other. Castro's Warehouse is smack in the middle of the two other gay night clubs. On Tuesday nights they have a super awesome drag show that a friend took me to. It is hosted regularly by one heck of a lady, Nadine Hughes. 

Drag queens were a plenty. Spectators were numerous too. There was even a male dancer-entertainer. He did quite a bit of tricks in the air with a ballet based style. 

The majority of these queens were definitely more on the fishy-pageant side of the drag queen line. These queens were stunning and entertaining using props and costume changes along the way. Even the bartender was a drag queen, and that takes an extra special talent. 

Here are a few photos of them on February 18th, 2014.

The rest will be featured on www.facebook.com/RADskillZphotoZ

[radskillz]

Even #twitchthedog got to #enjoy the #luxuriouslife #greengrass and #blueskies are all we need! ☀🌱🌱🌱🌴

[radskillz]

I just #love these #twodogs so much #twitchthedog #jacksonthefrenchbulldog #bocaraton #winterroadtrip2014

[radskillz]

I mean really... Who doesn't #lovewawa #kissimmee #florida #winterroadtrip2014 #epicfinds

[radskillz]

#makinfriends #tallahasseenightlife #tallahassee #norealgaynightlife #wtf #fridaynight #winterroadtrip2014 #gayfriends

[radskillz]

#tomorrow I will finally be #home or at least at @sabrieeena 's casa. #florida #winterroadtrip2014 I just don't know which #route to take!

[radskillz]

#mardigras2014 was #over but #decorations were still everywhere #nola #neworleansnightlife #winterroadtrip2014