Sniffa reviews: Boston Pride march 2008

[sniffa]

(mother fucker! I just spent almost an hour composing my OP, when firefox crashed and I lost it. :cry:)

So Bi-Baby and myself marched in the Obama Pride contingent in yesterday's Pride March. This was my very first time actually in the march, so it was exciting. The group was scheduled to meet in the South End at 11 a.m., and we arrived pretty early. The group's marshals were there already with some others, and they were furiously making balloons (I think over 200 at least). The marshals stop for a moment to introduce themselves, sign us in, and give us our shirts.

Yay shirt!



They waste no time putting us to work making balloons. It took me a while to get the ribbon/clip thing down, but I eventually got a good system going and knocked off maybe, 75 balloons. Here's our handiwork:







When we finish the balloons, we have about 30 minutes until the march starts. So we head to a cafe two blocks away for mochas (not lattes). When we return to the meeting spot, we find they've left without us. :o
No worries though, as the hundreds of balloons made them easy to find.

We were in section C (about 2/3s back if I'm not mistaken). Here is the view from our spot before the march started.






















While Bi-Baby was taking these pics the marshal approached me and asked me to hold one of the buckets. I was unsure what it was for, and somebody kindly tipped me off that it was to seek donations from the crowd as we marched.



The organizers quickly got to work getting our group ready and assigning everyone a task... and then everyone several tasks. Bi-Baby was given balloons and a sign to hold, and a roll of stickers to stick on people. I was given some Obama Pride buttons to hand out in addition to bucket duty. Around 16 or so unfurled a giant rainbow flag that we carried the entire route.*





In the long wait before the start several people from different groups swept through, and we exchanged niceties, buttons, and stickers (and temporary tats!). I ran out of buttons, so I was given the rest to give out. They should have had more buttons as I was out in the first 1/4 of the march. At one point a woman asked for the rainbow Obama button I was wearing and I obliged. Ed O'reilly was one of those people coming through all the groups as well, but Bi-Baby didn't think he was worth a photo. :P

And finally... we started.*

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nubianeagle/2578780783/

The crowds were very receptive to us, as we got some great ovations throughout the march. They chanted with us, cheered us on, and high-fived us all along the way (I had a few jumping high-fives). Apparently, we got booed at some point but I didn't even notice it, so Bi-Baby would have to fill you in on that.

I was in my element yesterday as I totally hammed it up to the crowds. I played the bucket like a drum to give me a rhythm as I popped and danced for my money. I had a pretty good routine going, as I probably pulled in around $300 (maybe more, as I was getting many non-one dollar bills, including a few twenties) - I had to empty it once because it was getting filled to the top. I also had to assure a few people that donations were for Boston Pride, and not Obama.

Here's a photo some spectator took of Bi-Baby waving her sign, and me playing the bucket.*



The march ended at City Hall Plaza where they had a stage, and a shitload of booths set up for various GLBT pacs, groups, religious outreach, social networking, and just about anything you could imagine. But, before entering the plaza, we got to pass some fundie protesters. Locals will probably recognize the nut on the right as he's everywhere here.



At the plaza we perused all the groups, got some tee-shirts, and signed up for various groups - MassEquality, Young Democrats, etc. I got a hug from the guy holding the "FREE HUGS" sign. He was a good hugger. :)

We also took a few last pics.





Bi-Baby


Bi-Baby and I. These 2 guys walking by offered to take it and one said, "I know how to make them smile. Say, 'Hillary!'" :rofl:


We were exhausted at this point, and my hands were just starting to swell from banging the bucket for so long so we went to the Beantown Pub for lunch and a few refreshments (we were seated with a cool couple who came in from Central MA for Pride). We had an awesome time, and I so can't wait to do that again. Maybe next year we can have a DU contingent. :bounce:

*We didn't have much chance to take any pics because our hands were constantly full, and we were busy. Thankfully, there's already crowd photos up on the internets. Our group's marshal is going to set up an image-sharing account for everyone's pics, so they'll more coming hopefully. :)

[AlCzervik]

1. fantastic pictures!

:toast: :hi:

[sniffa]

10. Thanks

:hi:

I look forward to the photo site being set up, for everyone in the group to share their photos.

[Shakespeare]

2. Great pics!!! And props for getting Obama and Starbucks logos in the same shot.

..for all us latte-sipping Obamatrons. :7

:hi: :loveya:

[sniffa]

14. Can't really help that. Where there are Obamatrons, there are Starbucks

:hi: :loveya:

[bigwillq]

3. Those are awesome pics.

Thanks for the review. Seems like it was a wonderful time. :) :hi:

[sniffa]

39. Oh, thank you

It was a wonderful time. :hi:

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. You need to edit the thread title

It should read:

Sniffa: Sniffa reviews: Boston Pride march 2008

:D



Cool pics, though. (I didn't realize bi_baby was so height-challenged.) :)

[Midlodemocrat]

11. It's more like sniffa is actually Baby Huey.

[LeftyMom]

5. Was this before or after you made the poor carry you in sedan chairs to the country club?

I've heard about your wife and her fancy-living ways. :grr:

[sniffa]

18. Before. We checked into the club some scotch

You're lucky I even respond to you. :eyes:

[flvegan]

6. Your "give me a quarter" friend could obviously take some hints from you.

Great pics, thanks for posting them!

[sniffa]

19. She needs to dance for the quarter

Thanks, and you're welcome. :hi:

[Critters2]

7. Thanks for sharing! Brings back memories!

I used to go to the Pride March every year when I was in the city. Can't believe that was 20 years ago. Such good times. Thanks for helping me remember, and for marching!!

[YDogg]

8. thanks for sharing these!

I especially like the flag pictures and those of the rolling cart.

[sniffa]

41. You're welcome

The flag ones were especially awesome. Before starting my thread I searched the internets for pictures, and I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to find so many relevant photos, but especially that photo of Bi-Baby and I during the march (right between the Public Gardens and the Boston Common) - it's my favorite. :loveya:

[malta blue]

9. looks like great fun

Great pics

:hi:

[JackBeck]

12. Yay! Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing.

And I just may hold you to that DU contingent idea next year.

Looks like a fun day was had by all...except I guess the fundies.

:party:

[sniffa]

15. I was going to pm you this link to make sure you saw it.

:hi:

I had a blast, and I had no idea how much work you do while marching. I was sweating buckets by the end, and the palms of my hands are sore from banging the bucket. Next year I'm wearing gloves. :P

We should so do this. I invited a few people to join DU, including a DKoser who reads DU but has yet to join. We should see if DU will hook us up with business cards, stickers, and buttons to give out. :bounce:

[Debi]

13. Yeah sniffa & bi-baby

unfortuately Des Moines' Pride Parade was set for this weekend (and we're a little busy right now.....) Glad it was such a great time :hi:

[sniffa]

20. I know, I'm sorry

:hug:

How are you guys holding up?

:hi:

[Debi]

46. Fine - now it's all just paperwork and hauling crap out of the basement

x( (we didn't get flood water, only rain water b/c our roof was replaced but not the gutters right before the big storms - so only a little water in the basement - NOTHING to complain about).

proud of you two!! :bounce:

[fight4my3sons]

16. Great pictures and review

thank you for sharing them.

[sniffa]

43. You're welcome and thank you

:hi:

Another kick for my thread. :D

[RevolutionaryActs]

17. Awsome pics you guys!

Looks like a great time. :bounce:


"I was in my element yesterday as I totally hammed it up to the crowds."

You? Never! :P

[sniffa]

27. I'm usually quite shy

:D

[RevolutionaryActs]

32. Uh huh... tell me, did you type that with a straight face?

:rofl:

[sniffa]

36. Pun intended

:rofl:

[RevolutionaryActs]

37. Oh dear.

Edited to add the right smiley. :dunce:

[ruggerson]

21. Thanks for posting these sniffa

recommended.

[sniffa]

24. Thanks

and you're welcome.

[terrya]

22. Cool pics! It looks like you had a great turnout!

One thing I love seeing at Pride are the straight couples bringing their children. Gives me hope for the future. :-)

[sniffa]

25. There were lots of children both in the parade and in the crowds

and not just straight couples' children of course. Yes, turnout was really great, but it usually is. This was my first time on this side though. :hi:

[terrya]

29. Right you are

It's especially nice to see same-sex families. :-)

:hi:

[bicentennial_baby]

34. There was this great couple in our group,

2 men, with two wee ones, a boy and a girl, in a double stroller. Adorable! :)

:hi:

[terrya]

35. Awwwww.

Sounds adorable. :-)

:hi:

[Blue-Jay]

23. Great pics! Love the shirt.

Thanks for posting this!

[sniffa]

26. Thanks, I'm still wearing it

Lazy Sunday. :D

[Blue-Jay]

28. I need to get me some Obama swag.

Maybe I'll run over to campaign HQ tomorrow to see if they have anything. (I need to pick up a few signs anyhow.)

[hippywife]

30. Cool pics!

Fun times! We marched in the local pride a coupla years ago. If you want to have some real fun, come to the Tulsa Pride. The religious nutjobs line the parade route, coz there's like a blue ton of them around here anyway. :rofl:

[zippy890]

31. did you see the Guvnah and his daughter?

great pics, looks like fun.

[sniffa]

33. No, I think they were at the front of the march

We were a ways back. Thanks, it was a blast.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

38. Beautiful pictures - thanks for posting

Looks like you had a terrific time. Oh, to live in a blue state again...

[sniffa]

40. Gracias, and we can work to make some states bluer

I think we have a tremendous opportunity this year.

[Inchworm]

42. Nice pics, hippie!

woot!

I really like the umbrella one :D

:woohoo:

:hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

44. Looks like it was a great day.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[unpossibles]

45. looks like a good turnout

ours was pretty good also. I have to say also that I was pleased to see quite a few corporate and church presences in the parade. Despite not being religious and whatnot, it's good to see some companies and churches willing to extend basic human goodness, or at least put forth a good public face about it, especially in a place like Cincinnati. Yay!

Unfortunately I totally forgot to put on sunscreen, so I have this awful farmer's burn going on now. Great look.