I went to the Drag Show

The third annual Drag Show presented by QTIP at San Jose State's Morris Daily auditorium might have been one of the greatest school events I've ever seen.

First of all, the crowd was great. It filled the seats of the large auditorium easily with, well, everyone. There was a $2 discount to admission for anyone who defied gender roles and showed up as the opposite sex. So girls and boys and boys looking like girls and girls looking like boys took over SJSU's oldest building. I did my best to earn my discount, but apparently failed. I was forced to draw a mustache if I wanted to keep my extra dollars.

The lobby was packed with chatty performers, admiring guests, tables of free condoms from the health center and a few uncomfortable San Jose policemen. They must have been unsure of their role there, since no protesters were to be found and most attendees overall were just happy to support the cause, not cause a scene.

For anyone who hasn't witnessed a drag performance for themselves or seen it on TV, it's all about the costume, the dancing and the lip sync. That meant a lot of Beyonce and Lady Gaga wanna-bes whipping their wig around stage. Also, a little Broadway thrown in there for good measure.

The stars of the show were saved for the second half after intermission. That's where the kimono with fluttering six-foot long satin wings and the cart wheels into splits came out. But no matter the performer, good or bad (and believe me, there was bad. White girls and afros don't mix) the crowd was screaming for them. They were clapping and cheering them on.

This drag show wasn't just about the drag. It definitely wasn't about race cars either, as my friend attempted to convince her poor boyfriend. It was about being comfortable with your body and expressing yourself beyond the binary gender system. It was fun. It was empowering. And as Rupaul said "If you can't love yourself, how the f*** are you gonna love somebody else?"

The No 'Poo Experiment

In my adventures across the internet, I've come across some crazy organic ideas. Sometimes the hassle and cost of adding organic elements to my college student life is too much to muster. However, the idea of never buying shampoo again is something I can get on board with.

According to my research, shampoo contains chemicals that strip hair of natural oils. These oils are necessary for healthy hair, so your coiffe begins to overcompensate. You probably begin to use harsher shampoos to combat the oil and the whole cycle continues.

Apparently there is a two week interim period for your hair to regulate oil levels. That's a bit too long for me to function in public without up to snuff hair. I got the head of hair that makes the stylists on prom night go "You want curls? Um, can I get some help over here?" So I found a baking soda shampoo substitute to help me out.

My first use came last night, right after I buzzed off my boyfriend's hair in a fitting symmetry that virtually negates his need for shampoo as well. The baking soda recipe was watery and hard to control. Luckily, it won't burn your eyes like regular shampoo. It does taste rather salty though.

Morning one, my hair seems tolerable. I'll pass judgment after I try to style this thing.