hannah

Four hours at Pride is about my limit. Next time I'm thinking of maybe bringing along some kind of nonviolent deterrent for people around me that smoke - maybe just keeping my mask on to make the point that they're stinking up the place. Better 100,000 whips and chains at Pride than a single cigarette. Or vape pen. Or anything that makes smoke, really.

Still, aside from the smoke, and how tired I was by the fourth hour, it was a good afternoon. I commented to someone that you know it's a great parade when you lose count of the marching bands. There were at least four of them, plus two different motorcycle cohorts. I applauded at the rainbow capitalism floats for the canaries in the coal mine that they were, though I drew the line at applauding Disney. The local unions helped wash the taste of that out of my mouth well enough.

I wore a tie-dyed rainbow dress, which I've taken to calling my proudest dress. I've also taken to saying I blended in perfectly.

I stayed for four hours and it was estimated to keep going for at least another two, so I don't mind having left when I did. Also, I was constantly re-applying sunscreen and I don't doubt that the sun's going to make itself known tonight in the shower. So perhaps next year, leaving a bit earlier, and also a hat.