Portland, OR –- Sorry folks, no images with this post even though I was lit on fire during the show. This past weekend I've been down to Portland for this year's Northwest Sash Bash. I was invited down to serve as the celebrity auctioneer for the big show last night at Ember's. The show was spectacular with live singing, a fire dancer and a truly brutal performance from my sister in the Dragon Clan, Lynnda, and members of her family in Portland that included real blood. Yeah, we love blood.

I got a special treat toward the end of the show yesterday evening. When the fire dancer came out for his second performance, he tried to pull a volunteer out from the audience. When I notice he wasn't having any luck, I volunteered. I pulled off my bar vest and surrendered to the flames. Yeah, we love fire, too.

Proceeds from the event this year, which I think from my calculations raise well over a thousand dollars, will go to benefit Esther's Pantry. For over eighteen years Esther’s has provided food and personal care items to thousands of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In these tough economic times, the services offered by organizations like Esther's Pantry are critical to many people dealing with the additional challenges of living with HIV/AIDS. Now, like in other difficult times, the efforts of our community to support these services with funds generated at events like Sash Bash are a credit to the character of our community. I was happy to play a part in those efforts and commend all the hard work the dedicated individuals down in Portland put in to organized and pull off the weekend full of events.