What Not To Wear

Or at least, What I Didn't Wear.  This travelled to Colorado with me, and it seemed like a shame to just pack it back up so....

By the way, I always hang my clothes in the hotel room closet.  Do I care if anyone sees that the guy in 305 has a dress and skirts hanging up?

Nah.

Weird Trip

No TG content today.  It's just a little review of my flights to Colorado Springs.  If you're interested, read on.  If not, well, I won't be insulted.

I flew to Colorado Springs on the only direct flight there is each day.  Too late, I found out that I could have met up with a reader or two in Denver, if I only connected through.  Who knows ~ maybe I could have arranged to finish in Denver, change, and drive to Colorado Springs.  It's no longer than my Richmond drive, really.

The outbound flight was advertised as on-time, but once we got on, the flight crew said we were "too heavy" and three people had to get off, are there any volunteers?  Then they added a $400 voucher, an overnight hotel stay, and a meal voucher.  Three people volunteered ~ and they decided a fourth had to go too.  They were about to vote someone off the plane when the guy across the aisle volunteered.  Then they decided they could put the luggage they removed (!) back on.  Then they decided they could put the last volunteer back on, so the guy they just tossed came walking back onto the plane.  I'm not sure who's luggage they planned to leave behind, or if the people they jettisoned had nothing to wear, but I got to Colorado Springs only 90 or so minutes late.  We had to take on extra weight in the form of extra fuel to divert over Lake Erie to pass the storms that were heading east.

The return flight had its own weirdness.  Everything went on schedule, or close enough, but the drink cart was accompanied by a large fly.  A Very Large Fly.  A Jeff Goldblum sized fly.  The flight attendants made some comments on how annoying the fly was.  I had a coffee, and as I took the cup, the fly landed on my wrist.  I've been bitten by deer flies before and hadn't liked it, so I put down the cup and shook him off.  He landed again.  I shook him off.  He landed again.  I shook him off.  He landed...

...right in my coffee.  And he died instantly.

I said "the fly won't bother you any more.  He's in my coffee."

I also said "I thought this was a no-fly zone."

I also said "I missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  I didn't say 'waitress, what's this fly doing in my coffee?'"

I also said "This is Seriously Strong Coffee."

I had a good time anyway.  The fly, not so much.

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Dinna With Dana

Meg and Dana, After Dinner

Around the time I arrived in Colorado Springs, a reader named Joanie wrote "if you'd like to meet someone while you're in Colorado Springs...."  I paraphrase, but she introduced me to Dana.

Dana's story is Not Your Typical Crossdresser.  I am.

She never dressed until just four years ago.

She's divorced, but it's pre-dressing up, so dressing wasn't involved.

Her ears are pierced.

She's very involved in Tri-Ess and other organisations, even facilitating groups for F2Ms.

She has a girlfriend who'd think it fine if she went fulltime.

She does outreach (something I'd love to do!)

She spent a twelve day holiday in New Orleans, including a cruise in the middle, all as Dana.

Her (grown) kids and grandkids know, and go out-and-about with her.

And... that's her own hair!  I mean, that's my hair too, but I made it mine by purchasing it.

She came down to my hotel for dinner, which was very accommodating of her.  I don't know the area, and my old eyes are behaving less and less well at night.  We went to Flatirons, which was right next door to the hotel.  She drove the short distance to the restaurant; I walked, mostly because I like walking and like to be seen.  So of course, I left my room and the hall and elevator were empty.  The lobby was empty; there wasn't even anyone behind the desk!

We were treated like any other ladies at the restaurant.  I had no doubt I was sitting across from a woman.  She's reached that nirvana I wrote about a few months ago.  She knows passing is more about how you see yourself, and how you feel about yourself, than how others see you.

Please don't look back through the blog to see if you missed something.  I've never been out with another transgendered person.  If they were all like Dana, I'd never pass by another opportunity.  (And I'm still kicking myself about Richmond and Vanessa!)

Dana and I had a lovely conversation.  She's very easy to talk to, and incredibly nice.

After dinner, I walked back to the hotel.  I would have liked to stay out later, but I had an early flight the next day and my brain was unsure of the time zone.

The hotel lobby was still vacant, although I lingered for a moment and as I was about to go up to my room the woman I'd seen every other night there asked if I needed anything.  I said no, since the elevator was here and, other than validation, I didn't need anything.

Up in my room, I was euphoric.  I didn't do a lot, but I met someone wonderful, I had a good meal, and I just felt good, and felt that I looked good.

I should have changed right away but instead I just enjoyed being Meg, went over the evening, and tried to wipe the smile off my face.

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Just A Taste

Click to enlarge.

This is me from last Thursday, dressed and ready to go out.  I had dinner at Flatirons, the steakhouse next door.

I wasn't alone.  I hope to have the full story tomorrow.

Going OUT Now!

It's about 7pm on my last night in Colorado and Meg is going OUT with a new friend named Dana.

Short Notes

Just a couple of notes....

Yesterday, Diane posted a comment saying she'll be at the FemmeFever ball on Long Island (where I used to live) Friday and Saturday.  I'd like to invite Diane to drop me a note ~ if she'd like to write about her experience for the blog, or share some photos here, I'd be happy to oblige.

I received a private note from a reader ~ she's in Denver.  If I knew, I would have flown into Denver and either driven or connected to Colorado Springs.  As it is, at 100 miles or so, I can't possibly fit a trip like that in.

Another reader pointed me at a couple of CS ladies who I may be able to meet with tomorrow.  I'm still sad that I missed Vanessa in Richmond.  The project is more messed up than I was led to believe and I had another long day on Wednesday.  My goal is to get out at 5 on Thursday, and be dressed and ready for... something... by 7.  I'm still stuck in eastern time, so 7 is 9 to me, but I have all this stuff that I packed and I hate packing things and not using them!

My next trip is probably going to be South Carolina, but I have NO idea where in the state yet.  If any readers are in the Palmetto State, please keep an eye and if we're close, maybe we can get together.

I wish I had an idea where each of my readers are so I could make sure you know when I'm travelling.  Even if all we can do is meet in drab, I'd like to meet.

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A Bit More Meg Than Planned

Writing Tuesday morning....

My suitcase is full.  A bit less than half is for my four day trip.  The rest is for Meg.

Because the suitcase had a bit of extra room, I packed some cotton camisoles ~ one for each shirt for each day.

Tuesday, I wore the cami pictured here under a green shirt.  Yes, those straps disappear under a decent shirt.  In case of someone putting their hand on your shoulder, or a hug, all bets are off.  I expected neither of those things.

Tuesday Night Update: I was sitting at a computer and said something funny and my Colorado contact laughed and reached down and squeezed (squoze?) my shoulder.  Mild panic, but I didn't see a reaction and I made several cd-like comments during the day.  Such as, at one point we were looking at modus operandi information and the one I pulled up at random was about someone being assaulted at a transgender support group.  I said "you know, it seems like every time I'm at a transgender support meeting someone gets groped" to huge laughs and a "you're crazy."  Not crazy, but certainly having a good time.

I also wore green socks, because, well, why not?  And getting the customer used to me wearing socks that match my shirt will prepare them for my pink shirt on Thursday. :)

But when I pulled out my pants I was surprised.  I thought I pulled out a fairly new pair of black slacks.  I only brought one; I know that's a stretch for three days, but that's how I pack.  They were not only an older pair of slacks ~ they were women's.

I don't wear them anymore because they're a bit snug and a bit faded, but that's all I have so they will do.

I'm writing early Tuesday morning.  I may shop tonight and get new (girl) jeans ~ I need a pair or two, and maybe I'll pick up new slacks.  Boy or girl, well, I haven't decided yet.

I do plan to go in drab to the nearby shopping center to check it out before going out Wednesday night.

Tuesday Night Update: I did look around the shopping center.  It's huge, sparsely populated, and not very interesting.  Because I had to work pretty late Tuesday and won't have prep time, I plan to get out on Thursday.

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On the Road Again

Did I mention I'm going to Colorado Springs for a few days?  I'll be leaving in about ten hours from post time.

I planted a seed, but I haven't watered it.  I said to my wife "I had so much fun travelling dressed last time, I'm thinking of doing it again."  She scoffed and said something about having to go through security.  I said "do you think I'd be the first?"  She said "no" and changed the subject.

I won't be flying pretty, but I will have Meg in my luggage.

I have three days to do the work, and it looks like three days is far too long, unlike my last project.

I expect to be at the customer from 8:30 until no later than 5:30.  I also expect my evenings to be free, although I may have another customer (whom I'm waiting on) to work on in the evening.

There is a shopping center less than a half-mile from the hotel.

I'll arrive late Monday and probably just shower and go to bed.  If I'm awake enough, I may do some hair removal.  I was shaving daily so I could spend some time working on arms, legs, chest, but then I stopped once I decided I'd only be changing in Colorado.  I'll was thinking of bringing a bottle of hair remover, or buying one after I arrive.  Instead, on Friday, I started researching epilators and on Saturday  I bought a Braun.  The model I considered was only available at WalMart and there are no WalMarts near here.  I considered picking one up in a Colorado Springs store, but then I'd be cutting it close.  So to speak.  I'd probably have to wait until Tuesday (since they'll probably be closed when I arrive Monday).

So I got a more expensive model at Bed Bath and Beyond.  It's rechargeable, so I charged it today.  I didn't mention my purchase to my wife, but I never do.  She knows I buy stuff; she doesn't ask what.  I think she's afraid that would be misconstrued as interest.

So now that I think about it, I think I'll try to remove some hair on Monday, just to see how much it really hurts and if it leaves marks.  I had heard that it can, but they disappear within 10 hours or so.  So if I epilate my arms and legs, which are covered at work anyway, I should be able to go out after work.

I can probably get out Wednesday evening, maybe Thursday evening as well.  I fly back east early Friday.

This will be a good trip.

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