Pamela and Christine are part of our DC trans community. A few years ago, they decided to open up their lovely home to the trans community for more-or-less monthly "soirees."
Since it was still difficult for me to get out, I missed several. But eventually I made it to my first and it was a new and wonderful experience.
I was out in a relaxed atmosphere meeting new people and enjoying it. Some of the girls already knew me, through the blog, which was cool. But three important takeaways:
* I felt like I was at an elegant party. I would have felt fine in an evening gown. It was a place to dress UP and fit in, which was special.
* Every time I went, there were girls who had never been out before. Christine and Pamela offered them a safe place to go OUT and they recognised it and ran with it. At least one went from never going out to Christine's to Freddy's (a gay club some of the girls go to after the soiree) and then out after that. That's kind of zero to sixty in five seconds.
* I never knew how diverse our community is. There were girls and SO's of every variety. There were girls in every stage and level, from casual dresser to transitioned. It was wonderful!
The soiree has since outgrown their house and moved to another venue but I will always think of Christine and Pamela as the perfect hostesses.
Showing posts with label Christine and Pamela. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christine and Pamela. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Thursday, May 15, 2014
What Can I Say?
If someone asked me to go to a cocktail party or happy hour I'd say no thanks. If they said, you'll probably have met maybe a half of the guests before I'd still say no thanks.
Sometimes, introvert trumps.
It's actually not easy, for me, to go to a soiree. There is some history of going to soirees now, and it's all good. So it appears the urge to stay out of crowds is deeply ingrained indeed.
I always prepare myself by planning to introduce myself to the nearest person. Yes, that increased anxiety but oddly enough having a plan helps.
As I move around, I keep doing that, until I really can't. I don't know what makes me hit that limit. Fortunately, I'm not the only girl with that strategy.
It's just one more thing I don't understand about myself.
I met some new girls, and one spouse who had never gone out with her partner before, and I met Beth's partner, and I had a nice chat with Steffi. I got to spend some time with our hosts, Pamela and Chris ~ always a high point of my evening.
There were many more, including, of course, Sharon, who was nice enough to drive us there.
And there was a crowd. The picture above shows the girls who didn't mind having their picture taken (some did; some spouses didn't want to be in pictures).
Sometimes, introvert trumps.
It's actually not easy, for me, to go to a soiree. There is some history of going to soirees now, and it's all good. So it appears the urge to stay out of crowds is deeply ingrained indeed.
 |
| click to enlarge! |
As I move around, I keep doing that, until I really can't. I don't know what makes me hit that limit. Fortunately, I'm not the only girl with that strategy.
It's just one more thing I don't understand about myself.
I met some new girls, and one spouse who had never gone out with her partner before, and I met Beth's partner, and I had a nice chat with Steffi. I got to spend some time with our hosts, Pamela and Chris ~ always a high point of my evening.
There were many more, including, of course, Sharon, who was nice enough to drive us there.
And there was a crowd. The picture above shows the girls who didn't mind having their picture taken (some did; some spouses didn't want to be in pictures).
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| Sam, keeping Julia steady |
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| Meg and Christine, planning to take over the world |
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| Because someone said I was standing "like a dude" |
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Dinner With the Ladies
I've mentioned Sharon before. I might have known her longer than anyone else in the community, although neither of us remembered our first meeting.
Sharon asked if she could come over to the apartment to carpool to the restaurant. I happily agreed ~ Charity and I both like Sharon and we always have a pleasant conversation.
The drive was typical for the Washington area: we were backed up for twenty minutes or so, so we were among the later arrivals. The plan was drinks at the bar at 7, seat at 7:30, and some of the girls might want to go to another club afterwards.
We got there during the "cocktail hour" and there were at least twenty girls present, including several partners. We owned the bar area.
Christine and Pamela had scoped out the restaurant a few weeks earlier. Christine was looking for a quiet restaurant, not knowing how many of us would show. The restaurant she chose was on the top (17th) floor of a hotel. She said when she checked out the room there were only a couple of occupied tables, and that might appeal more to the girls who were newer to going out. When we got there, the restaurant was about half full.
There was a spectacular view of the Potomac. As I said, about half of the tables were full but we had prime real estate: five tables that could seat six right by the plate glass windows overlooking Washington (from the Virginia side). Other patron sat further away from the view.
Yes, we had that many guests. I think the total was 27.
We were invisible. I never saw anyone even glancing our way. The waiters were attentive and helpful and, above all correct: "ladies" and "ma'am" as appropriate.
The food was so-so: much was purchased pre-made and frozen and heated for dinner (you know ~ those steaks with the "grill lines" on them. That sort of thing). Proof of the pedigree of the food: Sharon sat to my right and she ordered roast chicken. The waiter informed her that they were out of roast chicken. She changed to fried chicken, which they had. OK.... That means they had chicken. They were out of... roasting?
Pamela, Beth, and Christine made up the rest of the table. Beth is a GG Mary Kay representative and she's helped several of the girls with makeup and more. She has a little transformation studio in her apartment. She's also offered lessons. She's a welcome addition to our group!
We ate the so-so food, posed for pictures (and took some), enjoyed the view (and the sunset!), and talked about Just About Everything. Most of the girls wandered from table to table, catching up. (for instance, Rhonda joined our table for a while; Linda took my place while I was grabbing a few photos).
I remember noting that it was about 9:15 when we finished dinner. Sharon didn't want to be home before 10, and we figured that if we left now, she'd be home around then. But we did a little table-hopping and schmoozing and the next thing I knew, the after-dinner-chat was over (for me anyway) and it was close to 11. Plenty of girls were still at the restaurant when we left.
I leave you with a few pictures. Click to enlarge, but be forewarned: some are pretty large. I think I'll have dinner photos later in the week.
Oh... one more thing. If you're in the Northern Virginia area (or plan on visiting) join us!
Sharon asked if she could come over to the apartment to carpool to the restaurant. I happily agreed ~ Charity and I both like Sharon and we always have a pleasant conversation.
The drive was typical for the Washington area: we were backed up for twenty minutes or so, so we were among the later arrivals. The plan was drinks at the bar at 7, seat at 7:30, and some of the girls might want to go to another club afterwards.
We got there during the "cocktail hour" and there were at least twenty girls present, including several partners. We owned the bar area.
Christine and Pamela had scoped out the restaurant a few weeks earlier. Christine was looking for a quiet restaurant, not knowing how many of us would show. The restaurant she chose was on the top (17th) floor of a hotel. She said when she checked out the room there were only a couple of occupied tables, and that might appeal more to the girls who were newer to going out. When we got there, the restaurant was about half full.
There was a spectacular view of the Potomac. As I said, about half of the tables were full but we had prime real estate: five tables that could seat six right by the plate glass windows overlooking Washington (from the Virginia side). Other patron sat further away from the view.
Yes, we had that many guests. I think the total was 27.
We were invisible. I never saw anyone even glancing our way. The waiters were attentive and helpful and, above all correct: "ladies" and "ma'am" as appropriate.
The food was so-so: much was purchased pre-made and frozen and heated for dinner (you know ~ those steaks with the "grill lines" on them. That sort of thing). Proof of the pedigree of the food: Sharon sat to my right and she ordered roast chicken. The waiter informed her that they were out of roast chicken. She changed to fried chicken, which they had. OK.... That means they had chicken. They were out of... roasting?
Pamela, Beth, and Christine made up the rest of the table. Beth is a GG Mary Kay representative and she's helped several of the girls with makeup and more. She has a little transformation studio in her apartment. She's also offered lessons. She's a welcome addition to our group!
We ate the so-so food, posed for pictures (and took some), enjoyed the view (and the sunset!), and talked about Just About Everything. Most of the girls wandered from table to table, catching up. (for instance, Rhonda joined our table for a while; Linda took my place while I was grabbing a few photos).
I remember noting that it was about 9:15 when we finished dinner. Sharon didn't want to be home before 10, and we figured that if we left now, she'd be home around then. But we did a little table-hopping and schmoozing and the next thing I knew, the after-dinner-chat was over (for me anyway) and it was close to 11. Plenty of girls were still at the restaurant when we left.
I leave you with a few pictures. Click to enlarge, but be forewarned: some are pretty large. I think I'll have dinner photos later in the week.
Oh... one more thing. If you're in the Northern Virginia area (or plan on visiting) join us!
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| Sharon and Meg. HOT dress, Sharon! |
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| Sharon and Charity. Before dinner ~ a little greenery scenery. |
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| View from our table. Note DC traffic on the bridge! |
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| The ladies who made it all possible: Christine and Pamela |
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