Didn’t feel so good on last Tuesday. Bit of cold, nothing terminal just sneezing a lot. Work was dull, bugger all to do at that moment, so I decided to exaggerate a little, and called in sick on Wednesday, and planned to carry it over till Thursday. A bit of a liberty I know, but I was on the Lemsip and my work colleagues didn’t want the germs. since I was going to be off for a couple of days, Mail Order time Got a replacement syrup (the old one was starting to look a bit worn and straw like), a Marcella from Contrast, I’m kind of attached to this model, so bought exactly the same as my old one, thought about getting a black and/or a red one as well, but shyed off. Also New boots in brown. Next day delivery and they would be with me on Thursday.

Got off my sick bed in the afternoon (;)) and got to a bar in Islington, had a couple of drinks and read the latest Justina Robbson. Empty mid week bar, drink or two, sunny day, squashy sofa’s, almost bliss. All part of the healing process, honest The couple of drinks, plus another when I got home was also part of the plan, building up Dutch courage. Needed it, wanted to ask someone if they would meet me this weekend. Eventually worked up enough to send a one line PM to them asking if she had plans for the Bank Holiday Weekend. That was almost as hard as going out dressed for the first time. A flurry of PM’s latter and we have a no no plans, a yes I would like to make some, and then a plan and I’m going down to meet her by the sea on Sunday.

Thursday, Boots and wig arrived. Boots fit and look great with jeans but usual problem, my big feet means big sizes means huge calf fittings. But I don’t have huge calves, so they flop about. I usually pad them out with leg warmers if I’m wearing them with a skirt, but might have a solution, they might be able to do alterations and finally I’ll have boots that fit everywhere. Also started to sort out a URL and some web hosting, its not all in place yet, but this journal might be moving to a proper blog quite soon.

Friday went back to work, didn’t actually do much work, but hopefully might have a bit of project to start next week. Also got another PM, a change to meet on Saturday because of the weather forecast for Sunday was bad. So tomorrow is the big day, watch the latest Doctor Who DVD on Friday evening (don’t watch these on broadcast, wait for DVD for some reason), get to the second episode, they are in 1599 watching Shakespeare at the Globe theatre, Martha looks at the stage and says “and those women are men?” and the Doctor replies, “London never changes ;)”, was doing my nails at the time, getting ready for tomorrow, fell about laughing

Saturday. Usual routine for a day dressed, up early, bath, shave, dress, slap on slap.

Not my best and outfit is rather casual, but figure I’m going to out and really out today, outside London! no idea how folks are going to react, so try go for as natural and inconspicuous as a 6′ tranny with blokeish features and bad dress sense can go. But am getting a little bored of this dressing down though, need to go dancing at tranny venue, overdo the slap and wear a micro skirt, Sparkle is looming ever nearer, so I’ll get the chance soon enough New wig looks a bit shinny and the style isn’t quite like the old one, I guess it will have to be broken in a bit.

Ready before I have to get my train, so tube to Oxford street for a bit of comfort shopping. Wear hat to hide under, was nervous.

Get blot powder and lippy at MAC, smoothie at Coffee Republic, a new shirt at a cheepo place that goes with the waistcoat I got last week, um and erm at shoes in Evans and lunch at a Chinese place near Tottencourt Road tube station before walking to Charring Cross Station.

Get the 13:45 train, walk to the end and find a totally empty carriage, result, set myself up on an isle seat with a table in the middle of the carriage with a paper, a muffin and a coffee and touch up my slap. But then this lad gets on, and what does he do, he sits down in the seats on the other side of mine isle to me, facing against the direction of travel, looking right at me, WHY!!!!!! he has a whole carriage to sit in, and he sits practically on top of me!! I move over to the window seat and bury my head in the newspaper. It felt quite intimidating, why do they do this? did we want company? has he clocked me? was he an admirer? was he curious? did he want to intimidate me? Did he actually see a tall blonde women? I have no answer. He gets couple of calls on his mobile and from this I learn he’s going to the end of the line like me, so I’m stuck with him for an hour and a half. But fortunately he takes no action towards me throughout the journey, but I’m sure I see him looking from the corner of my eye in the reflection in the window. So my train journey isn’t quite as relaxing as it should be, a group of noisy teens join in the next block of seats later on for half the journey too. But nobody actually says a word to me, so I just read my paper and watch the countryside go by. Lad actually gets off at the last stop but one. Compose myself and get ready to meet up.

Train rolls in, get off and she’s waiting for me in her car outside the station. Hello Alette. We go back to her place, it’s the pink one and meet the her other house mates.

After the tour (Alette’s quite the interior decorator with a pretty unique style), plans are detailed we are off to the old town for a wander around the shops, to see a French film at the little art house cinema and have meal. Going to see Jonny Depp and Co. in Pirates of the Caribbean III at the big cinema in town is mooted, but a new blockbuster film on a Saturday night is decided against, mainly to avoid the popcorn throwing, mobile answering, loud talking masses.

We wander around the old town, pretty little shops with pretty little things, a world away from the chain store generica of the town centre, get crisps and go and sit on the beach for a bit eating them. Air here is so much better than London, the clouds for Sunday’s rain are starting to form, but the sun is still trying to get through, its kind of beautiful. Long moments are spent watching seagulls and boats and talking.

We try to throw some stones at the sea, but both of throw like girls and can’t get them far enough. Eventually we retire back to the old town, a couple more shops and finally a Vodka bar with squashy old leather sofas (yeah!). Find there really is a drink that tastes just like a jaffa cakes

Check out a restaurant opposite the bar, looks good and we book for after the film. Also the place is pink, staffed by 3 women and has artwork depicting the power feminine dotted about it, Gaydar is pinged. Back to the cinema for the film, but find it’s been cancelled, due to technical problems.

We make a fairly odd looking pair wandering around, and apparently a few people have noticed, actually I hadn’t realised, I’m getting quite good at being totally oblivious to others reactions while out en-femme, but Alette does. But no one is making an issue of it, in fact the old town is pretty accepting really.

Back to the restaurant, they can fit us in early, but we have to share a table with a regular couple (its rather a tiny place, and quite popular), they don’t seem to notice us, I’m not sure if that was deliberate or not. We order and eat, and its good, its rather good, very fish oriented menu, not my usual thing, but I rather enjoyed it, we share a lemon tart for desert. Staff are lovely too, no problems with me at all. I think the place was called Pomegranate, but I might be wrong (Names!) and if I get the chance I’ll go back there again.

Return back to Alette’s to watch a DVD as we missed on the cinema, choose “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” but it doesn’t really register, I’d drank to much and am distracted a bit.

Retire to bed. Share my night with a total attention seeking tart who demands to be touched and stroked at every opportunity. If you are thinking I’m talking about Alette get your mind out of gutter right now. I spent the night in the spare room with Mr Charles, Alette’s big white cat (see above) on the bed, and that cat is a total attention seeker He’s also loosing his winter coat and my black combats seem to have a magnetic attraction to cat hair, opps. Lucky I’m a cat person.

Wake early to the sound of rain and seagulls. An unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar city is hard to adapt to instantly for me (I haven’t heard a police siren or burglar alarm all the time i’ve been there!). Go back to bob mode, not got the slap, change , clothes or razors to do girl again, but find I had a blonde moment when packing and have forgotten to pack boy jeans, so Bob has to wear combats, they’re bit girly with sparkly bits and all, but what the hell, I get odder looks wandering around. Thank the tranny gods I didn’t wear a skirt on Saturday that would of been a bit harder. Alette gets to meet Bob for the first time and doesn’t run screaming, phew.

After breakfast we decide to go shoe shopping, and see if we can get to see the Pirates at the multiplex in the next town. Brantano’s does women’s shoes up to size 10! all laid out so you can just try them on! Tranny heaven I have to find one of these locally, but actually those nowt really for me there that day, but Alette finds two pairs that suit her and fit, scratch your eyes out bitch Find Pirates is sold out, so we go to a pub for Sunday lunch instead.

On the journey back, find Alette’s hidden talent. The girl can really properly sing. Get dropped of at the station and travel home. It’s been… emotional.

This journal hasn’t been a complete record of the last few days, I’ve deliberately not written down everything that was said or done, but those other bits are private and if I have to admit, well out of my usual experience - those bits have me in a total mental whirl at the moment. Writing the rest, uploading the pictures, Bowie on CD and bottle of wine is helping sort it all out my head a bit, but I’m not there yet.

I was trying to figure out what to wear at the weekend on Thursday night, I decided on a particular poloneck cream top, black leatherette trousers and a leather jacket, but only suitable bra I had was in the wash, other bra that could of worked is the wrong colour (top is a bit thin). No problem, pop into Primark Friday lunch time today and get similar bra in the right colour, pick up a couple of vests too. No problem, 9 quid in all, and I still have time before I have to go back to work, so I have a look in Top Shop, not normally a place I shop (the dark side is strong with Philip Green, I know from personal experience), but Oh I like the Kate Moss stuff, but the Watford branch doesn’t have a big selection and the sizing looks a lot less generous than my usual haunts. No problem me thinks I’ll stop in the big one in Oxford street on the way home and have a look, they will have the lot.

Miss train by 1 minute on the way home, so console myself with a drink in the pub next to the station while waiting for the next train. This one drink must of gone right to my head. Get back to London, go to Top Shop and go a little mad, buy a waistcoat and a pair of tiny little denim shorts from the Kate Moss range, plus a Blondie tee shirt and a plain black denim micro skirt that could double as belt, get to the till, and Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Primark anymore. £125 for 4 little casual items! Ouch, oh well pay day on Monday. And to prove I’ve totally lost it, I also bought a burger in McDonald’s for dinner (A “Deluxe”, and it isn’t ), the diet started to go to pot here. Good news is the tiny shorts and the waist coat actually fitted and go well with a shirt I already had, bit of tan on the legs and I have an outfit, but what about footwear?, would these work, or perhaps some cowboy boots? The tiny skirt had to be exchanged though, I bought a 10, I can normally fit Primark/Peacocks size 10 skirts but this was smaller and so short it has to be worn on the hips for decencies sake, so it need to go back and get swapped for a 12.

Saturday, had arranged to go shopping and drinking with Alette and various unspecified others in Camden (Hence all the black leather stuff idea) on Saturday, yes socialising, and in public, en-femme, with like other human beings, wibble, was more than a bit nervous. Up early and getting ready and get text saying will be a bit late and to meet in Camden around 2. Remember I want to take the skirt back, and start to get nervous about the leather stuff, Ok for a dash to Camden, but going into town it was a bit much, I wimped out and changed into a more conservative and androgynous denim jeans and jacket, my concession to Camden is mearly too much eye makeup. Wear hat also as it looked a bit windy (and to hide under).

Get out the flat by 11 something. The getting out the door and walking to the tube station or bus stop is always the hardest bit, it usually takes me a while to start to feel more confident, so as usual, it’s head down and walk fast and don’t really start to relax until I get to Oxford Circus. Exchange skirt, no problem and wander up Oxford street looking in a few shops but not buying. Get a toffee crisp! milkshake type thing (they are new, I think) at Coffee Republic on Rathbone place, wow, to die for, try them and catch a bus to Camden on Tottenham Court Road. keep wandering fairly aimlessly, look at pretty things, but don’t buy , get curry (my diet has been totally ruined) from a stall for lunch and text Alette.

Finally get the call to meet in a pub a around 3. There’s Alette, Joshie, scary (going by forum posts)Andi M, GG Claire (we met at the WOC a few weeks ago) and a young and pretty GG friend of Joshie’s (I wish I remembered her name, I’m crap at stuff like that). Joshie and Andi aren’t dressed, try harder next time girls so I’m the only one en femme. Slightly nervous, new people and I’m the only dressed tranny around in a straight (well it’s Camden so everything is a bit “alternative”) and extremely large pub, sink a drink in what seems like 2 seconds flat and try to make some halting small talk (this difficult socialising thing again). Claire GG has to go and the rest want to eat, so We move on to a Tapas bar. I’ve already eaten, but we all order and I keep eating (diet, what diet) start to loosen up a bit with a glass of wine or two. We talk films. Find the only really scary thing about Andi is her opinion that Ghostbusters is the best film ever made, she’s an ‘ickle puddy cat really We like the food but after looking at it, we realised what we have just actually eaten was actually a fancy version of sausage, egg and chips with ketchup. Joshie’s friend and Andi have to go, so there’s 3 of us, Alette finally gets do some shopping (what she came here for) as the market starts to close down, Joshie temporally departs to meet some friends and it’s just the two of us. But its good, fun and a bit insightful, but I do follow her around a bit puppy dog like I buy a cream cake and Alette finds a pretty venetian style mask she likes and calls it quits and its back to a bar by the lock. Alette gets a call from Darcy.

Meet Darcy (dressed, I’m not the only Tranny in the village anymore ;)) , Joshie and her friends - a North London couple, who are lovely but again I can’t remember the names of (I’m going to have to take notes in future). Bad point, the bar by the lock (names!) serves the worst Caipirinha I have ever had, switch back to wine. Also Darcy notices some lads on a nearby table who are making it known they don’t exactly approve of Trannies (I’m slightly drunk by now and don’t really notice), a few words where exchanged with these lads latter on (not while I was present) and they apologised. As I just said, a bit drunk by now, and need to do what come naturally after a few drinks, but its a regular bar not a tranny club … so another first, use the regular ladies en-femme, Alette escorts me, fortunately its empty, everything is fine and no reaction to me perceived.

Time flew, gossip is exchanged and everyone wants to eat again (diet pah!) and its of to Hache, which is said to serve the best hamburger in London. They can’t seat all 6 of us, but Joshie’s friends have to go they had a communist(!) themed costume party to go to and so down to the 4. Hache is great, absolutely no problem with the staff or customers for me and Darcy and the food is rather good too, yes possibly the best burger I’ve had in London (Ed’s Easy Dinner comes close), infinitely superior to the manky McDonalds I had on Friday. During the meal I realise I’ve lost my carrier bag with my skirt in it, d’oh, its only a little skirt, but before I can stop her, Alette rushes off to retrieve it from the bar where I probably stupidly left it. a few minutes later and she’s back and has the bag and skirt I pay for her meal, it’s very least I could do. Thanks again Alette, you’re a star. Also Hache gets the thumbs up for the food and the attitude (but they could do with bigger tables).

After the meal Darcy bid’s us fairwell and the remaining 3 of us find another pub.

Also got a cute pic of Joshie and Alette (Put your tongue away girl ), but I’m not sure I can post that…

I’m now pretty well gone, I must be, I even smiled in that picture Actualy I find pictures of me smiling disconcert me a bit, because when I smile I start to resemble my mother quite closely… Drunk, tired (been out dressed for 11-12 hours) and sensing a tiny bit that 3’s a crowd (Alette has assured me that it wasn’t, so I guess it was the wine) I said my goodbye’s and tubed it in a slightly wobbly manor home. Good day

Everyone that was there, we must do this again sometime and if you remember what happened differently, sorry me wrong, evil drink befuddled my tiny little mind

Too quiet. I’m alone in a big house in the middle of nowhere, darkest Lincolnshire this weekend and its really quiet.

I’ve been living in London for getting close to 10 years now, and I’ve got used to the traffic, police sirens, alarms, arguing drunks at 3am and cities ever present white noise. But out here all there is is the wind and the occasional cooing of a wood pigeon. And it gets proper dark at night too, unlike town’s light pollution. I’m ever so slightly weired out. I’m here house sitting, or more accurately, pet sitting for my parents, who are having a little holiday for their Ruby wedding anniversary.

But I’m not totally alone, I do have those aforementioned pets, 6 cats, 4 dogs and fish (plus about half a million tadpoles in a pond). Also got broadband, SKY, a stack of Sci-Fi novels and my father’s wine rack to keep me company, so I’ll manage But no Helena time this weekend

But to keep you all amused here are some naked bitches :-

(Well dogs wearing clothes is stupid)

And some hot pussy action :-

(OK the cats where a bit lazy and didn’t want to give my any action poses)

Back in skirts next weekend I hope, but Luce Luce wants to play ball ball now.

Spent a damp Bank Holiday Monday washing out my makeup brushes, sorting out my fairly enormous collection of Slap and playing Lord of the Rings Online. The excitement never stops round my flat

LOTRO isn’t bad, the mechanics and gameplay is very much like World of Warcraft, so if you like that give it a whirl, but its doesn’t seem to have that all consuming MUST play feeling I get from some MMORPG’s. Which is probably a good thing, I can play it casually and just dip into every know and then when I feel the need hit things with sharp metal objects

After going through my makeup and tools, chucking out all the old rubbish, I tried to pack it all away I realised, I really needed another makeup bag, or better, a box, current one was full to bursting point and there was still stuff lying around, so another item added to the shopping list. I also found I had some MAC Sheer Select powder NW35, which is odd because I’ve never bought any NW35 Sheer Select. We where using this for shading and contouring on Sunday (see last post) and I what I must of done is accidentally put it into my bag while I was packing up my stuff (all the little MAC compacts look the same) and walked off with it. Thought about it, I wanted some of this, it’s worth nearly £16 and would MAC even notice it was gone? but the conscience stepped in and wouldn’t let me keep it, that would be dishonest and so I had to return it. Since I had the rest of the week off work to, a plan of action for Tuesday neatly presented itself.

Tuesday, got up (no surprise there) ablutions, dressed and tried to replicate that makeup job MAC did.

Not 100% perfect and a bit more coverage would help, but I think it was good enough for a days shopping. Dressed in a cream polo neck sweater and black combats. The Newlook combats are pretty funky with shiny bits and lots of zips with long tags on that swish a bit when you walk. Packed up and sauntered off to the tube & Soho. First problem of the day was discovered half way to the tube, my sweater was moulting, and all the fluff was being left on my black trousers Spent the half of the day trying to get the fluff off the combats, the sweater needs a shave or something, not sure how to get it back under control, any advice?

The other problem was the wind.

It was quite strong and blustery spent the other half of the day trying to get my fringe out of my face, and on a couple of occasions I had to hold on to the syrup for safety. Also the wind seemed to pick up a lot of dust, the air felt “gritty” and it gets in your eyes, had to resist the temptation to rub them though as this would of totally messed up the makeup.

Gave the makeup back to MAC, who where a little surprised, but smiled and thanked me anyway, no I didn’t think they realised it was gone, but the conscience is now clear. Had lunch in Pret on Wardour, for a change (confidence was high) sat by the window instead of hiding in the back, and just sipped my coffee watching Soho go about its business. Just doing little simple things like this is nice.

But I did actually want some of that NW35 powder, the NW43 stuff I own is a bit dark for subtle contouring, but I was too embarrassed to buy it from that shop, so off to Covent Garden, but via Charles Fox for a makeup bag and some brushes (they’re cheaper than MAC).

Nose around Charles Fox for quite a bit (they’re totally T friendly), just some much stuff, ended up with a couple of brushes (I have loads of these but now I’ve a full set of quality ones for home and a cheepo set for out and about), some shimmer highlighting powder and a little aluminium flight case style makeup box. Aluminium flight cases are timelessly cool IMHO, and the look great and whats ever inside is assumed to be expensive, cool, professional grade kit. Beats the manky plastic bag thing I was using that came with a cheep set of makeup from Debenham’s.

Did the tourist bit in Convent Garden and got my powder from the other MAC shop.

Next item on the shopping list, I wanted a little jacket I had seen in a branch of Punky Fish last week, didn’t buy it as I was a little unsure of the sizing (Punkfy fish sizes are XS, S, M or L and Large turns out to be 14!) but I didn’t have the nerve to try it on en Bob then. So bus it off to Camden, where I knew they had a branch.

Lurk at the back of the bus on the top deck, so far so good, but then oh no. After groups of pissed up 20 something blokes, 2nd biggest Tranny scare (for me) is groups of teenage girls and three rather mouthy ones get on the bus and sit close by. By the time women get into there 20’s they seem to accept T* MUCH better and often find it a bit cute, but teenagers seem to hate everything, dunno what it is about them, hormones?. Plus they seem to be gifted with the ability to clock you from a mile off. But fortunately, these 3 don’t seem to be bothered much, they have a little look, might heard a giggle, but on the whole it’s like wotever.

Get to Camden and find Punky fish, but they don’t have the jacket I want wander a bit more, try on (confidence is still high) this leather (synthetic) corset at a Goth place, quite nice, but not quite long enough I feel. Get the new Groove Armada Album at Fopp (listening to it as I write this). Find Camden has 2 branches of Punky Fish and joy, the 2nd one has the jacket. its sort of white denim, severely cropped, it just about covers the bust, almost a shrug (which are making a come back, trust me) with some tassels and lacing. It’s as cute as a button and I have the perfect pair of white denim flares to wear with it. The size 14 “large” is a bit tight for my shoulders, but I’m not going to wear it done up, so I buy. I’m getting to rather like punky fish, even though I’m twice the age of there average customer (and there’s the gender thing also) but its all so cute Nearly buy a dress and a couple of tops also, but the sensible head says no, it maybe cute young stuff, but the prices aren’t Primark. I’ve got lots of clothes now, so new ones now have to trip an idea about a particular outfit or look to go for, this stops me grazing to much.

Keep wandering around, always something to see and hear in Camden markets, in a tee shirt shop I see a shoulder bag, black, lots of zips and pockets (goes well with the combats) , just the right size and best of all it has the magic word “Prada” written on it (lots of times to be exact). Enquire on the cost, £35. 35 quid for Prada, if it’s real then I’m a natural blonde, Um and err and leave without purchasing.

But a T-girl with a fake designer bag appeals to my sense of irony, plus its was a good bag even without the logo. Ponder over it while I go to Morrison’s to get some wine (my drinking while en femme is starting to worry me a little bit) and stuff for Wednesday lunch, get cash back from the checkout, return and buy the bag. Tube home.

In the evening I went to the Spectrum Haringey TG support group in Tottenham Hale. I’ve never been to a support group type thing before, and wasn’t sure about them, they all seem a bit too worthy, and more focused on TS who have a much, much more to deal with and need the support. I’m just a weekend princess who likes shopping, clubbing and a the odd glass of wine. I’m single and live alone in a fairly easy going neighbourhood, I don’t really have much in the way of problems that need support (OK perhaps I drink and shop a little bit much, but I’m not in debt or drunk or even close so I’m still in control I guess, again its a balance thing). Sometimes I feel a bit of a fraud, and using a support group could mean I’m taking resources that could be better used elsewhere, but well I was off work, dressed and its only 3 stops on the tube. Decided what the hell try it.

Turns out to be fine, just really a bit of chat more than anything, about 7 people turn up, Denise Anderson and her partner Mike and 4 others, who to my eternal shame, don’t remember there names Anyway get a lot of gossip and share a few stories about going out, clubbing and various characters out and about in T-land. Conversation does veer towards transition, operations, Thailand and Doctor Richard Curtis a few times, not my area of experience and I’m VERY squeamish when it comes to medical procedures, so go a bit quiet in these bits. Talking was easier than in a club, but While we are talking, there’s a group of gay guys rehearsing Eurovision Tribute show in the stage at the back of the room, it adds a bit more volume but it was kind of fun and added to the atmosphere a bit I can’t really make this group regularly, I normally get home from work to late to make midweek dressing practical, but if you are in the area and want a pleasant chat I would urge to go, its all very relaxed, non political and easy going.

Tuesday was a good day, met some nice people, got some nice stuff, had the odd glass of wine, can’t really complain. OK the wind and sweater fluff stopped absolute perfection, but life’s not perfect is it A few comments stood out, a “Madam” from a chugger, the gushing thanks from the girl in MAC when I handed back the makeup, a guy in Morrisons trying to sell me a combined Gas and Electric bill, the woman a corset stand taking a look at me and saying I could get wear a 24″ (ouch!),shop assistant in Punky Fish being completely cool about me trying the jacket on, Mike being a little surprised my hair was a wig and the general public for being mostly oblivious or just to polite to mention the obvious. Little acceptance stuff like this adds to the feel good factor no end. Ok Camden and the West End (and a TG support group) is playing the game on easy mode, (I reckon you could walk down Oxford street with a beard, red lippy in a pink tutu and doc martins and nobody would say a word) but for me takes time to build the confidence and XP, its not a race to the higher levels anyway so might as well just enjoy the ride. This sort of takes it back to MMORPG (also old school 8 bitter’s check the Tuesday, 8th May post on Becky’s blog ) not doing to badly, but still got a few more goblins to wack methinks

Work, bluggghh, I’m having to learn other systems cause there isn’t enough work to do on the one I look after (it works too well). This results in an increase in pay though but increase is due to the fact I have to do overnight support on these new systems every few weeks Fortunately theres no support on Saturday nights. And they made me play cricket as part of a “team builidng exercise” on Friday, I throw like a girl and have a habit of closing my eyes and moving away from incoming projectiles. Back to the more fun stuff, walked out of the office on Friday afternoon and announced to nobody in particular “The weekend starts here”.

Bob got Friday and Saturday, the London Sci-Fi Film festival was on this weekend and Bob was owed a geek out, he’s been a good boy. Only got round to seeing 2 films though, first was Ghost in the shell - Stand alone complex : Solid State Society (try saying that after a few drinks), first showing of the full length film that follows on from 2nd Gig and sort of brings us to just before the first GitS film. I understand all of just said will be meaningless to 99% of people reading this, but if you are into Ghost in the shell, Solid state society is a total MUST see. This film was shown as part of a presentation on the history of Studio IG (who make Gits SAC amongst others) by Jonathan Clements, which turned into a bit of a peek inside the anime industry, along with a couple of other shorter shows, an episode of CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL , an utterly mental, what are they smoking? high school comedy (Freddie!) and one of LE CHEVALIER D’EON, a new series, Musketeers vs. Zombies with a little bit of TGism for teh win. 2nd film was THE MARS UNDERGROUND, a documentary on a proposed mission to Mars, it was heartfelt, inspiring stuff from actual rocket scientists and all very doable and affordable (on the US government scale). I look at the earth and the IT person in me says, “where’s the backup?”, a total extinction event, either natural or man made is not beyond the realm of possibility (ask a dinosaur), manned space travel is not just something for political point scoring and flag waving, it’s a long term species survival plan. Sorry a bit off track for a tranny blog there, but I actually do believe in this stuff, and if you are interested, try and see Mars Underground. I did want to see more films, but got a bit side tracked and filmed out as I saw Spiderman III also, it’s OK I suppose, not as good as the first 2, and definitely much more cheesy. After a bout of net connection problems where sorted, I ended up playing Lord of the Rings Online all night. I could of gone out I guess (sorry A, hope all you all had a good time), but stayed in instead, a bit sad, but well that’s me really.

Sunday, big day, MAC makeover day. I booked this ages ago and have been looking forward to it. Also it as another reason I didn’t dress or go out on Saturday, I can’t get a really good shave 2 days in a row, I need it to grow back a bit so the razor has something to work on, and I wanted to be as smooth as poss for Sunday. Anyway, up with the larks, bathe, shave, dress and makeup, try to do a light makeup, but fail and end up with the usual plaster job. Wear big back cowl neck sweater and new brown (brown’s still in) combats, very casual and comfortable normal daytime stuff and tubed it to Oxford circus for 11 something. Got coffee and cakes on Old Compton street and wandered around Soho for a bit before my 12:30 appointment.

Makeover at MAC tuned into a bit of a foundation consultation, we tried several approaches and settled on Prep and Prime, then coral pink paintstick over the beard shadow to counter the blue, studio Tech NW20 set with transparent powder before shading with NW35 sheer select and highlighting with NW15 studio fix. All done VERY lightly and sparingly with a 188 brush. The result is the lightest and most natural looking makeup job I’ve ever had. A bit more coverage on the top lip maybe required, a bit more Studio tech or Full Coverage there, but other than that, brilliant. Full marks to the MAC people. Bought the brush, the paint stick, the studio tech and the transparent powder (apparently for my skin setting with the the transparent, before shading with coloured powder helps a lot), came to 76 quid, but got the 25 quid I payed for the make over off that. Also got 1:30 instead of a hour of time too

The photo’s don’t give the full picture, but under eyeball and natural light, the difference between it and my usual Full Coverage heavy plastering job that usually looks too yellow or too pink was fairly remarkable.

The above foundation mix works for my skin, but it probably won’t work for yours, so you are just going to have to get down to the MAC aren’t you (you have to book well in advance though). Had my makeover in the main shop, apparently they did have a back room where it could be done, but I felt OK doing it in public. The shop was actually pretty quiet, and nobody there said a negative word.

Hair back on and confidence was high, wandered through Mayfair and back to Oxford street for a bit a shopping.

Felt confident enough to walk around mostly head up, no big coat or hat to hide under. No comments or dirty looks, general acceptance, woot. I think the boost the makeup gave me fed the confidence, and that’s what get’s you by. Plus the West End generally very accepting anyway. Ok I did get a couple of those little “I’ve clocked you” smiles you get from 20-30 year old girls, which I let off ’cause they’re cute did Selfridges, Primark (no queues now, still mad inside) though) H&M, M&S, New Look etc, but ended up only buying a coupe of belts off a side street stall. Wanted a specific top I had seen in Newlook, but the main branch didn’t have it and the other one was shut due to a fire they had last week Walked over to The Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury as I knew they had a branch, via Covent garden, was wearing the sensible boots as well, so walking was easy and confidence was still high.

They did have the top, got that and a bag to replace a Primark one I use a lot which was on its last legs. Shopped a bit more, got wine in Waitrose and got the tube tube home around 5.

Still got the makeup on, and it looks good, a bit of shine, but a dab of blot powder sorts than out. Must practice with this technique, and if I can get a natural daytime look down, building it up for the night shouldn’t be a problem. The sheer lightness of the makeup helps to, it doesn’t breakup or have that sort of mask like quality you get with a heavy job, which helps its last and makes it feel better.

So what to do with the rest of the week? Bank Holiday tomorrow, and I’ve got the rest of the week off work too, although from Thursday, I’ll be in the middle of nowhere, darkest Lincolnshire (sort of like darkest Peru but with less bears) rattling around a big house with nobody but 6 cats, 4 dogs and 500 channels of Sky TV for company. I’m house sitting for my parents for a few days, so no Helena next weekend, so I better make the most of the next few days