Bit late this, sorry, but sorting out the 500+ pictures I took, plus work and this and that got in the way. anyway, rewind to last week….

I’d planed to do a weekend in Paris this spring, sort of half heartedly though, booked an extra Friday off work before the May Bank Holiday a while ago, but never got around to sorting out the arrangements until the week before, as I was Umm and Erring. But on Wednesday, sod it, I’ll do it, booked a hotel, just a basic Ibis near the Sacre Coeur, couldn’t get in a room in the one I wanted near Montmartre (actually is nearer Place de Clichy) . The reason I wanted that particular hotel was well, because I knew it. Quick rewind, I used to work for a Women’s clothing Retailer (I’ve probably said this before), just in the IT department, was there for 8 years, and for the last 4 of those years it was French owned, the only department they ever managed to merge across the channel was IT, and on a number of occasions I had to travel to Paris for work. Mostly it was Eurostar, Metro, Work, Hotel, Work, Metro, Eurostar, so didn’t really manage to see that much of Paris. Did manage to see the sun rise over Paris a couple of times though, but that was only cause I had to pull all nighters in the office. Going back to the hotel, that particular one was the one I preferred to stay in while over there, that’s all, sort of mid way between the station and the office and in a reasonable area, not to big, not to small. That job came to an end when the French parent business starting losing money and decided to sell off the UK arm (which was also loosing money), it got sold, asset stripped and I was made redundant. No more work trips to Paris for me But I always wanted to go back as a tourist and actually see it, and now since Helena had come into being, I wanted to do it (well some of it) female.

But as I said it was full, so took the next nearest one, this was actually closer to Gare du Nord so it would be OK. Next task, book Eurostar, ARRRGGGG I hate their web site, only after I book and get through the whole process, find Maestro cards aren’t working, try the credit card, and it messes up with that, then the sets aren’t available, all that and its dog slow, and by then, the telephone lines are shut. Sod that. 6:45 Thursday morning, got to St Pancras in person (it’s on the way to work anyway) and book tickets with no problems by talking to a human being. But the fancy leisure tickets that have food and wine and set in the first class area have all gone (they would of only cost a £10 more on that train) so its just basic cattle class. I’ll survive. Wasn’t cheap, probably would have been cheaper if I’d got organised and booked a lot earlier, but, oh well. Flying would probably be cheaper and London to Paris is only 40 minutes in the air, versus 2:15 on the train, the whole pain of getting to and from the airports and check in and luggage etc, makes the train actually easier and faster door to door for me. Also more environmentally friendly too, well perhaps, electricity has to be generated, and in the UK that’s coal and oil, and in France, mostly atomic. So really the Eurostar is mostly nuclear powered.

Another bit of mad rush getting last minute shopping (Sure Primark only charged me £8 for a jacket that was labelled £21), desperately look for a particular book to take, found it eventually after rushing around (Stephan Hunt’s “The Kingdom Beyond the Waves”, the follow up to the rather excellent “The Court of the Air”) for some reason I just had to have that book. Wanted a few books with just in case of being stuck anyway. Over packed everything, well the case is so big, so I might as well fill it, always feel more comfortable with having spares, spare tights, spare hair, spare books, spare tops, spare underwear etc.

Felt good, was really up for it now, Thursday at work was just stir crazy, couldn’t get anything done, wanted to go to Paris, weee Friday, up to early, last minute packing, and am at St Pancras to early, noodle and get coffee, check in and oh, the departure lounge is small, most of the shops and stuff is outside, unlike the old Waterloo Terminal. Tip if you are talking the Eurostar, don’t check in too early. Wait it out, glass of wine, buy tourist 2 day metro/bus ticket for Paris, start taking photo’s…

Had both cameras with me, all charged and with blank cards. An awful lot of pictures where going to be taken.

BTW I was in Ian mode here, because, well I was very unsure about going through customs dressed, presenting a male passport (even the Ian picture on it doesn’t really look much like me, it was taken during my er “heavy phase”), but several people on Roses have pointed out UK/France Customs are usually cool with the transgendered even if the presentation doesn’t match the passport. Oh well, maybe another time. Another reason for not dressing is well, multiple days can be a struggle with the face, so planned to do all Saturday as Helena (so the usual really), Friday afternoon and Sunday morning was to be in boy mode.

Train journey was uneventful, coach was rather busy and the new high-speed bit in the UK not exactly picturesque, by two (CET) we are rolling into Paris.

It’s sunny, Gare du Nord bustling and although I haven’t been here for nearly 3 years it alls feels familiar, feet know the way, and head out past the Taxi rank and hospital, past Barbes Rouchechoart metro (was a bit of Amile filmed here?), down Boulevard Rochechouart towards the hotel. Little further than I expected, was looking for Ibis “Sacre Coeur” , but actually its much nearer Pigalle, in fact its about 25m from the Pigalle metro station. I guess they just didn’t want to call it Ibis Pigalle. If you didn’t already know, Pigalle is Paris’s “Sex Shop” district, there’s the famous Moulin Rouge there, but also a whole host of slightly seedy shops and strip joints, not the sort of thing you associate with sophisticated Paris, but well, its there. Actually it’s not that bad, and its quite a lively area too, lots of regular Cafes and bars and there are some normal cinemas down the street in Place de Clicy etc.

Hotel, check in, tried to speak French, been two and a half years since I last had, was rusty and to be honest I was crap to start with, it’s a touristy hotel and the staff speak passable English anyway. Tiny really, room is equally small, but its clean and functional, and on the 7th floor actually has quite a good view, I stuck you head out of the window and looked right I could see the Eiffel tower Lift up is one of those tiny ones you get in old Parisian buildings that are only suitable for 1, or two if you know the other person well, not recommended if you are claustrophobic.

Here now, right lets get touristing (is that a word?), grab camera and jump on the Metro. Nearly get run over crossing the road thoug, look the other way you idiot, they drive on the right.

Ahh, that familiar Metro smell, sort of sulphurous rotten eggs smell that you quite quickly learn to ignore. I’m told it’s due to the particular rubber tires the trains run on. Oh and on that line they have the old trains with those doors you have to open yourself, and that unock just before the train comes to a halt so you can jump right off before its fully stopped. Doors like that couldn’t happen in the UK, health and safety would have a heart attack, but works well if you ask me (bring back the Routemaster!).

First port of call is “La Defense” one area of Paris I never got to see before. OK perhaps not on the tourist A list, but I like glass, steel, concrete and skyscrapers Pay my 9 Euros to go up the Grand Arch. There’s a Computer museum up there, which is well not really that great, just looking at old hardware isn’t that interesting to me, but the reason I went up is the viewing gallery, I just wanted some panoramic views to photograph. View is pretty good, but its hard to get just the right angle, and by 18-55 lens just isn’t wide enough. Note to self, you really do need a proper wide angle lens.

Get snap happy, camera doesn’t mind, and in Jpeg mode can fit a silly number of on the 2gb card. After the arch, wander though a little shopping centre nearby, but it’s mostly curiosity, this isn’t a shopping trip, and beside the current pound/euro rate isn’t great. Spot the Eiffel tower in the distance, Paris isn’t that big, check map, yes I can walk it, famous last words… More pics of the sky scrapers along the way, oh Ariane space’s office, cool.

La Defense is cool if you like skyscrapers, and in a way, it’s very not Paris, but still I liked it. It’s a bit faded though, “ultra modern” dates rapidly, and most appeared to be built in the 70’s and 80’s so its looking slightly old, weird, the most modern bit of Paris looks old, where as the stuff that is actually old is actually pretty timeless.

Have a map, but that bit of Paris between the Eiffel Tower and La Defense is a bit obscured by an insert. So get a bit lost, but find the Bois de Boulogne after a walk through the pleasant Saint James area. Wanted a drink by now , but nowhere selling, there’s just pharmacies, there appears to be one in virtually every street, that’s rather a lot, but as a language teacher (who was actually French I hasten to add) once told me the French are rather prone to hypochondria and need to be near a pharmacy at all times;)

The wood has a bit of a reputation after dark, but was OK in the day time, better than OK, rather pleasant in fact. Kids, parents, dog walkers, joggers, lovers (they had their clothes on) and old guys playing boules a plenty. Bit hot now and the camera feels heavy. Make it through the wood (again a couple of wrong turns) to Port Dauphin, then its on towards the Tocadero via Victor Hugo place. Finally find a grocer to get a drink, manage to do the whole transaction in French Liptons Ice tea, funny I never drink this stuff in the UK, but in Paris, dunno, seems to be right, refreshing, first of many.

Trocadero. Palais Calliot and across the bridge to the tower itself. Didn’t go up the queues where massive, it’s heaving with tourists and people trying to sell them stuff, but did take even more pictures.

I like the tower, its all iron, rivets, Jules Verne and steampunk like, you sort of half expect people to be riding up to it on there steam velocipedes and take lift to the top to an airship dock. Have to up it one day, but not this weekend. Well that was the plan for the day, but what next, wasn’t sure, just wander though the gardens for a bit then off down the next street that looked interesting. Think this was Rue Saint-Dominque (I think), narrow, but lots of interesting little shops, Oh MAC and Starbucks? Don’t remember them being here before, not sure if this a good thing for Paris, but get a frappunchino anyway. Tastes the same as in the UK.

Tired now, walked a long way and the camera is getting heavier. Turn off onto a main street and find a bus heading towards Gare Saint-Lazare . Half the buses in Paris seem to go either to Saint-Lazare or Opera. But it’s the right direction for the hotel, jump on and ride to the station.

Yes I’m taking pics of railway station roofs, I have to Vaguely remember there’s a large branch of FNAC was around here, ah yes, just over there. Well I’m a nerd aren’t I and they sell all sorts of fun stuff Age of Conan is out, but they only (no surprise really) have the French version, have to wait till back home to get his. More about AoC later. Hrmm, no English language Sci-Fi section, oh well. Does anyone actually buy les Bande Dessinée or do they just sit and read them in the shop? Seemed to be the one of the most popular part of the store, and quite a change to see comics so popular in a regular shop.

Walk up the hill towards Place de Clichy, a familiar site from my previous visits to Paris. Must be rush hour by now, traffic is chaotic.

The cinemas there are showing the new Indiana Jones in “Version Original” (original soundtrack with French subtitles) as well as Version Francais (dubbed), well that’s something to do tonight Tired and hungry by now, but its not a gastronomic trip either, just grab some hot chips from a shop in Pigalle and some beers from the supermarket and retire to my hotel room to devour them (classy huh). Chips, well vegetarian options in Paris are limited, plus I like chips anyway. Crash, been a long day.

Walk feeling better at about ten to nine, bugger film was at 9:15 wasn’t it, rush to the pictures and get ticket, ah 9:40 not 9:15, didn’t need to rush Tickets are cheaper than London, but the food is just as ridiculously expensive.

The cinema fills up, popular film, even in VO, the audience is young and quite animated, but settle down when the film comes on. Before are the ads and trailers though, but they mix up the ads between the trailers in France, which I think works better than adverts, then trailers like in the UK. See trailer for a French comedy set in London, funny, can’t be my London, every one speaks perfect French.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is an OK action flick, but it doesn’t feel like an Indiana Jones film. Basically Harrison Ford is to old and doesn’t look like Indy any more, but worse, there’s to much CG, the original films were almost all real stunts, models, practical, real stuff, but in this one, due to Mr Fords age and the desire to go a bit further (I guess) there’s rather to much CG and its doesn’t always look right (The Indy films should look retro IMHO), plus it goes a bit OTT . The script, dunno lacks a bit of whit too, and Russians and Aliens, nah, give be Na zis as bad guys and biblical plot devices please. Anyway passes the time, back to the hotel, figure out when I have to be up next morning to get ready (Oh bugger, 5am UK time!) and retire for the night.

Don’t sleep well, new bed, plus I’m excited. Play with camera trying to to take long exposure shots of Paris by night, get one that seems to work (tripod, remote shutter, 3 second exposure). Shave, change, makeup. Face isn’t great, used to much powder when doing makeup. Chose little (not to little) black skirt, black tights, black boots, black polo neck (spot the theme) and that red leather (synthetic) jacket. I had left the beret at home, but did have a hat with me in case. The forecast had been for 18 degrees and rain, so dressed for that, but it looked sunny out.

Ready by 9ish, deep breath, OK lets do it, lift down and Helena hits the streets of Paris. It’s quiet, not many people about this early on Saturday, do get a couple of looks, but so far so good, it is sunny but the morning air is cool. Head up the side streets and steps to the Sacre Ceour, quite a climb, but the view from the top is worth it. Loads of pictures, The basilica itself, the Paris skyline, interesting streets and graffiti, locals cats, and after asking another tourist nicely to do the honours, me

Ok I took about 500 pictures in Paris, even a 2GB card can hold an awful lot of pics, I’ve montaged a few of the better ones, but it doesn’t make sense to try and put them all on Flickr. The montaging may be done by theme, so not all pics in them might be taken in the same area, but most are. I’ve also tried to keep them in the right order, but sometimes that changed to make a better composition, sorry.

Head on towards the famous Place du Tertre nearby, possibly Paris at its most chocolate boxy, but I’m here a bit early, some of the shops are still shut and But there are a few café’s and portrait artists about. Enquire about Petite dejunner (I didn’t take it at the hotel, part through nerves, but also I wanted a traditional café breakfast) , but the cafes don’t seem to serve it, I guess they are really just geared around the tourist trade.

Maybe I should of got a quick portrait done, it would have been interesting to see what they make of Helena face. Some Tourists laugh, I think they spotted me. Wander around the little streets for a bit, think I find another hotel I once stayed in and a restaurant I once ate in. Eventually find the areas main shopping street (Rue de Abbesses I think but not 100% sure) and a nice looking café that is serving breakfast. Takes a while to come but it just right, toasted bread, croissant, butter, jam, espresso and freshly squeezed juice. Bon enjoy it sitting outside. Little rain shower comes down, but it doesn’t last and the sun comes out again. Continue my wander, turn down Rues Des Martyrs, Oh a street market, cute follow that down the hill.

After the market, where next, consult map, well Boulevard Hassmann not far, wanted to visit Galleries La Fayette anyway, so couple of turns, Rue Lafayette and there we are. Getting warmer now, beginning to regret allt hat black and the jacket. Also star to realise heeled boots, even my big clumpy ones where a bad idea.

Like I said earlier, not a shopping trip this, but I can look look around, All rather posh on the ground floor, handbags, makeup, perfumes, designer boutiques (Channel, Dior etc) etc, and wow that dome. Most famous shop in Paris, with huge dome in the middle, and what’s in prime location under it, the top makeup concessions of course, Chanel has pride of place. They take slap very seriously in Paris. Spot a sign for a viewing gallery on the top floor, should be good for a photo or 12, so work my way up the store. 2nd floorl is regular fashion, concessions from names I understand (and can possibly afford) , Zara, Morgan, Esprit etc (BTW the main store is all ladies wear, the men have a separate shop, as they should ) need a pit stop to check makeup and brush hair, look for something to take into a changing room, spot a lovely leather jacket in Zara, 199 euro :(, not going to buy but I can try it on, but the queue for the changing room is to long. Another military style linen jacket in Esprit, and no queue, in fact no attendant, you can just walk in, I guess they are not as paranoid about shop lifting as they are in the UK. Smarten up hair, check makeup, look rough, but then I always do. Try jacket, fits nicely, looks good, goes with the outfit too and should be cooler than the synthetic leather, I’ll have it, then I check the price 119 euros, no I won’t. I don’t remember Esprit being that expensive in the UK. Carry on up the store, nice view on Montmartre from the Toy department, the viewing gallery has quite a nice view to, especially of the Opera house, but you can see the Eiffel tower and Arc de Triumph and stuff. Do take plenty of pictures.

Ask another tourist (German?) to take mine, he agree’s and I thank him. But he had cut my feet off, I asked him to use the camera cause he had his own SLR around his neck, so I though he would an OK photographer

Need another break now its around 11, a glass of wine and a bread roll in one of the store’s cafes . Self service wine and beer taps Next part of the plan was the Champs-Eysées wanted do the tourist thing at the Arch de Triumph, look at the shops and do lunch. Head on, definitely being spotted a lot now, a number of women give me that WTF look (a couple smile though). I stand out for a couple of reasons, the dress sense is off, most people are really casual, jeans and tees or strappy tops, I’m over dressed, plus I appear to be the tallest person in Paris, in my heels most women only come up to my shoulders and I haven’t even seen a taller bloke. Oh that and I’m a tranny as well. But you think they would of seen one before, sure I spotted a couple of possible in Pigalle the night before, maybe they only come out at night?

Ok it’s to hot by now and the feet don’t like all this walking, abandon plans to walk to Charles de Gaule Etolie and take the Metro instead. That tourist travel pass is proving useful. Again a few looks on the metro, but it’s OK.

Take random exit from the Metro station and come out at a good sport for a photo, ask a woman to take my picture, she agrees, but looks at my SLR like it came from outer space even after I show here where to look and what button to press, doesn’t even know which way to point it, man with his own camera gives here a hand. I thank them both. Had this problem before, people are so used to digital compacts nowadays an SLR you where have to use a viewfinder (no live view on a D80) is often strange to them, they don’t quite know what to do with it.

The exit was good for a picture, but bad for the Champs-Elysées, back into the metro station to find the right one. Window shop for a bit, even Virgin mega store looks cool, look at the pavement cafes but none seem right, either expensive or junky and very limited veggie options, can’t find one I like, so hold off lunch. But I’ve done it, heels definitely clicked down the Champs-Elysées and apart from a few odd looks, I’m a girl in Paris But did I just wear heeled boots so I could say that? Well yes I suppose, but also cause they looked good But even though they’re my most comfortable pair, I can’t walk in them that much. Original plan for after lunch (which I hadn’t had yet) was to walk down to the Pompidou centre down Rue de Rivoli past the Lourve, (I don’t have a spare couple of days to do the Lourve this trip), but instead, jump on the metro again.

Off at Hotel De Ville, side exit from the station leads into a department store (BHV) and out on to a junction of two narrow streets I couldn’t find on the map. But there’s a café on the corner, it looks all right, there’s a spare table outside, suitable stuff on the menu, its lunchtime, plonk myself down and order. Omelette Fromage, chips, bread (forgot food almost always comes with bread, didn’t really need the chips) and half of litre of wine later and ahhhhhh and very relaxed. Bliss even, sitting on a bustling street corner café on a Paris afternoon with food, wine and time to waste, just watching the world go by. This is what Paris is all about, forget the tourist traps. Was possibly the high point of the trip

Could of stayed there longer, and ordered more wine, but had already had half a litre, if I’d stayed I’d probably fallen asleep and there was still things to see. Eventually find myself on the map, and the Pomipidou centre is a couple of streets away.

An interesting building, unlike anything else I’ve seen in Paris, even in La Defense, in London there are a few sort of like it, the Lloyds building being the closest, all sort of inside out. Inside is good, but it appears most of the exhibitors charge, and since its modern art, don’t think its worth it, glance around a sort of Web Flash mashup thing that’s going on around the basement, take more photo’s and continue on my way.

The area its in is know as Le Marais, its technically the Gay Quarter, but apart from a few rainbow flags on a few bars, that’s appears to be the limit. But then again isn’t this all G ay Paris? I read even the current Mayor is openly gay. Reading the guide books like ime Out before I left, there appears to be quite a large Gay scene, a much smaller Lesbian one, but the T in GLBT wasn’t mentioned at all couldn’t find a listing for anything tranny specific. But there a lot of interesting narrow streets, some pedestrian, with cool shops and people. This appeared to be the most happening area of Paris I saw, and one worth a re vist.

Wanderings lead me to Forum de Halles, another futuristic (if slightly faded) building in the middle of traditional Paris.

Next item on the agenda was Notre Dam, again close by, but again feet where protesting. Plus I was getting tired by now, but the lunchtime wine hadn’t helped with that. Sunshine had gone too, and there was intermittent rain. I appear to have lost ,y map, damm, try a street that looks like it takes me towards the river, see a Metro station (can’t remember which one), but then a man approaches me and tries to speak to me, I wave him off, but he hangs around the station, so I move on, and find another street and a bus stop. The bus gets me to the Seine and near a bridge that will take me over to the island Notre Dam is on. More toursity snaps, this time a man asks me to take his picture, I oblige, then point to my camera and say “Moi assui” he ask if I speak English But he does take my photo.

Rain starts to come down, put on hat and put the brolly up. Rain is heavy, decide to join queue to go into the Cathedral. It moves fast and gets me out of the rain. There’s actually a service going on at the time, but they don’t seem to mind tourists coming in during it, there’s loads of us and every one is taking photo’s.

The service is comming to a close and the priests and others do a sort of procession out the front. I’m not the regions type, but it does have an air to the place, very reverent and it does sort of make you feel small. Also I feel slightly odd wearing a hat, was told to always to take my hat off when I go into a church, but that’s what men have to do isn’t it. Keep it on. But I do put the suggested 2 Euros in a slot and light a little candle.

Rain has subsided to a light drizzle when I get out. The last destination for the day was the Latin Quarter, but I’m so tired by now, and the feet don’t want to go, do I want to ? well its not far, go one, keep going. Possibly take less than optimal route, another ice tea and some chocy help a little, spot a shop selling Gothic Lolita gear, hrmm nice, but will wait till I get back to London, Camden is actually cheaper. Was looking cause the Magic Theatre is on again in July, 19th in a new very swank looking location in Bloomsbury and I’ll need a new outfit

Sort of lost a bit now, check a map by a bus stop, had been walking the wrong way down Boulevard Saint-Germain, was back at the river but futher along, head back towards Saint Michel, but turn down another street that looked interesting, and get lost again. Sense of direction had deserted me by now, and I felt a bit walking wounded, very tired and my feet where killing me. Eventually manage to navigate back towards Saint Michel, and finally find all those little streets in the Latin Quarter I wanted to explore. Spot Café I once used, think I see another hotel I once stayed in,. But the rain has come back and it’s chucking it down (Ok that jacket was useful now) and I’d had enough, feet wouldn’t take more, Metro back to Pigalle. Would a nice Parisian gentleman offer a tired lady a seat? No

One last stop at the supermarket for crisps and cold drinks (it was next to the metro station) then back to the hotel, boots OFF, feet UP, cold beer (supermarket had run out of cheap chilled wine and almost all the cold beer was gone to), crisps, crash out (again) .

OK those boots where a stupid decision, and even if comfy ones trying to walk all around Paris on a hot (most of the time) day in full Helena mode in a synthetic leather jacket was slightly over ambitious.

By about 9 I’m back in the land of the living. Hungry too. Refresh makeup and change into compy boots (I had actually brought some with me) and head out. But what to do? As I said before I couldn’t locate anything TG specific, but the Moulin Rouge was near by, but it was quite expensive, it’s a dinner and show and it can run to over 100 euros for 1, maybe another time, I had spotted a couple of drag shows (”Madam Arthur” was one) around the corner from the hotel, but again they where a dinner and show deal, and it wasn’t cheapeither. Plus you’ve seen one drag lip sync, you’ve seen them all IMHO. End up in a regular café almost opposite Pigalle Metro, called La Marmite. Had spotted it earlier, looked OK, menu had some nice things on it and the clincher was the portions they severed looked huge

Another table outside a corner café, some more wine and some more food. Actually the food took a while to arrive, service was “unhurried” but totally polite. A couple of men tried to speak to me, including a ageing lothario in a cream suit who plonked him self down between me and a GG on the next table who was enjoying some cheese and tried to engage us, trying French and English. She moved on seat away, I pulled my bag closed and turned away from him. He got the message after a couple of minutes and left. The other girl moved back to her original seat and gave me a sort of “Men huh” shrug. Food came, a warm goats cheese salad with garlic sauté potatoes in a big bowl. Oh my was that a big portion, and it came with bread. Its great, but I can’t finish it. But I can finish the rest of the wine and (when it eventually comnes) a coffee watching the night-time crowds.

Plenty of people around, mostly local I would guess, talking, eating drinking. Its fun just to people watch. Notice a difference between the last time I was here, I’m sure the local people are dressing more casually, more jeans and denim, even the denim mini and footless opaque’s look is in evidence, and see a girl in a hoody and Uggs. If she’s Parisian, that plus Starbucks and Mc Donalds everywhere and it’s the end of civilisation as the French know it Common looks for the girls is leather jacket, skinny jeans and heeled ankle boots or shoes, hrm if I’d know I would of worn my jeans (had some with me, as I said, I overpack and like backups) and heels at night and worn the soft boots in the day.

Pay up and leave a tip even though service est compris. But its not time to go back just yet, wander around the Pigalle main strip for a bit, taking photo’s of the neon.

Ok I do wander into a couple of the shops, the less sleazy ones that have mostly shoes and clothes. The shoes are all stripper platform mules or courts with killer heels and the boots thigh length, and they come in sizes up to euro 45, wonder what their target market is Actually try on some courts, but even size 44 is tight and heels weren’t agreeing with me at that time, don’t buy, but do find another little item to take home (just a sheer polo neck top). Also buy a little souvenir of Paris, from a tourist place, a bag with the le Chat Noir on it,

Was a little worried about going out dressed in a short skirt in an area like Pigalle at night, but its generally OK, a few looks, but less than in daytime, only comment I hear is “C’est un homme” .

That’s it for the night, late by now, the meal took a while, its midnight when I finally deprincess. Helena has had her day in Paris, an exciting, interesting day, but also a very long and tiring one. Reactions from shops and cafes was all totally polite, and apart looks and the odd comment, most folk didn’t mind either. Being TG in Paris isn’t hard, unless you wear a leather jacket and heels all day

Sunday, can lie in till oh nearly 8 local time, back to Ian, hotel breaky this time, pack and depart for the station. Hadn’t read a word of the books I brought. Camera still has a few shots left in it so point it at any thing interesting looking.

Buy cheese and chocolates for my work colleagues (Boss said bring us back a Camembert when I told him I was going to Paris for the weekend, he probably wasn’t being serious ) at the station, plus a little Eiffel tower model, cause you have to. Train is delayed, they said by 30 minutes, so grab sarnie, oh dam its got ham in it, didn’t look like it did, had otherwise had managed to avoid meat in Paris. They fix the train faster than expected, and its actually only 15 minutes late. Less crowded than the journey there, get a double seat and let the train wisk me home.

Paris was good, I’m going to go back, as Helena, well for some of the time, still note sure I want to face customs in a wig and makeup (wimp). Still have the Eiffel tower to go up and to have a night in the Moulin Rouge, plus the Marias and the Latin Quarter deserve further investigation, want to do a boat trip,hiring a bike, Versailles, Euro disney and there’s shopping to be done and and and But limited holidays might make it a while before its possible, August bank holiday? Maybe, but not sure I want to visit Paris in August, to hot and it’s mostly closed for holidays anyway. Will think about it.

Back home, Bureau de Change rates back to £ are shocking. Bus back home via shop to get Age of Conan, more about that in another post, plus wine (New world, I have to say I still prefer that to French) and a baguette.

Spent most of the rest of the wet bank holiday in the Hyborian age. Another reason why this post was delayed.

Sorry for the lack of a post this week, I did do tons last weekend, had a trip to Paris! Basically I went almost everywhere and got very tired and foot sore. I have written it all up, but the problem is I took 500+ photos and its taking an age to sort them all out and find the ones worth posting

Work, blah, 3 days spent trying to install software on a high availability cluster, with not all of it available, performance problems and redesign half way through meant a long week. But on the bright side, Orange phones gave me a large bar of chocolate Wednesday, a girl in Pret a Manger gave me a free cup of coffee Thursday and the boss gave out a choc-ices on Friday. So it all balances out. Sort of.

Weekend, needed shoes didn’t I. Good weather didn’t last, back to cold grey and rainy, but this means wearing tights is OK Pair of denim shorts (shorts are so in this season), back sweater, nearly opaque tights, old boots and a grey jacket, hopefully reasonable trendy yet practical, not too eye catching, not particularly original either and that’s still a lot of leg out there. Makeup pretty light, hair needs a wash.

Tried a high camera angle for a change, hrmm, makes my face look different, and legs not quite so long, not great. Shoes, yes those, best try Evans and Barratts, so grab coffee and a muffin from Starbucks and get bus towards Marble Arch. But don’t make it, bus runs past the top of Marylebone high street, haven’t been there in a while, so jump off for a look see. Little market called “Frocks and Cabbages” at the top of the road is selling food (mostly cakes) and a few clothes. Spot one or two little pieces, look like manufactures samples, but, yikes, I spot the price tags, we are not in Dalston any more Toto. Just buy a cup cake instead. Follow the high street down, clothes shops are not really my sort of thing but the foodie places are lovely, once again that pre bus muffin was a mistake. Must do lunch around here sometime.

Oh yeah, shoes, Chiltern street, of course, right, then right again and here we are, there’s at least 4 shops that sell women’s shoes in larger sizes on this little street, why, dunno, its just one of those things. Find a nice pair of well they are sort of ballet flats in the subtly named Elephant Feet (but they appear to be re-branding themselves), but have a low heel and thus aren’t flat at all, dunno the technical term for them, but the fit, are comfortable and will go with various outfits. Not cheap, but what they hell. They had some nice heels in there two, might have to return to try and find a pair of courts I can actually walk in. Other shops had a few maybes, but nowt that I had to have. Chiltern street definitely worth a look if you are in town and need larger than average sized shoes.

Follow Baker Street to Oxford Street, there’s a Fiat car showroom near Selfridges, not normally my sort of thing, but its done out really nicely inside in a sort of groovy retro way, and that new little Fiat 500 is almost cuddly, its like a soft toy you could drive (cept I can’t). Evans, new 2008 Georgina Goodman range, look fabby, hurt like hell, just like the pair I already have, settle on a cheap pair of white strappy wedges instead, not ideal, but suitable for slobbing about in on a hot day. What’s with Evans sizing, normally I’m a size 9 or 10 but need a 7 in these to fit. Its starting to rain, get brolly out, find brolly is broken, chuck brolly in bin, buy new brolly. Quick look in Primark turns into a something a bit more major, I can’t resist leather (or fake leather) jackets and they have a new brick red biker jacket that had to be bought, and plus a cashmere sweaters that was one clearance, not exactly summer wear, but summer was last week. Get some pretty looking wedges too, but they are really to tight, the largest they had was size 8 and they’re not really big enough

Wander through Selfridges, mostly to check my makeup, remember I need some brow liner, a Clinique one in particular, as I’d lost my last one, but they are out of stock of the colour I wanted, sales assistant is very helpful and cheery though. Pretty girls wearing not a lot are walking though the store handing out leaflets for a free lingerie fitting on the 2nd floor, hrmm, no, think taking up that offer would be try to push acceptance a bit to far (plus I’m not totally defuzzed, OK that’s to much information).

Muffin had worn off by now, its late lunch time. Find a branch of Ping Pong around the side of Selfridges, been meaning to go to one of these, not really done Dim Sum before. Have the veggie set lunch, actually it’s rather delicious, spring rolls, rice, dumplings, a sort of baked puff thing, and some sort of mango pudding. I’ll come back. But really should of ordered a bit more food, still a little hungry, the set lunch isn’t a big serving.

Continue down Oxford Street, seem to be getting more looks, sure I hear someone giggling “That’s a man”, must be getting self conscious perhaps those little shorts catch too many eyes, maybe that light makeup job isn’t covering up enough, maybe the rain is frizzing my hair, maybe I just look like a man in drag, Oh well.

Few more shops, this that, interesting, tired skirts and ruffles seem to be big at the moment, but can’t find exactly the right one. Boots have the brow liner, H&M have a shirt, no shoes I need are in Barrats, but Shelly’s is having a closing down sale, and yes, they have a rack of size 9s, one or two maybes, but at the top of the rack are boots… No wasn’t looking for boots, but these are nice, low heel, black leather, nicely made and they fit properly, even the calves! And they are on clearance. Well I have to don’t I. Well my other good pair of black boots are starting to wear out anyway.

One or two more shops, and that’s enough, shopped out, need a rest, time is getting on too, must be around 5. Turn into Soho to find somewhere for drink and sit down. The Candy Bar? Soho’s famous Lesbian bar, mo bottle it, continue, end up in Revolution, a chain Vodka bar. It’s big, dark and not very full at this time of day (though there does seem to be a Hen party in the corner who sound like they have been drinking all afternoon). Settle into a comfy seat with my book and a glass of wine, and then just one more chapter and accompanied by a cheeky cocktail

This must of helped my confidence, return to the Candy Bar. It’s quite small inside and can only get a stool in the corner to sit on. Have another glass of wine and continue the book. Nobody appears to give me a 2nd glance. Apart from the small size, can’t really comment on the place, didn’t stay for a 2nd drink though.

Wanted to go to the pictures and/or a comedy club in the afternoon/evening, was running a bit late though, slightly wobble towards Leicester square (the wine was having an affect). Next showing of Speed Racer was 8:40, bit of a wait, but I can get something to eat before then. Why Speed Racer, well I’m sure they where several more thoughtful, grown up films around, but the big kid in me wanted to go and see something loud and flashy and the kid usually gets its way. Did get given a flyer to a comedy club, but it was going to be that or the film. The film won.

Waste a bit of time in Funland at the Troccadero, those Dance Dance Revolution Machines are harder than they look, must have been the worst player ever. After looking around for somewhere to eat, end up in a fish and chip restaurant called “The Mermaid” on Leicester square, cause well I just fancied fish and chips. Total tourist trap, over priced, dodgy décor, bored Eastern European staff, should of been awful. But much to my surprise, it wasn’t. Chips not half bad and the fish was quality, freshly cooked and hot with light crisp batter, milky solid fish, very tasty, and all from sustainable stocks so I don;t feel to bad about eating cod. Fish and chips done right is great, but outside Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, it can be very hit and miss. Have a bottle of ale with it, don’t have to be girly and sip wine or cocktails all the time do I? half the girls under 30 in London seem to drink pints nowadays anyway.

The cinema is pretty empty, it the big screen at the Empire Leicester on Saturday night and its maybe only at 15-20% capacity. Oh dear, doesn’t bode well. But another pleasant surprise, the film is rather excellent in an odd sort of way. Its all bright primary colours, loud noise and flashy movement, mostly CG, barely a real set or location to be seen. Its based on a 60’s anime, that I don’t think was shown in the UK (was popular in the States I understand), gritty (or in fact any) realism has been discarded it doesn’t appear to be set on this planet, and certainly doesn’t seem to obey our laws of physics, but its high energy fun stuff, the racing sequences are almost surreal, the only thing I can think of that compare is the Stargate sequence from 2001. Yes they are that trippy. Looks like it’s a flop at the cinema, if you are under 13 (physically or like me mentally) you will enjoy it, but teenagers, adults and serious film fans will hate it, but I have the feeling it’s a cult in the making.

But it is quite a long film, by the time I’m out of the cinema, its gone 11, bus home, to late for the supermarket.

Oh photo’s, had been taking a few, but none of any merit, so bundled them up into one

Bank Holiday next weekend, still trying to work up the nerve to do something a bit more adventurous…

The weekend, the forecast was for the hottest days of the year so far, I was on call and after the last weeks I, we, us, whoever, whatever needed a quiet one. So the big exciting plan for the tranny weekend was er a trip to the local park. Exciting huh.

Saturday, was a bit tired, didn’t sleep so well Friday night, something someone posted on a message board upset me, but well, I was awake, it was sunny, let’s do the usual. Changed into a tee shirt that was bought last year but never worn and a very tiny little denim skirt and did my face. Actually this is the sort of outfit I’ll wear on a midweek evening in high summer just to keep cool, don’t fully change, no hair or makeup etc. Of course I look absolutely totally ridiculous dressed like this (as apposed to just the normal totally ridiculous) but for just padding around the flat, it’s cool and comfortable. Needless to say when I’m just in those clothes and no makeup etc the camera stays OFF.

But fully changed, well why not take a pic, wear some tiny strappy shoes which I wore last at Sparkle, They where not comfortable then, and they still weren’t comfortable now, but since I’m a little short of suitable summer footwear, they where really the only things I had that would work with the outfit on a hot day, but wasn’t planning on going very far anyway. Toenails needed some work too and they still ain’t pretty.

Hrmm legs do need some tan, will probably go with some artificial stuff rather than risk UV, I’m a pale English lobster who burns very easily. My, hasn’t that photo go down well on Flickr, well it just proves there is a direct correlation between the number of views you get and the amount of leg on display. Get my first call from work of the weekend during. First of several

But I couldn’t go out in that skirt, it’s as short a skirt as is possible to wear without flashing underwear, plus bare legs in public? No bottle out, put on some 3/4 length jeans instead, another item of clothing I bought last year and never got around to wearing. Cover blokey arms with little white jacket too.

Felt more comfortable, and still should be reasonably cool (temperature wise) and acceptable day wear. Make some sandwiches, pack some rosé, a book and a blanket and head out. Oh my those shoes are hard work, plus 95% of the female population round my way seemed to be wearing flip flops that day. Definitely need to do some summer shoe shopping, maybe next week. Local park is just around the corner, but walking is slow and awkward, must have been spotted, but nobody seems to mind. Find a quiet shady spot under a tree (don’t like direct sunlight), spread my blanket, take the shoes off and have a good laze.

Eat, drink, read, run my toes though the grass, watch birds (the feathered kind) and mostly just lie there, simple little things, its nice. Half of the neighbourhood seems to be doing the same sort of thing too, the parks quite popular, but not really overcrowded. Few people have gardens, so the park is really the neighbourhood’s communal back garden.

Finish most of my sarnies and wine and head home after a couple of hours, stop for an ice-cream at the park cafe, all left is mint choc chip, oh well, its nice anyway. As I’m down to about one glass of wine left in the bottle, pick up some cold beer at the offy as well.

Back at the flat finish the wine and start on the beer with a few more chapters of the book, House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds, deep far future stuff, curious, different and interesting (Far future SF with no FTL), getting through this one quite fast, recommend. Work called again and had to kick off a job. Did pop out later for some bread and er more wine, shoes seemed a little easier, possibly cause I’m bit sloshed. Fall asleep in my makeup, wake around 1 and take it off.

Well that’s it, the exciting tranny weekend, simple, quiet and unexciting, yes, but actually pleasant and sort of “normal”. I’ve done plenty recently, so I feel I don’t need to challenge my self all the time now. But I suppose the real challenge that’s left is coming out to people who actually know me, family, colleagues etc. That would be hard, I don’t know if I can, but I don’t know if I have to either. Will keep playing it by ear week to week for now.

Sunday, work called at 4:45am, and again at 7:30am and again at 9:30am, it was all working OK, just a bit slow that’s all. But then another system failed and need a kick. Then they started calling me in the evening about yet another system that needed some manually intervention. Bed by 11:45, run some more jobs at 5:45 on Monday morning, got into work late. Gawd I hate being on call.

But next week I’m not, and I need shoes.

Last Tuesday, that feels like along time ago, maybe I should update this more often. Midweek night out to see the Shelf at Dingwalls in Camden, so as usual for a week night, duck out of work as soon as I can, mad dash home, grab food at the station (meat, sorry, my only lapse in 2 weeks) drag razor across face change and makeup and out 7:40ish, a two hour change, possibly a record. No time for photo’s but really didn’t look all that much anyway (not that I ever do, but this was worse than usual), also just black jeans and leather jacket. Dingwalls is down by the Canal and they have some pretty lights under the bridge that come on at night I didn’t know where there. Notice handbag is on the point of failure, another one bites the dust, get camera out and wear it around my neck to reduce the load.

Get there at eight somethingish, the famous Dingwalls, the Clash played there dontcha know, actually its smaller than I expected, but not unpleasant.

Missed the 1st band, but the 2nd is starting up, Dave Jacobs and the Prodigal Suns they start slow and acoustic but build up, last track was rocking. Like them, performance and playing was good to, quite a bit more proficient than the average myspace band. Had the big camera with me with a fast lens, after a bit of fiddling with the settings I managed to get a few reasonable photo’s.

Shooting full manual again, some without flash, some with, but really turned down as not to overpower the stage lighting and ruin the atmosphere. Club was quite dark, had to open the aperture wide open (most pics where around F2), so get a very shallow depth of field, so sharpness wasn’t great, shutter a bit slow too to get more light in, but again sharpness suffers and there’s some motion blur, add in a high ISO and they are not the best technical quality pictures I’ve ever taken, but I like to think a few of them did seem to get a bit of the atmosphere of the place IMHO. Got to be careful with the focus too with the wafer thin depth of field, if the auto focus picks a mike stand to focus on then the singers face will be out of focus, should of really picked focus points manually as well.

Next band are Get Down Convention, indie pop alternative rock something with a little bit of funk going on. They seem to have a bit of a following, but it looks like they are a college band and half their college turned up to support them. But they aren’t band, some of the keyboard bits are a bit weird, but as I said, not bad. Plus they where giving away some free CD’s

Then there’s Free Reign, a indie rock band I saw in the previous heat. I think they improved a bit, but others weren’t so sure. Lead signer noticed the camera and didn’t mind having his picture taken this time

DEZERO, a Metal/Grunge Trio, loud fast and had a lot of support, base player was well animated. A lot of the support was from young women surprisingly for a band like this, or am I just expecting the stereotypical pale teen with with long greasy hair or the large men with goatees and tattoos. Not bad, but I wouldn’t run out and buy the CD.

I think one band was a no show. Rumour has it they couldn’t attend as they were er helping the police with their enquires regarding some herbs… But that’s unsubstantiated rumour and if I’m in correct, many apologies.

The T* arrived through the night, Diana and Vicky from Elephant shelf, Jane, Laura Handbag, Chrissie, Tara and maybes some others. OK I had down a couple of beers or four (normally Helena “elegantly” sips a glass of wine, but that just ain’t Rock’n'Roll honey), it was loud and dark, but mostly its my terrible memory for names. If I forgot you, oops. sorry Nice to see you all again anyway.

Elephant shelf get the 2nd from last slot, play well, perhaps not their best ever performance perhaps, but by the last number we were all dancing along. I hold onto something while dancing, cause I didn’t want to fall and break my camera. Chance of falling was increased due to alcohol, 9cm heels and me having 2 left feet, so decided not to risk not holding on to something. Must of looked silly. No change there then.

Last band I saw was Jessica Rabbit, odd name for a 3 piece sort of indie/Ska/Rock outfit, but they actually where quite good, together would be a good word, I would listen to them again.

Left before the final voting and tally, well it’s was late and work tomorrow and didn’t want to miss the last tube, so and Jane and me walked back to the station, stopping for chips on the way By the time I got to my station, it had started raining, but had remembered the brolly this time. Strange man tries to talk to me on the walk back, slight panic, blank him, keep walking, don’t look, don’t talk. Not sure what he was after or saw, perhaps he just wanted to get under my umbrella (he didn’t have one). But he eventually left me alone and I got home safe, only damage appears to be a slight ringing in the ears. Not a bad night, bit of a rush as normal, venue well nobody commented directly, but got a few odd looks though. But did witness an interesting reaction to Tgirls though. 3 where in corridor having a chat, away from the music and 3 young GG passed them walking back form the toilets into the main club, after the GGs thought they where out earshot, they looked around, and all smirked. They had clocked them and found them funny. I was lurking in a dark corner with my camera as I observed this, guess they didn’t see me then, but I probably got the same reaction later. Guess thing happens more than we (T*) notice, we think its all OK, but people smirk, comment, laugh when we are out of site and earshot. Oh well, we can’t let it stop us.

Heard afterwards Elephant shelf came 3rd, which is good, but only the top 2 bands went through to the final

Work Work Work, then Friday Shopping in Ian mode at lunchtime, I finally find a fitted kahki mini skirt, been looking for one for ages, shorts seem to be the thing for SS2008, but I wanted a skirt. Animal, slightly more upmarket than my usual tat, but it was on offer, grab the last size 12 on the rack. But when I get it home (no to trying on skirts in Ian mode in shops, not that brave) and try it on find it doesn’t fit that well. It’s too big Well that made my day, and its still wearable, will have to wear it with plenty of padding and down on my (augmented) hips.

Saturday, well it’s my new little green skirt, plus tights, boots, other leather jacket. Not a bad look if you ask me, but what’s with the weather, its got warm all of sudden, might be a bit over dressed.

Tube into town, plan for today was to go and see a couple of films on at the London Sci-Fi film festival, which was running at the Apollo cinema near Piccadilly circus. Was early for the first film, plenty of time for a little shopping and lunch first. Pick up some tights and more legwarmers and bits in Primark, but not much appeals. Is it me or is Primark getting more expensive? Looked for a couple of things I had spotted in Newlook midweek, but they didn’t have my size and well, I have too many clothes already, plus summer fashion and me don’t really work, far to much exposed skin, I need to cover up.

Lunch in a branch of All Bar One near Selfridges was perfectly civilised even using the loo didn’t seem scary. Few more shops, find a brown bag in Miss Selfridges to replace the one that’s falling apart and then back to the pictures.

First film was Vexille, a Japanese CG feature, nice style, a sort of hybrid anime/realistic look that worked, animation seemed to be a mixture of hand and Mo-cap (to my eyes), but well put together and the general design and look where good. Plot was a bit bobbins though, perhaps a bit more spent on the script and less on the animation would of helped it along a bit, it isn’t very good S/F quite, plus it would be good if it didn’t take quite such an inaccurate stereotypical view of difference between Japanese/Non Japanese. Not going to be rushing out to buy the DVD.

Had an hour to spare before the next film, grad a bite at a branch of Miso round the corner. Had heard bad things about this Pan Asian Chain, but time was limited so I gave them a shot. Like the film, the meal (Pad Thai) was a bit disappointing and greasy. Oh well.

2nd film was Chrysalis a French technothriller set in the 2020s. It’s quite bleak visually, very sparse and very desaturated colour, its almost black and white, definitely goes for the film noir look. Not bad plot wise, the twist is a little obvious. What did mare the experience is that it was obviously a DVD, not a 35mm print, blowing that up to cinema size didn’t really work, it looked fuzzy and indistinct, made my headache a bit.

Supermarket and bus home, how unusual. So far day hadn’t been bad, but not great either, films where a bit disappointing as was the shopping. But acceptance wise, yeah not bad, just a few looks, but on the bus home a bunch of very loud and lary lads sat in the seats around me. I sort of hunkered down, hiding behind my shopping bags looked out the window. A GG wasn’t so fortunate and she got hit on heavily. But as I got up near my stop, one spots me and says “That’s a bloke” and by the time I had reached the stairs they where all chanting “Bloke, Bloke, Bloke”. Which wasn’t very nice. Just kept my head down, got down the stairs, off at the stop and home. Polish off some wine, watch half another film and fall asleep.

Not feeling great Sunday (some booze the previous night didn’t help) Stayed in boy mode. Saw Ironman at the flics and really quite enjoyed it. It’s a rather good example of the superhero movie genre, up there with Spiderman I and Batman Returns and far better than the likes of Daredevil and Electra. It looks good makes sense its it’s own way and the cast put in a good performance, Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark was on top form and made the character his own. What’s this, liking an SFX laden mainstream Hollywood action pic over obscure subtitled foreign films, oh well there goes my arty farty cred (not that I had any to loose).

Also watched Stargate Arc of truth later on DVD. If you haven’t watched pretty much all of the last two seasons of SG1 then it won’t make any sense, but it does fairly neatly (if a bit conveniently) tie up the plot threads from the Ori storyline. It’s really just like a slightly longer episode, production values a bit higher than normal perhaps, but that’s it. For the fans only (so I’m OK). Found out recently Amanda Tapping is actually an Essex Girl, cue white Stiletto jokes. There’s another Stargate movie released soon (I think) that’s called “Continuum” that appears will finish up the Goa’uld story lines.

Monday, bank holiday, did Helena again. Seems when I have holiday Ian and Helena alternate, but wasn’t that sure about it, sometime do you get that, feeling of “Why I do all this?”, I do, but dressed anyway, but not in any great hurry or conviction. Put on a pair of grey shorts with thick tights and an old white pully. Been wanting to wear those shorts for a bit, but with the tights it felt a bit over dressed for such a warm day.

What to do, er, well saw this thing about the “Cans” festival in Waterloo with a bunch of graffiti artists, including Banksy, painting in a tunnel. Why not, easy to get to and free, so jump on the bus. No loud lads this time fortunately. Kept my eye open, yes did spot a few girls wearing thick tights, mostly with denim shorts or skirts, but most where doing that denim mini, footless tights and ballet pumps thing, isn’t that look out of fashion yet? So a few out in thick tights even on this warm day (must be the warmest day of the year so far) , OK, so the look isn’t to wrong, but then again virtually all of the girls dressed like that must have been under 20.

Jump off at Waterloo bridge and walk through the south bank, stopping for lunch at there nice big airy café thing. Actually there’s quiet a few interesting looking restaurants around there. Plus there was a little farmers market sort of thing going on as well. Lunch, a glass of wine and the sunshine seemed to improve my mood and I strode off to the festival. Went one way, change direction and go the other way, then realised I was going the right way in the first place and go back, but get there eventually. Oh , that’s a LOT of people, put on a free show and Londoners will come. Had to queue to get into the queuing system! Must of taken a nearly and hour to get in, but well the queue does move, there are things to look at and nobody seems to notice me. Start taking pics, but the little cam is starting to flash a low battery warning at me, oh damm, forgot to charge it, so have to get a bit more selective with the shots to try and eke out a few more pictures.

And we are in, its cool inside and not overcrowded, and, well I’m actually impressed, there’s some good stuff, well painted, often funny, satirical, sarcastic or just cool. I’m glad I queued to get in. Girl seems me trying to take an arm out stretched pic and offers to take the picture for me. I accept.

Just as I’m getting to the end does the battery finally give up, could of done with just one more shot. Yeah liked that, day isn’t turning out so bad after all. What does feel slightly weird is the organised nature of the thing, isn’t this sort of art supposed to be out there in the wild, street art, but there’s this whole organised thing for it, a safe legal place for the art with a big queue and stewards with megaphones ordering you to keep moving and trying to sell you programs (I succumbed), seems like a bit of a contradiction. But is the contradiction part of it, or am I just reading to much into it all?

Back to the plot, Frappuccino to cool off then er, where to go next. Find a bus to Russell square, just to go to Newlook there, see if they have that skirt I wanted in my size. Get to the Brunswick and wander around the shops, sales guy in River Island says “Can I help you Miss” Yes a Miss and from a youngish bloke in broad daylight, nice guy. Actually all the shop assistants there where nice too, but it was mostly Madams, well I’m nearly 40, can’t really expect more. Find the skirt I want in Newlook in a 12, but do I really want it? After all that get a different one (pink) and some grey cargo pants. Try on, both a bit loose for 12’s, perhaps I shifted a bit of that weight, decide to take then anyway instead of trying to squeeze into 10’s though, lets go a bit baggy for summer.

So what after that, well I did need to go to the supermarket again and another bus home. A mixed bunch of loud teens, sit around me, oh no not again. But they get off before me, overhear one of them saying to her mate as she goes down the stairs “I can’t believe that’s a man” I guess aimed at me. Oh well can’t win them all, apart from that, overall, a good day even in tiny shorts and inappropriate tights. Perhaps being Helena isn’t that bad after all.

But the tranny batteries have now been drained a bit, she’s been out 5 times in the last 10 days or so, next weekend has to be a quiet one, but I’m on call anyway so there.