Sorry for the lack of post last week, but well, I didn’t have much to write about (and hey, you got a double dose of waffle the week before ). Well I did do a bit, took the new plank to the snow dome for a trial run, usual frustrations about riding in a small overcrowded space, but did manage to get a few whole inches of air trying to pop off the lip halfway down. I’m rubbish at ollying.

Actually I was on call, but had most of Saturday free, so when I got back did a quick change into something fairly casual.

By the time I was ready it was half seven, didn’t want to just stay in so just went for a wander in the neighbourhood. The bars and pubs down Islington’s main street where rammed and so didn’t really fancy them, but found a nice place called The Regent on a parallel street. Been their en homme a couple of times, but first time a Helena, its quite a cool place and wasn’t to crowded for a Saturday, found a nice sofa downstairs for a quiet glass of wine and a quiet read. Well not that quiet, music was fairly loud as where a bunch of lads playing poker or something nearby, but nobody gave me any bother, as I said, nice place, worth a return visit to try their pizza I think.

After a chapter or two this I headed on towards Angel, another bunch of lads spot me, ‘Yo Tranny’ one smirks, but they don’t press the point. Look around the shops, Borders is still open and worth a look see. What to do the rest of the night? Nowt at the cinema looks interesting, apart from some boxes that light up.

Remember a comedy club nearby, so go to have a look, oops it started at 8 and its 9 by now go back another week. So I head back home, stop for a takeaway, not a great night out was it.

Back home, since I’m made up I might as well have a play, got a couple of fancy dress costumes during the week, finnaly got that Princess Leia slave one I was looking for, but will need a bit more of a defuzz before that’s worn and a Cat Woman one (from Argos!!) with a slinky cat suit Which fits, just, I’m pushing just how much it will stretch (vertically I hasten to add) Belt and gloves that came with it are naff, find better belt in my collection, but will have buy new gloves .

Got costumes, but what I don’t have is a fancy dress party to wear them to might just have to go to Tesco’s like that or more likely just save them for a photo session later in the year.

Sunday, on call, but wasn’t called, fortunately, did laundry instead.

Week, on a course for a change, in the West End, its dull and slow, but at least I get to go and wander around Oxford Street at lunch time Notice a couple of trends, red tights, plenty of them about, but I’ve already done them and shinny PU leggings, plenty of places offering those and spot several girls wearing them, will have to dig out my American Apparel ones and force myself to wear them well you have to stay with it.

But what’s this, a night out for Ian! well work do on Wednesday, drink and ate almost too much, Thursday slightly fuzzy, but what! yet another night out! Film Premier too would you believe, OK it was just a snowboard film, and it was free The film was called Bread and Butter, from Tearoom productions and was shown at the Coronet in Notting Hill, good film (if you like snowboard films), made better by the traditional old cinema and the young up for it crowd. But it did take a while to get started and I think I was the 2nd oldest person in the room. Home late, back to work on Friday, managed to do almost nothing all day.

Saturday, more snowboard stuff I’m afraid, but it’s not riding and its Saturday, so lets try this in Helena mode. But I’m not that brave, not sure what it will be like acceptance wise, so dress very down, almost androgynous in combats and a tee shirt. Actually it’s a boy tee shirt, me bad, but it says “Evil Twin” on it which is kind of appropriate for a couple of reasons. Over do the eyeliner and go all Panda, its not a good look.

Yeah Yeah posing with the new plank. Out a bit late, but the snowboard thing doesn’t really get going till mid afternoon, so still have some time to kill. Bus to the West End, have to change at Angel, chavy kid in a tracksuit spots me and shouts to his mates “Look at that Man!” , doesn’t bode well does it.

Get off the bus in the Holborn and wander down though Covent Garden. Stop at Zara, try on some bits, find lovely jacket, but it’s too small and expensive. Go to H&M looking for a particular skirt I’d spotted earlier in the week but can’t find it, but that chain’s layout makes finding anything in particular very hard.

Also stop at Charles Fox, get a little makeup brush. The shop are gearing up for Halloween, lots of masks, wigs (Poison Ivy, hrmm interesting) and grungy colours on show, 3 of the shop girls are all made up as witches and Zombies, they are going out to leaflet people. They pose for a photo but I fluff the exposure

Cross the river on the Hungerford footbridge, past a crowd of the undead, getting a London Cliché shot on the way.

Lunch time now so look around the restaurants at the South Bank Centre, French styled place appeals, Le Pain Quotidien, big on shared tables and bread. They ask if I don’t mind sharing the big table, I don’t, so they show me to the middle of a big one. Dunno what the other dinners thought of me but no makes a fuss. Have some wine and just a bread and cheese board, simple, very pleasant and civilised.

After lunch pop over to Waterloo, old railway station with a fancy roof, I have to don’t I.

Next stop was Honour, little fetish place round the back of the station, needed some gloves for that Cat woman outfit didn’t I. Find a pair that fit, and had a look around at the other stuff, but well I have black and shinny stuff for the moment.

Reason for heading down the South bank was well the snowboard thing was held at Battersea Power Station, which is south of the river ain’t it. Was planning to get a bus or train from Waterloo, but theres still plenty of time and so I decide to walk it. Which was a bad decision, the wind is up, and it’s cold, my hair is blown all over the place. something gets in my eye and its starts watering and the makeup runs. Plus its pretty bleak down that stretch of the Southbank, not much to see, apart from well, I suppose there’s the houses of parliament.

Should of taken the bus, or at least worn a hat. Finally make it to Battersea Power Station, well a car park or the like next to it, glam or what. The event is London Freeze Snow and music festival, they’d built a huge ramp snow for jumping and a round of the FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air contest was being held, so some top freestyle boarding to watch and there where several bands on too, mostly ones I’d never heard of though. Thought it would be different, fun and a bit of an adventure in Helena mode. But I wasn’t feeling it when I got there, bit grumpy in fact, cold, windswept and tired, and the venue didn’t exactly look very appealing either. After a little queue we’re in, find a stall selling hats, buy a beanie to cover up my messy hair and another stall selling nice chips to warm me up, start to feel better.

Whoa that’s a big ramp, twinge of vertigo just looking up at it, windy to. Arrive as the 2nd heat of the Big Air is running, barge my way in a bit closer (advantage of being a big girl) and take a few snaps.

Some impressive moves, minimum level seemed to be a Cab 9 (i.e. approaching the jump going backwards then doing 3 complete rotations and then landing backwards), I can’t even do that on a play station, then people where going further, doing 10’s, 12’s and double flips! Whoa! Scary stuff. Tried to get pictures, had big camera with me, problem was the camera’s autofocus wasn’t quite up to the job, the riders where moving very fast and where usually only in the air for a few seconds. Other problem was the lense, my longest is a 70mm and I really could of done with 200+ . Also me being crap didn’t help, actually that was the biggest problem. Had to crop the pictures quite a bit and even then they are postage stamps.

After that off to the big top to catch my first band of the day next, Stereo Decade? Not bad, not bad, good lighting. Manoeuvred myself to the front, and got some pics.

Not sure If I’d buy the CD though. Loud though, haven’t had a bass line reverberate off my rib cage for a while

Bit of a gap before the final of the Big Air, tramp around the site a bit, apart from the a few stalls selling snowboard stuff, promoting holidays or video games, its mostly beer tents and fast food places, not really that much to see. Wet to, temperature is probably around 10-15 degrees, and that big slope has snow on it, which melts at this temperature, and the melt water has to go somewhere. So some large dirty puddles are forming around the place. This is when I realised I shouldn’t of worn suede boots, they where soaking up the water and being stained, possibly permanently. Oops.

Toilets, always an issue in Helena mode, good news the site was actually well supplied with them and they where unisex. Bad news was they where pretty rank portaloos, but as needs must.

Started on the beer now, I don’t think there was any wine on the entire site, it was beer, cider or Jagermiester, well, when in Rome All the girls there (and there where quite a few there) where necking beer from bottles anyway.

Back to the ramp for the final, big crowd and its hard work trying to get a position to take pics. Same photo problems as before, plus the light had started to go, had to resort to flash for the last few pics.

Riding at an even higher standard with many 10’s and 12’s being done. They where really pushing it, landings weren’t always clean, some where quite rough and painful looking, but I don’t think anyone needed treatment. One near fatality though, one guy got the angle wrong and nearly jumped off the ramp, the fall out would of probably killed him, but he managed to land on the side of the slope in the middle of a platform being used for the TV people, Yikes. TV, yes, might be some of that they said it would be shown on Channel 4 on Sunday 2nd, at 7:55 am, yeah am, oh well. Might be able to watch it online afterwards that at channel4 dot com though The camera’s did pan around the crowd a few times, you never know, yours truly might get on TV lucky no one will be watching at that time then.

Useless with names didn’t catch the winners, but they deserved it, in fact the prizes of LG (the sponsor) mobile phones seemed a bit weak in fact for all they had gone through.

Quick dash over to the main tent, dodging a few puddles on the way gets me there, at the front for Trouble Andrew. Yeah I’ve never heard of them either, but they weren’t bad either, rawkus skate rock with a bit of Rap/Hip Hopity stuff (down with da kids me) thrown in. Lights are good to and the guitar player is a bit of a poser so the pics work quite well.

Working may around to the front is the best I can do, but there’s a barrier and gap in front of the stage with some serious looking security people and a camera man there, they get in the way a bit. The pro photogs with passes can get in that bit though and also get up to the side of the stage, how do you get one of those passes?

Had a bit of a pounding from the speakers by now, getting tired and hungry, after the band stop for Falafel. Food is quite good (or is it just because I’m very hungry), actually the standard of catering around the place isn’t bad, a step up from the rank burger/hotdog stalls you tend to get. Not cheap though, must of blown 20 quid on food and drink at the event.

Catch the tail end of another band at the Relentless Blizzard Bar. The Relentless energy drink people are one of the event sponsors, and they’ve put up a temporary building (not a tent) with a fairly funky bar in it and have another little stage down the other end of the site. Bar is crowded, but the stage outside is accessible and once again big bird manages to manoeuvre her way to the front.

Catch half of Twin Atlantic’s set, another one I hadn’t heard of, but again, a pleasant surprise, a rock three piece with lots of hair who could jump around like loons in the fast numbers. They have a Cello too

Liked them. After the set grab another beer and a cookie (I needed chocolate), go back to the Relentless bar stage for another band. I’m getting good at this getting to the front lark The hyper commentator of the Big Air had mentioned the band as one to go and see during a lull in the comp whilst they smoothed out the bumps in the landing (with ski’s, hey a real use for them), he described them a mad 80’s hair metal band, so thought that sounded like fun.

The band was Jet Black, not heard of them before as well (do you get the idea I don’t really keep up with the music scene these days) and they RAWWKKED!!!!! Lots of fun, tons of energy, very loud and they had the look, especially one of the guitarists, bit of a rock god, I almost fancied him Less hair metal, more a bit of Iron Maiden to the sound me thinks, maybe some Judas Priest as well, but all good stuff, bit of throw back to my teens going on here

In between taking pics my hand could often be found in the air making devil signs and was that a little head banging going on and I wasn’t the only one in the crowd doing it either Best band of the night if you ask me.

Bit of a lull before the next band, take more pictures, watch the airbag compo (amateur riders using the bottom of the slope to pull tricks of a kicker and land on an airbag) and have another beer and a shot of jagermiester (to warm me through, honest).

Work my way though the main tent as one band is finishing, didn’t catch their name, not great, it’s getting busy now. Final act of the night is the headliner, Cypress Hill. Have actually heard of them before but can’t actually recall any of their tracks, they’ve been around a while haven’t they? There’s quite a wait till they start, at the front now, but it’s a crush. The wait is rather too long, so long the security people hand out water to people in the front (don’t get any) but they get going 9:30 ish Crowd goes wild and I’m pushed around a bit as people jump around and barge to the front, it’s a bit of a mosh pit really.

Got a few shots but start to fear for the camera, and I have to say the music isn’t working for me either, after a couple of numbers I want to leave and have to almost push and fight may way out, it’s hard going but get out eventually, in one piece with camera intact. Let the young people jump around and decide to call it a night, best try to dodge the rush for public transport afterwards anyway. Ears are ringing.

Interesting day, bit of an adventure, and some good sights and sounds. Acceptance wise, I think someone might of said “Sorry Mate” when he pushed past and another guy might of shrugged to his mates “Well it takes all sorts” (which I agree with really) but apart from that (OK a few looks) no one seemed to mind. It was a young and pretty alternative crowd which are often OK with T* but then it might be down to the fact I just looked like a guy in lots of eyeliner.

Walk towards Battersea station, get asked by for directions by Count Dracula (Halloween party or just did he like dressing that way :)), pass Dogs home.

When I get to the station realised its probably the wrong one, it only goes back to Victoria, and the Victoria line from there to home is down for the weekend, so get bus back to Waterloo instead. Turns out to be a bit of a trek, bus, walk, two tubes and I’m at Mornington Crescent. Which isn’t right, as I was planning to go to Kings Cross but forgot the Northern line doesn’t turn right at Euston from this direction does it, oops.

Pretty late by now, nearly 11 I think, but one last stop for the night. That club I went to in Kings Cross Papillion was on again, not sure I wanted to go again as it was rather quiet last time, but had been in touch with Laura Handbag and she said her and her band mates (The Treacles) might be turning up, so I though I would go and say Hi. Text Laura and walk towards Kings Cross. By the time I’m at the club I haven’t got a reply, decide to risk it anyway, could do with the use of the ladies, and another drink. Clean up and then go down to the club. Its pretty empty much like before, but then I spot Laura’s friend Chrissie, and then Laura and some others I know, so decide to stay, have a glass and chat (but not dance, but then again nobody else does). Everyone else is a quite a bit more dressed up in comparison, fell a bit of a minger and shy away from camera’s. But everyone else lets me take their pictures

Hi to Tara, Laura, Chrisse, Jenny, Christina and Philippa and nice to meet you Sally, Kaitlynn, Denise and Julianne.

Laura shows me how catch the lasers in shot, wide aperture, slow shutter and flash at -1 stop. Get a good pic of her in the lights

Club clears out later, find everyone had gone upstairs to the busy gay bar, there’s a comedy turn on, Butch and Topping, only catch the tail end of the act, but its rather fun, must catch the full act some time.

Gone midnight by now, had enough, say my good byes and wander home. Get chips, still hungry, shouldn’t of been.

Sunday, 372 pictures in the camera! Takes a while to sort them all out.

Monday, back to work, walked to the station as usual, realised I’d left my Oyster and Cash Cards in Helena’s purse, only had 2 quid on me in shrapnel, turn around and walk home Maybee I should considate on a single wallet purse thingy for both of us, one body, one mind, one wallet and just have two gender presentations, would simplfy things a little.

Been an interesting mostly snow led week. Next weekend is Halloween and so er I’m doing snow stuff again, in a moment of madness have booked myself on a beginners freestyle (hey Big Air here I come) course at MK snow dome. If I’m still alive afterwards I’ll bore you all rigid with the minutiae next week.

As I said before, on a bit of a downer last Sunday and got up late, outfit planned required the boots I didn’t find on Saturday so rethink, toy briefly continuing the black and bright colour theme with that orange top and some orange tights, but came to my senses and just sort of threw together a Sunday afternoon slobby casual look, brown polo, green jacket, longer denim skirt, opaque’s and those new Uggs. Should be comfortable, natural and non attention seeking. Try my best minimal makeup job, it’s a bit rough, but am out by 11. Forgo usual photo shoot, couldn’t be arsed, take snap in the hallway instead.

Still sunny out, walking through the park to the station spot a photographer, she’s got an assistant /friend to hold a black cut out on fine threads in the shot, to sort of make it look likes there’s a hole in the world. Cute practical effect, Art student? Think she’s using a film camera (you can still get them?) if you where doing digital you would just do it in photoshop Actually I see a few photographers around and about today, decide to take their pictures.

Still on the market thing, I decide to head to Brick Lane, don’t think I’ve ever been to the Sunday market their, so its worth a tube ride, virtually the same route as last night, hrnnm, get off the train a bit earlier. Cappuccino to go at Liverpool street and we are set, head east.

Hey there’s Petticoat lane Market, forgot about that, head in for a nosy.

Very busy, more you trad east London market, not arty, trendy or crafty, the stalls had mostly cheap clothing with some fruit and veg and other bits and pieces. Varied mix of people, seem to be going with the flow, couple of people speak to me, but not comments on my status, one guy, in a mix of languages I think tried to ask me what the Gerkin building was called, another, woman tapped me on the shoulder and pointed out my bag was open. Thanks luv, you have to be careful with that sort of thing, tea leaves and all that. But actually it was me that opened it, to get the camera out, it was a multi compartment bag, the open bit just had my travel makeup and hairbrush in it, not worth nicking.

Few clothes and bags warrant a 2nd glance, but nah. I nice walk through a busy market on a sunny day with noone being negative towards be should of cheered me up, well it did a bit, but I still was on a bit of a downer and was mostly a misery guts all day.

Don’t stay too long, could of spent a bit more time exploring the shops and stalls, but well, I did want to get to Brick Lane. Plus it was lunchtime.

Follow the side streets to Brick lane, to the Bangla town section, not much of a market going on here, but there’s the pleasant aroma of curry (for those that don’t know the southern end of Brick lane is London’s Curry mile), hungry now, head up the street. Nearer the central Truman Brewery bit see as sign to an indoor Sunday Market “Upmarket”, have a peek.

Ohh interesting food stalls Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Ethiopian, all sorts, right lunch here then, but what to eat, what to eat, all looks good. Settle on an interesting looking Ethiopian veggie thing, didn’t catch its exat nameits name, It’s a mix of 3 different veggie dishes in a sort of rolled crescent shaped crêpe with crunchy salad and some sauces. Sauce is spicy hot, and the crêpe is so soft you can cut it with a spoon, and it’s all rather good, enjoy it thoroughly, should be healthy too. Thank the slightly bemused women on the stall for a good meal. You (well I) don’t really associate Ethiopia with cuisine, the Live Aid images come to mind instead, but I do actually often pass 3 or 4 Ethiopian restaurants on Cally road (another cluster) on the way to work, perhaps I should be more adventurous with my food?

Follow it up with a Japanese Onigiri rice patty thingy and wander around the stalls. Far artier, mixture of vintage clothing, young designers, jewellery, art work etc Nothing nobody needs, but still some cute stuff.

Leave though the other side of the building and loop around to the Truman brewery bit, deeply trendy here, starting to feel slightly under dressed, most people are casual, but not slobby like me, far more fashionable and mostly young too and no one is wearing Uggs, they are so last year.

Find some Rough Trade, the record shop, not , well you know. I’d heard they had moved here, pop in for a look around. Its bigger than I expected, like a small warehouse, and has its own coffee bar and trendy staff. Find a copy of Helena Loves Radio Hits vol 2 on CD, woot, buy.

Interesting shop, though feel its sort of not quite as cool as it thinks it is, feels a bit forced, like an example of a Borders books chain in a way. Still if you are looking for some slightly obscure/alternative vinyl or CD, worth a look.

Cross the street, oh another market, similar sort of thing really, designers, tee shirts, vintage clothes, artwork etc. Start to notice some interesting graffiti around the place, start snapping it. Personally I think good artistic graffiti and murals improve the environment, taggers scrawled signatures do not, probably have mentioned this before.

Carry on up brick lane, crowds starting to build, people are setting up little pitches on the side of the road, put down a blanket and sell you old stuff, looks like a few cash strapped students are selling old shoes and clothes and other stuff.

Spot a photog, she looks quite pro, doing some street life/character photography strobist style, got a Canon SLR with a pocket wizard triggering a strobe in a softbox, held by her assistant. Take thier pics, but nlow the highlights, pity was a nice shot. Pro is photographing a pretty qirl with a pet ferret sitting on a scooter. A guy notices me photographing them and comments (about the photography).

Futher up the street and there’s more of the road side blanket pitches as well as bigger stalls, selling all sorts of brick’a’brack, spilling out into the side streets.

Explore the stalls and side streets, vintage clothing shops and little designer places, trying to catch interesting bits of graffiti, architecture and light on the way.

Hey a board shop, but they just have Burton stuff, don’t they know how uncool that is Find interesting street little Redchurch Steet I think, narrow, industrial and urban, some good graffiti, but also couple of galleries and various nu media offices, looks like it’s been take over by the Hoxton set looking to bolster their edgy urban credentials. One gallery is open, have a quick shuftie, and its er umm, artist’s installations trying to link religion and pop culture, but some pieces just come across as him trying too hard to be controversial

Find nice spot for the I’m really outside photo. Comes out better than most IMHO.

More wandering back and forth and I’d looped back around to the Truman Brewery again. Thirsty now, spot bar that looks OK, Big Chill Bar, bloke on sat on tables outside says “’Ello Darlin’” as I pass, dunno what he ment by that. Inside, bar has the necessary squashy sofas and chairs and some pleasant ambientish music on, decide to stop, get glass of wine and read another chapter of me book. Get into the chill out mood, and get a 2nd glass and some crackers and read another one. Quite relaxed now, though not as much as I should be, the days has been OK so far, yeah looks and mutterings but nothing harsh, so what’s up?

That’s enough for Brick Lane, nice for a Sunday lunchtimes wander, interesting things to look at and lots of beautiful people swanning around (and more arriving by the minute, its getting packed), Brick Lane is the new Camden?

Back towards home then, is anything on at Spitafields? was half empty last time I went, but its on the way. Oh there is, quite a lot. Mostly similar sorts of stuff, young designers, jewellery at the like, but also a few cakes stalls, me like cake, me have cake

There’s also a little photographic exhibition going on, hrmmm, was surprised to see heavily post processed images amongst them, though that sort of thing was frowned upon. Someone has a booth set up and is taking pics, I think they where for an exhibit of 100 faces of Londoners or something like that. Uncharacteristically I turn down an offer of my being photo taken (they are asking everybody passing by, I wasn’t singled out), but I do get a snap of them at work.

Spot another T-girl in Spitalfields, young, pretty, jeans and tesshirt, accomplying a GG, heavy dragy makeup but still more pasable than me. She doesn’t really notice me.

There’s a few more restaurants opened on the upper level (more than was here last time), but I don’t go up there to eat, just want to get a better view. Oh and do find a spot for another photo of me. When it’s my own camera I can always fix or just delete bad pictures, necessary as, to be honest I’m, not looking great at the moment.

About time to head home, couple more snaps and find a bus.

Bus takes same route as taxi driver from the Way Out did last night, not important, but hey. It doesn’t go all the way home, so get out at Highbury corner, grabbing something healthy and light for tea from Tesco’s.

Was bout to head home, but its not that late yet, and the book was getting good, go to find another bar to read another chapter (bars are nicer than my flat, so I read in them). The Library (actually a bar) was shut, curious, so end up in the Hope and Anchor because well its was nearby and didn’t look busy. It’s quite a famous small music venue, esp for up and coming punk, indie, rock etc acts for many many years, the Stranglers even recorded a live album there (as I;ve just found out). But it was Sunday afternoon and there wasn’t any bands on, I just wanted a quite glass of wine in the corner with my book anyway. Barmaid is young and very smiley, rest of the customers don’t seem to mind, guess they are used to oddly dressed people, as the place is often full of musicians

Head home, just as I get in the girl (don’t know her well and have only really exchanged pleasantries before) in the ground floor flat (I share a hallway with 2 other flats) pops out and asks me a few questions… about Internet connection in the buildings, the fact I was dressed in a skirt wasn’t mentioned and didn’t seem to be an issue, she’s seen me since in Ian mode, nothing was been said, guess that’s somebody who knows about my 2 sides and accepts?

Home, feet up eat my healthy light meal. Which isn’t enough, pop out for chips later.

The day shifted the malaise a bit, but still not all gone. Next week is on call and even Saturday might be a trip to the snowdome instead of a girly day, got that new board you see, might not dress. But not being Helena for a couple of weeks usually has an effect of increasing Tranny power, so might get the levels back up to normal, oh and you have to see this outfit I got last night…

Whole weekend free, woot, so what to do, spend it as Helena that’s what. But do what as Helena, hrrmm tour of the markets I think, weathers nice.

Been spending money on my snowboard, new bindings this week (well the old ones never fitted 100% and they where, well,… old ), damm the boy is getting money spent on him, is that allowed? anyway Helena shopping has to be scaled back a bit cause of this, but I really did want some tan knee high boots with a low heel that didn’t hurt walking around.

Dress in red and black, been seeing red tights around and about a bit recently (October does seem to be the beginning of the tights season), mostly on store mannequins, but on the odd GG as well, so on with them, match with a red top, proper leather jacket and comfy boots, and big floaty black skirt. Quite bold perhaps, but I’m off to Camden, so its OK.

Decide to walk to Holloway and get the bus from their. Sun is out, very pleasant, it’s nice to swish along in a big floaty skirt, should wear them more often. Stopped on the way in Showgirls on Hollaway road, they are a supplier of high-end designer rubber fetish wear, still toying with the idea of getting some, a lot of nice stuff, usual problems with the cleavage though (they are designed to show off what I haven’t go) on a lot of it. Saw nice little biker and cheongsam dresses that could work though and there’s always a catsuit as well, but think I would need one made to measure to fit my abnormal frame. Oh and I did say it was high-end didn’t, prices are er a bit steep so don’t buy, will keep thinking about it.

Quick tour of the cheepie shoe places around Holloway doesn’t locate any tan knee boots, but does net a pair of cheepo tan Ugg alikes. Already have some pale ones, but think tan goes better with denim etc, they are a bit naff really, and think they are a bit out at the moment, but they’re useful for slobbing around in. Grab some nail varnish drying spray in Boots, girl on the counter is curious about it and enquires how effective it is, not bad, but its not quite as good as it says on the tin I reply. Little real world girlie exchanges like that are one of the nice aspects about going out.

Bus to Camden and its lunch time, so stop at what is becoming a regular haunt, GU, for a falafel burger, chips and a glass of wine. The place is pretty empty, girl serving (nice eye makeup BTW) is polite and efficient enough, but dunno, seems a little apprehensive . Settle in to a sofa in the corner with my food wine and latest book. The books T Peter F. Hamilton’s Temporal Void, sequal to The Dreaming Void, huge doorstop of a space opera, but since I liked the first one though it would be worth it. Been a while since I read the first part though and picking up on all the characters and plot threads again is a bit tricky, should of reread the first one.

Find a little photo opportunity on the way to the markets, little camera comes out. All the low but bright sunshine and blue skies prove irresistible and the little camera came out a lot that day.

Tour the markets and boot shops, inquire about the tan version of my Jenna boots in the specialist Doc Martens shop. They tell me those boots don’t come in 43, they only made black ones that size, do you want them? No I reply, I have a pair, pointing at the ones on my feet. Dam, I like those boots and a tan pair would of worked a treat. None of the other shops seem to have anything that would suit in my size Pick up a couple of other bits, grey legwarmers and an orange polo neck (well I was on this bright colour theme) but not much. Stuff does tempt though, thinking about the next wild outfit, if it ain’t rub ber, it might be pinstripe, or perhaps Gothic Lolita again or or or, too much choice isn’t there. But that’s half the fun.

Still taking pics, that blue sky is irresistible, meter on it and leave the buildings dark.

Also plenty of neon and gold, all gets snapped.

And mirrors and reflections

That one of the back of a mannequin really works IMHO.

New bit of the market is still going up, looks a bit high rise and out of character, they’ve done OK with the redevelopment so far to maintain the character, but will have to wait and see.

Find myself in the Proud Gallery again, well I like it there, with a glass (another, but I’ve switch to drinking 175ml glasses, for health and stability reasons) of wine going though the pictures.

Hear music, wait a minute, those drums sound live, not a CD, check next room, hey there’s a band on, result.

Not bad little rock combo, set is quite short though, had to ask there name afterwards, find they called themselves the Wildbunch or something like that. Always good to find a band on just by accident.

So what next, well, the boot hunt is mostly a bust, so feel I have to reward myself with something else Spotted a Princes Leia Slave girl costume during the week in Forbidden Planet (you know, THAT outfit from Return of the Jedi) in Forbidden planet. Ummed and erred about buying it, well its pretty much at the limit of what I could wear and I’m certainly not going to be filling the bikini top up very well, so ended up not getting it then. But now, what the hell, didn’t get the boots and the nerdself wants, I’m going to get it, go looking for a bus to Covent Garden.

Interesting looking new shop grabs my attention on the way, apparently unlabelled.

Turns out to be All Saints, another one of the far too cool places I can’t afford, nice shop fit though. One of the shop assistants is wearing an interesting sparkly dress, spot them on a rack near the checkout. It’s a possible, bit expensive though and it’s not a must have, but that assistant spots me looking at it. “Can I help you” she says “This is your dress isn’t it” I reply, “Yes it is, do you want to try one on?” she replies with a smile (that could be interpreted in another way :)) “No its OK, it looks better on you anyway” I wimp out with, “Thank you” she smiles again and goes to find another customer. Another one of those fun little exchanges with nice people.

As usual reaction wise was mostly Camden was unbothered with me, looks of course and a teenage girl exclaimed to her friends “OMG that’s a man”, that’s about it. Find bus to West End.

Forbidden Planet hasn’t got any more of the costumes I ask and they check the stock room, no all sold out. Damm, there was a rack of them on Thursday. This particular nerd uber fantasy is a popular one. Still want one of these costumes, even if I can barely wear it, might have to resort to mail order.

So not a great shopping trip, wander around Covent garden a bit, missed that Diesel 30th promotion on Friday didn’t I. Diesel, All Saints, Miss 60, Cop-Copine, all violently trendy, achingly cool urban casual wear I would buy if I wasn’t so tight fisted.

M&S for the 2 meals for £10, not a great veggie side selection this time, get some red cabbage. Bus home.

That would normally be it for Helena time, but there’s Alternative Miss London on the Way Out on Saturday night, worth a trip methinks, for photo’s at least.

Eat that red cabbage with a tin of tuna mixed in, it’s in a sort of fruity sauce, the combination is er interesting, I’m calling it “Fusion” and er it probably won’t be repeated.

Change, swap the red for purple and the black, for well, less black. It’s a theme you see.

Looking back I do look cheep and rough (especially the face) , but I was going to the Way Out so it should have been OK, but I did actually have to get there. Boobs went up a size or 3, lips got gloss, off shoulder top came from the Watford Market for a fiver, Primark purple tights to match with heeled black boots and chunky accessories. Skirt, tried new black leatherish one from Peacocks, again got mid week, it’s a 12 and its rather big, guess its meant to sit on the hips, but even then its fairly loose fitting, moment of madness, change to another leatherish skirt, from H&M . Its also a 12, but the waist is at least 2″ smaller (sizing, go figure), so it sits on the waist (and padded bum) tightly, breath in. That makes it very short, too short? Again I counter with the fact that it is impossible for a skirt to be too short at the Way Out club.

Get out big camera ready with all the bits , big lens and flash to go out, well it’s a photo mission, but gawd its big and heavy like that, need a 2nd bag to carry it. Decide against, want to have a bit of a dance etc, so fit dinky 50mm lens instead and put the flash away, I’ll use the popup.

Put the leather jacket on and head out into the night, its 10 by now. Actually the jacket and skirt really work, I roll up the purple so it’s all leather on show. I like that look, but tarty as he ll, not an outfit to blend in with, purple tights tone it down a little perhaps, but actually I was a bit nervous about the Saturday night crowds, lads after a few beers etc spotting me, but then again I was OK in the school girl outfit a couple of weeks ago wasn’t I, so it should be all right, think the worst bit will be the walk to my tube station.

But apart from a passing car bipping their horn it went OK, even passed several groups of lads. Keep having to pull that skirt down though. Change line at Kings Cross, as usual not even a 2nd glance, and we are on the tube to Aldgate, not Aldgate East this time.

So far so good, quick dash to the club and we are there, and it’s quiet around here. But the entrance to the station is quite well lit and a lad spots me, I don’t get a good look at him, wasn’t looking up, but think he’s in a tracksuit and has beer can in his hand.

“Blantant Geezer” he shouts, then chants “Geezer Geezer Geezer” over and over again, I look away and head towards the road crossing, he’s following, still chanting. Shi t. GG by a bus stop notices the commotion and looks at me and asks “Are you a man or a woman?” I do not reply, keep walking, trying to maintain my composure and1000 yard stare into the distance. After my lack of response, the girl by the bus stop joins in the with “Geezer” chant

Get across the road, and head down Minorities they don’t follow, thank goodness. That wasn’t fun, I’m a bit shaken. loads of trannies come though this area every Saturday night, do they all get that sort of treatment, or was I just unluckly? or perhaps I’m just the most obvious and stupid looking Serves me right for getting over confident I guess.

This bit of verbal from a pissed up yob unnerves me more than usual, still not feeling that good about it now. Don’t go straight to the club, stop at a little shop nearby first for some chocolate, for my nerves. Get a WTF from some Binmen who I pass by on the way, which doesn’t help.

Club, here early enough for the discount and free drink, after the last time I had it, I planned not to have the free “Cocktail” as its orange squash with a drop of vodka in it, but needed the drink. Sink that and get a glass of wine to chase it.

Club is quiet to start but it fills up quite a bit, I’ve heard the Alternative Miss World night is quite popular. But they do keep announcing for people to sign up for it, Oh, thought they would have to be turning people away? Dance floor is pretty empty, so stand around like a lemon for a bit, but a few old ravy tunes comes on, a few more get out on the floor, so I go an make a fool of myself under the strobes for a few tracks. They had made a little catwalk in the middle of dance floor, and that might have been putting people off, though later on in the night a few of the younger/prettier/more confident (more attention seeking, meow) got up on it and danced.

As usual I don’t get chatty, socially limited and all that, but one T-girl does say hi and mentions the catwalk gets in the way of dancing She also says she is 71 (doesn’t look a day over 55) and takes an E before she goes out clubbing, wow. Well there’s some hope, I cam still tart me self and go clubbing for a few years yet. But it will be as one of the aging trannies dancing around in the corner on their own. Wait a minute, that’s me already. Another person comes up to me and ask’s of I;m He;ena Love, they know me from Flickr and am are a friend of Rachel Fox, um er yes I am, I reply, not very socialbly, they are not dressed (not enough time they say), but I sort of go all dear in headlights amd shy and they leave me alone. Must of come across as a right prat.

Before the show comes on I try to manoeuvre myself to a place where I can get good photos and take a few test shots.

As I stand around waiting I’m jostled, well more pushed even, you get normally get people bumping into you a bit without apologising here, it can be that sort of place, girls and boys being “fierce” or “manly” far to much testosterone about if you ask me, but this was rather more than a little bump, managed to stay on my feet and hang on to my camera fortunately. Look around to see what’s up, 2 girls are fighting! I just got in the way, there’s a wig on the floor and slingbacks are being scattered. They are on the ground pulling hair before security gets there to prisel them apart and eject them from the building. Well that’s a first, for me, fight at a tranny club, sigh, though the fierce/bitchy thing was just a sort of drag queen affectation, part of the character and not that serious, guess sometimes it isn’t, you live and learn. Never found out what the fight was about. I had the camera there but felt it wasn’t the sort of thing I should be photographing.

By the time for the contest I’d been out manoeuvred, the pro photogs covering the event for he club had the best spot at the end of the catwalk, I’m at the side, behind a bloke. Fortunately he’s shortish and I’m tall and in heels. But the position and the zoom on the lens means I’m not going to get many full length shots, concentrate of faces I think this time. F2.2 1/60’s with the flash on TTL and -1 stop power seems to work.

Contest starts, there’s about a dozen contestants, who I’ll divide into 3 groups, the almost perfect, surgically enhanced south east Asian TS princesses who could win a GG contest, that’s about half of the contestants, the slightly older but well turned out European girls who made an good effort with the outfits (recognise Tanya from the Magic Theatre) and the er brave ones. There was about 3 of them, not sure they knew what they where letting themselves in for. They looked a bit embarrassed by the end of it.

Sorry girls, but check out the competition before hand. I guess this is why they had so few entrants (web site said they would take up to 20), most of us simply do not stand a chance and we know it. I think if you can’t play the perfect league, just go on attitude and imagination, wear something outrageous and creative, strut down the catwalk like you own it and flirt for all your worth. Wisdom and age can’t compete with youth and plastic surgery in a straight (ish) beauty contest but you can put on a show for the crowd and have fun, plus there’s always the best costume prize mopping down the catwalk embarrassed, no. Evil thoughts formed about next years contest, but contact with reality soon suppressed them.

Anyway, here are the photo’s, some are NSFW.

The girls had to do two outfits, one sophisticated and one sexy, a few of the sexy ones where, as you can see, eye popping.

The winner was pretty obvious, she, Vanessa I think, as usual, names defeat me, won all 3 categories, most sophisticated, most sexy and best costume! But they did a recount an awarded another girl joint first prize in the sophisticated category with Vanessa. Though I have to say a couple of the other girls had, IMHO, more “presence” on the catwalk and where almost as perfect, I would of given the prize to them

Not sure what Vanessa is going to make of the prize of vouchers for Doreen Fashions for the sexy category…

After the show I had one last drink and dance and headed home, must have been about 2 thirty. Admirer tries to engage just before I leave, normally I don’t get bothered by them, but it’s later than usual for me, guess he’d realised he wasn’t going to get far with the really pretty girls (ahem unless, for some of them, he paid for it), had had a few beers and so was trying it on with one of the ropy old tarts. Blank him, I’m not in mood to even put him down.

Was in a bit of a mood, the incident on the way there, the fight, how I compared to the top girls in the contest (or even just the usual pretty young things in the club) and I was just a sad old tranny dancing alone in a corner Bit of a downer really, all sorts of why do I bother thoughts going through my head.

Taxi home, all the way, thought about stopping the cab early so I could go for chips, chicken shops at Highbury corner where still open, but no, not confident enough, home. Upload the pics into the PC and have a cup tea, getting to bed 4ish.

Sunday up around 9, was still on a bit of a downer, but what the hell, back in the saddle.
To be continued….

(But it’s not very exciting)

Going a bit stir crazy at work and this cold weather has led a (not so) young woman/man/person/martian’s thoughts turn to snow and mountains again. So took Friday off work (first day off in 3 months) and carted my plank up to the Milton Keynes snowdome. En homme I’m afraid, go boarding in Helena mode? Not really worth it I think, a face plant would remove half my slap. Let the boy have some fun for a change.

Didn’t actually need my stick, had been looking a new boards and took a couple for test ride. First test was a Bataleon Goliath, been hankering after one of these, all the reports had been favourable, the instructors where riding Battalions on my last trip to Andorra and last years version had “Rad” (and “Narley”, dude ) Clockwork Orange style graphics. But this years version didn’t, in fact it looks a bit Meh if you ask me, white with sort of blue/yellow/black triangles and squareson it. After a shaky start, it seemed to ride very well, smooth and fast, turning was almost effortless, if you can link turns you could ride one of these. Ride one of these forwards though, switch on the other hand, hrrmm, didn’t feel good, fell a couple of times including a comedy edge catch, though these triple base boards where supposed to prevent that. Also running straight and just skating around didn’t feel that good. Relegated it to a maybe.

While I was testing the Goliath, the shop by the snowdome, TSA, had just had a delivery of another a demo board I’d been recommend, a Ride Prophet, in a nice red colour (snowboards are usually covered in snow while they are in use, so the colour and graphics don’t really matter, you can’t see them, but still…..). On the hill this didn’t feel quite as easy as the Goliath for normal riding, but it was marginal difference, still a smooth, fast, easy turning ride, and I had a suspicion given enough room (i.e. on a real mountain) where you could get some speed, it would work better. But switch, air, straight running and skating, around all felt just as good, it didn’t seem to mind which way it was pointed, it just went. Dunno perhaps it was cause I was warmed up or just liked the colour better or what, but I felt more confident on the Prophet, didn’t fall over either. Took it back to the shop and bought a spanking new one. Think I need some new bindings to go with now, I mean, you have to colour coordinate (Plus my current ones are a bit heavy and dig into my boots a bit)

Back home, tired, do laundry and house work before crashing out. Had a couple of possibles for nights out on Friday but was simply too tired, sorry Louise.

Saturday, back to the plot, the tranny bit, sorry this blog is turning into a photo and snowboard blog at times. Still I don’t want to be totally one dimensional, being TG is part of me, but not all of me. Up and dressed quite early, face still a bit yuk, heal dam you heal. As usual change mind about outfit, planned leather mini skirt was just to much (or to be more exact, too little) for daylight, plan for the day was to meet Jesscia Hart for lunch and then vist the London Fetish weekend XPO in the Barbican for some a lite shopping, thought I could get away with it for just that. But as I was up and changed early might as well go into town, but just couldn’t bring myself to do it in the leather skirt. Changed it for a more casual denim mini (still a bit too short) and altered boots and jacket to go with.

Chilly and windy out, add a hat, scarf and gloves to the outfit. Felt like summer last week, really autumn now Victoria line down for engineering, So do the 10 minute walk to the bus stop that will get me to Marble Arch. Van sidles up to me from behind as I walk along the pavement, passenger says something along the lines of “Looking good”, but then they pass me and get the passenger gets a good look at my face, he says something else and they drive off fast, must of gave them a shock, serves em right for leering at blondes in mini skirts.

Bus to Marble Arch seems to take forever, not helped by a guy with an over loud iPod and poor taste in music. Its 11 something before I get to the West End, so don’t have long. M&S, New Look, Barrats, Dotty P, Primark, Selfridges all dashed around. Blonde GG in Selfridges is rocking a tiny little leather mini, works on her, but she’s young, gorgeous and confident, totally unlike me. A lot of shops, but nothing demands to be bought, some purple satin jeans where a nearly and found some grey boots in Primark I could just get into, could of been, but realised if they where only just in the store, they would be agony after walking half an hour. Nice window display in Selfridges.

Apart from a couple of funny looks, no one seems to mind me, but that’s normal for the West End, even in a mini skirt, keep having to pull it down though.

Time was getting on, jump on the central line at Bond Street. Station I wanted, St Pauls was closed, for more engineering, so change at Bank, up to Moorgate, and the tube lines to Barbican is also closed, again for engineering work. Not having much luck with tubes today, should of checked them before I went out.

Have to hoof it to the Barbican tube station where I’d arranged to meet the always elegant Miss Hart, arrive a few minutes late, sorry again Jessica. Its very much lunchtime now so we wonder off towards Smithfield’s looking for somewhere to eat. Bar/Resturant called “Tart” sounds perfect (for my skirt) but its shut, in fact it is all a bit quiet, we walk on to Smiths of Smithfield, where we went in April that’s not shut, it’s not quiet either, very busy, we have to prop up the bar for 10 minutes before a table is free in the downstairs café bit.

Nice food and nice chat, Jess, how do you manage it all, club night before, out dinning and shopping on Saturday with a night at the theatre and another club! Service at Smiths is excellent as before, no problems with us at all, like the food too.

Back towards the Barbican, very windy by now and find the Exhibition hall. XPO was London Fetish weekends trade show, though it would make a change from Primark. Not huge but slightly bigger than I expected, mixture of relatively average looking people in a range of ages, the er older gentleman in the rain coat brigade, gothicy alternative types in lots of black, blurlesque girls, fetishy rubberists and a handful of t-girls (Hi Candy). Though most of the people really dressed up in rubber etc looked like they where working stalls and hadn’t just turned up on bus.

Still not in the shopping mood really, a few things I liked the look of though, don’t buy, but Miss Jess, yikes, can that woman shop! She’s getting measured up for a dress within 5 minutes of arriving and ends up with a quite number of quality items.

One reason for me not buying was the lingering thought of having spent all that cash on a plank of wood the day before. Another reason, is although all that rubber stuff looks great on pretty young GG’s with perfect bodies, I have problem imagining it on me, especially as it looks so dead and lifeless on a hanger. Yet another problem, cleavage, as the outfits are often designed to accentuate it, no problem with this on others, looks great (as several girls about the place are demonstrating), but its a problem for me as I don’t have one to accentuate. Tried on an over bust corset, 28″ is the most I can manage, (can’t stick to the diet sigh), girl on the stall was trying to butter me up saying it fitted perfectly and I have a great figure, but the problem was if it wasn’t for my black polo neck under it, all it would display would be a pair of silly looking silicone forms. Did nearly go for some pinstipey stuff from Jed Phoenix , a cropped jacket and mini with a tail, nearly, as I could wear it, even worked out a full outfit and it would me much cooler (temperature wise) than the usual fetishy shinny materials. Glad I didn’t try to buy in the end, found out later I’d left my plastic at home and only had a little cash left on me.

Couple of stall holders referred to us a guys then changed to ladies, think Jess gave them her Paddington hard stare. You would think at a fetish event you would get a little more respect. Chatted to one of the G Girls who ran the Jed pinstripy stall whilst Jess was trying on something, we where talking about reactions and acceptance and stuff and she mentioned she got stares and funny looks from other women in the ladies loo too, well she was tall, slim, shaved head, wore trousers and had an angular face I guess, bit boyish I suppose (but she didn’t pass ;)) , but it shows the toilet problem isn’t just a t-girl one.

After we’d see all we moved to the upstairs area for the fashion show. They had organised a catwalk in the corner, and it was packed, couldn’t really get close enough to see well. But I could walk around the back (in the café bit) to where the models where lining up and get a much better view. Show started and people started taking pics, hey you can take pics here? There where signs all over warning people that only official photographers where allowed to take pictures, I complied, but that rule didn’t seem to apply to the fashion show and as well as a line of pros with big SLR’s people where snapping away with compacts and mobile phones. So I joined them. One thing I do prefer about the T scene over the Fetish scene is the attitude to cameras.

Bad positioning made it difficult to get good shots, most didn’t come out. If I’d know I could take pics I would of camped at the front. Also did a fair bit of post on the pics, to hide the noise and try make the models stand out from the background. Not a bad show, some nice outfits, though there was some rather bizarre ones (masks, spikes, inflatable…) later on, didn’t get pictures of those, for the best really, not pretty.

That was it for XPO, pointed Jess at the direction (hope it was the right direction) of Moorgate tube, and walked back the other way to get a bus home. Lovely to meet you again Jess, cya again sometime.

Walk up on the skywalks into the Barbican itself, it’s hideous really, all the rough, cold, rain stained concrete, brutalist architecture and mazelike layout, but well it has something. Take snaps.

Wind has got up by now, its cold and time is getting on, quick dash around Tesco’s and bus it home.

Finally get around to seeing my new nephew on Sunday. He’s ugly, babies always are. Don’t tell my brother and sister in law I said that.