Managed to deliver the complete first version of the thingy I’ve been working on for ages to my management on Thursday, technically ahead of schedule. Phew. That’s the bunny that’s being keeping me working late the last few weeks. With that out of the way I had Friday off.

But Friday was just to get stuff done, spent the morning doing laundry and tidying stuff up in my bombsite of a flat and the afternoon Christmas Shopping. Yeah I know, if I was a real girl I would have had all my Christmas shopping done by now, but well I guess I’m not. Had to do it in Ian mode to Still it was fun to spoil by nephews Have to say I was a little disappointed by Hamely’s though, bit over priced and still didn’t have everything I wanted.

Right back home and the third task set of the day, working out what to wear for the weekend It was going to be an all girl weekend with a trip to Milton Keynes, a meal out and dance around in Pink Punters, er almost exactly like last year. Managed to get a few things together, sensible and warm (I hoped) jean and sweater outfit for daytime, that little grey dress I got last weeks with a pair of grey boots I got ages ago and a tiny little black off the shoulder dress I go way back in August for the club. Also ended up packing about 27 other bits and pieces just in case, always like to have a backup and well there’s no point not filling the suitcase.

My cold had been going down all week, still had a bit of a sniffle. Problem is blowing your nose tends to remove a fair chunk of the makeup, so Helena time with a cold is always a bit tricky. And then there was the weather, I love snow, you might have guessed, but the most of the South East of England (well the transport system anyway) seems to go into a panic if they see 2 snowflakes. But central London had appeared to have missed most of it, there wasn’t much around and no more was forecasted, so fingers crossed it will all be OK.

Saturday morning. Lie in a bit, then bathe and defuzz, that takes a bit to long (basically cause I just like lying in a hot bath) and get razor bite on my chin so its all a bit of a rush to get dressed, made up and get everything packed.

Leave the flat at 12:36, train was at 13:13, should just be enough time, but well things can happen. I didn’t want to leave it to chance, (and the next train was 14:13) so almost ran to the tub station, towing a big heavy case and in low heeled boots. Handles on wheelie cases are always to short for me, and I end up hitting my feet on the case, its very awkward, but actually running with it seemed easier somehow. Plus it kept me warm, brrrr.

I’m going to invent a wheelie case handle extender, a little aluminium frame that clips on the handle and makes it longer, that will reduce the angle, moving the case further from you and stop your feet hitting the case, maybe if it had an offset in it to, to make the case follow to one side… Hrmmm

Station, right we are still on time, but no arrgg delays on the line. But fortunately there’s a train on the platform as I get there. Tube is packed and its rather warm, but for a change that’s almost welcome. Still have 15-20 minutes when I get to Euston, that should be plenty of time, but I still have to get a ticket and lunch and so I’m still in a bit of a panic. Ticket from the machine, remember its Fenny Stratford this time and a Tuna Baguette and soft drink (over £5 for that!) from the Upper Crust place and down to the platform and the train. Find little section all to myself and flop into the seat, relief. And I still have 10 minutes before the train leaves, doh, all that panicking for nothing.

Train ride is nice, sun is shinning, everything is white and pretty in the snow and the shuffle is playing the right tunes on my Ipod. Train gets into Bletchley on time and remember to use the lift this time. Well half the way, the platform to the little branch line doesn’t have a lift, have to be careful on the steps, it’s still a bit slippery.

Noisy little train chugs over to Fenny Stratford and we are here, almost. As I alight the guard in the train offers to help me with my bag Brrr chilly, lets get to the hotel quickly. Reception are friendly and informal, they have my booking no problem and its at the special offer price of £25, can’t complain at that can I.

So chill for a bit, unpack, get a coffee, take a photo? Nah lets go shopping. (Ok I lied I did take a pic)

I asked if any of the others I knew coming on this little outing wanted to go shopping in the afternoon (especially the ones with cars…) , Louise said she and Sophie were, but they where planning to go early, at 1pm, so I was a bit late for that. But Lou did say she would text and she hadn’t. Hrmm, Well to be honest a big shopping centre (like the MK one) on the last Saturday before Christmas would be heaving with people, no fun really. Decided to just pop to the nearby retail park instead.

Off we trot, car bips me as it passes, for some reason I just turn and wave. It some shaven headed bloke in an old Peugeot, I really don’t think I know him. Why did he bip? Why did I wave? Cross the canal, it’s partially iced up and rather pretty (well I thought it was), take a pic

Er where’s my lens cap? Search my bag, no not there, er er, left it in the hotel? must have, damm. Its only 1 minute down the road, better pop back. As I head back I see a woman on the pavement. She’s wearing strappy heels and thin tights and a longish coat. Heels and thin tights at this time of day, in this weather, she must be trans…. It turned out to be Kay Denise, whom I’ve seen before at these PP soirées. Chat, she’d been up here for a couple of days already, just to get away from it all. We spot Sophie’s car in the car park ad Kay tells me Louise is still en-route, so they haven’t obviously gone shopping.

Back to the room, er, where is it? Ahh there on the window sill, found the lens cap. Right back to shopping, fire off a couple of texts to Sophie and Louise, but I don’t hold up much hope, and times getting on anyway, so back to plan A, nearby retail park.

Get bipped again as I head towards the shops, I turn to look, but then I guess they got what they wanted, someone shouts “It’s a Bloke”. Guess they where trying to get my attention that’s all. I was dressed down, trying not to be noticed, but I was, easily, from a distance. Possibly one reason for that is the lack of other pedestrians about, this is deepest car land. Ignore any futher bips after that. Lowered my mood a bit that.

First shop is a warehouse sized branch of Matalan. Ohh Shoes… can’t find any wide fitting, but I reckon there regular sized ones are quite generous and they look good, I can’t decide If they are shoeboots or gladiators, but what they hell, black studded leatherette with a platform and skyscraper heel, classy The right one fits, just but the left won’t zip up, damm I know my left foot is bigger than the right, but its not usually this bad. But that could be the problem, the left is a 7 not an 8. Scour the shelves for a pair of 8’s, eventually locating them on the top shelf, so high even I needed the little step ladder. The left one does fit, just, comfort is marginal though, but, oh what the hell, I want them and I think they will work with my evening outfit better than the shoes I had with me. Pick up a little packet of gel pads to go with them, think I’ll need them. Pop the pack of gel pads in the shoe for safe keeping.

Right what else, bra, that’s what I need, a black 38b with nice straps (outfit is off the shoulder you see), one I had with me was 36b and 36 is over tight on me these days. Find one that will do, nice double strap too. Right we are on a role That’s a nice skirt, a grey pleated one, but they only have 8, 10 and 16. I’m feeling lucky and pick up the 10. But I better try it on to make sure, off the changing rooms. Ok I’m not that lucky, it’s not no stretch and won’t go over my (admittedly augmented) hips. No skirt today.

Queue up to pay, might of got the odd look from the other customers but the young lad on the checkout is perfectly polite. Realised he forgot to charge me for the gel pads (£3) when I’m 10 metres outside the store, oops.

Check phone, missed 2 texts, oops again. Sophie was ready and waiting in the bar. I tell her I’m at the shops already, sorry Sophie. Next stop Tesco’s, as I need to use the cash machine and get supplies for this evening/breakfast. Tesco’s is heaving, pickup some water, more water (I’m feeling very thirsty, this cold is dehydrating) pastries, juice, crisps and a tiny little bottle of wine. Peruse the clothes in the upstairs bit, that grey leather military style jacket is very cute, but erm, erm, no, not today. Pick up a pair of cheap gloves instead, as I’m bound to loose the ones I have with me.

Takes ages to pay (people are struggling with the self checkout machines) , and time’s been getting on, right just stop. Over the road to Baranto, as well they have shoes, in big sizes, but only have stores in out of the way retail parks, so are rather hard to visit if you don’t have a car. But I’d been lucky with shoes at Matalan, and apart from a pair of silvery sequin courts that where a maybe, they didn’t have anything that caught my eye. Right back to the hotel, greater on the door at Next notices me as I pass and gives me one of those smiles.

It’s almost dark and very cold by the time I’m back at the hotel. Its gone 4, but I have to be ready for dinner by 6:15, preferably earlier if I want a drink. I had to change for dinner and the makeup needed a little work and pictures had to be taken so I couldn’t hang around. Take a snap of my travelling outfit, really just to test the lighting and stuff (Yes super vain herr brought big camera, a tripod, remote and 2 speed lights with here). Room is a touch on the small size, but find an angle and light positions that work OK.

Right out of that lot and into the dinner frock. Also repowder face, New York Apple on the lips and a little glittery Urban Decay “Sin” on the eyes.

Boots are can be pulled up over the knee, but won’t stay there and those are the good Wolford tights, think I’ve ruined them already Skirt’s a bit short too… (yeah even for me) but it will have to do. Perhaps it’s a bit much for dinner, but what the hell Its around 5:45 before I ready, pop a little leather jacket on just in case it gets to cold.

Louise had called me whilst I was getting ready, she, Kay and Sophie where in the bar having a drink. So I was a little surprised when I got there and found no one I recognised. Er where had they gone? There’s another group of girls in the bar, I don’t think they are part of our group, but I guess there’re with the Boudoir. I’d heard the Boudoir dressing service was having its Christmas do at PP tonight and I recognised one of their signature makeup jobs. I asked if they had seen my friends, and they said they had gone back to their rooms to change for dinner? Ahha, so they went for drinks before getting ready, naughty.

I don’t want to sit alone, so I return to my room and try and call/text them. It takes a couple of attempts but get through in the end, yes they are still getting ready, but won’t be long. Wait here or the bar? Er well I need a drink, bar then and there was this token in the room for a free drink

Cept the free drink is only if you buy a meal in the restaurant. Oh well, buy a glass of Rose and introduce myself to the Boudoir girls (really didn’t want to sit alone). We chat, mostly about MMORPG’s though But a few familiar faces start to appear, there’s Lucy, Sophie, Louise and Kay who was now very red (I mean was wearing a very red outfit). Other new people appear and introductions are made.

Doesn’t take long till the Taxi’s to come, have learn’t my lesson from previous trips, if I want crackers at the Restaurant, get in the first cab 4 of us pile in and the very chatty cabbie takes us to Jaipur. Gawd, cabs in MK are cheap aren’t they.

Dinner goes quite well, same sort of arrangement as before, busy myself trying to gather what set ,emu’s people want, slot in a veggie on for me. Over to the table usual mixed starters, wine, food in the middle of the table, T and G girls nattering away and just the odd photo.

During the nattering I find one of the girls thinks I must be TS (she is BTW), why, becuase I accessorised my outfit… Think it really takes a bit more than that hun. Wasn’t concentrating when the food is brought out (thats so unlike me) and thus can only really identify one veggie dish when we start, but that’s enough with the rice and all the starters and crackers and stuff. Always the sort that wants to get things done I’m sort of the one organising the collecting of cash for the bill, well times getting on. Another pleasant meal at the Orchid Lounge, I can’t complain about the place at all, but well I’ve done it about 4 times now and its always fun to try somewhere new once in a while.

Taxi back to the Hotel is there, jump in the first one again. Driver isn’t chatty in this one be he gets us there. Right, quick change again, into the club outfit. That dress is barely a dress on me, but well, its pink punters isn’t it, should be OK. Think new shoes do work well with it. Have to redo the makeup a little, most of my lippy must of ended up on the dinner.

I think the pics of the grey outfit worked better. Right club time, take the coat? no its just a quick dash, Take big camera, nah, I’d just end up taking pics of coloured lights, done that before and nobodies interested in them anyway. But better take flats, these shoes aren’t the most comfortable.

Outside, oh, its snowing, festive I suppose, but I’m so not dressed for it. Totter at top tottering speed over the road, passing Philippa and Penny on the way. No time to stop and chat, its COLD!!!!

As usual in the club I’ve lost most people, so do what I usually do, wander around, having a little drink and have a little dance every now and then. First drink was vodka and lemonade, well that’s what I asked for, I think I got vodka and water with a slice of lemon, it was undrinkable. Music in the ground floor is picking up a bit, sort of old hands in the air trance anthems, Ian Van Dahl’s Castles in the sky thats sort of stuff, normally I love this sort of stuff, esp played loud on a dance floor with lights, lasers, smoke and stuff. But it was ruined this time, DJ Knob head kept talking over it, the dull monotone DJ wanted to keep giving “Shout outs” to random people and telling us who soon the RnB will be on. When you are trying to get lost in music, someone turning it down and talking over it really ruins the moment Only 3rd rate wedding disco DJ’s talk in my book.

Tried going up stairs for a bit of a chat, but the fire was rather warm and I dunno the music wasn’t doing it for me in basement. Sat around for a bit, I must of looked really miserable, two blokes tried to cajole me on to the dance floor, I moved away. Later on another chair a girl sitting next to me turns and says I looked really pissed off. I wasn’t really, just was a bit tired, the shoes hurt and the dancing wasn’t happening that’s all.

Retire upstairs after a bit again and find Louise and co and we get a corner away from the fire. Put my feet up and rest my eyes a bit, might of been close to nodding off, amd nudged awak and told I really better should be turning in. I guess I should of been, its was around 2 am I think. But one last dance please? Change into my flats and head down stairs. But hey I like this, cheesy pop’s on again and the DJ isn’t talking do the wrong steps to the Timewarp and have fun for a couple of numbers, getting a bit of a 2nd wind. Even head down stairs for one last try and hey the musics good and those girls on the poles really know what they are doing and Oh, its DJ stupid blabbering away again

Time to go now I think. It must be well below zero out there, but it doesn’t seem that cold really, must have a vodka/wine jacket on. The infamous ditch in flats is no worries too. Catch up with Louise and Kay as they are heading in too, and we pose for a couple of silly pics in the snow.

Night night girls. Back to the room, makeup off and oh dam packed nothing to sleep in, dam (I don’t like sleeping in the raw actually) but triedness takes over and I’m out.

Sunday, up a little late, showered and try to shave, its a touch messy. Minimal makeup, jeans, sweater, flat boots and leather jacket on. Pack everything up, once last check around the room, ah, yes nearly forgot the shower gel. Better check under the bed too, always loose something under that, whats that? it’s not mine.

Guess another T-girl (and I think it had to be T) lost them in the same room. Check out and how am I going to get to the station? walk, no to cold, train doesn’t run on a Sunday, there’s noone I recognise around to cadge a lift off, so taxi?

Call for a cab and 2 minutes later it turns up. To the station I ask, yes he says, good. put my case in the back (he tries to help, but I was a bit bigger than him). Central station wasn’t it? no Bletchley, oh OK. Roads are a little icey but we get there in good time and its only £3.50. Didn’t think it would be that cheap, must remember for next time. There’s a train in 5 minutes to, result

Waiting on the platform I get a text saying to expect a black Vectra to pick me up in a minute. Er, but I’m already here and the cab was a blue Peugeot (and it was the right company) . Then I get a call from a cab controller saying the cab is outside the hotel and where was I? I try to explain I’m already at the destination, we asks me to put the driver on, but he was long gone. When he hears this he puts the phone down on me. I think I must of nabbed someone else’s cab, me bad I guess I’m not popular with that cab company now either.

Train arrives, only 4 coaches and a stopper, but there’s enough room for me to have a double seat to my self. But not for long, it gets fuller and fuller, but the time its at Watford its rush hour packed, hunker down with my book and Ipod, don’t appear to be attracting attention.

Its a relief to get off at Euston. So now what, er lunch that’s what I’m hungry. Pop into The Rocket, a pub near the station, its a little odd, a little grubby, but sort of has a comfortable studenty vibe to it. I rather like it actually, only problem in it can be getting a seat sometimes. But not this time, nice comfy sofa at the back, my book, a pint of Fruli and fish and chips on order. Takes a while for the food to come, guy bringing it looks towards the bar and says “She was around the corner” . I guess I was a little out of sight and they had to look for me. But it was a definite “She” and that wasn’t being addressed at me, which raised a smile.

Food is OK, beer is nice, but they’ve put football on the telly, some ugly blokes are droning on in some sort of prematch blabbering, paint drying would be more exciting, decide not to stay for a 2nd drink and tube it home.

So what to do with the rest of the day? Christmas shopping, film? neither, in the end I just faff witht he pictures for the rest of the afternoon, the free trail of Paint shop pro had run out so I’m downloaded a trail of Photoshop elements. But its cold and I would like to read a little more, so just one last little trip out. On with a big coat and walk over to Islington and a pub to have a glass of wine or two and a quiet read. Well the pub is cosier and comfier than my flat is. Plus its called “The Library”. Stop by the shop on the way home for some mushroom soup and a little bread.

Back to work on Monday, but only for a day and a half.

Well that’s it really for Helena until after Christmass, have a merry one everybody

I wanted to wind down a bit before Christmas but work isn’t letting up, more late nights. But I did have another day off to use on Wednesday.

Went up to Hemel Hempstead snow centre, because I saw they where running an adult snowboard coaching session in the afternoon. The snow wasn’t great, the place was very crowded (er why aren’t all these kids in school?) and the lifts queues bad, but actually I think it was a good session. There was 2 of us in the session with an instructor, got some pointers on my turns, I need to add a bit more back foot pressure to stop my toe to heel side turns washing out and I need to be a little more aggressive about my edge to edge transition a speed, especially going to heel side. After the turning we went over to the learner slope and did some flat land freestyle stuff, just basics, but it was really useful, I’ve never been shown how to Ollie do presses and 180’s etc properly but I think I’m getting it now, I think I’ve found my board’s “pop”, what I thought was a rock solid plank is actually a bit of a pogo stick andI’m beginning to be able to use properly , managed to do some tail presses  too. Have loads to practice on now, so more trips to the domes is in order. Now I’ve found I can actually do a bit of this stuff on my stiff all mountain board, getting a softer park board has moved down in priority. Did fall a bit and I was exhausted by the end of the 2 hours session mindst. Also I broke a nail, bah.

Friday, another long day, into the office at 8:20am, sandwich for lunch, out at 7pm. Made worse by the fact it was the office Christmas party and most people buggered off at 3pm. But I never go to the office Christmas party, large social gatherings, in Ian mode, are very difficult and not pleasurable. Took ages to get home too, so by the time I’m in and sorted stuff out its almost time for bed. Damm and I really need to do a little shopping and checks on my outfits for Saturday and Sunday.

Lie in a bit on Saturday morning, needed it. Bathe and shave, dam there a couple of nasty spots and I cut my chin. I’m not looking my best, these long nights play havoc with my diet, to much junk and booze and my skin is playing up to Now tonight it’s the Festival of Sins and I decided to reuse my Lady Marmalade Burlesquey outfit. It takes a while to re find all the pieces. Damm, all the suitable pairs of stockings have ladders new ones are in order, the lace gloves I have are in a poor state, so must replace them (I seem to have lost the last pair I bought too) and if I want to wear the long hair, it really does need a hair grip, a Black rose one, and none of my (many) black rose hair accessories (even the ones I  bough the week before) have a grip, they all have  band or a pin, so yet another rose is required. Can’t really do the corset up fully either, dam, it’s the junk food Plus I’ve run out of toothpaste.

By the time I’ve found/checked/tested everything its almost lunch time. I have a small shopping list as well. Do I want to makeup and go out in Helena mode? Well that will take another hour or two, cutting into my time and the out fit is so complicated with the lace body that getting into in made up is difficult, so erm, ermm, well I’m out in Helena mode this evening and Sunday, so lets just skip it for now. Yes I am just a tranny, I have my needs, I don’t need to be physically presenting Helena every spare moment, just some of the time, though the thoughts about it are never very far away.

Right out in bloke mode then. First stop is the costume shop in Islington, ah yes, black lace fingerless gloves, cheap too, and (as I found out later) fit nicely. Result. 2nd stop, Cop.Copine. You see I’d spotted this dress in the window, black (of course), off the shoulder, with a sort bow/ribbon detail at the chest and sort of half baggy, half tight fit. I liked it a lot, and it would be something I could wear, so it was going to be Helena’s Christmas present (Ian could get the snowboard). Into the shop, find it ok, ah it comes in sizes “1″ and “2″, oh, I tell the girl serving “she’s about a 14″, what size is this, pointing at the “2″, oh that’s a 12 she says, I’ll see if it comes in a “3″. It didn’t but eyeball sizeometer says yes and it’s a stretchy material anyway, so let’s do it. Make out it’s a present for a girl friend ( I wish) and make sure I can take it back if it doesn’t fit. She wraps it up very nicely and says that will be £155 please. Ouch! I didn’t think it would be that much, but there was no price displayed and its sort of one of those places where if you have to ask, then you can’t afford it. New Look could knock the same item out for £30 I reckon.  Stick my card in the machine anyway. New snowboard is looking less likely by the minute. 

Tried it on later. Yes it does fit, phew. But its rather complex, inside its got an elasticated strap inside it that I think meant to go around your chest, just under the bust line, so it will hold its self up and sort of give an empire line, and then there’s another strap inside that limits how far you can pull it down. I guess this is all to make sure the baggy and tight parts stay where they should and to let pretty slim young things wear it bra less.  All this extra structure in what looks like a simple garment is quite unusual really even the little ribbon detail on the chest has a little silver chain in it. I suppose all this detail is what justifies the price.

It would have been nice to go in Helena mode to get it, but I suppose trying it on with all the structure would have been awkward with a face full of makeup and my shoulders would of have to have been hair free, so in the end Ian mode was more practical. So now I’ve got my designer dress, where am I going to wear it ? Orchid Lounge next weekend?

Back to the plot, pop into a pub for lunch, fish finger sarnie and chips is probably was probably to much. Am asked to remove my beanie in the pub! What am I, a hoodie? I’m over 40+ nerd hun.

Right Camden next, train arrives at the station as I do, more good luck. Trawl the hosiery places for the right pair of stockings, my favourite has a couple of maybe’s but nothing is must by, but one place in the Canal side section has some sheer ones with black bows on the bows match the ones on my skirt and corset, to have to get them. Roses, bows, laces, gawd I’m practically going sissy. They also have a rose hair accessory with a grip, its not perfect but will do and some black garter belts with yet more lace trim. Hrmm, the outfit always needs a little extra lace around the top of the sleeves, to match the corset, I’ve tried a few things in the past with bits cut from gloves or stockings, but they never worked well. Would these work? They certainly look right, but if they are designed to go around the thigh, maybe they will be to big for my arms. But I’m feeling lucky, get 2. Tested them later and they worked perfectly, giving me that “caught in an explosion in a lace factory” look I was after Not sure it it fits the theme of Immorality, but I guess it might raise an eyebrow.

Have plenty of time, wander around the markets a little more. Ah that, a grey off the shoulder sweater dress I spotted last time I was here, £25, of sod it, we are spending money, get it. Find it’s a little on the tight side around the waist when I try it on later, it only came in “Free Size” so I guess I’m at the upper limit. Still its not unwearable  and its actually about the right length for a mini dress on me (I.e. only just covering up the bits :)) and so I can make use of it. Came with a necklace as well

There’s about a 1000 Santa’s walking though Camden, singing “What do we want, Christmas, when do we want it, Now!” Well that’s not something you see everyday.

Finish my tour of the shops, picking up veggie sushi for dinner, well I has to keep it light. Train is delayed going back, there goes the luck, so I just read my book. Dam, near the end, its getting good. When the train finally gets me back to my neighbourhood I pop into a local bar just to finish it. Eric Brown’s Bengal Station novels are recommended.

Home, try on my new clothes, check the mail and websites start to get ready for the evening, don’t have to rush for a change. Right about now there would have been a photo session, but since I’ve shot this outfit a couple of times already, it wasn’t worth doing it again. Ready by about 8, didn’t want to leave till 8:30 so hang around for a bit. Put some of the lace and roses in my bag, pack my little camera and put on my big coat and its off to Camden again

Got a bit cold hasn’t it, brisk walk to the tube station and get a seat on the underground. A GG sits opposite me and gives me that little “I’ve clocked you” smile, but that’s really about it for reaction. Change to the Northern line and get to Morning Crescent on Time. In the lift up from the platform there’s another girl, Trans? Well the hair is a big wiggy, there’s a fair amount of make up on too but I can still see a shadow on the top lip, but she’s very short, dunno. We sort of notice each other, she must of clocked me. Wonder if she is going to the same place as me, hrm, unlikely, her out fit is regular Saturday night mini skirt and boots and I’m off the Festival of Sins. We go different ways out of the tube station.

Right, over to the Purple Turtle, hrmm no goodie back this time and £8 to get in, dam must of missed the 9pm entry by a minute (still its 52 quid cheaper than the Rubber Ball that was on the same night). Inside, into the rest of the outfit, seems to all be still there, but argg, little hole in the left stocking, I don’t even seem to be able to get one wear out of sheer stockings. Need to dump the coat, but the cloak room still isn’t open and its after 9.

Get a drink and wait for the acts to start, But its not long before Kimberly finds me. I’d had a couple of messages from girls saying they would like to come down to the FoS, actually originally there was 4 coming down, but Saffy had to stay home and Louise apparently drank to much wine that afternoon, so that left Kimberly and Rachel. Kimberly I know, but Rachel was a slightly unknown quantity, never met her before. Am always slightly nervous about meeting new people, I didn’t help that I’d bigged up the FoS on Angels. I hope people weren’t going to be disappointed.

Rachel arrives soon also, gawd, so young, I wish I had the necessary to get out in and about in my 20’s. We chat and drink a little (chat a little cause I’m the queen of awkwardland) before the acts came on and thank goodness, the cloakroom opens.

First acts is a rather unusual rock meets string quartet collective called BirdEatsBaby. Not 100% convinced, to be honest, OK, but not rocking my world. Pictures are rubbish, it took a while to find settings that worked on little camera. I haven’t managed to pluck up the nerve to ask for a photo pass at the Festival of Sins so I can bring my big camera, as since I’m just an armature snapographer I’m not sure I qualify anyway.

After BirdEatsBaby there’s a bit of a gap before the next act, try to talk to the girls, dance a bit (OK er I like the music, but its kind of exactly the same tunes as last time), get my photo taken in the photo booth (am waiting for the results), steal bon bons from the plates of sweets lying around and general make a nuisance of myself.

Oh but there is the crucifixion and the drinking of the blood of the fallen icon …

Well girl tied up with tubes on her arms to a cache of booze and strange bloke shouting “Desire” a lot they handed out straws to drink the blood with. I lost mine, so went and stole one from the bar. The blood is rather strong, er no change that, its very very strong, that’s a lot of alcohol in there. I’m not a drinker of neat spirits normally, so this came as a bit of a shock, I only mange 2 sips.

I chatted to one of women who put the whole piece together later outside whilst getting a breath of fresh air, apparently the “blood” was mostly neat vodka (I think there was a little absinthe in there too), they used it neat because if it was too easy to drink the first person up would slurp the lot and they only had so much. The straws where for hygiene reasons, but I pointed out not many germs are going to survive in that concentration of alcohol

Next band on was Viktoria Modesta, the same Viktoria I saw at Corset and Diamonds a few weeks ago, but she seems to have found a guitarist now. Actually I think this was a better performance than CnD, the sound was beeter and she had more room to move. Is she wearing the self same Pretty Polly Mock Holdups I was wearing last week?

Young men with very loud electrical guitars rocked us next. And they where loud, Until I wake rocked the joint, ears where ringing till next morning. I did refrain from head banging though. well I had to, my hair would go flying.

I must annoy people, yes I’m tall and I want to get pictures, so I move to the front, but even then I usually can’t make it, so I have to lift the camera up above peoples heads (Lucky its easy to use little camera one handed). But even then some people don’t seem to like even it, on person even tried to move my arm down. So after a few pics of each act I moved back, in one case I tried to wave people forward in front of me to the gap I’d just left, but sometimes they wouldn’t go. Bah What can you do, people want to be so “English” and not move towards the front as that would look “pushy”, but then again they seem to expect to have a completely clear view even if they hang back. I can’t win, even with little camera and not being at the front.

We had a little fetish demonstration going, same pair as last time. As usual I found BDSM not to be particularly
exciting to look at, I struggle to see the appeal, but hey, what ever turns you on.

Nara Taylor and her topless (male) friend gaves us quite a different act next, with Opera (proper opera singing here), fire eating, a bed of nails, broken glass and knife juggling, with a bit a theatre thrown in, all in a dark and fetishy vein. It’s a fine performance and you have to admire the skill of both the performers.

Last act was a fashion show by Am Statik, some rather fine latex couture modelled by some actractive young women, Seems to have to take a lot of pictures of this

Entertainment went on till about half one, gaps in between well, I tried to talk to a few people, danced a bit (noone really wanted to dance with me though)  and drank a little (switched to soft drinks after a while). Can’t complain really, good night for me. Outfit proved practical enough, well almost, corset stated to become a bit unbearable after a couple of hours so I loosened it off  But an hour after that I wanted to tighten it up again, weird.

Also managed to have a little girly moment in the loo. At previous FoS I’d had a couple of “Whats that bloke doing in here” sort of looks in the ladies, but this time, for a change, a couple of girls engaged. I was checking my hair and makeup when one girl asked if I could see a spot on her nose (yes, but it was very faint) and asked if she could borrow some powder to cover it up (obviously knows trannies always carry a load of makeup). I’d actually forgot the studio fix, but had some semi opaque MAC blot powder she could use. Another, whom I’d earlier praised for her dress (rubber halter neck with a sort of animal print) asked if she could borrow a hair brush. After sorting her hair she told me all about the dress and where I could get one like it,. But, its not for me, only a very young, pretty and slim thing like her could carry it off. Also praised another girl who had a magnificent corset and sort of hoop underskirt thing one, only to find it was Nikita Saibier the Corsetiere, dam, I sure she was blonde that last time I saw her. Not big things to most I guess, but the acceptance and trust shown in a female environment was a bit uplifting.

The entertainment finished past 1:30, time to call it a night. Kimberly and Rachel agreed and we got our coats and headed off into the night. Kimberly was going to walk back to Euston where she’d left her car (Euston is about a mile away from the venue), but I showed Rachel to the Mini Cab office so she could get a cab home. Me, well chips beckoned, nearby takeaway servers me with indifference and I go back to get a cab. Its not a long wait as they chucked a group of rowdies out the office. Cab driver calls me “Man” but I suspect he calls every one man (I regularly hear school girls around my way refer to each other as man, and in fact end almost every sentence with it). Well that’s my excuse. We discuss Islington speed bumps and speed limits on the way back. It’s not a cheap cab ride, but its quick and efficient. I pay him and retire to my flat, tired. Its nearly 3 before I get to bed. Another good and varied night at the FoS that. And the T-girl count at the venue was, as far as I could tell, about 6, gawd, its practically scene I hope Kimberly and Rachel enjoyed it, they seemed a little er I dunno, but they said they liked it.

Sunday, woke around 7:40, checked my mail on my IPod and er fell asleep again. Had a very odd dream about walking home from a club of all things. So exactly how I ended up (in my dream) in a small town on the California coast is beyond me. My dreams seem to make perfect sense when I have them, but when I think about them afterwards they are always total surreal nonsense.

I woke after the dream and checked the clock,. OMFG its 10:14. I have to be in Covent Garden, dressed properly for 1pm (and it will take half an hour to get there). That doesn’t leave me long to get ready and  I haven’t got an outfit prepared, ARRRGGGGG!

Scrape face as best I can, that Tea Tree face wash makes a good shaving foam. Then try and dig out an outfit. It’s a daytime do in a restaurant, with the UK angels, so OTT is out of the question. Eventually settle with a polo neck (hides the scraggy neck) and a little black skirt, skirt is a touch short, but woolly opaque tights make it a bit more modest. Though these days, for an Angels do, I really should of worn jeans. Try for minimal makeup and fail, far too much powder goes on.

Make it out the house for half twelve, that should give me enough time if the buses are OK. Cept they’re not, the right bus takes ages to arrive and its seems to manage to hit every red light and need to wait at every stop. Frustration, I hate being late. Jump off at Holborn, need to use a cash machine, spent to much at the FoS. Nat West machines are down, oh why? It’s turning out to be one of those days. Fortunately Sainsbury’s next door has one and there’s only a small queue.

Ohh, its cold again, walk quickly to Seven Dials, where’s this restaurant, ah there, walk in. Its got a big hall way before the restaurant proper, I’m about to text to see where people are, but a waiter comes around the corner and says “Hart Party”? yes that’s me. Guess I’m easily spotted as being one of a T* group then. But then again, as I find out as I round the corner, the fact is that  the Hart Party is the only one in the Restaurant. Ok that’s just me trying to make me feel better

I’m almost the last to arrive and I’m the local girl… But there’s a seat for me, its warm and there’ve already ordered some wine

I recognise Jess, Clarissa, Alinna, Saffy, Louise of course and Rachel from last night, but the rest are new faces to avatars. Just wish I could remember all the names me bad, as usual.

It’s a Moroccan restaurant, Souk Medina, tables are low and the food is sort of Taginey, they ask who’s a veggie, I put my hand up, but admit to eating fish, so they bring me extra fish dishes, a Calamari starter and a Fish Tangine. They are OK, I’m not the biggest squid fan in the world though, perhaps I should of said I was pure veggie. But there’s humus and pita and couscous and feta and various veggie dishes plus baklava for desert, so no  hunger pains here Me and Clarissa share the red, every one else is on white or driving, well more for us

We chat and eat, its all rather pleasant, and the restaurant staff a polite and efficient enough (aprt from getting the bill). It’s a good meal really, the Angels web site can get a little erm “heated” at times, but face to face, with food and wine, its far more civilised. It’s nice to catch up with Jess and Clarissa whom I haven’t seen for a bit.

I did have my camera with me, but there are no pictures. Well some posts on the thread on Angels implied they wouldn’t be welcome, so I didn’t try to get shots in. Angels is so not the tranny site it used to be.

Lunch takes a while, but we get there in the end, actually am surprised its still daylight when we leave :). A few have to rush, but 6 of use have a little more time, so more drink? Where, well there’s a pub almost next door, so why not. More wine and I’m getting a bit sleepy. People have to move on, in the end there’s just me and Clarissa and a quarter bottle of wine left. C puts that in her bag

It is dark now, but we just have enough time to pop into Forbidden planet on the way back, I leave Clarissa at the tube station and go to find my bus. Nearly nod off on the bus, but manage to wake just in time.

Rather nice that, lazy boozy meal in good company. Many thanks for putting it together Jess

Monday, the little sniffle I’d been having has turned into a really bad cold still have to work till 7 though. Work from home Tuesday, to stop infecting my office and to try and fight the cold. Work till 7 again

But the end is in sight, next weekend should be all go in PP
If I can fight this cold off and the forecasted very light dusting of snow towards the end of the week doesn’t shut down the whole south east of England

Work, Work, bloody work, far to much of it, was the first to arrive at the office and the last to leave a couple of times during the week :(

By Friday I was getting on top of things and managed to pop to town at lunch time, where I found that pair of boots in New Look I was looking for, in size 9. Mock crock killer heel platform ankle boots, my plan was to look for these in Helena mode on Saturday, but experience has told me that if you see something you really want, thats available in your size, its best just to buy it there and then, regardless of current gender presentation, you might not find it again. Smuggling them back into the office unnoticed was a little hard though, they only gave me a small thin bag and it had a Big New look Logo on it. If they suspect anything about me at the office they are keeping it very quiet though.

By Friday afternoon I’d gotten everything I need to get done and I manage to get out about 10 minutes early Got a little section of the carriage to myself on the way home (often possible when you do the anti commute) and tried the boots on (in Ian mode). Yes I can get into them and even walk ub them, in a moving train no less. But just figure they would be agony after 5 minutes walking, the fit is narrow you’re right on your toes, there’s no arch support. Gel pads might help, but I have a feeling these boots will be for photo shoots only.

So it’s the weekend again. Well half a weekend, I was still on call, and had a list of things to do on Sunday, so its just Saturday for fun.

Up just after 6 on Saturday, owww, needed a lie in really, but if I’m going to get to the shops early I better get a move on. Bathe, shave, dress and makeup and am ready around 9. Woot, early for a change. Outfit was pretty plain, black low heel boots, grey opaque tights, denim mini, grey sweater and a black coat. Mini skirt was a size 10 and I got into it :) Cept it’s a Primark size 10, that’s 12-14 every where else, and I guess its ment to fit the hips, but on me it’s on the waist and fits like a tight pencil skirt (its not that mini). Forgo bum padding, mine own looks big enough as it is. Quick pic on the stairs.

Suns come out, perhaps it might not rain today? Pack brolly just in case anyway. Outside, brrrr, cold, put some gloves on and wander towards the tube station. I hope I’m dressed plainly enough not to get noticed, I’m not staring at anyone and my boots only have a tiny heel. So when young man passing me in the park smirks  “How’s it going, DUDE”, that doesn’t feel good, he spotted me and I’m sure he didn’t even get a proper look at my face. A male jogger also spots me also, he says “Alright” and was maybe going to following it up with something witty, but he was out of ear shot by the time I guess he thought of something. That sort of thing does nothing for my confidence, commented on twice 5 minutes from my flat, when dressed down and everyone is sober, bugger Feel rather self conscious now, is every on staring at me? what have I done wrong today? Possibly the gloves didn’t help, they where cream, contrasting with the rest of the outfit, strong contrasts do get you noticed, and the walk maybe not right, to much, to little? these low heels and the tight skirt don’t help getting the motion right. Tight skirt too, maybe that’s getting me 2nd glances from the men. Yeah probably all that, but mainly cause I just look like a bloke in drag :(

Try to hide a bit on the tube, stand with my back to the rest of the carriage. Change to the Central line, try to flow with the crowd, on the train, there’s a seat, plonk myself down lower head and close eyes.

Feel a little better by the time we get to Shepherds bush. Why Shepherds bush, Westfield shopping centre of course. Today is the big VIP (Very Important Pedestrian) day in the West end, so that will be mad, figure Westfield might be quieter.

There’s a formation of what look like chuggers on the approach to the shops, dodge one, but then realise they are just giving away stuff, turns out they are working for Google and the are giving away advent calendars to promote the Chrome browser. Free stuff position myself so I get offered a calendar from the next one and get my stuff. Normally I wouldn’t be that interested in an Advent calendar, but these had chocolates in them The only thing better than chocolate is free chocolate

Take a lift up to into the shopping centre itself, I normally take the stairs or escalator, but there’s mirrors by the lifts, I need to see what’ wrong. Hrmm I just sort of look my usual self, nothing better or worse. Perhaps it’s the light, I think I look better under diffused artificial light rather than strong directional sunlight.

Out the lift, oh there’s Wolford, didn’t know they had a standalone here. Thinking about it I could do with a really nice pair of glossy black tights for the weekend after next, so it’s worth a browse. I’m they only customer (its only just gone 10 so they must of just opened) and the sales assistant wants to help, I say I want black and shiny around 20 Denier, and she shows me some samples. I go with the 20d Satin Touch, pay and the assistant puts it in a cute little bag and wishes me good day. Madam’s all they way I might add. Nice little retail experience that, though when you are paying £15 for one pair of tights you would hope the service is a little better than Primark. Wolford tights are rather special though and I can simply feel the quality improvement over my normal Primark and BHS faire.

The tights, the chocolate, the experience in getting them and the fact I do not seem to be being noticed by the other shoppers all goes to lift my mood considerably. Plus its really quite pleasant in the shopping centre at this time of morning, there’s not many people, its warm, light and airy, its all clean, neat and tidy and the shelves in shops are all full. I really should make the effort and get out of bed early more often.

Cruise around the shops for a bit, There was a couple of small nick nacks I had to buy, but apart from that its just a browse. Though I do have to remind myself that my flat is overflowing with clothes, shoes and boots at the moment, so clothing purchases have to be limited to stuff I really want, need and have a place to wear them. So eye’s off all the glittery party stuff young(at heart) lady. Buy some black gloves and a little hat in H&M but leave it at that really, do look around New Look, Next, Dotty P, M&S, Anne Summers, Top Shop, Zara, Oasis, Pull and Bear and er well pretty much everywhere really. More free chocolate in M&S, samples of these little truffle things that where gorgeous.

Spot some absolutely killer boots in Oasis, black leather stiletto thigh length, yes stiletto thigh length boots that could be fetish wear in a mainstream high street shop. They look beautifully made and even at £120 probably worth it. I ask what sizes them come in, we go up to 8 replies the shop girl. Kind of expected that, don’t reckon they would be a generous wide 8, so oh well.

Pick up some Zardoz not wax in Ellis Brightman, its stuff to put on my snowboards base to make it extra slippery. Have a glance at the boards, still thinking about that park board.

Times getting on and I did really have a few things on my shopping list. Get shampoo and bubble bath in Super Drug, with a little chrome heart necklace and a packet of sweets. Was starting to feel hungry, breakfast was a piece of pita bread at 6am.

Now the other thing I wanted was black roses, fabric black rose hair accessories. I’m going to wear my burlesque “Lady Marmalade” outfit again next weekend, accessorised by black roses,  but I think I lost one or two on my last trip to the Festival of sins (In the all black outfit) , so I need some replacements. Claire’s accessories, where I got them the first time, has a range, but none is exactly right, all a little to big. Try a few other places (Accesorize is well hidden in Monsoon) but can’t find any better, so I return to Claire’s and get 3 (One for the hair, one for each wrist see).

Right, got what I came for, and it’s definitely lunch time now but the shopping centre had filled up and so I really didn’t want to eat there, so back into the outside. Have a glance at a couple of pubs nearby, but no, bit groty, but hey there’s the market over there. Markets are always worth a look and I’m sure I actually need some white leg warmers for a particular outfit I want to wear to the Angels do in January and markets are good for that sort of thing.

Wander through the market, looking at this and that, no white leg warmers in sight (its all neon colours), but still worth a gander. I didn’t realise there was so much, it’s a bit labyrinthine under the railway arches. Some of the traders call out to me as I pass trying to get me to look at there stalls, but its all very polite and still Madam all the way When I got home  found I already had some white leg warmers anyway.

Other side of the green now, one or two bars are sort of maybe for lunch, but nah, not right. Keep heading east, pass the old shopping centre, the older little one that appears to have been decimated by Westfield (the market doesn’t seem to have been affected though). One shop the little on does have that Westfield doesn’t is Peacocks, so pop in. Try on a couple of pairs of boots in there, can get them on, but they are sort of pull on over the knee boots that look a bit baggy and just not right. Staff are to harassed by other customers to really notice me.

Right shopping is done, lunch is the priority now. Decide to skip Sheppard’s Bush and walk over the roundabout to Holland Park. Might be a “touch” more expensive, but I dunno, feel like treating my self.

Find a pub near the tube station called The Castle, looks nice in a shabby ish sort of way, not to full. Squashy leather sofas and a food menu that isn’t half bad. Plus it’s as cheap as the Shepherds’ Bush places, result Barman is a little standoffish but I order by glass of Rose and a Falafel wrap (skip the side of chips for now) and settle on a sofa around the back with my book a while.

Food takes a while to come, but its not half bad and the new Eric Brown Bengal Station book is rather good to. Can’t stay here all day, bio break, then carry on towards Notting Hill, picking up a little chocolate bread stick thingy from Pauls on the way.  Was planning to get the tube from Notting Hill, but decide to get the bus to Marble Arch instead, well I might as well have a look at this VIP day on Oxford Street, there are sometimes special offers and the like.

Its raining when I get off the bus, oh joy and in total defiance to the general economic doom  and gloom about, its totally packed. But its all still fairly jolly even with the crowds, cold and rain there are a few things going in the street, people in costumes handing out leaflets (15% of in La Senza today only, hrrmm). Don’t feel like trying to fight my way through the shops, so I just follow the flow up to Oxford Circus.

Tube home, might as well. Nearly fall asleep and almost miss my stop, Wander home in a reasonable mood, got a few things and sure there where a few comments and looks early on, after that plain sailing. Tired now though, been on my feet for hours, fortunately those cheapo biker boots from Shoe Zone I had on are good for walking in and my feet are not killing me for a change.  Pick up some wine from the local shop and retire to my flat. Its cold, dark and wet and I’m rather tired, open my wine and ponder what to do with the rest of the day.

Normally in my blog this is where I write I couldn’t be arsed to go out and/or fell asleep in my makeup. But not tonight. The Gypsy Hotel was on tonight in nearby Dalston, and several times this year I’ve planned to go there and just failed, usually because I just fell asleep. So I deliberately didn’t make plans to definitely go (so not to put a hex on the thing) , it was always going to be a spur of moment thing. Wine was nice and so was my veggie curry and I had the fire on, so all was warm and content inside and it was cold and wet outside. So there’s no point in going out is there, but well I could always try a few outfits on that I could wear if I did couldn’t I?

Played around with a few skirts and such and rediscovered a tiny little tartan mini with a lace slip built in I bought ages ago, so cute this with a black top was good, and with those mock holdup tights every so slightly naughty. Perhaps it was the wine or just tranny in me, but I really liked this look, with a leather jacket and some bling, it was sort of cute with attitude and those mock holdups could give a flash of stocking top with that tiny skirt, well not a real flash, I was still covered up in nearly opaque tights, but well you know.

So what to wear on my feet with it, those new ankle boots would be to much pain, so I dug through my boot collection. One of my big chunky New Rock Goth boots fell into my hand, these are normally the sort of thing sported by tall pale guys with jet black hair and who wear trench coats even in summer, but I’ve seen girls in miniskirts wear them too, well in Camden anyway. Yes it has to be these. Leg warmers to pack out the calf a little and we have an outfit Sort of mixes cute and flirty with don’t fuck with me, I like the juxtaposition of opposites. Also noticed on the bottom of the boots it said “Anti Aqua planing”, well that’s unusual for boots, but with the weather we have been having, could be useful

A picture has to be taken.

Actually I took 30 odd, but didn’t want to flood Flickr, but it was such a fun outfit to pose in So I have an outfit I like (Total tranny moment going on here), better go out then. Pack up my black bag, bring big camera? oh all right then and defo need the brolly.

Dam have a little thing to do for work, first problem, laptop won’t connect to the VPN, arrggg. Call to operations sort this out, we get there eventually, I had my firewall changed mid week and certain necessary bits of config to go with it at there end weren’t changed when they should. That sorted, but bloody job I have to run won’t. Call boss, he wrote them dam thing. He says leave it till tomorrow, its not vital. Oh well. Doing work whiled dressed is always a little weird, I look like her, but have to speak like him.

Work, pictures and various bits are sorted and I’m ready to go out again around eight thirty, brrr cold, this skirt is to short for December nights, so no, I’m not walking to Dalston, get bus instead. It takes a while to turn up, but gets me there in the end. I don’t seem to be attracting any attention at all, even in this get up, perhaps I just look scary, or perhaps I’m a bit pissed and don’t realise it, you see I finished the bottle of wine before I came out (White Zinfandel, lovely).

Bus is much warmer, and there is a stop quite near the club. Down into the Boudior Bardens Boudoir) , pay my money and er am I early? Its 9 and the website the entertainment started then, but it’s pretty deserted and there’s no band on. Have I got it wrong (as usual). The girl who takes the money explains the first act is actually on at 9:30 and they sometime get quiet nights. Oh, could be a trip out for nothing then get a glass of wine (more!) and sort of noodle around a bit until the first act comes one. Hide in a corner for a bit, mess with my camera for a bit, play a couple of games on the pinball table, stroke a dog, time passes.

The first guy on is a Banjo player, Black Jack Barnet, who has a kick drum built into his suitcase we works with one foot and a tambourine on the other. The Gypsy Hotel can never be accused of pandering to mainstream tastes. But he’s rather good and can play his Banjo. He ends the set with Mini the Moocher, you know, from The Blues Brothers, with the same audience participation  Hiddy Hiddy Hi, Hoddy Hoody Ho, HeeDee HeeDee Hee etc. Me join in, try to stop me Actually the place has started to fill up now and I’m not just a sad tranny singing along on her own, everyone joins in

Actually Jack says Hi after the set and wonders where he can get the pictures, I thank him for the Blues Brothers moment and point him at Flickr.

After Black Jack, there’s Mat Fraser, a comic and singer, he’s a good singer, though his comedy was a little erm challenging, as well he did make a point of his condition (which was due to Thalidomide). But nice, comfortable, normal, straight isn’t the Gypsy Hotel’s message and possibly why I feel OK there, even though I’m seem to be the only TG in the room, as they say on the Facebook page, they are “attracting an audience of all ages, walks of life, races, shapes, sizes and mental issues!”

After Mat there’s a band, er well it maybe a band backing a singer, anyway they are called Emily Breeze. Bit of a country vibe I think with a touch of inide thrown in. The singer is very photogenic.

 Atlas Muz does a Burlseque turn next, she’s Miss Coney Island 2006 no less. This isn’t cute pretty burlesque, again things are getting a bit twisted, a well chosen act for the night. I’ve seen a fair bit of Burlesque over the last couple of years, each place that shows it seems to develop its own style and themes, Burlsque at the Magic Theatre, Corset and Diamonds and the Gypsy Hotel are all very different.

 
DM Bob and Silky T give us a session of sleezy blues/Country/Rock and Roll.

The place was rammed by now, couldn’t get to the front, so the pics had to be taken holding the camer up high  in live view mode. A few peoples heads got in the way, sorry.

Julie Atlas and the Fraser and Mat do a double act next, as (there title) “The Freak and the Showgirl”, pasties and pants come off and well it all gets a bit strange. Set to the sounds of Dixie I think this performance would be illegal in 39 states. The first pictures is a pic is a little adult.

The 2nd from the finale is, er, Not safe for work, actually its not safe for anywhere, in fact you might go blind if you look at it.

Last act I saw was the Tiguana Bibles a sort of indie/country cross over.

OK its now just got to late, to loud and tiredness has found me again, must be about 1am, perhaps, the Tiguana Bibles are stll playing, but I’d have to leave. There was another act after, Bijou Noir, I think she was performed at the last Magic Theatre, she was good so it was a shame to miss her turn, but no just had to go.

Out into the night and the cool air is a bit of a relief. Rains stopped to. Home, bus? Hrmmm bus is 24 hour, but pretty rare at this time of night, might as well walk it, I’m not cold. But need stuff for breakfast, ah there’s an open 24 hour shop, grab some pita bread for toast and stuff. Chips, well I suppose, its traditional, get chips and pita from a Kebab shop on the way and make my way home, went the shortest route, down mostly residential streets, they had street lights, but it was still a little dark and deserted, perhaps I should of stuck to the main roads? But I get no bother, think these boots scare people off.

Clean up and crash around 2. Work calls me at 8am Sunday isn’t much fun, little break for a pub lunch and a read, but its work and laundry and hanging around and more work and more hanging around and it doesn’t finish till gone 11. Now I need a another weekend to recover from this one.

Get to bed. Work calls AGAIN at 3:37am, noooo, but I can bat this one away, it’s definitely NOT my problem this time.

On call shift finishes at 9am Monday morning and that’s the last for this year (OK I might have to cover this Friday), Ya Hey! Also have more holiday days to use up, so its short weeks from now till Xmas, plus there’s there’s lunches out, 2 big party nights, snowboarding, shopping and all sorts of not bloody work from now on till January

Bit late with this sorry, work arrgggg!!! Had to interpolate a few thousand figures from the spread sheet from hell, its finally been done, but my head now done also.

OK last week, work, well there’s still lots of it, but to be honest if its vaguely interesting, its better doing something that trying to just look busy doing nothing. But I do have a few holiday, having not having a summer holiday, after carry over and Christmas I still had a few days to use up before the end of the year, so Wednesday last week, day off and trip to the Dome

<<<<< WARNING : Gratuitous Snowboard Geekery ahead >>>>>

Took my plank up to Milton Keynes to see if it had improved, well snow was good and it wasn’t crowded for half the session, but then it got busy and there was tobogganing, so little room and lift queues :(  managed to practice my carved turns and switch ridding a bit and tried a few little jumps and flat land stuff like 180’s. 

Trouble is I think my thing is to big and stiff (mind out of gutter please, I meant my snowboard) for free style, I just don’t have the muscles to olly or butter it, though then again, I think it’s the stiffness that makes it such a good carving board, so I’ve been thinking about getting a really soft park/jib board to use in the Snowdomes instead. After a couple of hours on my board I popped out to dome to The Snowboard Asylum next door and borrowed a Bataleon Evil Twin demo board, I was actually after a Signal Park but they didn’t have a demo in my size, but the ET is still a respected freestyle stick. The Evil twin is softer than mine, its much easier to do flatland 180’s one, pretty easy to ride in general and I managed to do the worlds smallest wheelie and nose press on it. But I’m not convinced by its triple base thingy, I still think I prefer a conventional one, they feel more “edgy”, sharper and less loose, though triple base does have some advantages, esp on rail and generally stopping you catching an edge and its not that soft. So not going to get the ET, but I will keep looking at these thing.

Also tried to do a rail, the approach felt to fast to do it straight (yes I am a big girlie wus) so side slipped towares it then tried to ride it with the board perpendicular to the rail (there is a technical term for this but I’ve forgotten it). First attempt I slid off to one side, no harm done, but on the 2nd I leant back to much, the board slipped, it went up and I went down. Hit my arse on the rail, ouch, the hit just missed the padding in impact shorts, so double ouch Decided not to try the rail for a 3rd time.

<<<<< END OF : Gratuitous Snowboard Geekery >>>>>

Pick up a pair of shoes the way home from MK, well you have to maintain a balance

Thursday, Ow, Ow, Ow everything feels stiff and I just can’t get out of bed. Pull the laptop into bed with me and email work saying I’m working from home. I didn’t work very hard.

Friday, how hard is it to get a drink in this town?

Saturday, the weekend Corset and Diamonds in the evening, but daytime er I dunno, need to scope out the venue (its at a new place) and there’s always shopping. Was planning to do this in girl mode, but by the time I drag my self out of bed and fully defuzz its, bugger, lunch time

Change of plans, since I want to be ready in plenty of time and do a photoshoot, figure its not worth changing now and going out, so its out in bloke mode Walk/train/walk to the new venue for CnD, The Hobby Horse in Hoxton (well more Haggerston or Dalston if you ask me), just over half an hour, hrm, but that’s a lot of walking and I was in comfortable shoes. Maybe rethink the route?

So there’s the place, hrmm, doesn’t look much from the outside and I can’t see a Mini cab office or Kebab shop anywhere nearby. But find these about 10 minutes up the road, so it should all be doable.

Have a very nice home made fish cake from a local chippy for lunch and have a sweep of the shops at Dalston/Kingsland, but nothing stands out, I was looking for a particular pair of boots in New Look but the little branch there doesn’t have them Shopping isn’t a much fun in bloke mode anyway. Walk home

Plenty of time, time for makeup and putting on my undies. Since I’m wearing a faux retro dress for CnD, it makes sense to wear faux retro undies under it doesn’t it So on goes my What Katie Did bullet bra, big knickers and suspender belt. And while I’ve go that lot on, and have time, why not a few pictures

Messed around with photoframes in Paint Shop Pro afterwards. Also put a corset on to try and get a little more figure, I wasn’t planning to actually wear in under the dress though. Hrmm, should of worn gloves, my arms just to flabby and blokey and horrible. Face ain’t great either.

Right on with the dress, even though it’s a 16 its hard to do up, this is because I reckon its waist line is cut 2-3 inches above my natural one (its designed for more er “average” girls) so the narrowest point is actually sitting on my rib cage and this retro material has absolutely no stretch But does up with a bit of a tug.

Shoes, hrmm, my nice double strap black courts don’t look right, look around, ah there you are, find my pair single strap ones I hadn’t worn out before. Bit of a risk wearing unworn new shoes to a fancy night out (made this mistake a few times haven’t I) but I had a good feeling about these, plus the heel was only about 2 and a half inches.

Right more photo’s

Look a bit heavy in a few of them, reckon its that dress’s waist being in the wrong place that does that (no nothing to do with booze and pies, honest :)). Again play with the the chessy photo frames. Also find the Clarify and Glamour filters to add a bit more contrast and soften the skin tones a little.

Ready now, timing was, well, just about right, pack everything up to go. But do I want to lug big cam, grip and 24-70 lens to CnD? Er no. Lazy. Comprise, no grip, 35mm f2 lens and SB900 on the TTL cord, lighter and fits in the big handbag. Improvise a wrist strap for the flash, works well.

Ready to go, oh bugger, its pouring down. Off with the fascinator and gloves, on with the big leather coat, wooly hat and brolly. Pack flats in my bag just in case. Right lets go.

Decide to get the bus, less walking, less getting wet. First one turns up quickly, change at Dalston, gawd its pouring down, dash to the other bush shelter to wait for the connection. 2 minutes later a long bendy bus turns up, think this one will get me closer to the venue. But only think, little unsure. Get a seat, but being a bendy bus there are seats facing both ways, feel a couple of lads on the bus are staring at me

Think this is the nearest stop to the venue, er well I want to get off anyway, was little uncomfortable, but in my haste I miss the pavement and put my foot right in a puddle by the kerb Got a wet foot now, oh well, lets get there, everything else is getting wet as well. Totter off, huddling under by brolly to the Hobby Horse. There was probably a closer bus stop.

So here we are, Oh its not to bad inside, bit shabby chic instead of run down, though it’s a touch on the small side. Its just gone 9, my usual arrival around then for CnD and at other venues they where already organised, but this time it was a bit shambolic. There’s no one on the door, the musical acts are still doing sound checks, they are putting up a pole for the Burlesque performers, moving the furniture around and so on. Apart from the acts and people doing stuff its pretty light on regular punters. Did I get the time wrong? Can’t even see Monica, the promoter.

Oh well, make the most, there’s no cloakroom, but the barman lets me out my coat and brolly on a hook near some stairs. Right, lets find a mirror and try and make myself respectable. There’s a mirror in the loo, which is rather small, nowhere near as good as the Priory, but any port in a storm. Hat off, hair sorted, makeup checked and, oh, buggger where’s fascinator and gloves? Dam, left them in the flat and after all that fuss to get them.

Make the best with what I’ve got, get a glass of red to warm me up and settle into a sofa to wait until it all gets going.

Chaos slowly becomes order as the wine goes down. Monica does turn up in the end as does here friend who sets up the door. I pay her my entrance fee, suppose I could of dodged it, but that wouldn’t of been right.

Louise turns up to, actually I wasn’t expecting her to come, but got a message on facebook in the afternoon indicating she was going to make it. But me bad, I sort of abandoned her, when things started moving I got my camera out and didn’t really see her again. Sorry Lou. Make it up to you in MK in a couple of weeks.

Things started moving, people started turning up and the acts started performing, first we had a saxophonist Daisy Coole giving us some mood music.

Tthen Kitten Von Strumpet did a Film noir inspired with a bit of FtM performance.

It was good turn and I got some good shots. Too good infact, apparently I was in the way and blocking other people’s view, being tall, fat and at the front, a couple of people had words with me afterwards. They where polite, but I felt if I did it again they wouldn’t be so nice. Was extra careful not to get in the way again. Being told off sort of put a another bit of a downer on the evening.

I did spend most of the evening photographing, but as the place filled up it got a little hard to move, esp trying to keep unobtrusive. Some pictures worked, some didn’t, think flashing them directly worked better, as it got a sort of shadowy effect with an under exposed background. Though this does only tend to work in the younger prettier ones, us old farts need as much light as poss to hide our wrinkles.

(loads more pics on my Flickr Stream)

More acts, another musician, singer song writer Tiger Lilly Girl and guitar. She was pretty good, but struggled with the sound, there where technical problems and towards the end of her set people sort of drifted off and started talking among themselves. She wasn’t to pleased about this, but at an event like this music is sort of background, it’s a club not a gig as such, so I guess that sort of thing will happen, sorry Tiger.

Corset and Diamond regular WORLDMISSTRESS (always in capitals) did a turn, again getting into theme with a dead body and a phone to the police Not bad, but not her best one if you ask me.

3rd Burlseque turn from, Ginger Blush was pretty impressive, great dress, my pictures didn’t do it justice. Not exactly film Noir Midst. Rather underexposed the pics and had to try and recover them in post.

3rd music act was Viktoria. More poppy this one, with a sequence/live keyboards backing played by a young  person (a fairly gender ambiguous person I won’t demean by lableing, but they did have a great jacket) Veronkia has a sort of Lady Ga Ga thing going on with the outfit I reckon, looked good though, and great hair and makeup too. Music was fine though a erm a tab forgettable though, so much so that I’ve er mostly forgotten what it was really like, just pop I guess.

Miss Katy did her usual compare thing to, bit of a game and the usual costume contest, and possibly the best lap dance ever. Normally these lap dances of her’s are really more comedy and the birthday girl who gets it is often quite embarrassed, but tonight, the very pretty girl in the red dress er “lapped” it up, she seemed very confident. 

The flash liked Katy’s dress and I didn’t think it was to bad either though one fashion tip, sheer to waist tights

Last burlesque act was Chiqui who did Private eye to pole dancer, and WOW could she use a pole, quite the athlete.

So that was it really, apart from getting in the way taking photographs, I gulped a couple of drinks and maybes had two sentences of actual conversation Danced a little to, there wasn’t much room to move but I think the music the DJ had on was better, bit more poppy old faves instead of obscure trendy stuff. But over all not a great night out really.

Think I’m a bit burnt out on CnD, its getting rather samey, and there are to many photographers. Every one had a phone or compact, plus there was 3 others walking the floor with SLR’s and a pro with hot lights who set up a photobooth. The other photographers had offical passes and quickly got the good positions by the edge of the stage when the acts came on (had to crop them out of a lot of shots), actually I felt I a little intimidated by them. There was really too many of us, all trying for the same shots in the small crowded space, getting in the way, so I’ve decided that if I do go to the next CnD (not sure yet) I won’t bring big camera and try and be more sociable instead (OK thats going to be difficult ).

Time to go, rain is still chucking it down. Pack up, recover hat and brolly, change into flats and wave bye to a couple of people. Walking in the rain when you feel a little depressed or/and felt you where out of order isn’t so bad, it can be, I dunno, atonement, so I trudged back towards home in the wet.

Pass a couple of faces I recognise 100m from the bar, WORLDMISTRESS and her friend in the gold dress, they ask directions to Camden, well it’s a few miles and not this direction, well er the Canal is the most direct route, but at this time of night, nah best not suggest it, walk them towards the cab office I found that afternoon instead. Hope they got home safely.

Continue towards home, still raining, but doesn’t matter, took about 45 minutes, but I did stop on the way for chips, as usual. By the time I’m home, cleaned up and changed its 3am, crash.

Sunday, up late, little trip to town then back home to do laundry and over 250 pictures to sort out. Cut this down to a more manageable number and start plugging away.

Next week, I’m on call, no excitement is planned, I might even get my Saturday ruined as well but after that it should plain sailing and plenty of fun till January