Living for the weekend as usual, though I suppose the week wasn’t to bad, actual had some coding problems to solve. Put off doing paper work till next week.

So Saturday, usual stuff, cept er where’s my usual hair gone, is this one the usual one or the older one  not sure, er what’s in this bag, oh that hair, the longer blonde hot hair one I got ealier this year, well try it, hrmm still not so sure about this one, it just sits to high on my head, it looks like I should be in a Tefal commercial (I’m going back a few years here), not a feminine look.

Oh that and boobs. Since I’ve been gaining weight (sob) I’ve sort of got my moobs back, so I did a little experiment with one of the stick on bras to pull the flab together to make a sort of faux cleavage. Doesn’t give me much and it’s a little lop sided try to enhance with a little makeup shading. Wear normal bra and forms over the top. In the mirror, with a low cut vest the result is er OK ish, you have to look at the right angle. This will take some more practice.

Boobs don’t show up much in the photo, but OMG the forehead, I could rent it out as a billboard. Pack up and out the house by 11ish. Have a plan for the day, first a little shopping in Holloway, a had a dress and some paper to buy, then there’s this Drawing club I saw on Facebook (life drawing in a pub in Shoreditch, hence the paper) and then the Gypsy Hotel in the evening.

Right over to Holloway then, sun’s out but its got rather chilly, have added a and a little tan leatherish blouson to the outfit and popped a hat on to keep me warm (and the hat hides the huge expanse of forehead). Close up the shirt too. Have some new boots on, they have a mid hieght block heel and are leather, might need a little breaking in, but so far, so good.

Checked football fixtures, they are playing away and its late afternoon anyway, so should be OK around Holloway, but dunno feel a little conspicuous, look away when I see lads walking down the street.

Walking towards Holloway road my hands feel cold, rest is fine, just the hands, note to self, buy gloves, but there’s that nice little coffee shop/deli place. Order a cappuccino to take away and try the little cheese samples they had counter while waiting. Coffee is to warm my hands as much as anything

First shop was to be the art/stationary shop, for the heavy cartridge paper (didn’t have any A4 at home), but it didn’t open till 12. Well I’ll come back. Next stop then, Vivien of Holloway, they are open, and its rather busy.

There’s another Corset and Diamonds night coming up at the end of November and the theme is Film Noir, so 40-50’s American look it is, so Vivien of Holloway’s 40-50s retro styled outfits where just the ticket. I’d had my eye on a black satin number for while and this seemed the ideal opportunity to get it. The dress, as well as being on theme should be practical for me, its got sleeves to cover my shoulders and is not cut that low at the front or back (but I think it might show a little, this was part of the reason I did they cleavage experiment today) and as the woman in the shop told me, needs height to wear properly and I’ve got plenty of that Good news, they have plenty in stock, and eyeball sizeometer reckons its between the size 14 and the 16. But urm, the dress doesn’t have a back zip (it’s a side one), that means it goes over the head, and with the amount of makeup I’m wearing, that will just make a mess. The sales girl is actually relieved when I mention this after she asked if I want to try them on and I declined.

Have to wait a bit for another sales person (said it was busy), she must be the senior one, slightly older but very trim, with a severe black bob, American I think. She measures the dresses, 14 is 30″ waist, 16 is 32″ and me, I’m 31″ (sob and I’m wearing a tight belt too), decide to go with the 16, to be safe and put my card in the machine. Of course the staff read me, but are still very polite and helpful, though I think they sort of assumed I didn’t know that much about feminine clothing

Trying it on at home later (sans slap) I find it does fit, but it is rather difficult to get in and do up the zip. This is not cause I’m too fat, honest, its cause the dress is tailored to fit a GG (and it’s a non stretch material) and the fitted waist lies approx 2-3 inches above my own natural one, so I’m zipping it up over my chest not waist. Oh well, but I can get into it and its not uncomfortable, upper chest and shoulders are fine (and its not really low cut enough to require cleavage anyway). Skirt turns out to be a bit of a Sarong style, with a split, so I can show a bit of stocking’ed leg with right pose Will where it with my What Katie Did undies, seemed stockings, black courts and short black gloves (did have a little discussion on accessories in the shop). Cept one of my short black satin gloves has gone missing me and gloves. Another trip to Camden is required I think.

Right back to shopping, Boots for shaving foam (nice aloe vera girly stuff), a replacement eyelash curler (my old one rusted!) and oh what’s this in my wallet, a £5 off voucher for No. 7 that’s about to run out, well better use it then, force myself to get some eye shadow :) 

Priceless, one of the few branches that didn’t close down, has some killer ankle boots, they are total rock chick, black leather, studs, small platform and a massive spike heal. And £5 off. Ermm, do I want them, yes, ish, they look gorgeous, but also total agony, literally killer ankle boots. There’s no size 9 on display and a little voice is telling me no, don’t even ask if they have them, you have far too many pairs of boots anyway. Dam you sensible voice. ( googling later I find they do actually come in a 9…)

Little wander around a few more shops, That odd department store (XX Tall Tights, hrmmm), New Look, MK one (another shop I thought had closed down), Shoe Zone (oh more nice ankle boots) and finally Peacocks.

Pick up some gloves, sensible cream one, not so sensible white lace ones (which would have been nicer in black) and just have a glance at the shoes. Just a glance though, they don’t do size 9’s not really worth it. But then there’s those, another pair of ankle boots, grey synthetic leather, laces, straps, buckles, zips, long slightly chunky heel, sort of fantasy combat boots but with a 4″ heel,sexy …. :)  Well I think they are sexy. Sort of thing Motoko Kusnagi would wear. But they only go up to 8 don’t they. Won’t fit will they. Can’t hurt to try though….

OFMG they fit, snug on the feet but little loose around my dainty (yes they are) ankles, but that’s the style I guess, right having them. Oh they come in black too, black or grey, hrmmm, grey, I like grey, its… ambiguous. And oh wow those too, sort of shinny black mock snakeskin, platform and a lethal heel, and they are in 8 to, well if the grey pair fit, these will. Er no they won’t can get my feet in them, but they pinch my toes and are quite uncomfortable. Uncomfortable after 30 seconds = want to hack my feet off with a rusty penknife after 30 minutes. Oh well, grey ones fit and I’ve spend a lot already anyway. Perhaps sensible voice knew about these boots and just wanted me to wait

It’s warm in the shop (its warm in all the shops) so its nice to get back in the cool Autumn air. So what next, well its lunch time, but I still have to get that paper. There’s not a lot I fancy around here on Seven Sisters Road to eat (KFC, Mac D, Subway…) would rather get back to Angel for food, and there’s an Art shop down there, too but don’t fancy walking all the way (new boots are starting to be felt) lets see what the buses do.

Busses hadn’t arrived by the time I’d got back to the art shop on Holloway road.  Find a nice pad of heavy A4 paper (A4 cause that fits in my handbag, it’s a big bag) a propelling pencil but can’t find B leads. Have to ask the shop man for them. “Anything else sir” he says after getting the leads (2nd set, he brought HB the first time). Sir, oh well. He said it quietly, not emphasised, so it was probably just an automatic response to what he saw:( Got a Madam and a Miss earlier from people giving away leaflets on the street, so I’m ahead, I guess.

There’s the bus. Ride the bus halfway into Islington before getting off and looking for somewhere nice to eat. Is it me or are less bars doing food on a Saturday lunchtime? But what’s with the craft sales and stuff in the bars, Wax Jambu has vintage clothes, Keston Lodge has Crafts and Jewellery (and smells a little odd). Well I suppose they are just trying something different.

End up in The Bull (that is just doing food and drink, no crafts) with a glass of Rosé, A falafel wrap and my current book. Book is good, stay for a second glass of wine.

Pop across the road to pick up a few things in Sainsbury’s before bussing it back home. Phase 1 is complete

Back home, check mail, usual stuff and get ready for Phase 2. Got a little shinny with all the dashing around so pat on the blot and redo lips, most of my lippy must of ended up on the falafel. Boobs, hrm not much there is there, it might of slipped a bit, re apply the stick on bra, pulling a bigger handful of flab together. To much flab in fact, the clasp on the bra snaps Oh well, it was only a couple of quid from Primark. Will have to find a replacement (a stronger replacement) before I try that again.

Time has got on, its well gone 3 before I get out again and the Drawing club has already started. It’s going to be a bus ride, but have to walk to the stop first. Right foot is hurting a bit.

Bus turns up after a few minutes and I there a seat on the top deck. Check boot and feet. The thick tights where footless, so I had some ankle highs on underneath, but it looks like there’s a huge hole in the right one now and its rubbing on my foot causing the irritation Spin the ankle high around so the holes at the top, that should help.

Off the bus at Old Street, it’s a still a walk from here, but the London Transport website said that was the fastest way. Girl stops me by a bus stop, she needs to directions to a certain Art Gallery, but I don’t know it, sorry.

Think I make a wrong turn off Old Street and take a slightly longer route than necessary, doh. By the time I’m back on the right track my foot is really hurting. Stop for a sec and insert a wad of tissue inside the ankle high to cushion it. Helps a little and I manage to get to Hackney Road. Not exactly sure where the place is, it’s a pub called the Joiners arms, I don’t know it. But its not far and there’s a handy sign outside saying “The Drawing Club”

There’s a bell to ring to get in and the windows are covered, good idea really, you don’t really want just anybody walking in, as, well, when you walk in you see is this completely naked man lying on a sofa in the middle of the room. Life drawing, drawing naked people if you didn’t know already, the naked guy is the life model and there’s a cluster of people around him with drawing boards, paper and pencils. There are other pubs and bars in this area that also offer naked people too, but they are mostly naked women, there’s no paper and pencils and you have to put a pound in a pint glass first (It was my brothers stag do, honest). Nope this was definitely drawing, pay my £5 and pick up a drawing board, I’m offered paper and pencils, but I have my own.

Find a chair towards one side, I don’t have a great view, but there’s enough to see and draw and actually the sofa in front of me hides his dangly bits for which I am actually quite grateful. Not really my favourite part of the human body.

Bit of history, I’ve been creating images since I could hold a crayon, early years was crayon and felt tip, art at Grammar School, came top in my form, but gave it up to do Chemistry O level (bad mistake), got back into pencils and ink at uni illustrating the Sci Fi Society’s fanzine, fan art and 50 odd pages of Manga during my Otaku phase in my 20’s, game based computer graphics and animation in my 30’s and finally painting my own face and photography over the last few years. So that’s a lot of images. But actually I’ve never tried life drawing so when this opportunity came up it was too good to miss. I knew the models would be naked, but well its still a bit of a shock, male nudity isn’t really my thing. But keep calm, we are all grown ups here, and its art, just get on with it. And after a bit it was just art, he wasn’t a naked man anymore, he’s was just light and shade, lines and form and I just get scribbling.

He poses for 20 minutes at a time, which was just enough for me to sketch all of him. I’m rusty, my drawing isn’t anywhere near as good as it was when I was in my 20’s, but a little comes back. Get a glass of wine and a cookie after the 2nd pose and have a look at the place. Cookie is erm, different.

It is in a Gay pub, the big rainbow flag and the collection jar for stonewall on the bar sort of give it away and quite a few of the attendees, certainly the models, the guy running it and the barman also ping the Gaydar heavily, but its not exclusively gay male, women are make up more than 50% of the turn out, its more of a cross section of arty Shoreditch/Hoxton types, I’m probably the oldest and least hip person there, but no one makes an issue. Plus I guess I’m the only TG person too (though one guy’s denim playsuit is rather feminine) but hey, LGBT and all that. What is slightly surprising is the turn out, there’s 20 odd people, which is about right for the space, no that isn’t what was surprising, its the fact the Facebook page had over 100 “confirmed” attendees and similar amount of maybes. Actually it’s not really surprising, its very easy to click on a radio button on Facebook, much harder to actually turn up at an event.

Another surprise, some people where actually smoking, what smoking inside a pub! Actually I was a bit shocked, but I suppose this counts as a private club or party so people can get away with it and not that many people where lighting up anyway. Also it was quite quiet, not many people where talking, none of the usual pub/bar hubbub, people where mostly too busy drawing.

During a break a couple of people take pictures of the scene (not the model, he’s just there to be drawn), so I get my cam out and get a few mood pics as well. On to the 2nd glass of wine now, and a slice of the Beetroot and Dark Chocolate cake, which didn’t really taste much of beetroot, mostly chocolate but had an interesting texture, I liked it :)   The cakes and biscuits where home made, think the barman made them and there was tea and coffee too if you didn’t want to drink booze.

They bring out another model for the next session, another guy, the facebook page said they where going to have one male and one female (equality and balance, good) but either she was a no show or was on during the first hour (it started at 3 and I didn’t get there till 4) . He did a few quick poses, 5 minutes a time, then some longer ones. Felt a little rushed during the shorter poses, but during the longer ones, it was quite relaxing in a way, you do have to concentrate quite hard, but with the wine and cake, the hushed conversation and the music and it was rather peaceful. Music, ah yes, they did have a couple of people, one with a guitar and the other on percussion, to give us some live music for a while, but I sort of preferred the CD’s they had on, old (60’s) Blues, Soul and RnB, it worked very well, set a nice mood.

Anyway, here are a few of my sketches, not great, esp that one on the right, it has some very odd proportions.

At about 6pm people where starting to leave and I think I’d done enough drawing for the day (as I said, it was both relaxing but still required quite a lot of concentration) so I decided to go as well. The group said they would meet about every 2 weeks, can’t say I’ll be at every one, but I do intend to return.

Outside, had been sitting for a couple of hours, so feet where OK inside, but now, nooooo I really didn’t want to walk much, owwww. There’s a bus stop and a bus, where does go, Waterloo, that will do, I can get a bus home from there.

Ride the buses home, taking a few snaps along the way, well I like the city at night, the pics aren’t exactly stunning architecture images but I was sort of going for freekly reflections and short depths of field, I quite like them

Back to my neighbourhood, have food in the fridge, but don’t fancy it, pop into the takeaway for veggie fried rice on the way home instead. What did I say about moobs and wieght gain and stuff

Home and OMFG that’s a blister and a half, it must be like 5cm long, ouch, no wonder it hurt. How did it get so bad? Boots felt comfortable, guess it must of been friction and the thin ankle highs. Must wear proper socks or thick tights with these boots in future.

So on to the Gypsy Hotel? nope, no way, it’s half an hours walk, a late night on my feet and another half hour home, I can’t manage that, not with my foot like this, the Gypsy hotel eludes me again Stay in with my feet up, fire on, an indulge in my book the food more wine, before falling asleep with my makeup still on.

Hobble about a bit on Sunday, trying to find a place for lunch and a place for dinner next week.