This week the weather has been very warm and I've seen the first swifts flying overhead so it must be Summer, so 'D' and I went to our favourite shop in Southport to look for some Summer outfits each; (sigh) sadly more outfits than the budget can stretch to, but I got a lovely pink/purple skirt and top, a white/black two piece skirt and top (very shapely) and a rather slinky turquoise gown going for £1 - yes a £1! .... I think they got the sizes wrong on it 'cos it should have been enormous even on me, but it fitted nicely in all the right places!
In considering the pink/purple skirt, I wasn't certain if an 18 would be a better fit than my usual size 16; 'D' actually suggested I should them both on ('D' is the one who usually gets nervous when we're looking for outfits for 'Kate'), but I bottled out as we approached the changing cubicles as they had become quite busy where as a few minutes previous they were deserted. We opted for the size 18 without trying it, on the basis that we're now getting wise to the 'Roman' label - the sizes are actually a little on the small side of what they actually say they are; this was later proven after we got home when I tried the skirt and it comfortably fit my normally size 16 figure!
Time for tea
But I must mention the tea shop we visited; it reminded us of Jess Harts exploits at the Tea Cosy in Brighton, we found the Westminster Tea Room on Southports Lord St. to be nearly as 'unique' although a little less formal. We had seen it on a previous shopping trip and made a note to visit the next time we were in town, mostly for the variety of cream teas they were advertising outside. But once inside, it's all very proper! The girls are properly attired in waitress uniforms hailing from the 1930's (black dress with a white blouse that's buttoned right upto the collar) and the decor is all wooden paneling, crystal chandeliers, large potted plants and 30's recorded music that sounds as though it was still being played from the original wax cylinders.
We ordered a 'Regal' tea each which comprised of a large pot of tea served in china cups, a very nice fruit scone, clotted cream and a house preserve each - I had blackcurrant, 'D' had strawberry. This was presented on a very proper 3 tier silver cake stand complete with a lid covering the scones.
The whole environment although very prim, very proper, was nice and exceptionally chav-free! Although it was very prim and very proper, at least they didn't play the national anthem at 4pm! (even so, it wouldn't have seemed out of place!).
Friday, 16 May 2008
Friday, 2 May 2008
Embarassing moment No.1
I've called this post 'Embarrasing moment No.1' in recognition that reality all to often likes to throw a few 'curve balls' our way; this was my first.
Having survived the aforementioned Flu, I was just about fit enough to venture out for an impromptu outing with Lisa and new girl Karen who was visiting from Scotland.
We had a lovely meal in 'Velvet', followed by paying our respects to Mary and the girls at Manchester Concorde. Before I knew it, it was time to say my 'goodbyes' and make my way back home.
When I got to the carpark, to my horror I couldn't find my ticket; you know how it is with handbags, they contain everything except what you need - and I really needed that ticket, without which I couldn't make my exit through the automatic barrier. I turned my handbag out twice and searched my car for that darn ticket before resigning to the fact I would need to try and contact an attendent to help me - the carpark is one of those automatic sort and is unmanned after about 7pm.
But ah-ha! I spied an emergency phone.... bright yellow and a sign that said 'press any button to contact security'... ok, so it's going to be a bit embarrasing to explain I've lost my ticket and I'm dressed like a woman... do I try my best female voice? ...hmmmm... I decided that in doing the latter might just make things even more embarrasing ..... but then I found that didn't matter since the phone didn't work anyway - even after trying all the buttons.
I then decided to run up to the next floor (in heels) to see if there was another emergency phone.... and then up to the next .... and the next... and the next.... about 6 floors later and no phone. Nothing for it but to try at the hotel just a little down the street to see if they had a contact number. At this stage I was wondering if I was going to have to get room in this hotel and wait until morning .... what would 'D' say if she found I hadn't come home the night before?
Confidence is an intersting thing, so is adrenaline ... and I had just run up and down 6 flights of stairs, but it was thought of having to explain myself to 'D'..... so I strolled into the hotel reception with as much confidence that I could carry; to the amusement of about half-a-dozen guests who were sat at the bar.
The nice man behind the reception desk was very professional. After all , over the Sparkle weekend this hotel is affectionately known as 'Tranny Towers', so they should be used to seeing the odd t-girl. When I asked if he had a contact phone number for the carpark, he directed me to rather large sign at the front - which had a very clear number to contact in emergencies - fortunately I had my mobile with me... but clearly my common sense had long since left me for examining the obvious.
Back at the carpark and I called the number, and with great relief it was answered. The attendant appeared within minutes and took my details with all due professionalism; and let me out promising that the University will contact me in due course.
Next visit, I'm going to staple that ticket to my head.
Having survived the aforementioned Flu, I was just about fit enough to venture out for an impromptu outing with Lisa and new girl Karen who was visiting from Scotland.
We had a lovely meal in 'Velvet', followed by paying our respects to Mary and the girls at Manchester Concorde. Before I knew it, it was time to say my 'goodbyes' and make my way back home.
When I got to the carpark, to my horror I couldn't find my ticket; you know how it is with handbags, they contain everything except what you need - and I really needed that ticket, without which I couldn't make my exit through the automatic barrier. I turned my handbag out twice and searched my car for that darn ticket before resigning to the fact I would need to try and contact an attendent to help me - the carpark is one of those automatic sort and is unmanned after about 7pm.
But ah-ha! I spied an emergency phone.... bright yellow and a sign that said 'press any button to contact security'... ok, so it's going to be a bit embarrasing to explain I've lost my ticket and I'm dressed like a woman... do I try my best female voice? ...hmmmm... I decided that in doing the latter might just make things even more embarrasing ..... but then I found that didn't matter since the phone didn't work anyway - even after trying all the buttons.
I then decided to run up to the next floor (in heels) to see if there was another emergency phone.... and then up to the next .... and the next... and the next.... about 6 floors later and no phone. Nothing for it but to try at the hotel just a little down the street to see if they had a contact number. At this stage I was wondering if I was going to have to get room in this hotel and wait until morning .... what would 'D' say if she found I hadn't come home the night before?
Confidence is an intersting thing, so is adrenaline ... and I had just run up and down 6 flights of stairs, but it was thought of having to explain myself to 'D'..... so I strolled into the hotel reception with as much confidence that I could carry; to the amusement of about half-a-dozen guests who were sat at the bar.
The nice man behind the reception desk was very professional. After all , over the Sparkle weekend this hotel is affectionately known as 'Tranny Towers', so they should be used to seeing the odd t-girl. When I asked if he had a contact phone number for the carpark, he directed me to rather large sign at the front - which had a very clear number to contact in emergencies - fortunately I had my mobile with me... but clearly my common sense had long since left me for examining the obvious.
Back at the carpark and I called the number, and with great relief it was answered. The attendant appeared within minutes and took my details with all due professionalism; and let me out promising that the University will contact me in due course.
Next visit, I'm going to staple that ticket to my head.
Cough, sniff ahhhh.....choooooo!
'Coughs and sneezes spread diseases'. I put it down to some jobsworth who was on the train a week or so back; why can't some folk stay at home when they're sick?
Both 'D' and I came down with a very nasty flu bug the likes of which we've not experienced in about 20 years. Forget paracetamol, this nasty sucker only waved the white flag after it was treated to about half a bottle of Scotlands finest!
Both 'D' and I came down with a very nasty flu bug the likes of which we've not experienced in about 20 years. Forget paracetamol, this nasty sucker only waved the white flag after it was treated to about half a bottle of Scotlands finest!
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Daylight!
For some the 'trannie season' is over; with the clocks going forward an hour and the welcome approach of summer, the evenings are becoming lighter. Which means that Aprils outings are in daylight - at least for getting there!
Teelas monthly get together seemed a little slow at first but by the peak of the evening there was quite a reasonable turn out. Kay brought along new girl Diana which their journey had proven to be quite memorable for her. Apparently Diana had changed at Kays before they both started the journey fully dressed. On the way they got stuck in rush-hour traffic, and as what often happens in these situations, drivers start looking at the other cars and drivers around them as the lanes of vehicles crawl past each other at different speeds. By all accounts it seems the occupants of one vehicle took great interest in the girls and tried to maintain a parallel position alongside them as their lanes moved forward at independent speeds. Fortunately it was the other road users behind these rude folk that forced them to move with the traffic and stop harassing the girls.
Despite this rather 'baptism by fire' for Diana, she appeared confident and comfortable - once she had her first cuppa at Teelas!
As for my journey to Trans-Pose? - it was not as eventful as Kay and Dianas, but I was a little selfconscious given that the journey was made in bright sunshine and full-on into the approaching sunset. I looked at myself in the rear-view mirror a few times; despite a reasonably close-shave and liberal application of foundation, I could still see some of the 5 o'clock shadow. I tried hiding behind my sunglasses but that only made matters worse - they're not girly enough ..... mental note: must get some sunglasses!.
Still following the thread of last months somewhat rushed outing to the Village, I've decided I really need to allow more time to apply the makeup; this month was no exception, I spent a little more time putting the makeup on which meant I was left a bit later than I intended in order to meet Lisa and the girls in time. But I didn't need to rush, which was fortunate too; just after I joined the M62 at Birchwood a police patrol car joined the motorway at the Glazebrook service exit. This resulted in the traffic slowing and hanging behind the patrol vehicle.
The patrol vehicle continued into Manchester and just beyond the end of the motorway the driver pulled the vehicle over as though to let all the traffic pass him; as I was the last car to pass, he pulled out behind me. After this, all the cars in front where carefully watching their rear view mirror to see what the police might do next (me included). Despite it being a40 mph zone, the driver in the car in the next lane to my right and ahead of me decided she was in a 30 mph area and tried to precisely maintain that speed. Which meant that as she slowed and occasionally dipped below 30 mph, I was at the risk of passing her on the inside and that would have been a reason enough for the police to pull me over ... and I could do without that!. Fortunately, I was able to shadow this car from a little further back and at the next set of traffic lights I was able to legitimately pass on the inside.
But this didn't offer any comfort, after passing the slower car it moved into the same lane and behind me - fortunately they were more preoccupied in watching the police car behind them and being nervous.... especially shortly after this as the police car pulled into the vacated lane and overtook the both of us, only to come to stop alongside me at the next traffic lights. I didn't dare look in the drivers direction, the police vehicle towered above me and I'm certain he was looking at me (ok, so I'm a little paranoid - but give me some slack here, it's only my second outing in daylight!). But as the traffic lights turned to green, it became clear he had no interest in any of the vehicles nearby as an approaching police vehicle with lights and sirens did a u-turn in front of us and the pair then proceeded away at speed to respond to some emergency which later proved to be a minor accident on the raised section of the mancunian way.
But if the thought of the police following me wasn't enough, as I approached the turning for the carpark, I noticed a few youths unloading instruments from a transit van by the pub on the corner. I just knew I would have to walk past them and as likely run the gauntlet of some quips and comments. So after I parked my car and checked that my hair was on straight at least a dozen times, I gritted my teeth and made the best approach I could without tottering around too much in my heels on the cobbles. As I passed the group, I just focused on as near-perfect stroll in heels one can get and walked past and around the corner. And was there any wise-cracks? - not one.... which was either down to that they never noticed (yeah, right! - blend in yes, passable no!) or they were polite enough to not to pass some derogatory comment out loud; what a relief! ..... which really goes to show that most of the angst we have is in our own mind and 'incidents' though they might arise from time to time are rare.
The meal at the Eden restaurant was nice; at first it seemed that due to other commitments there might only be 3 of us; Lisa, myself and June Collins who was visiting from her home in Ireland, but Jaime managed to join us just in time for orders. After this we paid a visit to Northern Concorde which it seems is no longer (politics!) and only that evening had they announced the new group of 'Manchester Concorde'.
Teelas monthly get together seemed a little slow at first but by the peak of the evening there was quite a reasonable turn out. Kay brought along new girl Diana which their journey had proven to be quite memorable for her. Apparently Diana had changed at Kays before they both started the journey fully dressed. On the way they got stuck in rush-hour traffic, and as what often happens in these situations, drivers start looking at the other cars and drivers around them as the lanes of vehicles crawl past each other at different speeds. By all accounts it seems the occupants of one vehicle took great interest in the girls and tried to maintain a parallel position alongside them as their lanes moved forward at independent speeds. Fortunately it was the other road users behind these rude folk that forced them to move with the traffic and stop harassing the girls.
Despite this rather 'baptism by fire' for Diana, she appeared confident and comfortable - once she had her first cuppa at Teelas!
As for my journey to Trans-Pose? - it was not as eventful as Kay and Dianas, but I was a little selfconscious given that the journey was made in bright sunshine and full-on into the approaching sunset. I looked at myself in the rear-view mirror a few times; despite a reasonably close-shave and liberal application of foundation, I could still see some of the 5 o'clock shadow. I tried hiding behind my sunglasses but that only made matters worse - they're not girly enough ..... mental note: must get some sunglasses!.
Still following the thread of last months somewhat rushed outing to the Village, I've decided I really need to allow more time to apply the makeup; this month was no exception, I spent a little more time putting the makeup on which meant I was left a bit later than I intended in order to meet Lisa and the girls in time. But I didn't need to rush, which was fortunate too; just after I joined the M62 at Birchwood a police patrol car joined the motorway at the Glazebrook service exit. This resulted in the traffic slowing and hanging behind the patrol vehicle.
The patrol vehicle continued into Manchester and just beyond the end of the motorway the driver pulled the vehicle over as though to let all the traffic pass him; as I was the last car to pass, he pulled out behind me. After this, all the cars in front where carefully watching their rear view mirror to see what the police might do next (me included). Despite it being a40 mph zone, the driver in the car in the next lane to my right and ahead of me decided she was in a 30 mph area and tried to precisely maintain that speed. Which meant that as she slowed and occasionally dipped below 30 mph, I was at the risk of passing her on the inside and that would have been a reason enough for the police to pull me over ... and I could do without that!. Fortunately, I was able to shadow this car from a little further back and at the next set of traffic lights I was able to legitimately pass on the inside.
But this didn't offer any comfort, after passing the slower car it moved into the same lane and behind me - fortunately they were more preoccupied in watching the police car behind them and being nervous.... especially shortly after this as the police car pulled into the vacated lane and overtook the both of us, only to come to stop alongside me at the next traffic lights. I didn't dare look in the drivers direction, the police vehicle towered above me and I'm certain he was looking at me (ok, so I'm a little paranoid - but give me some slack here, it's only my second outing in daylight!). But as the traffic lights turned to green, it became clear he had no interest in any of the vehicles nearby as an approaching police vehicle with lights and sirens did a u-turn in front of us and the pair then proceeded away at speed to respond to some emergency which later proved to be a minor accident on the raised section of the mancunian way.
But if the thought of the police following me wasn't enough, as I approached the turning for the carpark, I noticed a few youths unloading instruments from a transit van by the pub on the corner. I just knew I would have to walk past them and as likely run the gauntlet of some quips and comments. So after I parked my car and checked that my hair was on straight at least a dozen times, I gritted my teeth and made the best approach I could without tottering around too much in my heels on the cobbles. As I passed the group, I just focused on as near-perfect stroll in heels one can get and walked past and around the corner. And was there any wise-cracks? - not one.... which was either down to that they never noticed (yeah, right! - blend in yes, passable no!) or they were polite enough to not to pass some derogatory comment out loud; what a relief! ..... which really goes to show that most of the angst we have is in our own mind and 'incidents' though they might arise from time to time are rare.
The meal at the Eden restaurant was nice; at first it seemed that due to other commitments there might only be 3 of us; Lisa, myself and June Collins who was visiting from her home in Ireland, but Jaime managed to join us just in time for orders. After this we paid a visit to Northern Concorde which it seems is no longer (politics!) and only that evening had they announced the new group of 'Manchester Concorde'.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Monthly regular outings
I'm becoming a regular now at Teela's and a the Northern Angels monthly get-together.
Tea!
Teelas monthly tea event was quite well attended, notably a couple of new girls and the room looking more 'the business' - or I should say, the dressing area and the clothes racks had grown, squeezing the seating area between and making it a bit too cosy!
Arriving at Teelas was a little un-nerving as there was a police patrol car parked on the corner and the gates were shut; it almost looked as though I had got the wrong night but I could see there were other cars parked inside and the gates wern't locked. Oh Well, there was nothing for it but to get out of the car and open the gates to the amusement of the two police officers; fortunately Teelas partner came running over and opened the gates for me.
But otherwise another nice evening and it was nice to hear Teela refer to me as one of her regular girls as I was leaving.
Northern Angels
The regular monthly Northern Angels meal came a few days after Tea with Teela (I do wish they would stagger these events! - 2 outings the same week and then nothing for the best part of a month!). For a change, I actually thought I might have plenty of time to get ready and be there early, .... but family unwittingly conspired against me and I ended up with a mad dash along the M62 and arriving just after 8pm - it also meant I didn't spend near enough time with the makeup etc. Despite the last minute disruption, I wasn't the last to arrive so I can at least claim being fashionably late at the Taurus Bar.
A couple of new girls joined us this month. Emma and Jaime, it was there first time out; so now 'officially' I can claim to be one of the regulars - no longer the new girl! Despite the 'no-shows', it was a reasonable turn out - the other 'regulars' were Astrid and her partner Sandra, Jennifer, Kay, Becky and last but not least, our hostess Lisa. By all accounts there should have been about 12 - 13 in the group; I think it must have been about 9pm before we actually started eating after waiting for them!
Afterwards we called in briefly at Northern Concorde at the Rembrandt; and it was from here onwards that I experienced a couple of minor 'incidents' which I managed in my stride .... (1) the girl behind the bar short-changed me, but I sorted that when she eventually came back to the bar (she gave me change for fiver, instead of the tenner I gave her) (2) as I was leaving, the doorman bid me 'goodnight Sir' - herumpf!... I didn't think the make-up was that bad.... I'll sort him out next time ... if he calls me 'Sir' again!... can't he manage a simple ma'am? - given the number of other t-girls that were there over the evening it had to have been deliberate (3) as I crossed the main-road, a boy-racer that was stopped at the traffic lights blew his horn at me ... no! you're not going to wind me up or impress your passenger with that! (and my make-up wasn't that good either!); like the doorman at the Rembrandt, I just ignored him; some folk just need to get a life.
Tea!
Teelas monthly tea event was quite well attended, notably a couple of new girls and the room looking more 'the business' - or I should say, the dressing area and the clothes racks had grown, squeezing the seating area between and making it a bit too cosy!
Arriving at Teelas was a little un-nerving as there was a police patrol car parked on the corner and the gates were shut; it almost looked as though I had got the wrong night but I could see there were other cars parked inside and the gates wern't locked. Oh Well, there was nothing for it but to get out of the car and open the gates to the amusement of the two police officers; fortunately Teelas partner came running over and opened the gates for me.
But otherwise another nice evening and it was nice to hear Teela refer to me as one of her regular girls as I was leaving.
Northern Angels
The regular monthly Northern Angels meal came a few days after Tea with Teela (I do wish they would stagger these events! - 2 outings the same week and then nothing for the best part of a month!). For a change, I actually thought I might have plenty of time to get ready and be there early, .... but family unwittingly conspired against me and I ended up with a mad dash along the M62 and arriving just after 8pm - it also meant I didn't spend near enough time with the makeup etc. Despite the last minute disruption, I wasn't the last to arrive so I can at least claim being fashionably late at the Taurus Bar.
A couple of new girls joined us this month. Emma and Jaime, it was there first time out; so now 'officially' I can claim to be one of the regulars - no longer the new girl! Despite the 'no-shows', it was a reasonable turn out - the other 'regulars' were Astrid and her partner Sandra, Jennifer, Kay, Becky and last but not least, our hostess Lisa. By all accounts there should have been about 12 - 13 in the group; I think it must have been about 9pm before we actually started eating after waiting for them!
Afterwards we called in briefly at Northern Concorde at the Rembrandt; and it was from here onwards that I experienced a couple of minor 'incidents' which I managed in my stride .... (1) the girl behind the bar short-changed me, but I sorted that when she eventually came back to the bar (she gave me change for fiver, instead of the tenner I gave her) (2) as I was leaving, the doorman bid me 'goodnight Sir' - herumpf!... I didn't think the make-up was that bad.... I'll sort him out next time ... if he calls me 'Sir' again!... can't he manage a simple ma'am? - given the number of other t-girls that were there over the evening it had to have been deliberate (3) as I crossed the main-road, a boy-racer that was stopped at the traffic lights blew his horn at me ... no! you're not going to wind me up or impress your passenger with that! (and my make-up wasn't that good either!); like the doorman at the Rembrandt, I just ignored him; some folk just need to get a life.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Good grief, it's March already!
Two outings this month and both fairly close together; the trouble with that is it leaves you wishing you could have more or at least spread them out a bit. With the lighter evenings approaching I wonder if any further outings are going to be possible; the limitation is not really down to being seen in daylight - well, perhaps a bit, but about leaving the house dressed without being seen. I don't really want to get into arriving at any destination in 'Bob' attire, I want to do a proper job of it all and be Kate the moment I leave home. I'll just have see what half-way opportunities avail themselves in due course.
Outings - I mean as Kate (my partner and I have plenty of other outings!); A lovely meal in Manchesters Chinatown with new friends, and the regular monthly 'Tea with Teela' at Trans-Pose.
For this months Northern angels meal, Lisa had arranged for a meal in Manchesters Chinatown which is a short walk from the sanctuary of the Village - for me it was my first outing into the ever-more-real world, and this time I was only shaking from the cold; no nerves! There were 7 of us including myself; Lisa, Becky, Gisele, Kathryn, Kay, and Linzi. The restaurant was below street level and as we descended into it, quite a number of faces all turned to watch us being escorted to the bar area to await the preparation of our table. But I guess safety in numbers prevails here and even after a few minutes, no further interest was made by the other patrons. Of course we still got the odd glance in the direction of our table throughout the evening - 'just making sure', but no one had any issues with us and an evening with new friends and good company proceeded.
I think you have to accept you will always be 'read', as long as you treat others with respect you shouldn't get any hassle off them and indeed it's a case of 'so what', we're all the same underneath aren't we? - we all just want to be accepted for who we are.
The other outing, coming a few days after the visit to Manchester was to 'Tea with Teela'; Teela had done a lot more to 'the shed', the best I must say was to create a lower ceiling with a light fabric material; apart from obscuring the inside face of the shed roof, it had the practicality of keeping the heat at our level. With the work recently completed in the make-up and dressing area, it all now looks the part. A couple of new girls came along which made me feel at least one of the old hands now; I didn't catch both their names but I think one was Mandy? I also had the opportunity to briefly chat to Nicki Susanti who to say the least has had quite an eventful 12 months; despite this Nicki seems quite upbeat and indeed I had to tell her that I admired her for what she was doing with her life, not as a form of jealousy or anything, but admiration for the courage in doing something about improving ones lot.
And finally for this month; ok! so I acquired a few more outfits, the sales were still on-going and like most girls, I can't resist a bargain! I think if finances were limitless, between us (both my wife and I) we might have cleared out Lakeland in the Trafford Centre. So what!, one skirt IS a bit tight, it's a small 16 so I'll have to lose some weight! In regards to that, I've bet my wife I can achieve less than a size 16 by Spring..... not that I need any financial reward, I just NEED to lose that tummy .... but with chocolate easter eggs in the next few weeks and Spring only around the corner, can I do it?
Outings - I mean as Kate (my partner and I have plenty of other outings!); A lovely meal in Manchesters Chinatown with new friends, and the regular monthly 'Tea with Teela' at Trans-Pose.
For this months Northern angels meal, Lisa had arranged for a meal in Manchesters Chinatown which is a short walk from the sanctuary of the Village - for me it was my first outing into the ever-more-real world, and this time I was only shaking from the cold; no nerves! There were 7 of us including myself; Lisa, Becky, Gisele, Kathryn, Kay, and Linzi. The restaurant was below street level and as we descended into it, quite a number of faces all turned to watch us being escorted to the bar area to await the preparation of our table. But I guess safety in numbers prevails here and even after a few minutes, no further interest was made by the other patrons. Of course we still got the odd glance in the direction of our table throughout the evening - 'just making sure', but no one had any issues with us and an evening with new friends and good company proceeded.
I think you have to accept you will always be 'read', as long as you treat others with respect you shouldn't get any hassle off them and indeed it's a case of 'so what', we're all the same underneath aren't we? - we all just want to be accepted for who we are.
The other outing, coming a few days after the visit to Manchester was to 'Tea with Teela'; Teela had done a lot more to 'the shed', the best I must say was to create a lower ceiling with a light fabric material; apart from obscuring the inside face of the shed roof, it had the practicality of keeping the heat at our level. With the work recently completed in the make-up and dressing area, it all now looks the part. A couple of new girls came along which made me feel at least one of the old hands now; I didn't catch both their names but I think one was Mandy? I also had the opportunity to briefly chat to Nicki Susanti who to say the least has had quite an eventful 12 months; despite this Nicki seems quite upbeat and indeed I had to tell her that I admired her for what she was doing with her life, not as a form of jealousy or anything, but admiration for the courage in doing something about improving ones lot.
And finally for this month; ok! so I acquired a few more outfits, the sales were still on-going and like most girls, I can't resist a bargain! I think if finances were limitless, between us (both my wife and I) we might have cleared out Lakeland in the Trafford Centre. So what!, one skirt IS a bit tight, it's a small 16 so I'll have to lose some weight! In regards to that, I've bet my wife I can achieve less than a size 16 by Spring..... not that I need any financial reward, I just NEED to lose that tummy .... but with chocolate easter eggs in the next few weeks and Spring only around the corner, can I do it?
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Back to reality
Ok so a little late, but as the title suggests, back to work and I tried ever so hard not to get into the 'head down' and 'nose to the grind stone' work ethic; but doesn't having to work for a living really suck?
If being depressed at having to be back in work was bad enough, my first day after the Christmas break was also punctuated by some dopey girl running into the back of my car - thanks!, something else for me to sort out. Although she was very sorry indeed, she clearly balked when I gave her the estimated cost to put it all right again; guess she'll be losing her no claims bonus.
So what have I been upto? - a nice meal in the Village organised by Lisa Karen.... oh, and that was my first outing alone too; curious really?, as I sit and write this I don't feel it was such a big deal. I wore the new outfit my wife and I had bought the weekend before in Southport (long purple velvet and satin skirt and matching top) I walked on my own from the car-park to Canal St and found Kay Denise in Taurus bar as arranged. After a drink and some friendly chat, we both made our way to meet the others at AXM and onto Eden resturant. Teela also joined us for the evening as too Astrid and her partner and of course Lisa - my first opportunity to meet our hostess. Quite a number of the girls dropped out at the last minute, so our promised number of 10 was actually 6 by the time we sat down to eat.
After the meal we called into the Rembrandt to pay our respects to 'legs' Mary and the girls of Northern Concorde. The Rembrandt is a new venue for the group, by all accounts history repeating since many years ago the group used to meet there. The room above the main bar was lovely, with a sort of conservatory feature along one side that overhangs Canal St. and with the windows at the same height as all the little blue twinkly lights in the trees outside.
Late January and Teela celebrated her first 12 months in business with Trans-Pose. I wore my strapless black dress which by some sheer miracle managed to stay in place for the whole evening. Many girls turned out to help Teela with the celebrations - too many to remember all the names.
If being depressed at having to be back in work was bad enough, my first day after the Christmas break was also punctuated by some dopey girl running into the back of my car - thanks!, something else for me to sort out. Although she was very sorry indeed, she clearly balked when I gave her the estimated cost to put it all right again; guess she'll be losing her no claims bonus.
So what have I been upto? - a nice meal in the Village organised by Lisa Karen.... oh, and that was my first outing alone too; curious really?, as I sit and write this I don't feel it was such a big deal. I wore the new outfit my wife and I had bought the weekend before in Southport (long purple velvet and satin skirt and matching top) I walked on my own from the car-park to Canal St and found Kay Denise in Taurus bar as arranged. After a drink and some friendly chat, we both made our way to meet the others at AXM and onto Eden resturant. Teela also joined us for the evening as too Astrid and her partner and of course Lisa - my first opportunity to meet our hostess. Quite a number of the girls dropped out at the last minute, so our promised number of 10 was actually 6 by the time we sat down to eat.
After the meal we called into the Rembrandt to pay our respects to 'legs' Mary and the girls of Northern Concorde. The Rembrandt is a new venue for the group, by all accounts history repeating since many years ago the group used to meet there. The room above the main bar was lovely, with a sort of conservatory feature along one side that overhangs Canal St. and with the windows at the same height as all the little blue twinkly lights in the trees outside.
Late January and Teela celebrated her first 12 months in business with Trans-Pose. I wore my strapless black dress which by some sheer miracle managed to stay in place for the whole evening. Many girls turned out to help Teela with the celebrations - too many to remember all the names.
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