That wasn't supposed to happen. I let six months elapse between blog posts, though I suppose that's somewhat appropriate, being that the last message was entitled "Six Months". Ba-dum tish. I wish I could say that I've been busy, but that's only partially true. The truth is, I've been distracted, by all manner of things. I wanted to post a few different times in the interim, but I could never get my thoughts organized quite to my satisfaction. I was also having trouble trying to describe events without making the participants (myself included) sound like assholes.
I managed to go the whole year without a proper job. Along the way I learned that my not getting hired was not due to my credit history, but a criminal charge I was completely unaware of. Suffice to say, I now have a misdemeanor conviction for fraud, for which I am currently on probation. I also have court costs and other fees to pay, but at least I'm not in jail.
In August, I narrowly escaped becoming homeless. My therapist helped me apply for a berth in a reputable homeless shelter, but I needed someplace to crash until said berth opened up. My friends Troy and River stepped up and let me stay in their spare bedroom for about a month. Around the same time, River's dad entered the hospital. He's 91, and suffers from a lot of things, but is hobbled by dementia. I spent a night with him in the hospital, and we hit it off somewhat. When he was released, he needed someone to stay with him 24/7, and I was asked to take on the job. That gave me both a place to live and some income.
Having a base and spending money brought my femme self back out of the closet. My housemate accepted me as a woman, and I've spent the last three months sliding back and forth between my personae. I've presented myself as male when I needed to, as when I appeared in court, reported to my probation officer, etc, and have tried to spend the balance of my time en femme. I've expanded my wardrobe, and made new friends and contacts. I've met with a lot of acceptance, but also weathered a bit of ribbing and more recently, some nasty street harassment. It's ironic. In the last couple of weeks, a number of drivers or passengers have rolled alongside me to shout something, but they're going too fast or something, because I've not understood a word of it. I hear the tones, and I know derogation when I hear it, but other than a muttered "faggot" and a lot of laughter, I haven't heard the substance of most of the slurs. I guess my MP3 player is good for hearing protection after all. ;)
Anyway, as I enter the new year, I find myself almost returned to my situation of a few months ago. My aged companion has announced that he is ready (at long last) to enter assisted living, and when he goes, I will be back out on the street. Maybe the shelter will still take me in. I'm just not sure how I want to go. When I first applied, I was looking at going into the male dorm. All my feminine trappings were in storage, and I didn't know when I'd see them again. I was willing to put up with that experience to keep a roof over my head. After the freedom of this last season, I am not sure that I am willing to go without. I don't think I am feminine enough to get a spot in the female dorms, but I don't know if I can put on the rough airs I might need to weather the male spaces, either.
Whatever happens in the near future, I will try to do better at updating this blog on a regular basis.
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Saturday, January 21, 2012
New Experiences
Monday was my first day off after several, and I decided I wanted to go to the movies. I also decided to make this outing en femme. I somehow missed out on writing about it, but I did finally get a couple of outings during the fall. On the first I went out to attend that museum show I wrote about, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I never made it to the museum. My second trip out was simply a low-key trek across town to pick up my meds. I didn't have any real negative experiences, aside from the usual occasional laughter. I can live with laughter. It's much preferable to violence of any kind.
The weather of late has been wonky, even for Florida. We've had cold, rainy days followed by sunny and hot. Monday I ventured out in jeans and a sweater, and I was plenty warm, though I brought a denim jacket just in case. I wore a pair of boots I'd picked up for just such an occasion, Merona Kamischel Lug-Sole Boots in Grey from Target. I'd wanted to get out early, but I have motivational issues without my regular medication, and I got a late start. I didn't make it out the door until 1600.
Vicki was nice enough to drive me up to my bus stop, and from there I caught the bus into the downtown area. I then walked six blocks over to catch another bus which delivered me to the mall. I arrived there around 1715, and to my dismay, the movie I'd come to see, David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo didn't start until 1845. I had about an hour and a half to kill, and I had a little spending money with me, so I decided to shop a bit. Tallahassee Mall has been on a downward trend for years, and there are far more empty storefronts there than open stores, but they have Burlington Coat Factory, Barnes & Noble, and a Victoria's Secret. That last store was having their Semi-Annual Sale, featuring panties for $2.99 and bras for $15.99. I bought one of each. That was one of my new experiences. I've shopped at VS before, but only bought something for one of my nieces. I seem to remember writing about a previous trip there when I lived in Virginia. I don't remember being treated very well, and I remember being put off because the salesperson wanted me to buy a poorly-fitting bra. I didn't have that experience this time. The salespeople I met were very welcoming. The other customers I interacted with were nice, also. The sale bras were "sorted" into bins by their band and cup size. I'm wearing 38D now, and the 38D bins didn't have very many 38D bras in them, or even 38s of any size. I guess a day of customers pawing through the bins would disorder them, and if they were as busy all day as they were when I shopped there, then maybe they didn't have time to re-sort them.
One thing I want to mention here, that I haven't gotten around to saying before, is that I've lost weight. At my heaviest last year, I was pushing 230. I'm down to 200. Must be work and all that walking. It's been nice, because some of my tops and such look a lot better, but it's also a bit of a pain, because my pants don't fit anymore. For the last four or five years, I've been wearing size 12-14 jeans, and now they don't fit. None of them, from any manufacturer, will stay up on my waist or hips without the addition of a belt. I've gotten out and bought a couple of new pairs in the junior size 11. They're a little snug, but they're comfortable all the same. I'm still large on top, but I've lost a couple of inches in my chest, hence the 38 bras.
After VS, I hiked to the other end of the mall to Barnes & Noble. I really didn't want to buy any books, but looking at them can eat up a lot of time, and it did. I also got hit on. There was this really persistent gentleman wandering the scifi stacks, and he really wanted to chat me up. I suppose I should be flattered, because he either didn't "read" me, or he didn't care. He said he thought I was hot, and he wanted to get to know me better, but it was getting late, and my movie was starting soon, and he made me nervous, so I apologized and told him I wasn't interested, and beat feet for the theater.
The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo was one of the best book adaptations I've seen in a long time. Fincher made a couple of changes from the novel, but I don't think they detracted from the story at all, and I think they might help if he's successful in making the rest of the Millennium trilogy. I think Noomi Rapace was the best feature of the original Swedish productions, but Rooney Mara IS Lisbeth Salander. She totally owned the character, from the "Fuck you!" street persona to the underlying vulnerability and all the nuances in between. I love the horn earrings she wore in the movie, and I was much dismayed to learn that H&M sold out of them (as well as every stitch of the clothing line).
The movie didn't let out until 2130, and that posed a problem for me getting home. The last bus toward home ran past the mall at 2145, and it took me longer than that to walk around to the front side of the mall where the bus stop is. I messaged Vicki to see if I could get a ride. She was tied up across town waiting for her husband to get off from work, so I walked up the road to the nearby Whataburger to wait. It wasn't my first choice for either food or a place to wait, but there aren't many stores or restaurants in that neighborhood that are open late, so that's where I went. I ordered a combo and sat down to eat and wait. After the meal, I got bored, and decided to start walking. I messaged Vicki to let her know I was moving on, and that I'd try to get closer to home so it'd be easier for them to pick me up. That was the beginning of my next new experience.
I've been out walking a lot, but I haven't done much of it at night, and I haven't been out dressed as a woman. This could have been my undoing. I'd barely traveled half a mile from the Mall when a car rolled up beside me and the driver asked me "How much?" I told him I wasn't a prostitute and kept walking. A mile or so down the road, another driver pulled into an adjacent parking lot and flashed his lights at me. BLINK BLINK. I started to feel like I was in a bad movie. I kept walking. That wasn't the last time. I was propositioned twice more, by one more driver and a pedestrian.
I couldn't figure why I was getting so much attention. I wasn't dressed provocatively. My makeup was understated daytime stuff. I wasn't even walking sexily or anything. Then I remembered all the casually-dressed prostitutes I've seen in my travels, all the solitary women I'd seen by the road in different places who turned out to be "working", I was afraid that I was going to attract attention from the police, and I didn't want that, either. I took the hint and got off the street.
The next block hosts a 24-hour CVS drug store. I ate up a lot of time in there, and even purchased a few items. Then I went out front to wait, and a few minutes later I was in the car rolling home. I got home with just enough time to undress, clean off my makeup and nail polish before climbing into bed for a short sleep before work again.
The weather of late has been wonky, even for Florida. We've had cold, rainy days followed by sunny and hot. Monday I ventured out in jeans and a sweater, and I was plenty warm, though I brought a denim jacket just in case. I wore a pair of boots I'd picked up for just such an occasion, Merona Kamischel Lug-Sole Boots in Grey from Target. I'd wanted to get out early, but I have motivational issues without my regular medication, and I got a late start. I didn't make it out the door until 1600.
Vicki was nice enough to drive me up to my bus stop, and from there I caught the bus into the downtown area. I then walked six blocks over to catch another bus which delivered me to the mall. I arrived there around 1715, and to my dismay, the movie I'd come to see, David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo didn't start until 1845. I had about an hour and a half to kill, and I had a little spending money with me, so I decided to shop a bit. Tallahassee Mall has been on a downward trend for years, and there are far more empty storefronts there than open stores, but they have Burlington Coat Factory, Barnes & Noble, and a Victoria's Secret. That last store was having their Semi-Annual Sale, featuring panties for $2.99 and bras for $15.99. I bought one of each. That was one of my new experiences. I've shopped at VS before, but only bought something for one of my nieces. I seem to remember writing about a previous trip there when I lived in Virginia. I don't remember being treated very well, and I remember being put off because the salesperson wanted me to buy a poorly-fitting bra. I didn't have that experience this time. The salespeople I met were very welcoming. The other customers I interacted with were nice, also. The sale bras were "sorted" into bins by their band and cup size. I'm wearing 38D now, and the 38D bins didn't have very many 38D bras in them, or even 38s of any size. I guess a day of customers pawing through the bins would disorder them, and if they were as busy all day as they were when I shopped there, then maybe they didn't have time to re-sort them.
One thing I want to mention here, that I haven't gotten around to saying before, is that I've lost weight. At my heaviest last year, I was pushing 230. I'm down to 200. Must be work and all that walking. It's been nice, because some of my tops and such look a lot better, but it's also a bit of a pain, because my pants don't fit anymore. For the last four or five years, I've been wearing size 12-14 jeans, and now they don't fit. None of them, from any manufacturer, will stay up on my waist or hips without the addition of a belt. I've gotten out and bought a couple of new pairs in the junior size 11. They're a little snug, but they're comfortable all the same. I'm still large on top, but I've lost a couple of inches in my chest, hence the 38 bras.
After VS, I hiked to the other end of the mall to Barnes & Noble. I really didn't want to buy any books, but looking at them can eat up a lot of time, and it did. I also got hit on. There was this really persistent gentleman wandering the scifi stacks, and he really wanted to chat me up. I suppose I should be flattered, because he either didn't "read" me, or he didn't care. He said he thought I was hot, and he wanted to get to know me better, but it was getting late, and my movie was starting soon, and he made me nervous, so I apologized and told him I wasn't interested, and beat feet for the theater.
The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo was one of the best book adaptations I've seen in a long time. Fincher made a couple of changes from the novel, but I don't think they detracted from the story at all, and I think they might help if he's successful in making the rest of the Millennium trilogy. I think Noomi Rapace was the best feature of the original Swedish productions, but Rooney Mara IS Lisbeth Salander. She totally owned the character, from the "Fuck you!" street persona to the underlying vulnerability and all the nuances in between. I love the horn earrings she wore in the movie, and I was much dismayed to learn that H&M sold out of them (as well as every stitch of the clothing line).
The movie didn't let out until 2130, and that posed a problem for me getting home. The last bus toward home ran past the mall at 2145, and it took me longer than that to walk around to the front side of the mall where the bus stop is. I messaged Vicki to see if I could get a ride. She was tied up across town waiting for her husband to get off from work, so I walked up the road to the nearby Whataburger to wait. It wasn't my first choice for either food or a place to wait, but there aren't many stores or restaurants in that neighborhood that are open late, so that's where I went. I ordered a combo and sat down to eat and wait. After the meal, I got bored, and decided to start walking. I messaged Vicki to let her know I was moving on, and that I'd try to get closer to home so it'd be easier for them to pick me up. That was the beginning of my next new experience.
I've been out walking a lot, but I haven't done much of it at night, and I haven't been out dressed as a woman. This could have been my undoing. I'd barely traveled half a mile from the Mall when a car rolled up beside me and the driver asked me "How much?" I told him I wasn't a prostitute and kept walking. A mile or so down the road, another driver pulled into an adjacent parking lot and flashed his lights at me. BLINK BLINK. I started to feel like I was in a bad movie. I kept walking. That wasn't the last time. I was propositioned twice more, by one more driver and a pedestrian.
I couldn't figure why I was getting so much attention. I wasn't dressed provocatively. My makeup was understated daytime stuff. I wasn't even walking sexily or anything. Then I remembered all the casually-dressed prostitutes I've seen in my travels, all the solitary women I'd seen by the road in different places who turned out to be "working", I was afraid that I was going to attract attention from the police, and I didn't want that, either. I took the hint and got off the street.
The next block hosts a 24-hour CVS drug store. I ate up a lot of time in there, and even purchased a few items. Then I went out front to wait, and a few minutes later I was in the car rolling home. I got home with just enough time to undress, clean off my makeup and nail polish before climbing into bed for a short sleep before work again.
Friday, December 16, 2011
I'm a Photo Nerd Again!
That's got to sound a little weird, I admit, but I know of no other way to express the way I feel right now.
Last December, my little Olympus camera died, and with everything that came after, I never got around to getting it fixed or replaced. You can argue my skill as a photographer, but I love to take pictures, and it's another form of expression that helps keep me grounded.
2011 was a rough year, and my opportunities for photography have been few, but that's in the past. My Dad was generous enough to send me WalMart gift card for Xmas, and I used it and some of my own money to buy a new camera. I got a Fujifim FinePix T190. Real photographers will no doubt scoff at my toy. I, on the other hand am very happy. Thanks, Dad.
Last December, my little Olympus camera died, and with everything that came after, I never got around to getting it fixed or replaced. You can argue my skill as a photographer, but I love to take pictures, and it's another form of expression that helps keep me grounded.
2011 was a rough year, and my opportunities for photography have been few, but that's in the past. My Dad was generous enough to send me WalMart gift card for Xmas, and I used it and some of my own money to buy a new camera. I got a Fujifim FinePix T190. Real photographers will no doubt scoff at my toy. I, on the other hand am very happy. Thanks, Dad.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
My Pink Bag
When I posted the other day, I couldn't find the bag in question on the Target site. That's because I was looking in the clearance section, and this bag isn't supposed to be on clearance.
My New Purse
And I got it for 50% off!
My New Purse
And I got it for 50% off!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Of Bags and Gender
This post has been brewing for a while. The seeds were planted last month, but the material didn't reach a meaningful conclusion until yesterday. I'll try to make some sense here.
Back in the late 90s I began to carry a shoulder bag back and forth to work. This came about because I gradually felt the need to carry more and more items to work at my various positions. I began carrying a bagged lunch. Then I added a notebook, a cellphone, a handful of small tools and various odds and ends. There have been a number of these bags. I've had tote bags, a couple of satchels, and a succession of laptop bags that have rarely carried laptops.
During the same period my working wardrobe began to evolve. I've mentioned before how limited my male wardrobe has become. At positions where uniforms weren't provided, I've worn my own clothes, usually a combination of male button-down shirts with female slacks. Most of those slacks have no pockets to speak of, so I'd gotten into the habit of carrying my wallet, phone, coins and anything else in the aforementioned bag. I've often jokingly referred to this bag as my "man purse". Sometimes this generates some ribbing, but it's all in fun, and I just smile my way through.
During the time I was out of work, my Green Dot card lapsed from non-use, and I've yet to sort out a new banking option since I started the new job. One week I cashed my paycheck, and the very next day someone went through my bag at work and stole the cash. No one understood why my wallet wasn't in my pants. No one questioned my gender, but I got a lot of funny looks. A couple of people asked me point-blank why I didn't carry my wallet in my pants. I just told them it was an old habit. That same day I received my new uniforms, including two pairs of khaki pants. Since that time, I've gone back to carrying my wallet in my pocket. No one has robbed me since, but what's the cost to my sense of self?
I've spent the last weeks plotting my return to the world en femme. You'll remember that I was planning to do so back in August, but the time got away from me. I had planned to go out for the Skeptics' event last weekend, but a series of mishaps caused me to miss my bus, and I wasn't able to secure another ride, so I didn't go out. There's a reception Friday night for a show opening at the FSU Museum that I'm planning to attend. The show is called "Cute and Creepy". Sounds like it's right up my alley, doesn't it?
The various elements of my femme wardrobe are scattered hither and yon, with most of my clothes and shoes at the store in Havana, and my purses and other bags at the storage site here in Tallahassee, which we can't get into at the moment. Yesterday I browsed the clearance racks at Target looking for a purse. I found a cute bag at the right price, but I wavered on actually buying it, because it's PINK. For some reason I've never been comfortable with that color. I think it goes back to childhood, when the color was associated with sissies. That was a long time ago, and I know the color has acquired lots of positive connotations in the meantime. Pink is associated with the breast cancer awareness/cure campaign. I've just never been comfortable wearing it. Am I strong enough to bear a pink bag? We'll see. I'm going back to Target this afternoon to buy the purse.
Before I go, I thought I'd share links for the art show and other related topics.
Cute and Creepy
The curator's site
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Back in the late 90s I began to carry a shoulder bag back and forth to work. This came about because I gradually felt the need to carry more and more items to work at my various positions. I began carrying a bagged lunch. Then I added a notebook, a cellphone, a handful of small tools and various odds and ends. There have been a number of these bags. I've had tote bags, a couple of satchels, and a succession of laptop bags that have rarely carried laptops.
During the same period my working wardrobe began to evolve. I've mentioned before how limited my male wardrobe has become. At positions where uniforms weren't provided, I've worn my own clothes, usually a combination of male button-down shirts with female slacks. Most of those slacks have no pockets to speak of, so I'd gotten into the habit of carrying my wallet, phone, coins and anything else in the aforementioned bag. I've often jokingly referred to this bag as my "man purse". Sometimes this generates some ribbing, but it's all in fun, and I just smile my way through.
During the time I was out of work, my Green Dot card lapsed from non-use, and I've yet to sort out a new banking option since I started the new job. One week I cashed my paycheck, and the very next day someone went through my bag at work and stole the cash. No one understood why my wallet wasn't in my pants. No one questioned my gender, but I got a lot of funny looks. A couple of people asked me point-blank why I didn't carry my wallet in my pants. I just told them it was an old habit. That same day I received my new uniforms, including two pairs of khaki pants. Since that time, I've gone back to carrying my wallet in my pocket. No one has robbed me since, but what's the cost to my sense of self?
I've spent the last weeks plotting my return to the world en femme. You'll remember that I was planning to do so back in August, but the time got away from me. I had planned to go out for the Skeptics' event last weekend, but a series of mishaps caused me to miss my bus, and I wasn't able to secure another ride, so I didn't go out. There's a reception Friday night for a show opening at the FSU Museum that I'm planning to attend. The show is called "Cute and Creepy". Sounds like it's right up my alley, doesn't it?
The various elements of my femme wardrobe are scattered hither and yon, with most of my clothes and shoes at the store in Havana, and my purses and other bags at the storage site here in Tallahassee, which we can't get into at the moment. Yesterday I browsed the clearance racks at Target looking for a purse. I found a cute bag at the right price, but I wavered on actually buying it, because it's PINK. For some reason I've never been comfortable with that color. I think it goes back to childhood, when the color was associated with sissies. That was a long time ago, and I know the color has acquired lots of positive connotations in the meantime. Pink is associated with the breast cancer awareness/cure campaign. I've just never been comfortable wearing it. Am I strong enough to bear a pink bag? We'll see. I'm going back to Target this afternoon to buy the purse.
Before I go, I thought I'd share links for the art show and other related topics.
Cute and Creepy
The curator's site
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Current Events
Has it been a month again? I'm starting to think I should change the title of this blog again, if only to reflect its episodic nature. "Jaye-Walking: Only Published As Often As the Author Can Collect Her Thoughts." Hmm. That doesn't roll off the tongue quite as trippingly as it could. Anyway, more about me. ;)
Note that in the above paragraph I referred to myself in the feminine. I may live my day-to-day as a man, but I'm definitely in a more feminine frame of mind. Speaking of feminine frames, I've lost weight. I'm told that eight hours a day on your feet will do that for you, but I've been walking a lot lately, too. I'm learning my way around the Tallahassee transit system, and it's getting me where I need to go, but the nearest boarding points are a nice three-mile hike from the house. All the exercise is good for me right? I'm also sleeping and eating better, too. I haven't abandoned the junk food (y'all know me better than that), but I haven't been gorging myself, either. In case anyone's counting, I weighed in this afternoon at 200.
I'm still taking my meds, but I haven't been to see any doctors yet. When I first went to the hospital, I was staying in Havana, so my case worker lined me up with a clinic in nearby Quincy. I don't have my own transport, and my sister's been down to one car for most of the last six weeks, so it's been hard to get anywhere that's not on the bus line. I will call her tomorrow and see if I can reschedule for something here in town. I would have done it sooner, but my cellphone has been weird lately. It has the annoying habit of switching itself into airplane mode unbidden. I didn't even know what that was until yesterday, or how to turn it off, and almost a week with no cellphone was more annoying than the same period with no antidepressants.
While I'm talking about cellphones, it's time to get a new one. Somewhere I have a New Yorker cartoon that shows a woman in a store asking for a phone "that doesn't do anything". That was me for a long time. A phone was just a communications device, for voice talking and nothing else. Slowly, I twigged to all of the other things phones can do these days, and I learned the concept of phone envy. I was using a nice 3G phone that had been confiscated from one of my nieces. That niece was given phone privileges again and I received a downgrade. I'm not a phone snob, by any stretch, but when this line comes up for renewal next month, I'm getting a new phone if I have to pay for it.
I really need to do some shopping. I trolled through the mall again a couple of days ago, and saw some of the prettiest clothes I've seen in ages. If I'd been dolled up to shop, I might've gotten to try some things on, but I barely got the time of day from the salespeople I interacted with.
Let's end this thing on a positive note, shall we? Friday afternoon I was browsing in the local Big Lots, trying to not buy anything (my latest pastime). The in-store Muzak system started to play Feist's "1234". It's such a happy, jaunty song, and I started to dance around the store. It was just a little soft-shoe at first, but by the second verse I was actually dancing through the aisles. I couldn't help myself. I was goofy and giddy and I didn't care. One can only imagine what the guy watching the security feed was thinking. C'mon, you know you want to join me.
Note that in the above paragraph I referred to myself in the feminine. I may live my day-to-day as a man, but I'm definitely in a more feminine frame of mind. Speaking of feminine frames, I've lost weight. I'm told that eight hours a day on your feet will do that for you, but I've been walking a lot lately, too. I'm learning my way around the Tallahassee transit system, and it's getting me where I need to go, but the nearest boarding points are a nice three-mile hike from the house. All the exercise is good for me right? I'm also sleeping and eating better, too. I haven't abandoned the junk food (y'all know me better than that), but I haven't been gorging myself, either. In case anyone's counting, I weighed in this afternoon at 200.
I'm still taking my meds, but I haven't been to see any doctors yet. When I first went to the hospital, I was staying in Havana, so my case worker lined me up with a clinic in nearby Quincy. I don't have my own transport, and my sister's been down to one car for most of the last six weeks, so it's been hard to get anywhere that's not on the bus line. I will call her tomorrow and see if I can reschedule for something here in town. I would have done it sooner, but my cellphone has been weird lately. It has the annoying habit of switching itself into airplane mode unbidden. I didn't even know what that was until yesterday, or how to turn it off, and almost a week with no cellphone was more annoying than the same period with no antidepressants.
While I'm talking about cellphones, it's time to get a new one. Somewhere I have a New Yorker cartoon that shows a woman in a store asking for a phone "that doesn't do anything". That was me for a long time. A phone was just a communications device, for voice talking and nothing else. Slowly, I twigged to all of the other things phones can do these days, and I learned the concept of phone envy. I was using a nice 3G phone that had been confiscated from one of my nieces. That niece was given phone privileges again and I received a downgrade. I'm not a phone snob, by any stretch, but when this line comes up for renewal next month, I'm getting a new phone if I have to pay for it.
I really need to do some shopping. I trolled through the mall again a couple of days ago, and saw some of the prettiest clothes I've seen in ages. If I'd been dolled up to shop, I might've gotten to try some things on, but I barely got the time of day from the salespeople I interacted with.
Let's end this thing on a positive note, shall we? Friday afternoon I was browsing in the local Big Lots, trying to not buy anything (my latest pastime). The in-store Muzak system started to play Feist's "1234". It's such a happy, jaunty song, and I started to dance around the store. It was just a little soft-shoe at first, but by the second verse I was actually dancing through the aisles. I couldn't help myself. I was goofy and giddy and I didn't care. One can only imagine what the guy watching the security feed was thinking. C'mon, you know you want to join me.
Friday, August 26, 2011
A Grand Day Out
Today I had a nice time out by myself. After the upheavals of the last few months, I've needed some alone time, and a shopping trip was the perfect excursion.
My shift at work ended at 1300, and I had previously asked my sister if she would take me to a bookstore. There's a Borders just down the road from the hotel. In case you haven't heard, Borders are going out of business, and everything in their stores must go. Books and other merchandise are 50-70% off, and I decided to take advantage. I wandered around there for about an hour, and ended up with six paperbacks (various titles from the Warhammer 40K series The Horus Heresy, two trade paperbacks (William Gibson and Charles de Lint), a three-pack of pink and black fuzzy socks and a woven black and white checked tote bag (which I bought so I wouldn't have to lug around plastic shopping bags. My total there came to $62 and change, for merchandise which would've originally retailed for over $100. I didn't think I was doing too bad, but I wasn't finished.
I knew my sister wasn't going to be coming back for another hour or so, so I texted her to let her know I was going to walk down the road to Governor's Square Mall. I've only been to that mall once before, so I spent a few minutes perusing the directory posted just inside the entrance. I walked around the upper level until I found a salon called Brow Art. I used to get my brows waxed when I got my manicures or pedicures, but I haven't had regular salon service since just after I left my last position.
At Brow Art, they remove hair by threading. That was somewhat like being waxed, but different. For one thing, it hurt a little more. The effect was nice, but I think they left my brows a little heavier than I prefer. I can always go back and ask them to thin me out some more.
After the salon, I walked around and window-shopped a bit. I saw lots of pretty clothes, but I was trying to save my money for other things. I did try on a couple of pairs of heels at Payless, including a pair of those shoes that are so popular lately, with the 5.5-inch heels and a platform under the toe. My GM runs around all day in those, and I often wonder how she does it. I don't really want a pair of those right now (Yes I do!), but I wanted to reassure myself that I could walk in shoes like that if I wanted to.
My next port of call was GameStop. I discovered last week that my Xbox 360 isn't dead (it only overheated), so I bought a previously-owned copy of Halo: Reach, a game which my brother hooked me on while I've been hanging out in Havana. Using the gift card I won at the company Christmas party last year, I only had to spend $12. Very cool.
Cruising through the center court of the mall brought me to the MAC Cosmetics kiosk. I could have blown the rest of my paycheck there, but I held myself to just a couple of items. When I still had a femme profile pic on Facebook, one of my new friends commented that I needed better beard cover. I fielded several recommendations, and one I got the most often was a newer MAC product called Studio Tech Foundation. My beard had come in a bit since I shaved this morning, but Whitney (my artist) found a patch where it was still smooth, and worked the foundation in, combined with Prep+Prime/Skin, a primer. I've found that eye shadow stays on better if I apply primer first, so it stands to reason that the same might apply with foundation. Under the combination of products, my beard shadow disappeared. I've found another favorite product, I think. It's more expensive than the drug store brands, but not as pricey as the Lancome stuff I bought a couple of years ago. I can't wait to try it out.
I window-shopped a bit more, but my sister texted to say she was on her way, and she met me outside the entrance a few minutes later. It was a good trip, "A Grand Day Out" (if I may steal from Wallace and Gromit). I felt the most like myself that I have in a very long time. I went out dressed in men's clothing, but I went wherever I wanted, enjoyed my experiences, and spent a nice couple of hours wandering around in the air conditioning. I've got to do this more often.
My shift at work ended at 1300, and I had previously asked my sister if she would take me to a bookstore. There's a Borders just down the road from the hotel. In case you haven't heard, Borders are going out of business, and everything in their stores must go. Books and other merchandise are 50-70% off, and I decided to take advantage. I wandered around there for about an hour, and ended up with six paperbacks (various titles from the Warhammer 40K series The Horus Heresy, two trade paperbacks (William Gibson and Charles de Lint), a three-pack of pink and black fuzzy socks and a woven black and white checked tote bag (which I bought so I wouldn't have to lug around plastic shopping bags. My total there came to $62 and change, for merchandise which would've originally retailed for over $100. I didn't think I was doing too bad, but I wasn't finished.
I knew my sister wasn't going to be coming back for another hour or so, so I texted her to let her know I was going to walk down the road to Governor's Square Mall. I've only been to that mall once before, so I spent a few minutes perusing the directory posted just inside the entrance. I walked around the upper level until I found a salon called Brow Art. I used to get my brows waxed when I got my manicures or pedicures, but I haven't had regular salon service since just after I left my last position.
At Brow Art, they remove hair by threading. That was somewhat like being waxed, but different. For one thing, it hurt a little more. The effect was nice, but I think they left my brows a little heavier than I prefer. I can always go back and ask them to thin me out some more.
After the salon, I walked around and window-shopped a bit. I saw lots of pretty clothes, but I was trying to save my money for other things. I did try on a couple of pairs of heels at Payless, including a pair of those shoes that are so popular lately, with the 5.5-inch heels and a platform under the toe. My GM runs around all day in those, and I often wonder how she does it. I don't really want a pair of those right now (Yes I do!), but I wanted to reassure myself that I could walk in shoes like that if I wanted to.
My next port of call was GameStop. I discovered last week that my Xbox 360 isn't dead (it only overheated), so I bought a previously-owned copy of Halo: Reach, a game which my brother hooked me on while I've been hanging out in Havana. Using the gift card I won at the company Christmas party last year, I only had to spend $12. Very cool.
Cruising through the center court of the mall brought me to the MAC Cosmetics kiosk. I could have blown the rest of my paycheck there, but I held myself to just a couple of items. When I still had a femme profile pic on Facebook, one of my new friends commented that I needed better beard cover. I fielded several recommendations, and one I got the most often was a newer MAC product called Studio Tech Foundation. My beard had come in a bit since I shaved this morning, but Whitney (my artist) found a patch where it was still smooth, and worked the foundation in, combined with Prep+Prime/Skin, a primer. I've found that eye shadow stays on better if I apply primer first, so it stands to reason that the same might apply with foundation. Under the combination of products, my beard shadow disappeared. I've found another favorite product, I think. It's more expensive than the drug store brands, but not as pricey as the Lancome stuff I bought a couple of years ago. I can't wait to try it out.
I window-shopped a bit more, but my sister texted to say she was on her way, and she met me outside the entrance a few minutes later. It was a good trip, "A Grand Day Out" (if I may steal from Wallace and Gromit). I felt the most like myself that I have in a very long time. I went out dressed in men's clothing, but I went wherever I wanted, enjoyed my experiences, and spent a nice couple of hours wandering around in the air conditioning. I've got to do this more often.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Going to the Mall
Yesterday I found out that Victoria's Secret are having a sale this week. Among the featured items, selected styles of panties are 5 for $25. It's not a bad deal, for Vicky's. I found out about this because my sixteen year-old niece told me. She told me because she wanted someone to take her, and it looks like I might be the one to have earned the honor of escorting her. Once the trip was agreed upon, I asked if anyone (specifically her parents) objected to her being taken out by her aunt Jaye. There were no objections, so it looks like I'm going shopping tonight. I might even buy myself a little something. I've been a good girl lately. Mostly.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Scary Monsters
The photo to the left is one I ganked off of yesterday's Go Fug Yourself. The three people in it are, left to right: Madonna's daughter Lourdes, Taylor Momsen (who is apparently an actress or something) and Madonna.The first thing that grabbed me was Momsen's eye makeup. Holy hell! That girl's wearing more eyeliner than I have in my whole life. Then I got a look at Lourdes's outfit.
Let's see, she's wearing a leather jacket (with the sleeves pulled up) over an unbuttoned flannel shirt, over a tunic, with ripped(!) tights and either heavy socks or leg warmers(?!) tucked into ugly boots.
Madonna, on the other hand, looks almost normal. The platforms on her shoes almost look like hooves.
There's enough Nightmare Fuel in this photo to last for weeks.
Taylor Momsen's boots are pretty cool, though.
I really need to get some shopping in.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Was It Something I Said?
Sometime during the last week I lost a follower. I don't know who it was. Most of my admittedly small coterie never comment on anything I write here, so I don't know most of them. I guess I haven't done enough to get to know my audience.
My last few posts have, admittedly, had little or nothing to do with being trans. I apologize if my writing doesn't interest anyone, but there's a lot going on, and my transition isn't, so please, bear with me.
On a more positive note, I broke down and treated myself to a little shopping. During a break at work last night, I popped online and bought this:
http://www.alittletouchofmagick.com/product_info.php?products_id=3413
I've been looking at their posts on Facebook the last couple of months, and I like their stuff. This item appeared on Friday, and I got myself through the weekend by thinking about how I could snap it up after I was paid again. Maybe I'll get to wear it out sometime.
My last few posts have, admittedly, had little or nothing to do with being trans. I apologize if my writing doesn't interest anyone, but there's a lot going on, and my transition isn't, so please, bear with me.
On a more positive note, I broke down and treated myself to a little shopping. During a break at work last night, I popped online and bought this:
http://www.alittletouchofmagick.com/product_info.php?products_id=3413
I've been looking at their posts on Facebook the last couple of months, and I like their stuff. This item appeared on Friday, and I got myself through the weekend by thinking about how I could snap it up after I was paid again. Maybe I'll get to wear it out sometime.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Jeggings?
I haven't really been out shopping for clothes since October, but I still try to keep an eye out for what's in fashion, for the time when I can get out again. This morning my inbox was full of sales fliers for various shops, and they were all hawking the latest wonder, a garment called "jeggings". Depending on which description one prefers, these are either leggings that are fashioned to resemble jeans, or jeans which have been made out of lycra-blend material like leggings. I like leggings, and I love jeans (the tighter the better!), but I wonder if these new things aren't like a rock star get-up from the Eighties. All of the layouts I've seen them in pair them with tunics or long coats and high heels, both of which I already like, and the combination emphasizes my legs, which are still one of my best features.
Via my email, I see these are available at Dots (not around here) and Torrid (not here either), but also available through Newport News. I came downstairs just before leaving for work, and my niece was wearing a pair. She raved about them, and said I should go for it, but she's sixteen, and what's cool for kids like her may not fly on a thirtysomething like me.
Another thing that bugs me is the name. I'm not unused to contractions and combined words, but the rough compression of the "j" sound up against those hard "g's" sticks in my mouth. It does not roll trippingly off the tongue. That's just a minor nitpick, though.
Dare I to try them?
Via my email, I see these are available at Dots (not around here) and Torrid (not here either), but also available through Newport News. I came downstairs just before leaving for work, and my niece was wearing a pair. She raved about them, and said I should go for it, but she's sixteen, and what's cool for kids like her may not fly on a thirtysomething like me.
Another thing that bugs me is the name. I'm not unused to contractions and combined words, but the rough compression of the "j" sound up against those hard "g's" sticks in my mouth. It does not roll trippingly off the tongue. That's just a minor nitpick, though.
Dare I to try them?
Friday, January 8, 2010
Ma'am
I went for a walk today. It was cold, but it's been like that all week. I've gone a little stir-crazy the last couple of days. I got my paycheck today, so I had a little money in my pocket, and decided to run out to the store and pick up a couple of things.
I bundled up: hoodie and a big coat, over jeans and a tee. Once I got outside, I flipped up the hoodie hood, and pulled on a pair of gloves. The gloves are kind of cool. The fingers are trimmed off at the first knuckle, and there's a mitten section that's stuck the back of the hand. If it gets too cold, the mitten sections can be flipped forward over the fingertips and snugged into place. I don't think my outfit was too feminine, but what do I know?
I walked the couple of blocks out of the neighborhood, toward Olde Town. I started to walk along the river, but I thought better of that when I got a taste of the wind. Yikes! Turned down Court Street and hurried over to High, where there's a Dollar General. I went in to get a bag of mints and some razors, but ended up with a couple of paperback books. While I was looking over the book rack, a gentleman edged past me and said, "Excuse me, ma'am." I still had my hood up, and from the back, I can only imagine what I looked like. I mumbled out something that was meant to sound like "Certainly" and he went past.
A few minutes later, I got in line behind the guy to check out. He looked back for a second, saw me, and this weird look passed over his face. Then he turned around, and nothing more was said.
I bundled up: hoodie and a big coat, over jeans and a tee. Once I got outside, I flipped up the hoodie hood, and pulled on a pair of gloves. The gloves are kind of cool. The fingers are trimmed off at the first knuckle, and there's a mitten section that's stuck the back of the hand. If it gets too cold, the mitten sections can be flipped forward over the fingertips and snugged into place. I don't think my outfit was too feminine, but what do I know?
I walked the couple of blocks out of the neighborhood, toward Olde Town. I started to walk along the river, but I thought better of that when I got a taste of the wind. Yikes! Turned down Court Street and hurried over to High, where there's a Dollar General. I went in to get a bag of mints and some razors, but ended up with a couple of paperback books. While I was looking over the book rack, a gentleman edged past me and said, "Excuse me, ma'am." I still had my hood up, and from the back, I can only imagine what I looked like. I mumbled out something that was meant to sound like "Certainly" and he went past.
A few minutes later, I got in line behind the guy to check out. He looked back for a second, saw me, and this weird look passed over his face. Then he turned around, and nothing more was said.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
I Love Dots!
It's Google's fault, really. You know how in Gmail, if you're reading a message, you can read little ads on related topics in the header or the margins? I was reading an email from Newport News one day when I noticed a little ad for Dots. I don't remember the wording, but the words "affordable prices" were particularly eye-catching. About the only time I can afford to shop at Newport News is when things are on clearance, and by then, they often don't have my size.
I used to shop a lot at Torrid. When I lived in Charlotte, I used to hit one location or the other every other week. Of course, I was making $12/hour then, and I could pay all my bills and splurge on clothes too. Now I'm plugging along with a lot less, so I've been on the lookout for something more affordable. I've occasionally shopped at Cato, and their prices are pretty reasonable, but I don't always like their styles.
I clicked through the link to dots.com. I loved the clothes I saw. Their size range was appealing too. "Sizes 0-24," it says on the door. I signed up for their email list. They always seem to have good sales, but moeny was tight almost all summer, so I never managed to get out to one of their stores. I decided to change that today. I made sure to print out this week's email coupon before I left: $10 off any purchase of $30 or more.
The weather left a little to be desired, cool and rainy, but it wasn't horrible. I wore a couple of layered tops (a pink and black striped top over a black Tactel tank) with jeans and a pair of Tommy Hilfiger ankle boots with a black sweater jacket. Other than the boots, my whole outfit was built out of things I purchased at Torrid.
Upon arriving at the store, I was immediately greeted by a salesperson (always a good sign). I told her that this was my first time in the store, and she gave me a little tour, pointed me at a few items that she thought would look good with my colors, then turned me loose. I was determined to not spend more than $40, but I must tell you, I could have spent the rent! In another time, I would've spent $300 in there without blinking.
Not to demean Dots, but it was like walking into a Torrid where everything was 50% or more off. They had all the same styles, at the same quality, but at dramatically lower prices. Dresses for $18. Jeans for $12. Ever since I saw The Devil Wears Prada a couple of years ago, I have wanted a pair of over-the-knee boots. Dots has 'em, for 26 dollars!!!
Like I said, I could have gone crazy in there, but I restrained myself. I bought a red, black and grey sweater dress, a purple sweater/tunic and purple argyle tights, plus a handful of little spring-loaded bangle bracelets. With my coupon, I got out of there for $39 and change. Mission accomplished!
I think I've mentioned before that people have usually been pretty tolerant on my shopping excursions. This was no exception. A few people gave me "the eye", and one fellow I passed on the sidewalk laughed, but there were no unpleasant encounters. There was a customer in Dots who looked like she wanted to say something, so I said, "If you want to say 'Boo', go ahead." She said, "No. I like your hair." I thanked her, and everything was okay after that.
After Dots, I trekked across the shopping center to a wig shop to look for new hair. My favorite red piece is looking a little ratty, but I didn't see anything that was in my price range.
On the way home, I zipped through the Wendy's drive-thru and went home. I tried on my purchases and hung them up, cleaned off my makeup, ate, then crashed. Now I'm back at work, on the last night of nine. This was a good day, and I think I've found my new favorite store.
Before I forget, the title has a link to their website.
I used to shop a lot at Torrid. When I lived in Charlotte, I used to hit one location or the other every other week. Of course, I was making $12/hour then, and I could pay all my bills and splurge on clothes too. Now I'm plugging along with a lot less, so I've been on the lookout for something more affordable. I've occasionally shopped at Cato, and their prices are pretty reasonable, but I don't always like their styles.
I clicked through the link to dots.com. I loved the clothes I saw. Their size range was appealing too. "Sizes 0-24," it says on the door. I signed up for their email list. They always seem to have good sales, but moeny was tight almost all summer, so I never managed to get out to one of their stores. I decided to change that today. I made sure to print out this week's email coupon before I left: $10 off any purchase of $30 or more.
The weather left a little to be desired, cool and rainy, but it wasn't horrible. I wore a couple of layered tops (a pink and black striped top over a black Tactel tank) with jeans and a pair of Tommy Hilfiger ankle boots with a black sweater jacket. Other than the boots, my whole outfit was built out of things I purchased at Torrid.
Upon arriving at the store, I was immediately greeted by a salesperson (always a good sign). I told her that this was my first time in the store, and she gave me a little tour, pointed me at a few items that she thought would look good with my colors, then turned me loose. I was determined to not spend more than $40, but I must tell you, I could have spent the rent! In another time, I would've spent $300 in there without blinking.
Not to demean Dots, but it was like walking into a Torrid where everything was 50% or more off. They had all the same styles, at the same quality, but at dramatically lower prices. Dresses for $18. Jeans for $12. Ever since I saw The Devil Wears Prada a couple of years ago, I have wanted a pair of over-the-knee boots. Dots has 'em, for 26 dollars!!!
Like I said, I could have gone crazy in there, but I restrained myself. I bought a red, black and grey sweater dress, a purple sweater/tunic and purple argyle tights, plus a handful of little spring-loaded bangle bracelets. With my coupon, I got out of there for $39 and change. Mission accomplished!
I think I've mentioned before that people have usually been pretty tolerant on my shopping excursions. This was no exception. A few people gave me "the eye", and one fellow I passed on the sidewalk laughed, but there were no unpleasant encounters. There was a customer in Dots who looked like she wanted to say something, so I said, "If you want to say 'Boo', go ahead." She said, "No. I like your hair." I thanked her, and everything was okay after that.
After Dots, I trekked across the shopping center to a wig shop to look for new hair. My favorite red piece is looking a little ratty, but I didn't see anything that was in my price range.
On the way home, I zipped through the Wendy's drive-thru and went home. I tried on my purchases and hung them up, cleaned off my makeup, ate, then crashed. Now I'm back at work, on the last night of nine. This was a good day, and I think I've found my new favorite store.
Before I forget, the title has a link to their website.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Did a Little Shopping
I was going to go out yesterday. It was my day off, but I felt rotten, and ended up sleeping through most of the day. I did wake up in time to see the President's address on health care reform. I got to see that buffoon from South Carolina make an arse of himself on national television. I nodded off watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves on Netflix via my Xbox. Eventually I crawled back into bed and resolved to go out today.
I wanted to dress up, but the weather was grey and gloomy, and I still wasn't feeling 100%, so I schlepped out in jeans and a tee with a hoodie. I walked down to the river and caught the ferry to Norfolk, then walked the few blocks over to the MacArthur Center Mall. I wasn't shopping with a purpose. Indeed, I was hoping to get in and out without spending any money. Hah!
I knew my friend Tracy worked at Coach, but I didn't realize she worked at the Coach store in that mall. I ducked in for a moment to say hello, then ducked out again because she had a customer. A little further along, I found a Payless store. I've been looking at a particular pair of their shoes for work, and they just happened to have a pair in my size. I got them. That's actually the second pair of shoes I've bought this week. I found a pair of l.e.i. heels on clearance at Walmart the other day. I'd lusted after them all summer, but never had the money to spare. At $11.00, I decided I could spare it.
By the time I made it back to Waterside to meet the ferry, it had begun to rain again, but it subsided when I reached the dock in Portsmouth. On my many trips through the neighborhood, I've walked many times by a little store called the Eklectik Funk Boutique. I decided to check the place out. The owner told me a bunch of things were on sale, 50-75% off, so I felt like I had to buy something, though I wasn't sure from looking at the racks that anything would fit me. To my surprise, I found a top which turned out to be a dress. That is, the shop receipt says it's a dress. I will probably wear it with jeans or leggings. I also picked out a pair of earrings designed by the owner. The "dress" was 50% off, and the earrings 25% off, so I thought I did well.
On the way home, it began to rain again, in earnest. I got some KFC on the way home and here I am again.
I wanted to dress up, but the weather was grey and gloomy, and I still wasn't feeling 100%, so I schlepped out in jeans and a tee with a hoodie. I walked down to the river and caught the ferry to Norfolk, then walked the few blocks over to the MacArthur Center Mall. I wasn't shopping with a purpose. Indeed, I was hoping to get in and out without spending any money. Hah!
I knew my friend Tracy worked at Coach, but I didn't realize she worked at the Coach store in that mall. I ducked in for a moment to say hello, then ducked out again because she had a customer. A little further along, I found a Payless store. I've been looking at a particular pair of their shoes for work, and they just happened to have a pair in my size. I got them. That's actually the second pair of shoes I've bought this week. I found a pair of l.e.i. heels on clearance at Walmart the other day. I'd lusted after them all summer, but never had the money to spare. At $11.00, I decided I could spare it.
By the time I made it back to Waterside to meet the ferry, it had begun to rain again, but it subsided when I reached the dock in Portsmouth. On my many trips through the neighborhood, I've walked many times by a little store called the Eklectik Funk Boutique. I decided to check the place out. The owner told me a bunch of things were on sale, 50-75% off, so I felt like I had to buy something, though I wasn't sure from looking at the racks that anything would fit me. To my surprise, I found a top which turned out to be a dress. That is, the shop receipt says it's a dress. I will probably wear it with jeans or leggings. I also picked out a pair of earrings designed by the owner. The "dress" was 50% off, and the earrings 25% off, so I thought I did well.
On the way home, it began to rain again, in earnest. I got some KFC on the way home and here I am again.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Shopping, or a Lack Thereof
Have I ever mentioned how much I love to shop? It's true. It's one of the most girly things about me. Even a simple trip to WalMart to buy toilet paper can be complicated by a compulsion to wander through nearly every department to look at stuff.
I'm hurting. I've lamented here often about not having the money to get my usual manicure/pedicure, but it's more than that. Since Nate lost his job, I haven't had hardly any disposable income. Since I moved here from Charlotte, I've gotten accustomed (reluctantly) to having less money. I used to buy my clothes at Torrid and Lane Bryant. Last year I started shopping at Cato and Ross. Lately I've been looking at the emails from a place called Dots, which has lots of cool stuff, at prices similar to Cato. I haven't been able to go. I'd be happy with a few bucks to spend at the CHKD thrift or somewhere similar. I'm not too greedy.
Nate says he got an email from the tax service. They're supposedly going to call him back to work any day now. The call cannot come too soon.
I'm hurting. I've lamented here often about not having the money to get my usual manicure/pedicure, but it's more than that. Since Nate lost his job, I haven't had hardly any disposable income. Since I moved here from Charlotte, I've gotten accustomed (reluctantly) to having less money. I used to buy my clothes at Torrid and Lane Bryant. Last year I started shopping at Cato and Ross. Lately I've been looking at the emails from a place called Dots, which has lots of cool stuff, at prices similar to Cato. I haven't been able to go. I'd be happy with a few bucks to spend at the CHKD thrift or somewhere similar. I'm not too greedy.
Nate says he got an email from the tax service. They're supposedly going to call him back to work any day now. The call cannot come too soon.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Color Me Disappointed
I'm afraid I slept through the President's gay rights meeting, but when I awoke I was all set to hear something about ENDA. No joy! I was looking forward to having Obama watching my back when I talk with the GM this morning, but it looks like I'm flying solo. It's comforting to know I have my brothers and sisters here with me in spirit.
I fiddled around with the header again. A while ago someone complained that they wanted to see my clothes and shoes and stuff. I've been meaning to oblige, but life keeps interfering. In the interim, I've presented the fruits of a two-week shoe buying spree I went on last year. I've bought shoes since, but not in such quantities, nor at that pace. The sad part is, most of those shoes have only been worn once, and a couple (the black platform pumps in the center and the blue metallics on the right) have never been out of doors at all. If there's anyone on the list that wears size 11 and would like them, let me know.
I fiddled around with the header again. A while ago someone complained that they wanted to see my clothes and shoes and stuff. I've been meaning to oblige, but life keeps interfering. In the interim, I've presented the fruits of a two-week shoe buying spree I went on last year. I've bought shoes since, but not in such quantities, nor at that pace. The sad part is, most of those shoes have only been worn once, and a couple (the black platform pumps in the center and the blue metallics on the right) have never been out of doors at all. If there's anyone on the list that wears size 11 and would like them, let me know.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Eye of the Beholder Art Show
I heard about this show via my friend De's blog. I used to go to art shows of some sort all the time when I was in Charlotte. I decided it was time.
I was originally going to dress up a bit for this thing. I had a Torrid corset-style top picked out, with skinny black jeans and heels. Then I thought about it. The Hershee's a pretty casual place, from what I remembered. I changed into blue jeans and a tank top, with wedge sandals. When I first got there, it seemed like I had made the "right choice". Then I got to the back of the club, where the art show was, and there were a ton of people back there in goth/punk gear. Not everyone, mind, but enough that I wouldn't have stood out.
I stood out anyway. I was easily the tallest person in the building, and I was wearing those wedges to boot.
There was some beautiful art there. I really wish I could have afforded some of it.
The only person there that I knew was the hostess, and I only know her as a friend of a friend. I did run into a whole slew of people who thought I was somebody else. That's always fun. Then I attracted the attention of this really drunk dude. He really wanted me. In a bad way. "You're a big sexy thing, aren't you? I bet you get that all the time." Ehh, not really. "Please take your hand off my breast." I suppose I should have felt offended, but I was laughing too hard.
I don't do the bar thing too often. I can only take so much cigarette smoke before I have to go, and after an hour or so, I bailed.
On the way home, I stopped into the Walmart Supercenter for some groceries. I think I frightened a few of the other shoppers, but I just smiled and kept on going. When I left, this guy came up to me, and I thought he was going to start something, but Security conveniently rolled up and asked him to shift it. Whew!
I was originally going to dress up a bit for this thing. I had a Torrid corset-style top picked out, with skinny black jeans and heels. Then I thought about it. The Hershee's a pretty casual place, from what I remembered. I changed into blue jeans and a tank top, with wedge sandals. When I first got there, it seemed like I had made the "right choice". Then I got to the back of the club, where the art show was, and there were a ton of people back there in goth/punk gear. Not everyone, mind, but enough that I wouldn't have stood out.
I stood out anyway. I was easily the tallest person in the building, and I was wearing those wedges to boot.
There was some beautiful art there. I really wish I could have afforded some of it.
The only person there that I knew was the hostess, and I only know her as a friend of a friend. I did run into a whole slew of people who thought I was somebody else. That's always fun. Then I attracted the attention of this really drunk dude. He really wanted me. In a bad way. "You're a big sexy thing, aren't you? I bet you get that all the time." Ehh, not really. "Please take your hand off my breast." I suppose I should have felt offended, but I was laughing too hard.
I don't do the bar thing too often. I can only take so much cigarette smoke before I have to go, and after an hour or so, I bailed.
On the way home, I stopped into the Walmart Supercenter for some groceries. I think I frightened a few of the other shoppers, but I just smiled and kept on going. When I left, this guy came up to me, and I thought he was going to start something, but Security conveniently rolled up and asked him to shift it. Whew!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A New Place To Shop!
I read this on the New York Magazine site, and found it elsewhere for confirmation. Forever 21 is opening a plus-sized line in May:
http://stylistic.clutchmagonline.com/2009/03/forever-21-launching-plus-size-line-faith-21/
A friend of mine (of smaller stature) is always raving about Forever 21. She's always saying things like, "You'd look good in that," or "You should buy those!" I appreciate her input, but until now, they haven't made things in my sizes. It's a little thing, really, but I need the positive energy right now.
http://stylistic.clutchmagonline.com/2009/03/forever-21-launching-plus-size-line-faith-21/
A friend of mine (of smaller stature) is always raving about Forever 21. She's always saying things like, "You'd look good in that," or "You should buy those!" I appreciate her input, but until now, they haven't made things in my sizes. It's a little thing, really, but I need the positive energy right now.
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