Halloween at the Magic Theatre

I’d heard much about this occasional event, Magic Theatre, at the Rivoli Ballroom in South East London and thought it worth going to see what it was all about. The Halloween ball is said to be the biggest event of the year so it seemed like it would afford the best taste of the experience.

I met up with three friends, Joanne, Tiff and Mrs Tiff for a bite to eat, at the Victoria pub in Peckham, where the Halloween theme was being taken seriously. We arrived fairly early at the Rivoli Ballroom. I must look up the history of this venue as it is located in the most unlikely part of London, a quiet suburb, not really anywhere. Why it was built there of all places merits investigation (in a nerdy moment sometime). We were wise to get drinks and a table immediately at one of the bars as it became clearer later in the evening that Rivoli bar queuing may well become an Olympic endurance sport. I heard a rumour that there were 700 people there. Although a Halloween themed ball, it was clear that any reasonable – and preferably flamboyant – outfit was acceptable. The very few people who turned up in jeans stood out badly. Everybody is there largely to check out each other’s efforts in the costume department. Now, I thought that my black satin and net dress with long spiderweb gloves and tights was suitably exotic, but I was pretty underdressed compared to most! I think the devilish Klingons win my prize for best outfit, but there were some gorgeous Frankenstein’s brides, a very sexy black cat, Darth Vader, and plenty of devils who were certainly hot! The place is obviously a magnet for T-girls – honestly, those trannies get everywhere!

It was nice to see other friends there, notably Irene, Stella and Mrs Stella, and also to have a brief word with the lovely Jodie Lynn who helped me with ideas on makeup and clothes in my very early days as a T-girl when I was visiting her Boudoir dressing service.

A live band, burlesque acts, dance music and an after party at the bar down the road made for a fabulous evening. The ladies’ powder room is attractive (but negotiating the loo with all that gear on is an undertaking!) and the cloakroom is efficient enough. I’d had to work during the day (unexpectedly) which meant that I couldn’t keep going as long as the others, which is annoying. 

All in all, an event well worth attending. Next time, though, I shall have to wear something seriously flamboyant! This is just too ordinary!

 Sue x

A fun weekend in London

A friend of mine, Tina, came to stay to do a bit of sightseeing in London. So we went off to Westminster, where there are some sights to see, and saw them. More importantly (and you can see where my priorities always are!) we had a cappuccino at Vergnano’s on the South Bank, where the coffee is always perfect, a drink before lunch at Chandos pub off Trafalgar Square and lunch itself in Bistro One in Frith St where the quality/price ratio is the best anywhere. I can’t do anything unless my stomach is full!

We went home to change into posh frocks for the evening, a good plan in the end as I haven’t worn my best dress for a year and it was great to have an opportunity to do so. Tina loved the view from Waterloo Bridge by night, which is spectacular as you can see Westminster one way and the City and Docklands on the other with the South Bank close by. We met Helena and found a decent pub, Nell of Old Drury opposite the Theatre Royal, and were joined there by Joanne. I’d booked Sarastro’s, a very quirky, fun but good quality restaurant, and managed to get us a balcony table. Had a fantastic dinner (I recommend the duck confit; the lamb Anatolian – i.e. lamb shank - seems to be their signature dish and that’s very good, too). The gypsy band played that evening (some nights they have opera, others jazz) and the girls seemed to enjoy it very much.

Sarastro's restaurant. L to R: Tina, Helena, Joanne and me

Afterwards Joanne took us to the Cambridge pub, which was quite full, and we stood at a table chatting to some young, pretty, female Austrian students. I rather wish I was young, pretty and female (I’d be happy to be Austrian too if that was a condition). Oh well! I try to live that dream in as much as I can.

That was Friday. On Sunday a friend, Grace, came over to dress. It was her first time out and she was inevitably nervous (I can’t say I’m free of nerves myself) but we went to catch the tube by quiet back streets, hardly meeting anyone so she could get used to being out as a woman bit by bit. The first tube train was quiet, the second gradually filled up, and I thought that was a good build up. We had time for a coffee (I really do recommend Vergnano’s, this one in the Charing Cross Road!)

Off to the Cambridge for the official Angels Sunday Lunch. Joanne was working behind the bar. Ange met us there and we had a drink downstairs before venturing up the dining room. The food is good there and the portions are gigantic. The shoulder of lamb that Grace had looked especially filling. My roast duck wasn’t bad. Joanne knocked off at 3 for an hour so we just sat chatting while she ate, then we went for a stroll through Chinatown and Covent Garden. The thing about central London is that most people are concerned with their own business and are not interested in a group of T-girls wandering about, which is one of the many reasons why I love living here. Grace and I had a drink whilst waiting for the tube to empty a bit before venturing home.

I feel privileged to have been asked by another girl to accompany her on her first trip out into the world. Especially when she is such pleasant company. Grace has written at length about this day in her own blog and her assessment of her feelings are something that all T-girls should read, especially those about to venture out for the first time. [Link: Grace: Stepping out the door]

All in all a very nice weekend.

Sue x

 

Hell Bunny dress

Sometime one promises oneself something and it takes for ever to get round to it. But this time I've fufilled a promise, which was to buy a Hell Bunny dress, a style which I love. I suppose it's not happened yet as I've had no reason to buy. But now I've got tickets to the Magic Theatre hallowe'en ball I've had the perfect excuse. I spotted this beautiful item at Camden Lock and I knew I had to have it. It fits perfectly. Mmmm!!! Now for some spider web tights and gloves.

Sue x

That ache

It is often hard to describe feelings and emotions, but I shall try to explain what goes through my head and heart when I see an attractive woman.

The male inclination in me wants to talk to her, maybe ask her out, wonder what she's like to hold, kiss, make love to ... So far, so typically male. But the female side of me is also working furiously and wants to know where she got her clothes, is her makeup working, whether she'd make a good friend ... And then there's the transgender wonderings: what is it like to be her? how I could become like her?

The feelings don't compete, but in a way compliment each other. Yet the ache that these feelings cause, particularly the strong ache that makes me wish to be accepted as a woman like her, can be truly terrible, distressing my mind and searing my chest.

Being transgendered is very bittersweet.

Sue x

So little time!

I haven't posted for nearly two weeks. Have I nothing to say?

Er, no. Rather the opposite. It's just that time seems to be at a premium for everything these days. There's so much that I'd like to do, yet time is something that has to be parcelled out carefully. I've no idea what the solution is, unless it involves higher dimensions, or dumping some interests. Bah!

Sue x