A Dahl’s House

Well it’s been a busy couple days.

Friday night I went out to the TGSF Halloween Party (which is also a fundraiser for the groups)—and got to do some semi-drag. Semi because I was wearing my Little Red Riding Hood costume rather than full drag.

Definitely fun, although I definitely could use more practice—but I still did better than most of the other folks who performed (if I say so myself). I did well enough I was asked if I could perform a second number—that one wasn’t nearly as polished, but at least I did know all the words (generally a good idea when one is lip-synching. ;))

Anyway, today my client’s company had costume contest planned so I dusted off the costume again and went dressed up to work. On the way to work, I shopped to get my usual coffee and when I placed my order the counter staff did a doubletake—“That’s you?!” Turns out they hadn’t recognized me until I heard my voice (which I didn’t bother to try to feminize).

Same thing happened at work. More than a couple people said they didn’t recognize me at first—and definitely did a doubletake when they realized what was up. Overall, everyone got a huge kick out it, especially since I was one of the few people who showed up in costume for the day (a lot of folks just got dressed up for the contest itself). A couple of the women told me they couldn’t believe how pretty I was—which needless to say was extraordinarily pleasing.

Still waiting to hear about the results of the costume contest. They gave a ballot all the employees, so they going to tally up the results and send out an email announcing the winners.

Was supposed to go out to a party tonight, but when I stopped for dinner, I ended up getting in a conversation with the people at the next table—in which I ended up talking how this wasn’t the first time I’d put on a dress. We had a such a good conversation, I didn’t realize how the time flew until the restaurant was closing up for the night—at which point I didn’t feel like driving up to San Francisco for the party. But all-in-all quite a fun day.

For their ruling that maybe, just maybe, gay and lesbian couples are entitled to being treated just like other folks.

Although we cannot find that a fundamental right to same-sex marriage exists in this state, the unequal dispensation of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partners can no longer be tolerated under our state Constitution.

USA Today has a sneak peak at “Shrek the Third,” where Fiona, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty team up to stop an attempted coup of Far Far Away. (Shrek is off-stage after deciding he’s is ill-suited to rule the land himself and goes off with Donkey and Puss in Boots to recruit the person who is next in line to the throne.)
Looking forward to it!

A lesbian SO’s treatment by some folks at Southern Comfort 2006 conference.

Since I’ve been slowed down by this cold, Marla and Erica beat me to posting about our girl’s night out, so I’m not sure I can come up with something more interesting. No pressure… no pressure…

Anyway, Erica was unexpectedly back in town and since Patsy wasn’t able to come last time, I suggested she join us and things snowballed from there. Kew also wanted to come and then Marla amazed me by driving all the way in from Sacramento. (Sadly, her husband Angel couldn’t get off of work early enough to come.)

I was still struggling with the cold and still a bit hoarse, so in retrospect, it would’ve been smarter to have stayed home, but since Erica is such lovely company, I didn’t want to miss another opportunity to spend an evening with her.

Kew came over to my house and declared I did get the gay-male-decorator gene. What I can say… I’m a designer… Guess maybe I need to put up a neon beer sign to butch up a bit…

Kew, Patsy and I carpooled up to SF and met up with Marla and Erica outside Macy’s where they’d been doing a little window shopping. Since we hadn’t made reservations anywhere, there the inevitable “Well were would you like to eat” ensued. I’m not a huge fan of the Cheesecake Factory (especially when there are lots of far more interesting restaurants nearby), but Patsy does so love it, so I suggested we go there.

My mistake. Who would’ve thought there would be an hour’s wait on a week night. It is on Union Square and all…but obviously there must be a lot of unadventurous tourists that night.

I’ve been out enough that waiting around the bar didn’t faze me, but I was really proud of how calm Erica was, since she hasn’t been out that much. As Erica said, we really didn’t attract that much attention: three women, one tall CD and one really tall CD (Erica’s 6’2”). And true to stereotype all the females were in pants and the CDs were in skirts.

When finally got to dinner and had a lovely time, talking about all sorts of things, including transgender subjects. I know some folks might be uncomfortable doing so because they’re worried people might overhear, but personally it doesn’t bother me. First off, I seriously doubt that I’ll be mistaken for female in close-up intereaction and secondly, the only way our image is going to change is by people encountering us and seeing we’re pretty much like anyone else.

One the way home we nearly missed having a much larger adventure. As I dropped Patsy off I noticed the fuel gauge was on empty, but since the “low fuel” light hadn’t come on I figured I had a gallon or two left and could get gas in the morning. Well, the next morning, guess what… the car wouldn’t start and I had to walk down to the gas station and bring back a gas can. Apparently the “low fuel” light no longer works, since when I filled the car, the tank was quite literally empty. And this is one time I didn’t get around to putting my “boy bag” (with a change of clothes and make-up remover) in the trunk. So it could’ve been a far more…uh…exciting…evening.

Apple’s got a new ad with a crossdressing twist.

To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Although the question is… if the “PC home movie” is a “work in progress,” does that mean there’s more to the “Apple home movie” than meets the eye?

This month I’d meant to get serious about updating the blog more regularly, but a recurrent sinus infection had other ideas….

But a story in today’s paper about how some kids are tiring of social networking sites and turning to face-to-face interactions seemed like a sign that it was time to write about some of the face-to-face meetings of my own.

It’s been a busy month, with various people I know from the Crossdressers.com and MHB forums visiting town. First was a dinner with Erica, then with Lilia (both up in San Francisco) and then last week with Diane here on home turf. I had a lovely time for all three. In various ways, we’ll all in similar places.

Don’t get me wrong—without online forums, none of us would have met. But there’s nothing like being able to sit down over a good meal with someone.

Which is why I’m so looking to dinner Wednesday—Erica is back in town unexpectedly, and we’ll be joined by our female friends Patsy, Marla and Kew.