Last Friday I went to
NYC as Louise to the Javits Center for the annual Photo Expo. I enjoy the
interaction and expressions from some people, usually people VERY polite but
seem to be becoming more accepting or they just aren't sure or maybe don't care
any longer that there's a Cross-dresser near them, although I have to say, I
usually look better and dress classier than most of the women I see and I am
critical about the way women look.
When we were nearing
NYC, there was a young lady sitting next to me who started to make herself up,
she had a pretty full assortment of items in a makeup bag. At the same time
there was another woman in the seat next to ours (about 45-50) who obviously
had some social issues and was listening to an IPod with ear phones and was
hopping up and down and mouthing the music, she definitely had juvenile manners.
As she was expressing her enthusiasm I rolled my eyes which the lady next to me
saw in the refection of the plastic cover behind the divers seat (I like to sit
where I can see forward). I guess she released I was somewhat stable and avoided
any comment about the (nut) and said "your makeup is beautiful", we only had a
few minutes conversation but it was very friendly.
I chose to use the
restroom on the bus this time, usually I enjoy the reactions when I walk into
the men's room at Port Authority but the be honest the mirror was much better on
the bus and the room was clean, it was just difficult walking from the front to
the back and the front again while the bus was moving. Also, I found that I
could take the elevator down to where I wanted to be without walking all over
the bus station to the rest room and my feet were starting to hurt because my
Doctor suggested I stop my "water pill" and my feet started to swell (just my
luck).
Once I got onto the
street I headed to the Javits Center, it's not a bad walk but in heels and
swollen feet it's like "Chinese Torture" and I'm not really a Masochist. Once I
got to the front of the Center I sat down to let my feet rest, a gentleman saw
me and started a conversation and sat down RIGHT next to me. He was polite and
possibly he didn't realize what I was, but he kept the conversation going as if
I was a "Normal" person, it was just casual, where I was from and if I was a
photographer.
Once I got into the Javits Center I
glanced around to get an idea of which way to go, I went to the last row and
just walked up and down. I was sort of disappointed, no one made any comments,
although their focus was on the equipment, a few venders made eye contact and
smiled but they saw I wasn't interested in their item so politely waved as I
walked by, one man called me over and said, I see you almost every year, you
always look so nice, I just wanted to shake your hand and compliment you. He
said he was in some city in Ohio and when he came out of the Hotel he saw a
large billboard which said "Marriage should be between a man and a woman", he
said he was taking a picture of it and a man came up to him and said I'm glad
you agree with our view, he said "that's not why I'm taking the picture" it's
because I want to show people how retarded some people still are, I did have to
inform him I am married to a woman.
I spent about 3 hours
at the show and had made previous arrangements to go to dinner with another CD,
Allison. I took a cab over the CDI apartment (a new location), which is a very
nice place. Allison has just retired and has been on HRT for about 5 years (I
think she said). She has just come out in public, although her wife knows she is
NOT accepting. Allison looks VERY good, 100% convincing and a nice highly
educated respectful person. I'm grateful for her thoughtfulness in meeting and
going to dinner with me.
After dinner Allison
left and I walked back to the bus station, by now my feet felt elephant size. I
had to wait about an hour for our bus and fell asleep on the trip home; I didn't wake
until we parked in AC, so the trip and pain were moot for me on the way back. I
called my wife and she picked me up within 20 minutes.
I'm not really sure
I'll go back again; to be honest it's a lot of effort anymore. I have to be up
by 5 AM to get made-up, dress and get to the bus. I forgot to mention, I texted
my son and told him I was in the city and he asked if I wanted to go to dinner
with him and the family and stay overnight. He was working in Edgewater and I
would take the Ferry over and he would pick me up, but coming back is about 45
minuets from his home and then either the ferry or he would drive into the city,
I figured it was too much trouble and I'm not comfortable staying overnight even
if I'm not en-fem, besides I'll be up there in a couple weeks for my
granddaughters birthday.
