Life of Louise

My 2 lawyers

2012-02-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

Wednesday February 1 st, I went to a function where I was dressed as Louise in the late afternoon, I don't always dress en-femme early unless it's on a day I can also go to another venue, this being a Wednesday I know Tomatoes a restaurant/lounge would be fun that night.
As I walked in I saw one of my first lawyers walking out, I had just talked with him the day before at the gym we go to. I grabbed his arm to stop him and looked up (he's 6'7" tall) and said hello Ken, he looked at me and said hello, but I'm not sure I know you, I said it's Lou, his reply was LOU?, yes, Lou, he said OMG I just saw you yesterday, you're beautiful, I really like it. I'm sure when we meet again there will be more conversation.
As I looked around I saw another lawyer who I used to race bicycle with. Being out in public for 16 years I can't remember who has or has not met me as Louise, I went over to him and just looked up at him (he's about 6'1" tall) he looked at me staring and he being a gentleman looked down and said, hello, I'm Jack, I replied I know your Jack, I'm Lou, he said LOU?, I said yes, Bicycle Lou. He was amazed, he said you look a hell of a lot better this way, he bent over and kissed me.
When people ask me why I cross dress, it's obvious to me.

Just a few updates

2012-01-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

I've had a busy couple months, so I'll try to give a brief update of what I can remember.

Today I went with my wife to her surgeon, she had a procedure done on her cheek and it had formed either a keloid scar or a cyst so he had to redo it. My wife has told me before not to talk during her appointments especial if the Doctor has a knife in his hand, so I was keeping my mouth shut. As he started on her he asked me how much I was spending on my Louise wardrobe, he brought the subject up because I was wearing a pair "matador" type tights" and a woman's jacket. He wanted to pursue the conversation, but I tried to keep my answers brief so he could concentrate on Millie. When we left I said to Millie, it wasn't me, I did not start that conversation, she had to laugh and said, maybe you can marry him. Oh well!

A couple weeks ago we were invited to join 2 other couples for dinner at our regular restaurant we go to on Friday night. I started going there alone about 2 1/2 years ago and then started to bring my wife. The owner was some what aloof when he first met me. But last week he stopped by the table to make sure everything was OK and kept making an obvious wink at me so everyone would notice, what a "card", LOL.

A few weeks ago, we went to the Buddakan restaurant with the Epicurean group, usually the dinners can cost in the 100.00 pp range, we were charged 70.00 for two people. I would say they do feed you well, but it's really out of my budget.

Last weekend was the Miss'd America at the AC convention center. When the original Miss'd was developed it was a parody on the Miss America in Atlantic City and used to be almost ad-lib mostly, this show last week was done so professionally it was actually better than the real Miss America and the Drag Queens had much more talent, I tend to be pretty critical about things, but I have to give it a thumbs up, it was so good most of the humor was left out and wasn't as funny as the original.

New Years Eve

2012-01-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve I really didn't want to go out, but rather than stay home I suggested we go to a place in Margate. I decided to go as Lou, I figured I'd give my wife a break and I was weary of dressing up the day before and shopping.

We parked in front of place on the opposite corner of a place we don't usually patronise but decided to go in anyway. The 2 piece group playing and singing happened to be casual friends of ours. We sat at the bar next to 3 women (age's 50-52), they kept staring at me, possibly because I had skin tight straight leg jeans on with high heel ankle boots on.

Finally one of the woman said "I like your boots", which offered me the opportunity to show my pictures of Louise (I always carry them), I insist people know both sides of me and can see I'm not always a little ugly guy. The one girl, the prettiest one said "I don't get it" she seemed a slightly tuned off and a little hostile, the other woman, seemed about the same, but the most unattractive was very accepting and wanted to talk about it. Eventually, the prettier girl asked me to dance with her 3 times, so maybe she saw I was pretty normal after all.

One other interesting thing happened too, 3 unassociated people bought up drinks all night long.

Hopefully it's an omen for a good New Year.

I don't go there

2011-12-23T12:51:00.000-08:00

I had visit my Doctor near Philly Wednesday, a 1 PM appointment, by the time I left and made a couple stops on the way home it was around 4:30 PM and I was hungry, so I stopped into a Pizza joint on Rt 73. As I walked in there was a pretty big Afro-American standing at the cash register, he was hard to miss because he was built like a big body builder. He took one look at me and yelled, Wow, you must work out!!!!!
I have to admit I'm not built to bad for a 5'3 some what stocky person, I do have a metamorphic body type but I haven't lifted a weight since I was 16 years old and couldn't now if I wanted too due to a few shoulder injury's, I need a replacement shoulder. Well he in so many words called me a liar and grabbed my arm and said "shit" you're hard as a rock, you do something. I said I ride bike with a race group, but most of those guys are really build like cyclists, small upper body's and arms, I have a large upper body. He then put his arm out flexing his bicep and asked my to feel it, I really didn't have to, I could tell he spent a lot of time in a gym. He also noticed my necklace, to me, it's androgynous, he said it was a symbol for balance (I don't know). I was dressed in my tight woman's jeans and a spandex shirt with my woman's purse, maybe he was unsure or just like femme looking guys. That was the third time in a month a Black guy has had to comment about me.

Saturday Night Karaoke

2011-12-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

My Wife and I love to go to Brigantine for Karaoke, I wore a pair of skin tight stretch jeans and boots

The Church Christmas Dinner

2011-12-19T13:01:00.000-08:00

My wife belongs to Church where she sings in the choir. She had bought 2 tickets for us to go to a dinner party and told the lady that Louise would be coming, it didn't seem as if it were an issue, at that time.
A few weeks later, one week before the dinner, she recieves a call from a paid Church member who has known my wife and I for about 15 years (he never met Louise though, only saw one picture).
My wife came home and asked if it was necessary to go to the dinner as Louise, I said no, but what happened for you to ask me after you said it was OK. She said this person had mentioned that because there could be some elderly church members they may not understand or be comfortable with "Louise".
Needless to say I got pretty upset, first off this is supposed to be an open and accepting Church, the assistant minister is even gay. I went over to the church to have a conversation with the minister to get the to the bottom line of the concern. As I went in the person who called my wife said the minister wasn't there and said he would talk with me. I got pretty direct and felt he had a lot of nerve to insult and embarrass my wife that way, he's supposed to be a friend.
The next day I went back, but dressed as Louise and had a chance to talk with the minister (he also only saw my pictures, but never met Louise in person). His comment was, I really doubt anyone will even know, you look great.
Friday was the dinner, the first person to apporch me was the one who made the comment to my wife, he said, WOW, you do look good, I can't beieve it, I'm really glad you came dressed.
We sat with 3 other couples and one single woman. The couples were very friendly, especially this one guy I felt at first would be a tough cookie to handle, he turned out to be VERY accepting and needed to joke with me and mention he loved the Sinfeild episodes with the "manzierre and man bro". The single woman seemed to be over the top and I had to be some what stand offish towards her, I just don't care for some people who want to be to helpful. I'm really not trying to be judgemental, BUT, she had way to many talents for someone at her age to be divorce and without a job since she was a, medical assistant, beautician, makeup artist, legal secretary, jewelry designer, chef, sales person, professional singer and still in collage, seemed pretty versatile to be collecting and living off assistance. Oh yes, she got a couple doggie boxes and filled them with all her food and as many cookies and cakes as she could stuff into them.
Sunday my wife came home from church and was very up beat, everyone who saw us at the dinner had come over to her and complimented her on how good I had looked and presented myself.
I'm so happy for her, she is definitely my hero and has more courage in one finger than I could ever have.
I love you Millie.

Louise

It's funny

2011-12-15T21:59:00.000-08:00

Last week I went to my wife's store, I like to dress in woman's jeans woman's turtle neck, 3/4 inch heel Mary Jane type sandals, and my black shoulder hand bag. I was pretty androgynous.
As I crossed Ventnor Ave to my car, a tall Afro/Amer was leaning on a parking meeter staring at me, I just gave a glance or two to see his reaction, he went over to a grocery store door and called to me "your hot". That's the second time an Afro/Amer made a polite remark to me in about 2 months, I guess they understand prejudice and like to compliment when they see something unique.

Chamber Of Commerce

2011-12-15T10:38:00.000-08:00

Tuesday evening my wife and I went to a Chamber of Commence toy gifting event. I dressed as Lou because it's a lot of work for just a couple of hours at one place, besides I had been out from Friday till Monday dressed en-femme and my face needed the rest.
To my surprise many of the people didn't recognize me, although, about 50% did. After the general gathering had ended a few people had stayed to socialize and a few really liked my wife and were quite friendly with her so we stayed later too.
There was one very tall girl there, she must have been about 6'2, late 20's or early 30's, she was having a good time most likely due to a few Cosmopolitans and became somewhat playful with all the men. At one time she had leaned back on her stool, spread her legs to raise them to lay them on one gentleman's lap where he and I had to close her legs and try to keep her from falling backwards., in other words she was smashed. But before that, one person who knew me wanted me to share my Louise persona with her, that's when she become way to friendly with me. My wife thought it was somewhat humorous but annoying.
One of the officers of the CC (a lady) said I really need to talk to you, I thought, Oh boy, here it comes, they don't want me attending meetings dressed, instead she said, I have a family member who Cd's also, but he's gay and it really troubles me. I guess we'll talk sometime in the future, but CDing seems to be very prevalent no matter what the reasons may be.
There was another person there who seemed to look as if he would have been pretty turned off by my "Alter Ego" so I wanted to keep it quite from him, we had raced bike together and he was a really tough rider, he had broke away from the whole group last time he rode with us, so he was serious about sports. One person who knows me both ways said you know Lou "Cross Dresses", this guy was a little stunned, especially knowing me as Lou (I've been told I take on a mobster type appearance as a guy). I had to at least show my picture to save myself from him thinking I look terrible en-femme, his response was, if you come to my office to talk over your investments, I want you as Louise. quite a compliment, I think.
Next to me were another group of people, I started to talk with the woman and asked where they lived, turns out they live in Brigantine, of course I mentioned to Red Neck bar my wife and I go to on Saturday nights, she said, she goes every Saturday too but never saw me, she asked if I sang and said yes "Wonderful World", she said I don't recognize you from there, out came my picture, she went nuts, she said "your Louise" I LOVE YOU, she hugged me and kissed me all over, her husband and another couple were there and they were all surprised I was Louise.
It was an interesting night to say the least and what everyone seemed to agree on, is they loved my honesty and openness, but I have to give my wife the credit for that, I could never be out without her, she's my HERO.

The Tweed bike ride

2011-12-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

I was invited to do a "Tweed Ride" Sunday 12/12/11 in Ocean City, it's where you dress in (period) clothes from the early 1900's, most were in 1915-20 styles, there were only about 15 or so who participated, we did 8 miles at a very casual pace (8 MPH) and went back to my friends house for Chili a beverages (wine and B&B). I was dressed in female equestrian dress style clothing with a equestrian riding helmet, I'll send couple pictures after I down load them. Millie helped with the food.

An observation

2011-12-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

Friday night I had dinner with my wife at our local Haunt in Somers Point, they treat me us VERY well. As we sat and people were coming in some came over to us to say hello, one was the past CEO of SJI (South Jersey Industry's), he has done this before and his acceptance impresses me, the next was an old classmate, we only knew each other casually in HS but have conversed more now since my "Louise" persona. As we sat, I notice a familiar couple sit next to us, but I have a terrible memory for some people especially if I've only met them less than 3 times. The gentleman looked as if he were slightly dazed, as if he may have suffered a stroke at one time, his wife had to read the menu to him also. As we got up to leave and I walked towards him he stopped me and asked if I was friends with a certain person, I said yes and then realized who he was. I was really impressed that in his condition and never seeing me as "Louise" he knew who I was, we had a very brief conversation, I wanted them to enjoy their meal.
I still had my glass of wine I hadn't finished so I went into the bar area, as I did a lady I've known for about 20 years came over and asked me to join her and her daughter and friends on the porch area. The other 3 lady's (not talking about her daughter) were very attractive, we talked for about an hour and the one invited me and my wife to her house party. One of the interesting observations I had was they were all divorcee's, very attractive, early mid 50's, able to attract almost anyone but have developed "Reputations" which I feel have kept men form being anything more than casual "intimate" acquaintances.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I try to keep myself beyond what the "traditional" (closet type) cross dresser has presented themselves as which has caused many Cd's to be abused or criticized or insulted if they try to go out in public. As much as I've attempted to distance myself from that association I still get occasional negative remarks from Gossip from a few people who may feel I'm taking a little of their lime light away, I'm a very easy target and people will side with others no matter how much they may trust me or respect me. Remember Judas?

Camber of Commerce

2011-11-14T11:18:00.000-08:00

Wednesday I went to a Chamber of Commerce get together as Louise, about 125 people attended, most were owners or managers of local businesses and also the re-elected Surrogate Judge and a current Mayor (who I've known for many years).
A few people greeted me without any reservation, I guess most have become fairly comfortable with my "alter ego".
I was sitting with a lady who joined me at my table when some announcements were being made, I really wasn't paying much attention until I thought I heard me name mentioned, I asked the lady sitting with me, if I heard right that I was announced (introduced) by the person speaking who said "we have "Louise Tate" with us tonight. I was really surprised when everyone applauded. I mentioned to my table guest I was impressed with that introduction, the lady said why, I said I don't think they have many cross dressers as members, she asked, you're a man. Maybe I pass better than I thought.
I have to mention in all honesty, even though the judge knows and respects my brother (who was county treasurer), I don't want to go before him if I ever wind up in court, of course he would need to excuse himself, but I could see the Book being thrown at me.

The Epicurean dinner

2011-11-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

My wife and I often go to the Epicurean dinners once a month (depending on the location), this month it was at the Atlantic City Country Club.

This month the sisters from Crazy Susan's Cookie store in Ocean City, NJ were the guest speakers. I had gone to get some h'orderves for my wife and myself and my wife was talking with a lady, she introduced her as Crazy Susan's sister (Linda) and said this is my husband Louise. My wife went to the lady's room and Linda said, I didn't realize you were a man when you came over to us.

The rest of the evening went fairly normally, most of the people know us from the 3 or so years we've been members, if not they ask and then after becoming comfortable that we're not soliciting anything start talking with us.

NYC trip

2011-11-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to the Javits center by bus in NYC. When I went to purchase my ticket (I'm entitled to a discount) I was asked to prove my age, the counter person asked 3 times before he asked for my ID which is now my drivers licence with my Louise picture on it.
The trip was non eventful until I got off the bus and a woman who had just met me the night before as Lou came up from behind me calling my name. She said she didn't recognize me the night before but had met me as Louise before as a blond but I was wearing a darker wig to go to NY, she apologized for not recognizing me on the bus and it took her some time to realize I was Lou from the night before.
She looked at me and said "how do you do this you look so different, there's a world of difference between you and Lou". Anyway we both needed to use the rest rooms and go separate ways.
In Port Authority Cd's have to use the proper restrooms for their gender, so I went into the men's room. When I came out of the stall I went to a mirror and set my bag on the sink next to it, it was also next to the pass way to the terminal, as I was touching up my eye liner a middle aged guy stops in the pass way and stares at me, I turn to him and said "well it is New York", with that he looked stunned and left. When I came out of the restroom I noticed him in the main terminal area looking towards me, so I went over to a security person and asked for directions, he must have thought I was saying something about him stalking me and took off.
The rest of the day and trip back was non event full other than the bus running very late and had to stand for almost 2 1/2 hours in my HH boots.

Sunday at the Famers Market

2011-11-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

My wife and I had a non event day so we decided to go to the Berlin, NJ Farmers Market. I don't want to sound judgmental but this is a pretty lower income place mostly patronized by farm workers or locals, but it has some unique stores including, a large wig shop and a nice shoe store and some interesting women's clothing stores, we go 1-2 times a year and I've gone as Lou or Louise.

This time I went as Lou but dressed in tight woman's jeans, woman's sandles and a form fitting spandex women's shirt and a baseball type cap and a woman's shoulder bag and looked pretty androgynous.

As we came in I needed to use the men's room, my wife waited in the main hallway. As I came out we started to walk and someone says behind me as he's passing "excuse me sweetie" as he goes by he's about 500+ pounds and African American, my wife said when I went into the men's room he called his wife (or whatever she was) and said to her, "that's a man, I know it's a man, but he's pretty". Even though I'm pretty straight and he definitely would never be my interest, I thought it was a great compliment.

Bottom line is, we all want to be admired under any circumstances.

A call from a school administrator

2011-10-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

Friday I received a surprise call from an old classmate who now works for the school system concerning a Transgendered student. This is a very difficult situation, first the boy is 14 years old, he cross dresses for school and is, I'm told, very passable and also a very good student, he's also an orphan for the last 2 years and has no support of any type from anyone. I'm told the State nor any government service has any way to help this person.
The big problem is not his cross dressing but the way he has to support himself, he's a street walker and has been arrested twice and was beat up pretty bad this last time. The person who called me wants to know if we (my wife and I) can help. I presume she may want us to take him in, but I think that would be the worse thing I could do, I love to cross dress, so how am I going to be a positive influence for him other than I don't like people being exploited and possibly turning into drug users and dealers.
The reason I bring up the latter concerns is that I suspect who she may be working for and I'm not happy about that, we could have no positive effect on this person, we could never divert her from what she has as far as protection (to some extent) and the money.
Any suggestions will be appreciated and considered.

Sunday Breakfast

2011-10-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

This just happened yesterday, Sunday the 2 nd. My wife Millie and I like to go to breakfast on Sundays to our favorite restaurant, they were busy so I let her off by the front door to register our name and I parked the car. I came in a couple minutes later and the entrance way was packed, I saw two people signing (Deaf Mutes), I really admire people capable of communicating that way and trust me, Millie and I don't judge special needs people, I was an assistant scout master at a home for abandoned kids who were mostly terminally ill. Anyway, Millie was standing on one side of the area and I on the other side, she and I tend to be mischievous at times and will banter in public, so I said "do I know you" she said "no leave me alone", I said "but you're cute and I'd like to know you", in the mean time everyone was watching us, she said "why don't you kiss my butt". All of a sudden everyone about 12 people started to sign to each other, hands were flying all over the place, I had no idea everyone there were deaf mutes. The moral of the story is, it was a moot moment.

The Mayor and me

2011-09-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago a group of people I know from Philly asked me to join them at a local restaurant which has a back bar with a "DJ".As I walked onto the deck I was greeted as some type of celebrity, all of a sudden about 5 people that I have met on and off at this and other lounges all were gabbing for my attention. I hate when people ask me if I remember them, it's very difficult and I don't want to insult anyone nor embarrass myself, I usually say yes I do, but I just have a hard time remembering names, hopefully that mitigates my forgetfulness.
As I was there, I was introduced to a Lady who is also a Mayor of a small nearby town, she was very impressed with me and over the next hour or so before she left, she just kept pulling me onto the dance floor and being overly friendly, then she would say "I do need to be careful, everyone has camera phones". I really felt very impressed that someone of her position was as gregarious and open to act in such a friendly way.
I admire people who have become comfortable with me enough to treat me as a "NORMAL" and special person and respect me enough to want to share me with their special friends, My hat is off to you, thank you.

My comments to the story below

2011-09-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

Posted: Thursday, September 1, 2011 12:01 am

More Voice of the People, Sept. 1, 2011 0 comments

Gay bride deserves

a happy wedding

Regarding the Aug. 26 story, "Somers Pt. shop stuck in she said, she said dispute" concerning a disagreement between a gay bride and the Here Comes the Bride shop:

I find it very depressing that a person who chose to share her happiness - and who is trying to be who she always has been, not by choice but by nature - has had that special moment ripped from her heart.

I have run into many people who find it necessary to try to destroy the happiness of others who do not live traditional lives. Alternative-lifestyle people become very easy targets.

My wife and I know many gay people. Never have any of them degraded or insulted us for being heterosexuals. On the other hand, some of our more traditional acquaintances have attempted to change our minds about whom we choose to be friends with. They have ostracized us and spread outrageous lies and rumors about us because of our honesty and openness. Fortunately, many more people have been accepting after realizing I and other alternative people are no threat.

I think the owner of Here Comes the Bride should have a chance to reconsider her decision.

There are many more alternative people out there than you'll ever know. As Shakespeare said, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

Linwood

here is the story

2011-09-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

Michael Ein

Boycott

There are nationwide calls for a boycott of the Here Comes the Bride salon in Somers Point after the owner reportedly refused to sell a wedding dress to a woman marrying another woman in New York.

Posted: Thursday, August 25, 2011 11:53 pm | Updated: 7:09 pm, Fri Aug 26, 2011.

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer | 0 comments

SOMERS POINT — The phone at Here Comes the Bride was ringing nonstop, even well into the evening past closing time.
While owner Donna Saber waited on customers, her assistant and seamstress Marianne Decker answered the phone next to the counter, listened politely for several minutes and thanked the callers for their opinions.
Some callers offered support, but most were negative, a few even threatening to burn down the store or throw a brick through the window, Decker said.
The barrage of phone calls stems from Saber’s reported refusal earlier this month to sell a wedding gown to a Middlesex County woman who plans to marry her longtime female partner in New York, where same-sex marriage was recently legalized.
“I have never seen such nasty behavior in my life,” said Saber, who has owned the salon since 2008.
The story was first made public Aug. 18 in a Philadelphia Daily News column. It made a national-network newscast the next night. Exactly what happened to set off the furor remains unclear. Saber and the customer tell different versions of the incident.
Alix Genter, 27, of Highland Park, went to Here Comes the Bride on Aug. 13 to try on wedding dresses, both parties agree. Genter went to the store with her parents and some friends, and the bride-to-be tried on several dresses before she found one to her liking.
“I could tell she needed special handling,” Saber said.
Genter liked the gown but wanted it made of a lighter material for a summer wedding, and both parties agreed. Saber, 54, said she would call the manufacturer to see if that was possible, which Saber said she did Aug. 15, and got an answer to the question the next day. She then called Genter to convey the message, and this is where the accounts diverge.
Saber said as she was dialing the phone, she noticed on the paperwork that Genter had crossed out “groom” and written “partner”in its place. When Genter answered the phone, Saber mentioned she noticed the change.
“I don’t know where it went from that, but all of a sudden, she’s calling me a bigot,” Saber said.
Genter, who declined to be interviewed but responded with an e-mailed statement, wrote that Saber told her it was “wrong” and “a shame” to be gay, and that she would not work with her for the wedding.
“All through these interactions I remained calm — even though I had started crying — and informed her that she was a bigot and her refusal to work with me was discrimination,” Genter wrote. “To be confronted with such explicit prejudice and discrimination during what should be one of the happiest times in my life — planning my wedding — was shocking and hurtful.”
After the conversation ended, Saber called her back, leaving a message stating, “what you are describing on this paperwork is illegal, and we do not participate in illegal actions.”
Saber does not deny making that call — the recording is posted on the Internet — but she said she did not tell Genter that it is“wrong” to be gay.
“It just seems like provocation to me,” Saber said. “All I knew is (gay marriage) wasn’t legal in New Jersey.”
Going public
The morning after the conversation, Saber said she got a call from the Philadelphia columnist for comment. She asked the writer not to do the column, as it would just make her a target. The editor said the column would run, but Saber could tell her side.
The Aug. 18 edition of the Daily News had a photograph of Genter in a wedding gown on the front page. The heterosexual columnist told the story and gave her personal apology to gays for the way some straight people treat them.
“I didn’t expect her to write the article the way she wrote that,” Saber said. “It was awful.”
On Aug. 19, a Philadelphia TV news crew “walked into my door at 10:30 in the morning with cameras and microphones,” Saber said. “I told them we were trying to get in contact with Alix.”
The story made a national newscast that evening and eventually appeared on the Internet, with most bloggers and posters in Genter’s corner.
A Facebook page called “Boycott Here Comes the Bride” had about 720 supporters as of Thursday.
Carrie Denny, a writer and wedding magazine editor for Philadelphia Magazine, posted a blog saying she was thankful Here Comes the Bride wasn’t in the publication’s coverage area, and if it were, she would cut it off.
“If I heard of a salon turning an African-American bride away, I wouldn’t have trouble cutting them out” of the magazine, Denny. “A bigot is a bigot, whether it’s race or sexual orientation.”
New Jersey law states that merchants may not refuse to do business with someone because of race, creed, gender, nationality and sexual orientation, among other categories, the state’s Division on Civil Rights Web page shows.
Saber said the police told her that the salon is private property, and she has the right to refuse service to anyone.
Some are going beyond a boycott.
Jason Mitman, of Youngstown, Ohio, president of Citizens United Against Bigotry and Prejudice of New Castle, Pa., said his group is planning an informational picket Sept. 17 in front of Here Comes the Bride. People from several East Coast cities will participate, as well as two other local bridal shops.
“We’re all going to converge on Somers Point. It’s going to be big,” Mitman said. “The hopes and aspirations are to shut (Saber) down. I hate to say it, but that’s exactly what I want to see happen.”
Doing business
Meanwhile, Saber is trying to run her business, and the shop doesn’t appear to be lacking for customers. She said she has most likely done business with gays and lesbians, who came in and bought dresses or rented tuxedos and didn’t make announcements about their orientation.
Asked if she would accommodate a woman who came to the shop and said upfront that she was marrying a female partner, Saber said she wasn’t sure how she would react.
Somers Point police are not aware of any threats of violence against the shop, Capt. Michael Boyd said Tuesday.
“We have been out there three different times in the last week since that article broke,” Boyd said. “When there are problems at a local business, officers do extra checks on the place.”
Here Comes the Bride’s phones keep ringing and the emails keep coming — more than 600 that Saber hasn’t been able to check.
Some callers said they were planning to come to Here Comes the Bride, but will shop elsewhere after they heard this news, Saber said. The story is passing along a gay network that is “fermenting”the situation.
“It’s kind of appalling that people who disdain name-calling could disdain someone (with opinions) different from theirs,” Saber said.
But others from around the country call in their support and tell her to stand strong, said Saber, who would like to talk to Genter to resolve the situation.
“We are in the business of love,” Saber said. “In love, people have disagreements and arguments. If there’s love, you talk things out and get the other person’s point of view.”
Contact Elaine Rose:
609-272-7217

My Birthday

2011-08-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

I had 2 birthday cakes this weekend, one is at a Karaoke bar in Brigantine and the other at a high end restaurant lounge in Absecon, there was a very large turn out of friends (about 200 in total). Needless to say there wasn't any cake left for me, which is a good thing.
I just wanted to include a picture and a Video from my 2 Granddaughters.

Too Much Time On Their Hands

2011-07-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

I thought this was funny and wanted to share it.

http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/07/incredible-rube-goldberg-portrait-machine?cmpid=enews071411

Such is Life

2011-06-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned that due to my competitive cycling activity, I (and others) have created some self induced physical ailments. One of mine is I had dehydrated a few years ago and created a blood clot in one of my eyes. One of the treatments is to have injections of a serum in that eye, yes, it hurts just like a sharp stick in the eye.
I've been going for treatment to an ocular specialist who claimed that it should have taken about a half dozen treatments but I've been getting an injection for 4 years every two months.
I finally asked another eye professional if there was any other treatment and he suggested a new doctor. Having nothing to lose, I went to the new Dr. and his comments were, "you have developed a tolerance to that serum about 3 years ago and treatment afterwards was useless, you need a different drug".
He then started treatment after taking pictures of my retina and showed me what the issue was and what he wanted to achieve. That was about 2 months ago, I just went again this Monday and he took pictures before the second injection and showed me there had been a dramatic improvement, he says I may only need 3-4 more injections but I may not regain the lost vision because it has been too long.
The lesson is, if you're not seeing an improvement after a reasonable period, get 2-3-4 second opinion's, you never know what someone else may have experienced or has had positive results with.

Thursday night

2011-06-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

Since I was already dressed as Louise, I decided to go out for the evening to a local restaurant/lounge, it was fairly busy but I found a seat at the bar. I ordered a drink and with it the bar tender put up a glass that someone bought a drink for me. As I was watching TV the person sitting next to me started a conversation about the golf game we were viewing and mentioned he hated golf, tried it and gave it up, I mentioned I had the same experience, but loved to watch it on TV.
I saw a woman who resembled someone I went to school with and approached her to ask if we were old classmates, she said she had gone to school in NY, but she was the spitting image of my old classmate. I went back to my seat and she came over a moment later, she said, someone just told me who you were, we were your old neighbors who moved a few years ago, she didn't recognize me either.
A couple then sat next to me, the woman looked familiar to me also and I asked where she was from, she told me she worked at a restaurant in Longport and it turned out I knew her employer and they do resemble eachother, who also went to the same aerobics class I did, she bought me a drink too. By the time I got home I had to go to bed, the bar tenders were generous with their pours to me and 3 drinks are one more than my limit anyway.
I was very impressed by my acceptance in this place, I go there very rarely and they always treat me well.

The Chamber of Commerce luncheon

2011-06-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday I went to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Atlantic City Country Club, as Louise. The main speaker and invited guest was the CEO of Verizon and most of the other guests were public officials, lawyers and bank representatives.
I was sitting at a table with some bank representatives and the County executive was talking with a couple local lawyers, as he scanned the room he saw me (he was my son's teacher in HS and my brother was also a high county official), he blew a double handed kiss towards me. Everyone saw it and laughed, I blew a kiss back.
One of my old customers (a lawyer) was walking by the table and I called out to him, he put his arms out for me to come to him and hugged me and said out loud "LOUISE HUNNY" and kissed me.
I must admit I think it takes more courage for people to be accepting in public to someone like me, especially if they are well known, because, as we all know, many people tend to be afraid of being considered "Guilty by Association", I admire these gentlemen and others like them.

The Thrift Shop

2011-06-18T06:56:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday I went to the thrift shop, as I was browsing one of the isles with a Zebra print dress and a couple other items in my arms, an older lady (around 85) said, you have good taste in clothes, your wife must really trust you pick things out for her. That's all I needed to start a conversation, I heard her accent and asked if she were from Poland and she confirmed that, I said my mother was too. I then took out one of my older business cards where I'm knelling on my bed and showed her. She said, your wife is very pretty, I said she is, but this picture is of me. To my surprise, she said I've been through a lot of experiences in my life and if that makes you happy then do it. Then she asked me to carry her basket of clothes to the dressing room area.

The Hospital

2011-06-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my wife had her knee replaced, it was a few days before the Memorial day weekend. We were asked to attend the barbecue celebration party, I came as Louise.
Interestingly no one made any comments other than the public relations coordinator. She asked if I had ever considered going to public schools to discuss with kids about the "cross dressing" lifestyle. My reply was that I would love to do that, but because I'm not trained as a professional and may make a misstatement and set someone off on the wrong direction, I felt it would be inappropriate, possibly if it were more on a one to one basis with the child's parents present and a pre conversation with them about their concerns, I would be more comfortable.
I've found that people who are just average and are given a (metaphorical) "badge" can carry a lot of weight, I don't want to have a guilty conscious if I were to direct someone incorrectly because they trusted my opinion and I was wrong.

The Nail Salon

2011-05-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

My nail guy is going back to Vietnam to see his ailing mother, he's a really nice guy but has been taken advantage of lately, it's a little personal and I really feel bad about the way he's been treated, besides business is terrible for him so I've tried to be a loyal customer.
With that said, I have to find a new salon so I asked someone about another local salon and tried them last week. The lady who owns the shop (Vietnamese) was very nice and was curious as to why I wanted my nails done with Gel (I went in as Lou) so I shared my pictures, she seemed to be amused and of course asked the normal questions.
About 2 days later (Friday) half of them had broken, I did notice they were very thin and really not the right length. I usually dress on Friday and wanted to visit my wife in the hospital. After going to the hospital I stopped at the nail salon, the lady recognized me immediately and welcomed me in, I showed her my nails and she apologized and renewed the complete set without charge. All the time she had to keep glancing at me and smiling behind her mask. When she was done she said "I really like you much more this way" and gave me a big hug and kiss on my lips. She's VERY attractive, married and built very well.
I think I found a new nail salon.

A rough day for Lou Wednesday 5/18/2011

2011-05-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

This Blog is about Lou & Millie.

Millie (my wife) was scheduled for a knee replacement Friday but was called in early, I had scheduled an eye appointment for the same morning and had to reschedule for the same afternoon. Millie was admitted into the hospital at 8:45 AM and by 11:30 she had a new knee (results are pending as far as recovery). My son had come down from NNJ in order to give his mother moral support. I remained with her till about 3 PM so I could run home, feed and let out our 2 dogs and make it over to my eye appointment, with the intent of returning to the hospital about 6 PM to see my son off and spend a little more time with my wife.

To my surprise, the eye doctor was not impressed with the way I was being treated by the person who had been giving me injections into my eye over the last 4 years, yes I get injections right into my eye ball every 2 months for 4 years, figure it out, 48 injections and trust me, they hurt like hell and take me down for a full day.

After taking my background he decided that I may have become resistant to the serum that was being used and wanted to try the other one (there are only 2 serums for this condition) the one is covered by insurance and is about 50-75 dollars for the serum, the other is 2000.00, the difference is one is specific for eye treatment and the other was developed for women's breast cancer, but was found to be effective for the eye too.

I mentioned my insurance coverage and he said (the more expensive treatment) was now covered and if they didn't cover me he would not charge me. I have to ask everyone, did you ever hear of a doctor volunteering not to charge a patient for treatment, as least now a days, It was my first appointment with this person, it's not as if he had ever met me before, I was very impressed.

Needless to say, my eye hurt like hell, it was 7 PM before I left the eye doctor with no chance of being able to visit my wife, I had all I could do to make it home and take 4 Advil and go to bed with an ice pack on my eye.

Needless to say, I hope I don't have another day like that again. Now I have to hope my wife does well with her recovery.

My surgery

2011-05-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

Monday (yesterday) I went in for eyelid surgery, most insurance will cover the procedure if you failed the field of vision test due to safety for lack of peripheral vision.
I had gone to this doctor because another CD friend went to him and was very satisfied. My first visit I had asked about some nose work besides my eyes and he was dead against that. I showed him a picture I had "Photoshopped" as an example, he asked if I had been to a local restaurant lounge a few months earlier and I said yes, he said we met, I can't remember many people so I had to ask what he thought. He seems to be a very professional type and tended to evade the question, almost as if he was uncomfortable with me.
Yesterday I went in for the eye procedure with my wife, she talked with him about what my expectations were and then had to go in the waiting room.
As he started the surgery, he became very talkative (almost as if I were getting a hair cut), he wanted to know when and why I started to cross dress. I was really surprised because I would have thought someone who is a cosmetic surgeon of his prominence would have had many Cd's or TG's as patients, he said I was the only one he ever met, but I know my friend who Cd's too was worked on by him.
I'll see how the procedure turns out, right now I'm pretty swollen up.

Breakfast at McDonalds

2011-05-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

Last week I had gone out early and decided to get some breakfast at McDonalds, it's not my normal thing and I was Lou. As I sat down a gentleman a little older than me was walking past my table, I invited him to join me. He seemed very amicable and also wanted some company while eating.
Our conversation ranged from his losing his wife of 40 years a few months earlier to our kids and grand kids, work and so on.
As we were almost done and I had felt comfortable with him I shared my Louise pictures with him, surprisingly (he had been a longshoreman) meaning a no BS type person, he was very accepting. He then told me his son was a NYC cop and his daughter was a NYC detective who was divorced with 2 kids that he looked after. He then said, I was suspicious of my daughters sexual orientation and would beat around the bush asking why she wasn't dating men, she finally said, do you want to know if I'm gay, well I am. See, we all have some baggage, my sharing my femme side with him allowed him to be able to accept his daughters orientation much better. We shook hands and he said he was very happy we had met and I helped him with his loss and his daughers lifestyle. Being a Cross Dresser isn't always a bad thing.

OK beat me up about the black hair

2011-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have accumulated approximately 50 wigs, about 5 black and 4 auburn/red. I wanted to try my black again. You must realize as with a new hairdo that may be irreversible until it grows in, that in a similar way, once you go out with a new style or color dressed, you're at risk of ridicule.
I felt that I would be reasonably accepted even though it's a drastic change from my blond. Most people were complimentary, and to be honest, they didn't sound patronizing, but I could sense a bit of dislike.
The next week I went out as a blond again, to my surprise about 30-40% of the people who saw me with the black wig preferred it and were upset I went blond again.
My instincts tell me blond is better for me. Although, as a brunette, my money was no good at the 2 lounges I went to, no one would let me pay for my own drinks. Maybe I should reconsider the black again.

Knife & Fork Inn

2011-04-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Monday night I had the pleasure of having dinner at the world famous Knife & Fork Inn of Atlantic City. I had known the previous owner Mack Latz, who by all intents and purpose's was probably one of the most successful and disliked people in the area. He was a customer of mine for many years and very obnoxious, but I never gave him an inch, I find I can have more fun (after getting to know each other) with that type person, but he did treat his immediate family terribly. An example of how I used to break his chops. He had a Jack Russel Terrier, I love little dogs, the dog loved when I used my knuckles to rub his back, he would get so excited he would pee all over the seat, Mack would yell at me not to pet his dog because of it, my answer was I liked the dog better than him, he still came in, I think he respected me for not giving into him. I have to give credit where it's due, Mack gave you a spectacular dinner, in my opinion I had never tasted a better steak although the Dougherty's who own it now are keeping the same standards. I also know the Daugherty's who were also customers of mine and lived in the same apartment complex as my parents did when I was born, my father was a Business manager for the local waiters, waitresses and bar tenders union during the Nucky Johnson era back then and used to supply staff for all the food establishments who were unionized. I* also mentioned previously my brother held the same political appointment as Nucky for 20 years.

An Interesting read http://www.knifeandforkinn.com/aboutus.php

It was also my pleasure to have dinner this time with Tom Laminae who was the Channel 3 Philadelphia TV weather man. I've known Tom since my high school days, when he used to DJ the "Hop" at the YMCA in Atlantic City. I would hear him starting the "where's Tate" chant over the radio as I was driving up Pacific ave to the dance. Well I guess he found out where Tate is now, here's my picture with him.
Louise

Pushing the Androg limits

2011-04-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

I never pretend to know or do everything first, so I'll give some of the encouragement I've received not only to my wife but someone I helped come out in public a few years ago, Heather. Heather as Joe looks more male than I although because of her body type if you look from the neck down, he/she definitely has a female body. I on the other hand am very muscular and who knows what goes through peoples minds when they see me trying to push the envelope dressed androgynously.
Today I tried to see what would happen. I usually wear "Gloria Vanderbilt" jeans, but they don't really draw attention other than they fit very good and probably no one knows why unless they see the little swan on the change pocket. Today I wore a pair of tight stretch jeans, definitely form fitting and very femme looking, I also carried a shoulder purse.
First we went to or regular restaurant for breakfast, I know a few people there and went to say Hi. I noticed, especially the women checking me out, because their eye's went to my jeans, I'm not sure if they were staring at them or the "bulge". I went by a booth to go to the restroom where 4 women were sitting, as I approached and passed the lady facing me I could feel her glare, when I came back towards the other ladies, now facing me, she must have clued them in, they were staring too. I wanted to laugh out loud and say something, but I held my composure.
We then went to Sam's and after some other shopping went to a new restaurant for dinner. I left my wife out at the door so she get a spot in line and I parked the car, as I came back one lady was compelled to stop me and tell me not to eat to much because I'd ruin my figure in the jeans, as I got next to the line walking towards my wife I heard a young girl, maybe 12 or so, ask her mother, is that a man or woman. Oh come on, if anything I look like a "Butch Bitch". In side, because it was buffet style I had to make a couple trips for food and got a lot of either jean or crotch stares, mostly women, but also a few guys gave me a big smile. Anyway, I'm sure you get the picture.

I'm not that special

2011-04-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

The not so special part is near the end of this post.

Friday night I went to a nearby restaurant/lounge, I didn't want to travel far from home and had been to this place previously. It's a middle aged hang out, mostly married couples who tend to be tolerant but not really interested in CD's (at least I thought).
As I walked in, a very attractive mid 40's woman ran to me and said, hi remember me, I live one street over from you and I'm here with your backyard neighbor. The back yard person knows me pretty well because she's seen me as Louise and I have ridden bike with her and he husband who are both competitive Triathletes. They were all very polite to me, so it was a non issue.
I waved the woman bartender over and ordered my drink which she brought over and waved off my money. My friends had been at the bar most of the evening and paid an 85.00 bar tab, I don't drink that much in a year.
I had seen a couple of people who know me in both persona's and went over and had some general conversations with them, on my way back to my seat on the other side of the bar from the entrance two middle aged men walked in, they started to take a seat on the far side from me and then came over and sat next to me, one told the bar maid to give me another of what I was drinking. Turned out he knows me from my Monday night venue, his friend a nice guy about 6', 240 lbs started asking me about CDing and was curious about dressing himself, I mentioned he would need to shave his beard off.
They ate some appetizers and then left.
Three other people, a young 35 y/o couple and and big Irish man built like a small tank then started to talk with me. Turned out the woman lived down the street from us in Longport a few years ago and her sister went to school with my son, we also had close mutual friends, she was very nice.
Her and her husband left and now the Irish guy who was impressed with my hand shake wanted to try and out grip me, he was pissed he couldn't and keep mentioning at how strong he considered I was. I think he was trying to hit on me.
To regress a moment, as I was talking to the married girl, I noticed a tall looking girl about 25-30 y/o very thin across the bar. She drew my attention because she was quite tall about 6'1 or 6'2 but had a slightly receding hairline, I looked at her fingers which were very long but a little on the thick side as were her wrists, I also notice a thick area where her Adams apple is and realized she had to be a he. I mention this to the young lady I was talking with and she wasn't sure. I asked the Bar maid and she said yes, she's a guy I can introduce you to her. I went over and maybe had a 2-3 minuet conversation with her (I feel it's rude to get into long conversations with people when they're with someone else unless they want to keep me there). She mentioned she had only been dressing a couple years and was on hormone therapy. I thanked her for the conversation and excused myself.
Anyway, I'm no longer exclusive in my area. But I know I'm still the most popular and still told I'm very pretty and some people think I have a strong hand shake. If only your hand shake was an indication of the size and virility, I'd be like Samson, before he lost his hair.

Some Deep Stuff, please read

2011-03-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

Trust me, I'm as far from being a philosopher as a person can be, besides that, I can make a short story very long, so please try to follow, if you're interested.
I was going to post a very derogative message here about last week, one of the guys I ride bike with mentioned that he was forwarded my Blog page by a mutual acquaintance. He also mentioned they were having a good laugh over the phone about my "Life as Louise". I don't need to get into a verbal battle, I'd never win anyway, as far as most of the world is concerned I'm wrong because of what I do. But I have fun with it and have found many people who can think for themselves contrary to peer pressure and have come to love the courage I display to be myself.
As Lou, I've always wanted to be taller, stronger, better looking, have friends (that's my main desire) but for some reason was never able to have any of those attributes. I guess when a person or people have never faced so many NATURAL challenges they don't understand the additional struggle a person goes through and what they will do to just be accepted.
As I said, I was going to make this a hostile post, but for some reason, last week and also last night, the guys seemed to be a little nicer to me, for the first time in about 10-12 years since I shared Louise with them, they voluntarily started small conversations with me, I'm still not invited on one of the trips coming up, but just the fact they talked with me brought an emotional feeling to me. Now a second part.
This past Monday I went to the Ram's Head, I've always gone as Louise, quite a few people didn't recognize me and tended to be a little stand offish, even the one who always hugs me and wants a conversation with me. Then my friend Barbara, who I helped come out about 2 1/2 years ago was standing near the bar, I was staring at her feeling sure she'd look at me and laugh, instead she looked over with an expression of "what the hell are you looking at" on her face, I said what's your problem, her jaw dropped, she said "it's the voice" others have said that to me too. She had no idea it was Lou/Louise, she's seen Lou's pictures and known me for over 2 years and still didn't recognize Lou.
She called tonight and said, you know, I always thought you were over stating your comments about being abused, mistreated, disrespected as Lou, now I understand. She reminded me of a few weeks ago when we were having dinner at Good Fellows in Absecon and the owner stopped to talk with us, he asked where I had been and then said, Louise, when you walk in here, you own the place, you're a queen, everyone knows you or wants to. Then Barb said as Lou, your 4 feet tall, as Louise you're 10 feet tall, I really understand you now. How could I not break down.
All I want, as I've repetitively said in my Blog, all I want is to be accepted, I've done all I can, even changed my appearance, risked everything in life to be happy, why must people think it's a perversion, I'm not the one who sees myself as a sexual deviant, it's the way peoples minds and eyes see me that possibly they are the ones who become the deviants and maybe see me as an attractive person. It's funny, there are many fairy tails about dual persona's, one recent one that comes to mind is Shrek, another is one about a handsome prince who was turned into a frog until a princess kissed him, I just can't remember the others right now, but were they considered "sexual deviants, they're metaphors about real life, I just live them for real.
As I've said before "Life is a paradox"
I'm just Lou trying to find happiness through Louise.

Saturday night with my Hero

2011-03-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

Saturday evening we were invites to join some friends at a restaurant we hadn't been to. As we walked in and came over to our friends table abut 6 people come over to me who recognized me from my business and also as Louise. I was very surprised at how well I was received in this very straight lounge and by people I hadn't seen in years. A few others came over as the evening progressed probably 15 people in all.
One of my very bad tendency's is I meet so many people but just for a very short time, maybe an hour at most and it's impossible to remember them all. I wish I could develop a way to remember them, I don't want to have people think I'm rude by not remembering who they are. Anyway, it turned out good and I always like when my wife is with me and see's first hand how respectful people are to me. After all she's the one who transformed me and I owe my life and happiness to her, she is definitely my HERO.

One way to piss my wife off

2011-03-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

Friday night my wife and I went to dinner at Max's Steak House at the Trump Plaza, have to say it was good, but it was restaurant week so it was half price, our bill came out to 115.00 dollars, so we're not regulars.
After dinner I needed the rest room, it was down the hall. I went into the "Men's Room" yes I could have done the lady's but I'm not that convincing, besides I love the reaction I get from men when I'm in there. As I started to enter there was an older lady sitting waiting for her husband who was in the men's room, she tried to inform me it was the men's room, I said in my Lou voice, it's OK, I have one of those things myself.
I came out of the booth to check my makeup, I needed to touch up my eye's, 3 men about 30-45 seconds apart walked in then saw me and started to excuse themselves, thinking they were in the lady's room and turn to leave, I said it's OK, come in. From my voice they figured I was a guy.
My wife and I had to go down an escalator to the show room, the husband and lady who told me about the rest room was in a wheel chair her husband had parked it near the escalator that my wife was going down, the lady apologized about not realizing I was a guy and then asked if I was with my "MOTHER", I called down to my wife and said hey mom, the lady wants to know if you're my mother, well Millie was a little pissed at me, gee I didn't do anything wrong. I corrected the lady. I told her that was the 5 Th time someone thought my wife was my mother. We just had a very short conversation, it was nice to interact with people who never met someone like me in person, I think, it was a good experience for them.
After the show I was invited by a friend who is a wrestling coach to join him and some friends at the Liquid Bar where he introduced me to a bunch of people.

The Thrift Shop

2011-03-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

If I haven't mentioned yet, I usually go to the Thrift Shop in my area about once a week, it does become a compulsion. Most people know me both ways so when they see me "grazing" in the woman's area they just smile and some help find something they think would look nice on me.
I happened to go last week dressed as Louise, I've shown my pictures to an older Irish woman, very Catholic type, she tends to be some what critical but not rude when I show her a new picture, I like doing that for the shock value besides I have nothing to hide anyway. She's only seen my pictures as I said, but last Wednesday I was walking down an isle and she was at the other end, I looked forward and there she was with her mouth wide open. She said, OMG, you really look good, she said I love your hair, I need to get a wig like that. The interesting thing here is, when seeing me as Lou and a picture, she tended to be a little critical or concerned about my mental health, but in person, she was so over whelmed by seeing me in "Real Time" that it all made sense to her.
As I was walking towards the center isle I passed a VERY heavy set woman, the type who had a mustache, she called over to her husband or brother, not sure which because they looked identical, both were around 250-260# about 5'6 tall and both needed a shave. I knew her motive, she made me (I never said I was passable, but I do make a good presentation), they had to do a pass by, it was very obvious to me more so than I am obvious as a cross dresser. So the guy says, what is this country coming to, I couldn't let it go, I answered, hey pal, maybe you and your wife should look in a mirror, and then you may want to try dressing like me. Of course I caught them off guard and the shuffled away.

Lady's Night Out 02/26/11

2011-02-28T10:36:00.000-08:00

The LNO in Toms River is a nice venue that is distanced, almost equaly, between Atlantic City and NYC for CD's to experience an evening with other CD's in a straight environment, especially for CD's looking to transition between their "closet" or gay club only venues into how they will be accepted by straight people.This can be a daunting situation without support, I don't think I would have come out of my closet if my wife hadn't given me the support she had.

I don't go to LNO often due to distance and also because I find my interaction in the "traditional" community is more fun for me, besides, I'm not trying to pass myself off (any longer) as a mentor for other CD's, although if someone asks for my help or experiences I will try to keep them from damaging their reputation so they can keep their doors open to go public if they ever want to, hey, we all have our needs and attractions but we have to be adult about it too.

This Saturday I went with a (platonic) friend that my wife and I helped a couple years ago. Because we could share the ride and he/she doesn't get much opportunity to meet other CD's that may be interested in what he's looking for and I have no reservations about that, I've even tried to help him/her with that. First we went to a restaurant we've gone to before. We ordered our meals and the owner stopped by our table to ask me why he hadn't seen me as much as usual. He then said "when you walk in, you own the place" saying that he and everyone else looks forward to seeing me and talking with me. This is a very family orientated establishment, I was very proud of his comments especially in front of my friend, it just proved my philosophy that if you act no differently in your "Alter Ego" as you would in your normal day to day life (most) people shouldn't have an issue with you.

My friend called me the next night and commented about the experience and used the term "your a Rock Star", every where I go with you people come over for you to recognize them, they are proud you know them or they know you. My life was never one anyone would want to have as Lou, but when I'm Louise, it almost seems everyone wants a little bit of me, some want it for reasons that have hurt me too, because when I say, do or offer myself it's done from my heart with no renovations, but the people I have offered the most to have given me the least in return as far as friendship. Possibly they're afraid I want to take some of their spotlight, I only what to offer more of myself to them.

Louise

When you have nothing else to lose

2011-02-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

I have put a label on our concerns about "being made" and how the general public will treat or accept us, I call it "THE WHEEL CHAIR EFFECT". Meaning many CD's are not fortunate enough to be passable, so when out people will have a tendency to, elbow, whisper, raise their eyebrows towards you or any thing else to give notice to a companion of what you are. I've discovered that depending on how one presents themselves in any venue will help people to accept and appreciate your openness and honesty.

As a few other CD girls here I am very comfortable in public and am out 2-3 times a week, sometimes with my wife. As a matter of fact my wife and I or myself alone have helped many "girls" go out for their first adventure in public. Not only do I shop, but also share my "Louise" persona with everyone who knows me as Lou.

Saturday night my wife (Millie) and I went to Brigantine to a "Red Neck" joint, it's all locals and most are in the construction field so, they're "manly men". As I came in, there were 2 big guys at the bar with their wives' I assume, the one asked if I had seen the YouTube video of the Brigantine Polar Bear Plunge 2011, I didn't realize it was posted, but I looked it up and there I was with Millie, around the middle of the video. The other fellow reminded me he had removed my gasoline tanks from my service station property a few years ago. The impressive part is here are two big guys well known in this "Red Neck" bar who had the courage to talk with me and treat me with respect.

We went over to a table where a few friends were and behind them were two ladies who obviously notice what I was. As the night progressed the one lady keep smiling towards me, it was my obligation to introduce myself, remember "wheel chair effect". I went over and said hello, I'm Louise. We talked a while and she became so comfortable with me she told me about some very personal family issues, nothing sexual, but about her relationship and unhappiness with her husband and children and all she had done for them and lack of respect she had received in return. The only answer I could give her was.

"When you realize you have nothing left to lose, you will finally do what you want to do to make yourself happy".

CuteLouise

Sometimes I worry to much

2011-02-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Today I went to a Camber of Commerce meeting. Due to the type and direction of this group I've tried to keep my "Louise" persona at home, I just don't feel it's appropriate and besides I don't claim to be "Trans Gendered" I'm only a very open and accepted "Cross Dresser" although some may argue that.

I sat with 2 gentlemen who worked for Comcast and were also into athletics (I used to be a competitive cyclist) so it was an impetus for conversation. As the meeting was getting close to beginning 3 women came to our table and we all introduced ourselves. This group is all about networking businesses and I was asked mine, so I just mentioned I represented my wife's jewelry store.

One of the ladies ask, why do I know you, you look very familiar, the other younger one chimed in and said the same thing. I attempted to just brush it off saying I've been around the area all my life and had owned 4 businesses locally, I just wanted to keep Louise out of the conversation. Then the lady sitting next to me noticed my nails, she said "Oh, now I know who you are", I said, you must know my "alter ego" she nodded and had a huge smirk on her face as if she swallowed a bird. The lady who hadn't said anything now say's, you have to tell us who you are, it's killing us to know.

I said OK, I'm not and entertainer, but I am entertaining, all the time the lady who recognized me is dying to tell them, since the "jig was up" (so to speak), I handed them my business card with my Louise picture on it. To my surprise they had absolutely no issues and one of the Comcast guys said I'll see if I can do something for you on your cable bill. The pretty girl asked me to come to the next meeting dressed, hum, I don't know about that.

Then another interesting conversation with a man and woman. I'm told I'm built pretty good, so the man who was about mid 40's asked me how much I work out, he said he had a personal trainer and would love to be built like me some day, that was very complimentary, I haven't lifted weights since I was 16 but I still ride bike with a race group. The lady who manages 2 local bank branches said her husband is a body builder and also a hair dresser, I asked if his shop was in a nearby location, she said yes, I wonder if she knows he CD's too and has hit on me on the Internet.

As I was leaving the restaurant, there was an older gentleman waiting by the entrance and asked me as we walked out together, what's your profession where everyone was talking to you, at this pint I became a little braver and said I was entertaining and handed him my card, he said, I'm from New Hope, come up sometime. We also have a mutual friend who plays piano.

The lunch was good.

One of the reasons I don't care

2011-02-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

I was out last Wednesday evening in Margate. I had been in business that town for quite a while. As I was leaving a popular night spot (as Louise) a person I've seen and had general conversations with started to talk with me, a moment later his friend came over and the person I was talking with introduced me to him. the new guy said, I know who you are, I just shrugged it off because I'm very comfortable that people know me both ways, although I really have difficulty recognizing a lot of people, I hope I don't come off as being rude, it's just something I can't help.

Nevertheless, he mentioned 3 times he knew who I was and then said "yeah, my buddy has his pickup at your place being worked on". Gee, I thought my memory was bad, I think I sold my property about 8 years ago and when they tore it down they built 4 houses on it, I better go back in the morning to make sure I didn't forget that I may still be working.

No wonder I don't care what people think, I've been blamed for more than I could have ever done in my life time, that's one of the reasons I go out in disguise (maybe). I also wonder who the poor guy is that is being mistaken for me. One of my friends who had another shop was always being told he was me too, he finally asked to have a picture with him so he could prove he wasn't me.

The Union League of Philadelphia

2011-02-08T18:56:00.001-08:00

I could have swore I had posted about this experience a few years ago about a dinner I was invited to at The Union League of Philadelphia. It was for exclusive clients of a very large and popular investment firm so everyone there were of upper class and then there was me, Louise.

If you're not familiar with the Union League of Philadelphia it's one of the most exclusive and oldest men's clubs in America. You can look up the requirements to become a member and other details online.

As I walked into this very ornate and unique building I was a little concerned as to how I would be accepted, there was nothing i had in common with anyone else there. I was introduced to the investment firm managers by my account executive, I'm sure they were all a little speechless but also very reserve.

I was directed to the dining room and only saw one other couple there, so I went over and introduced myself. The gentleman, very stately and obviously someone who would belong to
this type organization, it is a "white Anglo saxon blue blood" group, so I was concerned he would be a little direct or stand offish towards me, but to my surprise as the evening progressed he became very friendly.

This was my experiance.

The room filled very quickly, each table seated 10 people, he sat next to his wife a good 2 feet away from me, but we still talked. I decided to go to the bar for a glass of wine, he, I asked his profession, was a lawyer, offered the escort me to the bar, I was really surprised. He asked what I was drinking and I asked for a Merlow, to my surprised he ordered the same for himself, his wife still had her drink. That surprised me, because being around people of upper status, they usually like a Scotch or Bourbon, don't ask me why, I can't drink that stuff.

We came back to the table and he moved his seat half way between myself and his wife. We talked about investments, he gave me a great stock which I bought and has done great for me even during the drastic down turn. We were served dinner and I was ready for another class of wine, I excused myself and he offered to escort me again, he ordered for both of us, not his wife, who I had only greeted when I first walked in but never talked with after that. When we got back to our table he moved next to me, leaving his wife about 2 feet from him, it had nothing to do with being attracted to me, I think he was just being polite and it was easier to talk.

We only talked a little while longer till the meeting started and afterwords were server desert and coffee. The other people wanted to join into our conversation and for what ever reason it felt to me that I was leading the whole conversation at the table, no one was rude or patronizing, it was as if I was just the center of attention (which I do love) but I wasn't looking or expecting that in that type environment, these were all professional people or large business owners. As I said, when I first walked in I was quite unsure as to how this level of group would accept me, they did a good job. I wish I could meet the person I sat with again, he made me feel like I belonged. I really admire people who can look beyond the outside shell and see inside, my hat is off to him and the others I was with that night.

Funny song about a CD

2011-01-26T18:52:00.000-08:00

Last night I was at the home of one of my longest lasting employees. I was not Cross dressing at that time. We were both fairly rugged types, nature of the business. I was pretty surprised at how well he accepted my "femme persona" as Louise, we didn't part on the best of terms. He had met Louise about 5 or 6 years ago at a local tavern that has since closed. Since then we have renewed our friendship.
Last night was his wife's birthday and we were invited. He has around a 1950's juke box and was playing some songs, when he mentioned a couple he had heard but never really understood the lyrics to them until he decided to look them up.
The 2 in question were "Lola" and "Bobbi with an I", both happened to be about Cross dressers.
The interesting thing is he resembles in manners the singer and I resemble in actions the tow truck driver.
I found the lyrics and this link for "Bobbi with and I", it's cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCpuPZ73wfA

Miss'D America 2011

2011-01-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

My friend Diane Mitchell, from WAYV 95.1 radio asked my wife and I to join her and her friends for Sunday night at the annual Miss'D America (Drag parody) contest done for charity, she happens to be a very kind and beautiful woman. As we went into the convention center and upstairs there was a pre-party with food and a bar.

Some of the Drag Queens were mingling with the crowd and a lot of my old customers were there also. Of course it was a great photo opportunity and my old acquaintances wanted their pictures with me, I also wanted at least one with one of the Drag girls, I think the picture exemplifies the differance between what a Drag Queen wants to present themselves as and how a TG Cross Dresser wants to. And if you're not sure who I am, I'm the litte one.

The show turn out to be very professional, the new directors who also manage the Convention Center controlled it this year. In a way it takes something away from the whole experience though. When it was at Studio Six the show was funny because as much as the girls may have rehearsed they always were fowling up and it was hilarious.

One thing I thought that had made the show better was they brought in all new contestants from different States, there were 8this year. Previously the contestants were the same ones year after year and they rotated the winners. They did include the old local girls as part of some of the skits and also as chorus line girls, but very with limited dialog.

The Drag girls did have to present themselves in talent and evening gowns, but during the week they also were graded for other activities.

This year’s MC was Suzanne Westenhoefer, activities she’s very witty and polite and she mentions that often on stage that she is a Lesbian. I met her last year in person at a “meet and greet” after a show and found her to be very attentive to me and others, a good person who doesn’t sound patronizing when off stage or on for that matter, I liked her.

New Year's day with the Polar Bear Club

2011-01-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday I was up early and dressed so we could go to the Polar Bear Splash in Brigantine. There were about 1500 spectators and maybe 150 brave souls, who I joined for the swim.

Before the ceremonies people were taking pictures of others in their costumes, I guess I was very noticeable and had about 20 different people who needed their picture with me. I've never claimed I pass, I'm fairly muscular and (some people call) stocky, I prefer to say I'm full figured. tust me, if I could be tall and thin I'd go for it. All I knew and cared about was how everyone was kissing me and wanting a picture of and with me. My wife was taking the pictures.

div>There were some ceremonies and at 12 noon sharp blew the horn for us to make the splash. I was in the front, but didn't need to be first in, people were running by me like there was a fire sale at Macy's. I guess I finally got in after 3/4 of them passed me. Surprisingly the water wasn't that bad, I went in about waist level, I could mess my makeup or hair.

Afterwards a lot of participants went to the Rod & Reel, sort of a "Red Neck" joint, but a lot of fun to go to. They were giving out prizes for the most imaginative costumes, they had 3 category's, I won first place for one of them. All in All it was a really nice day, I hope the rest of the years goes as well.

New Years Weekend

2011-01-02T17:01:00.000-08:00

My wife and I had an interesting New Year's weekend. We went to a restaurant/lounge in Margate, the owner and all his family were customers of mine when I was in business, he cuts me no break, but makes me feel very welcome.

I let my wife out at the front door and spent about 15 minutes locating a parking spot. When I came in she had found a seat and was talking with a man a little younger than us. I came over and hung my coat over hers and put my purse on the bar. This fellow looked at me and then started to talk with me, I'm not sure he made me right away, he obviously had a couple drinks and was enjoying himself and my quote is "the more you drink, the better I look". Anyway, he was nice to talk with and gave me is business card.

Then a lady who I had met last NYE at the same lounge came over with a friend, she had recognized about 6 months later me at Home Depot when I was leaving and some how knew who I was, she reminisced the situation with my wife, it was funny, I did a Blog on it a few months ago about it.

The Bank

2010-12-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I stopped by my bank to get some cash and found the ATM to be out of service, I figured I was going to the Costco in Manahawkin anyway so I would stop there.

I needed to get more than the normal amount and the machine does ask if you'd like more than what the defaults are, I pressed the amount I wanted, but it wouldnt allow the withdraw so I went to a teller window. After she gave me what I needed she asked if I had a couple minutes to talk with one of the managers about my balance and getting a little more interest, of course I always like free money.

The woman manager was going over my account and saw I also had my wife and a Louise on it, she asked who Louise was, I said my twin sister, I said she is really beautiful. I couldn't resist to show her a picture of Louise. Of course she was really surprised at how young and attractive she was, she asked how old is she, I said she's my twin, the same age, she looked at my drivers licence and said no way, I then clued her in and told her it was me.

She turned out to very very interested in the whole life style and kept me for about 20 minutes discussing it. As I was ready to leave, she reached over her desk and gave me a big kiss right on my lips. You know they have cameras all over the place in banks and her office was all glass.

Guess I made an impression on her. Next time I'll go as Louise.

Santa Claus and Louise

2010-12-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

Last week Santa Claus came to visit The Ram's Head Inn. Santa seems to have an eye for attractive and "special" girls. He asked me to sit on his lap and tell him is I was a good girl or not, of course anyone who knows me knows I'm a good girl. But Santa wanted to know if I was especially good and if I wanted a special gift. At that point I wasn't sure if I had to be "naughty or nice", I chose to be nice. Dirty old Santa.

Just for Kids Foundation

2010-12-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

Last week I went to a nice event at the Atlantic City Country Club in Linwood, NJ. It was for a good cause and I hope all the kids enjoy their gifts. The group I am part of also donated 2500.00 in cash to the organization which happens to be all volunteer so the only fees are for postage.

The eye Doctor

2010-12-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

I don't post articles if they don't have something to do with Louise, this does.

I've been fighting what I was told was an allergy condition in my left eye, and was prescribed medication for it for the last 3 weeks. Today I woke up with pain, redness and crust around it. I decided to get a second opinion and was lucky there was an opening within an hour.

The Dr was in the exam room within 2 minuets and he recognized me from about 2 years ago, I asked had he ever met me out and he said we may have, but he could have been dressed too (he was comfortable joking with me), then He asked if I were wearing panties, he said he was. I was getting a little annoyed, I felt he was being some what unprofessional, but I recall he was that way the first time I met him.

Then he reminds me he is an Olympic level Fencer, and relates a recent occurrence. There is a person (male) who also Fences at the same level as my Dr, he said he was very good. Well, this person had SRS and came back after 3 years as a registered woman Fencer and won the woman's title. I said I don't think that's fair, he said the only thing the rule book says about trans-sexual is they had to be on hormones and the surgery for at least 3 years, so he was qualified.

I haven't researched it, but I'll take his word. Anyway, Louise can't wear her contacts for a week.

The Funeral

2010-11-30T18:58:00.000-08:00

Today I went to a funeral of a person who went way to soon, he left 3 daughters and his wife. I had met my wife at his families Sub and Pizza shop years ago in Margate, it was a hangout similar to the one "The Fonz" hung out at on the TV show, Happy Days.

I went to the reception and as I walked in a woman who I didn't recognize immediately recognized me but wasn't sure where from, she told me who she was and I had known her sister who happened to be the sister of the deceased first (estranged) ex wife.

At the table I was sitting at was a classmate who started to discuss my wife, the lady who thought she recognized me remembered my wife's name and then said I know who you are, she said your Lou and shook her breasts like an old time Burlesque Queen and said out loud, you're LOUISE, she ran around the table and gave me a big kiss and hug. I had wanted to keep my alter ego out of the conversation, this reception wasn't about me.

The other woman who's husband was my classmate then started to discuss the last two reunions I went to as Louise and was critiquing my clothes, she remembered everything I wore and all the conversations we had, she even remembered what I had worn to an AVON meeting I went to with my wife about 10 years ago.

WOW, I guess I do have an affect on people.

All good things come to an end

2010-11-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

As they say "All good things come to an end"

The good part first. I met an old friend who brought Dennis Gomes to the dinner. He is the new owner of Resorts International casino, he was caviler enough to allow me to have a picture with him and his wife, also my friend, ex-councilman John Shultz wanted his picture with me.

This past Monday my wife and I went to an Epicurean dinner event (we are members of the society). The society has adopted a new pricing policy, our membership is 17.50 a month and used to be an extra 10.00 dollars per member for the dinners, if you attended each one it came out to about 18.00 per person, the new fee is the same membership fee but 30.00 per member, about 38.00 per person. The society pays a flat fee of 1200.00 dollars no matter how many people show or what is on the menu. Usually 75-100 people attend, someone is picking up a nice pay check.

OK, it's a little high but if the food is good it's a nice social evening out. BUT, this and the last couple of dinners we attended were worse than McDonald's and not worth the price of a big Mac.

Millie only had two items from the "buffet" and was sick the whole night, I had 4 items and all were as best a very poor attempt at being called cuisine, it was a disgrace.

In the press again

2010-10-07T06:17:00.001-07:00

Linwood cross-dressing cycling enthusiast and his family are comfortable with him as Lou or Louise

By ELISA LALA, Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Lou Tate sat in a chair in his Linwood home, his stockinged legs crossed at the ankles, graced by a silver bracelet.
"Nice to meet you," he said, extending a hand and brushing blonde bangs away from his blue eyes, bright with eyeshadow. "You can call me Lou when I'm talking about Lou and Louise when I'm talking about Louise."
A retired auto mechanic and competitive cyclist, Tate, said he is heterosexual and married - and has always been attracted to the female image.
"I've always wanted to touch it, wear it, bring it closer," he said. Thus, Louise Tate was born - the woman's persona Lou frequently wears.
Tate said Louise was introduced to the world on Halloween 1997 - "the crossdresser's national holiday," he said - and she came to stay.
"Louise is as much a part of my life as Lou is," said Millie Tate, 55, who has been married to Lou for 32 years.
Tate said what draws him to dressing as Louise is the way people reacted to her, referring to his male persona as "sort of plain."
Looking back on the past 13 years as both his male and female versions, Tate said Lou is mistreated and ostracized, while Louise is intriguing and attractive, well accepted and often spoken to. Tate said his ultimate goal is for people to accept him as both: "If you like Louise, you should like Lou, too."
Millie Tate, who said she is introverted, said Lou Tate dresses as a woman to make people notice. She said her husband knows someone wherever they go, and usually is in the center of a crowd of new friends.
Lou Tate agreed that the attention attracts him. "Louise is my vehicle to the spotlight," he said. "I see people whispering and I love it."
He said that unlike Lou, Louise is always asked to be a part of the scene. "As conservative as this area may seem, it surprises me how much people like Louise," he said.
At first he said, he was "scared stiff" to show the world Louise, especially people who already knew him. Now, he said, he is comfortable and confident as a woman.
Lou Tate said he belongs to two cycling clubs, and when he rides - 150 miles three days a week - he is dressed as Lou. But if he has a club meeting, he may show up as Louise.
"If I'm going out for drinks later, I'll already be done up," he said. "Some people like it; some say just don't tell us about it, and I respect that."
Anyone who doesn't like Louise doesn't have to associate with her, Tate said. "It's disheartening when people try to defame me, but i just walk away and act like a lady," he said.
Millie Tate said that when Lou first began dressing a woman she felt uneasy about how others would judge her family. "People would always ask me why I'm crazy enough to allow it," she said.
But after seeing Lou's happiness in cross-dressing, she gave up caring, she said. She even became Louise's full-time, live-in makeup artist, waking up an hour and a half earlier to do it.
"I said to him, 'If this is what you want to do, I'll support you. But I'm going to make sure you don't look like a clown with big hair. You have to look like a lady,'" Millie said. "The bottom line is Lou is a good husband."
Contact Elisa Lala:
609-272-7201
ELala@pressofac.com
Posted in NORTHFIELD LINWOOD SOMERS-POINT | ATLANTIC on Wednesday, October

Bella Luna at Lucy in Margate - June, 2010

2010-09-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

BELLA LUNA OCEANFRONT DINING AT LUCY THE ELEPHANT

2010-09-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Very busy week

2010-09-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

Starting with Monday night, I went to "Out at the Inn" at the Ram's Head Inn, in Absecon, NJ. It's called a mixer and everyone is invited and accepted (unless you're looking to fill your drug prescription in the rest room). It was a slow evening which is unusual.

Wednesday I was asked to be interviewed by the Press of Atlantic City "Hometown" section, but I'm not sure it will run because they ran an article about me 7 years ago. Her photographer wasn't with her during the interview but on Friday another person wanted to interview me from Stockton State collage for her Physiology course, the press photographer had arranged to be at my home for that interview.

Since I was dressed Wednesday and Friday I went out, I normally do on Friday anyway. Both nights we OK, but again very slow at the two places I went.

Saturday night I went to Brigantine with my wife, we had fun there and did some Karaoke, I must admit I pass and look much better than I sing. As my wife and I were leaving, a guy who was smoking and also made a comment to his buddy inside stopped me and asked "what's your story", I politely replied, I enjoy dressing up to go out, my wife chimed in, "we've been together MANY years and I love him for who he is. TALK ABOUT SUPPORT..

I had also done some shopping at the local thrifts Wednesday and Friday and found a nice purple "Nancy Ganz" body briefer I wore as a dress. Everyone thinks Madonna started the rave about wearing underwear as outerwear, but I taught her, I've dressed like that before she was around.

Pictures next time.

Millville Craft Show

2010-09-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago a friend of my wife ask us to come to the Millville "Arts & Craft show".

It started out as a light rainy day so I didn't feel guilty about missing my bike race, I needed the break anyway. I was dressed by 10:30 AM and our usual venue is we go to a local restaurant for breakfast. I've been there quite a number of times as Louise, but the new cashier has never seen me. As I walked in she dropped her jaw and asked me to just stop where I was so she could check me out.

As we sat in our both one person who knows us came over and sat with us until our food came. After we were done I needed the rest room (I use the men's). Of course as I walked in I was given a few stares and as I was leaving a patron was entering with his roughly 8 year old son and had to recheck the door to make sure he was going into the men's room, I love the look on guy's faces when that happens.

As I went back to my booth there was another couple I've know for years and the lady sat with us also till her food came. As we were leaving I stopped at a table where a very old couple (very late 80's) were who also know me both ways, the older lady looked at my legs, reached over and started to rub my thigh, I was wearing shorts.

I'm curtain people were whispering.

We finally got to the craft show where I met Miss New Jersey, if I wasn't married I think I could give her a run for the money, LOL.

Louise

Ocean City, NJ Classic Auto Show

2010-09-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went to the "Classic Auto Show" on the Ocean City, NJ Boardwalk. If you're not familiar with OC, it's a very family and conservative city. I was surprised I wasn't escorted off the Boardwalk, but contrary I was greeted by at least 4 people I knew and 2 who I race bike with, one of them walked with me for about 10 blocks and we took pictures of the cars, the other one was kind enough to take a picture of my by one of the cars.

As I've realized and tried to convey to other "cross dressers" is that if you try to present properly and carry yourself with dignity you should not experience any difficulty's, contrary, people will respect you.

Two young lady's liked me so much they wanted their picture with me, do we look like an OREO cookie?

Louise

Sight seeing cruse in Atlantic City

2010-09-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday I had an opportunity to go on a 3 hour boat cruse around the Atlantic City and Brigantine inlets with my wife (Millie).

I've lived here all my life and it's the first time I ever did that trip, to say the least it was a lot of fun and I'm sure I was a hit as "Louise" in her red and white polka dot swim suit. There were about 125 passengers, unfortunately I may have to do the trip again because I was to busy posing to enjoy the trip, LOL.

My new hangout & friends

2010-09-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned I started going to a new restaurant/lounge about a year ago, but only met the owner a few months ago.

A few weeks ago I had gone in for dinner alone as usual and was sitting at the corner of the bar when the waitress came over and said, Don asked me three times if you came in to bring you into the kitchen, he's working on the line. As I walk into the busy kitchen Don calls out to all his kitchen staff that he wanted to introduce Louise.

I have to admit I considered it a real honor to be recognized that way. This person probably has one the most famous establishments in our area and he took the time to want all his staff to know me.

To further the story, about 2 weeks later I went to dinner with 3 of my longest cycling colleague's. They all know Louise and have an real issue with that side of me. As I walked to the bar looking for them a few people who know me mostly as Louise, but both ways, began to great me, there were 7 or 8 people and were right where my buddy's were standing, one girl came over with a party card and invited me to her party.

One of the guys said one of them standing lookout to see if I came in as Louise, if so they were going to bolt out another door (nice guys)just goes to show you the difference in "herd mentality". The one who is a lawyer said, well you know we're manly men and don't go for that stuff, of course I must say, that I would rather deal with my issues than the issues they're dealing with.

As we were leaving Don (the owner) sees me and says, Lou, I want to to introduce you as Lou to my kitchen staff, so he pulls me away from my (questionable) friends and takes me into the kitchen. When I came out they (my friends) were waiting outside and asked, what was that all about. I conveyed the experience from a few weeks before. Hopefully it will show them how "real men" act.

Don has the yellow gloves on in the picture.

The two girls

2010-08-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to a new lounge that was supposed to have Karaoke, it was canceled. As I was leaving there was a woman who said she loved the song I sang a couple weeks before, it was called "Chocolate Covered Salty Balls" she said it was very appropriate because she said she was checking my "bulge" out, I didn't think I was that big.

From there I went to Margate and stopped in a very popular place, mostly 30-60 year old patrons and upscale, the women would be considered "Trophy Wife" types.

I was wondering around the bar when two young girls (30 they told me)wanted to talk. As we conversed the one felt my leg and started to grab it, she went a little over board for a married woman and started to grind against my thigh (not that I minded).

Her friend asked if men hit on me, I said not often and she motioned an older gentleman who used the girls as an impetus to start talking with me. After about 1-2 minutes he had his arm around me, the girls were laughing. The one had asked what I do if a man hits on me previously, I said I usually shake their hand with a firm grip, so I offered my hand, but didn't over do it, just firm enough for him to know what I was, he yelped, the girl burst out laughing. I offered my good nights and left alone.

You never know (sometimes)

2010-08-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

Last night my wife and myself were invited to a "end of summer party" by her exercise class friends, I asked my wife if I could go as Louise, they were OK with it.

We were introduced to a few people,they were mostly older but very nice and more than accepting of my Louise persona, I felt "special. I only noticed one person who looked as if he was wearing a wig but it was his natural hair and an even brown color that made it look dyed, there was also something a little strange about him other than being a "Chubby" man with soft fetcher's, but I just figured he was married to one of the women there.

As the evening wound down and I had some conversations about my "cross dressing" I went onto the porch where the conversation revolved around me again, I felt very special and exclusive. The chubby guy was there too. I needed to use the restroom and as I came out the Chubby guy starts to talk with me. I figured maybe he was attracted to Louise. He then says to me "I'm a genetic woman and I'm on HRT and have had my breasts removed" (which he opened his shirt to show me) and said he's going in for penile construction, although through the HRT he has started to develop a small one.

Needless to say I was blown away by his candor and sharing. But my question is, why was Louise the center of conversation and not this person who I feel had a more interesting story than I, his lady friend about 80 years old started the discussion about him when I said, I'm not the only one special here tonight..

One other funny event, I'm a cyclist and as you can see my legs are somewhat developed, with pantyhose on they really look great. As my wife her friends and myself we sitting on the porch one of the lady's was driven to start rubbing my legs, I gave her permission to go for it, she had to spend about 5 minutes rubbing them at different speeds, I think she finally caught herself and stopped. My wife thought it was very interesting.

You just never know.

My Class Reunion

2010-08-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday night was my class reunion I went as Louise, I won't say what one (a lady never tells her age). I do think I look pretty good for my age both as Lou and Louise but never considered myself exceptionally young looking. I must say, not only was I the youngest looking, but I was the best looking woman.

This was my 3 Rd reunion as Louise so my classmates weren't quite as surprised as the first time. Also, many of my closet friends have passed on. We had a lot in common with going to Kindergarten through High School, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts, I'm curtain they would have loved to break my chops.

The picture with the 2 gentleman are on my right in the print shirt owns a company that manufactures slot machines for casinos around the country, the one on my left in the suit owns about 70% of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, a chain of "Dollar" stores and was on the cover of Forbes magazine.

The second picture is a lady who was also my Realtor, next to her is my longest friend who lived around the corner from me. The last picture is also an old close friend who's son is a Senator.

A fun night

2010-07-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

Fridays I've been going to a different restaurant/lounge near me for about the last 5 months, I've written about it previously.

I like the Chicken Tenders there, they must make them fresh, not the frozen stuff from Sam's. As I was watching the BB game and enjoying my snack the bar tender slaps down a shot glass and says "Don bought you a drink" I was pretty much surprised and not sure who the Don person was, I asked, not Don the owner, he said yes, the owner.

I'm very impressed by the owners manners, this is a very popular establishment, besides this person not only abiding by the common law of courtesy and also the NJ State "anti discrimination law's" he has gone out of his way to make sure I feel safe and wanted there.

As I was leaving to go to another local place I was stopped by a group of people who knew me from some where ( I have a hard time remembering everyone I meet), it was a son, his wife, his father and 2 or 3 friends, the son introduces me to his father who was 79, the father took one look at me and starts to put the make on me. The others are laughing out loud in hysteric's, the old man wanted me to go out on his boat the next day. I said to his son, who was 43 y/o, that if his father signed over his life insurance with a big cash value, I may become his Step Mother, that really sent them into hysteric's. I asked, doesn't you father know what I am, they said he thought I was a real woman. I should have gotten a picture, Oh, the old man was in the fertilizer business, maybe he was full of it.

Dinner over Looking the Ocean

2010-06-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned I belong to the South Jersey Epicurean Society. It's a nice group of people and my wife and I would never have visited so many different restaurants if we weren't members. Not all the dinners are more than 3-3 1/2 stars and many have been 1-1 1/2.

Last month was at a Time Share hotel in Atlantic City (name is not important), the views were great wish the dinner was too. The girl who does the photography for the group had just bought a new Nikon D90 and was doing her first photo's with it, as you can see some of the colors are over saturated.

My wife found a seat by a window and sent me to get a drink for her. I was standing near a African American lady who started up a conversation with me, her opening remark was "I love your outfit". If you've followed my posts, I only shop thrift shops and I was wearing a white body briefer as a dress with a nice red cover-up. I started wearing my underwear as outwear before Madonna was even born, she stole my idea.

Anyway, the lady invited me to join her and her husband in their room, but I declined.

The same week we had dinner with a different group at Lucy the famous Margate elephant.

A double, double take

2010-06-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

Fridays I like to dress early and do some errants. I needed to stop by a Radio Shack to question about battery's I had bought about a month ago that went dead without use.

The strip mall where it was located also has a beauty salon where a "pre opp" TS works. I usually bump into her at the Salvation Army as Lou. We're pretty much estranged friends, she tends to be very disinterested in me, I guess because I don't shave for 2-3 days and wear unattractive baggie street clothes and may even look like a "street person". I had shown her my pictures but again she was very distant towards me as Lou. No problem, even though she looks pretty good I'm not looking for any involvement and if I were a TS is not my direction.

I figured as long as I was a couple doors away I'd stop in and say hi as Louise, she happened to be next door at the Pizza shop but sitting on the window ledge. As I walked towards her I said hi, she looked curiously and said hi back, I said you don't recognize me, she said no, who are you? I said "the thrift shop"! It took a second and then she jumped up and said "WOW", I can't believe it, you look great. we talked for a moment but she had to get back to her shop. As I left the Pizza Shop after eating I pulled out of my parking spot and glanced over towards the beauty salon, the whole crew were standing at the window and waving at me.

The second double take was from a person I race bike with, he's a carpenter. I had asked about some work I needed done and he told me to stop by the job he was on to show me his work and discuss my job. I pulled up near him, he had his hair down with a sweat band on and looked exactly like "Rambo" same built and type hair, he usually wears a pony tail when riding. I asked if she was "Sonny", he came to my passenger window and said yes, Sonny speaking, I said your a F**k, he said I'm a what, who are you, I said you ride bike like Sh*t, he got agitated and said who are you. I siad do you want to make something out of it (I knew he had no idea and I wanted to play it up). I got out of my car and then he finally realized who I was, he opened his arms and went to hug me, he said OMG, you're beautiful.

Well it was fun for me and seeing two people who know me as Lou take "double takes" always adds reason to why I love being Louise.

Interesting call

2010-06-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

I'm out so much I forget or most things don't really seem important anymore when I'm dressed as Louise.

I got a call from a nearby person my wife made up once, he's a very high up in one of the Trump property's. He said a lady called him to tell him she had met an attractive and very nice cross dresser at the restaurant she went to with her lady friend the other night. Obviously he's shared his interest in CDing with her, I have to ask.

So here's the story from that night.

The other night I was at the restaurant/lounge I've been going to lately, it's nice to know and feel accepted when the owner makes a point to come over and shake my hand and welcome me when ever I'm there.

It was a busy night, the Flyer's 4 th. game was on TV and they won. I was standing by the bar and two attractive middle aged lady's came in and were standing near me waiting for bar seats, a couple got up and the one lady came to me and said there was an extra seat next to her. As I sat I thanked her and was hoping for a little conversation, but I think she may have been a little unsure of my intentions or just not sure how to peruse any conversation and I didn't want to push it. I find that many times (or feel) that when women are in that type of venue they would like to possibly meet someone and by me having a conversation it could distract form some guy coming over.

I ordered some finger tenders at the same time they did, but their meal hadn't arrived so I commented they must have ordered something special, she said, no, they brought over the wrong order for them, she was nice but again didn't follow up with more conversation.

I talked with a few people, then decided to leave, I had new shoes on and they were bothering my feet so I sat on the bench on the back porch where they allow people to smoke, before walking to my car. A older very big gentleman came out, distinguished looking with a gray Van Dyke beard who lit up and asked if he could join me on the bench. As he said there we started a conversation, he was new in the area (about 6 months) and bought a home in Ocean City, he said he had asked about me and all the comments were (Louise is a good person). I commented that many people misunderstand this particular life style and think it only has to do with someones sexuality, not to be crude, but everyone has some sexual needs, but because so many Cross Dressers, Gays or other non traditional are misunderstood, traditional people feel they need to just group us into the sexual perversion category for convenience. Some what like saying all lawyers are crooks, or doctors are all rich (OK bad examples we all know they are), but I'm sure many people aren't what they look like or present.

A new Dress

2010-05-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

A new dress is usually not new for me, but this one was brand new verses the Thrift Shop things I usually buy.

I had gone to a field trip with some members of the Photography club I belong to because it was here in Atlantic City. We went to Ocean 1. As I was leaving I noticed a really nice dark blue dress on a mannequin so I went in to see how much it cost. It was a little pricey but I was feeling in a spending mood (for a change).

I looked around and didn't see another of that color so I asked a sales girl if that was the last one, she checked and the manager took it off the mannequin for me.

I was Lou at the time and the people there were sort of animate towards me. I paid for the dress and then just had to ask if they thought it would look good on the person in the picture I showed them on my camera. They confirmed it would be stunning. When I said that was me, they wanted me to try it on right then, I declined but said I would be back some time dressed in it for them. It just so happens my Class Reunion is in August at Ocean 1 in one of the restaurants.

Impressive Birthday

2010-05-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

I usually don't post about Lou's life, but this Saturday Millie and I were invited to a very impressive birthday party of a very popular person in the Atlantic City community.

Many of the guests were local and State politicians and law enforcement officials, also heads of local foundations, CEO's and so on, I'm not sure how or why we were invited other than he and many of the invitees do know me in both persona's.

One of the more interesting conversations was with the past Ambassador of Panama and ex Congressman Hughes. He also sits on the SJI (South Jersey Industries) board of directors, which is where I met him the first time as Louise, I had mentioned that in previous posts.

There was a food line and Ambassador Hughes happened to stand next to me in line, I offered my hand and introduced my self, he said I'm sure we've met before but he couldn't place me, I said yes, we've met at the SJI proxy meetings, but I'm usually a little blond. His face lit up and he pointed at me, smiled and shook and shook and shook my hand 5 times. I was afraid he would walk away from me as he did the last time he saw me as Louise at the proxy meeting. I would have liked my picture with him but thought it would be to presumptuous.

The Gym

2010-05-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I wanted to share Louise with one of my gym mates, Morris, I posted about going to the restaurant/lounge he runs.

Last week while in class our instructor was encouraging me with compliments of my ability to do some of the techniques, the person (Morris) who was a Captain in the Israeli Army, said, leave Lou alone, he's mine. I guess Morris likes Louise.

Hadassah

2010-05-09T01:43:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to a fashion show that was presented by Hadassah (meaning star of hope)an upper class Jewish woman's charity group. I was baptised Catholic, which I don't follow but have found the Jewish customs to be very interesting and based more on logic and reality, I won't get into religious doctrine because many people still fight wars over misinterpretations, so who am I to try and explain it.

The reason I went is because I was in business in Margate, NJ for 40 years and most of my clientele were Jewish and also the gym I go to is predominately patronized by the same people, I wanted them to meet Louise.

We found an empty table and before we knew it others joined us, there was only one male with his wife and daughter who were let to our table by the mother of the woman who own's the store putting on the show, the husband commented he seemed to be the token male at the show, the hostess said not exactly, this is Lou/Louise.

It was an interesting night, Millie said every time I got up the go to the buffet or do something all the women were wispering. At least I didn't have toilit paper hanging out of the back of my dress like this woman did in the posted picture. I got the picture as she was leaving, she was about 40 feet from me so it's dark.

I was very well accepted though and one lady even brougt over her friend to intrroduce me, the lady had no idea I was a male.

Something about Lou

2010-04-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

I never post about Lou, nothing happens to him.

Sunday my wife and I went to Pet Smart, I usually wear form fitting clothes, just like Louise. As I was getting into my car the guy sitting in his car next to ours said "you know for a white guy you're really built" (he was black). I said thinks for the compliment, but you should see my twin sister (I won't tell my age). I always have my man bag and pulled out a few Louise pictures. The first thing he said was she's not your twin, she's much younger, like about 35. I said she has to be my age, she's me.

He looked again and again, then he said, Hun, if that's you I want some.

The Bouncer

2010-04-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

I mentioned a new place I've been going to. I've seen this bouncer a few times there, he's polite but definitely not the type that would be interested or even want anyone to think he was accepting of the likes of me.

Apparently after being introduce to the owner by a local assembly man the owner gave the staff an OK with me.

I was sitting with 3 lady's who I began talking with and asked me to sit with them while they ate. I realized that after a curtain time when dinner hour is over they clear the tables and make a dance floor. We were the last table and the bouncer came over and dragged me and my chair out to the middle of the dance area playing with me, I was pretty surprised.

I was walking around the bar to leave when I met 2 other lady's I know and they offered me a drink, as we were talking the bouncer comes over and wants me to come outside, I though, Oh boy, he wants me out. We go out to the porch and he has someone there with a camera, he wanted his picture with me. The big Lug, what a softy.

The Plumbing Supply

2010-04-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

Last week I had to get a new Flush Valve for my toilet, I stopped into a plumbing supply house that primarily deals with the trade. The counterman seemed friendly after he asked me how I was and answered "short and ugly", he said this guy has a sense of humor.

The valve I needed happened to be a spacial type for one piece toilets, he gave me the price and I was sort of shocked (125.00), I had seen them priced for under 30.00 at Home Depot and Lowe's, but as I said it was supposed to be special.

I decided to tell him I wanted to bring back the exact model of my toilet to make sure before I put that much out.

I checked online and found that I could get one for about 95.00 dollars but with shipping it was about 110.00, I figured for 15.00 bucks I'd stay local.

The next day I wanted to dress early and figured these guys needed a little excitement at the supply house, so I stopped over. When I entered there were 2 plumbers standing at the counter and 3 more came in, I'm a little person (5'3 tall) and most plumbers are pretty formidable guys, I got no strange looks or remarks.

My turn came up and the counter man politely said "how may I help you miss", I said my twin brother had stopped in about a flush valve and showed him the printout, he looked and said, well yesterday you were ugly, but today you look pretty good. With that he said I'll give you a better price, it was 5.00 more than the online price.

Moral, pretty people get better treatment.

Friday 04/16/10

2010-04-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

I've been going to a different restaurant/lounge over the last couple months. It's not really the type place I'm real comfortable in, any time you need 6-8 bouncers on duty projects some type of aggressive attitude by adults who don't act as adults.

As I walked in the owner was looking at me and because he seemed apprehensive of me when I attempted to introduce myself to him about 2 months before I just decided to acknowledge him without conversation. I sort of pressed my way past a group of people and because everyone is much taller than me and the guys back was to me I didn't look to see who it was. I ordered a drink and tried to stand against the wall to stay out of traffic.

A moment later I heard someone calling my name, I looked over and it was from the person I pushed pass, it was Assemblyman Amadeo, we've known each other casually for about 15 years. As I came over he reached out and pulled me into him and started to hug and kiss my cheek, he was with his wife and an older couple who he introduce me to, I had met his wife before.

I was very surprised at the fuss he made over me, we are at best just casual friends be he made out as if we were the closet of buddies, why is that, as Lou he would have been polite but as Louise he was extremely gregarious.

As we talked I mentioned I had attempted to introduce myself to the owner so he would be comfortable with my presence in his establishment, but felt he was afraid of me. With that John the Assemblyman looked over his shoulder to where the owner Don was and called him over, he said I want you to meet an old friend of mine, I've known Lou/Louise for almost 50 years (wow, that long?). The owner said I'm happy to meet you, I know you've been coming in the last couple months, I hear your wife dresses you, I said, I'm a big girl, I can dress myself, but she does do my makeup. That was enough to break the ice, he said you're more than welcome here anytime, I'm glad you chose my place to come to. It goes to prove, it's more about who you know than what you know, John gave me a fast track in, I could have eventually gained this mans trust, but this was with a respected persons guarantee I was OK.

Thank you John, you get my vote even if you are a Republican.

A unhappy Wednesday 04/14/10

2010-04-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

I received an email from a friend who was the very first CD we helped come out, he was here on a conference staying at Harras, he no longer dresses.

Over the last couple years he has been posting that he has had some pain in his legs and has been to numerous doctors in an attempt to find out the cause, he even had a couple of vertebra fused in his lower back. All miss diagnoses. It turns out, he found out last week that he has an incurable disease called (don't laugh) Stiff man syndrome, you can google it. It's very rare and one of the most painful conditions you can imagine.

I wanted to see him again due to it being almost 5 years since we last met. I picked him up, he was struggling to walk with his cane, his voice was so strained he sounded 90 years old and he's only 40. I took him to Good Fellows a nearby restaurant where they have Karaoke, we both had hamburgers but he could hardly hold his sandwich, his finger tips actually turned blue in front of me. He was in so much pain we only spent about an hour together before I took him back to the casino hotel.

He is British and kept the traditional "stiff upper lip". I think this may be the last time I see my old friend, I cried thinking of this highly intelligent, beautiful en-femme and male person I knew and at how he has degenerated into this unfortunate state.

My dear friend David, my heart, prayers and best wishes go out to you with the hope you don't suffer long from this tragic condition.

Affectionately, Louise

Epicurean Part 2

2010-04-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Now for the rest of the story. As I was leaving Morton's I decided to use the restroom (men's). There were two people using urinals so they didn't notice me as I walked into a stall. I knew someone was on the John next to my stall and he said, hey lady, this is the men's room. I replied in my Lou voice "don't worry about it", he became a little forward and said "hey, I've got something for you", I replied, "I got something for you too if you want to get smart". I finished my business and left.

A very busy week

2010-04-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned my wife and I are members of an Epicurean group in South Jersey. This past Monday 04/12/10 we had our monthly dinner at Morton's at Cesar's Casino in Atlantic City.

I always go as Louise and even though the group has a flux to it many of the people know me (as Louise). Monday we were asked to share a table with 4 other women so 2 seats were still open when another couple came over, surprisingly it was a person who owns a real-state business who I race bicycle with and his wife. Another big surprise was his wife's mother is the person who brought my wife down from Vermont to meet her brother, who happened to be gay, so Millie met me instead, sorta like out of the frying pan and into the fire.

After the dinner someone mentioned Tom Lamaine was there. Tom happens to be a meteorologist for KYW-TV in Philadelphia and got his start in Atlantic City as a radio DJ hosting the Bunny Hop at the AC YMCA where I used to go. I was very popular in High School and all the kids and Tom used to chant for me over the radio to come up there. He also was the announcer at the Pleasantville drag strip where I used to drag race. I approached him and asked him if he remember the chant and my drag racing and then said "will I'm Lou", he was pretty much taken back, but either he had to much to drink or was in shock to react with more than a wide eyed expression.

The picture depicts the occasion.

The April Birthday

2010-04-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

Last week I was at my doctors office and a couple of the patients are friends and were discussing their birthdays which all happen to be in April. The nurse was also invited and asked them to invite me, but she was the only one who knows of Louise. She put them on the spot so they asked me to come too.

The nurse happens to be pretty attractive, but I never saw her our of her uniform which does nothing for her figure as I found out. I called her to confirm they were at the Red Square at the Tropicana Casino and got there about 9:30. I called as I was walking towards the entrance for her to come out to meet me, she had only seen a few pictures of me, but in person, I'm told the pictures do me no justice. She greeted me with a big hug and kiss on the lips and became very touchy feely. We went to the booth where everyone else was, 7 people in all and slid me into the middle where she pushed right next to me and kept her hand on my thigh and hugging me that way.

I have to admit I was really taken off guard by her acceptance and over whelming assertiveness towards me as Louise, remember she knows Lou too and confessed to me she was sort of stand offish and uncomfortable with Lou and said "I just love Louise" and gave me a BIG wet kiss right on my lips.

One other thing, one of the men there also owns the wine store there and we had talked in the doctors office the day before for an hour, when I went to sit in the booth he had to stand up, he had the biggest smile on his face as if her had fallen in love at first sight, about 30 minuets later he came back and said, OMG, someone told me who you are. I said, yeah, you met my twin brother yesterday, he laughed.

Investment meeting

2010-04-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday night my wife and I (as Louise) went to an investment seminar about new IRA and tax strategys, very informative.

We were the 3 rd couple to come in so there were some open tables. We ordered our drinks and another older couple came in and weren't sure where they wanted to sit, I motioned that the seats at our table were available so they sat with us.

Just before we were served dinner, my friend who owns a local slot machine manufacturing company came in with his wife, we went to school together, I was very surprised that he came over to me to say hi, we had met a few months before in a much different environment than this, so it took some courage. Many people feel guilt by association, no matter what their motivations are.

We started with some general conversation with the seated couple, names and so on (I introduce myself as Louise when en-femme). We continued our conversations as to where we lived and then type of occupations. Our food came and we just chatted on. I then mentioned that many people in the area didn't do what I did, I had assumed that after talking together for almost an hour they realized my gender. The lady asked "what do you do", I said I'm a cross dresser, she looked a little surprised and said "what, I thought you were sisters"

What else do I need to say?

Louise

A straight man hits on me with his wife watching

2010-03-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Friday night I was at karaoke in Absecon, NJ. I go about once a month and the crowd is very accepting of me, sometimes to much. I've had a number of men who are alone want to become very friendly, but on occasion a married man will become talkative with me after they've been introduce, but try to be some what discrete about their feelings.

Well Saturday night this guy couldn't have been more noticeable if he had a flashing neon sign and bull horn, he was on me like white on rice.

Fist off I wanted to walk over to the other side, he was standing at the end of a table and there was a very narrow space for me to fit, you would think he would at least go to the side of the table, so I had to squeeze between the bar stools and his belly to get past him. He looked down on me with a BIG grin on his face.

I finally settled at a side bar about 10 feet from him, his wife and their friends another couple, he was just turn on his seat staring at me very obviously to his wife and friends.

I was called up to sing (if you want to call it that) and when I came back it gave him an opening to approach me and compliment me on my (lol) ability. I really don't know what feeling my butt had to do with my singing ability though, I can say this,without reservation, he had other things on his mind than my voice. I think he got more than he expected when his and his wife were alone, she wasn't a glamor girl and I'm sure she was embarrassed and PISSED.

Millie & Louise on CBS 3 TV

2010-03-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday the 9Th of March, Millie and Louise were asked to be guests on CBS 3, Talk Philly with Pat Ciarrocchi (hostess). The reason for our appearance was due to Millie making up a News Paper reporter, Chuck Darrow. Rather than describe the event's I will post the article and videos here. The vidio is at the end of the artical. Pumped up...and ball-gowned too, my day as a cross-dresser in A.C. By CHUCK DARROW Philadelphia Daily News darrowc@phillynews.com 215-313-3134 ATLANTIC CITY - A byproduct of my many years in the newspaper racket is that I have occasionally found myself in unexpected situations. There was the time I was publicly - and sarcastically - scolded by Sir Paul McCartney for speaking while he was answering a question at a Veterans Stadium press conference. And the time I nearly crippled actress Kathleen Turner with an errant chair leg. But never did I imagine that I would one day sashay around the stage of Boardwalk Hall dressed as a woman. Cross-dressing has never been on my to-do list - although to quote comedian Jerry Seinfeld, not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that being a transvestite, like being a shark hunter or ice-road trucker, is something to which I never aspired. But then came an offer I couldn't refuse from the Miss'd America Pageant, the drag queen beauty contest that takes place Sunday night at Boardwalk Hall. For the uninitiated, the Miss'd America Pageant was staged for years on the evening after the Miss America Pageant. One of the major events for Atlantic City's gay community, the extravaganza was discontinued after Miss America left her ancestral home for Las Vegas five years ago. Now it's been revived. To publicize the open-to-the-public gender-benderama, event organizers were looking for a male media type with the kind of unadulterated shamelessness that would allow him to dress like a girl for the entire world (thank you, Internet) to see. Asking me if I wanted to do it was like asking a politician if he wants a campaign donation. Which is how I found myself in a Boardwalk Hall dressing room last Thursday afternoon being feminized by Millie Tate, owner of Millie's Jewelry in Ventnor City, and, apparently, a favorite among Shore transvestites. As she started the 90-minute or so process by shaving my chest (so my gown would lie smooth) Tate - whose husband, "Louise," has been a public cross-dresser for years - noted that male transvestites are typically straight, not gay. Among the dozens of men she's worked with, there have been "judges, lawyers, boxers and hockey players," all of whom were heterosexual, she said. She also pointed out that such famous macho men as movie icon John Wayne and FBI legend J. Edgar Hoover are believed to have been, if you will, TV stars. Not that any of this mattered to me. All I knew was that by dressing as a woman I could make people laugh. To me, that's the greatest thing any human being can do for another. As Tate pruned my chest hairs, it was decided that I needed a drag name. Given my profession, a takeoff on a female journalist seemed in order - something along the lines of the already-taken "Diane Voyeur." I decided that "Nancy Graceless," a nod to HLN sob sister Nancy Grace, was perfect. Once I was plucked chicken-clean, my transformation began in earnest. For the next 45 minutes or so, my face became a canvas upon which Tate painted her, um, masterpiece. As she wielded her powders and paints, she explained what she was doing and why. For instance, she didn't use blue eye shadow because my eyes were too dark; other hues, including green and lavender, would be much more attractive, she said. (Had to trust her on that. With my back to the mirror, I couldn't see the step-by-step process.) Sitting through the ordeal of eyeliner and mascara application left no doubt in me that the cosmos got it right when I was born a non-cross-dressing male. I would never have the patience, not to mention the steady hand, to do this. The false eyelashes felt like big insects flitting around my face. Once the makeup was applied, it was time to choose a wig. My natural inclination was brown - my color when I actually had hair. But the consensus among the audience (various pageant, Boardwalk Hall and public-relations types) was that brown wasn't becoming. Much to my surprise, a short blond mane turned out to be quite flattering. Finally, I was allowed the big reveal. I gazed in the mirror and, between belly laughs, realized I pretty much looked like one of my aunts when they were my age. Oh, well, there's no getting away from genetics. But I loved how Tate's cosmetic magic eliminated my excess chins. And some of the folks watching commented on how pretty my eyes looked. (I bet they say that to all the girls!) But we weren't done. Tate led me to the adjoining bathroom, where, with her help, I put on a pair of navy-blue silk panties, then hula'd my way into light-gray pantyhose and a black one-piece body briefer that gave me a more feminine shape. For the coup de grace, Tate wedged a pair of breast gel inserts into the hollowed-out cones of the briefer. I guess it needs to be said here that wearing feminine undergarments was pretty much a nonstarter for me. I didn't mind them, but neither was I excited, psychologically or otherwise. I then put on a sparkly, black strapless gown with a matching jacket (a size 6 - eat your hearts out, ladies!). The final touch was a pair of pumps with 3 1/2-inch heels. I am most proud to say that I rocked those shoes. There was no wobbling for this glamour gal. I strode around as if I'd been wearing them forever. To tell the truth, I was surprised that, thanks to Tate's artistry, I didn't look as comically horrendous as I had expected. Did I make a particularly attractive woman? I don't think so. But neither did I look cartoonish or, worse, frightening. Still, I knew I'd accomplished my goal when Valarie McGonigal - Boardwalk Hall's marketing director, whom I've known for many years - walked into the dressing room. When she saw me, she fell down laughing. As we walked onto the Boardwalk Hall stage for more photos, the urge to channel my inner Barbra (Streisand) and Judy (Garland) took hold. I threw my arms out to the side and spun around as if I'd just finished a particularly thrilling version of "People" or "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I felt simply divine. I'm sure there will be plenty of teasing and insults from friends and strangers (thanks again, Internet). But I say bring it on! In the film "A Bronx Tale," Robert De Niro plays an honest bus driver trying to keep his son from falling under the spell of a Mafia don. One scene has De Niro telling the kid that gangsters aren't tough guys, that the working man who runs the rat race every day to provide for his family is the real tough guy. Well, for anyone (especially male) who has a problem with my cross-dressing experiment, I say this: The tough guy is the guy with the guts to dress in women's clothes for the whole world to see. And if you have a problem with that, I challenge you to a footrace - in 3 1/2-inch heels, of course. Then we'll see who the real man is

Interesting Happenings over the last month

2010-03-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I had some minor surgery to repair a hernia, due to it's location I asked if I could have a nip and tuck at the same time, surprisingly the doctor agreed to do it under my insurance, so now I think I'll have a nice tight package.

I was released Saturday with little more than some swelling and minor discomfort. Saturday night I received a call from a friend who comes from NYC who said he was here for the Classic Auto Auction and had passes for Millie and Louise (me), I said great and felt well enough Sunday to go.

We walked into the Convention Center and I wanted to thank Millie's friend for his generosity. Millie was talking to him and I stayed close taking pictures of some of the cares that I had at one time owned myself. As I was walking back to her an older, very distinguished, white haired, gentleman acknowledged me, I stopped to ask if he knew me and he said no, but I noticed you when you walked in and followed you. I thanked him for the compliment and introduced myself and he told me his name was Tim. We chatted a few moments about where we were from and then I looked over to see if my wife was finished talked and notice she was standing with one hand on her hip looking at me in like a perturbed way. I thanked Tim for the conversation and said I have to go, my wife looks annoyed. Tim sort of got a surprised looked on his face and said "oh OK" take care.

Yeah, it was amusing, I'm still not sure if he thought I was a woman or just didn't care.

I'll post pictures later

Another day in Philly

2010-02-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

Doctor's, what an obnoxious bunch. I originally made an appointment with a specialist but it took about a month because he was coming home from vacation the day before I went to see him, that was about 10 days ago. He scheduled my surgery for 3 weeks, guess what, he canceled because he's going away again.

The scheduler likes me and is trying to arrange another surgeon who is more dependable and maybe better, so I had to do preoperative checkups yesterday and followed the schedule as if I'm doing the surgery as scheduled.

The Lab used initials to call people because some names are to difficult to pronounce but they have a general description of the patient, age and sex. The nurse calls me and I'm sitting right by her entrance and I acknowledge her, she looks and calls again (just like last week with the other nurse), she gives me a once over and says "Louis", yes I am. She was really nice, we talked more than she checked me out, she really thought I was a woman when she called me. she was nice lady.

Afterwards I wanted to get something to eat and walk South St, but it was very slushy. I stopped in a shoe store to see about a pair of boots, even though my feet are small they're wide and nothing fit. The sales girl was Chinese and very curious about me, she said she used to dress and make up her boy friend so he could sneak in her dorm, she said he was very thin and passed, thin young usually does.

Since I was in Philly I called one of my friends I race bike with and picked him up on the corner by his shop, we went to his home and just pored a wine when his wife came in, she knows all about Louise. We talked and I finished my drink and snacks and was off to home. Very tiring day with little done according to my notes as to what shopping I wanted to do, but I'll be back again.

Doctors Visit in Philly

2010-02-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

Last Monday I had a doctors appointment in Philly, if just so happen the Epicurean group I belong to was having their dinner that night and Millie and I like to go to a piano lounge Monday night also.

I always go dress to the Epicurean and lounge and knew I wouldn't have time in between the Dr appointment and dinner to dress so I dressed early.

We got into the doctors office at our scheduled time and we're sitting in the waiting room after I filled out the tons of paper work you need now before anyone even sees you. The nurse came out and called me by my first name "Louis" my wife and I acknowledged her by nodding but before I could stand she called for "Louis" again, I said I'm "Louis" and again she called for me, I finally was all the way up and stood in front of her and said "I'm Louis". She looked with a surprising expression and said OK, follow me. We went into the smallest exam room I ever saw, my wife could come with me because of the size. The nurse asked me to sit and turned and look into my eyes and said "I'm confused are a man or a woman" I said I'm a male, she replied "and you're here with your mother", well needless to say I started to laugh, I said she's my wife. She only got more confused, her last statement was you look terrific.

After my examination my wife came into help my hook up my body briefer straps and I told her what the nurse asked, Millie went out and stood with her arms across her chest and said "I'm his mother!". the nurse was at a loss for words and Millie started to laugh which allowed the nurse to laugh too.

The picture is at the Epicurean dinner with my wife and a friend, her husband Love's me and just retired from the State Police.

Millie & the Drag Queen Daily News Reporter

2010-01-24T19:01:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday morning 1/21/10 my wife (Millie) received a frantic phone call from a friend who is helping to bring back the Miss'D America Pageant back. The Miss'D America is a parody by gay men that is held the day after the real pageant that Atlantic City lost to Los Vegas.

The problem was the person who was supposed the do the makeup bailed out and this News reporter was coming from Philly to help promote the event by allowing himself to be turned into a DQ.

I decided I wanted to be dressed so it was a mad rush to get myself ready and then throw what we felt we needed into a bag with 6 wigs and clothes for someone we had no idea what they looked like. I asked a shoe size and said they'd need to buy some 12 woman's.

We had no idea what to expect, it turned out there were about 15 spectators, a video camera and photographer watching my wife shave down the VERY hairy man and then turn him into a woman. It took her about an hour and a half and she did one hell of a job.

I can't post pictures till after the 27Th when it's all publish in the Philadelphia Daily News, but I may just post the link for press article and video.

A day in NYC

2010-01-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday my wife and I went to NYC to see "Hair", our son gave us tickets for Christmas.

We parked in West NY right on River Dr on the Jersey side of the Hudson and took the bus to Port Authority. I needed a restroom and remembered that Port Authority does not fall under NYC rules as far as TG/CD people using the restroom of their gender expression so I used the men's room. All the stalls were in use and the room was divided between the sinks and stalls and urinals. I waited by the sink area near the entrance. A tall guy came in, I don't know if he noticed me or not but he sorta turned his back towards me at the first urinal to pee, a moment later a cherub looking person came in with a ruddy complexion, he started to pee and looked towards me and said "you know this is the men's room" I replied with my deep male voice "don't worry about it, but thanks for the compliment". the other guys shoulders were shaking because he was laughing so hard.

The weather was pretty bad and about a half hour after we got out of the bus station it started to rain. We stopped to eat and watched a pizza twirling show, this guy punched the dough a few times and thew it up 2-3 times and made a perfectly round shell. The whole process took less than 1 1/2 minuets.

By now it was almost pouring and I needed an umbrella, well it's NYC so there were umbrella sales people walking the streets, 5 bucks did the trick.

The play started at 3 PM, we were about 15 minuets early so were lucky to be in the vestibule out of the weather. Our seats were all the way up, about 6 rows from the back of the balcony, we could see but between the location and story I doubt I'd ever pay that much for tickets.

After the play we had dinner and then caught the bus back to Jersey. We got to the car by 8 PM, called our kid to make sure Louise would be welcome and drove about 1 mile to his home.

Our Grand Daughter was still awake when we walked in, when she saw me she said "Pop Pop, you have new hair", she sat on my lap and played with my necklace and asked where I got it, I told her her Na Na gave it to me for Christmas. It's amazing to see how accepting kids are before some adult who should know better poisons their minds with "Holly rhetoric".

I'm the Walmart Cell Phone Advertisement

2010-01-12T17:06:00.000-08:00

I shop at Walmart evey few months as Louise. The last time I was there the gentleman who has the cell phone concession asked if he could have his picture with me. Not that I have a aversion for the front side of the lens I accepted his invitation, I figured he had a boring job and the least I could do were to put a smile on his face.

This past Sunday he told me he had posted the picture on his Face Book account, I asked what the responses were . To my surprise the worse one was about the size of my hands.

To me it just shows that if you present right and people are not dealing with on site peer pressure most people will act or speak the way they really feel. He sent me the picture yesterday and I just needed to post it.

Kiss on the lips at a Semi Red Neck bar

2010-01-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

I don't often go into this bar because it's mostly younger people who are mostly trades men (pickup truck types), and rather than expose myself to ridicule or someones Bravado, I just by pass the place by.

Friday I went in after about a year and was greeted by a few woman who had never met me before but became interested in my persona. One woman was a Philadelphia Detective who was there with a girl friend. A big guy who looked very "Red Neck" turned out to be a newly sworn in counsel man and ex prosecutor who also happens to rent an office above a lawyer I ride bike with. He said he had heard of me but never met me. He was a total gentleman. Goes to show you you can't tell a book by it's cover.

I like to walk around when I'm in a lounge and over in a corner were a few people I knew for years as Louise, they're like groupie's. The one person who is like the leader and VERY straight grabbed me and kissed me right on the lips. I was really taken by surprise especially him being with about 10 of his close friends.

My comment to him was, Bob, you never kissed me before..................in public. It was funny.

Camera Club

2010-01-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday I went to my Camera Club meeting as Louise, I've done that about 6-7 times. One of the interesting things I've noticed about this club is there's a large membership but only a core group of about 10 people who always show and the others including myself seem to come and go.

Last Wednesday when I came to the meeting more than half the 30 people had never seen nor met Louise, but the ones who had welcomed me so warmly it made it much easier for the new people to be comfortable with me, so much so that one woman seemed to be more than just conversational and wanted to do my makeup for me.

An old Classmate

2010-01-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I went to a local lounge where an old classmate of mine was. This guy made it REALLY BIG time. He supplies most of all the casino's in the world with equipment. His father was also the German #2 boxer in the world during the second world war, but Hitler wouldn't allow him to compete because of his nationality.

The first time my friend saw my picture he was a little apprehensive, about 2 years later he saw me at an Epicurean dinner, but even though we acknowledged each other I didn't want to hang around him because I could feel he was still uncomfortable. The last time it was at a mixed lounge, he was with his wife and he waved me over. We had a nice conversation and hopefully he's more at ease.

I asked if he wanted his picture with me and he accepted so here he is.

Chrismas & New Year

2010-01-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

For Christmas we went to a local restaurant to socialize, it was a good time and it was one of the patrons birthday so I had to give him a nice birthday kiss.

New Years eve my wife suggested we stay local due to freezing rain, we had been invited to a friends home about 30 miles away, but she didn't want me driving even if I weren't drinking.

The restaurant is a very straight environment (well 75% anyway). It was a fun night and lots of pictures were taken.

I think I hold my own to the best looking "real" girls.

An observation.

2009-12-30T16:29:00.001-08:00

I've notice, due to being out so often or going to (recently) a alternative Lounge that a lot of Gay women seem to be very attracted to Cd's, I'm not just saying accepting, I mean attracted to the point they want to make out and would probably be intimate.

I asked myself why is that and it seems to be a simple answer. Women must see us as women and don't consider or feel as if we're really males. I applied this reasoning to males who seem more attracted to us than they would be another male. Men just see us (in some cases) as attractive women and even though in many cases know we're men, just can't resist being attracted.

Just an observation in my experiences, I'm sure many men would want to hurt us too, so don't use my experiences to act out some fantasy and try to pass yourself off for what you're not.

Louise

My eye doctor

2009-12-30T16:13:00.000-08:00

About 3 years ago (a week before Thanks Giving) I suffered an ocular occlusion (blood clot) in one eye due to dehydration from racing bike off road (in the woods). I had to go to an ocular specialist in Philly.

My doctor turned out to be a very qualified Middle Eastern Indian, he seemed obviously gay especially when he had me roll my sleeve up for a dye injection and noticing the size and condition of my arm he said "Oh you're a manly man", my wife and I cracked up.

I felt he was out and would appreciate our acceptance by sharing a picture of Louise.

Last week I was out on a Monday when he services patients in my area so I figured I'd drop into his office and share Louise in the flesh.

Two of the nurses didn't recognize me a third one did, the doctor was in his office and when he came out he was really stunned, he has known me 3 years and seen a few of my pictures since. All I can say is it was a good thing he has his Lab coat on, I saw some movement.

One of my quotes is "I turn straight men gay and gay me straight"

Louise

A letter to my Son

2009-12-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was out early because I had some chores and shopping to do , I like to go out as "Louise". The first thing on the list was a blood test to confirm Gout in my big toe (great) I feel like I'm turning into your mother.

As I swung out of the seat of my car I saw your Uncle Bill coming out of the Labatory door, I called out to him and he looked my way and squinted as if he wasn't sure who I was and started to walk towards me in a questioning way trying to remember who I was. As he got to the back of my car I got out with my umbrella and said "you don't recognize your own brother" he said "not in a getup like that I don't", it was truly a "Kodak Moment".

I asked what was going on, he was trying to be reserve and said "nothing", I said in an authoritative Louise tone, lets have the truth and he had to share it with me. Not a big issue, he's just concerned, it's a little like the condition I have with my bladder, it must run in our family line, so stock up on extra diapers now while they're cheep, in 20-25 years they'll be 10-20 times more.

Say hi to everyone for us, you've got a great little family, I'm proud of you.

Love Dad

Stockton State Collage

2009-11-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

Monday night I was introduced to a department director from Stockton State Collage, I was of course Louise. It was at a gay venue and it was fairly obvious that he was gay. We only spoke for a moment and he invited me to a presentation the collage was having the next night, Tuesday.

Since it was about Cd's and Transitioning I went as Louise (why not). It was fairly interesting but I didn't feel very informative. The first speaker was a professor who could have been a closet CD, he had a full beard and was about 6'3 or so. As he was reading from his prepared notes he took his shirt off and then pull the rest of a long dress out of his pants. He then read another half page of document and walked out. The next speaker is a director of some Trans Gendered group and only discussed the fact that 175 Trans sexuals were murdered last year, I regret that, but I don't know why he was presenting those facts to a group of mostly gay and accepting collage students, the director and I concurred on that. The third speaker was a young lady who is in the processes of becoming another Chasity Bono and was even built like her.

It was something to do that night, but I came away with nothing other than confirming, we come in many flavors and I still have no idea what Transsexuals think they'er going to accomplish with the need for the physical change. I've read about it, discussed it with people who seem to know what their talking about, but in my case, I've just never met one TS who was really happy with the final decision.

Maybe it's me!

The Thrift Shop

2009-11-20T14:59:00.001-08:00

As most Wednesday's I visit the local thrift Shop this day as Louise , I do so about every 2-3 months en femme. Please bear with my monologue to the end.

Going back about a year ago, I had some how gotten into a conversation with a woman who at first seem very nice. Most likely the conversation occurred because I was in the woman's department looking at women's blazers.

As usual I opened my big mouth and shared Louise, I always feel or think people will automatically be accepting. She took me by surprise and sort of embarrassed me by saying "you find anything in this place" it was a back handed insult and I didn't forget it. After that I avoided her, I do have to say, I probably surprised her too by sharing my other side when I was Lou, most people just can't picture me en femme even if I show them my pictures which I always carry.

The interesting thing here is, this woman and I see each other every week, even though we no longer acknowledge each other we're aware of the others presence. The Wednesday before last I went shopping as Louise, as I passed an isle she was at the end of, she looked up and said "hi, how are you" I just said fine thanks. I figured she recognized me and was trying to be polite. This past Wednesday (I was Lou) we happened to be next to each other in an isle and I said, so you finally saw my other side, she said "what do you mean" I said I was the little blond you said hello to last week. She was totally stunned, she had no idea and started to rave about how I looked, she was so proud to have seen me as Louise she asked if I has a picture with me so she could show the cashier and her daughter, she treated me as if I were a celebrity.

As I've mentioned over and over, people do take you by the way you look. Most times I know people have a low opinion of me as Lou, but once I present as Louise, it's night and day.

One of my quoits is "If we were all blind, there would be no wars", it's a metaphor, but one I use to express my life as Louise.

I am Louise

Catching up

2009-11-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

I really don't know if anyone reads my Blog, but it's a good diary anyway.

I've been very busy over the last few weeks. As you may have seen from my last post I'm into photography, not that I'm good or know what I'm doing but it keeps me active and I have what I call and hope close friend I love photo, besides my grand daughters.

I had gone to NYC on a Saturday and the Monday after I went to a Photoshop seminar in Philly, which I've been to before (as Louise) and again with the same doctor as I did Saturday in NYC. No we have absolutely nothing going on, he has as much interest in Cd's as I do in men, NON.

We took the bus (my wife Millie dropped us off at the bus stop) and got to Philly about 9:30 Am which gave us time to stop at Penn Terminal a great food place with many Amish farmers who are food vendors there. We picked up some snacks and coffee and headed over to the Philly convention center right across the street.

Everything was pretty non eventful, either because I looked OK or no one cared. About 11 we had a break and I wanted to be comfortable so I headed for the restroom, since the seminar was dominated by men, there was a line to get in the rest room. I was standing in the men's line (contrary to many peoples thoughts men in a dress use the men's room), when the gentleman in front of me turned and said politely "the lady's room is over there" I replied in my Lou voice, my voice is as deep as yours. He was sorta taken back and then said he was friends with a State Legislator who was going to vote on the TG/CD restroom issue and was undecided what way to vote, he then thought about walking into a men's room where some guy was standing in front of a urinal with his dress raised over his hips, that was enough to vote against our rights.

Wednesday I had gone out as Louise, I wanted to make a few stops one at my local bike shop to drop some flyer's off. The owner who has known me for years and knows all about Louise and has the same mentality as the other guys I race with turned and saw me dressed for the first time. The first words out of his moth was "are you here to sell advertising" it seems that he miss took me for an advertising lady who stops there for their Ad business. As rude as he usually is to Lou turned it around and was nice towards Louise, so I think I got a gold star from him.

That afternoon I stopped at my wife's store and then went next door to a small thrift shop. I was looking around and there was a (I think) Asian or Philippine lady dressed in something like nursing greens. She picked up a dress and said, I thing this would look nice on you and then picked out a couple other things. To my surprise I thought they could work too even though they were much different than my normal style. So I purchase them and had good results from people who know me and critique me.

My Day in NYC

2009-10-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

If you know me, I can make a long story MUCH longer, so here goes.

I like photography and because I have time on my hands I can indulge in my hobby to attend seminars or events as the one this weekend. I also tend to want to share what I have or can afford to give to someone and the ulterior motive is I like to meet other people if possible. I did offer the ticket to a very close CD friend who is very interested in photography also and it would have been fun for the both of us to go together, but she declined the offer with some excuse, I know if you wanted to she could have, and yes it makes me hurt a little. I even posted the offer in a Yahoo group I belong to but the monitor of the group removed it even though she allows people to post provocative and sexually orientated messages, I met her once and she feels my wife and I are competition to her business even though we're about 4-5 hours travel from her so called business, what a jerk. I finally interested my eye doctor because his father had got him interested in photography years ago and due to his profession he leaned to that direction.

I mentioned to him I would be Louise for the day, I thought that could discourage him, but he knows me both ways and I admire him for his courage in accepting my invitation.

An interesting thing did happen as we were walking down 42 ND and 8 Th, I recognized a married couple who were customers of mine for years, he's a very prominent local attorney and his wife. I stopped them, he didn't recognize me at first but his wife recognized my voice and addressed me by name, she also said I really thought you were a woman. She wanted me to give my wife a message, she said years ago my wife had told her to save her own money and because of my wife's advice she was able to buy her own apartment in Philadelphia.

So my wife drove over to his home and drove us both to the AC bus stop, we were just in time for the 10 AM, which got us into the city about 1 PM. I was in between rain but we walked about 5 blocks to the Javits Center. My friend is about 6'2 and I'm 5'3 I was just about running to keep up with him. When we checked in and got into the Hall I took my sweater off, I was soaked.

The show was much better this year and very well attended, I'm not sure if anyone even noticed me as a CD or even cared. We spent about 4 hours at the show and then went to dinner at an Irish Pub. All in all it was a nice day but not very eventful,

On the way back the bus stopped in Toms River and I was very thirsty from the Pastrami sandwich I had for dinner, my friend tried to buy one out of the machine but you guessed it, it was out. I tend t be a non believer so I went out and tried, I was there about 1-2 minutes and the bus driver was calling me sweety, we have to go.

We were both beat by the time we got home, it was a long day.