New Year's day with the Polar Bear Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BELLA LUNA OCEANFRONT DINING AT LUCY THE ELEPHANT

Very busy week

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

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

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

Car Show on Ocean City Bowardwalk

Last weekend I went to the "Clasic Auto Show" on the Ocean City, NJ Bowardwalk. If you're not fimilure with OC, it's a very family and conservitive city. I was surprised I wasn't excorted off the Bowardwalk, but contrary I was greated 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 realised and tried to convige to other "cross dressers" is that if you try to present properly and carry yourself with dignity you should not experiance any difficulty's, contray, people will respect you.

Louise

Sight seeing cruse in Atlantic City

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.