My Plumber

Last night my wife and I went to a birthday party for a friend we've known for about 10 years, a very nice and accepting couple. As we came up to the table there was a person I had install a Rinnai tank less hot water system for me about 2 years ago.
After the work was done we had gotten into a conversation about some personal situations being that we know a lot of history in this area. I felt comfortable sharing "Louise" with him, after all he was a someone I wasn't going to have a LTR with and I just like to share both sides of me with others.
It turns out he is the brother of the woman who we've been friends with and had no idea of the connection. When he saw me his comment was "you do it right".
Now I think he wants a LTR, he said I look like his old girl friend.

A Sunday outing

Sunday I was getting ready to ride my bike, when my appointment reminder popped up on my PC. There was a show at Stockton Collage I wanted to go to with my wife (Millie) "The Sound of Music" a sing-along, I felt it would be fun. Besides it would be a Louise day.

I got made-up and dressed and we headed out to Breakfast at our usual Diner. I had shown my pictures to a few of the wait-staff. Our waitress arrived and greeted us "good morning Ladies" and then asked if we wanted something to drink, we both replied and then she almost yelled, OMG it's you I had no idea. I had probably shown her my picture less than a month before but she thought (she said) I was a natural woman and couldn't get over my eye makeup.

A couple minutes later another waitress whom I had shared my pictures with walked by and recognized my wife and looked at me and mentioned my necklace, I said thanks, it's from Millie's store, she also said OMG, I had no idea it was you until you spoke. The two of them and the woman owner kept coming back to our booth just to look and compliment me, Millie by this time was getting more agitated, the one waitress said, well you're beautiful too to her, as an afterthought, she knows my wife leaves the tips.

There were some women dressed as Nuns portraying the Nuns from the Abby where Maria, so after the show I asked if they wouldn't mind having my picture with them, they want me to join their order, can you see me as a Nun?

The Classic Auto Show in Atlantic City

I like going to the Classic Auto Show when it's in AC, but due to parking difficulty's in the city and the outrageous parking (15.00-20.00) and admission (20.00) fees I stopped going.

I went this Saturday because my investment advisor said he was going with a friend of his and that I was welcome to go with them. We had to park across from the entrance and walk not more than a block, but it was so windy that if I hadn't taken my wife's advice and brought a scarf to hold my hair in place I would have had to chase my wig down the street.
My advisors friend had never met me or anyone like me before and obviously had some type of a discussion about me before picking me up, the advisor asked me to explain why I dressed and since my advisor had often visited my business he was able to concur with the way people would treat me, which made it more comprehendible for his friend to try to understand my (Particular) reasons for cross dressing.
We went into the center, they had brought lunch and wanted to eat before walking the show, I told them I'd go ahead and meet them when we were ready to leave. As I got to the top of the escalator, the first vender I ran into was a lady I had talked with last year, she was so happy to see me and even remember my name, she asked if she could have a picture of me too, we talked a couple minutes and I went into the show.
I was dressed to blend but in my Louise style, I had a nice form fitting but not to tight jean dress on, a leopard print top and brown 2 1/2 inch HH boots on. I know I was drawing a lot of attention and due to that, people tended to scrutinize me a little closer and most were able to "make" me (I love that), why go out cross dressed if no one knows you are.
Everyone who I noticed who noticed me would smile (mostly women) and then would shake their partners arm and nod over towards me, I was going to say something a couple times, like, would you like my picture, but just kept going, they weren't being rude, mostly interested in what I was about.
I walked around for about 3 1/2 hours, my feet were starting to feel it, so I decided to go out to the lobby area and find a seat and rest. There were hundreds of people walking back and forth , not many noticed me or cared if they did. A group of 4 guys passed me, the tallest one (6'3 or so) fixated on me, I looked and rolled my eye's as if to say "Oh Brother", I sat waiting for my ride to show up, about 15 minuets later someone whispers into my ear "here's my number, call me later", it was the tall guy who must have ditched his friends in order to come back with his phone number, I just said thanks.

Millie doing makeup

Millie's Makeup Video

My 2 lawyers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.