A Clearer View (and sore feet) Part Two Saturday/Sunday

I got up after about 4 hours sleep. Actually the best I'd had in a long time. I got dressed and went out to the shop. Not long after I returned Diana was up and ready. Outside it was another beautiful sunny day. While we were waiting for Kate I asked Di to take some photos. A record of my times out has become really important to me. If there comes a time when I am unable to get out that maybe all I have left. It a sobering thought. The attack on my eye really scared me. I think my biggest fear is losing my eyesight. This is why I need to get the most out of life. The chances are I'll be fine, but just in case.........
Kate appeared and we off for breakfast. I had a big greasy fry up. There was something beautiful about sitting in the sunshine chatting and having breakfast with 2 good friends. We were 3 women out for the day. It's moments like these that make life so beautiful.
We went off into the city centre.I managed to buy a watch, bracelet and a pair of white jeans. I did get another pair of sunglasses after borrowing Kate's, but I found my dodgy eye went weird when I took them off for awhile. I decided to leave them off.
I did my usual visit to the MAC counter in Selfridges and bought a very deep red lipstick. Perhaps over the top, but I love the shade.
After we were all shopped out we headed back to the Village where we met up with Mandy, Emma and her wife for a drink in Taurus. It was great to see Mandy and Emma again and a pleasure to meet Mrs Emma.
I had to go back to the hotel to get changed for the evening. Back in my room I thought this is going to quickly. I wish I had more time. The 5 days I had spent down before was a nice length of time. It felt like a good holiday.
We were all going to meet in the View bar. I arrived first. The Village was very busy as was the View. Just as I got a drink, I saw Tina who looked stunning. We went downstairs to wait for the others. Everybody eventually arrived including Kate's wife, Tina's wife, who I had never met and it was a pleasure to meet her. It was also nice to see Lisa out again.
I had a few questions about the MS and if I was ok. I assured them I was. I had a good chat with Mrs Kate who had been ill recently. I was glad to see she had recovered.
We moved on to Villagio for a lovely meal. Then we went on to Velvet which was packed. When I went out for a smoke some of the girls were outside. I think it had got a bit much for them as well. It was then decided we would all go to Naps. After a couple of dances my feet were really sore so much so I nipped back to my room to changes shoes. Luckily it was just round the corner.
Into a pair of flats I discovered a couple of blisters on my toes. A bit more comfortable I went back. A fantastic night edged to a close. People began to leave. After lots of hugs just Di and myself were left. We decided to call it a night. Di said she wanted to see me up to the train station in the morning.
I had another good sleep, a bit sad another fantastic couple of days had come to an end.
In the morning back in drab I rang Di to see if she was up. I think she got ready in record time.
Dragging my bag up Canal St with Di walking beside me we looked for somewhere to get a cpffee.
We met up with the 2 Kates. Because time was getting on for me catching my train we decided to get a coffee at the train station. It was a beautiful day again and I really did not want to leave.
This was a lovely way to end a fantastic weekend. Me back as a bloke being seen off by 3 beautiful women, my best friends. As the song in another post says 'It's a Beautiful Day', actually they were all beautiful days.

Karen xx

A Clearer View (and sore feet) Part One Friday 29th May

I had a wonderful weekend in Manchester. There have been a lot of things spinning round my head, but things have been falling into place and getting out again was another piece of the jigsaw that fell into place.
I was nervous for some strange reason, since I was told about the MS. I had been out down here lots of times before . I guess the shock had given me a real knock.
The simple fact I had been told it's my life, how I deal with it is up to me, and that has been reinforced by my GP who I met for the first time today.She was brilliant and very supportive.

I was supposed to meet Kate in the afternoon when I got down on Friday, but she was unavoidable delayed. I got changed and got the war paint on, and then decided to go into the city centre for a quick wander and get some tights.
Walking through the streets, it really struck me, this is me who I am. Male/Female, people can come out with all the labels they want, but I know who I am and what I want to do. I try not to bother or annoy anyone and I take people as I find them. I've been pulling things apart and really looking at myself. I'm lucky, I've had a good life so far. There are some things I wish hadn't happened, but there was really nothing I could do about those. Yes I do have hang ups like coming out fully. What would be the point, just a load of grief. It saddens me to see how some people in the Trans community are treated and even within it there are those with their own agenda. Politics in any sphere can be a snake pit. You have to tread carefully to avoid being bitten.
This in a strange way has been a boost. I've been told that I'm in charge of my life as much as possible and to use that to live it. I intend to and this was a good start. For me things have never been clearer. My life has had many twists and turns and there will probably be a few more before I'm finished. I have coped and will continue to cope the best I can. Life is to precious to just throw away.

I bought some tights in Frasers and returned to the Village doing some window shopping on the way. It was glorious sunny day and it was like any problems had just melted away.
Kate had arrived and was nearly ready so I walked down to her hotel to meet up.
Kate looked great in her summer outfit, We went to Taurus for a couple of drinks while we waited for Diana.
I hadn't seen Diana since she had some cosmetic surgery done. I always thought Diana looked great, but when she turned up I thought WOW! She looked amazing. Her face looked softer even more feminine. We had a table by the window which was open. I had to nip outside and stood by the window. Diana gave me a disapproving look when I lit up a ciggie. Unfortunately after being told I had MS I did fall back into that bad habit. We did have a laugh and joked about it and took some silly pictures.
We had a lovely meal and Diana and Kate brought me up to speed on everything that had happened since I'd been down last.
It came time to go back to our rooms for a quick change and then we went to the Bar Below then onto Naps. It was great to be out dancing again. We stayed to near 4am.
We agreed to meet up in the morning about 10 30am to go shopping.
I went back to my room for a few hours sleep a very happy lass