Out again, cold, watches, six words

I decided to go Manchester for 3 nights midweek. Got there on Tuesday and stayed at Easysleep in The Village. Unfortunately I was coming down with a cold which set off my crazy over zealous immune system. Nothing  serious, but a reminder none the less.
Once in the hotel I unpacked and decided to try and get a couple of hours sleep before getting ready to go out. I lay down the room in complete darkness and just couldn't sleep. I felt horrible and thought to myself I should have stayed at home. I was going through a stream of tissues with my nose.
This is probably going to sound daft, but when I go away to get out, one of the first things I do when I get my hotel room is take my watch off and put on a more fem watch.  The watch I wear day to day has become a symbol of my male aspect. I hadn't taken the watch off. I hadn't thought about it.
Not being able to sleep I decided to take a walk into the city centre. It felt weird out in Manchester presenting as male. (Sorry just had to say that.) Guess that shows how confused I am. Usually it's just the walk from the station to the hotel. Getting across that area in the city centre where all the trams and buses seem to build up I saw a jewellers that had a watch I really wanted.
The watch itself is like a charm bracelet. I went in and bought it. The counter assistant asked if I wanted it wrapped. She thought it was for my girlfriend for Valentines Day. I didn't bother saying much, just mumbled.
Watch bought I decided to go back to the hotel and get changed. It would be at least interesting to see if my make up would hold up with the cold and my nose.
Back at the hotel I got ready then went for a couple of tuna sandwiches. Back in The Village I then went for a couple of drinks in Eden. My make up seemed to be staying put under my nose.
The Village on a Tuesday night was very quiet. After a couple of hours out I decided it would be a good idea to get some sleep.

Wednesday

I woke up feeling slightly better, but my nose hadn't eased up. It took me just over an hour to get ready. I had the hottest shower I could stand which helped. I went of into the city centre. The MAC counter in Selfridges was my first stop. Actually I would be back there later in the day with Emma.
I would meet Emma in the afternoon, so I had about 3 hours before  I headed back to The Village to meet her.
It was good to be out again wandering round the shops. I ended up buying a few things including a new pair of shoes and another handbag. I actually bought 2 handbags this time.
I felt a bit better and I was actually enjoying myself.
It came time to start heading back to The Village. I stopped off for a coffee where my bracelet caught and came apart. A lady decided to help me and I think got a surprise when she saw me properly and I spoke, thanking her.
On the way back to The Village I saw a jacket I really liked and bought it.It will also lighten my luggage as it doesn't take up as much room as my coat.
I dropped everything off in my hotel room checked my make up which was holding up reasonably well. Emma was staying in a hotel just down the road. It was about 3pm after a couple of texts I headed off down to meet her, that's when it started to snow.
Once we met up we went into the city centre and ended up at the MAC counter in Selfridges. Emma had a make over. I got to watch some of it. When the assistant did her eyes. I learned quite a bit. I would like to say thank you to Emma for allowing me to watch. It's not often you get to see a professional at work and when she had finished Emma looked stunning, not that she didn't look good before. After both of us probably spending to much money we left to get back to The Village where we would be meeting up with some of the other girls for a meal.
One thing I bought was Studio Sculpt concealer which seems to have better coverage than MAC's usual concealer. I'll have to try the Studio Sculpt foundation now which is supposed to give very good coverage,
Back in The Village I got changed and Kate turned up from work. She used my room to get ready as she didn't have enough time if she went home. Mrs Kate would be meeting us at Taurus where we were having the meal. Kate didn't take long to get ready. I wish I could be that quick. Maybe with more practise doing my make up.
Kate went to meet Mrs Kate and I went off to meet Emma and KD.
In the New Union bar I found them both and we had a quick drink. It was great to see KD again. I know she does not get out as much as she would like. We had a chat, but time was moving on so we headed to Taurus. Emma was in pain with her leg from an injury and the heels she was wearing I don't think helped.
In Taurus there was 10 of us all together. I was sat next to KD and across from Bev and her wife who had met last time out. It was great to see them again and have a chat. It was also nice to meet Claire. I never got to really have much of a chat with Tina and Mandy, which was a shame because I hadn't seen them for awhile. I did get to chat to Diana who told me about a TG festival in the States that dwarfs Sparkle in this country. It would be a once in a lifetime experience, but I'll leave it at that for now.
After the meal, we went to the Manchester Concord and then  I went for a quick drink with Mandy, Tina, KD and Emma in Paddy's Goose. Emma and myself then went to Naps to join up with Diana and the two Kates. Doing any dancing was out for me unfortunately. I was enjoying myself, but I probably wasn't very good company. We ended up downstairs where it was a bit quieter and I caught up on what had been happening since I had last been down.  Eventually the night came to an end.

Thursday
 After a reasonable sleep I went to meet Emma. She moved her gear into my room because she was heading home in the afternoon and would use my room to get changed so that would give us some extra time out.
In the city centre I tried to do my tour guide bit without getting lost.
We went to cafe for some breakfast and I suggested going on the Big Wheel. I had gone on it with Diana first time I had ventured out into the city centre. That seems a long time ago now. You certainly get a good view at the top. The ride came to an end. After going for a couple of coffees in the Arndale and a good chat we had to head back for Emma to get changed. I hope Emma enjoyed herself, I  certainly did.
There wasn't much that I did after Emma left.
It was wonderful seeing my friends again and even though I wasn't feeling to good I enjoyed myself.
Only being able to get out now and again really hurts and afterwards I can end up really down.
Someone once asked me if I was trying to simulate a 'Real Life Experience'. I do prefer being out in the daytime than sitting in a bar in The Village with loud music. I love being with friends having a chat and exploring new places or just out shopping. I don't know about trying to simulate anything.
I was also asked if I had the choice would I transition? The answer would be no, because I already have the choice and have never made any effort to go down that road. What does that make me? I really don't know.
Over at another blog, Matt Kailey's  Tranifesto  there is a post  Tranifesto: My life in six words: a six-word memoir
 Anybody reading this should have a look at the post and perhaps try it.
Mine wasn't very good but I think it sums my life up.
I don't when I'll be out again so this blog may be inactive for awhile.
Thanks for reading and look after yourselves. I'll leave with my six words.
Karen xx

Hide, Run, No Escape, Journey, Twists