8 Days Pt2 (Cartoon Characters, Steel Balls, Big Wheel and more Bangers & Mash

Sunday.

I had a longer lie in, getting up just after 9am. I took my time getting ready. Once I was ready I went for something to eat at a patisserie on Sackville Street. It was a beautiful day. My friend Diana would be arriving and staying till Tuesday evening. This was my 5th day and usually I would be thinking about going home the next day, I guess this is all boring stuff, but for me this is the nearest I get to a dream of being female. Perhaps some view that as strange or worse. Why I feel this overwhelming need to be the opposite gender I don't know. It's not sexual I haven't bothered for over 6 years and don't think about it much. I love shopping, don't look forward to the credit card bill. I love dancing when I get the chance and seeing new places. Simple pleasures that harm no one and yet why is it so difficult to want to be and present as female.Perhaps it is just myself that is stopping me.

I met up with Diana and we had a nice day shopping rounded off with a meal in the evening at Eden. She was staying at the New Union where I would be moving to on Monday.

Monday - Bangers and mash then Sex in the City the sequel.

I moved hotel to the New Union. I checked out about 11am and when I got to the Union. I met with Diana and it turned out  I could get my room straight away so I didn't have to leave my luggage in Diana's room.
We had a day shopping and also decided to go to the cinema that night.
Sex in the City 2 was on at the Printworks Odeon. We decided on the 9pm showing. We went for a meal in Taurus. Diana looked very glamorous. Me I looked like her dowdy friend. We decided to have a cocktail before the meal. I decided on a strawberry daiquiri not  something I've ever had before.

I really enjoyed it, but then I had bangers and mash again, a medley of different sausages. The venison sausage was wonderful as were the others.

After the meal we went for a taxi. I flagged one at the end of Canal Street. 

At the Printworks which has a collection of bars and is a popular place in Manchester we found the cinema.
In the cinema  Diana took some pictures of me with some displays for forthcoming films. I've started a page with some photos that are a bit different, just a bit of fun. It's on the right hand side of this blog..
Sex in the City 2 has been given bad reviews in the press, but I must say I really enjoyed it.
After the film we went back to Naps and discovered from a text we had not long missed Kate which was a real shame.
In Naps Diana and myself started discussing a few things. To my shame I got a bit bent out of shape and made a fool of myself. I ended up walking out leaving Diana in Naps.Back in my room I nearly burst into tears. The way I had spoke to my friend and walked out was totally wrong. I sent a text not expecting a reply. I felt I'd lost a good friend. She sent a text bad saying sorry she could be a bit insensitive at times. To be honest I was the one being insensitive not her, I was so relieved we were still friends
.We would have breakfast the next morning in the Rem.

                                                           

Me with Marmaduke in the Printworks

Tuesday

We went to the Rem where I got Diana breakfast. It was the least I could do. Diana would put her luggage in my room as she would be going home in the evening. It was a beautiful day. Diana took me to Aflecks Market where she had to buy a couple of things. I wondered if I would be able to pick up some Tarot cards. We had talked about my dabbling in palm reading and such things.  I didn't find any Tarot cards but did get a lovely necklace.
That evening we had a meal in Queer a bar on Canal St which we hadn't been in before. It was fine but the spare ribs were a challenge.
It came time that Diana had to go home. I helped her with her luggage to her car. We hugged and parted company. I was so relieved we were still friends I really thought I had screwed up. We have shared a few firsts and she has helped me more than she could know.

Wednesday - Sheffield ,Steel Balls, Fountains and a Big Wheel, Back to Manchester

                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                      

I think this building is part of the University in Sheffield. I hope you are able to read the writing down the side.

When you come out of Sheffield train station you see the first of many fountains. It's all very well laid out. The next thing that struck me was how clean the city centre is. Probably the cleanest I've seen in the UK.

Outside the train station

Steel Wall Of Water Outside Station

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I walked up into the city crntre not the biggest I've seen but I guess you have Meadowhall nearby.

It was turning into a scorcher of a day. The fountains looked very cool and inviting. I came across some unusual ones pictured below.

Steel Ball Fountains

I then saw the Big Wheel. I would have to go up on that after a look round the shops. I needed a new handbag as mine was starting to come apart. I got a nice one in TK Max which I think was a real bargain.

A student raising monry for something or other stopped me for a chat. Maybe I am daft but I put a couple of quid in  his tin. We chatted for a bit about Sheffield and where I was from, It was nice to be treated as just another person with no hint at anything unusual about me even though I couldn't pass in a million years even my voice didn't reveal a hint of surprise as it normally does , if not worse. I do try with my voice by trying to speak a bit softer, but my hearing is not the greatest and I know when I speak to people it does get louder especially if the person I am talking to speaks very softly. The worst reactions I tend to get are from other transgender people. I am very wary of initiating a conversation with another trans person I don't know. Like I've said before I love talking to and meeting people but because I don't pass I have to be careful. I've not explained this very well. I am not talking about verbal abuse which I've had from non trans people acting like idiots , but more subtle reactions.

I try as best I can when I am out and try not to embarrass anyone I am with whether I know them or not.

The Big Wheel was not busy so I decided to get a better look at Sheffield from height. I had been on the one in Manchester which I really enjoyed. Pictures are far better that anything I could write,

  

I got a great  view of Sheffield and really enjoyed the ride. Afterwards I went to Millennium Square for a coffee and a look round a couple of galleries. It was like a mini botanic garden under cover. A really nice place to take the weight of your feet.

Having a coffee in the jungle

It came time where I had to get back to Manchester if I wanted to miss the rush hour. That didn't work out as the trains were busy with people going to Manchester Airport. I had to stand, but it was only 50 minutes. 

Back in Manchester I went back to the hotel to drop of my cardigan and do a quick repair job on my make up. It had turned into a hot day. 

I realised I needed some more invisible bra straps I had already broke one from a previous set. It was my own fault and nothing to do with the quality of the set I had bought.

In the Arndale I couldn't find the shop I wanted but did find a great shoe shop 'Deichmann's' where I bought some nice white strappy sandals that fit perfectly. I could have spent a lot of money there and I will be back for another look. Afterwards I did get the straps and went for something to eat.

That evening Professor Stephen Whittle was due to give a talk at the Manchester Concord meeting but unfortunately he didn't make it. It was quite busy but as soon it was announced he wasn't coming most people left.

I did get talking to one girl who did not give me her name. Mary one of the organisers took my photo which is below. It turned out I didn't need the straps. 

After Concord I went to Naps where a lovely girl Lisa came over and spoke to me. We got a seat and had a nice chat. A bloke she was supposed to be meeting had stood her up. We got speaking about various thing T related including sex. She seemed surprised that I hadn't been with anyone for 6 years. To be honest I am not interested and don't care about people's sexuality. My biggest thrill these days is getting out shopping. She told me about a boyfriend who dumped her because her voice wasn't femme enough. She sounded fine to me.

I went upstairs for a dance, Lisa didn't fancy it so I was on my own. About 2am I decided to call it a night.  I did bump into Lisa before I left and we said our goodbyes. It would be nice to stay in touch. She did send a nice message when I got home.

An amazing 8 days was over. I had felt a range of emotions and  made a complete fool of myself. It was wonderful seeing my friends Kate, Mrs Kate who looked after me. Emma and Mrs Emma who I enjoyed seeing again if  not for to long and last but not least Diana, thank you for being so understanding. All of you made my time out a fantastic exprience.

8 days were over. I would swap watches the final reminder of what I was going back to.

This will probably be the last monster blog post I  think I will keep them shorter after when I hopefully get out again.

Thanks for readimg if you managed to without falling asleep.

For now I'll leave with a picture in The Manchester Peace Garden which sums up how I want to be, happy and at peace with myself.

Look after yourselves and each other.

Karen xxx