11/11 (Pt 5) Morag and New Hair)

Monday

I checked out of my hotel my luggage in the hotel's locker room because it would be a couple of hours before I would get my room in the New Union. I  decided to go for breakfast at The Olive Deli. Unfortunately I had a mishap with my coffee which ended with a giant stain on my thigh that looked like I had peed myself. Luckily my coat covered it. I felt horrible and just wanted to change. After I left the Deli I went to the gardens to sit quietly and hopefully the coffee would dry.
I sat and just soaked in the peaceful surroundings. I really love The Village and Sackville Gardens is my favourite area.
It came time for me to check into the New Union which was getting an interior paint job. One of the painters asked me if I was moving in for the month when he saw my luggage. The painters were a nice bunch, courteous and, very helpful.
After checking in I went out shopping. I had decided to buy the handbag I had seen when I was out with Diana.
I got my new handbag and even decided to give it a name, but I couldn't decide what to call it. I thought about Morrigan, but calling it after the Celtic Goddess of War might not be quite right. I ended up eventually settling on Morag. People give all sorts of inaminate things names, but a handbag, oh that's me I guess. Perhaps I am losing it a bit. It is a nice furry one.

With my new furry handbag

Tuesday

I decided to get the train to Birmingham. I was thiking about getting  a new wig. I always feel a bit sad having to wear a wig, but at Frasers department store where I had bought a wig before, the assistants remarked that when you consider how much some women spend each year on their hair a wig can be a good investment.

Frasers Birmingham is a wonderful place to shop. The assistants in my opinion could teach other business's about customer service.

I found a wonderful wig with invaluable help and was over joyed with what was basically my new hairdo.

New Hair

Birmingham was very windy. I had a wander through the Christmas Market. Bought a book I had been looking for, but the wind was a real pain.

I decided to get back to Manchester. I caught the train and I was a bit worried about the guard checking the tickets. All the blokes tickets he checked he said, 'Thank you sir' and the women he referred to as love. I was waiting to be called sir again, but it never happened. Actually I was treated no different to any other woman on the train. The man in charge of the refreshment trolley was the same. I was on a Cross Country train and for me on their trains I have always  been treated with the greatest of respect and never been called sir which can be a nightmare where everybody stares at you.

When out presenting as female it's not asking for much to be treated as such.

It has always been a pleasure to travel on Cross Country Trains.

Back in Manchester I went about for a meal and met KD and Tina who I hadn't seen for a few months. We had a nice chat and they moved on. It was lovely to see them both again.

The night came to a close so I wandered back to the New Union. I had one drink and decided to call it a night. Karaoke was in full swing. One bloke had a fantastic voice singing a song I hadn't heard before.

I had one day left and that sadly would be my last this year.

   

11/11 (Pt 4)

Saturday

I don't wear a dress when out that often. I find it very hard because of my body shape to find one I like and also fits. For me a skirt and top seems to be a better option, plus I love my jeans. Diana always teases me about jeans when we're out shopping. I just can't seem to help myself. I remember sometime  ago before I came down to Manchester this time hearing two women discussing their day and how horrendous it was shopping for jeans. I thought try being me and finding the right leg length.
The day's shopping started of well. I bought a nice pair of boots that are very comfortable.
I had told Kate and Kitty that I would get a nice dress to wear that evening so I bought a top and another pair of jeans. Typical me.
We went off to Frasers for a look where I saw a dress I instantly fell in love with. The price was a bit off putting, but Diana I think thought it would really look good. I thought I am in Manchester to enjoy myself and I knew I would feel like a million dollars in the dress. There was also a handbag I really wanted, but that would wait a couple of days. To complete everything my dress was put in a pink shoulder bag when I bought it. There are times when I'm out that I get an overwhelming sense of my femininity being let out. Being with Diana who is extremely feminine, I know I am not, I was in a beautiful place. To share it with a wonderful girlfriend and just be myself. I could not ask for more.
We went back to The Village and into Via which had not long opened after a facelift. Diana took a picture of me not taking myself to seriously with a small caldron.

One thing that did happen in Via was two men decided to have a good snog on a couch in front of us. After they moved on Diana and myself discussed whether the show we had just witnessed from the 2 blokes was done to see how we would react. Neither of us had a problem. Actually it was good to see that they felt comfortable to be able to show what they felt for each other. One of the problems with The Village is the amount of hen parties and the blokes that follow them into The Village looking to get lucky.Unfortunately it can cause problems of a homophobic and transphobic nature. In my last couple of times in The Village I've seen more gay men snogging. My conclusion is that perhaps they are reclaiming The Village. More power and good luck to them if it keeps the idiots away.  

After a meal Diana and myself went back to our respective hotels to change for a night out.

We met up at the New Union and had a drink in a couple of bars. We met a nice lass  who came to Naps with us where we met up with Kate and Kitty. 

Saturday Night on Canal St or was it Sunday morning

Me in Churchills

Naps was busy and I enjoyed dancing the night away.

At the end of the night Kitty gave me some lovely Christmas presents from herself and Kate and a wonderful card. Must admit I  felt some joyful tears welling up I  was so happy.

Sunday

Diana would be making her way home, but was not in any hurry.

I went to Diana's hotel to help her with her luggage. When I met her she gave me a lovely Christmas gift and card. The card was different to any other I had recieved. She told me her pen didn't work so she had used lip liner. That personal touch made the card from one girlfriend to another  even more special.

We had a nice day and I was sad to see Diana leave for home. She told me she might be out again before I would leave for home.

On my own again, I decided to have an early night. I had 3 days left and the next day I would move hotel and get the room Diana had been in.     

  

11/11 (Pt 3 Early Christmas)

Friday

Diana and myself had arranged to meet Kristina who was travelling from her home town on the train into Manchester. First time I had met her she had her car impounded which must have been very scary, but I remember Diana came to the rescue and got her home
The 3 of us met up in the Richmond Tea Rooms in The Village for breakfast. The Tea Rooms are like going back in time to the first half of the last century. It's a long time since I've seen and used a teapot and strainer.
After breakfast we went shopping and out towards the Christmas Market outside the City Hall which is always worth a visit. I did buy some Christmas cards that support the MS Society which I have an interest in, but thankfully never really needed their help and hopefully never will.
While out Kristina took Diana and myself to the Exchange Theater for a coffee. Inside it looks like a bigger version of the lunar module has landed in the middle. A lovely place to take a break from shopping.

   In the Exchange Theater

After a coffee and cake we made our way to the Christmas Market to meet Kate and Kitty at the Singing Moose as we did last year.

We had a mug of gluhwein to warm us up. We went into the Town Hall for a wander where I bought my Christmas cards supporting MS.  

Diana, Kristina and myself ended up walking down King St for more gluwein and we saw a Jamaican steel band from Stockport who were very good.

It came time for Diana and myself to get back to The Village for something to eat and a change for a night out.

After saying farewell to Kate, Kitty and Kristina who Diana told that I was witch. I must admit I was a bit dubious about that. Not every Wiccan is a witch. For me I try to connect to the energy all around us and that for me is the real magick around us that can be used for better or worse. Most people don't see cities as magical places, but I do, and they have their hotspots. The Village is one. I don't try to cast spells, but like any religion Wicca has it's rituals and I have mine. There are no sacred texts we follow. We are responsible for our actions and on a continual learning curve. The Craft for me is about respecting our home 'Mother Earth', the living beings who she gives life to and being the best person I can. If that makes me a witch I am happy to be one. 

The holidays are a strange time for me and these days for me. Christmas can be a beautiful festival in the Christian calander. For me it is about Yule, The Winter Solstice and the longest night. Within 3 nights and days the days begin to get longer which marks the return of the Sun.   

I guess thats enough about religion. Saturday would see me doing something I rarely do, wear a dress and I would see a handbag I spend to much money on and even give a name.    

11/11 (Pt 2)

Wednesday
 Got into Manchester very happy. Felt like I was home again. Kate couldn't meet me unfortunately as she was working, but I would see herself and Kitty in the evening. First I took a wander into the Arndale dressed as a bloke to pick up a few things before I got changed. I do this once every year in Manchester and it feels very weird. I tend  to just about run back to the hotel. That done I got back to the hotel and got dressed properly for my first night out in ages.
We had a wonderful meal in Velvet and went dancing in Naps. I was back with my friends and it felt wonderful.

With Kate outside Velvet

Thursday

My friend Diana came through to Manchester to stay for a couple of nights but managed to take advantage of a cancellation and add Saturday night. I met her and also added another 3 nights to my stay which would bring my total to 8, but it also meant that I would move hotel on the Monday.
Before I met Diana I had wandered into the Arndale and did some shopping. By the time my Manchester odyssey was over my credit card would be screaming 'no more, stop'.
I managed to buy a mirror with 10x mag' which really helps with my make up, but is quite scary as my face looks like the surface of the moon.
I came back to The Village with time to spare before Diana arrived so I sat for a time in Sackville Gardens. Council workers were busily cleaning up the autumn leaves on the ground. I noticed the Tree of Life still had all it's leaves, but they would be fallen by the time I left for home.

The Tree of Life 

That night out with Diana we went to a different bar called Icon which we had never been to before.

We both  tried on silly hats that were on the coat stand. Below is a picture of me looking very silly. We also saw the You Tube video of Manchester Pride done to Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way'.

Manchester Pride Born This Way Video

Born this way, I guess I was, being out in Manchester feels so right I wish I was female physically.

It's not to be. A spirit in the wrong body, but thats my life and I live it best I can. 

     

11/11 (Pt 1)

Last trip of the year and it turned into an almost spiritual experience, I might as well get this bit out of the way first and come out of the broom closet to anyone who reads this.. I am a Wiccan and I live by the rede 'An harm it none do what ye will'. What this means is I am responsible for my own life and any harm I do I pay the price and  accept it. In life it is impossible to do no harm, but for me I must think about the impact of what I do or say and live to the best of my ability. I can't tell anyone else how they should live or what to do. I can perhaps suggest things from my own experience.
I believe we all have a spark of the divine within us and that then encompasses a variety of beliefs which I treat with respect. Is any one of them right and have all the answers ? I have no idea. We all find our own path from what I can see.
I find myself with a strong belief in the Goddess, but I don't neglect the God, two sides of a Universal Spirit that I believe is this Universe. Do I understand it ? No, but does anyone ? 
While out this time in Manchester I was described as a witch, not in a bad way by 2 different people. Not all Wiccans see themselves as witches, perhaps I am. I don't try to cast spells, but I do try to connect with the energy Mother Earth supplies in abundance and is all around us, even in the cities.
Manchester to me is a magical city and The Village is a hot spot that has been very kind to me.
In the end I guess some people will think I'm a bit whacked out, but that is their opinion. This post just is for explaining somethings about myself and where I am coming from.
The next posts will be about my times out and I am not going to start preaching. Anyone who reads this is there own person and I wish you all the best in life.
Love and Light
Karen xxx