Blues, Resistance and Light (1)

Wednesday

My last trip out for 2012  and it was a lovely way to end the year.
I got an apartment at The Atrium on Princess St by the Gay Village. As with my other times out in Manchester this year there was a lot of rain.
I turned up a bit early to get my apartment, so I left my luggage and went to get some essentials. Buying some artificial nails and shave gel while presenting as male was a odd combination.
At the counter in the chemist, I said to the assistant, joking  'Don't say anything'.
It's okay, it's Wednesday.' She replied smiling.
Wednesday is Manchester Concord night, the transgender support group in The Village.
Before I went back to get my room, I also bought Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day. A fantastic concert from 2007 which was probably their last. When I got the apartment I put Zep' on the dvd player and bounced around while getting ready. Blues based rock doesn't get better.
When ready I went out to meet up with Kate, Kitty and Ashley for a meal at Velvet and then onto Naps.

I even wore a dress, which is unusual for me complete with my really warm coat.

Thursday

Kristina came round to the apartment about midday. I had been out for breakfast at the Retro.
We went shopping then back to get changed for the evening to go to the Exchange Theater  and see 'Orpheus Descending' by Tennessee Williams starring Imogen Stubbs.
I had never been to see a play before.
To see professional actors presenting a story live was for me a fantastic experience. Films and television programs do not compare. The story became so real. I felt really immersed in it and the bits of live blues guitar was the icing on the cake. The actors were fantastic. The whole play was something that I won't forget.

 

Photos of Kristina and myself at the Exchange Theater. The date is wrong on the photos it was actually the 22nd.

After the play we went to Via in the Village where we had quite a deep discussion.

It had been a fantastic day and I bade farewell to Kristina who would be out again on Sunday.


Friday

I had invited my friend Diana to stay with me. She and Alex were  going to the Enigma Ball in memory of Alan Turing in Milton Keynes on the Saturday. We had a night out in the Village, till about 2am.

Saturday

We had breakfast in the Retro. Diana and Alex set off. The weather turned worse further south and they would have a bit of adventure as there was major flooding.
That night I met up with Kate and Kitty.

We had a really good night out. Before we met up I had been in Icon where they had a Donna Summer video on and there were lots of people dancing to it. I did end up buying a couple of her cd's before I went home.     

Short Break

Tuesday

I decided to visit Manchester for a short 3 day break. My last time out had been 2 months previous taking in Manchester Pride, which was probably the best time I've ever had out. Back in Manchester I felt like I was home again.
Canal Street is very quiet on a Tuesday in my opinion. Once I got my room at the New Union I went shopping for some essentials. I also bought a new winter coat.

Wednesday

I got up after a good sleep and went to the Retro Bar for breakfast. After breakfast I went to Sackville Gardens to visit The Tree of Life. This is something I always do when in Manchester. I guess a lot of people would laugh at me, but I feel a real connection to the tree, and I will always post a photo of it after each visit I make.

Afterwards I went back to the hotel to get my coat and then meet Kristina who was driving in.

                                             Wearing my new coat which is very warm

Kristina picked me up in The Village and we drove out to Salford Quays. I had never been out there. Media City is where quite a few television companies are based.
We saw a short film about the artist Lowry and to be honest I find his paintings a bit depressing, but in saying that he does capture part of a darker essence of Northern England.

                                                                           Salford Quays

We left Salford and went back to Manchester. A short visit to the Science and Industry museum to see the LGBT exhibit which I meant to see at Pride. We went through the mock up sewer tunnel where I had to get a photo.

Outside we came across the 'Field of Jeans' exhibit which I thought was great.

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That evening we met up with Diana, Kate and Kitty in Velvet for a meal and then Naps.
I was great to see them. Diana was just out for the evening which was a shame as I didn't get to speak to her much. Kate and Kitty would come back through to Manchester on Thursday  afternoon.

Thursday.

The day started with breakfast at the Retro. Time seemed to be passing so quick I not meeting . Kate and Kitty till the afternoon so I went to the Northern Quarter for a wander.

I bought a couple of things including a birthday card for Kitty which was a bit different. Sadly I always miss her birthday. I also saw my friend Terry at his Crystalhenge stall in Afflecks Market. We had a nice chat and I bought some of his slate art which depicted 'The Wheel of the Year.
Back in the Village I got a couple more silly photos before I met with Kate and Kitty.

I had a lovely day with Kate and Kitty shopping in the Arndale. Unfortunately it came to an all to quick end.
That evening out on my own I ended up in another debate with a bunch of guys in the outside smoking area upstairs in the Molly House bar. We discussed a few things. One was about the disgusting life of a BBC celebrity who with death escaped punishment for his crimes. We agreed that the country and establishment that hid this sick bastard's crimes against the most vulnerable members of society has to change and get it's act together.
It was an interesting evening and I was told that it didn't matter that I was transgender. That I was a human being presenting an aspect of myself that is me and no one should have a problem with that and if they do it says more about their insecurities. They were a nice bunch, some I had met before. Talking with them I didn't  realise how much time had passed. It came time to get some sleep another fantastic time was over.
I leave with a picture of my nails.

I did get told off about them by a lovely lady and her friend from Israel who told me I was probably damaging my nails by using false nails. If I could keep them in a more natural state and just use polish. Oh well I guess that is another small dream never to be known.

LOVE and LIGHT

Karen xxx

Manchester Pride 2012 (8)

August 27th Monday

Bank holiday Monday, the last day of Pride and it had been an amazing couple of weeks for me. Kate, Gabi and Kitty had departed and that left Diana and myself. I had a horrible feeling that I would hit an intense low. We had one day left and that would be highly charged and emotional.
The weather didn't look like it would be to good.

We had a trip into the city centre, but Diana suggested that we go out to Pendle where in 1612 , 12 people were charged with murder by use of witchcraft. 10 were found guilty and hanged. One died in prison and the other was found not guilty.
We could have picked a better day, but Diana knew I really wanted to go so of we went.

   
The area of Pendle looked very bleak and some of the roads went down to a single track.
Diana had to be careful driving, avoiding other cars and sheep darting across thIe road.

In one village we passed through they were having  a scarecrow festival. With scarecrows everywhere.
We stopped of at the Pendle Witch pub in Saden for a couple of photos.

The weather was getting worse so we decided to get back to Manchester.

                                        A shop in the Arndale we wandered into for a look

Back in The Village we had a not very nice fried chicken and chips. We also took a visit to the Manchester Concord stand before they packed up.

  
We then went to the Richmond Tea Rooms and the Sanctuary Bar before the Candlelight Vigil started in Sackville Gardens.
Before the Vigil I asked Diana to get a couple of photos of me with the Beacon of Hope and The Tree of Life for this blog.

                                                             The Beacon of Hope

The Tree of Life had barriers round it for protection from the festivities. To me The Tree of life is the most beautiful tree I've ever seen. It grows in the middle of a big city. Survives and thrives. A real symbol of hope and love.  Both are there as symbols of the destruction HIV Aids has wrecked across the world, but also the hope and work  towards an end to that destruction.
The Candlelight Vigil is to remember those who have passed on. Before the actual Vigil there were some emotional stories. Calls to practise safe sex, some, calls for more help in the fight against AIDS and more help for those diagnosed. Actually a host of conditions were mentioned that people need help with . I could air my own views how some of the most vunerable people in society are treated and then the pure greed further up the scale, but I won't here.

 

There were songs and one that really affected myself and Diana was when Alison Moyet came on and sang.
We got to the point where we all lit our candles and held a minute's silence. It was a beautiful sight I will never forget. Tears flowed, myself included. At the end there were sandboxs where our candles were laid.

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Leaving the Gardens Diana and myself knew we had exprienced something amazing, emotional and quite beautiful.  Like a lot of people  we had tears and held each other.

After the Vigil we went for a drink at Naps, and then took it with us for a walk up Canal Street as far as Taurus.
We finished our drink and went back to my hotel room so Diana could fix her make up.
Before Diana left I gave her a rose quartz crystal as memento of the night and told her she was like a sister to me.
When she left I burst into tears again. Pride was over. I had exprienced the most beautiful emotional time of my life. Below is a photo of me, to say the least looking very rough. It was taken just after Diana left.

Manchester Pride 2012 , an event that took me on an amazing, beautiful, unforgettable ride. Thank you to those I  met and all those who worked so hard to bring it all together and put on a fantastic event that words cannot describe.

August 28th Tuesday

I got up showered and packed. I managed  to get everything into my bags. I then checked out and went to the train station via Canal Street. Back outside in bob mode for the first time in  nearly 2 weeks felt very weird.
The Village was open again and very quiet.

I'd had an amazing time, but an intense low was descending on me. If I can do this again, I will, but the aftermath is tough.
If my friends, Diana, Kate, Kitty and not forgetting Gabi, read this. THANK YOU.  I wish I  could put across the absolutely wonderful time I had. All I can say is you are all the best friends a girl could hope for and you made this time out really special for me.
As i write this I feel the tears again.
I'll finish this with a notice I saw outside Via that says it all.

 

Manchester Pride 2012 (7)

August 26th Sunday

Sunday was a bit quieter in The Village. Breakfast in the Olive Deli. Unfortunately the Retro was to busy, Diana and myself when to look at the stalls in The Village.  I had bought a sort of bangle/ wristband that I really liked a  few days before.

Diana bought a nice piece of jewellery. I then went and did something probably a bit silly.
I went and got my palm read.

When I went inside the lady, before I even sat down said something that shook me. I paid to get the reading and she did my left hand. She told me I had a long life line and would live to a old age. To be honest it's not something I wanted to hear. I don't really like who I am and know to make the changes I desire  would place me in a bad position. I want to transition, but that is not an option. Really I am a bit sad and pathetic. A lonely crossdresser who can't get his act together. I have a few things against me, but in saying that I hide in the shadows with my fears.
 The reading contained a warning, but was on the whole a good one. It didn't feel good to me. She did say I  have a strong sixth sense. I understood that one.
I know she was holding back. She made a point of telling me a few times while reading my palm, to enjoy myself.
I thanked her and left and told Diana some of what she said.
Diana needed a new chain so we left The Village and went to the Arndale to look for one. We also went to Afflecks Market where I showed Diana the Crystalhenge stall. She took a picture of me under a cow doing the can can.

We went back to The Village to meet up with Kate. When we met Kate she told us about a bucking bronco machine. I'd always wanted to have a go on one. Kate took us to it and it wasn't what I expected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WYJ81JOQIY&feature=share&list=UL7WYJ81JOQIY

The link shows me giving everyone a laugh I  told Diana that I'd changed into my evil alter ego Tawny. One lady shook my hand and said that I'd been the best all day. It was really funny and I got quite a ribbing about it plus a round of applause.
We did see Gabi again in the Molly House, but she was back in bloke mode. She'd had found her wristband allowed her to travel on the trams in the city centre and made full use of it. Gabi also got to meet Kitty who appeared before Gabi had to go to the airport. 

That evening we went to the Womens Stage in  Sackville Gardens to see Toyah. I had always wanted to see her from since I was a teenager. She still has it and what a voice!!

Next we tried to get to the main stage arena to see Alison Moyet, but the crowds meant the area had to be sealed off.

I felt for Diana because she really wanted to see her. There were some more hiccups but a fantastic night came to an end after me even with now really swollen feet going a bit daft dancing in Naps.  

Manchester Pride 2012 (6)

August 25th   Saturday

Pride was in full swing. Manchester would see a fantastic parade. Kate told us that across from the Olive Deli would be a good spot to watch. First Gabi and myself went into the city centre for a couple of things. She wanted to get a Man Utd banner for a friend at home. United were playing at home and there were lots of their supporters about. At one point she when into a shop that was full of football supporters.  I was amazed she really was brave to do that. She had no problems, but then again she looked good and carried herself as a confident woman.
Back in The Village we met some nice blokes from Glasgow dressed in their kilts.

We then went to meet up with Diana, Kate and Kristina. It was great to see Kristina. I didn't think she would be out.
At out vantage point we waited for the parade and it didn't disappoint. I got lots of pictures below are a few.

 

 

 Manchester University float dedicated to Alan Turing. 2012 marks a 100 years since his birth and Pride this year did various things to remember him.

The giant rainbow flag that marked the end of the parade.

The Salford Ladies United Temperance Society always get a few good natured boos

 

The Main Stage

The parade was fantastic afterwards we had a wander round the market stalls in The Village and then on to Naps for a drink which was one of the quieter bars.

That evening it rained heavily again. We did eventually get to Naps where the Pet Shop Boys tribute, The Pet Shop Bears were playing.

                                                                         All five of us

                                                                  Pet Shop Bears

This was Gabi's last night out  and it would be sad to see her go. We had made a good friend and it was wonderful to see her really enjoying herself.

                                                                 Kate, Gabi and myself  

On the way back to the hotel after we left The Village a bloke came up to Gabi and myself asking for our wristbands because he wanted to get into The Village. I told him we still needed them and that they needed to be cut off and would be void. In the end I had to tell him to get lost in no uncertain terms.
At the hotel I felt sad saying farewell to Gabi, but we would see her again sort of before she went home.