Sparkle 2013

It was great to be in Manchester again for Sparkle. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it, but things worked out really well. Thanks to my friend Diana also it was great to see Ashley again who also stayed with us.

I had 3 days to enjoy with my friends which ran from the Friday leaving for home on the Sunday.

                                  The Tree of  Life, In its summer glory 

I had been last been out in April but never blogged about it here. To be honest things in my life have got into a bit of a mess and are somewhat chaotic, but it seems to be settling now.

I really this time just wanted to spend time with my friends and have a enjoyable time. On the whole I did, but there were moments that did make me feel sad. I guess the worst was hearing about the death of a fireman fighting a blaze in the Northern Quarter at a shop we all knew well. This happened on the Saturday which I guess is the main day for Sparkle.

This apparently was the biggest Sparkle yet and I quite believe that. It definitely had the hottest weather I’ve experienced at Sparkle.

With the hot weather I got the courage to wear strappy tops without a cardigan, which was a big deal for me.  I guess that leads me to some of the trans politics which wasn’t to much in evidence this year. Well I never noticed much. There were a couple of good natured comments about me being a tranny. TV, TS, TG, who really cares. I did wear a dress at one point which I do like to do now and again, if I feel comfortable. Actually with the weather it was nice to change out of my jeans.

It was lovely to see Kate and Kitty also Kristina, Alex and Liverpool Kate. I also met a couple of other girls, whose names escape me.

It was great to see and speak to Jane and Karen briefly who are 2 girls involved with organising Sparkle. They do a fantastic job.

The weekend was wonderful. Saturday night was very busy and a visit to Naps and have a dance was not going to happen. 
I'll finish with some pictures and a couple of my inartistic works inspired from my trip to Sparkle.

The last a watercolour inspired by the Tree of Life in Sackville Gardens.

I had a great time thanks to my friends and wish it had been longer.

Love and Light

xxx

Disappearing Footsteps 2

Thursday

It's taken me sometime to finish recounting my last time out. I guess with the different things going on around me, it's been a bit tough. Now I feel balanced and I've even booked a hotel for my next time out which is a couple of months away.
This was the last day out and Diana had stayed over. We got up, ready and then out later than we planned.
We went to the Retro Bar for  breakfast.  The breakfast there is great and really sets you up for the day. Diana took a picture of me with one.

  
We had a lovely day. One thing I noticed about Diana, she seems to look younger every time I see her along with having a beautiful look.    I love being able to go out with my friends, but I always worry about how I look and I know I look masculine and a bit awkward.
We finished the day with a meal in Eden. Then after a couple of drinks, Diana had to leave.
I went for a couple more drinks before I  called it a night.
I guess writing this post and the last one was difficult, but I do feel better about myself. I just have to see what 2013 brings. I have some ideas ideas for when I am out in future. I want to do some sketches of places and things I see. I'll have to practice drawing outside which I've started.
To finish I feel better about myself and things in my life seemed to have settled down for now. I need to keep busy and just take each day as it comes, but also find myself and be the best person I can.
I am beginning to understand the phrase 'As above so below'.  

Love and Light
xx

Disappearing Footsteps

Tuesday

I decided to have 3 days out in Manchester. I've been emotionally up and down since my last n time out. This trip was an attempt to at least try and get myself together. I started my journey in the snow and wearing my girly boots it looked like, with the footprints I left behind, a woman was following me. Below is a picture of them that unfortunately does not show them very well.

I had a good trip to Manchester and didn't waste time getting changed once I got my apartment at the Atrium.
I had a wander into the city center and then back to the Village for an evening meal and a couple of drinks.
An early night was in order as I felt very tired, but it felt so good to be back despite the freezing weather.

Wednesday

I went to Sackville Gardens for another visit to the Tree of Life.

The tree looked bare. Winter was definitely here.
The gardens were freezing but at least the snow had held off.

I then went into the city centre and ended up in the Manchester Art Gallery.
There was a exhibition called the First Cut. It featured  work from 31 international artists who rethought the use of paper in their work and created what I thought were quite amazing exhibits.
People were taking photos so I got a few without using a flash.

 

I'm afraid my  photos don't do the exhibition justice.

From the gallery I went back to the apartment to await the arrival of my friend Diana who was staying over.
When she arrived she gave me a lovely gift.
The Golden Tarot of Klimt.
Klimt was an artist at the later part of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century in Vienna.
His art expresses the period of magnificence and decadence in a sort of dream like state. Some of it is quite risque and he did get some trouble. The deck is one that I find reminds me of Canal St. A beautiful deck that I will treasure.
Diana kindly took a couple of pictures with the deck.

 

We went out to meet up with Kate. We visited Manchester Concord tg support group and spent a bit longer that we should have and didn't realise Kate had gone for something to eat and was then looking for us.
We met up with Kate and it was fantastic to see her. We caught up on the gossip since I had been last in Manchester.
We finished the night dancing in Naps.
Diana and myself bid Kate farewell and a safe journey home and went back to the apartment.
I hope next time out I get to spend a bit more time with Kate and Kitty, who couldn't make it out.
I must admit my situation is getting tougher in a lot of ways and that could affect my times out in future.
I hope not. I love seeing my friends and losing them would be devastating.
I had a day left with Diana for which I was very thankful.  

Blues Resistance and Light (2)

It's taken some time to get to the 2nd part of my musings about my last time out in 2012. The end of 2012 was a tough time for me and the start of 2013 was not great. I've had some very dark thoughts on how I will continue on, but I know that there will always be resistance in life to over come and also there are certain things I will have to put up resistance against. This I hope will generate light that will lead my way forward.
Below are some pictures of the last few days out in Manchester and Leeds.

Leeds

I had a wonderful day out shopping in Leeds

A photo of the banner promoting World Aids Day. I've met a few people on my travels afflicted with this terrible virus and how they cope is an inspiration. We all have our problems and for me when I see something like the above I know mine are very small.
Love and Light
Karen xx