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 

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.

t

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