And when in Paris....

I thought I'd stock up on some DIM brand hosiery, as they seem to be all the rage in France, and we can't get them easily in the UK. Monoprix had this policy of staying open until 9.30 in the week which suited me well. So one evening I bought 4 pairs of holdups and opaque cappuccino (well I was drinking so much of the stuff that week) tights, and went to the till to pay. Sometimes when you buy girly things you wonder what the assistant is thinking, so I mentioned to the African girl that they were for me, as she looked a bit puzzled. She seemed quite intrigued when I showed her my avatar photo, and she called her friend over to show, after I said it was ok. Then we had a bit of a chat about their hairstyles which were tightly braided; I think they were ok about talking to a guy about their hair and that, anyway they asked me to come back again soon.

You never really know how particular African groups relate or accept cross-dressing; I remember a few years ago I was in a nightclub across the other side of the world, when 3 rather extrovert Creole trannys came in and started making a lot of noise and fuss. Near the end of the evening they needed a lift to another club, where I happened to be going to next (I was semi-working, but that's another story), and I offered them a lift there. On the way, they were behaving more like drag queens, although I now vaguely recall the one in the passenger seat propositioning me. I think the club was quite near anyway, so I didn't get much info from them about the t-scene, although they said there were a lot more trannys in the south of the island, where they'd come from.
When we got to the next club they bought me a drink and went their own way, and I vaguely remember spending the rest of the time there with a lovely French girl called Fanny.

When in Rome...

Well, Paris actually. Can't go there and not shop, really, can you?! Despite the train strike which crippled the city a few weeks ago when I was there, (4 1/2 hours from Gare du Nord to Roissy airport on the number 350 bus, via every little bus stop in north east Paris) it meant that there was a lot of walking time from A to B, and B to A. On the way from my hotel to the train station every day I used to pass this cute little clothes boutique, and one evening I got there 15 minutes before they closed. Well the deux vieille dames who ran the shop were a hoot. Almost straight out of the John Cleese sales training video. I don't think I fazed them as a guy buying for my wife, but didn't have it in me at this time to say that the clothes were for me. Anyway, the way they interacted over the suggestions for clothes for me to buy, and getting the right size, was so funny. They must have been friends for a long time as it was like they could read each others minds. Well 15 minutes later I'd bought a short black leather jacket, brown mac, long brown skirt, and 2 tops. A good spell of shopping, on the back of a good day's work.

Merci beaucoup, Aubrey!

Whilst in Paris on business I had a wander into Sephora, the big continental perfume and
cosmetics chain. I'd been really impressed with Kate Jones's travel make up kit recently, so
when I saw the new gift range in the store, I just had to treat myself to their cosmetic travel
case, which had only been out for 3 days. So, chatting to the gorgeous sales assistant, Aubrey, (Bob does have a tendency to flirt with the better looking shop girls) I asked her what else was new. So in the end she'd sold me some pro tweezers and also this fancy electric eye lash curler thing. By this time I'd told her that I was actually buying for myself, and showed her the avatar photo I carry in my wallet. She just gave me a little smile and approving nod, and didn't run off with her arms waving in the air screaming, so I thought I'd done ok.

So, as I join the queue to pay, she comes behind the till girl and says to me that she's putting in a few little samples for me, and I watch her drop a couple of things into the bag. I thought that was a lovely touch, and went over to say thanks again on my way out of the store.

Anyway, when I finally got back to the hotel and emptied the carrier bag, I found that she'd
actually put TEN different samples of creams and scents in the bag!

'So, do you have any....bi tendencies?' ......

........I was recently asked by a glamorous dominatrix recently! All in the course of my day to day work, I should add. And whilst I'm in some way still finding out about myself in certain areas of my life, the immediate reply to this particular question was a firm 'no'!

Despite the negative answer, it hasn't stopped us planning on getting to an interesting social event in the very near future. I'll need to write a censored account of the event on this site when it happens!

Lisa Karen: Turbo Tranny?

It's been one of those great weeks where I've been out and about socially for 3 days on the run.

On Tuesday afternoon I had an appointment at the Beauticians near to home, and after checking with them, arranged to go dressed, which the staff were looking forward to. Parking in the pay and display at the end of the road was easy and quiet enough at 4pm, and then there was just one road to cross, and then a 200 yard walk past shops and car dealers, in let's say, not one of Cheshire's most desirable 5 star shopping areas. Still, I got there safely, received a lovely warm greeting from Charlotte, and we got on with the full leg waxing and frenchnail polishing. Two hours later, I'd also agreed to an eyebrow, hand and arm wax as well, and we'd had a great time chatting away, with me trying to explain to Charlotte about Tv's and Ts's. After she'd originally presumed, 'Right, so TS's only fancy men then?', I thought I'd try my best to educate her with the knowledge I had. I'll be testing her when I go back next month.

The following evening was the Angels October meal in the Manchester Village, which I'd booked for 9 girls. We had a fab time in Taurus, and then got treated to the Broadway drag cabaret in Churchills, by Liza Minnelli, Dolly Parton (how did she manage to gyrate those boobs like that?) and Bette Midler. Si was her usual mischievious self, but we coped, and Imogen was disappointed there wasn't a 4th and 5th course at the meal. It was also lovely to meet Marianne and Vicky for the first time, a really lovely couple. If only more wives could meet Vicky.
Stuart at AXM was still recovering from his recent birthday (23? Yeah right!) but was well enough for me to buy him a birthday drink! I also took the time to book the November meal and Christmas meal at Villaggio's in Canal Street. I had a fun few minutes at the bar talking to a flustered Slovakian waitress, and an amused Chinese one, whilst waiting for them to print off the Christmas menu for me!

Then on Thursday, I was over at MAC Liverpool for a morning booked makeover at the Met Centre. I decided on stretch jeans, and I'd never worn them out before, but they were quite comfortable. It seems to be the way girls dress these days when they're in town and not at work, so I went for the 'blend in' look. I had my brown high heeled boots, browny patterned smock top bought from Principles on Monday, and my long black fitted jacket. The ever-gorgeous Michelle did the business for me, new foundation that I'm so happy with, and new eye colours that really looked great. I was thrilled with the job! Ok, £120 lighter after all the bits I'd bought, but I don't do this every week. She really gave me an extra confidence to shop in the other stores in the Met, which is usually quiet in the weekday mornings anyway. Whistles had a sale on and the staff were great and courteous with me, with time for a bit of banter too! I tried on a couple of outfits; one flouncy sleeveless top was £120 and very fiddly to try on, with little metal bits sewn in, that were coming apart even as I handled it on the rail, but I liked the colours and wanted to try it on. Their dressing rooms are really so plush! Anyway, whilst putting it on even more bits came off, but I went out to the big mirror, and it looked good, and the girl offered 10% discount if I took it 'as seen'. So when I went to take it off I got stuck. Don't know why. There was some kind if tight elastic on the waist which was getting stuck somewhere, and I couldn't get it up past my chest! So, off came the hair, out came the boobs, another couple of metal bits came off the top, but I finally got it off. Phew, it can get hot in those changing rooms! I decided not to buy it; too much hassle, but I wouldn't have spent that much on it anyway!

After that it was back to the carpark, and that part of town was filling up. Just 2 roads to cross to the carpark, and easy peasy it was. Then I had an appointment in E.Port to do some little handygirl jobs (I'm a dab hand with my Dremmel!) where I was welcomed as Lisa, and stayed there working for the day, before heading back for home at 6.

A great few days, and becoming more a part of my regular routine now, I'm happy to say.

'Bye madam, please come again!'

Well it was going to happen sooner or later, and that time was Saturday morning!

I’d been in town overnight after having a fab makeover and photo shoot experience and dinner on Deansgate, with 3 friends. That experience was something else, and gave me the confidence to do my own thing in ‘straightville’ the following day.

So it was as early a start as possible, despite not going to bed until 3 am, and eventually I was out and about by 9.30. Dress to blend, they say. Well, today I wore my long brown gypsy skirt, brown/beige/white patterned halter neck top, and beige cardi. I’d been in my heels for 12 hours on the Friday, so today it was going to be the leather flip-flops. Bliss!

So, out of the room, along the corridor I go, and down in the lift through reception. There was hardly anyone around, so on to the street, turn left and walk the 100 yards up to Deansgate. I had to cross at the pedestrian crossing, and then I was in the pedestrian area, between Selfridges and Harvey Nicks. Most people out at this time were early shoppers, or on the way to work, so certainly not people-watchers.

At Selfridges there was some commotion at the main door, with 3 or 4 staff repairing something, but they stood back politely to let me go in. MAC Cosmetics are on the ground floor, and I wanted to spend time in there anyway. Jen (an absolutely beautiful blonde!) approached me, and she was so helpful, and we must have spent about 20 minutes together, going over foundation shades, and the new eye shadows. I thought that her eye makeup was stunning, which embarrassed her a bit! Two other friendly MAC girls came over to chat too. Jen gave me an eye shadow makeover, and I was quite pleased with the results. They were ever so friendly and asked me back anytime.

After that I wandered up the escalator and browsed the clothes on the 2nd floor, and chatted to some of the assistants. At one stage I found it so relaxing that I thought I was getting bored! The store wasn’t that busy, for mid-Saturday morning. I went down into the basement to the Illy coffee counter, where I was pleasantly served by the coffee girl. I just had to sit down at this stage for a breather, and send a few ‘guess where I am?!’ texts to friends, although I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would have been. After that it was another trip back upstairs to use the facilities and freshen up in the ladies loo.

By this time it was getting close to lunch time, and I wanted to push the boundaries a bit more and explore Deansgate, which was getting a bit more crowded by now. Still no stares, as far as I could tell. I sat outside Café Rouge and ordered a latte, got my magazine out, put the sunglasses on, and sat and read for a good half an hour, almost forgetting where I was. Then I went inside, asked the pleasant waitress (who had served us as 3 Bob’s the day before!) for a quiet table, ordered a light girly lunch, and read a bit more. Honestly, by this time it was if I was the invisible woman, or had the whole population of Manchester gone t-blind that day?!

All the coffees and mineral water had gone right through me so it needed a couple of trips to the loo, and freshen up at the same time. No hassles in there either, although when I joked with a middle-aged lady in there about things getting lost in handbags, she gave me a double take, but only after she heard my voice, which is never baritone-deep anyway! Still, that was another mini-boost all the same!

Then on leaving the restaurant it was ‘bye madam, please come again,’ from the Spanish waiter, as I smiled and headed out on to Deansgate and back towards the hotel. Again, no hassles, and I just went with the flow of the pavement crowd.

At the hotel, I sneaked up to my room but then found out that the card key had expired, so it was down to reception again to explain what happened, and the card was refreshed in an instant, without hassle. So then it was back up to the room, and 30 minutes rest with my feet up, before leaving the hotel for the next part of the day’s adventure.

Honestly, what an anti-climax of a day, despite the adrenalin rush!

Smile please!

Becky, Mica, Kate and I had arranged an afternoon of pampering and photography at a studio in central Manchester, to be followed by a meal in ‘straightville’, which was really gong to challenge the boundaries of my confidence, as I’d rarely been out of the safe confines of the Village in the past. But, I was out with 3 highly passable and experienced t-girls, feeling very much like the apprentice.

We were allowed up to 3 changes of clothing, so as 4 Bob’s met in the hotel reception at 2.30, I had to admit to Kate that I was feeling really nervous about the rest of the day. Well you should have seen the luggage we had; you could just about squeeze it all into the cab! ‘Bye bye hotel. See you again in 12 hours,’ I thought to myself.

We could never have carried the gear ourselves, so when we turned up at the studio 2 minutes later we just burst out of the cab on to the pavement with all our bags and dress carriers etc! The staff at the studio didn’t know what hit them as we shuffled in and took the place over, whilst quiet couples with babies, and single women kind of looked at us quietly and tried to work out what we were up to. By this time our group dynamics took over the place, and it was just so funny to be there! I think Mica took the award by this time, arriving whilst wearing her kitten heels and girly coat!

Eventually we were all led to the makeover room, where we were split between the makeover and the nail manicure. There was a fair bit of banter going on, despite the girls not knowing what to expect, and it was all good humoured. My nail manicurist admitted she’d never painted a tv’s nails before, so then it was down to the usual explaining of what we’re about and why we do it (at least my own reasons for doing what I do, anyway!). The gasp from the girls when Kate put her hair on after the makeover was incredible. They couldn’t believe the transformation! Meow meow! And, as for her travelling make up kit….!

Then on to hair styling, (Becky Beehive won the artistic prize on that one!) and then afterwards it was over to the photographer’s studio. And guess what? Did anyone get changed into another outfit? Only moi, once, with the smallest holdall there. All the other bags etc that the other girls brought were just there to collect air miles.

The session was fun, and the guy taking the photos was very laid back. We had single shots and group shots, it was a cool experience. There must have been 100+ photos taken between the 4 of us. After that, we just chilled about, waiting for them to process the shots so we could view them and select our portrait(s). Despite my friends’ harsh self-criticism, there were some very good shots in there.

We finally turfed ourselves back on to the street about 7-ish, with all our luggage. So how to 4 glam-looking t-babes with a mountain of luggage between them manage to get a cab to take us back to the hotel? With an awful lot of difficulty! Could we find a cab? No chance! So after a good 15 minutes of hanging around the corner of Cross Street, we decided to walk along King Street towards Deansgate, despite Kate’s quiet but forceful mutterings about not carrying this bl**dy heavy bag any further. Well between us we struggled on to Deansgate and grabbed a cab, for the 20 second drive around the corner to the hotel. After 5 minutes we’d unloaded everything, despite my worries about getting my stockings ripped by bag zips and buckles etc. The Japanese call girl scene from Lost in Translation, one of my favourite movies, crossed my mind, ‘Oh Mr Bob, lip my stockings’!

We agreed to get freshened up for a while and meet up again at 8, ready to go out. So by the time the other girls appeared at 8.20, I was outside talking to a girl waiting for a taxi, who would have joined us but she was meeting her boyfriend at a restaurant. Oh yes? These Mancunian chicks know how to tell their porkies! Then we walked up to Deansgate, and started looking for somewhere to eat. We spied La Tosca, so in we went and got ourselves a good table, and ate and drank, and took photos in there for hours! At once stage I lost control of my over-girly hand gestures ad knocked over a nearly-full glass of great Merlot, with broken glass going all over the place. Still I got a fresh refill!

We must have come out of there about 11-ish, and then headed up Market Street towards the Northern Quarter. About this time we were in the presence of a very special event. The Second Coming. We had just passed a group of guys when we overheard the shout: ‘Jesus Christ!’ Well I looked around, but couldn’t see Him, so we walked on. Oddly, there was nothing in the paper about the incident the next day.

As we headed in the direction of the Quarter, there were a few incidents we could see up ahead, involving police on horses, so we hedged our bets and turned right for the safety of Canal Street and the Village. This place just never changes, and I must admit I had preferred the adrenalin rush of being in ‘straight’ Deansgate. So we had a couple of drinks in Taurus, which was getting quiet, and headed over to Naps, to take our out-of-town friends. Nap’s was the usual, and the dance music was absolutely lousy, which didn’t really bother me at this stage as I had a blister on my heel from living in my stilettos for the last 12 hours. An occupational hazard, I guess.

At about 3-ish we left together and headed back to the hotel in a cab. It had been a really great evening out, and ended with another nightcap in the hotel bar, where by this time we must have really looked the worse for wear!

An absolutely fabulous (Becky’s impersonation of Patsy!) time! Thanks girls!

A busy week!

This week is going to be very busy for me socially, with 3 events to get out to! And that's not including my beauty salon and makeover appointments, either!

It's going to put a strain on the old wardrobe, plus a lot of hair-washing will be needed!

Appropriate reports will follow!

Many happy....!

It was my birthday last week, so I went out to the Village with friends to celebrate. I'd booked a table at Taurus for 7.30, and arrived at The Village to get ready at AXM at 6pm, as usual. I'd parked over near Bloom Street, and as I walked past the Northern Concord I started chatting to one of the girls from there who had parked outside. So we were talking about what was in store for the evening and so on, and I told her where I was off to just then.
'It's closed', she said. 'There's a sign on the door. They won't be open tonight.'
'Oh s***,' was my reply. Not a good start to the evening. When I asked about what time their own facilities would open at the NC, that wouldn't be until 7-7.15, as they were meeting up for a meal at 6. A quick text to Becky Richards: 'what's plan B? AXM is closed?'
'Try NC,' was the reply. 'No good until 7 at the earliest,' I answered. 'What will you do?' I asked.
'I'm already dressed,' says Becks! Good old Becks! She has this way of knowing!
So, time for a bit of thinking on the feet. I decided to go to Taurus, and see what I could try, as I'd got a table booked there already.
So, picture the scene: this guy walks up to the bar and says 'hi, my name's Lisa, and I've got a table booked for 7.30. Only problem is, AXM is closed, and I need to get changed, and make myself look a bit different. Do you mind if I use your loos?'
'Sure, no problem,' was the reply!
So, then it's down to the gents for a wet shave, then a quick sneak across to the ladies to get changed in a cubicle. So there I was, dressed, but needed the big mirror to put my make up on, as you do. I kept my holdall in the cubicle, in case I needed to go back in, and sure enough, I hear a young girl coming in with her mummy. I rushed back in to the cubicle, whilst listening to what little girls say to mummy when they're trying to be grown up in the loo! I was just about able to stifle a male laugh!
Then after the coast was clear, it was back to the mirror to carry on with the make up.
About 10 minutes later, I hear mummy and daughter approaching again, and as I didn't think I looked right yet, it was another retreat to the cubicle!
After they'd finished, I was able to carry on and finish with my make up. A lovely Geordie girl called Alex came in towards the end, and we had a lovely chat about make up, and the Manchester scene; it was her second day there, having started at Uni.
Well after all that, I was still able to get to the bar early to order a Mojito, and I'd kept my composure right through. I passed a big test on Wednesday!
Finally, at the bar, mummy and daughter come and stand alongside me, and start talking to me about the choice of desserts in Taurus! That really did make me smile!
As for the rest of the evening? Well I think there were about 10 of us in the end, as friends started inviting friends and they just kept adding tables on the end of the row.
A lovely meal and experience!
Thanks girls!

Nearly caught!

I was travelling in Central Europe a few weeks ago, and had to go through the security scanner at the airport. Now I rarely wear socks at any time, only for business meetings and to the gym, and as this occasion was neither, I was flying 'casual'.

So, as usual, I wore the bare minimum going through the scanner. No belt, pockets empty, no jewellery, so that should have got me through ok. Wrong! And, my toe nails were painted the coolest shade of Chanel's Miami Peach, as I just remembered, just as the scanner beeped as I walked through the scanner frame!

So anywhere else, it's a swipe with the metal detector, and then the shoes have to come off and go through the scanner. But this time, it was just a quick pat-down, and then I got the ok to proceed!

Phew!

Milk and two sugars?

Every month Teela Jane has a 'Tea with Teela' evening at her place. It's a good evening out, as you never know who you're going to meet there! We are well looked after with refreshments by Sue Williams, and those 'slimming pills' are simply the best! I even had to organise a doggy bag to take away last time.


It was good to meet Lucy there again. She explained her choice of name:

'Well Teela asked me for my femme name, and I'd never thought about it before, so as it was as I was geting changed I said Lucy, for loose elastic!'



Lucy, priceless!

So There Went the Girls!

A couple of weeks ago Si and Lesley fixed up the 2nd of their occasional nights out to visit a Here Come the Girls! evening at one of the Manchester nightclubs. The pre-event meal at Via was really good, and it's a place for the list of future restaurants to visit in the Village. It's even better when someone in your group has a 25% discount voucher: thanks Lesley! For me it was great to actually meet Si and Lesley for the first time, as well as Debs and Nicki B. Not forgetting to mention regular night-owls Becks and Cerys (Cerys, it won't be the same after you've moved!).

Well the club was a bit quiet when we got there, but we soon changed all that, as more t-girls joined us in the evening. Good company, great 60's music, and the time just flew by! I look forward to the next event. Si, are you reading this?! What are you waiting for?!

Ouch! But it was worth the pain...

I got talking to the lovely Charlotte from the Bolton Clinic during Sparkle, and I convinced myself that laser hair-removal was the way to go. Just think: no more shaving, ever! I'd been thinking of treating myself at the end of the year anyway, so with the offer of a free testing by Charlotte, I had nothing to lose, and visited them a couple of days later.

Well, the result is that I'm ok to proceed! The down-side is, that you can't have a sun tan during the treatment. Well, I mean, what's a t-girl to do in the summertime? Obviously go abroad to get some sunshine, as the British weather is throwing such a strop these days. So, its going to have to be autumn time when I book in.

Can't be any worse that epilating my legs, can it?!

A Sparkling Time Was Had...

It seems ages ago now, but was just last month when 1,000+ trannies invaded Manchester for the 3rd annual Sparkle get-together. Last winter I wouldn't even have thought about going, as I'd always considered myself just a winter t-girl, but the way things have turned out over the last 10 months or so, these days, there's no time to lose!

I was only able to get there for Friday, and Saturday day-time, but it was long enough to meet up with so many e-mail friends for the first time, and even to meet some t-icons! It was such a pleasure to meet first timers Jaye Adams, Kat, Helena, Suzie, Kim Angel, Jess and Linzi, plus of course the one and only Julie t-babe, who I'd only ever met as Gord before!

I guess one of the biggest pleasures of Sparkle was having the fun of chaperoning our newest t-fledgling, Nicky S, who has since well and truly found her own wings now (!), and also it was fun to catch up with the Manchester Village regulars!

As I've remarked before about Trannying: it's more than way of life, and now all year round, for me!

Hiya!

Welcome to Lisa's Life! On here I'm going to write about what I'm up to, my friends, my thoughts, my feelings, and whatever else takes my fancy! I'm a 40-something T-chick, and very comfortable in getting the best of both worlds! I got to grips with my situation years ago, and have spent the last year meeting and making some super new friends. Life is great!