Friday, September 19, 2014

Halloween plans, & more makeover pics

The topic of Halloween came up with my mother at the nursing home today, after I showed her some of the makeover pictures.   Her time frames have been affected by Alzheimer's, so she can't tell - and didn't ask - when the pictures were taken.  And no, she didn't recognize that the girl in the pictures was "moi."  Though I did tell her, and she seemed surprised.

I reminded her that I might be dressed a bit differently than usual that day, and she asked what I might be wearing.   So I showed her the picture of the skirt outfit below and reminded her that on Halloween, anything goes.   She hesitated a bit, then said, a Halloween costume should be OK.   "Just don't wear dresses at other times - you look like a girl."

I know she doesn't (can't) understand that this is how I prefer to look.

Mandy under a plane on display at Udvar-Hazy in August.

Basic makeup won't be a problem for me on Halloween, as I wear it much of the time. Lipstick, earrings and jewelry are easy to add at the last moment.  My biggest issue will be to find a way to change into Mandy's clothes and visit Mom in the morning, then change back to my usual androgynous mode and drive to the 2-1/2-day show which is scheduled to start that same day.  Cornfields will work for changing enroute to Mom's, if need be.  But there aren't any good options for changing, on the drive into DC.

I probably can use the restroom in the nursing home for changing, if I bring my regular duds in a plastic bag (but would that make me a bag lady?)   Or maybe I can stop at that roadside restaurant with the one-holer toilet on the way...if it hasn't closed for the season.  But that's something I still have time to plan...

 A very "dominant" pose?

I've been told that I look like I'm somone's Mistress in this type of pose...  And looking dominant's not necessarily a bad thing, though I'm not into that type of lifestyle.  

This pose is similar to a prior posted picture, with slight differences in hand placement.  I love short skirts...

In thinking about our entire week on vacation, I didn't hear the dreaded "S" word (except around the people in our group, who mostly know us).  My wife and I were addressed as "folks" a lot, particularly at restaurants, where they almost always asked if we wanted one check or two.  And almost universally, the check was placed between us, for us to decide who was paying (guess who paid?)  In the distant past, when I clearly presented as a man, this was never an issue...  I always got the check, and paid.  So I must look feminine enough to cause waitstaff second or third thoughts...and they "play it safe."  I'm fine with that...

When my wife and I were together on the trip (which was most of the time), we were frequently addressed as "ladies" at the different sites.  Men typically held the door for us, which was very nice, to know we were being seen as two women.  For me, "Ma'am" was a treat, only heard when we were traveling alone (without our friends.)  In any case, I felt feminine and had a great time for the whole trip.

One more tour this season...in October. 

And just for Pat, a picture of the old Erie train station in Cohocton, NY...taken in May of 2014.  (The Bath & Hammondsport operates over DL&W tracks from Bath to Cohocton, zigging over to the old Erie tracks in front of the station, to service local industries. And the tracks on to Wayland were recently re-activated by the LA&L, current operator.)  We weren't driving a Subaru on our trip, so we got past Gomer and Goober's garages without incident!


More later...

Mandy 

2 comments:

  1. I am certain that every time you and your wife are addressed as 'ladies' or even 'folks' that your wife realizes that your androgynous look is the reason and while she may prefer a more manly presentation that she realizes that any gender presentation confusion you create does not signal the end of the world.

    I think that you will look great on Halloween. I would keep the skirt on as long as possible even if it means changing in your car as you get to your next destination.

    Thanks for the photo of beautiful downtown Cohocton. I have driven by the exit on Rt. 390 several times over the years but have never gone back to visit Gomer or Guber. If I am ever driving by while fully dressed as Pat perhaps I will stop by to see if they remember me...althought it was many years ago and by now Gomer and Guber may no longer be turning wrenches. When they offered to find me a new engine for the car they mentioned the junkyard in Bath.

    Pat

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  2. Pat,

    I agree with you...she knows that my femininity is the reason for the confusion, and that when we are among strangers, it's not the end of the world. But i'm also sure she wishes it weren't so!

    I'd like to wear that outfit for Halloween. But if I want to leave a skirt on till I get to DC, the only way is to wear my long denim skirt, which can safely hide a pair of shorts worn underneath. There really is no safe place to change once I cross the bay bridge...I'm not near any of my usual haunts...and I'm not prepared to show up at the sale in full femininity. Yet...

    I don't recall a junkyard in Bath...but maybe it is out of business now...

    Mandy

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