Meet-Up - Two Years In The Making

They say "patience is a virtue..."

In conjunction with a trip to Chicago for a club Board meeting in Chicago, I planned a "circle" rail route, with a "several hour layover" in downtown New York City.   This was once again planned to include a meet-up with Marian, one of the ladies on this blog. 

My adventure began with the hotel room where I stayed the night before departure, having no electric heat when I turned it on.  There were two distinct systems in the room, one for heat and a separate one for AC, of which there was plenty.  Seems management turned off the heat for the summer once the daytime temperatures climbed into the 80's.  Their intent was to avoid people running the heating system at the same time as the air conditioner, and wasting electricity.   Well, it didn't take them long for them to throw the breaker for my room.  The clicking of the electric baseboards was a welcome sign - things can get chilly fairly quickly with 50 degree nights.

Then upon setting up my laptop, I found that the charging cord had started to disassemble itself, leaving exposed wires at a connection.  It might not last the trip, not to mention the safety aspect.  So, it was of to the races...well actually, I WAS racing - the rush hour.  My 20 mile one-way trip to the computer store was uneventful, and they actually stocked the necessary part.  However, my trip back to the motel was a nightmare.

Stopped traffic littered every road I wanted to use - fortunately all except my last hope - my last fail-safe to avoid sitting in "over an hour" or more of traffic.  I've often used this escape route, in spite of the fact that it takes me "miles out of the way, in the woods."  (Fortunately, living in the area has taught me how to use back roads.)   My normally-half-hour return trip to the motel took nearly an hour.  But I was moving all the time.  It would not have been so, if I had stayed on main roads.

And the charger worked properly...

Back at the motel, it was finally time to try on my next day's outfit.  The next day was to be a big event - Marian and I had been trying for a meet-up ever since the one we set up two years ago had to be cancelled due to the rail accident in NYC which cut off commuter train traffic from the 'burbs.  That meant a work-at-home day for Marian, and no meet-up.

This year, we were hopeful that things would work out...and they did! Marian was able to get into town without difficulty.   I arrived on the train north from Baltimore,  and we met at Penn Station.  From there, we walked several blocks west, to visit a new linear park which was built on the former New York Central elevated freight trackage which allowed freight to be delivered by rail to certain customers within the city.  Homage was paid to its former use in construction:  rails were left for folks to see, and integrated into the greenery and walkways. Plus, there are some local vendors at various spots along the way.  It's beautifully designed,  a wonderful asset to the vibrant downtown community, and very-well-used that day by many folks - obvious tourists like myself, as well as city residents, enjoying this new "object of entertainment." 

A picture taken while walking the linear park:

Below is a picture Marian took for Mandy, overlooking the Long Island Railroad Yard underneath the linear park.  This whole yard area is reportedly slated for redevelopment into new downtown buildings, providing employment and housing for many people.

After our walk, we ate lunch at a local eatery, then walked back to Penn Station by way of Times Square, in preparation for my catching the westbound train.

It was fabulous for Mandy to finally be able to be out and about again...far too many months since my last excursion.   This was a wonderful chance to finally meet Marian, and get to know her better "in person" as opposed to via the printed word.  Both of us certainly had lots to talk about!

We were generally well-accepted in the City.  Due to my androgynous mode of everyday dressing, you probably well know I don't live my life worrying that everyone who glances my way is suspicious.  However, there was one notable occasion -  as we were leaving the restaurant - where a couple made it plainly obvious that they were checking Mandy out. 

A likely reason:  Mandy's voice.   I've not yet had the privilege (and probably won't for a while, if ever) to receive any voice coaching.  My regular voice is unmistakeably masculine.  I can tone it down to a quiet, breathy level in an indoor environment, which I regularly do.  However, it's a strain, and I can't maintain it for very long.  Add a noisy environment such as a restaurant/bar, or outside on the street,  with traffic noise it's "all over but the crying" as I tend to revert back to my normal voice after a very few minutes.

My hair, eyebrows, nails, purse and manner of dress all provide me with many good feminine cues.  And they definitely help a lot.  However, voice could be considered an "anti-cue" as far as "flying under the radar" goes.   And I've felt for some time (but never acted on it) that I really could benefit from some padding which emphasizes the feminine curves I don't have.  Those are definitely some things I can strive for in the future, to enhance my womanly appearance...though success will not be assured as long as Mandy has to stay "behind the scenes."

Despite my "minor appearance inconveniences," Mandy had a fabulous time in NYC...Marian is a wonderful hostess!  And the experience only increases my enthusiasm for "being Mandy!"  I'm ready to meet up with her again, on my next trip west!

My trip from NYC to Chicago was uneventful...a decent dinner - alone as the diner was almost empty,  a change of persona into androgynous, and few chances to be mis-gendered.  However, the next two days would  be in androgynous mode...  I would be meeting people we know.

Part two is next...when I get it written!

Mandy