A Quickie - Skyrockets in flight.

Last Friday night, with clear skies, I set my alarm clock for 11 PM, to see if I could watch NASA's Lunar Space Explorer take off for a date with the moon, from Wallops Island, Virginia.  It was reportedly to be the first out-of-earth's-orbit launch from that site. While my residence is on the Delmarva Peninsula, it's more than 100 road miles from the launch site.

I have just enough clear view in the direction of Wallops Island, that I was able to see a few early minutes of the launch, but then the show moved behind some trees. As its trajectory changed, I could see glimpses through the tree branches, as the rocket roared off toward Bermuda.  This wasn't quite as exciting as the time I watched Space Shuttle Discovery take off from Cape Canaveral in person (you couldn't hear the roar last night) but it was definitely worth getting up for.  And, it was much more comfortable standing in the living room in my nightgown, than on the shoulder of some back road, along with gazillions of other dummies!  

There's a commercial launch coming up from Wallops Island on the 17th...weather permitting.  I'll get up for that as well, but get in the car and drive a few yards to a clearing, for (hopefully) a better view!   Maybe I can even get a picture from there...

"That's a lot of Bull" and other things...

Here are a couple quick shots from a trip to Utah in September of 2012...a massive bison, ambling along the highway in Yellowstone National Park...and one of a different bison, ambling through a parking lot at one of the thermal features.  Oh my, it was a fabulous trip!  'Tis not often possible to see this much wildlife up close without being in a zoo...

That's a lot of Bull!

  

This guy attracted a lot of attention from the folks in the bus! 

The past few weeks haven't been favorable for any female presentation, or even any substantial blogging. Maybe the "pink fog" has faded a bit?  Perhaps, but more likely it was that life's daily events (not connected with dressing or gender) simply made it more convenient to look like a casual androgyne every day:  capris or shorts, a sleeveless or sleeved top, flats or sandals, and a purse, with light, or no, makeup.  

We finally wore out  the old "daily driver" automobile...at 198,000 miles, the engine and transmission were running just fine, but it had developed too many other issues to attempt to repair.  So, new car shopping became a high priority. (I hate new car shopping with a passion - so we drive them till they stop.)  At least it was the right time of year for that...I just would have liked to watch it turn 200,000, but that wasn't meant to be.  And the issue is now solved.

My laid-up-for-repairs antique car has prevented any out-of-town trips.  And even posting here has suffered - but the latter is partly for a good reason:  my nails.  Some of them have grown out to 3/8" and the rest are at or over 5/16" beyond my fingertips, with many having an overall nail length of nearly an inch from the cuticles to the ends.  I love them, and my long talons feminize my hands.  But finally they've grown enough to make touch typing a challenge. You don't want to know how long typing this little blog - as carefully as possible -  is taking!

Administrative assistants who have long nails deserve complete respect for their appearance and abilities - typing, and even filing, is a challenge!  So, unless my nail tech decides to cut them at my Thursday fill appointment, I'll become intimately familiar with spell check and the delete key!  I can request she cut them, but since she's the professional and wants my hands to look pretty, she makes all the length decisions for me.  And I think I know what her decision will be - last time, she didn't shorten them at all.   I guess I'd better be prepared to learn the knack of accurate, fast typing with my feminine nails.  

What color do you think would look best???

But the decision she and the other techs want me to make, which I keep deferring, is a color for my nails.  I like the Pink & Whites, but they want to see me with something more noticeable, perhaps matching an outfit.  For now it's going to be status quo, but what do you think would eventually look nice?

They gently but noticeably click on each other as I move my fingers, and also on any hard surfaces I touch!  So feminine...

The bright side is that the lady in the nursing home who enjoys looking at my legs still compliments them every time she sees me in shorts and nylons with my flats. And lately, even when I'm in capri pants... 

Guess it never hurts that I stop and talk to her for a bit... 

Cheers,

Mandy

Buskers and More Ferroequinology

Another quickie today.

I've been thinking about Marian's recent post regarding NYC street performers (or per Wikipedia, buskers), and their major difference from run-of-the-mill beggars, such as those often found on street corners in big cities (like Baltimore.)  Unlike begging, busking could be called the entry level for show business...and there are darn good videos of street performers currently visible on YouTube.  Check them out, some are really magnificent. 

FWIW, there is a subway in Baltimore, but I haven't tried that. So I can't speak for the presence (or absence) of either category. But I'd bet they are down there in the stations, though...

I can recall an interesting interaction with a beggar in Baltimore - back in the early-to-mid 2000's,  I was downtown attending a convention, but was dressed in stirrup pants, women's loafers and shirt, with my long hair, and carrying a purse.  Just before noon on a weekday,  as I walked alone in the direction of the light rail (trolley), a man moved in, six or seven steps behind me.  Looking in a store window as I walked, I could see him, scruffy and disheveled-looking.

Danger bells were ringing in my head as I heard  "Excuse me Ma'am."  I kept walking, at a bit faster pace.  And he kept up with me.  "Ma'am?"  "Ma'am, can I talk with you?"  (Bear in mind this was 7 or 8 years ago, before "cold steel" and other more powerful weapons were quite as common as they are today).  Noting that he would soon be within arm's reach, and with no shops in close proximity, I decided to deal with the situation.

Stopping abruptly, I whirled around to face him as I put my hands on my hips, and in my VERY best  and authoritative male voice told him to "Just go away and find someone else to bother."  The element of surprise startled him.  He looked at me, speechless, and slithered away (much to my relief.)  Needless to say, I wouldn't choose that course of action today - I'd run if necessary, to duck into a store for safety. (A good reason to wear sensible shoes.)  But more importantly, nowadays I just don't spend much time downtown...

Things continue to be busy here, so there is only enough time to post a few off-topic pix.  Hopefully at least some of you will find them interesting.

First up is Western Maryland Scenic Railway's #734 simmering in the November late afternoon sun at Frostburg, MD, back in 2005.  A beautiful day to ride the train...as the turnout indicates.

Next is a November sunset scene, as the now-empty excursion train is backed across the bridge to the shop in WV for the night...

Following is ex-Reading T-1 #2101 on 5/30/77, in Chessie Steam Special livery, at the Connellsville, PA station on the former B & O mainline from Washington DC to Pittsburgh, PA.  The station was bulldozed in the late 20th century, and all that was left last time I checked it out (from the train, several years ago) was an "Am-shack."  (Though I understand nicer digs have been recently built.) Regarding the steam engine: it still exists, but as a static display at the B&O Museum in Baltimore.  Unfortunately, it was damaged by fire in February 1979 while stored in the Silver Grove, KY, roundhouse. Cosmetically restored as American Freedom Train #1 (but badly in need of another overhaul), at least it wasn't scrapped!

Following is a picture of a northbound Metroliner, Amtrak's early entry into the high-speed race on the Northeast Corridor.  Metroliners were self-propelled, electric-powered multiple-unit mainline passenger equipment, with a very high top speed.  This was taken on 11/25/1973 at the Iron Hill grade crossing, which I'm told has been removed,  and replaced by an overpass.  The telephoto lens put the foreground "out of focus," to allow attention to be centered on the Metroliner.

So you think you had a bad day, sweetie?  Imagine having to call the boss about a little OOPS like the following! 

Sometimes even a 10 mph speed limit on a seldom-used branch line in western Pennsylvania is far too high.   Flangeways in the grade crossing behind the engine had frozen over from repeated road salt applications and freeze-thaw cycles during a snowy bitter cold snap at the end of February/beginning of March 1977.  This caused the locomotive's flanged wheels to ride up on the built-up ice and drive right off the rails, directly into a ditch.  The locomotive sat there unattended and idling for two days (so it didn't freeze up), till the wreck crew could get in to re-rail and remove it.  Fortunately, no cars derailed (they were retrieved from the scene shortly after the derailment), the grade crossing was not blocked, nobody was hurt, and no damage was done (except to the locomotive, track, and the engineer's pride.)  

Happy Motoring...

Finally, time for a quickie...

Finally time for a quickie, after the many stressful issues I've been facing at home since returning from my July excursion (not related to my attire.)  I guess you could say that much of what follows constitutes:

The silver lining which exists inside every cloud.  I keep reminding myself of that...especially during cloudbursts!

Last Saturday, my female friend (the staffer at the nursing home) and I ran into each other in the parking lot...I was leaving and she was arriving.  She stopped me to chat a bit, and I felt I was being accepted as a woman, even though I wasn't wearing makeup or a dress!  She commented on lack of makeup, and I pointed out that I had to get going early to get a pedicure...so she checked out my feet (I was in sandals) and loved it...even though it was just silver color.  Then she noticed the fresh fill on my pink-and-white acrylic fingernails. She said that on Monday, she hopes she'll see me in a nice, comfortable outfit of sandals, capri pants, a sleeveless top,  AND be wearing makeup, including lipstick.  

I didn't disappoint her...that IS a comfortable way to dress!

Thursday (dressed as above once again), upon hearing that Mother is able to be moved to a room in a different wing at the nursing home, I went to look at it.  It looks OK to me, but whether she will like it or not is another issue.  Knowing her, probably not...

And on Friday, she didn't. For many various reasons, some valid, some rational, most not.  In response, they will soon have a room available on her wing, so they will ultimately relocate her there.  That will eliminate the trauma of getting used to new attendants and nurses (something a 90 year old with cognitive issues and memory problems doesn't really need.)

In the process of Friday's business, I ran into a 60-ish lady resident I recognize, who I've briefly spoken with in the hall, and who lives in the unit they "were" going to move Mother to.. She  addressed me by first name, which was a complete surprise...I hadn't been introduced to her before. Guess folks are aware of me...that can be good - or bad!  (In any event, recall that my given name is one mostly used by girls nowadays.)  Seems this resident is a very nice lady.

After talking about various issues for a couple of minutes, she asked me in a matter-of-fact manner "are you a boy or a girl?'  After a short reaction time, where several possible responses flitted around in my mind, I answered simply "A boy, with long hair and acrylic nails"  She didn't show any surprise, or disappointment.  And with that info, we went on to talk as before, for another couple of minutes.  I wonder how long she has been waiting for an opportunity to learn that bit of info?

I debated asking "Which would you like me to be?" or "I answer to both,' or adding "who looks like a girl" to my description, but thought better of it. Mother still refers to me as her son, regardless of how girly I look, and staff knows my true gender.  However, it was an interesting question, and an straightforward "presentation" of it.  We'll see if it leads many of the residents to change their way of addressing me (most often, it's as a female.)

Now today (Saturday) I was exploring the hall in the vicinity of the upcoming room at the nursing home, wearing shorts over pantyhose, flats and a feminine polo tunic, while carrying my purse.  One of the elderly female residents in a wheelchair (not one I have spoken with previously) motioned for me to come over to the gathering area where she was sitting.  "Honey, I've been trying to get the courage to ask you for a while, so I'm finally going to just do it.  You have such beautiful legs, so nice and smooth looking!  And your nails...perfect1"  "Wow, thank you very much, Ma'am.  I'm glad you think so!" Her response: "Do you shave your legs?"  "Yes, Ma'am, they need it."  "I just wish my legs looked half that nice...if they did, I'd wear skirts every day."  I said "But you look very pretty just the way you are, Ma'am!"  Her reply: "Thank you, honey.  But so few girls wear skirts here, that one of these days, I hope YOU will wear one, just for US old folks."  "Wow, I appreciate your encouragement, Ma'am...I normally don't wear them.  But we'll see!"  Then the nurse I needed to speak with appeared, and the conversation ended, of necessity. 

I wonder if they'll be having a Halloween party??

More Pix from July, Nails, and "Cars of our Youth!"

Things have been rather busy on this end, and I haven't even had time for a "quick post"in quite a while.  So I'll take the time to do one now...   First are a couple of miscellaneous pictures from July's big excursion, which I haven't previously published.

And. what is it with girls and things mechanical?  From reading other blogs and some comments on mine,  I'm obviously not the only one here with this "affliction"!

 Mandy at another Maryland aviation museum...taken while wearing my new makeup.  Trust me, it was hot, and the makeup passed a test.

New makeup after sightseeing in the afternoon heat.  Everything except lipstick survived! Now I need some long wearing lipstick...

Annother picture of Mandy inside the National Electronics Museum, near Baltimore.

Below are a couple of pictures of "cars of our youth," which I was privileged to own.  Do they bring back any memories for you?  More importantly, do you even remember them?

First up is an import from the UK...via Chrysler Corp.  You may recognize a white 1967 four cylinder, 1725 cc Rootes Group Sunbeam Alpine convertible.  I purchased it new in spring 1967 and it is pictured at the "then" California State College at Hayward, CA (now California State University.)

I was almost 19 at the time...this was my first car.  It was equipped with a four-speed manual transmission.  When I took delivery, I got right in and drove it...only stalling it on the first two low-to-second shifts, till I got the feel of the clutch.  I surprised both myself, and my father!  (Watching him drive a "three-on-the-tree" standard shift Buick as a kid undoubtedly was a big help...)

Having a classic British sports car to cruise through the turns around Lake Chabot near San Leandro, with the wind in my hair (which back then was rather short, I might add) was a true pleasure!  A few speed laws may have unintentionally been disobeyed from time to time in the process, but remember, there was a lot less traffic back in those days (and no radar/Vascar/speed camera/helicopter surveillance.)  It got fabulous gas mileage, nearly 30 mpg, though it did require premium gas.  Remember, that was back in the days of cheap premium (like 30-something cents per gallon.)  In those prehistoric times (almost as far back as Fred Flintstone), you could drive all weekend on a couple of dollars of gas.  Nowadays, that amount won't get you very far - be prepared to walk!

In hindsight, I've two regrets about this car: first, getting rid of it - though at the time it looked like a good idea because reliability was a big issue, and second, that it wasn't one of Sunbeam's Tigers, powered by Ford's 260 cubic inch V-8.  Today either one in good shape would be a true collectible. But a Tiger wasn't in the cards, due to high purchase cost.

1967 Sunbeam Alpine 4 cylinder...taken in California.  The one behind it is rather rare, too - a 60's VW Beetle.

Segue to the 1970's, the OPEC oil crisis, and odd-even gas rationing.  The Alpine was history, and  I now needed an economical car to commute to and from work.  My constraints were relatively few compared to today's car-shopping "laundry list":  power steering, liquid cooled engine and hot water heater (after nearly being asphyxiated by the gasoline heater in a Corvair), air conditioning, 20 gallon gas tank, and most importantly, economical.  Manual transmission was acceptable (but in retrospect, that ended up being the last car I'd buy with one!)

Enter one of the ugliest cute cars in the world...the AMC Gremlin. After a friend joked about having a very economical sexy-looking Italian 2-seat sports car, which hadn't needed filled up for over two months, he had my full attention.  At least until he revealed the rest of that story...it had been laid up in the shop the whole time...waiting on parts to arrive from Italy.  So much for that idea!  

Buying American seemed my best choice, since access to a dealer network and parts availability were both important to me.  American Motors was there.  I had to order the Gremlin, complete with "three on the floor," air conditioning, and standard equipment "dog dish" hubcaps, plus pay a premium to get it.  At the time, 6 cylinder cars were sought-after and never reached the showroom floor...they were very scarce during the gas crisis.  Dealers could "call all the shots" and practically name their price. 

Homely as a mud fence after a rainstorm, but in a lovable sort of way, best describes it.  Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't a bad car.  The critter did everything I asked of it, in an acceptable manner, never got stuck in the snow,  didn't rust, and never let me down on the road in the 3-1/2 years I owned it.  Its gas economy was lower than the Alpine, down in the mid 20's, but it seated 4 instead of 2,  carried more luggage, was smoother riding, and was immensely more comfortable for long distance travels.  Its biggest fault was that the clutch pedal squeaked when you pushed it.  From the first day I owned it...to the last, nobody was ever able to correct that!

1974 Gremlin 258 cubic inch 6 cylinder, 3 speed manual, with air conditioning, and a huge gas tank for a small car, giving it an range on the order of 500 miles.

Although many more of both were built than my current antique car, almost nobody (including yours truly) deemed either as "worthy of being saved."   Thus, you rarely see them at car shows.  How wrong we were to think that...today both qualify as rare cars, and as "orphans" whose manufacturers have folded.  If only...

Now for some things  a bit more on topic:

I mentioned in a previous blog that a staffer at Mom's nursing home has become comfortable discussing makeup with me....and we occasionally take a couple minutes to chat about it.  Earlier this week, I was at the receptionist's desk in the lobby (wearing capris, flats, a sleeveless top and carrying my purse.)  One of the fill-in receptionists was there and I had previously met her (we're both the same approximate age.)  After I made Mother's next hair appointment with her, she handed me the paperwork.  I couldn't help but notice her nails...gorgeous, with lovely nail art.

Almost as a reflex action, I blurted out, "Oh my gosh..your nails are absolutely beautiful!  Where did you get them done?"  She instinctively put her hands up on top of mine on the counter, so I could get a better look...   I started blushing, because I realized what I had just said - in front of, and heard by, five folks in the lobby.  But what was done, was done, and it was too late to worry.  So I took hold of her hands, to check her fingers out "up close."  They were a delightfully smooth work of art, having been done the day before, by a friend who is a nail tech.  (She's become the Tech's "guinea pig" for all her new procedures and patterns.)

Of course, the receptionist reciprocated with my pink-and-whites (which unfortunately were due for a fill) and admired them appropriately.  "You have beautiful nails, doll baby, and the pink-and-white style is perfect for you - feminine but not 'over the top.'  Just don't let your nail girl cut any off - they'll be particularly stunning once they're more than a half inch past your fingertips.  And at that length, you can experiment with wearing red nail polish over top of your acrylics, since it's a good color for you."   She said that in the future, whenever she has her nails done, she'll come find me, so that we can check out each other's nails.  I told her I'd really enjoy that!  Hopefully she'll be discreet, but after my outburst in front of folks in the lobby, I guess I'm becoming more comfortable discussing girl things...so "it will be what it will be"...and I'll deal with it.

Yesterday it was time for my own visit to the nail salon, for a fill.  Judy did an extra-special prep on my nails, but didn't shorten them at all.  I said nothing at that point.  As she was applying white acrylic to the ends of my nails (once it was too late to shorten them), I finally asked her about it.  Her response was "Remember that I had to shorten them more than usual last time, sweetie?   For the next few fills, I won't be shortening them at all.  So you'll soon start getting acquainted with having long nails." 

"Maybe then I'll decide to put acrylic nail art on each thumb and ring finger.  If I do, you'll be amazed at how much more feminine your hands will look.  And the best part is, girls generally notice - and love to check out - each others' nail art. Impossible to hide, it's a great conversation starter!"

I thought she had forgotten about making them long...apparently not.  Typing got so much easier after she shortened them, but every day now it's getting tougher again...it's all downhill from here, I guess.  And I can only hope she'll forget about the nail art thing...but we'll see.

Tomorrow I go in for a new shellac pedicure...it should go well, since I've had them before.

Cheers...

Mandy

Another excursion!

It’s been a fantastic weekend...Mandy was able to do some traveling!

Her itinerary was to travel to Baltimore overnight Thursday, then Friday morning on to New York City (and a planned meet-up with Marian, one of the bloggers here on Blogspot).  From there, on to Chicago for a Saturday business meeting (not TG/CD related).  And lastly, join up with the better half, who was visiting her sister in the area, and return to Maryland (with Saturday and Sunday in androgynous mode.)

Thursday was, well, enlightening.  I left home in a skirt and top, avoiding our neighbors and wearing the new makeup I got earlier in the week.  First stop was the cleaner’s, to pick up a pair of shorts.  Now bear in mind, this cleaner's was 20 miles from home and has a branch in my home town, which I chose not to use, for obvious reasons.  As I got out of my car, what did I see, but our neighbor’s new car - 2 parking places from mine, right in front of the cleaner. 

Now you probably have noticed that just about every neighborhood has one resident who is, shall we politely say, “enlightened in everyone’s business, and willing to talk about it.” My own neighborhood is no exception to this, which is why I quickly learned what he drives.  So I got back into my car and moved it to a parking place further away, to watch for a while, and wait.   In about 5 minutes he came out, got in his car, and drove off.  It would have been a bit of a surprise for both of us,  had I walked in, with him there.  My extra vigilance paid off...big time.

Second stop was at a Dress Barn, to search for a new top to go with my red and black print skirt.  I'm somewhat "fashion-challenged", and didn’t know what color would look OK (other than solid white or black).  So, I needed assistance.   But my presence in the store wasn’t even acknowledged.  There were customers in the store, but they seemed to be gossiping with the staff, and nobody bothered to say a word.  After looking around a bit, I left. It was their loss, though...since I was prepared to *gasp* actually spend some money "not at a Goodwill"!  

The reason I chose that particular store was simple, “It was there and so was I.”  The neighborhood in which it was located was “highfalutin” and snobby, but I was hoping that the hired help might not be "cut from that same piece of cloth."  Or maybe they were just busy?  Don't know for sure.   Am I going to write a complaint letter?  I probably should, because they deserve it, but probably won’t...one foot is still in the closet.  However,  I WILL try another Dress Barn,  in a less snobby location, and at a more favorable time...like first thing in the morning.

Mandy at the National Electronics Museum near Baltimore.  Rest assured the skirt's red, not orange!

Mandy at the outdoor display of the 90mm antiaircraft gun.

The rest of my afternoon was spent at the National Electronics Museum in a suburb of Baltimore, which features displays of electronic “things” from the beginnings of the electronics industry (and electron tube products) to post-cold-war/Vietnam era aircraft navigation and radar units.  There was also a a small microwave (an original microwave oven) and infrared display.  Does anyone remember the US Air Force BOMARC anti-aircraft missile (vintage 1961 thru 1972 - a forerunner of today’s drones)?  There was a display about that, too - but unfortunately, not one of the missiles itself.  They also have a ham radio station there, but it was not active that day. 

When I finished at the museum, it was off to my hotel for the night.  When I checked in, the clerk was not well, so she was probably not performing “by the book”...no gender-specific forms of address at all.   

    Off to Timbuktu - but to get there I never set foot on an airplane.  Notice the seated camel behind the sign?

After getting settled in, I chose a local establishment with an interesting name - Timbuktu - for dinner.  Decor-wise, and food-wise, it really isn’t anything special...just your average local lounge, with average food and average clientele.  However the name itself is mystical.  For the geographically challenged, Wikipedia says Timbuktu is a town in the West African nation of Mali situated 20 km (12 mi) north of the River Niger on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, with a population of 54,453 in the 2009 census.)

This was the only place where the dreaded S-word came into play.  My server clearly saw me from head to toe, and spoke as I walked in, but the first time she came to my table she addressed me as Sir.  Only once, so it could have been a slip of the tongue, but she couldn't miss my skirt and blouse, so that theory would be a stretch of the imagination.  As a result, my tip was not of the magnitude I generally provide for servers who recognize my gender preference and address me properly.

But going back into the hotel, a gentleman held the door for me, so all was not lost!

Friday morning, I was up early for a good close shave and makeup application, in order to catch a Northeast Corridor train for New York City.  Marian (a knowledgeable and insightful lady from the Big Apple, whom many of you will recognize as one of the bloggers here) and I have been corresponding for a while.  We made arrangements to meet for the first time for lunch, when my train arrived in NYC.  However, that day, a problem developed.  She was able to alert me that her commuter train’s route into the city was blocked by a freight train derailment, effectively preventing her from getting into the city.  Darn it anyway...we were both looking forward to meeting!  So we're planning to try it again another time. 

As I went downstairs to check out of the hotel, I was chatted up in the elevator by a younger guy, which really made my day!  And this time, two different desk clerks addressed me in the proper gender, which is always a good sign.

Waiting for my train to New York was actually fun.  Even though it was hot outside, I chose to wait on the platform -  away from the huddled masses trying to stay cool in the sort-of-air-conditioned station.   So, who did I see?  Yep, a guy from my working life, getting off an inbound train.   There was no issue, because he didn't recognize me.  (Was it because men typically aren't observant?  Don't know, but whatever the reason, it was a good thing!) 

Some friendly women waiting outside included me in their conversation.  One was a cancer patient who had lost her hair.  She apologized to the me and the other girl for her appearance and offered to put on her hat.  I spoke right up and told her that she certainly didn’t have to do that on my account - the best thing would be to just “make yourself comfortable, especially in this heat.”   I told her that I'm in the process of trying to stop worrying about what others think.  If anyone has a problem, it's THEIR issue.  Both ladies liked that approach!   I never did figure out if they knew I was TG/CD.  Alas, they were riding coach, and I was business class, thus we wouldn't be able to sit together.

When I boarded the train, the Conductor knew who in Business was class boarding at that station, and addressed me correctly as Ms. Sherman.  Hats off to you, kind sir!

Mandy enjoying business class accommodations on a Northeast Direct train. 

Trenton, NJ has an interesting auto bridge which is equipped with their lighted town slogan..."Trenton Makes - The World Takes."  I've wanted to get this picture for years, and was finally in the right place at the right time! 

If the meetup with Marian had actually been happening, that Northeast Direct train I was riding took a delay enroute, which would have shortened our ill-fated lunch time by about 45 minutes.  It appears that some things just weren't meant to be.   As I mentioned above, we're planning to try it again... hopefully we’ll have better luck next time.

The change in plans gave me some time to stroll around Penn Station in New York, and buy a quick sandwich while waiting for my train west.  Some observations from my 2-1/2 days spent as Mandy:

In Penn Station, nobody was paying any attention to the transgender girl in a skirt and blouse as they walked toward me...no noticeable double-takes or the like.  Though if anyone turned around to look as they walked away I don’t know.  And the "new me" doesn't really care - these folks don't know me at all!

It was warm in Penn Station (well, just about everywhere), and wearing a skirt and sandals felt heavenly.  Like air conditioning for the legs.  Is it any wonder why in hot weather, lots of women were wearing them?  Pants and closed shoes are just awful... Why on earth don’t more men wear skirts?  If they tried it, they'd love it! 

With a touch-up on my makeup after boarding the train in Baltimore, then at about 3:30, and again at about 5:30 (dinnertime), my new makeup was still holding up well - meaning almost 11 hours.  (Lipstick, though, not so much....I had to pull out the lipstick and compact several times to refresh my lips.  And my cheeks turned red every time I had to do it in public...   Guess I either need more practice, or need some long-lasting lipstick for weekends like this.  Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?)

Once on the next train, I initially heard “Ma’am” from the staff.  But as the afternoon became evening, and I gave up on trying to use my femme voice, some folks undoubtedly figured out what I am.  Including the 20-something young lady they seated me with at the dinner table in the dining car.  Nothing was said, but I'm sure she knew...in any event, she was very accepting, and we had a lovely meal together! 

Clip-on earrings are a pain in the neck (or more appropriately, the ears)...and I wore them for 2-1/2 days.  My earlobes may never be the same!   Mom never had her ears pierced, and now that I'm wearing her earrings, I don't know how she did it.  Having my ears pierced is not in the cards right now.  But at least makeup and long hair can cover the little scabs that resulted!

                       Mandy outside of her sleeping car accommodation on the Lake Shore Limited in Albany, NY.

My train took a delay at Albany, NY, so I had a chance to walk around outside in the tropical heat.  When the train got moving again, and after having dinner, I finally hit the sheets in the sleeping car.  That was the cue for Mandy's skirts and blouses to "climb back into the suitcase" for Saturday and Sunday...in favor of some androgynous outfits.

Maybe someday things will be different, or maybe not. Only time will tell what the future brings  But weekends like this make Mandy’s play time seem all the more enjoyable.  And I can live with that...

The tough part is going to be figuring out what to do as an encore! 

Nobody ever told me makeup could be this much fun...but it is!

The idea to have a professional makeup session done and get colors selected with help from a professional, germinated from some of the various blogs I've read.  Since I know very little about makeup, and have no mentors, I visited a MAC counter at a major department store in the Baltimore area.  The ladies there were very friendly, and professional...and the 20-something girl I spoke with was more than happy to help me!

We made an appointment for a convenient time when the better half was out of town, as this would be "pushing the envelope" quite a bit too far to do with her around.  The artist gave me a sample of the proper color of concealer to try, so if it worked for the coverage, she would know how to set up my colors.

Tuesday was that day...here is the outfit I chose to wear.

The long tan skirt was for modesty, as I knew I'd be perched on a chair out in the public eye...and keeping my knees together is still a challenge.  The heels (new - and very comfortable) were necessary to keep my feet on the rung of the chair.  It turned out to be a very appropriate outfit, and quite cool on a hot day...almost like "air conditioning for my legs."  Guys just don't know what they're missing, since they're always stuck in pants!  And it was my first full day out in public in heels...  (Thanks to TxKimberly for the idea - I like the Mary Jane style a lot!)

The artists on duty were cool with both me and my attire...and I found out that they've painted guys there before.   Actually,. the most recent was 3 days ago.  Female customers smiled and said hi as they walked by to check me out.  Some told me that I looked good, and I didn't sense any problems with "a guy invading our space."   Maybe they didn't recognize that I was a guy in a skirt?  Naaaahhh...

Here is a picture of me at the artist's work station, after the application was completed.  Needless to say,  it was a daytime application, and it's not at all blatant.  I probably could wear it anywhere, anytime, with no problems.  But that was exactly the "look" I was seeking.  Unfortunately, the color appears a bit funky because of the fluorescent lighting...not great for accuracy or appearance.

Below is the obligatory restroom shot.  I won't try to kid you...it was a one-holer, so there was no issue from other women.  I wouldn't dream of bringing out the camera if it weren't!  And since I have very little practice with public washrooms, I need to build confidence about being out in public, before testing my wings with other women involved.  

The picture after that was taken out and about sightseeing, to see how my makeup looks and feels, in action.  It held up very well in 95 degree heat, and I had a fabulous time!

 

This girl has major issues with facial hair (how's that for a tactful description of my situation?)  All my previous experimentation with drugstore makeup proved that it can only keep the blue tint/stubble at bay for a relatively short time...maybe 2 - 3 hours max.  That's fine for a short event like a dinner out, or maybe dinner and a show that ends after dark, to minimize the chance of it being noticed.  And it works fine to reduce the effect of the bluish tint for daily wear.  For serious coverage, it's not nearly good enough, and seriously restricts any longer activities.

So above is the result, back home after my MAC day out and about.  My makeup hasn't been touched (well, except for lipstick), and it still looks fine after about 5-1/2 hours...  If I'd touched it up at this point - a bit of additional foundation in the upper lip and chin areas, then some powder, it would probably have delayed deterioration for another 4 or 5 hours.

However, doing nothing - no maintenance at all (remember, this was a test) meant that everything would eventually deteriorate.  By the time I cleaned up (about 9-1/2+ hours after application and some 12 hours after shaving) I could finally feel the stubble.  And a close examination of my face showed the beginnings of makeup caking in wrinkled areas.  A re-application of powder might have disguised it, but I was just too darn tired to try.  Neither wrinkles nor caking were obvious from a distance, but the mirror...unfortunately...never lies.

Going with MAC tremendously improves my presentation, and should help my confidence level as well, particularly if I can shave closer to the time of the event, and have a safe place to do some preventative touch-up at about 5 - 6 hours out.   Thanks, MAC!

Now I just have to go back "someday" for an evening application!  THAT would be fun!