The bright lights of Belper

 I had been looking for other avenues to meet more people, and had come across the 'Nottingham Invasion' social group, which is a pub crawl around Nottingham, starting off and ending at a LGBT pub 'The New Forester Arms'.

That event is actually tonight, and I'm not sure if my good lady wife is going to be terribly pleased if I go out more than once this week though.

While I was looking at that on Facebook, I noticed that a trans support group had advertised a meeting for last night - Thursday, in Belper. NETS Facebook

I figured there was a good chance I would chicken out of the Invasion, as a city centre pub crawl would be a bit daunting, but thought if I at least go to this Belper meeting then I would have been out this week. 

Going out once a week is a goal I hope to achieve this year - well where possible. 

It was a really good meeting, there were only five of us there, including the leader, it seemed more like the stereotypical group you would see on the TV with a circle of chairs. There was another new person there too, she had been out for a long time, so I was the only real newbie, just starting out on my journey I suppose.

They were all really lovely, and offered lots of advice and shared their stories. I wasn't able to really hide in the group as there were so few, so I did get to give a brain dump of where I was, and what my plans were etc. 

Two of the ladies were attending the Invasion tonight, and inquired if I would be going, I do want to go, if it were around the corner, but I need to be sure I'm not upsetting my wife, I don't want her to get the idea that I'm going to be out every night of the week, and this is an all consuming lifestyle change. She seemed annoyed I wanted to go out last night, as if going out once a week is a bit too much.

Anyway I was bouncing with happiness on the way home.  M1 was down to one lane again, I wonder if it will ever be fully open again.

I think my wig had been at a jaunty angle for most of the meeting, I need to remember to check my hair more often, school girl error. Speaking of which, one lady gave me the name of a site for cheap ones:

https://www.foreveryoung.co.uk/fashion-wigs

I shall be perusing this later for sure !

The only downside to this group is a 7pm start, and I don't finish work until 5:30 , and it takes a minimum of 30 mins to get ready, and it's 1 hour 15 minute drive, which doesn't work out. My work doesn't clock watch, so I can leave early if I make the time up, but most weeks I have a call at 5pm, so can't.  It's only on once a month, and I don't believe it clashes with Chameleons  - I'm not looking to replace that, merely augment and expand.

I did say that I would likely be back, and I intend to try. 

Oh also, I've become an Instagram addict, chasing followers, this is not healthy ..... 

I didn't go like this, but my selfie from the night looks terrible, so have this instead :)