Here's to new friends

Red Kite

Ann one of my insta friends who I had met in real life at Ripley was coming up for the August Leeds First Friday. We had initially agreed to meetup on the Friday for a day shopping before social event, but it turned out she was staying at a hotel near me on the Thursday night, so she asked if I wanted to also pop across and have a meal.

Was a bit of a rush to get there, I finished work a bit early (they don't mind as long as we make it up) , and despite being stuck behind a tractor for ages, still managed to get there for 6ish as agreed.

Met Ann at her hotel, and we proceeded to walk across the car park to the restaurant next door. Did feel a little on edge as it was rammed outside, and they were all men, but we got in OK, and Ann asked for a more out of the way table which also helped.

We did a lot of talking, she has led a pretty interesting life, jetting off all over the place, so there weren't any awkward silences. 

I had Seabass followed by Eton Mess, I was on soft drinks due to driving.

All in all it was a lovely evening, we didn't leave until nearly 11 when it was kicking out time. We agreed a target time to meet up in the morning for the shopping.

Corn Exchange

The following day was my "every 2nd friday off" , so got up and got ready, but also had to pack for LFF as I was staying overnight at the Travelodge. Getting ready seemed to take forever but I managed to get into Leeds and parked for before 11am.

My hotel wouldn't be ready until 3pm, so met Ann at hers - she was staying at the Marriot which is the LFF meeting point. We did some shopping, then paused for lunch. I suggested the LGBT Cafe "Flamingos" which is in the Central Arcade.

I wasn't feeling that great for some reason, my digestive system has never been the best, and I felt a bit hot too. I wanted to wear a plain dress with some patterned tights I had bought ages ago. Anyway still managed to have a nice toasted teacake. 

We continued on our shopping spree, did the Corn Exchange, the markets, then John Lewis. Stumbled across a massive pride flag painted on the pavement outside there, so had to get a photo of that.

Pride Flag

Then we did Seasalt as we had somehow missed that, and headed back so I could check into my hotel. I changed outfit at the hotel, as I thought perhaps the tights and dress combo were too warm.

We met up a little later for an evening meal at the Marriot - I had a curry it was lovely, I felt more like eating by this point. 

Then I headed back to my hotel to change once again into my gold sequin dress, and also change to my "going out" wig - the platinum blonde with blue highlights. 

In the Marriot

We met up at the Marriot bar at 7:30ish. I spoke to a few people I already knew in there, and we eventually left around 9:30pm then went over to the Smokestack - plays Soul, Motown, Jazz , you can still have a conversation in there if you try.

I was telling Ann that I needed one of the chasers to attempt to pull me to satisfy my LFF checklist of achievements, and the infamous short possibly arabinan looking guy did try - he danced provocatively in my direction and I ignored him :) 

One of the older ladies who seems to enjoy canoodling with fellow trans people seemed to get the wrong impression about the two of us, and thought we are a couple which was quite amusing. I do wonder if that will be spread as gossip around the people I know. I look forward to finding out later :)

Drunken Selfies

We stayed in there while kicking out time, although Ann decided to go to the New Penny after we split up - I would have gone with her earlier if I had known she was up for that. I got to bed at 3:45am ish. 

Managed to get up at 8ish for breakfast - hadn't slept a great deal the room was warn, no aircon. Had an English breakfast , packed everything away , checkout out, and put everything in the car.

Met up with Ann for a little while to look around a few more shops before she left.  She was really happy, and kept thanking me for hanging out with her, it was really nice - I felt much the same, definitely a bond formed.

I hope to carry on meeting up with her, although she doesn't have the freedom I have, so will perhaps not be that often.

The morning after

After she left I wandered up to the city museum, bumped into another girl who I had chatted with the previous night who was also very nice, looked around some LGBT stalls , then headed to the art gallery. Had a quick mooch around there, then set off for home, got back in time for lunch.