Super Haircut

Monday 

Before

I had booked the Monday off work after Sparkle, so I could have a nice day to myself.  I had planned to perhaps go to the Supercuts in Wakefield for an en-femme haircut. I had been there previously many months ago in man mode, but explained I was aiming for a female cut. It was left that I needed to grow it a lot longer before much could be done, but they tidied it a bit.

When I check the online booking portal for Wakefield it seemed they were quite busy, so I decided to head into Leeds instead.

I washed my hair and got dressed, and did my makeup. I didn't think I should put any hairspray on, so I just used one of my hair bands to try and keep it under control. It didn't feel that I looked that great and I felt a bit self conscious really. 

I got there just before lunch, and was the only person in the queue. They were just finishing with someone else so I didn't have to wait too long.

After

The lady I got was called Jade, it was her first day there - but clearly not her first day as a hairdresser. I went for a Level 4 'supercut'  which is a shampoo, condition, cut & blow dry. I had never had anyone wash my hair sinc
e I was a child, so it was all a bit new !

After the wash and condition we moved from the sink to the chair to d
o the cut. Then she got the straighteners out and got it under control.

She was asking questions about what I wanted, I ended up going for a single length bob. She took some weight out of the sides, but without taking any length off, and also tidied up the back a bit, got rid of some of the curls.

There was a bit of chit chat, but I suspect she didn't really know what to say - but she was still very nice. It cost £38.50 all in, which is the most I've ever paid - but still not that much for a female cut.

Different angle

I was very happy with the result, I do still need to grow it a bit longer, but with the parting further towards the middle it does look quite feminine now.  

For boy mode I can still part it further over to the side, and it seems vaguely plausible - although I have no sideburns at the moment. More about that later !

I also  went to the MAC counter at John Lewis and had a foundation colour match, and spent some money in there, I won't say how much, but more that I should have.  I still haven't tried any of it on yet, perhaps at the weekend I will.

I had a coffee and bagel in Flamingo's and also looked around the Corn Exchange then headed home before the traffic got too bad.  There was a bit of rain so I got more brolly practise, but it was a fun day !

Wednesday - The work do - Alton towers

I didn't go en-femme, but I will, one day , I'm sure.

Anyway, there was minimal notice of my appearance, which I always get stressed about.

One of the speakers did use an example of a gay man asking about a companies inclusivity in an
interview - she was making the point that in many ways the interview process is a two way thing these days. People will often choose to work for a company that offers the best work life balance and culture, not just the biggest salary. 

It was the first time I had heard anyone mention anything at all to do with LGBTQ at all in the 4 years I think I've been here.

I had decided not to stay the night, and partake in the evening drinking, and headed off as soon as I was allowed.

On the way back I stopped in at a friends for a cup of tea, I hadn't realised they were 3 mins away from the A38 on my route home ! That was nice, broke the journey up a bit.

Thursday - Nottingham

Andie and Sasha were planning on heading to Nottingham before Chameleons to have a bite to eat, and had kindly invited a few of us along.  In the end only Joanna, Ann and myself could join.

I had sneaked off work early - most of the company was offline due to over indulging at the work do, plus they were travelling back during office time, so I didn't feel too guilty.

I had laser in the afternoon at 3pm, my face then torso. It went OK, but I think there was a problem with the cooling tip on the machine, it was a bit warmer than normal. They rang me a few days later to check on me as they had discovered the issue. I was finished by about 4pm and headed straight to Nottingham afterwards.

I met Ann at the community centre that hosts Chameleons at a bit after 5pm, and I gave her a lift into the centre, saved on parking. I like to park at the Victoria Centre North so I can charge my car. I got that going, then we walked to Revolucion de Cuba on Market Street.

Andie, Sasha and Joanna were already there, it was nice inside, loved the décor. I was the only one in boy-mode  (due to the laser) , so it was bit odd from that perspective, but still nice.  Andie was in a very fetching dress, I can't remember the brand but she did tell me.

We had some mocktails, and ordered our food. Service was a tad slow, and we had to be proactive to get extra drinks.

The food was really tasty though, I loved it - I had a deal 3 dishes for £15.  A few of us had coffee's for desert, and they were so slow making them, that they gave us them for free.  

It was a very nice few hours, good conversation, really enjoyed it.  I felt a bit left out that I had to use the gents though :)  - there was a couch in the ladies !!

We headed back to the community centre to join the rest of the group, and the pleasant evening continued.  Turns out Lynn was also not able to dress, so the two EV owners were letting the side down on that front 😆

Someone had brought coconut macaroon biscuits, they need to come more often, I loved them.

I got some nice comments on my hair - which wasn't as fully femme as it can be, I hadn't moved the parting, so that is encouraging !

I caught up with a few people, it was great to be in the company of other trans folk again, I left very happy. I didn't stay too long as I was working the next day, so I was back around midnight.

Saturday - Pub time

I was not quite like a caged tiger, but I was certainly suffering from a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out)  on Friday, Ann and Gemma had gone out drinking,  Benni was out in Birmingham, and I was trapped at home as my wife had a work do.

So on Saturday I decided to go for a long walk, and pop into some pubs I had been meaning to scope out for a future en femme visit. I still couldn't shave due to the laser, so en-femme was out of the question anyway.

It was a bit windy, so I had my hair pulled back with a metal band. I do feel a little self conscious with it like that, but it's brilliant from a practical perspective. I think I look a bit ambiguous though.

The pubs I visited were both by Newmillerdam which is a lake with a park around it. 

The first one was 'The Dam Inn' , it was pretty nice inside, only seemed to have one real ale in there. I ended up with an IPA from a pump though.  It didn't seem anything special as a pub, but good to try it.

While I was drinking my beer I was on Facebook and added someone I had met a few times before, but didn't know that well.  Turns out they must have been in a mood to chat as they messaged nearly straight away, and we ended up messaging for a bit until I was ready to go to the next bar. 

Then I somehow butt dialled her on the short walk to the next pub, and we have a lovely video chat in the pub car park too.

The next pub was the 'Fox and hounds' , I had 3 pints of Propper Job in there, and ordered some chips to nibble on too. It seemed like a nice place, I think there were some gay guys in, and the atmosphere seemed quite friendly. The beer was better too, more real ale. 

The only odd thing is that one of the serving girls seemed to emphasise 'sir' when handing the chips over, it was a bit odd, as I wasn't trying to look femme as such. I wondered if perhaps the hairband and long hair, and lack of sideburns had made her think I was attempting to present female. I hadn't shaved so I had a load of stubble too. 

I had consumed a few pints, and could well have been a bit paranoid, I don't know.

I am tempted to go back en femme, see what reception I get.  I like the idea of trying to make local non-trans friends, I don't know anyone locally at all. I hardly speak to the neighbours.

Aside from a potentially over emphasised pro-noun it was a nice afternoon, and great to be out of the house.

Work Week

It's been a busy one, no major news.

I've had the 3D printer out to make an LED heart for my handbag so I can perhaps join in with Gemma when we go out around a beer festival or clubs.  I want a little taste of attention myself, but not so much I am competing  - more to join in really.

It was also fun to play with the printer again, it's not been out for ages.  I have some cool ideas for improvements already, but hope will be able to use it a pride.