Trans on the Go !

 

Prologue 

Hair update

I have been very happy for the first few days of the week, I only say as it's often the case that heading back to work after a fun weekend is usually fairly depressing, but not so much this week.

We will be having a new thing on our work HR portal where it asks you how you are feeling periodically, maybe I should do one on here.

The last few days were quite busy though, although it's nice to be needed.

This pic is from a few weeks ago, I wanted to see how I looked with my real hair - I'm pretty pleased, although I'm going to stick some just for men on to get rid of some grey - It does rather age me.

Lasers

I had my last of my block of six face sessions on Thursday, and also started the 1st of six on my torso. 

So I was there a little over 40 mins, instead of my usual 15 mins. It should have actually been longer, but they have upgraded to a new machine which produced a bigger spot size, thus reducing the number of zaps required.

It went well, I shed a lot of hair on my face, it's mainly the top lip and the sort of goatee type area where I still have growth. She was also pleased with the reaction on my torso, it went bumpy very quickly which is a good sign.

I've bought another block of 6 for my face, I expect that should be more than enough - perhaps even to present makeup free ! I do sometimes feel a bit over the top at certain groups.  

I had to ask my wife to help me shave my back in preparation for it, which she relented to. She is concerned it's not working very well - but I have been really pleased with the results, and I know of many who have had a lot more sessions and still seem to have issues with shadow bleeding through.

  

Trans-Wakefield

Due to the lasers that afternoon, I was unable to wear makeup, and thus went in boy mode. I really wanted to go to see Philippa as she is out of hospital now, and I had not seen her in a while.

We ate cake, and drank coffee and did our own version of a pub quiz - they have changed the venue so that we are doing two days in the LGBT café now, instead of just the 1st of the month. We still end up at the pub afterwards most times as the café shuts at 9pm. Although this week I came straight home to do some more work - as I said it's been a bit busy.

The Weekend

My current plan is to work tomorrow morning - I need to make next week less stressful. Then I should
be going for a few drinks with my brother at lunch time.

I had been thinking of telling him about me, and I think my mum really wants me to, but well there is currently no rush from me to tell him.  I do wonder if she has dropped him some hints. I will see how it goes, watch this space !

I am plotting taking the Morris Minor on an outing, possibly to the next Chams, so I will likely be tinkering with that at some point too. I have a kit to fix the inlet valve on the carb float chamber. She does leak petrol a bit - but she's getting on a bit, and you've got to expect some incontinence at that age.

I had driven to Woodhall services down the M1 last Sunday, and it seemed to go well. The oil was a tad low on my return, but not sure how much it had in when I set off, school girl error 😊

Chat GPT to the rescue

Give me fuel, Give me fire, Give me that which I desire

 

The title is a lot more exciting than the week was - it came on the radio just as I was nearing Tibshelf to charge on the way home from Chams :)

Not much to report really.

Got a bit of post event come down in the early week, but my workload took my mind off that pretty quickly. 

Managed to go for a run on Wednesday lunchtime, did a bit more walking that I would have hoped, but the wind on my face, and cool air in my lungs did wonders for my mood.

Lazors

Thursday, my laser session - handy tip for anyone doing it, if you are going to stick to a 4 week interval, make sure you do your first week in one that is going to convenient for you for the duration of the treatment !!  

The 2nd week seems like it was a bad idea, not being able to dress for some of the groups I go to is a non-optimal state of affairs. Then again, 3rd week might interfere with Invasion, and 1st week with LFF, so perhaps I had little choice. The place I go to doesn't do Mondays - that would be the best day as most groups are on Thursdays, and socials on Fridays, it's it's 3 days you are meant to wait till shaving.

Chameleons 

So Thursday night was Chameleons, I couldn't shave or wear makeup, so didn't fancy traveling dressed, so chucked some boobs a bra and a wig in a bag figuring I could at least make some effort to fit in.

There will be no photographic evidence of this :)

Joanna was in need of trans-uber, so after failing to charge at Tibshelf on the way down (connector out of service), I drove over her way to pick her up. Unfortunately my phone had not sent the message informing her of my ETA, so when I arrived at the pickup point she hadn't known to set off. 

But it was only a short drive to pick her up from her friends. We arrived at Chams in good time, and I plugged into the church charge point.

Inadvertently made a hybrid tea and hot chocolate on arrival which I found most amusing, didn't taste too bad, but not sure it will catch on.

There was a fairly good turnout, two new people who I really didn't get much chance to talk to - but hoping they will be back. Spoke with Maria for a bit, and Stevie - not spoken to her before, really into their music, an impressive collection of keyboards. 

Can't say I enjoyed not looking my best, but it was better than being in bloke mode for sure. Took a few photos towards the end, and left just before 11 I think. 

Dropped Joanna back home, then headed north, stopping off at Tibshelf for 15 mins for a bit of boost on the way back.

Friday

Hot Chocolate with cream
TGI Fridays

Decided to treat the family for a meal out at TGI Fridays in Barnsley -  Increased Izzy time had left me less motivated to go out with them over the past year. Something I want to try to re-balance heading into this one.

It's not that I don't want to be with them, but if I go out a couple of times a week as Izzy my social quota feels fulfilled. I'm just not that fussed about going out in man mode. Some of the girls are out every night, don't know how they manage it !

I had steak , ribs and king prawns, and a hot chocolate to finish with - well and bit of the kids puddings as they ordered ones much too large for themselves.

It goes against the diet really, but I will make up for it over the weekend with a run.

I was also going to complete the brake installation on the Morris Minor, but the parts haven't arrived this morning, so seems it will be next weekend for that.

What Zombies Can Teach You About Fuddle

I couldn't think of a title, so I used a generator 😁 , I was pleasantly surprised....

Thursday the 8th of December , Chameleons Xmas Fuddle 

Changing room selfie

Was really looking forward to this, as figured it would be well attended, and also Joanna was going to be there - it had been quite a long time since we met in person. I had some boots I had been meaning to let her have for ages.

I also had some nice dresses that needed an outing. I had originally decided to wear a silver sequin one I had bought while shopping in Leeds the week before, but after getting ready, and modelling for my long suffering wife, our collective opinion was that it was a bit too much.

I have no objection to wearing xmassy dresses throughout the year, so perhaps it will get out in January.

I spent a while getting my makeup on, I haven't actually worn eyeshadow a great deal recently, but had plenty of time so did a split pink and blue look I had seen someone on Insta do, think it turned out pretty well.

Ended up changing into a lovely quiz black diamante dress which I was also chomping at the bit to wear out. I have a lot of dresses, but I REALLY like that one. 

It is a pain in that you get foundation over the neck taking it off, but have found shaving foam to be good at getting it out.

I do really need to try and tame my waistline for it, but December is probably the worst month to start. 

Anyway outfit aside it was a really nice evening, lots of people there, lots of nice food, lovely atmosphere. It allowed the formation of smaller groups, which I find easier to join in conversations with. 

Would put it down as one of the best Chams meetings of the year. I have been continuing efforts to try and get certain people to come along, only really got Ann so far, but resistance is futile and all that.

It snowed on the way back, not too badly. I ended up stopping off at Woodall again. I discovered that if you plug into a unit that is also being used by someone else (some allow 2 cars to charge at once), it still charges slower when they disconnect. So you need to stop your charge, and re-start to take full advantage of the unit's output.

The Weekend

Friday I had the day off, but my son was at home due to lack of teachers, so I decided not to do an adventure day. I did go out for a run in the early afternoon, which meant I was too tired to do anything for the rest of the day 😊

I thought about going out on Saturday night, I even got ready to do so, but with the football being on, I figured it might be dead at my local LGBT friendly bar. So I ended up just doing a load of outfit try-on's, which also gives me some more Insta content.

Sunday I had to work in the morning, and then got the xmas tree up and did some tiding in the afternoon.

Oh and I started a youtube channel too, put one up with more from my foggy day out at Nostel the other day. Not really sure how people are going to find it, so I stuffed the title of the video with keywords.

Keeping them short, as that is the in thing apparently - I had good fun making it, and I take way too many photo's that I could hope to use on Insta or on here, so a good use for them.

Tuesday the 13th

This was my 2nd Laser session, which went really well. I shaved at 10pm on Monday night - I did manage to cut myself though. Likely because it was a new razor  - they want you to use a new one, I think to ensure the ends of the hairs are flat to absorb more of the light. 

I also remember to use my exfoliating sponge too.

It didn't hurt nearly as badly, I think mainly due to it being less sparse, so absorbing less light/heat. She turned it up a bit too.  The jawline was particularly bad last time.

It's been about 7 hours since and it doesn't feel very bad at all, will put some more Aloe Vera gel on before bed.

I have myself booked in for January, she wanted to do the 5th, but that would have been the day before LFF so was no good, so got it for the week after.

Deep South in Derby

Wednesday

I had my first proper session of laser booked for Wednesday at 11:15am, work is quite flexible with time, so I just had an early lunch.

She wanted me to do a close shave between 2 - 24 hours before hand , I didn't want to risk it being too short, so I opted to shave about 12 hours before, at 11pm the night before.

It was a bit like mowing a lawn, a long continuous beam, so it did hurt a fair bit more than the test patch which was short zaps. 

The bits along the jawline and top lip were the worst. It only took 15 minutes for my lower face and my neck. I might have to do a better job with where my sideburns meet my beard growth area next time so I can be sure those are done.

I made sure to put Aloe Vera gel and sun cream on as soon as I got home. It was a bit like having mild sunburn, and also a bit tingly.

Was advised not to shave for 72 hours, and I didn't fancy another man mode social group outing, so I skipped Wakefield this week. 

I eventually shaved for Derby on the Saturday, but that's for later.

Friday

I would normally have gone to Nottingham for the 'Invasion' but it still hadn't been 72 hours and my face was feeling a bit tingly. Also I had said to my parents that I would go over visit them on the Saturday, so  didn't want to be dead on my feet.

This would be the first face to face meeting since I had come out to them a month? ago , so was a bit on edge about it.

So decided the best plan was to get that over and done with on Saturday morning, then I could perhaps get ready in the afternoon and do Birmingham in the evening.

I've never done it before, and it's meant to be a really good night - it's usually the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Saturday

Got over to my parents by 11am ish, and it went OK. I think they have taken the approach that they are just going to carry on as if nothing has happened and not mention it. 

Which is OK I suppose, a very pragmatic and well tested approach to the issue :) 

They were both fine with me, and didn't seem upset with me at all. There were no massively awkward exchanges, although for some reason the boys started talking about gender (not mine), which started to trigger my anxiety a little.

We agreed would have Xmas lunch with them, so that was good too - we take it in turns between mine and my wife's parents.

We ended up staying for lunch, so it was around 2pm before we set off for home. 

After we got home I had a tea to relax than started to get ready. The shave wasn't too bad, but face did feel a bit raw afterward. There were a few of the usual micro cuts, but didn't bleed for long.

I don't think my complexion was nearly as smooth as normal, but it was certainly within acceptable levels to go out. Did feel a bit tingly still under the makeup. I was told not to use any perfumed products, but I think my moisturiser did have some in - but probably not huge amounts.

It was a bit of pants day weather-wise, and it didn't really feel like such a good idea to do a 2 hour drive to Birmingham, but had seem some messages on Insta just before I set off about a meetup of a group of some of my friends in Derby at 'The Crown' which I've had on my to-do list for some time, so I decided to head there instead. 

There is a regular informal Monday night trans meetup there, 

A few of us hadn't eaten so we found an American burger place nearby to have a quick bite to eat before heading to the pub. 

https://anniesburgershack.com/restaurants/derby

Gorgeous food, but service wasn't the best. I had 'The Gringo' which had Mexican inspired additions.

We did the short walk to the pub, and I got a drink in there. I got speaking to a few trans people who I had not met before. One was absolutely stunning, she looked like she had dressed for a fashion photo shoot - turns out she was a fashion student. I may have put my foot in it with her, she looked so good I thought she might be a performer of some sort !  - lots of contouring and bronzing.

There was also a really lovely older lady who had only been out a few months.

It transpired that one of the girls who is really into drag had been promised a slot on an open mic night at a nearby bar.

She had put on some effort with her look, she always looks fabulous. So we headed there, and ended up sat watching the 2nd half of a comedy act in the back room. I think we were meant to have paid to watch, but nobody said anything. 

There were quite a few drunks in the audience - mainly female, who didn't help with the comedians flow, but it was still quite funny.

Unfortunately after he finished they didn't open the stage up, not really sure what happened. Apparently they had done this the last two times too.

A bit a of a shame she had been bricking it all night , and had put a lot of effort in with her look.

So we headed back to the Crown, and had another in there. I was quite tired, not sure why, perhaps I didn't sleep too well worrying about visiting my parents. But didn't really feel as bubbly as I would hope to do on a night out. 

Playing happy families and then heading out dressed for a night out also seems to trigger my guilt. 

Headed off just before midnight, and I was home by about 1am. One of the boys had left me some Pizza in the fridge from a takeaway, so had that for supper :)

Took the makeup expecting to be quite red underneath, but didn't look too bad !

Sunday

Quite tired today again, even though I had a bit of a lay in. Still a bit down, might have to go on the treadmill later, see if some exercise will help. Only working 3 days next week, so that may help.

It's my 12 months Izz-versary at the end of the month, at least the first time I stepped out the house. My name was set in stone when I signed up to the Chamelons forum on the 3rd of January.

https://www.nottinghamchameleons.co.uk

Certainly glad my look has improved a great deal, it's been a fun year. I should probably mark it somehow.

Sharks with frinkin laser beams

Dr Evil: "You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads" 

Chams

As previously mentioned, I have to work from Burton upon Trent occasionally, and where possible I try to do this so I can call in at Chams on the way back - to save some electrons.

This week I managed to do this. I also had the Friday off , and with receiving a recommendation from someone at the Trans-Wakefield group I had decided to book myself in for a consultation for laser hair removal patch test (for my face).

After doing so, I realised I had messed up, as they wanted 48 hours of hair growth to assess the suitability of the treatment.

So I shaved at lunch time on Wednesday, so that I wouldn't look too rustic for my day in the office on the Thursday.

But did mean I would have stubble on Thursday night, and although this would have been fine, I am somewhat vain, and decided I would just go in man mode.

I needed to eat before going there, and had arranged to meet up early with Ann, so we could try the Hickory's Smokehouse which is less than half a mile from the community centre where Chams is held. It also has fast chargers, and I am the only person who I have ever seen use them. 

So got there for just before 6, and did a quick charge to 90% while I was waiting for Ann to arrive.

She was dressed and I wasn't which we've never done before, so it was a little odd. The restaurant was a lot busier then I expected, and we could only get seats at the bar that overlooked the flame grill. It was all very American. But service was really fast, and the food was lovely.

Not somewhere I would take a vegan or vegetarian though. The deserts didn't look to enticing, so we finished up and drove the short distance to Chams.

The night itself was really nice, someone who had not been coming for a while was there, I ended up speaking with them a lot. 

Lots of chatting, and tea, and hobnobs. Other than mild curiosity my mode didn't seem to phase anyone - I didn't expect it to.

I did put my Izzy purple glasses on, to give anyone who wasn't quite sure some help, but most seemed to realise pretty quickly.

Must have got in around Midnight, and opened up some parcels that had arrived while I was out. Screwed up with some boots I ordered - got USA size 8, not UK :(

Lazors

The place is only about 20 mins from where I live, so was easy to get to. They do nail treatments there too, so I got a little high from the fumes in the waiting area. 

Once in with Carly, I had about 10 mins of explanations of how the process worked. She also checked the colour of my hair, I did have some white ones apparently.

The laser heats the hair, and this heat flows down it to kill off the follicle, but there needs to be pigment in the hair for the light to heat it up. 

So this won't work with white hairs - electrolysis is an option for these.

You need also need enough of the hair visible so that the laser has something to heat, but not so much that it's burns off on the surface.

Instructions were to close shave between 2 to 24 hours before hand - depending on how fast your hair grows.

I laid down on the treatment bed thing, and she dry shaved a small patch on my neck. 

Then some kind of fluid was applied to clean the area. Then I was blasted with three short blasts from the machine.

It was a bit like an electric shock, not really that painful. I've had worse from dodgy light switches.

It was all over in a minute, I can't shave that area for 72 hours, and it should go a bit red and blotchy.

Assuming there aren't any issues, I will be good to start my first session next Wednesday - it was recommended to have 8 sessions for the sort of facial hair I have.

The proper sessions are only 15 minutes long, so I can use my lunch hour as well !

It was quite cheap too , there is a 25% black Friday deal on at the moment, and got 6 sessions for the price of 5 too in the normal package.

If anyone is interested, this is their site :

www.laserluxxe.co.uk