Becky Richards
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Below are the 19 most recent journal entries recorded in the "becky_richards" journal:
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10:57 pm
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Met a 'real' TS today !
I was signing in a tenant in when she mentioned that she had recently changed her name. Just being friendly I asked what her surname was before.
"No, I've changed from Camilla to Julian."
"Oh. Did you not like Camilla ? "
"No. I'm changing my gender."
Doh !! My favourite hobby and all that - and I didn't spot the obvious.
She's now he and his companion today is now she.
I was careful not to declare my hand, of course, though did ask about his gender reassignment as I wanted to demonstrate some understanding and interest whilst hopefully making it clear that I held no prejudice. I found it really odd though to be faced with a real life situation outside of our party world of Roses, Angels and the like. I admired his natural, confident, easy manner. After all what's the issue ?
Coincidentially, 10 minutes later, I happened to see a very good tgirl waiting at a bus stop. She really was very good, very natural, blended in superbly. So good that 'we' would have to be qualified to know what to look for, otherwise she was completely passable.
It did make me realise - by comparison - despite how good I sometimes think I am - I'm just a bloke in a dress when compared to people who live in the real world and not the relatively fantasical world that I seem to reside in. I wonder how many times I've made a plonker of myself, shopping in Manchester, or similar, believing I was passing OK.
A plus point though ! It did give me the opportunity to educate my brother on the LGBT law and the need to respect all kinds and show no prejudice as there could be legal consequences. He being a machoistic alpha male type, known to have patriotic views about what is English etc .... had to bite his tongue a little. ...........if only he knew !!
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10:34 pm
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Sorry Blog ....
...it's been 3 months since I updated.
The two main highlights in the last 3 months have been a trip to Zurich to catch up with Gillian and the prologue to Sparkle.
I was fortunate to have reason to be in France and 'somehow ' was unable to get a flight back but could get a train to Zurich. Strange how bad management can work in your favour sometimes ! Like a plonker I left my mobile in the hire car at Geneva which made keeping in touch with Gillian very difficult.
What a good host and good girl she is ! Needless to say we managed some girly time. Yeh ! Gillian's blog has a great report on this but quickly we met up with the elite of the CH t-world, all 8 of them ! I'm not being fair, there are many more of course but still substantially fewer than UK. I'm not sure if our reports of Sparkle being attended by over 1,000 girls was believed, it seemed too great a number for them to believe. They were lovely company though. We arrived unannounced and they made us very welcome indeed.
A few moments sleep and we were up and shopping in Zurich. H&M make-up was my most impressive purchase. Cost nearly nothing but is of excellent quality. Zurich is a wonderful city too and could easily be a great weekend break destination. Safe. Clean. High quality. Attractive. History. Architecture. Character - need I say more ? Of course, just to wander around as girls with not a care or a glance from anyone is such a wonderful feeling.
tbc ..........
Zurich
Sparkle
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02:04 pm
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The Producers
Astrid, the good girl that she is, organised a trip to the theatre last week. There were only 6 of us. San, Myffy & Bob Cerys took care of Leanne, Astrid and myself. Peter Kay was the star name in this production of The Producers but to be fair he was not the star performer. He was entertaining; funny at times as you would expect and showed that he is more than a stand up comic. Two or three of the lead players out performed him. I'll say no more just in case you wish to go yourself, suffice to say it's an excellent show well worth watching.
No photos again. I seem to have foregone this 'tranny need' for quite a while. I don't know what that implies. Not even sure that I look OK atm.
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09:14 am
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New ID Makeover / Photoshoot
http://www.newidexperiences.com/makeovers_and_photoshoots/fashion_photoshoot_experience
Mica and I had a lovely afternoon yesterday courtesy of vouchers that we bought in the Debenhams sale last year.
The vouchers that we bought are £25 each but we managed to get them for £11 in the sale! For that you get make-up, in my case from a girl who understood tranny make-up really well. I also learnt a few new things from her which was a bonus. Manicure and polish nails. Hair, then photoshoot.
The photographer in our case was a funky young girl. Young for me anyway ! Excellent at her job and very comfortable with us. Three changes of outfit and an hour or so later, we changed into our outfits for the evening whilst the photos were prepared for viewing.
Trying to choose one 'free' photo from so many was hard. Laura was really easy to work with and wasn't pushy about buying more than the one free photo. A few tricks with photoshop added to the final result.
We were there for 5 hours in total. The staff were really friendly who served free drinks throughout. In our case the studio was in the centre of Manchester. There were many other clients in there, all female at the time, so you do need to be comfortable in public space to do this.
The only criticism was that another photo was upwards of £50 which seems daft to me. 5 hours of pampering, with a photo for £25 but each photo thereafter is £50+.
If an extra photo was say, £25, I would have taken another but it's far cheaper and much more fun to go back for another pampering session ! Fortunately, we have some more vouchers to use up - can't wait !
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06:20 pm
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There Will Be Consequences.
"Oh F**k*" - too late, I realised that I'd made a mistake.
I'd been for a run on the beach and returned wet and dirty. My daughter and a friend of hers were chatting on the doorstep close to where I removed my shoes to hose them clean.
Whilst having a little banter, I stepped inside to remove my sodden socks before going any further into the house, too late I realised / remembered that my toe nails were painted.
I escaped the scene at warp speed but it would be niave of me to suggest that my nails went un-noticed.
Of course, I can make an excuse that the dye had run out of the socks / shoes but realistically, deep down, I sense that this might be the mistake we all try to avoid.
It doesn't help that earlier this week my wife 'exploded' with one of her occasional outbursts expressing hatred for all things tranny. There could hardly be a worse week to make such a mistake.
There will be consequences.
Current Mood:  worried
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10:02 am
[Link] | ..again, it's been ages since I updated my journal. Although before xmas, 'Cheltenham' needs including. It was a case of saving the best until last. Mcr & Brum were great fun but the xmas get together in Cheltenham was the best. Not really for tranny reasons but more because of the whole day and ambience. Kate & Mica were largely to thank for that.
Tranny wise, we were sufficient in number to dominate wherever we were. Even in the straight wine bar at the start of the evening, as nice as it was, we just crowded out the straight clientelle - good to see really !
A funny moment in the club later on, having a dance with one of the lesbian girls in there. She kept telling me off (!) as I was dancing 'like a man'. She explained that she was trying to lead but so was I - lesson learned.
Far too little sleep again but hey ho enough girly time to keep me content over xmas.
Xmas was just manic. Catering for a family gathering on xmas day. A couple of days in London to catch up with relatives and Brum on the way home to see good friends. All good fun of course and very enjoyable but it was nice on Jan 2 to finally get a day to ourselves and do very little.
Work's, well just work atm. Lots of it but mundane, sort of typifies the time of year. Fortunately it is punctuated with some short trips abroad to play in the snow.
A couple of weeks ago, Kate came north to sample the delights of Manchester. It was lovely to meet up again and even get some girly shopping time. She suggested that she was nervous but it didn't show.A pleasant enough meal in a large group precluded a quick trip to Naps - well Kate has to see it once - but it was so quiet and was well short of it's tacky reputation.
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05:35 pm
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Xmas Party Time
Life is flying by at the moment and I really need to jot something down before it just ends up as a blur.
Last Wednesday was Northern Concorde's Xmas do. I met up with Lisa for the second time is recent weeks. She's a star and really good company; for that read: she tolerates my bantering and gives as much as she gets - a good girl !
At NC there were actually some decent efforts at Karaoke. Racheal from Sheffield has a voice, as does Mel who also moves well too.
Lovely to catch up with so many people. This is important to me actually. I've not really felt part of Manchester so far despite going there quite a few times. There are so many girls, bars & restaurants that it isn't easy to settle into the 'scene' - not that I want to be 'sceney' but just to feel welcome, so catcjing up with 20 or so girls was very warming.
It was Brum's do last night or rather Outskirts 4th xmas party. I was supoosed to go down during the day for a business meeting but my pda/Tom Tom thingy feel from the windscreen shortly after setting off. It died there and then with all my meeting details, phone no.s and directions lost. I returned home instead.
Much later in the day, I again set off to Brum armed with old fashioned maps and instructions and managed to find Mica's workplace quite easily.
She's a star and not bad company either. Her idea to favour a local Balti house instead of the OS buffet was excellent. Judging from the eagerness of the girls at OS the buffet was good too but the Balti was very good.
So there we were, having walked across the centre of Brum and eaten in a mainstream restaurant, captured in a room above a pub with no external influences essentially in a closet. The company was good however. Holly was fun to catch up with - what a nutcase, but good fun nonetheless. ... and Faith, always good for a laugh; oh, and Kim - nice new hair darling !
My wife was particulalry keen for me to return home directly from Brum despite only 3 hours sleep the night before. Mobile rock concert set just below the point of bursting the car speakers, aircon on cool, off I set - knackered but very content after a lovely evening. Who say the M6 is busy. There were only a few lorries and the occasional car between 12 and 2AM ...and I was the only customer in Stafford Services (quick coffee revival), much to my disappointment.
Really tired today, works xmas lunch tomorrow and off to Cheltenham early on Thursday. When am I going to find time for xmas shopping ?
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10:49 pm
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Nearly Caught !
….so there I was all on my lonesome, rare for a Saturday night.
I’ve had to rush to get ready on the last couple of times that I’ve been out and the results weren’t up to scratch, so with time on my hands the opportunity to ‘practice’ couldn’t be missed.
Some time later I was happy with the result. For a change I was happy with how I looked. A few finishing touches and I was ready to go out – somewhere.
My only worry was my daughter who was due in from work at 10 PM. I would have to return home as ‘boy’ so prepared appropriately; 9:20 and ready to go.
The only risk left was the minute or so it would take to get to the car and drive away – what if she finished work early for a change, so I decided to phone her.
I was stood on the inside of the locked driveway door and rustled through my handbag to find my phone, at the same time as her footsteps could be heard approaching the house.
Fortunately, a few moments earlier I had engaged the internal deadlock too so she couldn’t gain access and I could rely on the excuse that I was in the shower and didn’t hear the sustained ringing of the doorbell and several calls to my phone.
She retreated to a friend’s house and called again from there, by which time I had showered and tidied away. Suitable apologies made and extended teasing about the length of my shower endured, all was well.
If only she knew that she was within 2 feet of meeting Becky !
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11:14 pm
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Reflection
.......so there I was, just a few days ago in Auschwitz, flesh creeping at the horror that really took place there. Pink triangular badges indicated your homo-sexuality but T was never mentioned.
Today, we seek acceptance; equality even. How life has changed.
Krakow. Take a visit before they realise that they are cheap. Mixed with the 'old' are very old fashioned cafes and restaurants immacuately presented. A silver service dinner for £12/head; delightful coffee and cheesecake that would have NYC shouting from the roof tops, for £2. Spectacular architecture too.
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08:30 pm
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Just an update
OK, where is life upto ?
My back has recovered now and normal sleep patterns have resumed, for which I am most grateful !
Ha ! Kate keeps teasing me about not working very much and in fairness, she has reason to do so. Life is hectic in other ways though and this relatively easy period at work is useful. Also, it gives me time to think and apply quality time to issues at work. A project that I have been working on all year will (hopefully) obtain approval within the fortnight. There is still some tactical work to do and if it wins the day my year will have been a success; if it fails, my year will have been wasted; and costly.
The LGBT Ball last Saturday was a good if not great event. Underwritten by Taurus it was a success but numbers could have been greater. Taurus seem to have a 5 year plan to invest in this event and raise their profile in the t-world. I hope that they succeed. Lovely too see Mica, Kate & guest. Cerys would have been proud of me. “Always dress 10 years older than you are.” In a bit of a rush last week I picked a dress at Debenhams. Very nice dress, just too old for me. I’ll have to see if I can be cheeky enough to return it now !
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10:34 am
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That's better !
Weyhee ! I actually managed to stay in bed for the full duration last night. Far from perfect sleep pattern but it's progress; and I've managed without painkillers to start the day too. At last !
Yesterday, we watched our children represent their scout groups in the Remembrance Day parade. All very British, respectful and appropriate.
But, the thought struck me that it was more a Christian festival than an occasion to remember the dead. Were all the men & women who died defending our country Christians ? Were other faiths involved ? ...and non-believers ? Is this an act of exclusion when UK needs to encourage integration of all creeds and colour more than ever before ?
Current Location: Home
Current Mood:  contemplative
Current Music: Radio 2
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08:30 am
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Exhausted
Well, that’s 14 consecutive nights of broken sleep. This ‘bad back’ is like having a new born baby in the house, everything is all quiet through the day but once I go to bed there is no knowing how long I will sleep for and once I’m awake, there’s no going back to sleep either. I’ve seen too many 3 o’clocks recently. Last night was great, I almost made 6 o’clock ! I’m exhausted and survive the day with too much caffeine but then can’t get to sleep in the evening; too much wine then helps – it’s a vicious cycle and I’m fed up with it now. Three physio sessions don’t seem to have made much impression either.
On the plus side, I‘ve just booked two Travelodge rooms for £15 each for the Monday and Wednesday of xmas week to coincide with Brum and Mcr party nights. The thought of girly shopping for xmas presents through the day and partying at night gives me something to look forward to.
Current Location: home
Current Mood:  tired
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07:42 am
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Time For An Update.
31st October ’06.
Life has been so hectic recently that making time to catch up here has proven difficult, but if you were to ask me what I have been doing, I wouldn’t be able to offer you a long list of things. “Life” has just absorbed so much time.
A few weekends ago we enjoyed a weekend away with friends at Oasis, Lake District; a couple of days in London, show included; and now have the pleasure of a few days in autumnal Scotland. Even though November is all but here the trees are still full of leaf with a magnificent display of colour. So, “life” includes good things as well as the routine.
Girly time has been limited though. The greatest success recently has been to finally introduce Kate & Mica to each other. I had guessed that they would get on well and so has proven the case ….and Kate has seen that a world exists outside of the protected environment of TX or Angelic. I’m not in the least bit surprised that Kate enjoyed “straightville”, nor am I surprised that Mica led her there!
Six t-girls and Kitten enjoyed a trip to the Manchester Opera House to watch Ross Noble. He’s a nutcase, presents as scruffy but a little like Billy Connolly has a superb comedy brain behind the façade. Very funny, very up to date. I doubt if two shows are ever the same as most of his material is instinctively created through audience participation. Frustratingly, none of us took a photo to record the evening.
The ‘no photo’ is relevant really. I’ve noticed more and more recently, how less bothered I am about remembering or recording details of Becky’s life. Initially, I couldn’t believe that I was actually enjoying a t-life, lots of photos, numbered diary accounts of where I’d been etc. I’ve no idea how many times I have been out this year. It’s not a huge number of times but the point is that I have become so comfortable as Becky, have so many friends and enjoy such a good social life as her that I have completely accepted that she is part of me. Recording infinite detail isn’t necessary to be able to enjoy my girl life.
There’s a chance of a night out in Leeds next week and the GWRB Ball the week after, to look forward to.
Current Location: Highlands
Current Mood: bad back woke me up !
Current Music: None. It's very early morning and everyone else is asleep
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09:18 am
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This week
Tuesday was supposed to be my Blackpool debut. Close to home, I know, but in the company of good girls and in a protected group it was a safe enough idea. However, having spent the best part of the weekend away and going into Manchester on Wednesday, I had to concede to marital and parental responsibilities. Blackpool will wait for another day.
The village was a bit busier than recent weeks – time of year, I suppose. Met up with Cerys and Astrid for dinner at Villagio (very good too). Oh, nearly forgot, nipped into Next before getting changed in Bpl and treated myself to some new cord trousers and a couple of tops to go with the brown ankle boots that I got at xmas; finally offering an alternative to ‘black’ ! Comments such as ‘natural’ & ‘relaxed’ were passed as opinion on the outfit. Suits me. I’m trying to look girly, not tarty; blend in, not stand out. Getting used to the new hair too and finding some consistency with make up skills, even used browns this time.
Lovely to catch up with the 2 Rachel’s, Michelle and Lysette.
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07:15 pm
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Angelic - Gillian's Leaving Do
What a really lovely evening. I didn't imagine 18 months ago, when setting out on this journey of adventure, that I would have made so many friends. I don't mean that in a loose sense. We have grown to be more than just familiar with eachother. We share genuine caring and friendship but the 'boy' within us does try to hide that of course by making fun of eachother whenever we can.
It was no coincidence that I didn't dance at all. The company was great. Whichever way I turned there someone else to chat to and catch up with.
Connie and I will never have a good word for eachother but then she is 'suthen', a true essex girl and just can't appreciate the finer things in life that we keep for ourselves up north ! Long may the banter continue !
So wonderful to see Kate again, even if Mica did dominate her evening.
Karol, Laura, Kim, I'm not going to list everyone and Tracy too, of course.
What a fab girl that Gillian is too. Best out of the way to let the rest of us have some of the limelight. Only 12 months in CH - that doesn't give us much time to fill the void that she will leave....and to think that there is a threat to visit her aswell.
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11:26 am
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I Passed !!
Forgot to mention this as it was a brief moment in between other activity but I passed, only few a few seconds but weyhee !!
Stood somewhere near Eden in Canal St after the meal on Wednesday:
I heard "excuse me" so I turned around to be asked by a youngish (C- 30 to 35) male
"where would you recommend going out around here ?"
to which I responded:
" do you mean to meet trannies ? " and then his jaw dropped - (yeah !!!) " you're a bloke, I didn't realise but as soon as you spoke, ....errm , errm
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08:36 am
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Quiet Village
Last night was a chance to meet some girls who are organising a birthday party in Blackpool. Bpl being close to home presents it’s concerns, of course, but this is a good bunch of girls so I can’t foresee any problems there.
The village was quite quiet. I don’t know if it’s still too early in the season for some or people are just over-trannied or suffering the expense of summer holidays still ? Either way, it was still a pleasant evening and I managed to meet quite a few new girls, or rather say hello for the first time to quite a few regulars.
Canal St is really an extension of the closet, I know, but there is some comfort in being able to wander in there on a Wednesday evening and find a familiar face or two. A bit of effort needed on my part to get out of my comfort zone and make this happen.
Northern Concorde has improved – not been in there for ages – but it has been re-vamped and is not nearly as seedy as it used to be. It now offers a legitimate option for a quiet half hour or so.
Roll on Friday. That should be much busier with the end of the week crowd out to party.
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04:35 am
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Impressed by Pride
Although only too briefly, I did manage to get into Manchester, on Saturday afternoon, to have a look at the Pride event. Timing was good as the main parade was just starting to go past when I arrived.
I felt a little conspicuous as I was the only tranny in the crowd. Lots of drag queen types and 6" heels etc but as far as 'ordinary girls' go, just me. The crowd watching the show was as much straight as it was not which didn't help me blending in so it was really nice when a couple of gurls in the parade spotted me and came over and said 'hello'. Suddenly I wasn't a lone tranny and gained some sort of status from the watching masses.
Once inside the village, £13 for the day, a few more gurls were apparent but not many. Lots of very entertaining sights though. The ticket money is worth it just to to be able to get a drink and watch the world go by, never mind the other free entertainment, bands and stage shows. The Sparkle area was perhaps the quietest corner.
It's been several weeks since my last outing and I was struggling to get into 'character', so I must get out more often - seems like a good excuse to me anyway.
Bumped into Holly in Naps who looks really good after her recent FFS.
Definitely an event to spend more time at next year. Much more entertainment than Sparkle. More diverse crowd, not just wall to wall trannies. Great atmosphere too.
Current Location: Home
Current Mood:  satisfied
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09:50 pm
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This week was just meant not to be...
Having spent most of last weekend trying 5 new wigs and somehow choosing only 1 to buy, I was really looking forward to going out this week with the new alternative look. (I'm not unhappy with my current hair but I do think that it can be improved)
Just before setting off to meet the Outskirts girls in Birmingham, on Monday, I filled my car up with the wrong fuel. Not only was that an expensive mistake, all the time that I had spent logistically planning the trip was wasted and a girly night out was missed.
So Wednesday night beckoned and a chance to go into Manchester. Again plans were made, preparation done but late in the afternoon a good friend who I was meeting confirmed what she had thought earlier in the day,that she couldn't make it. With it being summer holiday time and the likelehood of few people being out I decided to stay at home instead.
So, it just remains to be seen if I'll make it into Manchester at all this weekend to see some of the Pride event..who knows but with this weeks luck.....
Current Mood:  frustrated
Tags: unlucky week
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