It was cold and grey in London yesterday so something needed to be done to dispel the winter gloom.
So I met up with my pal Joanne at the Curzon cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue. We enjoyed a pre-cinema drink in the fabulous downstairs bar before seeing Martha Marcy May Marlene, a gripping psychological drama about a girl who has fled to her sister's after two years in a cult. Excellent understated acting, judicious editing and an important point to be made.
Well, after the tension we decided to relax over dinner and agreed to try an eatery more or less at random so we went to Melanie, an Italian restaurant in nearby Old Compton Street http://www.melanieitalianrestaurant.co.uk/. It turned out to be a very good choice. My whitebait was fresh and crispy and Joanne's prawns were succulent and easily peeled. The saltimbocca alla Romana, my very favourite dish, was not bad given the difficulty of sourcing good meat in Britain, and Joanne's veal and aubergine was declared very tasty. The tiramisu was disappointing as there was too much sponge (although it had plenty of booze in it). I don't care for strawberry cheesecake but I think Joanne's choice there was a good one. The Frascati was gently fruity and very agreeable. We liked the attentive staff, and chatting to them later when things were quieter was pleasant, though I'm not so sure about the cheeky serenade I got when my main was brought! The waitress, a slip of a girl of 21, was very complimentary about my hair (pity it's not my own!) and the Portuguese waiter was chatty. Luigi the owner is someone we decided it was worth getting to know better as we will definitely be back.
A great way to spend the later half of a gloomy Wednesday. Soho is just so fabulously accepting of the T community that you can let your guard right down and really enjoy yourself.
Sue x
The Great Drag Race 2012 announced
The Great Drag Race 2012 organised by Prostate Action in aid of prostate diseases research has been announced.
This year's race will be Saturday 30th June at Highbury Fields in Islington, North London.
Full info here http://www.prostateaction.org.uk/take-action/raise-money/great-drag-race
I did the race in 2010, the first year it was held. Not only did we raise awareness and money but also had fun and broke a world record. Yes, I have my certificate from Guinness to say that I was part of the longest line of dancing drag queens ever! (Though I feel the terms "line" "dancing" "drag" and "queens" were used in their loosest sense!)
For me personally it was an opportunity to dress as a woman in an accepting and safe environment when I was just emerging in public.
I missed the race last year but, work permitting, would like to put together a team for this year's event, perhaps with the blessing of UK Angels. Watch this space.
Consider participating or at least sponsoring runners at this fun event. Prostate diseases like cancer affect many men and trans persons but are less talked about than women's illnesses although almost as prevalent. The reason for running in drag is as a tribute to the success women have had in raising awareness for women's health issues.
There are a few pictures of me at the 2010 event on my Flickr pages. Hope to add a few more just for info and fun when I have dug them out.
Sue x
This year's race will be Saturday 30th June at Highbury Fields in Islington, North London.
Full info here http://www.prostateaction.org.uk/take-action/raise-money/great-drag-race
I did the race in 2010, the first year it was held. Not only did we raise awareness and money but also had fun and broke a world record. Yes, I have my certificate from Guinness to say that I was part of the longest line of dancing drag queens ever! (Though I feel the terms "line" "dancing" "drag" and "queens" were used in their loosest sense!)
For me personally it was an opportunity to dress as a woman in an accepting and safe environment when I was just emerging in public.
I missed the race last year but, work permitting, would like to put together a team for this year's event, perhaps with the blessing of UK Angels. Watch this space.
Consider participating or at least sponsoring runners at this fun event. Prostate diseases like cancer affect many men and trans persons but are less talked about than women's illnesses although almost as prevalent. The reason for running in drag is as a tribute to the success women have had in raising awareness for women's health issues.
There are a few pictures of me at the 2010 event on my Flickr pages. Hope to add a few more just for info and fun when I have dug them out.
Sue x
Telling my friends - with love and thanks
I have grown tired of leading something of a double life in recent years and so have decided that it is honest to let the friends I have known for a long time know about the changes that have been happening with me. This week I have told four close friends about what has been going on in my life over the last few years. As I know that they have been dropping in on my blog I'd just like to thank them here for their understanding and love.
Life hasn't been remotely easy as a transgendered person so having friends who are prepared to listen and support is more uplifting and relieving than I can put in words. I am beginning to feel that I can live in society as the person I actually am without the sky falling in and that's thanks in large part to them. In fact, the enthusiasm of some of my friends at this news has been a thrill. Yes, girls, let's go shopping soon!
Thank you, Jo, Chris, Daniela and Matthew. And also Jan, Lucy and Richard who have known for a while. I'm privileged to have you as friends.
Sue x
Life hasn't been remotely easy as a transgendered person so having friends who are prepared to listen and support is more uplifting and relieving than I can put in words. I am beginning to feel that I can live in society as the person I actually am without the sky falling in and that's thanks in large part to them. In fact, the enthusiasm of some of my friends at this news has been a thrill. Yes, girls, let's go shopping soon!
Thank you, Jo, Chris, Daniela and Matthew. And also Jan, Lucy and Richard who have known for a while. I'm privileged to have you as friends.
Sue x
Barmaids reunion a no-no
A bit sad this evening as I had planned to go to the reunion of the Erotica TGirl barmaids at the Way Out Club but what with a full day's work, getting home later than expected, and then my hoped-for lift home from the club failing because of a car breakdown (and no other lifts really available) I decided it was better to cancel rather than face the horrors of two night buses home in the small hours on a very cold night (estimated journey time 2.5 hours!)
However, the official barmaid portrait photos are out at long last. Here's the best of mine.
Now, you'd buy a drink from this girl, wouldn't you?
Sue x
However, the official barmaid portrait photos are out at long last. Here's the best of mine.
Now, you'd buy a drink from this girl, wouldn't you?
Sue x
Pub quiz - another success
My friend Joanne has been twisting my arm to go to one of her regular pub quizzes at the Dog House pub in Kennington. So last night I went at last ... and had a great time. Our team came second and won several prizes. A well as meeting some people I already know I made some new friends, too. The food and drink there are pretty good also, which is always a plus in my book.
Best thing, as ever, was being accepted as a normal person in a normal venue doing a normal thing. That's better than any prize.
Sue x
Best thing, as ever, was being accepted as a normal person in a normal venue doing a normal thing. That's better than any prize.
Sue x
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