Ways to tire me out:

Take me shopping!

'Twas my first proper shopping trip to Meadowhall. Emma and I meeting in the train station at Sheffield and then going up to Meadowhall together.

Always fun exploring a new place. Doubly fun exploring it with someone you've been wanting to meet for a while. Confidently stomping around the shops, (albeit a little fast for Emma at times it felt, but she didn't complain about it,) and looking at things, checking things out, wondering if I really needed it; all felt great. Thankfully the blisters I'd got getting to and from the doctors on Friday had calmed down to only mildly irritating, so I could wear shoes that actually looked okay with the outfit I'd wanted to wear (Long denim skirt, green shirt/blouse, for those interested).

I'd like to say things about how wonderful it is to go out femme, but it's lost a lot of its novelty now. I don't 'go out femme' anymore, I just 'go out'; the distinction being that I don't need to make a fuss about it.

Take heart girls, most people don't take second glances, even shop assistants. Confidence, appropriateness, resolve. Don't sweat it. Relax, go at your own pace, breathe!

Anyway: enough encouragement! I want to talk about what I bought!

I got two pairs of boots, one flat heeled and one 3 inch heel. I love the heeled ones, despite being a little plain. They're very comfortable. The flat boots have straps at the ankle, halfway up the calf and just above the knee. Very nice looking and will do well in slippery conditions later on in the year! (Yes, I'm buying clothes for practicality now, is a new step in the journey: first 'going-out' clothes, then casual, now practical: work and everyday wear.)

Got a backpack: needed something more feminine for carrying things like my laptop around in. It's very... pink... I don't think it's that bad, but when showing it off later to my friends they had a lot to say about it. Bleh: I had to get **something**. That's my defence your honour.

Picked up a new coat and a cardigan too, seeing as I needed a coat and saw the cardigan on the way. Just something cute and cozy for the upcoming months.

Granted, I felt like I spent a lot, but I am buying things that I don't really have. The problem is that it looks like I'm spending frivolously, and that whenever anyone mentions it in jest, I play along.

The most exciting thing I bought: socks! Four pairs, three knee high black pairs, and a colourful stripy pair knee high pair too.

I hung around in town before meeting up with friends later in the evening. Waiting in a pub is not something I normally do. I got a drink and sat down on my own with it and played a little “Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings” on the DS and some “Castlevania: Circle of the Moon” too. My arrival seemed to spark a little conversation with some of the people sat around the bar, although I could tell that I'd started a conversation or two, I couldn't tell if it was positive or negative or not (I did hear the terms “transvestite” and “transsexual”, but nothing more). I was left alone though and seemingly respected though.

Meeting up with friends was fun too, although I didn't get back until after eleven, possibly midnight. Was so tired I went to bed very soon after putting things away, or at least to one side.

All in all: awesome day. Meeting Emma was awesome. Shopping was awesome. Meeting friends in the evening was awesome.

Thanks to all involved (Emma xx!)

That's enough for now though...