I was traveling on biz this past week in St. Pete, FL and Houston. So, being in a hotel room all alone and a different city, I took the opportunity to make myself up and try on some new clothes and was resolved to make my first public appearance.
So, on Wednesday night in St. Pete, I tried on a bunch of new stuff (pictures soon to appear in my album, assuming they pass the moderator). And I was feeling really, really pretty. Every time I dress I feel more and more transformed. That is to say, when I'm dressed, there is no doubt in my mind, I am Robyn. But more on that for another thread, another time.
So anyway, I was also feeling very bold. I felt I was ready to venture out into the world. So I did. The hotel I was in was a "suites" hotel and I was at the end of the hall right by the back exit. Cool. I could slip in and out of the hotel without going through the lobby. So, I packed a few things in a clutch -- my cell phone, room key, some cash and my ATM card as well as some makeup in case I needed to make adjustments -- and then headed out into the world. I was targeting two potential CD friendly bars that I had heard about.
I have to say, it felt very liberating walking out of my room, down the stairs, out the door and into my rental car by the back door. I figured out how to get into a car in a mini skirt and then learned to manage the gas pedal and brake while wearing heels. After a short while I pulled up to a light and nearly panicked when a cop car pulled up next to me. I hadn't done anything wrong, but I certainly didn't want to be pulled over now! LOL
And then it hit me, that I hadn't brought my drivers license with me. So, the light turned green and I paused to let the cop go first. Phew. So, I get to the first bar and it is empty. I guess between it being Wednesday night and in the 30's - yes, temperature in the 30's in FL - everyone stayed home. So, I didn't get out and drove to the next place. Same thing here. Pretty empty. So, I chickened out. I really didn't want to go into an empty place -- CD friendly or not -- and stand out. So, I turned the car around and headed back to the hotel. Naturally, on the way back, I pull up to a light, right next to another cop. So I had another slight panic attack and made my turn on red, praying that I hadn't missed a no turn on red sign!!
Finally, I was safely back in the hotel parking lot. I swung my legs out of the car and headed to the back door to slip back upstairs to my room unnoticed. I took my key out of my little bag and put it in the card reader and... nothing. So I try again... nothing. I make sure I'm putting it in right and again... nothing. Shit. I had it in my bag next to my cell phone. I had erased it. Now what do I do?
I get back into the car and briefly consider changing into a pair of pants and shirt I brought in case of emergency but then realize, I'd still have all the make-up, etc. so, what the hell. So I get out of the car and walk around to the front lobby. By now, it was late enough that the front door was locked too, so I pick up the phone and ask the front desk to please let me in as my key was not working. You should have seen the look on the guy's face when he saw me, because the voice on the phone certainly didn't match what he was seeing! So, he let's me in and I explain my predicament including the fact that I don't have a picture ID with me, only my ATM card.
So, he says to me, well, I will come up with you and let you in so you can show me your ID, this way you don't have to come back down like this. Love that, huh?!?
So, I went out to make my first appearance and though I chickened out and decided I would postpone my first appearance, fate had a different idea!
On the second night of my trip in Houston, though I still dressed up, but I decided to stay in except for a trip down the hall to the vending machines.
I'm going to be back in St. Pete for a couple of nights at the end of the month, so will try again to have a more positive public appearance then.
Originally Posted by nvlady
