Julie
07-08-2005, 07:58 AM
Even though I was born and raised in Chicago I have to admit to being a bit apprehensive about driving into the city to go out. It's not that I am leery about it, it's just that it's a pain to drive there and maybe battle traffic and then try to find a place to park. Yeah, I'm spoiled!
Tonight I was more or less obligated to go. I am a member of a Yahoo group called Chicago Area Crossdressers and several weeks ago I suggested to them to start having regular meetings. The idea took off. I'm going to admit what I was hoping for was to have meetings at Escapades or Inn Exile. Like I said, I'm spoiled.
Most of the girls are north siders and didn't seem interested in the places I suggested. So this was kicked around for weeks and finally one of the site admins (Alicia) said, "This is what we are going to do..." I had e-mailed her a lot and told her I wasn't all that crazy about north side Chicago places because parking sucks but she set up this social at a Mexican restuarant that's TG friendly and graciously asked that I attend because she wanted my input. How could I say no? I love Mexican food and what a nice change of pace to sit and eat in a normal environment rather than be confined to one bar in a remote area. Besides, Alicia is a real doll.
Even though I was out way too late Wednesday, I dragged my butt into the shower and started getting ready around 7PM. Dinner was at 8:30. I got there around 8:50 (why is it I am always on time when in drab and always late when en femme?) I was the 5th of 6 to arrive. The last to arrive showed up about 5 minutes after me. They called our table and we sat down.
There's an area on the north side called Boystown. It's mostly gay so they are cool about us. There were some guys who asked what's the occasion and we just said, we're just some girls needing to get out. That was it.
We sat down and had our margaritas and ordered dinner. No one even batted an eyelash. Of course, yours truly brought her camera and I asked the waiter to take a picture of us. One of the girls said, "Say cheese!" I countered, "No say queso!" Bill laughed. So of course the waiter picked up on that and before he snapped this shot he said "Say queso!"
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/dinner.jpg
From left to right is Jamie (she's in an all TG rock band!) me, Dahlia, Alicia, Saro and Bill (we call him the mayor of Boystown, and he knows the area very well!)
After dinner we decide to check out a place to have meetings or socials or whatever you wnat to call them. We had to walk maybe 1/2 mile. There were no incidents until a carload of guys goes by and one yells out, "Breeders!" I couldn't make out what he said so I asked Bill and the other girls and they told me. Then I asked what that means. Bill replied, "They think you are real women. And they call real women breeders." Well, I couldn't have heard a better insult! I looked at Bill and said, "Are you sure?" He nodded. Then later I told him there's going to be an ugly rumor going around the mayor is straight. He got a kick out of that. What I like about Bill most is he's so comfortable with himself and that makes you at ease.
As we were walking one guy took a fancy to us and walked with us. We chatted and he was a really nice guy. Then he saw my camera and insisted on taking our picture.
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/street.jpg
We finally got to a place called Annex. I was so glad I wore walking shoes rather than 'looker' shoes (which I had on but took them off remembering the fall incident) because, like I said, it was probably 1/2 mile or more. So we get inside and behind the bar is a very friendly looking guy. I'm an eye person and I new immediately he was cool. I went up to him and asked him if he had a cure for dehyration. Well, we all know alcohol isn't it but I'm kind of sarcastic and he picks up on it right away. So I ordered a dehydration drink (Meyer's Rum and Coke) and then join the girls a half level up where they were scoping out the area for a potential meeting place.
Okay, I admit, I'm a shutterbug and I see a photo-op but I sometimes get tired taking all these pictures and having none of me. So I go to Paul (the bartender with the friendly eyes) and I ask if he's free. I don't even have to say why. He knows and comes up and takes some pictures of us.
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/annex1.jpg
We start talking to Paul and it turns out he's not only good looking but quite talented. He does drag performances and we all (at least me, anyway) are thinking, "He's the guy to talk to about the meeting idea". Paul is totally helpful. It was like you knew him all your life. He's just one of those people that if you don't like him, you have a problem. Of course I have to include him in our night!
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/annex2.jpg
(Only four pics to a post so turn to the next page!)
Tonight I was more or less obligated to go. I am a member of a Yahoo group called Chicago Area Crossdressers and several weeks ago I suggested to them to start having regular meetings. The idea took off. I'm going to admit what I was hoping for was to have meetings at Escapades or Inn Exile. Like I said, I'm spoiled.
Most of the girls are north siders and didn't seem interested in the places I suggested. So this was kicked around for weeks and finally one of the site admins (Alicia) said, "This is what we are going to do..." I had e-mailed her a lot and told her I wasn't all that crazy about north side Chicago places because parking sucks but she set up this social at a Mexican restuarant that's TG friendly and graciously asked that I attend because she wanted my input. How could I say no? I love Mexican food and what a nice change of pace to sit and eat in a normal environment rather than be confined to one bar in a remote area. Besides, Alicia is a real doll.
Even though I was out way too late Wednesday, I dragged my butt into the shower and started getting ready around 7PM. Dinner was at 8:30. I got there around 8:50 (why is it I am always on time when in drab and always late when en femme?) I was the 5th of 6 to arrive. The last to arrive showed up about 5 minutes after me. They called our table and we sat down.
There's an area on the north side called Boystown. It's mostly gay so they are cool about us. There were some guys who asked what's the occasion and we just said, we're just some girls needing to get out. That was it.
We sat down and had our margaritas and ordered dinner. No one even batted an eyelash. Of course, yours truly brought her camera and I asked the waiter to take a picture of us. One of the girls said, "Say cheese!" I countered, "No say queso!" Bill laughed. So of course the waiter picked up on that and before he snapped this shot he said "Say queso!"
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/dinner.jpg
From left to right is Jamie (she's in an all TG rock band!) me, Dahlia, Alicia, Saro and Bill (we call him the mayor of Boystown, and he knows the area very well!)
After dinner we decide to check out a place to have meetings or socials or whatever you wnat to call them. We had to walk maybe 1/2 mile. There were no incidents until a carload of guys goes by and one yells out, "Breeders!" I couldn't make out what he said so I asked Bill and the other girls and they told me. Then I asked what that means. Bill replied, "They think you are real women. And they call real women breeders." Well, I couldn't have heard a better insult! I looked at Bill and said, "Are you sure?" He nodded. Then later I told him there's going to be an ugly rumor going around the mayor is straight. He got a kick out of that. What I like about Bill most is he's so comfortable with himself and that makes you at ease.
As we were walking one guy took a fancy to us and walked with us. We chatted and he was a really nice guy. Then he saw my camera and insisted on taking our picture.
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/street.jpg
We finally got to a place called Annex. I was so glad I wore walking shoes rather than 'looker' shoes (which I had on but took them off remembering the fall incident) because, like I said, it was probably 1/2 mile or more. So we get inside and behind the bar is a very friendly looking guy. I'm an eye person and I new immediately he was cool. I went up to him and asked him if he had a cure for dehyration. Well, we all know alcohol isn't it but I'm kind of sarcastic and he picks up on it right away. So I ordered a dehydration drink (Meyer's Rum and Coke) and then join the girls a half level up where they were scoping out the area for a potential meeting place.
Okay, I admit, I'm a shutterbug and I see a photo-op but I sometimes get tired taking all these pictures and having none of me. So I go to Paul (the bartender with the friendly eyes) and I ask if he's free. I don't even have to say why. He knows and comes up and takes some pictures of us.
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/annex1.jpg
We start talking to Paul and it turns out he's not only good looking but quite talented. He does drag performances and we all (at least me, anyway) are thinking, "He's the guy to talk to about the meeting idea". Paul is totally helpful. It was like you knew him all your life. He's just one of those people that if you don't like him, you have a problem. Of course I have to include him in our night!
https://home.comcast.net/~julimarie/images/7-05/annex2.jpg
(Only four pics to a post so turn to the next page!)