Sara Jessica
10-02-2011, 10:02 AM
(editor's note: While there are a couple pictures from this tale, I am choosing to post words instead in the section which receives a wider audience rather than the picture section where this would drop like a rock. The pictures are rather plain and would likely garner about 2 comments before disappearing. I felt it was more important to share the story instead.)
A few weeks ago, my friend Diana texted to let me know that her Nordstrom's (annual?) Trend Show was coming up. This is an event I've thought about going to in the past and this time, the stars aligned for me to be able to attend.
I had little thought about what to expect other than the fact I was buying a ticket for something that started at 8:00 a.m. and my guess it that it would be attended nearly 100% by other women. I knew the focus would be on makeup and skin care trends for the upcoming season. That's about it.
So the devil is in the details. I awoke at 4:26 a.m., five minutes before my alarm was set to go off. I had to wash my hair and wanted it to dry sufficiently before flat-ironing it. The family was asleep, as was the puppy who can make such a racket in the morning to upset my planned stealthy getaway. Hair washed, stuff gathered. Pretty much dressed (girl jeans, guy t-shirt...top would be changed on the fly). While blow-drying my hair and racing the clock, I decided to do most of my makeup at home as well rather than try to do it in the car. This of course is dicey given the fact that one of my wonderful sleeping children could awake early at any time. I lucked out that they didn't and with makeup done and hair flat-ironed, I was out the door at about 10 'til 7.
I arrived at the store about 20 minutes before the event. Diana's sisters were there and they had my ticket. Having never met them before, I was sure she had shared a bit about her wacky TG buddy. I was greeted by both of them with absolute grace, neither missed a beat and I was treated simply as a person rather than an oddity, a term I use in a positive sense in that yes, we are somewhat of an oddity to the Muggles out there.
About the line, wow...there had to be over 200 people in line. I'm guessing at least 300 attended the show. The doors opened and we were herded into the store by a little breakfast buffet (coffee, water, muffins, croissants) towards a seating set-up that was like a red carpet catwalk with a stage and video monitors as a back-drop. We sat to the left of the catwalk and this is where it hit me, my circle of comfort is now sitting at about 40 miles. There is no way I could ever ascertain if anyone I know might happen to be here. No time to worry now though, I was pot committed and I relaxed as the event began, only to soon discover that there was to be many raffles of some really great stuff that required a trip up the catwalk to claim the prize. As much as I like winning, I was actually shuddering to think I might have to make that walk. Perhaps in SD or Vegas I'd do so with no problem. Heck, I'd even work it a bit :) but here, I felt it was a little close to home to be in such a fishbowl. Not to worry though, I didn't win although nearly everyone around me did including one of Diana's sisters who won a gorgeous Estee Lauder eyeshadow kit in a beautiful golden compact.
As for the show, it was a really neat event. I took notes on the program about what resonated with me and found myself really getting into the moment. While the whole thing might appear like a contrived marketing event, it really was entertaining and any woman who truly enjoys stuff such as this in order to take care of her skin or to feel more beautiful could easily relate.
During the show, there was a woman sitting next to me. She was older (than me), probably about 60 but I thought she looked much younger. She was dressed casual but not sloppy and her makeup was impeccable. The kind of woman who I doubt ever leaves the house without her face done. And her skin, it was flawless to my eyes and in talking to her throughout the show, it came across how much care she takes when it comes to her skin. She was the initiator in chatting me up the entire time. Did she know of my TG nature? I'd say she was blind & deaf if she didn't but that didn't seem to matter in the least bit. I was treated as part of the team that I should have originally been drafted to and as such, thanks to her, Diana's sisters & the event, the entire experience became a "moment of being" for me.
This is turning into a long tale. I'm going to break it here and continue in another entry.
A few weeks ago, my friend Diana texted to let me know that her Nordstrom's (annual?) Trend Show was coming up. This is an event I've thought about going to in the past and this time, the stars aligned for me to be able to attend.
I had little thought about what to expect other than the fact I was buying a ticket for something that started at 8:00 a.m. and my guess it that it would be attended nearly 100% by other women. I knew the focus would be on makeup and skin care trends for the upcoming season. That's about it.
So the devil is in the details. I awoke at 4:26 a.m., five minutes before my alarm was set to go off. I had to wash my hair and wanted it to dry sufficiently before flat-ironing it. The family was asleep, as was the puppy who can make such a racket in the morning to upset my planned stealthy getaway. Hair washed, stuff gathered. Pretty much dressed (girl jeans, guy t-shirt...top would be changed on the fly). While blow-drying my hair and racing the clock, I decided to do most of my makeup at home as well rather than try to do it in the car. This of course is dicey given the fact that one of my wonderful sleeping children could awake early at any time. I lucked out that they didn't and with makeup done and hair flat-ironed, I was out the door at about 10 'til 7.
I arrived at the store about 20 minutes before the event. Diana's sisters were there and they had my ticket. Having never met them before, I was sure she had shared a bit about her wacky TG buddy. I was greeted by both of them with absolute grace, neither missed a beat and I was treated simply as a person rather than an oddity, a term I use in a positive sense in that yes, we are somewhat of an oddity to the Muggles out there.
About the line, wow...there had to be over 200 people in line. I'm guessing at least 300 attended the show. The doors opened and we were herded into the store by a little breakfast buffet (coffee, water, muffins, croissants) towards a seating set-up that was like a red carpet catwalk with a stage and video monitors as a back-drop. We sat to the left of the catwalk and this is where it hit me, my circle of comfort is now sitting at about 40 miles. There is no way I could ever ascertain if anyone I know might happen to be here. No time to worry now though, I was pot committed and I relaxed as the event began, only to soon discover that there was to be many raffles of some really great stuff that required a trip up the catwalk to claim the prize. As much as I like winning, I was actually shuddering to think I might have to make that walk. Perhaps in SD or Vegas I'd do so with no problem. Heck, I'd even work it a bit :) but here, I felt it was a little close to home to be in such a fishbowl. Not to worry though, I didn't win although nearly everyone around me did including one of Diana's sisters who won a gorgeous Estee Lauder eyeshadow kit in a beautiful golden compact.
As for the show, it was a really neat event. I took notes on the program about what resonated with me and found myself really getting into the moment. While the whole thing might appear like a contrived marketing event, it really was entertaining and any woman who truly enjoys stuff such as this in order to take care of her skin or to feel more beautiful could easily relate.
During the show, there was a woman sitting next to me. She was older (than me), probably about 60 but I thought she looked much younger. She was dressed casual but not sloppy and her makeup was impeccable. The kind of woman who I doubt ever leaves the house without her face done. And her skin, it was flawless to my eyes and in talking to her throughout the show, it came across how much care she takes when it comes to her skin. She was the initiator in chatting me up the entire time. Did she know of my TG nature? I'd say she was blind & deaf if she didn't but that didn't seem to matter in the least bit. I was treated as part of the team that I should have originally been drafted to and as such, thanks to her, Diana's sisters & the event, the entire experience became a "moment of being" for me.
This is turning into a long tale. I'm going to break it here and continue in another entry.