Ava goes out!

[Ava Mouse]

Well, lessee, where to begin...

Well, I got dressed up and headed to downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill to be exact. I needed to get gas, so I filled up nearby. I was going to take a pic of this, but a couple of guys pulled up behind me... They didn't say anything, but one of them had a big grin... I'd been read.. No big deal...

Then I went to the parking garage under a new QFC. Here's a pic from that:

http://img214.exs.cx/img214/5546/ava2005021201s7px.jpg

I went to the ATM and then to a used clothing store. While there, the staff was really nice and I tried on a red china dress, but it was too small. While shopping, out of the corner of my eye, a gg looked at me, then did a double take! I pretended not to notice, but almost laughed... It was classic. But overall, most people were doing their own things...

After that I went to QFC to buy a little cake for the meeting. I stood in line and another checkout gal was trying to get the attention of my checkout gal. I think I was the reason, but she was professional and nice... I did OK with my voice, no jaw droppers or rude looks from anyone.

I then went to my Tri-Ess meeting, which was fun, a new couple was there. We were going to go to a show in Seattle, but it was packed for the Valentine's weekend, so we ended up going to a nice restaurant where I met a bunch of great people, friends of our Tri-Ess leaders.. Chrissy from the "My Husband Betty" forum was there, and she's a wonderfull person, and drop dead gorgeous! Here's a pic from il Bistro in Pike's Place Market...

http://img214.exs.cx/img214/5571/ava2005021203s0kf.jpg

I'll have to crop this one for privacy...

http://img139.exs.cx/img139/1512/ava2005021205s7cz.jpg

Overall, the best outing I've had yet! Despite being nervous as hell, people treated me well everywhere I went, and where I was read, it was a big grin or a look of wow, that guy did a good job. I think I did a good job, and I think that earns respect. Sloppiness would bring a snear, but a tasteful presentation is admirable.

Well, it's 3AM and I'm pooped. I'll post more later...

[Sharon]

I don't know Ava, I think you might have slipped past my CD radar if we were at the same service station.
You look absolutely stunning and I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful time.

[carolynhcd]

Ava, my pilbox hat is off to you. Love to see the uncropped photo. Good on you, gir!

[Tristen Cox]

I must say that if we were to be represented by someone I would vote you right in Ava. Quite stunning at all times. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the story, now GO TO BED! :p



*hugs*
Nyt nyt

Love
Tristen

[ChristineRenee]

Congrats to you Ava...you did do a good job. The better we present ourselves to the public, the better the public will start to treat us. You looked absolutely fab girl!:cool:

Thanks for sharing your excursion and your pics with us.;)

Love,
Chrissie:)

[Tracie Lynn]

Ava, sounds like you had a wonderfull time I am enveous, I am going to Seattle next month for my first profesonal make over at "The Emerald Fantasy" and I am really excited about it and one of my plans is to go to Pikes Market En Femen and a few other places too, what is QFC I am not accointed with it? also I plan on stopping at Gillmans village in Isaquah and the Out Let stores in North Bend for some shopping on my way home, I hope all goes well for me like it did for you.

[DanaJ]

Ava - wow!! I am so proud of you girl! Sounds like you had a great time, I can't wait to hear more about your evening. Well done!

DanaJ

P.S. Tracy Lynn, QFC is a grocery store chain...

[Chrissycd]

Spring must be in the air early this year. :)
So many girls are sharing such wonderful stories about getting out or coming out that it's very heartening.
Ava, dear, he probably grinned because he thought you were a hottie until his buddy clued him in...and secretly, after being clued in, he probably STILL thought you were a hottie. ;) You looked very classy and your hair is gorgeous. Glad to hear you maintained your poise there and at the grocery store. Sometimes, it can be a delicate thing and we need to show others how to behave, but it sounds like people were polite in general. You go girl!
Hugs,
Chrissy

[donna anne]

your braver than i am, you look great. glad you had a good time and just think of how many others didnt make you because you looked so good.

P.S. your advise on epilators was great, thanks

[Holly]

Oh Ava,

How much fun was that? You are a credit to the sisterhood. The suit you are wearing in the picture if just too cute. And I must say that your attitude on being read (if you were) is refreshing and, IMO, exactly on point. It takes a lot of the pressure off when you're out. Keep it up!

[Lauren Richards]

Ava,
I am glad the damp weather yesterday did not dampen your spirtis. You look fantastic in that outfit!! I certainly wouldn't have looked twice, except to look at a gorgious gal, which I freely admit that I do. I'm glad the few occasions you may have been read went well. There comes a threshold where it doesn't matter, and it is wonderful when you step over it and simply enjoy who you are, letting others opinions become secondary. A Freedom so sweet. I have had similar experiences on Capitol Hill, and everyone has always been very accepting and supportive. That is were I asked some folks to take my picture last week (posted in my mall thread), and I know QFC checkers have seen cross dressers before. The old QFC on the north end of Broadway is where I made my first purchase about six months ago, and the checker was very polite. Just acting like you belong (which for you looking that way was no act) goes a long way. Congratulations on your wonderful day, and for surrounding yourself with the supportive, and apparently fun-loving, TriEss group, too. Way to go! Looking forward to your further posts.

Lauren

[Priscilla1018]

Hi Ava,

You look fantastick, I have always liked to see woman in suits, what you do for that outfit is is remarkable. Glad you had a good night out and if people were looking at you , it is only because you look so good.

Love and Hugs,
Priscilla

[StephanieCD]

I must say that if we were to be represented by someone I would vote you right in Ava. Quite stunning at all times.

Ditto that.

Now.. about those epilators?

[Linda-x]

Absolutely smashing, girl !!!! Very professional, and classy, to say the least. Sounds like a wonderful outing. I've been to that QFC more than once, the last time for panty hose. But that's another story, LOL. Also, I did'nt even realize we had a Tri-Ess group here !! I guess I need to get out, more often. Now when is your next outing !!!! :D

[christine55]

You always dress with taste
Hugs, Christine

[Ava Mouse]

Thanks for the kind comments everyone!

Attached is a pic of me in the dressing room at the used clothing store... I was so nervous, the camera pics were all blurry! But it was fun...

Today I feel so relaxed and at peace with myself... I'm even doing some work on the house... I'm in a good mood.... My lousy job's been keeping me down for months, and one evening as Ava breathed new life back into me...

[Sweet Susan]

Way to go Ava!

For those of you that don't know, Capitol Hill is the place in Seattle to go while en femme. The chances of getting harrassed are actually minute comparitively speaking, though not unheard of. (A crossdresser was beaten severely there several years ago.) One can spend an hour on Broadway at Capitol Hill and see several crossdressers. It's a great neighborhood in the city, and a fantastic place to let your hair down. If any of you ever come to Seattle, you'll have to make Capitol Hill one of your stops.

I went there several years ago to attend meetings at the Ingersol Clinic, a transgender meeting hall. I wonder if that is where Ava attends her Tri-Ess meetings. I'd like to go to a Tri-Ess meeting, actually. While I was there I went to the very QFC Ava mentioned in her thread opening. While in the QFC I picked up some pictures that I had previously dropped off. While looking for the photos, two men approached me and said, "ma'am?" "ma'am" and the they kept it up for several seconds. I was unaware they were speaking to me, cuz, afterall, I'm really a guy! Anyway, finally, as if irritated, I spun around toward them, gave them a "go to hell look," and you should have seen their faces! Then I went to the cashier to pay for my pics, I was smiling broadly but nervously, and the lady cashier looked at me, then did the old double take, looked very closely at me and said, "you look nervous, it's okay, you're in good company in this store." I had quite the day.

[Tiffany Tuesday]

Well done Ava,

If you felt that a few people stared, it is because you look the epitome of classy femininity, so of course you will turn heads!

The sweet thing is, no matter what, even if someone might read you one day, what they will see is what we all see ... a beautiful person exceptionally well presented as an elegant young woman.

Congratulations darlin', hugzzzz!

[Julie]

Way to go girl! One thing for sure, you look maahvelous dahling! Whoever read you must be one of us ;) . When reading your story I kept thinking of how you had said when you were younger you were given a hard time because of your small size and now those same guys are drooling (or something to that effect). Well, you're right! You're quite the hottie.

Now about this tiring out at 3AM???????:p

[Helana]

Ava

You really are a stunner! and your clothes, hair and make-up are spot-on and very natural looking. You don't need to be nervous :cool:

I laughed at your description of the guy who did the double take - I always laugh at that myself when I am out. I hate people who just stare at you for a long time with a disapproving look on their face, but when you get someone do a double take I just cannot help myself bursting out into a grin.

The worst ones are the ones who walk past you from behind then immediately look over their shoulder - I mean could they be more obvious!!! :eek:

Well done, you should make this a regular weekend event. ;)

[Marlene4a]

Ava....great photos, and excellent attire for the occasion. And, you look very passable.

Susan is correct. Capital Hill, a suburb of Seattle, and is a great place to go out en femme.

Thanks for sharing.

[windycissy]

Ava,

You weren't getting funny looks from everybody, only once in a while, right? Here's my philosophy: if I can pass 95% of the time, that means one out of twenty people who take the time to stare at me will read me as a guy. (Teenage girls are my nemisis - they must have special radar!) Comes with the territory. We have another thing in common: I love to snap pictures of myself out and about. Here's a picture of me at Old Navy last week:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc35b3127cce9014afa780e700000010108IatWLlw0aW

[DonnaT]

Well done Ava.

Gee, what chance do the rest of us have if you were read? And who cares :D ? If we are read we are read, as long as we can continue to have fun, right?

[Jenniferjazz]

Ava dear, I just have to add my "well done" to the chorus. You look absolutely smashing and I am so glad you had so much fun. I've been making similar outings myself lately and they are so refreshing. I also enjoy dressing in a nice business look at such times. (The real estate agent look as I call it) I see a counselor once or twice a month to discuss the ups and downs of coping with dressing that my wife and I have. Since we spend so much time talking about Jennifer, I decided that, when time allows, I would go as Jennifer. It is so nice to have my discussions with her en femme, and afterwards I'll go shopping at Pennys or some of my favorite local thrift stores before heading to the Wednesday night social at I LOVE IT, or meeting my friend Lisah for dinner. I probably get "read" quite a bit more than you do, and will occasionally overhear a snide remark. I guess that's to be expected, but when I have a positive reaction from someone in a store or get a compliment on my fake nails from a cute girl at the local coffee drive through, it give me a thrill beyond compare. It brings a smile to my face even now as I remember. Here's wishing you many more such wonderful experiences.

[Melissa A.]

Great job, Ava! I love hearing stories such as yours. And the girls here are so enthusiastic in their support and congratulations.Enhances the whole experience.
As someone who went out and mingled with people for the first time very recently, I know how much fun you had. I went to a club with my girlfriend, and everyone was so nice. Even the scary parts-walking thru the hotel lobby, etc., went great. And the response when I told my story here was wonderful.

I have yet to go shopping as Melissa, but that day is coming. Your story gives me more confidence. The way you handled every situation is just as I would hope to.

Bye the way, you are beautiful- great job!

Hugs,

Melissa :)

[LindaTS]

Ava, you look fantastic. I think you could get along in any situation without any trouble at all. Keep on doing it hon.