I am very new at being out, and have mostly only dressed while traveling in my car, and at night. I am alone at a hotel and I dressed in my room, then realized I needed one more thing from my car. I grabbed my purse, car keys and room key. Went to the car, got what I needed, and decided to go for a walk about the hotel, since it was 10 pm, Monday night, and few people had been about. I figured I would take a walk in the halls (but not clear up to the lobby and desk), and walk in and through the atrium garden by the pool and hot tub. I opened my room door to set down the item I had retrieved - and instead set down my car keys and room key, turned and left with the item still in my hands. I was about 15 steps down the hall when I realized what I had done. Since I always put a spare room key in my car, I hoped I had not locked it - but of course I had. I had unlocked the lanai door earlier for fresh air, but had not removed the security bar, so could not get in that way. After saying the appropriate word, I realized I would have to go to the front desk and get another key - and am in shock! No other choice. As I walked to the front desk the girl who checked me in came to the station, and I said "Don't ask for the story but I need a new key." She remembered me (which had its upside, since I did not have ID), and said "Why don't I give you two more this time." I realized as I walked away how freeing this was, and how good I felt - I am out dressed (dress, wig, forms and a nice pair of ballet slippers a girlfriend gave me), and was outed (or outed myself), and it was no big deal. I use this hotel a couple times a year, and always stay in the same room, so am surely less anonymous than many of their guests. As I left the front desk area instead of sneaking out along the fringes I walked the long way across the main lounge, past a group of men and women business people in suits talking and enjoying themselves. Half of them were facing my way, but they didn't give me a notice. I just thought I would share this with you all, since I am very satisfied with way my evening turned out.
