Any FIRST EVENT participants??

[Carla]

Hi Girls
My wife and I are going to FIRST EVENT in Boston in January. This will not only be my first time "out" but it will be the first time for us both. If any of you have been to other FIRST EVENT conferences in previous years, do you have any tips about what clothes to pack? What can we expect at the workshops? Do you think it was worth the cost of attending and traveling?

We will be taking the train. I am sure I will not go en femme. However, I hoping that the event and the workshops on makeup etc. will give me enough confidence to travel home, en femme.

I have seen posts from other girls about flying en femme but never traveling on a train. Anyone have any experiences with train travel?

Thanks!

[Angie G]

I hope you enjoy hun and have a good time.
Angie

[kristine239]

I have been to First Event many times and am planning on going in January next year.

So far as cloths go, take everything (no) but what ever your comfortable with. Seminars will help you both a lot and you will find the group warm and friendly.

You also should consider the IFGE conference in DC in February www.ifge.org and the Liberty Conferance in Phila in april www.transeventsusa.org.

Hope to meet you in January.

Love Kristine

[Misfire]

I have many gay and trans friends (including myself) so I'm no stranger to the cause. I love going out to these events, seeing and meeting so many smart and wonderful people, interacting with them. It's amazing.

[Genifer Teal]

I enjoy First event in my own way. I've been to about 5 or 6 by now. I have made many friends up there in Boston. I go mainly to get away and to go see them. The event is almost inconsequential. I'm glad it is on and that is why I go but I pretty much do my own thing.

First Event is what you make of it. They have not found a place which is equal to the old hotel. Now we have been to two new ones. I believe we will stay at the last one. It was nice and had a decent lay out but the hotel bar is still not as good as (or open as late as) the first hotel bar.

I tend to party with the late nite crowd. You can usually find me with Dr Z's crew. This leads me to my next comment about the seminars. They are probably good for beginers who have never been to something like that. I have learned that I can never get up in time to make them. The last few times I just paid for the hotel and skipped everything else. The fashion show was "taken over" last year by someone who changed the format. Many decided not to go. The main dinner usually has a long drawn out ceremony - albeit well put together. I decided to join my friends going out for dinner.

Late nite I party with the Dr Z crowd. He is known for all nite (almost) parties in his hotel suite. I have the best chance to really talk to some girls there. Many who have or are in the process of transitioning. I have learned a lot about the reality of it all. To actually talk face to face with someone doing it really puts transitioning into perspective. Just reading about it on the web oversimplifies it. Kind of the way tv shows like dr 90210 make plastic surgery seem like a matter of fact part of growing old. Doesn't everybody do it?

So for a first timer, know that you can wear what ever the heck you want. A puple wig, a baby diaper (if that is your thing), 10 inch heels (with platforms). You are among friends and the hotel staff is on strict orders to respect their over 300 guests. Any bad report about a staff member will get them a sit down with their superior. The hotel wants our business, especially during a slow winter month.

If you have anything you would like to buy from Glamour Boutique, call them in advance and they will bring it. You can save shipping and actually see and try on the item. The website is different from the store so call them in auburn Mass. They will be happy to bring anything you might be interested in. If you see them early in the event, they can bring something else another day. Hmm, I might hold off to replace my forms until then. I have issues so I need to see them in person. Other vendors will be there too. If you are not comfortable shopping main stream. You may find a few trinkets there. Don't expect to find everything though. Talking to other vendors (listed on the TCNE website) in advance may bring good benefits as well and ensure they have what you are looking for.

OK, if I don't send this soon, my log in will time out. PM me if you have more Q's. I also have a nearby place where I go my hair styled.

Gen

[Carla]

Thanks everyone, especially Gen. That is very good information. As a newbie, I think I will stick to the planned format this first time out. I have never been in public before. My wife is super supportive and this will give us a chance to meet other couples as well. Still, we also like hanging out at the bar and yucking it up with whoever engages in conversation.

Bo stilettos, diapers, platforms, or purple wigs for me. I'm more the "Maude" type. Tall and old!!!! LOL. So I dress conservatively because I would rather blend than be IN YOUR FACE!!!!

We are very excited about OUR first outing. I have sent in my conference application, booked the hotel, and I decided we would do the round trip via Amtrak. Just relax and ride (7 hours) to Boston. I guess I will have to get a cab to Peabody unless anyone knows a better way from downtown Boston.

I also hope that my confidence and I makeup can resonable enough to make the trip home en femme. We will see!

Hope to run into you girls there.

Thanks

[Genifer Teal]

No stilettos, diapers, platforms, or purple wigs for me. I'm more the "Maude" type. Tall and old!!!! LOL. So I dress conservatively because I would rather blend than be IN YOUR FACE!!!!

I decided we would do the round trip via Amtrak.

Hope to run into you girls there.

Thanks

Well, at 6'8" in heels (and usually a short skirt) I can be as in your face as it gets. Not much point in trying to hide my height. I work it best I can. Fortunately my personality helps it all work out.

Say, does your train happen to stop in Penn Station? Grand Central Station? Depending on the schedule I could meet you on the train. How fun could that be? Keep me in mind as the event gets closer.

Gen

[Sally24]

This will be my third First Event and each one has turned out a little differently. It's in my back yard here so it makes it easier for me and my friends to enjoy.

The workshops are varied and cover a wide range of people and topics. I try to spend at least half my time in workshops, even if they don't strictly apply to my situation. Learning about someone else is almost as interesting as learning more about me.LOL There are usually some specifically for couples and sometimes a few just for spouces.

You could spend the whole trip in the bar just talking to other girls but I like to experience a little bit of everything. Being your first time out I'm sure you want to mostly stay on-site but they do offer at least one trip out into the city with a group. Also, Sisters of Boston meets there now so we will be there in full force. Say hi to Caroline or Kristen Marie or me if you run into us during the conference!

It's a great opportunity for many gurls to wear some of their fancy outfits that they never thought would get out of their closets! Either at the fashion show or the banquet it's fun to see all the clothes. Some opt for super over the top fabulous while others go the LBD route, to each his (or her) own.

Most of all you two enjoy yourselves!

[Diann]

Is there a First Event link?

[Kristen Marie]

This will be my third First Event after being away for a number of years. For me, I loved hearing Sally speak at her workshop, I picked up make-up tips in another, and enjoyed shopping some of the vendor booths. To me it was important to spend time with other girls being me.....in a safe environment.

I loved the Fashion Show on Friday night.....watching girls with escorts strutting their stuff made me wish I was a model.....but I ain't getting up there! No way, no how.

As to clothing, I have worn skirts for the workshops as wells as jeans with heels. It can be quite casual, but the Fashion Show was my dress-up time. You will see everything from beautiful gowns to nice smart outfits.

The ages of the participants during the day tend to be a bit older than in the evening. At times, despite my own "old age", I felt like the young kid there. At night, more of the younger girls come out.

Definitely seek us out when you come!

[Sally24]

Is there a First Event link?

http://tcne.org/FirstEvent/FirstEvent.html

[Genifer Teal]

http://tcne.org/FirstEvent/FirstEvent.html

You are too kind to post that. The universal link works too. It is the top response on google when you search "first event". It surprises me how often people forget to use it.

Gen

[SweetCaroline]

Another First Eventer here. Last year was my first first event, and my suggestion as far as clothes go is Pack EVERYTHING you can! I changed no less than two/ three times a day when I was there (and I was a model in last years fashion show where I changed three times in two hours!). Trust me, once in the hotel surround by like minded people, you'll be comfortible in anything you want to wear (with in good taste of course).

Here's another link if your interested...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FEConferenceMeet_Greet/

Also if you have MySpace, the Tiffany Club has a page there that might have some more info.

Maybe I'll see you there!