Kim out in the City of Brotherly Love

Post by **KimberlyS** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:35 pm

I am on a business trip to Philly. I thought I may have a few hours of free time tonight, so I asked my wife if it was ok to bring my femme things along. Well Sunday I did a quick packing job, double checked to make sure I was not missing anything for my meeting and double checked to make sure I had all of my femme clothes. Then off to the airport to fly into the storm they were having out here in NE USA. Well about 3/4 the way to the airport I have a sinking feeling. I remember I forgot a couple of minor things, but that is not a problem. Then I remember I only got clothes and shoes. No wig or makeup. Oh well I could not turn around as I would miss my flight. So on I went kind of bummed. But I could still dress in the room and under dress well for any outing I went on.

Well I get up early and leave extra time to get to my meeting as the tv is saying the traffic is terrible. Well my all day meeting was 1 hour. So it is 11:00 am and I am done for the day and to not fly out until the next morning. So down town Philly here I come. Time to play tourist for the rest of the day.

Well back to the room to change and I decide to bring my femme outer things with just in case. I get directions and head out. Well some how in route I take a wrong turn, but know I am close. So I just keep driving looking at the city and slowly circle in on my destination the historical district. I am in male presentation so I can not ask for directions. The narrow one way streets with parking on both side are a new experience for me and there is lots of traffic. But I do not mind as I get to stop and check out the houses and businesses on the way. And as I am getting close to my destination what should I see but a sign that says WIGS. No way I think. Just happen upon a wig shop. But I start to scope out a parking place and there is nothing for parking and has been nothing with both sides of the streets have been packed with cars and trucks. Traffic starts to move on and so do I thinking oh so close, yet so far away. But to my surprise in the middle of the next block is some one trying to pull out. A parking spot.

Well park and head back down to the store. I walk in and there is all wigs and only wigs. This must be destiny. I am greeted warmly and asked if I was looking for anything specific. I say yes and generally what I wanted and she starts showing me different wigs. Remember I am in male presentation but I do have my femme flats on. Well after we get a few options she says to me that I can try on as many as I want. I just need to buy a wig cap, $1.00. An OK and she says I can be seated at the table and mirror and we start trying on. And I soon have a nice wig at a decent price. She asks if I want to wear it or to bag it up. I say I will wear it. Several other people were in and out and no seemed to care or notice me. I was just another person they went by during their day.

Well out the door and head back to the car and what would be across the street. A beauty supply store. I go to check it out and they have what I need. I decide on a limited stock. So I stick to just what is needed. Foundation power, lipstick, and nail polish. And now back to the car. The people and cars are just flying by so I decide to put on makeup right there. No seem to notice me except one car who wanted my parking spot. The foundation gave me decent coverage but still could see beard shadow.

Well with makeup and wig on, I move towards my destination. I end up parking in a ramp near by which worked great because I was wondering where I was going to change. Unlike Karren, I did not know where all of the uni-sex bathrooms where in the area. I thought I was lucky to come across a wig and makeup. I found a darker out of the way spot and finished my transformation.

Out side the ramp I become a tourist with very gusty winds and varying degrees of light rain coming down. I get to Independence Hall. And there is about a dozen of people taking pictures. That is what I forgot at home, the camera.

Starting to rain a bit more and head to the Liberty Bell which is inside. Inside the door it reminded me the the airport. Too late to turn around as there is already a crowd behind me also most like also trying to stay dry. I start my pre-security drill. Watch, keys, coins, cell phone, umbrella, and other metal into my back pack. Yes I said back pack and not purse. My purse was still home with my makeup in it. Well I am down to my rings and glasses when I get up there and he says to just leave them on. I put my back pack on the belt and wait to be motioned through. And I set it off. What did I forget? He says is your bracelet metal? Oh yes, and magnetic also. Opps forgot about that one. Then he says is your belt metal? Well maybe all of the rivets are. Try two and I set it off again and get waved through to get wanded. A quick check and I am good to go. I think wow, now I know what some gals go through at the airports. Then the engineer in me kicks in and wonders what set it off. Hummmm, four rings, glasses, bra hardware, shaper hooks and boots with zippers up the back. Ahhh.

I follow the crowd through looking at the different exhibits. The normal, how and why it was made. What made the crack and attempts to fix it but mad it worse. They then went into the famous people that have come to see it. But what got me was what was next. They talked about the different causes beyond just the American revolution that have come to the Liberty Bell. Martin Luther and other civil rights movements. There were many different sit-in protests around the Liberty Bell, including the anti-war, 60's, and others. By the time I got to the bell I just stood there and thought all of that proceeded me there leading the way to give rights to others. Rights to me to stand there and be me. No one seemed to notice me or care. People were looking, talking and taking turns getting their pictures taken in front of the bell. But no one seemed to care, or notice that I was there. If they would look at me instead of the crowd they could see or at least question who I was as others had along the way there.

Well I decided to move on to the Independence Hall tour. Well as I exit the building and head that direction I see several buses of kids are in the process of unloading ahead of me. So I decide to defer that tour. And besides the wind was picking up again and it was starting to rain more. So I just decide to take a different route to the car and see if I can find that warm and dry mall someone told me about.

I will not go into the detail of the rest of my afternoon and night. Found the mall. Walked around. Did some minor shopping. Walked around. Had supper at a TGIFridays. Came back to the room. Called my wife since I called her from the restaurant but could not hear very well so told her I would call back. Checked my mail and this forum and wrote this post. Now time to pack and see if I can get this nail polish off. Remember back to shopping. Polish remover was not on the list. Opps.

KimberlyS-CD
joe in a skirt

Standard disclaimer: Going out of the house was right for me, it may or may not be right for you. If you've got no desire to leave the house, that's fine, I'm not trying to push you out the door. But for those who've been yearning to do so, I just want to let you know the world may not be as scary a place as you think.

Anita · Post by **Anita** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:44 am

Hi Kimberly--
I admire your persistence. It's not easy to put yourself together in bits and pieces out on the road, as it were.

I did not know that protesting groups picked the Liberty Bell as a place to gather.

It can be very disconcerting to leave something behind. It will really bother you if you let it get to you. I'm glad you found a solution to it.
One night I forgot to pack a bra. There was no way around that one; I was a 1920s kind of flat-chested gal that night

The mall would have been a welcome place on the kind of night you're describing.

My grandfather could be a confrontational kind of guy, and got in an argument with a guard about taking his hat off in Independence Hall. When my dad asked if they could see the Liberty Bell, my grandfather snorted that they probably wanted you to take off your pants to see that!

Post by **DonnaT** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 6:28 am

Nice story Kimberly.

I was wondering how you planned to get the polish off when you didn't mention remover.

How'd that workout, by the way?

A couple of weeks ago, when preparing to go to Richmond, I dressed in all that I needed, except a skirt and wig. My wife won't let me go out of the house with those on. I packed a small bag with everything else and nearly forgot the skirt.

I think making a checklist may be in order.

Anita · Post by **Anita** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:04 am

That's a good idea, Donna. I have one, and I resist looking at it for some reason. But when I do, I usually find something that needs to go with me.

I think the hardest part of a checklist is keeping an open mind. You have to look at the list with real attention, as if it's the first time you ever looked at it. You can't just 'skim' it quickly and impatiently--you'll miss stuff that way. I think that's part of my resistance to the list.

Nail polish remover--yeah, that's something that's hard to find any substitute for, when you need it. How DID you get around that, Kim?
I guess you can go into the hardware store and ask for acetone. But most of the time (like late at night), the local 24 hour drugstore will be the place to go.

Carla L · Post by **Carla L** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:40 pm

Wow... that is excellent. I like the tip of having a check list (does anyone already have one they can share??)

I love the story and your guts to do this. Someday, I will do it myself, if I can get over the fear of being noticed. I've made the hurdle of being able to buy most anything without caring who sees me, so I know I am making progress.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Kimberly Kael · Post by **Kimberly Kael** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:59 pm

Thank you for sharing your experience, Kimberly. I love the determination and confidence in getting out there and being who you want to be, and it's always nice to see things come together despite adversity. Thinking about what and how I'd go about packing sounds intimidating. I'm so used to being able to pack for a trip in half an hour!

Perhaps we should share checklists as a community? What are the key things not to forget on a trip?

Post by **DonnaT** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:14 pm

Shoes
Hosiery/socks including spares
Panties
Bra
Forms
Slip if needed
Dress or
Skirt or trousers
Blouse
Wig
Jewelry
Makeup
Makeup remover
Nail Polish
Nail Polish Remover
Purse w/essentials
ID
Money

And if you leave the house dressed enfemme, you might want to take:

Pants
Shirt
Shoes
Makeup remover
Nail Polish Remover

in case of emergencies needing a quick change.

Kimberly Kael · Post by **Kimberly Kael** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:12 pm

Call me obsessive about categorization but it helps me to think in terms of a smaller number of groups of things I might have forgotten. It sounds like the "broad categories" (sorry, couldn't resist) for packing your femme self on a trip might be ...

Body Tune-up (Nails, Breast Forms, Wigs, Shaving Gear)
Indoor Clothes (Under and Outer Garments, Hosiery)
Outdoor Gear (Shoes, Boots, Coats, Wet Weather Gear, etc.)
Accessories (Jewelry, Belts, Purses, Hair Clips, etc.)
Makeup (Facial Routine, Nail Polish)
Cleanup (Makeup and Polish Remover, Cotton Pads, etc.)

I think the quick change list when leaving the home en femme sounds equally smart. The list is pretty straightforward once you realize it might be convenient. I can even picture keeping an "emergency kit" in the car, just in case.

SilverLady(SO) · Post by **SilverLady(SO)** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:57 am

I'm glad you had a great trip, KS - I'm sorry that we weren't able to work out the logistics of meeting each other, but soon, I hope!

Whenever Virginia and I have gone out to CD-related events (TGEA and Fielden's) the male attire has been left at home, even for overnight trips. He and I have had out-of-town trips where Virginia came along, also, but due to circumstances his presence was a requirement (powerlifting meets, etc.).

Our upcoming trip to/from Vegas - because of airport security he will be present, but those are the only male clothes that will be coming along on our trip. Virginia might consider making the return trip, but if she doesn't that will be okay, too.

- SL

Post by **KimberlyS** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:32 am

Thank you everyone for you comments. Air travel in the NE was still feeling the affects of the storm with delays and extra full flights due to previous days cancellations. I will respond to your posts later today.

KimberlyS-CD

Post by **KimberlyS** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:38 pm

Thank you everyone for your comments.

Anita, I was also surprised that many groups used the Liberty Bell as a symbol to their cause. As for persistence, I was making the best of what I had and lucky to get more than I hoped for.

Donna, for the polish I was hoping to find some remover or polish remover wipes. But no such luck. I ended up scraping it off. Hummm List? I like it.

Robyn, if it is something you truly want to do, you will do it when you are ready.

KimberlyK, next time will you pack for me.

SL and Virginia, some day we will meet as will many of us. Enjoy your LV trip.

KimberlyS-CD

Kimberly Kael · Post by **Kimberly Kael** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:19 am

KimberlyS wrote:KimberlyK, next time will you pack for me.

Anything for a sister, but you should know that I'm sometimes better with theory than practice ...

I can already imagine posting about a similar scramble for missing items on one of my own trips and having people helpfully pointing me to my own post for advice! I'm glad you had a fun trip and are back home safe and sound and I look forward to hearing about your future exploits.

Post by **KimberlyS** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:32 am

Kim, I am sure at some point you will forget something. Just enjoy and go with what you have. I just can not believe that it worked out so well even with out trying. I would have still had a good time even if I did not find a wig. But I am glad I brought the rest of my femme clothes along as it made my outing an extra treat I was not expecting. A person needs to enjoy and appreciate what we have. It makes life more enjoyable and less stressful.

Next time I will need to make a list and check it twice.

KimberlyS-CD
joe in a skirt