My (miss)adventure!

[Robyn Kelly]

I was traveling on biz this past week in St. Pete, FL and Houston. So, being in a hotel room all alone and a different city, I took the opportunity to make myself up and try on some new clothes and was resolved to make my first public appearance.

So, on Wednesday night in St. Pete, I tried on a bunch of new stuff (pictures soon to appear in my album, assuming they pass the moderator). And I was feeling really, really pretty. Every time I dress I feel more and more transformed. That is to say, when I'm dressed, there is no doubt in my mind, I am Robyn. But more on that for another thread, another time.

So anyway, I was also feeling very bold. I felt I was ready to venture out into the world. So I did. The hotel I was in was a "suites" hotel and I was at the end of the hall right by the back exit. Cool. I could slip in and out of the hotel without going through the lobby. So, I packed a few things in a clutch -- my cell phone, room key, some cash and my ATM card as well as some makeup in case I needed to make adjustments -- and then headed out into the world. I was targeting two potential CD friendly bars that I had heard about.

I have to say, it felt very liberating walking out of my room, down the stairs, out the door and into my rental car by the back door. I figured out how to get into a car in a mini skirt and then learned to manage the gas pedal and brake while wearing heels. After a short while I pulled up to a light and nearly panicked when a cop car pulled up next to me. I hadn't done anything wrong, but I certainly didn't want to be pulled over now! LOL

And then it hit me, that I hadn't brought my drivers license with me. So, the light turned green and I paused to let the cop go first. Phew. So, I get to the first bar and it is empty. I guess between it being Wednesday night and in the 30's - yes, temperature in the 30's in FL - everyone stayed home. So, I didn't get out and drove to the next place. Same thing here. Pretty empty. So, I chickened out. I really didn't want to go into an empty place -- CD friendly or not -- and stand out. So, I turned the car around and headed back to the hotel. Naturally, on the way back, I pull up to a light, right next to another cop. So I had another slight panic attack and made my turn on red, praying that I hadn't missed a no turn on red sign!!

Finally, I was safely back in the hotel parking lot. I swung my legs out of the car and headed to the back door to slip back upstairs to my room unnoticed. I took my key out of my little bag and put it in the card reader and... nothing. So I try again... nothing. I make sure I'm putting it in right and again... nothing. manure. I had it in my bag next to my cell phone. I had erased it. Now what do I do?

I get back into the car and briefly consider changing into a pair of pants and shirt I brought in case of emergency but then realize, I'd still have all the make-up, etc. so, what the hell. So I get out of the car and walk around to the front lobby. By now, it was late enough that the front door was locked too, so I pick up the phone and ask the front desk to please let me in as my key was not working. You should have seen the look on the guy's face when he saw me, because the voice on the phone certainly didn't match what he was seeing! So, he let's me in and I explain my predicament including the fact that I don't have a picture ID with me, only my ATM card.

So, he says to me, well, I will come up with you and let you in so you can show me your ID, this way you don't have to come back down like this. Love that, huh?!?

So, I went out to make my first appearance and though I chickened out and decided I would postpone my first appearance, fate had a different idea!

On the second night of my trip in Houston, though I still dressed up, but I decided to stay in except for a trip down the hall to the vending machines.

I'm going to be back in St. Pete for a couple of nights at the end of the month, so will try again to have a more positive public appearance then.

[Stephanie H]

Robyn Kelly:
Great experience. The more you do, the more you will feel comfortable and not feel like a carpenters thumb. A word of caution though, be carefuly in bars that you have not been to before.

[Virginia]

Hi Robyn,

We actually have a member here on the forum that lives in the St. Pete area, don't we (Lydia).

Far be it of me to tell you how to react when your out, but I will tell you this story. I was dressed in all my blond glory one evening driving back home from dinner at a friend's house. My itinerary took me right by the local city jail and as it happens it was about 9:00pm (yeah I know, but I need my beauty rest) anyway, it was evidently shift changing time and it was summer and the speed limit was 25 mph. As I approached several officers 4 or 5 were standing around one particular squad car just talking. As I drove slowly by I pointed out the window at one particular officer, big smile and waved. As I passed I looked in the rear view mirror and boy was he catching it from his friends, one was even laughing and standing in the street motioning me to come back. Hope he wasn't married - guess he had trouble explaining that to his wife.

As for desk clerks, if they say anything at all, just say what I would say, "I'm transgendered!!!! Do you have a problem with that?" They don't know you and if they like their job (most don't) but they are taught to "be nice to your paycheck" (uh, that's you). They should not give you any grief! Stand up for yourself, be proud of who you are and don't take no crap from anyone in that type of situation. A well worded letter to the manager or the "customer service dept." of the chain can do wonders for an idiot clerk.

Have fun, hon, we only take this trip around the sun once!!!

Love ya,

Virginia

[DonnaT]

I can imagine your heart skipped a beat or two during the night out

[Diannna]

Loved your story Robyn. I'm sure you did quite well under the circumstances, the cops I mean. Heck, I get nervous around them even in drab. Hehehe!

[Gwen Lee]

Robyn,
You are so brave. Glad it didn't cause you to quit going out. Wish i had that kind of courage.