I've been thinking about my next time out which is still weeks away.I just read on Emma's blog 'More Earth Than Sea' which can be found at the side, how she suffered an assault on the way back to her hotel from the Village. Emma  who I've been out with a few times was with her wife went through an ordeal that must have been horrendous. No one was injured but it is a reminder of  what can happen. I have been on the end of verbal abuse and to be honest it is scary. It really saddens me when I hear about these transphobic incidents.
I guess the more you are out the more likely you are to come across the morons or whatever you call them who spew their vile crap.  I just hope Emma and her wife are ok.
The Village is a safe place to be, but no where is perfect.
On a more positive note, 2 friends Diana and Kate raised a lot of money for charity, one close to me, MS. I hope they don't mind me mentioning their efforts very briefly here. MS affects about a 100 000 people in the UK. Thanks girls. I've heard people talk about being transgender that you are on a journey, for me it's had a lot of twists and turns, but one thing stands out the wonderful people I've met or been in contact with.
I am really looking forward to seeing my friends again. I am hoping to spend at least a week out so hopefully I'll get to see everyone.
I have been looking at taking a day trip to London on the train from Manchester. It would have to be at the weekend because the train fares are to much during the week. I doubt I'll go this time, but I'll see.
I can now say I've quit smoking a couple of things have happened where I could have lit up, but I didn't.
The trick now is to keep the weight off but I can do that, actually my jeans still fit.
A few things have happened since I was last out, a volcano, new government, it would be nice if the weather improves.
It was sad to read the singer Ronnie James Dio died from stomach cancer a couple of days ago. The ex Rainbow and Black Sabbath singer  in my opinion  should be remembered as one of the great rock vocalists.
I'll end with a link to a song of his Holy Diver album, 'Invisible'. The song does have, I guess a T reference. If  Calie reads this maybe she can have a look for her .Calie's T-Tunes  
Sorry Calie if you read this.

  YouTube - Invisible - Dio

 

Off To See The,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Finished watching Tin Man and really enjoyed it. An updated Wizard of Oz, I guess. I had seen bits of the mini series and when I saw the double dvd for £7, I bought it. It's more complex and darker than the Wizard of Oz, but very entertaining. I'll probably watch it again very soon.

Something else I've been up to is trying a bit of a slightly different look.
I usually really only put up photos when I've been off out somewhere. The last time I put up a photo of me at home it was when I was virtually blind in one eye around about the same time last year. That eye healed really well, but the damage could have been a lot worse.
I think in the photo below I look a lot healthier. I think I can get away with this look, but the test will be how comfortable I feel when out. I've tried to go easy with my make up. My daily use of Clinique products (Sorry for the advertising) have had a good effect on my skin which seems to be a lot better since giving up smoking.

I think the sooner I get out again the better. Hopefully I won't frighten to many people and it won't be to windy.

Gimme Shelter

Below are two great versions of the Rolling Stones classic Gimme Shelter.
I can't get the song out of my head since listening to the Hawkwind cover when I was sorting out my cd collection.
Ashley Cleveland the rock gospel singer does a great cover as well.
I've been rediscovering music I haven't listened to for years.