October 2000
13/10/00 - Been a while hasn't it since I last went out, but unfortunately lack of time and finances have cramped my style of late. Never mind, I decided if it was too awkward to get over to Manchester, or down to London, then I'd have to find a venue a little closer to home.
So, with a few clicks of the keyboard and an email the regional Beaumont Society organiser was contacted and I found myself off to the local meeting on Friday 13th October.
Well, there's been a lot of comments about how staid Beaumont Society members can be, but I had a pleasant evening chatting away with hardly a pause in the conversation.
From not knowing anyone on the local scene I now know Kate, Sandra and Sarah. April and Vanessa came from Peterborough and Nicola from a little further North.
Sarah and Nicola were post-op and pre-op TSs respectively who aren't really into the TV scene, but Sarah was one of the hostesses along with Sandra.
On the other hand, Vanessa lives TV life to the full and has even attended a works Christmas party fully dolled up, and not only that she fooled the boss who was extremely embarrassed when someone pointed out who he'd been chatting with all evening.
April and Kate seemed to be verbally sparring all evening, but then Kate had a wicked word for everyone - I really took to Kate. Don't know if it was mutual though!
Those that had to travel a fair distance left about 11pm, and the rest of us weren't too far behind. Nicola stayed on to chat to Sandra, with me changing back before making the short car journey home, which was a great relief to the normal trek that's usually involved.
Would I go again? Yes. If it's a quiet evening chatting with the girls, having the odd glass of wine and eats - that'll do nicely.
Next one is on 24th November, so if you're in the East Midlands email me and perhaps we could arrange something.
P.S. Telephone numbers were exchanged and an invite to Peterborough received... now where's my little black book?
17/10/00
- This was supposed to be a trip to see my new found Internet friend
Lorraine (recently added to my links
page) take a bottle of wine, meet the wife, dress and spend the evening
chatting.
Oh no! Having arrived Lorraine still in male mode announced that his wife wasn't back 'til 10:30 and she (Lorraine - this is getting confusing or is it just the way I tell 'em?) usually went to a Trans-Yorks Pub Quiz evening in Leeds.
'Right', I said. 'That's OK by me'.
Lorraine lent me an iron to take the creases out of my matching pink skirt and jacket, and half an hour later the pair were deemed fit to wear. Meanwhile, Lorraine had dressed, applied her make-up and painted her nails! OK, but remember Lorraine goes out once a week and I get out once in a blue moon!
Finally, I came downstairs and we leave forty minutes behind schedule. It was looking as though we'd missed the quiz, but Lorraine showed the speedo needle three figures and the time flew by as we chatted about all those sorts of things "girls" chat about on a night out.
Due to my expert navigational skills, when we could see the Old Red Lion I sent Lorraine for another trip round the City Centre. Oh well, nothing like building up the anticipation is there?
New City, strange streets, not my usual confident self. But opposite the pub is a car park, so we only had to cross the road and walk 50 yards to the lounge bar door.
Even so, before we'd got near the pub a passing car full of strapping young men were whistling and banging on their car doors.
Of course, faced with such a situation there was only one thing to do - I
gave them a big smile and waved. You know, it's so nice to get such an enthusiastic
welcome. In fact, they pulled into the car park, and we half expected them
to offer to buy us a drink, but may be they were too shy, I don't know.
As
luck would have it the quiz hadn't started, so the diet pepsis were ordered
(well at least we started with good intentions). 25 questions in all and our
team Trans-Yorks B scored 21. Only the A team bettered us with 22. Don't know
why but the quizmaster referred to them as the "Witches of Eastgate".
Along with the sausage rolls and free glass of wine this made another depressing
calorie count. Mind you if you wanted to put on weight put yourself up for
Rhia's job of passing round the sausage rolls. She made sure none went back
- unfortunately it doesn't look like her figure has taken revenge yet.
All good things come to an end and we left; this time without an audience. Next excursion to Leeds is on 2nd November for the official launch of Trans-Yorks at Plaids Bar - it's also my birthday and first time for celebrating as Rachel - 21 again, naturally.
Want to join me? Then visit the Trans-Yorks website for details.