Dee-Va Las Vegas is a transgender get together held for a week (Monday to Friday) in Las Vegas. This year it ran from October 12 to 16, with the main hotel being the Tuscany, slightly off the main Las Vegas Strip. This was my third year attending (2023, 2025, 2026).
There are three attractions of DLV for me. First, the ability to dress for a week. Second, some of the activities involved (like the limo/party bus night, and the pool party). Third, and probably the heaviest weighting, is meeting up with a couple of regular attendees, ones that I have made friends with starting in 2023, Joyce Anne and Terri Lynn.
But before attending, I needed to take care of some business. The first was all in my control–trying to get a bit skinnier. After my little health scare, I decided that if I was going to continue to do the activities that test my heart–like triathlons and half-marathons, and shorter running races–I probably ought to lose the weight I’ve been meaning to lose for multiple years. I’ve typically managed to get down to the 175-pound range, only to boomerang back up to the 180’s (November and December, Thanksgiving to New Year’s, have been problematic).
My perpetual goal has been 165, which according to my fancy-schmancy internet enabled scale, means I should be about 20% body fat. That’s not skinny by any means, but a reasonably healthy level. I figured the lower weight would help with my blood pressure monitoring.
And looking better in a bikini for pool day at Dee-Va Las Vegas had absolutely nothing–repeat, nothing–to do with my motivation to lose weight (and perhaps inches around my midsection).
The other part of my preparation required professional help, so I scheduled a pedicure and back waxing session with my BFF, Michelle, owner of a local salon. As I have mentioned before, I am Michelle’s accountant, gardener (I mow the lawn at her spa, and full time Guardian Angel, for which I often suggest I need bigger wings. She in turn gives me the occasional pedicure or manicure and tortures me with waxing from time to time.
To not have to rush, this time around I scheduled our session for the Fri-Dee before I was scheduled to fly to Las Vegas. That meant a more reasonable morning time for Michelle (she doesn’t do early mornings too well) and I would not have to worry about scrambling to get to the airport and catch a plane. The downside of that is Michelle could only shape up my fingernails, and I would be on my own to actually paint them.
As I wanted to go dressed, and I prefer not to dress in front of my wife (who is tolerant, but I try not to push her tolerance level), I went to a local Y beforehand, one located the next town over (in the town where Michelle’s salon is located). I have been to this Y before, but not regularly, although I do see a few people there that I know. Like other Y’s in the area, this one has family rooms, which means I can work out (I went for a run and rode the stationary bike–the weight part of my Vegas prep) and then get dressed in private. Of course, it means walking out of the Y dressed as Dee, but I have learned to live with those kinds of risks.
While on the exercise bike, Michelle texted me to let me know she would be ready for me prior to our scheduled time, so I finished my workout and showered and dressed (my gym bag is pretty packed with all the things I need to walk out in girl mode).
My outfit was an American Eagle top and shorts combo I bought earlier this year when I decided it was too cute to say no to. Michelle had not seen me in person in this outfit, and it’s been summer like (read hot hot hot) though it was mid-October, so the top and shorts were weather suitable.
The pain–waxing my back, my nose hairs, and ear hairs–came first. Yes, it hurts a bit, and I think Michelle enjoys making me suffer a bit. Probably the worst is the nose hairs (my back is not very hairy, and I try to shave what I can reach). I lie down and try to take it like a woman.
The pedicure is a lot more pleasurable, as my feet get pampered and Michelle and I catch up. Often, there are other clients in the room, but this time we were the only ones. I let Michelle choose the color, but my standard color is red. Go big or go home.
After the pedicure, Michelle had to get ready for an actual paying client, so I scurried off to a nearby Plato’s Closet for a quick walk through. I tried on a few things, but nothing hit home, so I headed home.
The following day was the second Satur-Dee of the month, the day of the monthly lunch meeting of the St. Louis Gender Foundation. With my newly painted toes, and a hairless back, I chose a fun summer dress to wear to lunch. I played tennis for a couple of hours, then showered, and returned to Michelle’s salon to get changed (another perk of being a friend of Michelle’s).
Next week, Day One of Dee-Va Las Vegas.
