Throwing caution to the wind, we take a few outings out of chronological order. Yikes!
July 9, 2025, a meeting regarding getting involved with a fashion event. I mentioned making a new friend back at CIFF. Valerie competed on season eight of Project Runway, ultimately finishing seventh of 17 designers as well as appearing on season five of Project Runway All Stars. And she is my friend! I text on occasion, and she responds. She is also the proprietor of Yellowcake Shop, and you have or will have already read about me also attending her birthday/Valapalooza Fashion Fest. And she is 20 years my junior….
I will be working with her and city leaders to create a symposium designed to improve the fashion industry in Cleveland. We’ll see how this all progresses, but it is certainly of interest to me on many levels.
After the meeting I had my dinner at Twist, chatted up a few folks and then did something I sort of feel guilty about. To simply stretch an evening, I hit Target and try on a number of things. I bought nothing and I always put everything back (apparently, I am the only one who does this). Feeling way out of balance toward my female side, trying on bras that fit ME (not are just on me, they do exactly what they are designed to do) leaves me, admittedly, feeling something I cannot explain. Yes, happiness, but I get very teary when looking in the mirrors, front and back. I look at my back and I don’t see myself, I see a woman. And you all know, I am very self-critical and honest with myself.
Loved the day in this dress!
I will be modeling for this event. We will be walking vintage pieces that are a part of the museum’s collection. I will be a (female) pilot.
July 13, 2025; BFFing and Lesbian Alcoholics
BFF reached out to see if I was available, so I canceled a movie shoot and was happy to do so! First stop was Sunday services. We had an outdoor service on what turned out to be a lovely morning. Not to sound like a broken record, but at this place, the complete love and acceptance I receive, remains a true gift. Thank you, Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.
I then hit the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and took some great pics!
Then I went to meet Sher at the Midtown Collaboration Center, a new complex in Cleveland. There is a tremendous space which includes The Sixty6 (live music), Pearl’s Kitchen and Black Frog Brewery. Not knowing anyone walking in (Sher followed about an hour later), I saw a few people that knew me from The Cleveland Foundation, chatted up a few new friends, interacted with the musical act, and then later saw a great friend.
Unburdened by memory, I knew I knew Synthia, but could not place from where (and obviously, I could not remember her name). Once I was able to make eye contact, multiple hugs and hand holds ensued. I introduced her to my date for the afternoon, and they connected as well. I got to know the gentleman from the brewery (patronizing him often this day) and generally had a fantastic 3+ hours there. Synthia referred to herself as a lesbian alcoholic, which as you can imagine, I could relate to!
What a full Cleveland three (out of four) days! Superman, our fantastic hospitals and the staff (despite constant scheduling issues), our acting community, my tremendous friends that I don’t even expect to see but seem to run into often, my friends Tom and Valerie, the NB guy who’s name I cannot remember, Barb and Alex, my church, the Cleveland community where I am simply me and never, ever questioned, slighted, or left to feel lesser, my lesbian alcoholic sister and of course, the BFFster!
If you do any one of these things, you have done well. Me, all the time. If only I could solve the need to bust my backside to pay the bills…
2 Responses
Kandi,
I am so happy for you, having a great time in wonderful Cleveland.
You continue to look so beautiful.
Love,
Jocelyn
Kandi,
Your city sounds a great place , so much to get involved with if you’re like Kandi , every thing happens on a bigger scale so you contact far more people .
My new home town is called a small market town as was my previous town , so obviously everything happens on a smaller scale . The important thing is people are still giving everything of themselves to make things happen , I love being involved , I show an interest and appreciate the work they do . My painting groups are small as is my NT ( National Trust ) group but between them they number well over a hundred people many I know well but sadly can never always remember their names ( I don’t recommend getting old it is a pain in the **** sometimes !! ) .
At first I had my doubts , could a transgender person really be involved in organising events for other people ? YES they can and boy is it fun but also a little scary .
Interesting point about loving or hating parts of your body , might be worth asking members for their thoughts . OK let’s ignore the obvious , I just accpet my tucking works well enough but I do dislike my back , it’s not feminine enough even when cleanly shaved , my clothes fit me well enough but I feel my back is too broad . That’s the point when you need to step back and do a little people watching , you can soon spot women with bigger hands than me and much broader backs BUT it doesn’t stop them being women so why should it stop me !!! Yes we can be over critical sometimes , the important point is I’m fit and well and have all my faculties , life is too short to keep going down that rabbit hole .