URNotAlone

May 19, 2009... the greatest night of my life (so far)

May 22nd, 2009 6:09 am MDT

I wanted to write this sooner, but I needed to make sure I got everything down, and I figured that today would be the best day to write this blog because of yet another milestone:

May 21, 2007 was the last time I had a regular haircut.  Basically this was the day I began to grow my hair out, as my final day actually working in the military was May 30, 2007, as I began my terminal leave the next day.

But that’s another life.

On Tuesday, I went to AJ’s Bar and Grill in Jacksonville for a meet and greet hosted by a wonderful woman named Katie.  I met her and her beautiful daughter Stephanie, who I bonded with almost immediately.  She’s like the little sister I always wanted ;)  They complimented me on everything from my outfit to my jewelry to my hair to what they said was my beautiful complexion.  It felt really good talking to them and explaining to them that I felt way more comfortable as a woman than I ever did as a boy.

According to Katie, she had about 20 girls who planned on attending this little shindig, but due to the horrid weather the area had that day, only about 6 or so actually showed up, of which only 3 (including myself) showed up dressed.  Well, I showed up in boy clothes (as to not get my dress wet), and changed upon my arrival.  I got there early, and only Katie and Stephanie saw me as a boy first.

Anyway, the party didn’t start off too well at first, just talking about past experiences and stuff.  I felt out of place, and Steph noticed it, so she took me outside to chat with her while she had a smoke.  We had a nice conversation, although the difference in age between me and her was about the same as it was with me and the other girls.  As it turns out, we listen to the same music and everything, so that was nice.

A few girls came in to play pool, and Katie suggested that Stephanie and I play a game against them.  It wasn’t until I met the girls that I realized that 1) they were lesbians, and 2) I was, in fact, in a gay bar.  Forgive me, I’m a bit slow on the uptake, lol :P

So we start playing, and things are going really well.  We’re having fun, shooting some pool, and the girls accepted me pretty quickly.  One of them even said to me “FYI, I would KILL for your legs.”  Stephanie and I won the game when one of the other girls scratched on the 8 ball.  Then I ended up sinking our last ball and the 8 ball right after... such is life.

At around 8:30 I think, a group of girls came in carrying a bunch of luggage.  I didn’t pay it too much mind at the time, but about an hour later things got very interesting.

The show started at around 9:30 or so.  Four girls (and one FTM, though he referred to himself as a “gender fuck” when I talked to him later) came out and performed, and while they did their walk around, they took the time to introduce themselves to me.  After the last girl, Chastity, came out and did her bit, she took the time to point out all the new people who came out, and then the show continued.  Stephanie asked me to play pool with her again, so I went to go join her.  During the game, Chastity came out again and she had to make a public service announcement:

“We would like to take this opportunity to invite Ashley out next week to come and perform with us!”

I was floored.  Stephanie was elated; she was teasing me ever since the show began that I should do a number too.  Well, I spoke with Katie, and she told me to go for it as well.  Chastity came up to me and asked me formally if I wanted to do it.  I said yes and she took me to the back room to meet the girls.  I met Jasmine, Sheila and Dee formally in the back, and Aiden (the FTM) as well.  Aiden was jealous of my height; I stood 6’1” in my heels, and he’s only 4’11”.  Well, one thing led to another, and I actually ended up doing the last performance of the night!  I performed “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey, and I ended up making $8 in tips.  It was great =)

So, I now have a gig performing at AJ’s Grill and Bar every Tuesday night.  Chastity wants to take me under her wing and teach me the ways of not just drag performance, but in womanhood, because I told her that I wanna transition.  I’m going to meet up with her tomorrow to talk some more, and I hope that things go well!  Wish me luck everyone!

XOXO