Saturday & Sukiyaki

Saturday I was up with a spring in my step as I knew I was going out as April. But first get kids up for breakfast and the youngest two off to dance practice. The sun was shining and the promised spring had arrived (it would snow on Sunday just to remind us we do live in Canada). Everyone into the Electra.

Later that morning I took our seven year old to lunch at McDonalds for getting 100% on her spelling test. Much deserved as she had practiced hard all week. While having lunch she loudly (she does not have a mute button) that I was the best daddy ever, funny since there were so many other parents and children around….I am sure they must have been crushed.

Yes she does know all about me, then we took the mauve dress back to winners and looked for a cardigan to go with the green dress I was planning to wear that evening. The day was so nice we broke out the bikes and peddled to the video store to rent a movie for the children to watch that evening, I walked.

I had planned to meet Ashley a local restaurant/bar at 9:00 for a drink then off to a dance at the Carrigan Arms sponsored by HOPE (Halton Organization for PRIDE and Education). Some advance planning was in order. Toe nails were done the night before, finger nails late in the afternoon so they had time to dry. Dinner made and family fed.

I got myself ready and drove over to Milestones, the big Buick created some interest in the parking lot as I cruised around looking for Ashley’s car. As I don’t have my new phone yet, I parked and went in all by myself….gulp. I sat at the bar ordered a cosmo and did my best to look cool and collected. Ashley showed up shortly looking as elegant as ever and we had a good chat for at least an hour before heading over to the dance.

There is a dance every Saturday now to raise money for the organization and despite the warm weather not as packed as past events but we were welcomed back by old friends and a small but friendly crowd. Received some nice comments on my outfit and makeup from the GG’s there. As usual Ashley and I were the only “girls” in attendance. Danced a lot for me. once I relaxed a bit. Only wish they played my kind of music (who does?) and I would have worn my heels down to nubs.

Didn’t leave till 1:30, tired but felt on top of the world for getting out and being me.

Musical pick today is Sukiyaki (I look up when I walk) the 1961 Japanese smash and 1963 hit in the States by Kyu Sakamoto. I always had this filed under guilty pleasures but after seeing it used in a segment of Mad Men I have reconsidered and proudly added it to my iPod play list.

The Mad Men clip can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK3ATi_fFXY

Shopping Blues or By My Buick I Sat Down and Wept

Apologizes to Elizabeth Smart for the title of this post and to any constant readers for my weeks absence. It has been a month since I got out as April and prior to going out with Ashley on Saturday I was scared I had lost my confidence.

A shopping a trip was in order, if I could find something flattering I might feel a little better about journeying beyond my front door en femme. I was still in my black suit and very stylish lavender tie when I drove over to one of my little burgs two malls. Perhaps Friday evening was not a good choice as the place was busy filled with browsing consumers.

I had a quick look in Zellers where I returned a blouse and sweater I had bought two weeks ago. They fit but just didn’t work on me. Then payless but my confidence was rapidly fading, I felt so out of place, I could not browse the racks dressed as a guy. The suit also set me apart from most of the shoppers but still better than scruffy bloke mode (apologises to Jenny at LBF for stealing her phrase).

My mind was in depressive over drive, you look foolish, your hair is too long for a guy, and you will never pass whatever you buy. I started to panic and rushed out to the velour safety of my Electra. I wanted to weep; I could not even go shopping without a breakdown.

Eventually I pulled myself together and resolved to re-enter the mall. I bought a mauve dress at Winners and then having a great teal print dress at The Bay. It was not easy I was still very self-conscious but after the first purchase I was beginning to relax. The cashier at The Bay was great. She read me right away (remember I was in guy mode) and knew the dress was for me. We had a nice chat, which made me feel a lot better

Practice makes perfect, I guess I will just have to practice more…

Here is a great Who tune I criminally had to heard until last night:



Now I am more of a "Rocker" than a Mod but this cut is super hot.Video has some great sixties fashion images.

Till tomorrow.

Hugs,

April

A Gentleman

“J’s” father passed away late Monday morning, she had been by his side almost constantly since he entered the hospice.

He was in considerable discomfort, it was difficult for her to watch and do her best to comfort him. She did a great job, was very strong and I am sure helped him find peace at the end. “J” has a strong faith that has helped her cope; I only wish mine were as strong.

Her father was a gentleman. He really was a wonderful person, worked on the line at Chrysler when the cars still had fins, became a police officer, adopted three children, built is own house. He was an artist, though I am sure he would not describe himself that way, both in photography and carving. A car guy, backyard mechanic and all round handyman in that great Popular Mechanics tradition.

He always put me at ease and would let me ramble on about cars. I never heard him get mad or upset.



She has lost the Atlas holding up her world.


April

Favourite Bedtime Stories

What a day, for the second night in a row I was up till 3:00 AM working on the laptop. Unfortunately the project only took till half past midnight, compatibility errors/bug (?) between Microsoft Word 2010 and older versions of documents I was modifying.

The problem meant two and a half hours of misery and creative cursing. Some team members were able to open the file, others got error messages.

Finally decided to cut the Gordian knot and recreate the file this morning on the older Dell PC in the basement the children use….would have been a lot quicker if I had done that in the beginning.

Totally stressed this morning as it is now late in the day and still lots to get done.

My recent enforced return to the closest so to speak is pretty depressing but it cannot be helped. “J”’s father is ill and she has unselfishly spent every evening by his side.

Like a good book that you turn to when in need of cheering up I have sought out the history of those who have gone before. I have written about April Ashley and Amanda Lear in earlier posts. I don’t seek to emulate these women (I don’t think I could) but I do draw strength from their example. To have transitioned in the sixties must have taken considerable will power and self-awareness.

In this more enlightened though less cool age transition should be a heck of a lot easier. I enjoy rereading their stories as it is a reminder that all is possible and I too will get there.

Hugs,

April

Out Like A Lion

Despite a week of spring like weather that had car guys and gals around here exhuming their rides for what promised to be an early driving season, winter roared back with a vengeance yesterday.

In the preceding sunny days I spotted a few C4 Vettes, Harleys and one pro stock 63 Dodge Polara!

Yesterday’s storm is on record as the worst of the season and the biggest after the first day of spring since 2005.

It started around five am and did not let up until late last night. I shovelled the drive way twice and still this morning it looked like I hadn’t done a thing. Now it was worse, all the wet snow had turned to ice, making shovelling even more of a chore.

I had to drive to a lunch meeting in Mississauga yesterday, I took the FWD Toronado and I am glad I did as the roads were unplowed and very slippery. Lots of impatient drivers and lots of accidents, a great day to have stayed home as the police were advising.

It would have been a good day for shopping if you don’t like crowds….

Up too late last night working on a business proposal, hope all that midnight oil was worth it. Pictures are of the Toronado yesterday and the Lincoln undercover this morning, the drifting snow having given her fangs and a more prominent nose.

What is a post without a musical interlude. Today I give you the Bloody Tomahawks. One half of this duo is the great Rev. Frost who regularly offers up crazed rockin’ mixes to download via his blog, direct form South of Hell, France as he like to say.

I highly recommend the tracks Bursting Love and their version of the Cramps, Garbage man:

http://www.reverbnation.com/thebloodytomahawks

Here is the link to his music blog:

http://reverendfrost.blogspot.com/

Hugs,

April

8 Track ipod

Meeting with clients the other day, wore my blue suit and drove the Electra since the president is a car guy and wanted to see my latest acquisition.

The meeting went very well and I hope to have his company as a sponsor for the 2011 season, but trying not to count my chicks before they hatch.

Felt like quite the executive, suit, big car and with the Stones , Gimmie Shelter on the 8 track (well playing through an old cassette adapter hooked to my ipod) it was quite the seventies flash back. I was still playing with Hot Wheels sized cars in the seventies.

Hard not wonder if they would have listened to April (met with president, VP and Marketing head who was a woman) especially if they knew me before.

The meeting was a hit and quite a high, for a short while I felt great but you can't constantly bat home runs to chase the blues away.

When looking up videos for this post I came across that great scene near the end of Goodfellas where the Henry Hill character is going crazy trying to do a dozen things at once, seems like my life sometimes, minus the strung out on coke part... enjoy:

How I Spent March Break

It has a been a busy March Break, no I was not off partying in Fort Lauderdale with all the college students…they do still do that don't they? I never saw the need to head south to party, I always had papers to write and exams to study for. I was an awful boyfriend, nose in a book when she would visit, but "J" stuck with me anyway.

The new job and "J's" father getting very ill meant I did my best to balance work and looking after the girls while they were home this week. Nothing special, movies, pizza dropping them off with my mother when I had to attend a last minute meeting in person. Sunday was better and we all went to see Disney on Ice. Being stuck (imprisoned) in guy mode meant I was rather dour.

Saturday I spent a good few hours washing the winter grime from they Town & Country, the Toronado and some detailing on the Electra. The Buick has already been pressed onto regular service easily swallowing the children in its cavernous back seat and a trunk that could hold six months worth of groceries. Gas mileage around town…about what you would expect. OPEC sends me valentines cards.

My attempt to make a few baby steps forward was a bit of bust, only just made it to the salon appointment on Friday evening and no time to get my ears pierced. Still a little worried how that will go over at work. I will still need a wig for the foreseeable future but should be able to dump it eventually, so long as I don't have to go back to short back and sides for work considerations.

My level of motivation, for all things took a hit this week. It took me a while to realize it but I was/am depressed, well d'oh! Actually I think I have been depressed for much longer, about the same period that I have been able to go out. Instead of more freedom, I feel more constrained. It is not the job but temporary family issues that have meant I am needed at home all the time.

Going out as April is so necessary but fraught with such anxiety, I always feel rushed, never time to relax and get ready. Just ask any of my friends how many times I have actually made it on time. It is like transitioning and de-transitioning all in one evening, the longer the period in between outings the harder it gets. I doubt I am explaining myself as I would wish but just trying to organize my thoughts helps.

Honestly I feel like a total shit complaining and feeling sorry for myself I (but that is what depression is all about), who want to write that in a blog about themselves? My grandmother, "J's" dad and my brother in Japan, all much more important and immediate problems.

Here's to a better week for all.

Hugs,

April

The video was sent to me by a car friend, vintage racing car crashes with a haunting tune by A. A. Brody called "Killed Myself When I Was Young. I don't think you can take your eyes away from the amazing footage.

I like the song, I first thought of suicide when at university, depressed by my imminent flunking out of business school (I did eventually manage to get my MBA) and perhaps other worries. But that is a post for another time.

Killed Myself When I Was Young from The Jalopy Journal on Vimeo.