Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wednesday’s Real Life Experience

2013-01-23_out It was so cold on Wednesday! The temperature never reached 20 and the wind chill made it worse. (The wind chill on Mt. Washington was 
-85 degrees. Can you imagine?)

I dressed for the weather. I wore my purple knee-length, long-sleeved sweater dress, diamond-patterned tights, booties and white fake fur jacket.

I arrived at West Farms Mall shortly after it opened and went straight to Macy's to look for the "perfect dress" that I saw there a couple of weeks ago. I quickly found it in my size and took it to the fitting room along with two other dresses that looked lovely.

The perfect dress fit, but did not look perfect. The other two dresses were even less so. I decided to abandon Macy's and walked to JCPenney at the other end of the mall.

I found four dresses in the JCPenney racks that I took to the fitting room. One dress looked fabulous on me, but I could not zip it up all the way and sadly it was not available in a larger size.

Two of the other dresses were so small that I could not get them on at all. The fourth dress fit and I kind of liked the way it looked on me. But after considering it, I decided not to settle; I could do better. So I exited JCPenney and walked back to the Macy's end of the mall where my car awaited me.

Although I was dressed for the weather outdoors, I was way overdressed for the "weather" inside Macy's and JCPenney. It was uncomfortably warm in the stores. Shedding my fake fur jacket helped a little, but not enough and I was anxious to get out into the fresh air again. And as it was, time was of the essence --- it was time to meet my editor for lunch.

But before I get into that, you may wonder about my real life experience in the mall. I am so used to being out en femme that I don't even think about it, but the e-mails I receive indicate that some of you wonder about it.

Even though the mall had just opened, it was busy --- not Christmas season busy, but there was a lot of foot traffic, all adults because school was in session.

I usually avoid eye contact with males --- don't want to encourage them --- but I did eye catch a half dozen or so checking me out as I walked through the mall.

On the other hand, I watch females more closely to see how they react. Three or four smiled and said "Hello" as we passed each other in the mall. I noticed a few other females looking me over --- trying to figure me out I suppose.

No one, male or female, acted negatively to my presence. No one was outraged and no one laughed. I think most people just perceived me as another middle-aged woman in the mall, which works for me.

(To be continued)

12 comments:

  1. Nice dress, I can't wait hear about your lunch with the editor

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  2. I also like the sweater dress, esp. with the yellow scarf -- and it's certainly long-sleeves weather!

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    1. Thank you, Peter. I am a big fan of scarves mow and inherited a huge collection from my late mother. When I wear one of her scarves, I feel like she is watching over her daughter.

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  3. Stana -

    --- I usually avoid eye contact with males --- don't want to encourage them --- but I did eye catch a half dozen or so checking me out as I walked through the mall. ---

    Does any natal female do any different in our age group? You are a looker - and your height (5'14" as you put it) does grab the attention of people...

    --- On the other hand, I watch females more closely to see how they react. Three or four smiled and said "Hello" as we passed each other in the mall. I noticed a few other females looking me over --- trying to figure me out I suppose. ---

    You are lucky to be in a relatively uncrowded place. You wouldn't have gotten as many "Hellos" if you were out in a place like New York City. And I'd take them looking you over as a positive - you femulate very well, and your excursions are evidence of that....

    --- No one, male or female, acted negatively to my presence. No one was outraged and no one laughed. I think most people just perceived me as another middle-aged woman in the mall, which works for me. ---

    Works for me too. I find that when I go out, I don't notice anyone paying much attention to me. (Kathy Bates once said via one of the characters she played, that no one notices a heavy middle-aged lady - and I'm lucky that way. You are lucky and skilled in the other way - you look perfect!)

    I can't wait to hear what happened with your editor... I presume your editor knows and is very accepting.....

    Marian

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    1. Thank you, Marian. Guys checking me out is an affirmation, but I don't want too much "affirmation" if you know what I mean! LOL

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  4. Considering Dee and I can see Mt Washington from our window yes! We were supposed to have a girls day/night out in celebration of my birthday! Na ah, -negitive temps and wind aren't this girls friend. We opted to stay in and put log after log on the fire!

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  5. On your point, I also feel just like anyone else, as I've been "going out" for so dang long is feels quite normal. A few of the things I notice (oh, I always make eye contact with every one, (it's a safety thing, a victim hides a safe person is aware of their surroundings). Most people are always polite. I think this is because most people are generally just like you and I and want to go about a happy life and look for other happy people to share to share their life with, how ever insignificant. Those same people are the ones to say, "Hey, what ever blows up your skirt!". Men are the best. They hardly ever "clock you" or perhaps they just live up to that old adage "what ever is in a skirt!"? Really! Men have been there for me in that typical way you want men to be. And the ladies. More and more helpful everyday.. Perhaps it's my age! Can't wait to hear how your meeting went.

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    1. Joan -

      It's amazing how polite people are. This may be different in some of the more "conservative" areas of the country, but I'm finding that people don't bother to notice things when you are treating them with the same respect with which you'd want to be treated.

      Marian

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    2. You are so right about men, Joan. Last spring, when my battery died, two fellas appeared out of thin air to help me.

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  6. Mt Washington?? Where exactly ARE you, sweetie? Oh, and I LOVE the dress!

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    1. I live in central Connecticut, Julie, but I have been atop Mt. Washington a few times including one day in late June in an ice storm!

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