Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Gal Friday

By Paula Gaikowski

“Gal Friday” is a female assistant, who is capable of many different types of tasks. Today, the term can be considered outdated and sexist. So today, “Gal Friday” is when on any given Friday, one becomes a gal. Let me tell you it was the latter and long overdue.

After a year without dressing fully, I had the house to myself for the next two weeks as my wife, with whom I have a DADT arrangement, flew south. She does give me time to get my girl on, but it’s hard to relax and enjoy when I know she’ll be home in two to three hours. There is also knowing that she just doesn’t like it and never will. There’s that implied sense of disapproval that hangs there unsaid, but is still evident. So two weeks of self-expression is just what the doctor ordered. (I actually wrote a column about that a few years back, “Doctor’s Orders.”)

I dropped her off at the airport on Thursday and stopped on the way home for a pedicure. The manicurist at the nail salon in small town Maine didn’t bat an eye when I asked her for a French pedicure. I told her I was transgender and wanted to look nice when I went out. I also did some outreach, told her my story and she shared that her friend has a transgender daughter.

I am amazed at the awareness and acceptance people have these days compared to 2008 when I first started going out. Back in 2008, I was given cold receptions at clothing shops and wig salons a few times. They made it clear, I wasn’t really welcomed. 

Sales associates now understand what it means to be transgender and are empathic. I haven’t had a bad experience since 2008 and the last few years, I feel as if we are now just part of the modern culture. 

The rest of Thursday was body maintenance day and fashion prep.

I got up Friday morning excited. I dressed in my favorite skirt and top, then put on makeup, perfume, fixed my hair and slipped into my favorite pair of pumps. I was filled with such positive emotions and energy. I felt 20 years younger.

Then I prepared for a busy days of Zoom meetings and reports. The day flew by. I stopped a few times to freshen my makeup and fix my hair. It was healing to see lipstick stains on my flowered coffee cup as I ran over the latest training plan for new products. I kept my camera off, but there was a part of me that just wanted to turn it on and say, “Hey there, world. This is who I am.” Maybe someday soon. 

The day ended too quickly. I stayed in my gal clothes, made dinner, had a glass of wine and with the snow falling outside, I lit a fire and drifted off dreaming of...



Wearing Wayf
Wearing Wayf


Two young men
Femulators

14 comments:

  1. Wearing Wayf , very pretty ! really Like .

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  2. Dear Paula ,
    I really love hearing you talk about the awareness and acceptance people have now when you shop now , very happy to hear .

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  3. If you compare photos from your 2014 post and today's post....
    You look BETTER today!
    Velma

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  4. missjoann49March 03, 2021

    Hi Paula, I always enjoy reading your stories. I do feel for you as I never had to go through the deal of my better half not being accepted, although we did have boundries to some extent everything was cool. When she passed 7 yrs ago that opened up a whole new world for me. I wish you the best

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  5. Where can I find today’s feature, Wearing Wayf? I’ve looked at a couple of sites and no luck.

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  6. am i right in thinking that the femulator on the left is british actor patrick walshe mcbride?

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    Replies
    1. Not Patrick Walshe McBride

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    2. The photo of the two femulators comes from this video;
      Ray and I Turn into ✨Girls✨ (With outfits from Unzzy)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm7bXE_okOk

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    3. Clicking the link under the photo, gets you there, too.

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  7. I just looove your suit gurl!

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  8. I can really relate to Paula's post! Living alone and working from home has given me a lot of time enfemme, but because I'm often required to have the Zoom camera on, I'm often enfemme only below the waist. However, I do being treated "normally" while in skirt,stockings, and heels (even if no one nut me can see them). But I do long for the day I wouldn't need to hide them and the only comment I would get on my appearance is "where did you get those shoes?". Sigh...

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  9. I also forgot to add that, like Paula's "Gal Friday", I've decided on "Fabulous Fridays" as my personal protest to the dreaded casual Friday. When life allows, I wear my prettiest panties, silkiest stockings, and highest heels in my home office. While most coworkers are enjoying the comforts of what seems like clothes for the gym (or even for bed), I'm wearing what brings me the most comfort and happiness! Maybe I can start a trend with this??

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  10. Ahh, the struggle of the DADT Spouse. Mine seems to think if she gives me 2 hours by myself, it will carry me for another month. So I have taken to getting "underdressed" before going out to run errands, then completing the outfit in the garage before getting into the car! This allows Julie to be Out And About (hmmm, good name for a blog!) (https://juliemshaw.blogspot.com/) and even though it is still only 2 hours or so, it is 2 hours outside and interacting with civilians.

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