Sarah Goes to Washington, DC - November 2017

Between going to Las Vegas and Atlanta Vanity Club (VC) soiree September of 2017 was a very good month for me that allowed me to achieve several “firsts.”  This resulted in the proverbial “pink fog” being extremely thick and persistent.  I decided that I needed to get out and be me again before First Event and Keystone but with busy work and personal schedules I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to do so.  I realized that I could make the weekend before Thanksgiving work and decided to go somewhere but not too far away.  I considered Boston or NYC but really wanted to see my VC big sister Julie so I contacted her and we decided to meet in Washington, DC. 

My plan was for this would be a 100% girl weekend, which would be empowering yet potentially difficult as well.  The first challenge was navigating the anxiety of going through the TSA checkpoint with an ID that didn’t match my appearance.  While I’ve heard positive things from many girlfriends about this process I chose to do some additional research.  I confirmed that TSA staff received training in working with transgender passengers and their website offered sound advice.  There was also a downloadable card that one can hand an agent before going through the scanner to advise them that you have a prosthesis, i.e. breast forms.  I am enrolled in pre-check so I generally just go through the metal scanner rather than the AIT full body unit but what if I’m diverted to it for some reason?  The stories of problems were few and far between and certainly not the norm but the National Center for Transgender Equality website offered great tips on how to deal with any problems.  My good friend Stephanie told me some time ago that “flying pretty” is very empowering and that I should definitely do it.  Ever since she planted that seed in my head I’ve been contemplating it and decided that I was going to do it no matter what.    

The next challenge was making sure that my makeup skills would pass muster as I wouldn’t likely be bringing a makeover artist with me.  I reviewed my notes, some videos and contemplated all of the tips that I’ve gotten in the past as well as the mistakes I’ve made.  I decided to do my foundation the morning of the flight then go see makeover artist, Nicole Renee, to do my eyes and lips as those tend to be challenging areas for me.  For me, this was an important piece as the better that I look the more confident I am.  This is not to suggest that one must look good to be confident as inner confidence is very important to achieving a positive outward appearance. 

I also had to go shopping to get a jacket that would be good for the chilly weather that I was leaving but not too warm for DC, which was running about 20 degrees warmer than Boston.  I also picked up a cute sweater with a scarf to provide an additional layer for the trip home, which would be later in the evening and a bit cooler. 

Friday morning came and I scurried around the house doing some last minute packing and decided to pierce my right ear. This was something that I had been considering for a while as I still had the hole in left one from high school a few (ok maybe more than a few) years ago and clip-ons are so uncomfortable.  I used good sterile technique but it was a little more challenging than expected due to trying to do it in a mirror.  

I succeeded then scrambled to get my foundation done and leave by 6:30.  It was close but I made it to my 7:30 appointment with Nicole.  

Then it was off to Logan International Airport where I parked, grabbed my bag and headed for security.  In addition, to flying pretty I was somehow able to get away with only a carry-on bag and large purse (as my personal item).  I got in the pre-check line handed the agent my license, which he scanned and sent me through without saying anything, i.e. treated like everyone else.  The line to the scanners was rather slow with some people being sent through the AIT unit and others going through the metal detector.  I think it was novice day because there were several people that seemed to have no clue how to navigate security but finally I was invited through the metal scanner and had no issues then collected my bags and headed off to the terminal.  

I was a little anxious about who I’d be sitting next to and what they might think but honestly I didn’t care that much.  In fact, I had expected to be far more nervous during the whole airport/flying process than I was and that was awesome!  In fact, the whole trip just felt comfortable and right.  I boarded the aircraft and ended up having an empty seat next to me, what a lucky girl!  

JetBlue was nice enough to offer me lime with my seltzer and I guess this is the new lime, which tasted fine but kind of funny.

After an uneventful flight to Reagan Airport, Julie picked me up and since it was a little early to check-in at the hotel we took a little drive around and saw a few of the sites.  

I had emailed the hotel prior to coming about the fact that my ID wouldn’t match my appearance and the manager assured me that there would be no issues but made a note in the system just to be sure.  Well, just like the airport there was no issue and the staff was super friendly and engaging.  We got to our room, unpacked then went out and did a little shopping.  

Next, we changed and headed out to Freddie’s Beach Bar where we met up with some local girls and enjoyed some drinks food and karaoke.  

I also have to give a huge shout out to our waiter, Sage, who was so attentive, funny and lots of fun.  A little after midnight we were invited to go to another club for dancing and while every bit of me wanted to say yes but I was so tired from being awake at 3:30 AM (I have no idea why I woke and couldn’t fall back asleep) I had to decline. 

I really wish I had said yes because I love going dancing and I really didn’t sleep well that night anyway.  

I was too tired and lazy to take off my makeup before going to bed plus hoped it would be reasonably still intact for my morning workout.  I was wide-awake between 6:30 and 7:00 AM despite having not gone to bed until close to 2am so I checked the weather put on my running outfit and went for a 4-5 mile run.  Luckily, my makeup was still pretty much intact from the night before so that was one less thing that I had to worry about.  

 It was chilly but perfect running weather as long as I didn’t stop, which was very clear when I did stop briefly at the Air Force Memorial.

What a great view of the Pentagon and Washington, DC as well as a fitting tribute to our Air Force heroes. 

I got back and Julie had just gotten up so we got ready to go see Elizabeth Taylor for makeovers but since this was a 100% girl weekend for me I got all made up before leaving only just to remove it all when we got to Beth’s studio.  

We both had terrific makeovers and if you’re in the DC area, I’d highly recommend setting up and appointment with Beth.  She is also sells a great line of cosmetics from Younique and you can order online or get them at her studio.  I actually bought some mascara and at $24 was the most expensive that I’ve owned but it is also the best that I’ve ever used. 

We missed breakfast so Julie and I were famished and decided to get lunch.  I’m a sucker for Irish pubs and when I mentioned that to Beth she suggested the Irish Inn, which was very close by so off we went.  

This was one of the few places that I’ve ever seen Kilkenny Cream Ale on draught so I ordered one but sadly they were having issues with that keg and went with my standby, Guinness, which complimented my Rueben sandwich nicely.  Julie went with the traditional Jewish offering ofa bagel with lox, capers and cream cheese (from the brunch menu).  I can honestly say that this is the first time I’ve seen this at an Irish pub but she said that is was very good. 

Then we were off to do a little more shopping and the mall that we went to was crazy busy.  Despite this, Julie found a very nice dress at Macy’s but I was struggling to find something for our Saturday night out.  We ended up at Nordstrom Rack and there was a cute purple dress that I really wanted but it was a size 4 and I’m a 6.  

After scouring the racks I kept coming back to this dress and decided to try it on.  I was in absolute shock when it fit! 

Julie called me a “skinny bitch” and we laughed then checked out.  Photo It didn’t occur to me until afterward that we were walking around a busy mainstream mall doing what any other girl would and it felt so natural and I never once felt self-conscious. 

We went back to the hotel and got ready then headed to JV’s Restaurant, which is a live music bar that a local mutual friend of ours, Maxine, reserved a table at for us. 

She couldn’t make it but there ended up being about nine of us that got together thanks to Maxine putting the word out.  

We had some drinks, excellent food and terrific live music.  The band played a mix of primarily blues and jazz type music, which isn’t really my thing but I do love live music and they were really good.  I ended up on the tiny dance floor with some of the other girls as they covered All Along the Watchtower.  This is a mainstream venue but I have to say the three of us transwomen put the cis girls to shame!  We had a great time but the night ended far too soon.  

We got back to the hotel and Julie got packed up so she could head out first thing in the morning as she had to work her side business on Sunday.  After a good night’s rest it was time to say our goodbyes, reflect on a fun weekend and lament the fact that it was over.  Julie headed out and I finished getting ready as I still had a fair amount of time before my flight home.  I went down to the hotel lobby for the complimentary breakfast then packed for the trip back to Boston.  I left my luggage with the bellman and took the shuttle to a local mall for lunch and some more shopping.  I know it seems like I did a lot of that this trip but I didn’t really have enough time to go to the historic attractions and really love finding new cute outfits and getting to try them on.  I tried to get lunch at a different Irish Pub but it was crazy busy due to having been taken over by Vikings fans for the football game, I have no clue why it was the Vikings and not the Redskins.  I ended up at a sports bar next door that was wasn’t very busy despite 3-4 different games being on the TVs.  The food was good as were the drinks and my waiter was just terrific as well.  I was addressed as ma’am by the staff and paid with my credit card (that’s in my girl name) and the waiter said, “Thank you very much, Ms. Moore.”  It’s the little things that made this weekend so terrific!  

I wandered through the mall and got sucked into buying a body scrub at a kiosk, which was actually really nice.  The mall was busy but not crazy and I did a lot of looking but didn’t end up buying anything.  Then I went to Starbucks and called the shuttle back to the hotel.  I typed some of this blog post then headed to the airport for my next en femme interaction with TSA, which was slightly more eventful than the first one.  This time I scanned my mobile boarding pass and handed the agent my ID, which he looked at then looked at me and seemed to do a double take then smiled and told me to have a great flight.  I then proceeded through the metal detector and I must’ve been suffering from amateur disease as I totally forgot to take my bracelets off, which triggered the scanner.  The agent was great and I took off the bracelets then got through with no issues.  

I called and chatted with a friend who’s going through a tough time as I waited for my flight, had a quick bite to eat then onto the plane and had an uneventful albeit bumpy ride back to Boston.  

The crew was Boston based as was immediately evident when the very young First Officer welcomed everyone aboard with a thick southie accent.  The gentleman seated next to me was busy with his headphones so we didn’t chat but he was kind enough to hand me phone, which I had inadvertently left on my seat, as we were getting ready to deplane.    

I drove home and on the way stopped at Sonic Drive-in for a late-night snack.  Then it was time to take everything

off and get ready for the week ahead, which would not allow for any Sarah time.  As I reflect on the trip there are several things that come to mind.  I am so busy with my full-time job, part-time job, consulting business and school work not to mention the winterizing chores that need to get done at home.  I should not have taken the time to go to DC but am so glad that I did.  As I mention in the about me page of this site, I do not know where this journey will take me and am amazed at the strides that I’ve made this year. I recall a lecture in which the presenter said that the more you practice something the better you get at it.  So, does this mean that I am more comfortable being Sarah because I’m doing it more or am I finally coming to grips with who I really am?

Thank you for taking the time to read some or all of this.  Much of what I write is to help me process and reflect on what I’ve done and what may be next.  My hope is that documenting these experiences will be helpful for others. 

Feel free to use the form below to submit comments.  I will post reader comments after I have a chance review them.  I hate that I have to say this but abusive comments will not be tolerated or posted. 

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