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| WaterDragon |
A number of people have asked about the photographs on my profile, most are professionally taken in a commercial studio.
Below is my account previously published in Transliving international Magazine, if there is enough interest I shall also post my father's account too.
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pictures!
As I wandered along Brentwood high street on my way to visit a client, an attractive young man smirkingly asked if I would like to enter a draw for a “makeover and pampering day in a London salon”. I answered in the affirmative, gave my phone and email details just to wind him up a little, took the receipt and forgot all about it.
Some weeks later, I received a phone call from a pleasant sounding young lady to the effect I had won the day for two; did I have a partner to bring with me? Well I only have my aged parent, I will ask him now by phone, and get back to you. Poppy took a little persuading, but I called back and confirmed we would like to come, we set a date, I paid the deposit, and we were all set.
Sadly something came up and we had to change the date, so it was finally set for 12th December 2006. Our instructions were three outfits for the photos, and please arrive with as little makeup on as possible. We awaited the day with great anticipation, but things were coming that would make us unsure. As some of you may be aware, Poppy has been undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer since being diagnosed in the spring 2006, and a fortnight before the set day for the pampering, it came back with-a-vengeance. Fortunately the Doctors were able to get the old dear back on her feet, and I was able to confirm the booking at the beginning of the week. Poppy's condition though did mean having to use a wheelchair, as she could not walk all that far without struggling for breath.
So the day came, outfits packed, paperwork checked, suited and booted for the city. I collect Poppy and the wheelchair from her place, and on to the station. At the station we buy our tickets, and I look round to find Poppy is nowhere in sight, She's already halfway up the stairs to the platform, puffing and wheezing like a geriatric steam train. At the top of the stairs the train was already waiting, so straight on to the train install Poppy in a seat and collapse the chair in the corner. By then there were no seats for me, so I stood for the journey. Arriving at the London terminus, we disembarked into a crowd and repaired to the coffee shop for some refreshments. Where Poppy who had the shakes as a side effect of the drugs, managed to spill her coffee all over her hand and the floor, happily I had some nice cool wet wipes in my bag to prevent a scald. Then down to the Taxi rank, where we engaged a driver to take us to the address in Grays in road near Kings Cross.
The drive across London was enlivened by Poppy's commentary, “Oh that was not there when I was here last”, then “where is the market now?” etc. Finally slow trundle along the road looking for the studio, and alight right outside the front door.
We entered to be greeted by a very attractive young male receptionist, he identified us and offered bucks fizz, coffee, or tea. He provided us with some forms to fill in and then addressed two others waiting in the armchairs, “Would you like to go with me?” YES PLEASE I thought, I hope silently.
As we sat chatting with our tea, several other couples were arriving, mostly girls in pairs, but one mixed pair came too. After a while the manager came to chat with us, a rather nice young American woman, she collected our forms and we chatted about what was going to happen and various other topics. I did notice after a while that as we chatted about my being a TS and poppy being TV, the other conversations in the room fell silent, and one pair of clients actually moved their chairs closer to hear.
Once the young lady had gone off to talk to others, we relaxed waiting for our turn with the makeup artists. We chatted quietly, nibbling on the biscuits and sweets provided, and people watching through the huge windows. Meanwhile two couples went separately downstairs into the basement, returning half an hour or so later flushed and happy.
Eventually our turn came for the makeover, we had been told that the makeup would be much heavier than we would normally use, but it was needed to resist the high powered flash. We relaxed into the barber's chairs and, I reflect briefly we are quite a way from Fleet Street. After a while, I remove my hair something I have not done in public for seven years, so the tiny makeup artist can apply the foundation with what feels like a two inch brush.
As my girl puts the makeup on, I occasionally peep in the mirror, without my glasses I cannot see too well, but I am fascinated to see she is using a similar makeup to the one I use on a night out. But much more intense in the eyeliner department and with some colours reversed. Once my hair is back in place and tidy, the me in the mirror is actually quite glamorous. WOW! We return to the armchairs and biscuits, and chat quietly for a while until called for our shoot. Descending the steep stairs into the cellar it becomes quite warm, until at the bottom we are introduced to the photographer a very sweet Polish man with a huge camera.
At my suggestion, Poppy goes first and we decide on evening wear first, so Poppy dresses, and returns to the studio from the changing room. I can hear the photographer giving instruction, and I rush to get my dress and jewellery on. The dratted necklace is tangled, and one of the earrings is doing a vanishing act, but finally I am ready. On entering the studio we do some photos together first, and while Poppy changes I pose and pout for the photographer.
Poppy returns and I change into my next outfit, the black leather basque and skirt with crop. Poppy quickly did a runner, and the photographer looked a little nervous as I entered. But we are quickly into the stream, and I am posing and pouting for the camera, while Poppy changes and returns to watch. Finally, we have enough, Poppy returns before the camera, and I change into my last outfit.
The basque is hot and I gratefully remove it, replacing it with my red silk sari. The blasted ankle bells have a broken catch, so I tie them in place with a silver chain. And I return to the studio where Poppy and I start with some pictures together, and then some solo ones with the final one of me kneeling for the camera.
After re-donning on our street wear, we return to the waiting room to cool off, and to await our turn to choose the pictures we want to take away. I was very hot, sticky, and exhausted, but elated as was Poppy. We chatted with the girls waiting for their turn in the studio, and nibbled on the biscuits until finally summoned to make our selections.
The pricing structure and the arrangements about copyright being explained we began to review the pictures. A quick flick through the pictures shows that all but a few are worth keeping, but without a bank raid, we have to loose some. Discussing with the sales lady, we finally decide on thirty pictures, and dividing up the cost we both overspent.
Finally, we have a quiet chat with the manager an American lady who's name is very James Bond, I keep expecting her to show me an exploding photograph, she, is the real “Q”. We discuss our experience of the day, and impress on her that it was wholly pleasurable, and she asks if it might be possible to attract more TVs to her studio. After taking our leave, we set out for the station to return home for some tea.
Q helped us trap a taxi, and the run back to the station takes half the time the run out took. Once on the train at Fenchurch street, we decide to have dinner out then return home to change again for the TLI Christmas party. Egg on toast in a supermarket canteen and home for a little rest and a change.
Makeup titivated, and dress donned, we set out for TLI, where we had an excellent night as usual, but Poppy was flagging by ten, and we finally left for some well earned sleep at about eleven.
| 15 Mar 09, 2:30 PM Butterscotch UK(RM), 3 yrs  |
I love the story behind the photographs, and I didn't realise that your dad was TV before, I though it was your mum in the pics! Doesn't she look fab!! you both do
please post Poppy's version |
