By The Time We Got To Sparkle

Well, my plans for Sparkle have been twisting and turning like a twisty-turny thing. I reserved the date in our band diary but they went ahead and booked a gig anyway. I agreed to do it but asked if my stand-in for while I’m Thailand might be able to do it. He said he could so Sparkle was back on again. A few weeks later he had to cancel due to other commitments so I said I’d do it and Sparkle was off again. Then the gig got cancelled (grrr) and Sparkle was on again. Pippa originally said she’d go, but is suffering from a slight lack of teeth at the moment. She’s having some work done, they’ve taken some out, but the date for their replacement has been delayed by a couple of weeks, so she is currently a gappy-toothed old hag (her words not mine). She says she doesn’t want to go to Sparkle looking like that so will go and watch an execution or something instead. I guess she looks like an extra from a medieval drama, bless.

I’d also arranged an appointment with renowned FFS surgeon Dr Spiegel from Boston, who is doing a lecture and consultations during Sparkle. I’d emailed his secretary to ask if they were doing this on the Sunday (as I thought I was gigging on Saturday) and she replied giving me a choice of times. But she got the dates wrong and it turns out they are not there on the Sunday, but since my gig was cancelled on the Saturday I could make it then after all…

And so it goes on. Anyway, the consultation is mainly curiosity, I’d like to hear the professional opinion of one of the top 5 FFS surgeons (for free!) and who knows, maybe when I’ve recovered from SRS and feel like going through hell again I might take a trip to Boston, if I have any money left by then…

My friend Gillian is coming with me to Sparkle, so I won’t be wandering around aimlessly on my own. She’s not big on TG events, but is always up for a night out, so it should be fun, and hopefully we can cram a bit of shopping in after my consultation.

Deep breath… I have given up drinking.

When you’ve picked yourself up off the floor… I have not cut down, not "trying to give up"; I HAVE given up, and can say that with confidence for probably the first time in my life. The main reason is my forthcoming SRS. I plan to stay teetotal until at least Christmas, by which time I’m sure I will have earned a glass of wine to have with my turkey. But who knows, I may never drink again…

I’m getting used to being constantly sober, even going out and not having a drink doesn’t seem strange anymore. OK, it’s only been five weeks so far, but I know in my heart that this time I mean it, and I’m not going to fall off the wagon. By the way, I haven’t shaved for 5 weeks either (don’t worry, I’m not growing a beard – see previous post). That’s pretty wonderful; there’s not much that makes you feel less feminine than waking up with stubble every morning.

Anyway, better stop waffling, we are gigging tonight (otherwise I’d have spent the whole weekend at Sparkle), which means late night, early morning – lack of sleep, so I probably won’t be quite as Sparkly as usual by the time I get to Sparkle, but at least I’ll be showing my face, and good night’s sleep or not, I’m rather looking forward to it.

See you there girls!

xx