Thoughts after Southern Comfort

When I arrived in Atlanta for Southern Comfort, I was as nervous as the long tailed cat in the room full of rocking chairs. I wasn't sure what to expect or how I should act. What I didn't expect, was the love, compassion, understanding, and support I received, even being just a first timer.

I received and gave more hugs in one week, than in my entire lifetime. NO one had a bad word to say about ANYONE, and everyone was amazingly open and caring. I talked to more girls in the space of the week, than I ever thought possible, and we had a BALL!!!

Having Grover, Holly, Gwen, Ariel and Scotty there just made the whole thing that much more enjoyable, and I am forever in their debt for sharing the con with me. About the only thing bad I can say about anything was the fact that the Hotel food was ehh, and EXPENSIVE!! Fortunately, there were many fast food joints, and several really nice restaurants within shuttle distance from the Hotel.

The experience itself, though, was all I ever could have dreamed of. I didn't take part in any of their pre-planned outings or adventures, but I spent a LOT of time on the front terrace, unofficially known as The Nicotine Lounge, just meeting and talking with the girls and guys there. The place was almost always alive with conversations with the most interesting people.

I honestly feel that my life has changed quite a bit, now that the conference is over for this year. I have a new focus on my life and what I need to do for myself and my sisters and brothers in the TG community. I have a new understanding of this TG, thing that has caused me to re-think my priorities and goals. I have a new belief in the Almighty, and I am going to place my life and its direction in His hands. During the course of two, count 'em, TWO makeovers, I learned that I CAN be pretty, and I loved that feeling.

If anyone hasn't attended this premiere event of the TG world, I STRONGLY suggest that you save your pennies and plan on attending next year...the 20th Anniversary of this World's Largest TG Conference. I spent nearly 2 thousand dollars, and I don't regret a single penny of it. In fact, IF I can afford to attend next year, I anticipate that total to almost double, but it will be worth it to me.

I cried Friday night, knowing that Saturday was the last day of the con, and I'd have to leave and go home. I cried Saturday before my second makeover. (I wasn't about to cry and mess up a 70 dollar glamour makeover!) I cried Saturday night, spending the largest portion of my time outside in the Nicotine Lounge, trying to say goodbye and thank you to all the wonderful, wonderful new friends I'd made. I cried almost all the way back to Columbia while Grover drove my car, Sunday. I've cried off and on all day today, Monday, wanting to go back and do it all over again...and for all that crying, I still would go back in a heartbeat.

I will truly miss the event, but mostly the people. I collected many business/acquaintence cards, and gave out more than 50 of my own. I literally gave away 8 or 9 copies of my book to people who expressed an interest in having a copy. One went to the makeup artist, Amanda Richards, who is a magician with makeup when, in the course of my first makeover, I mentioned that I was a writer and had a book out. When I told her the title of the story, she said that she had not only READ the story, but had read it TWICE, and LOVED it! Suffice it to say that she got a signed copy of my book.

I met everyone from Trans lady truck drivers who didn't wear makeup, to investment counselors who did, to a snowboarding pioneer, to...well, you get the picture. I even met a young girl who believes she is SPECIES dysphoric. We talked for a good hour, and at the end of it, she got up and gifted me with the most tender, loving hug I got all week, just because I sat and listened and "got it".

All in all, this WAS the best week of my life, the most fun I've had in my life, the most wonderful, fulfilling, glorious, fantastic time of my life. I will probably not come down from this "high" for weeks, and I look forward to next year's Conference with eagerness and hope. If finances allow, I WILL be there...with BELLS on!

HIgher than a kite (metaphorically) and not wanting to come down, I am,
Catherine Linda Michel