Come up and see me, I’ll make you smile
Firstly, to warn people, you’ll get 2 blogs this weekend, just that it will be one tonight, and one tomorrow. Firstly because I’m running a bit late to do 2, and secondly, I havent really got an obvious subject for the other blog at this moment. Well, not on the blog where most readers think I’m a natural woman, anyway… So why do this tonight? Well, I’ve got time to do one, and its also a special date.
Yes, someone a ‘little bit naughty’ was born on this date, 126 years ago. How she lastly to 87, given her lifestyle, I have no idea, but she did. Yes, Mary Jane (better known as Mae) West is the lady I’m talking about. Its amazing only to think that by the time she became the ‘saucy minx’ of pre code movies, she was already fast approaching 40! By which point, a few years earlier she had served a short prison sentence (only 10 days) for creating a show so naughty that she upset the authorities. I suspect it would probably be seen as fine now, but back in 1927, well… OK, fine, she set out to upset them, but anyway…
Its fair to say I wasnt upset to be told I looked a lot like a classic era movie star after the first photo shoot I did with a very talented guy in Leeds, the thing that surprised me was that it was Jean Harlow. Well, given I was in my fifties, she died at 26, so… but fine I could see the resemblance to her mother, who would have been closer to my age at the time. But yes, if you’d showed me a set of pictures of blonde, movie stars from the early 30’s, and asked me who I looked most like, I would have said Mae West. So yes, how close was I to being named Mary/Mae Stephanie West, who can say?
I think its fair to say that apart from the sex thing, my attitude to life is probably closer to Mae, than Jean, though the latter was a little minx when she wanted to be, I must say. Oh, a picture of the lady, well? And for comparison?
My next acting part, Mae looking back on her ‘quiet’ life, hmm? Oh goodness, that would be naughty, but nice! Somehow I dont see me being as sharp as she was at 87, even assuming they can rebuild me enough to get that far! One thing is for sure, somewhere, today, she will be celebrating her birthday in style, maybe?
OK, video time. I’m not sure if beyond Steve Harley, any of this band were in the original Cockney Rebel, but its a live version, which they definitely werent back then! And its almost Mae’s most famous line, lets face it
I was passing the studio the other day
The only snag with time travelling back to the 1930’s is if you get caught out time travelling. Its fine if I put on the Clara Johnson look, as no one is the wiser, but if I forget, or the camouflage vanishes, well…
So there I was, coolly back in 1933, walking past Warner’s studio, when I felt a hand on my shoulder, and a voice said, “Clara, so good to see you, we need you for a photo shoot right away. Just go put on a sexy dress, get down to the stills studio, and get it done.”
Well, given I didnt want her to get into trouble, what can I say, I went along with it. Short dress, showing lots of leg, enough to get the men excited, and all that. Up until yesterday, no concern, never seen recently, so I assumed it had got conveniently lost, until it hadnt!
OK, anyone who believed that story, you’re way too innocent, even if it looks like it was taken 85 years ago, lol. Actually, it was taken about 5 years ago, but you have to admit, it has the look of something far more vintage. This fact is down to the talent of a friend named Frank, nothing to do with time travel, or studio photo shoots at Warner’s in 1933. But yes, look at those legs, lol, all me!
I assume its all done with one of these modern computer filter things, to turn this
into my 1930’s self! I actually posted it for a Myrna Loy ‘homage’ photo contest, said jokingly that it should look more 1930’s, and lo and behold…
But fine, if you really want to think that the first picture is genuinely me, taken in 1933, and that the second one is a colourised version of it, then fine. But which is the true story, you decide! 😉
So, you might then be asking, what was Clara doing at Warner’s in 1933, in the first place? Well, unsurprisingly, it was for one of those magical Buzby Berkeley musical numbers. Clearly she was a competent swimmer, as she is in this, see if you can spot her? Easiest in the fountain section, but you do see her in the pool too. So…?
A beautiful day
Fine, the video isnt quite strictly true, it would need to be called Beautiful Friday for that to be the case, but anyway… And yes, this is why the gap between blogs has been longer than normal, and may happen again, after this.
Yes, you know that job where I said that the wages were too good to be true? Well, I dutifully dealt with my phone call on Thursday afternoon, and did a test that they wanted me to do, and then, on Friday morning, got an email saying that I’ve got the job. Fine, I still cant understand why the wages are so good, but anyway? Starts next Monday, over in Halifax, and fingers crossed it all works out. Even more so, as I’ve had to pay out for a Fraud Security Check, with money I really cant spare, but I’m told I’ll get that back, so all well and good.
So fine, I ducked the logistical challenge of getting to that place in Bradford yesterday, under the circumstances, just hope it doesnt come back to bite me. I have actually (at present) still got a few I could do this week, including a Skype interview (absolute first!) tomorrow for the Greek job, but fine, if this one is for real, I’m taking it!
OK, lets move on to the next old chestnut, the passport issue. Sorted! Though yes, it took one more phone call, but… I got another letter on Friday, asking me to send in the letter from the Doctor, confirming that I was living in my new gender, and that they needed my old passport. Thing is, they had both already! Fine, a new member of staff hadnt spotted these things, but quickly sorted, and authorisation confirmed, I will finally get it the middle of this week! So then, everything will say I’m female, so…peace of mind! Snag is, now I just want to go somewhere, as a woman, but I guess it will have to wait a while?
Lastly, we’ve had a bit of a rearrangement of rooms here, at home, and for want of a better term, I now have a one room apartment, with separate kitchen, and bathroom facilities. Snag is, I had way too much stuff, much of which I havent used in years, some of which I’m never likely to wear, so moving it all was a challenge. It has all arrived, though having lost temporarily a lot of storage space, I’m fighting to get everything sorted. I’m going to have to get another chest of drawers, to fit everything in, and possibly a second wardrobe too, as I was using coat hangars on the door, and hooks for stuff, which I havent got in here. But I will get it all sorted, though my current aim is no more than to have it done before I start work!
Lastly, a couple of Facebook moments. Firstly, last night, I got a message from someone who I dont know, and will probably never speak to again, saying how much she admired me, for what I’m doing. Just one of those special moments that so make my day. Secondly, someone I do know as a Facebook friend, sent me a message at New Year, saying that he wanted to do a vintage shoot with me, if I was keen. Anyway, Friday, he followed up with sending it again, along with a mass liking of my vintage look pictures, and this time, Facebook let me know about it, if not in the perfect way.
So as it stands, 3 weeks time, its going to happen. Not yet sure if it will be here, or in Hull as yet. He’s happy to come here, but I havent travelled that rail line beyond Leeds, in years, so its an open option at present. So yes, all in all, its been quite a good weekend, and all for the right reasons, a rare event of late.
The video, well, its Sunday I’m writing this, so…
Mind, if anyone comes here because of the tag, expecting someone else…lol
A pair of ‘daft’ possibilities
No, nothing to do with going to Hollywood, I’ve got to the point where that really doesnt seem that daft! Says it all really!
OK, firstly, the serious stuff. Job appointments. Got an agency registration tomorrow afternoon for a job I applied for this morning (I see it that for the early part of this week at least, I have to keep looking seriously), and we will see where that goes from there. Given most of these sort of registrations, even related to job applications seem to go nowhere, I wont hold my breath! But yes, the group assessment thing for Kirklees Council on Wednesday, thats going ahead. At least if I get that, takes most of the commuting hassle out of the equation at least. The other 2, not a thing, which given I’m meant to be interviewed, checked and in a job by next Monday, I’m beginning to get cynical about at least one agency yet again. Ah well… I think breaking into a job in Hollywood wouldnt be much harder, and thats with all the regulations involved!
Oh, fine, the daft possibilities, nothing to do with work, or Hollywood, or…No, I cant see me doing either!
Firstly, this weekend in Manchester, there is an exhibition called Sexhibition ( http://www.sexhibitionexpo.co.uk/ ) no prizes for working out what industry that relates to! I only found out about it because one of my Twitter contacts interviewed someone who is a legend in the burlesque scene, and I discovered more from there. I know, I have no interest in sex, but seeing something like this just appeals to my crazy sense of fun. I have no plans to wiggle any bits of my body, buy anything kinky, or anything else, but looking around something like that might be interesting, all the same. Ironically, I’d be more likely to do this if I had a job starting on Monday, because I wouldnt have to concern myself about saving money for the Hollywood trip. But its a long haul (other side of Manchester from me), so I probably could do it, but wont.
The second one is a lot closer to home (Leeds), and would at least allow me to get one of my ‘dreams’ out of the way, but I feel I’m too old now, for looking good wearing it. Yes, latex clothing shoot, at Cocoture, where I had both my photo shoots done. Just remember when saying “go for it” that I’m 57, not 27! The term, mutton dressed as lamb comes seriously to mind. Plus, to get the pictures, its going to be £300. Not bad really, considering the service you get from them, and what clothing we get to wear, but even if the money wasnt a concern, my personal body image is for me. But yes, I know, just once, I’d love to know what it feels like to wear, but…
Yes, you’ve worked it out, even if I have got a job, I probably wont do either. Possibly I should do one, or the other, if I am in employ, but this is me we’re talking about lol. If I’m not, then spending additional money, on top of the Hollywood getaway, just plain daft, especially the photo shoot one. OK, I’ve got those daft ideas out of my system, lets see how this week goes, anyway.
Right, the video. What me thinking I’d look good in latex clothing would be, or the likelihood of me at an Erotica exhibition would be
I enjoy being a girl!
Whether you like, or hate Facebook (I’m somewhere in the middle on it), it does remind you of some interesting events, from time to time. Sunday was actually one of those. May 10, 2008, well…
…was the first time I worked as a woman. Yes, its been happening officially now for 7 years, amazing to believe. You want proof, fine
Yes, I know, a redhead, wow!
It was in fact a bit of a one off, though given that everyone knew after that, I pretty well bent the gender look from there onwards, to be honest. But officially, apart from big occasions, that was pretty much it for 2 years, until the official change began. Since then, its been strictly female all the way! Nowadays it would be pretty hard to be anything else, given the cleavage lol!
Oh what, me now, see later.
Alright, its beginning to look like I wont find out if they have any interesting training methods at that place in Batley, as I’ve heard nothing back, and I was promised an answer by Monday, shame. So yes, the process of job hunting continues. I am actually contemplating a very dramatic choice, which would involve a couple of years of study, possibly in the US, but thats only in the early stages, so all I will say for now, is that it might not be entirely only my choice in selecting it. It appeals, but part of me is still saying its a crazy idea, but we will see. Lets just say I have a very good guide on the matter.
Apart from that, well, I did go over to Leeds on Sunday, to the vintage fair. It was fun, found a dress I adored, also got a skirt and a jumper too. Oh, and got my hair, make up and eyelashes done! That really was fun, and yes, thats why you get to see how I look now, as opposed to 7 years ago, I had a couple of pictures taken, and now my replacement USB cable has arrived, I can put pictures onto the computer again. So here they are
Digital Camera
Digital Camera
As you can see, I enjoy being a girl! Which, funnily enough, is the video tonight
Well, I guess this is what people want to see?
Some glimpses of the photo shoot pictures, yes?
Fine, I thought so, so I’ll leave the more meaningful stuff until Tuesday and Wednesday.
Yes, they arrived this morning in my message box, a dozen shots in all, so I’ll let you see 3 of them
Hope you like them, I certainly do. If anyone should want to see more, then ask, with an email address, and I’ll send the lot! Equally, if you are in the Leeds area, and want to know who to contact to get your own set of photos done, the answer is Cocoture.
The video, well of course, its dedicated to me lol!
The tale of the last 2 days
I think that title will just about cover every thing, maybe?
OK, so cutting out the boring bits, like work, and things, the first big event was the interview. I must admit, yesterday morning, around 7.00, after very limited sleep, my brain, and logic don’t go well together. Because if they had, I would have caught on that a black dress, covered by a coat, and a top and black skirt, covered by a coat, look remarkably alike. But anyway…I know for next time! More on that later.
Oh, the dress, at work, not a blink. Well, no one commented at least, and I would have thought one or two would have done, if they’d wanted to! No, I stuck with the wedge heels, not the high heels during the morning, and I’m sure my feet were delighted with that call. The interview was meant to be at 1.15, so I’d planned to swap over about 1.00, so my feet were used to them, when I needed to walk in them. So I got told I could go in about 12.45 lol, so hastily put them on.
As much as I can tell, the interview went well, answered questions confidently, looked at the person asking the question, and all that. We will see, should hear sometime next week, but hey, first interview in a dress, and it felt great! Yes, you guessed it, I didnt change again after the interview…until I got home!
And the journey home was a bit longer than usual, though for once, the train company werent to blame! No, I stopped off to see the results from the photo shoot, and for now at least, you’ll have to believe me when I say they were amazing. You will get to see some, in good time, when I get the email versions of a few of them. Believe me, I want you to see them, they are that good!
Then lastly, today, I went off for what I’m jokingly calling my MOT. And yes, I passed. Fine, the right shoulder, the back, and the knees arent perfect, but they arent deteriorating either, seemingly. So the old girl will be fine for a while more.
The video, relates to the photo shoot, shall we say?
Oh, and for those amused by such things, the baseball. Kansas City Royals still havent lost in the play offs, though this will probably be the ‘knife in the back’ for that, this evening. And lets just say that when Jean Harlow, a native of Kansas City was asked for her feelings on the matter, this summed it up.
Go Royals!
She’s a model, and she’s looking good
(For those of you shrewd enough, and knowledgeable enough to read both blogs, they are the same tonight, just saying…)
Yes, absolutely no prizes for working out what the video delight is tonight, but you get a little (superior in my opinion) bonus on top of the English version of the song.
No, I havent officially taken up employment as a model, but today left me feeling like one, or perhaps more aptly, a famous film star, no prizes for working out who! 😉
I did a photo shoot before with Cocoture, when they were working out at Rawdon, and it was an amazing experience, for someone who had never done anything like that before. Yes, you’re right, thats where the whole Jean Harlow thing took flight, when people got to see the pictures from the shoot, and commented on the resemblance.
I’ve known for a little while, that they were planning to start up a studio in Leeds, so I held off on doing the ‘Seriously Jean Harlow’ photo shoot until then, simply because its so much easier for me to get there, and back. Anyway, today was the big day!
As a good model probably should, the day started with coffee. Yes, I mean the one at home this morning, btw. Unlike Jean, I suspect, I had to get my own! Anyway, about 10.15 or so, I set out for Leeds, complete with dress collection, and a pair of high heel shoes.
Fun started when I got close to the studio, I knew the address, but couldnt see any obvious signs. Anyway, I asked at the hair salon, and helpfully got guided upstairs by a wonderfully helpful lady. I dont know her name, but Karen probably will, when she reads this.
First things first, get the model looking her best, and Bethany did just that. Stylish make up, abundant curls all enhancing the look. To be honest, I know how Jean must have felt when having her’s done at the studio! Then Dave, and Karen had their time, first outfit, first change, and the ‘film star’ in me, took control. Dave has a good style, and combined with my confidence, and nous, as to what poses he might be looking for, the filming flowed. We passed through several dress changes, a number of accessories, and I had a marvellous time.
I’m not sure if I reached a point where ‘Jean’ took control, but I felt so much like a model/movie star being posed, that she might have done. Of course, we could be one and the same, but…?
Oh, and yes, guys, a short dress was worn, you should get to see my legs!
Then a fun thing happened, we filmed in another building. The ‘Leeds Club’ next door is a wonderful Victorian building, and we went off (with permission) to get a few shots there, in the gentlemans toilets. Not your basic humdrum place, this looked like somewhere straight out of the Victorian era, an incredible place for a vintage shoot. Yes, hilarity ensued, when a poor man walked in the entry door, to find 2 women inside, as part of a photo shoot! All went fine, we took one more shot, thanked him for his patience, and then back to the studio.
A few more shots, an appointment made for next Tuesday afternoon (after work) to view the photos, really looking forward to seeing them. I cant praise Karen, Dave, and Bethany enough for their work today, I certainly felt like Jean, at a photo shoot, I must say.
So finally, if you’re in the Leeds area, and want a really good shoot done, vintage, or otherwise, then I highly recommend Cocoture to you. Hopefully Karen can provide me with a phone number, or add one in the comments, as I suspect the only phone number I can find, is the Rawdon one.
Tonorrow, back to the day job in the call centre. Until Hollywood calls lol…
The video, Kraftwerk, The Model. Firstly, the English version
Then, in my opinion at least, the far superior German version, a very different sound too.
Everybody loves me? Seemingly, a few do at least!
I suspect its just one of these things that happens from time to time, or maybe I have truly connected to a Harlow aura, and lots of men are chasing after me? More likely, given they are people I havent got a clue who they are, and they are attaching themselves as friends on Facebook, they might just think I’m a wealthy (ha ha), single lady that they can fleece!
Put it this way, this isnt the first time its happened, but both times previously when it has happened, its been principally guys from the sub continent, who are presumably seeking an easy passage into the UK, or an East European, presumably more after the better life, (and my money?) than having fallen in love with my picture!
Could just be me, and I’m wrong, but…So fine, they’ve all fallen wildly in love, with this mid fifties transgender woman, and want to marry me, and take me to paradise? No, I dont believe the last one, but wouldnt it be wonderful if it was true? But anyway…
The thing that gets me, is that they are like buses, you wait months for one to come along, then all of a sudden, 3 come along, pretty much at once! But this time, they arent from impoverished countries, my latest 3 beaus seem to live either in the US, or the UK. Of course, online ‘dating’, they could really be anywhere, so…
Sadly, I’ve yet to discover much about my mystery men, as all have only caught me on Facebook message, late at night, when I’m trying to just get done, and get to bed. None of them seem to have mutual friends, no obvious group connection, so how they’ve found me? And its not like the 2 from the US are local to me, either! But there must be something about me, I guess? Maybe they’re Jean Harlow fans, and want their own modern version of her lol! If I ever find out, I’ll let you know.
Who knows, might get to wear a wedding dress yet!
Talking of dressing up stylishly, tomorrow is the photo shoot, and unlike last time, this time the advance plan is pure Harlow. Hey, I look like her (even I admit that by now), so we might as well play it up accordingly. So lets just say the outfits might be a bit more glamorous than some in the last shoot. Just to remind you, and for those who havent seen any, to see the resemblance
So guys, if you want to tell me I am actually a glamour kitten, and men really are falling for my looks, let me know! I’ve actually got a selection of dress lengths, so if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on your view of them), you might get to see my legs! Will be a while though, I suspect, but once I get them…I’ll let you know tomorrow how it went, and whether some strange machine was used on me, to make me think I actually was (or still am at that time) Jean Harlow.
The video, another blonde, from a couple of decades later, in tribute to all these men who seem to want to be my ‘friend’!
Enhancing the Harlow image
Well, it looks like the next few months could see the whole Harlow image thing develop in an interesting way for me.
You may, or may not, depending on how long you’ve been reading all this, you might remember that a while back, I had a photo session done, just outside of Leeds, and in a sense, thats where the whole Harlow thing took off from for me. I mean, at that time, I wasnt even thinking about that, but by the time I got to about the tenth comment that I looked like Harlow, that I started to investigate it all more deeply. And before very long, I could see they were right!
So fine, gave me a nice image to go with, so I’ve done so ever since. And yes, I have to say it, its a lot of fun. No, I havent taken up smoking, and I certainly only drink in moderation, and as for sex…no, I cant match her on that either lol! But the look, and the confident attitude…oh yes!
Anyway, I’ve continued to support the studio on social media, and recently I won a free shoot, which will be done very soon. The big difference this time around of course, we are planning to play up the whole ‘Jean Harlow’ thing in advance! So the outfits might be a bit more glamorous this time around, I suspect! Talk is, that the vast majority, if not all, will be done in black and white, to really give it a 30’s tone. And yes, I’m really looking forward to doing that.
Then on top of that, I read something about past life regression. Now, put together a hypnotherapist looking for volunteers to try this, combined with all the comments about me being a Harlow lookalike, and curiosity gets the better of me. Now, I know that somewhere there must be the reincarnation of Harlow (assuming you believe in past lives, of course), but the chances of it being me, hmm…? Of course, her mother looked very much like her (for understandable reasons) so I could be her, I guess? If I am Jean (junior, in the sense her mother was Jean, she was actually named Harlean, of course), then someone might need smelling salts, or something!
The interesting factor in all this of course, is that under hypnosis, you do ‘play’ with the mind somewhat. And I know a few people (including myself, I guess) who wouldnt mind me being made to believe that I was either her reincarnated, or just made to think I was Jean! Lets face it, I dont think my mind would resist such suggestions!
Lastly, in January, I’m getting permanent make up done, by a person I know from a previous job, and no prizes for working out where the suggested look comes from. Hey, I’m even getting a beauty spot done! So by then, it might be an advantage if I think like/think I am Jean Harlow!
Should all make for an interesting trip to Hollywood, though I suspect there might be more interest if I looked like a modern star, not a 30’s glamour queen, but anyway…Would make me the perfect guide for tours of the Golden Age of Hollywood there, assuming there are any?
Alright, I’ll keep the Harlow video to a brief one, there are plenty of links to longer ones, if you want them! 😉
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