Nothing ever runs to plan. Fact of life. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. A small curve ball has been thrown my way this week. Nothing too major, but something may be happening sooner than I planned.

As a matter of course, it is good practice to put out a statement to my workplace explaining that I will be transitioning to me 3.0. I intended to do this at the end of August, a couple of weeks before going to work full time as me 3.0. However, with the workplace rumour mill gathering speed, it has been agreed to bring this release forward to.......this week. Not ideal, but I can see the pro points in releasing it earlier. It won't be going out until the content is agreed - by me! Could be an interesting week, work wise. We'll see........

So, to April. A couple of milestones reached and a few scenarios conquered. Firstly, a hen do and then the wedding. A long time friend of mine was finally getting married. Yippee! Although we don't see each other very often, I consider them a very good friend and it's always nice to catch up with them. I digress. I was lucky enough to be invited to their hen do. Another scenario to add to the list for the Real Life Experience.

I didn't know what to expect. You hear stories about what happens at these parties and as I hadn't experienced anything like this before (my own stag do was quite tame!). It was being hosted by the hen at their new house, which for me was a hour or so drive west from my place. I spent the early afternoon getting ready. As my hair was due a cut, I decided to wig it. It was the longest I'd driven as me 3.0, so another good test for me. I arrived about an hour before things got started as I didn't fancy being the last one there.

The rest of the guests started to turn up and the alcohol was opened. We chose some films to watch - Dirty Dancing, Top Gun and Bridesmaids. We then started the games. Lets just say they were hen do games! As more alcohol was drunk, the more relaxed I became. It was a fab evening and another experience to add to the list. Meeting some of the people at the party would prove useful at the wedding. I drove home the next day, still tired, but happy.

Onto the wedding. My first for a few years and my first as me 3.0. A few months before, I had asked the question as to the dress code. The answer - bright and summery. So, after browsing eBay, I came across the perfect dress. Green with white flower on. Summery and bright. I accessorised it with bits that I already owned and decided to style my own hair for the occasion. (This involved a trip to the hairdressers the day before). I got ready, packed my overnight bag and hopped in the car for the drive west to the venue. What should have taken just over an hour turned into 2 hours. What a nightmare.

I arrived at the hotel I was staying in, checked in (it had been booked under me 1.0 and me 3.0 turned up, confusing the reception staff!) and made my way to the room. I had just enough time to freshen up and touch up my makeup before walking to the venue. Walking through a busy city centre on a Saturday afternoon as me 3.0. Was I apprehensive? No. I was more worried about getting to the venue on time! I eventually got to the venue (via a couple of wrong turns) and made my way to the ceremony.

I sat on my own as I really didn't know anyone and as usually happens at weddings, people sit with people they know. I was just happy to be there and seeing my friend marry someone who they seem extremely happy with. It was a lovely ceremony and both bride and groom looked relaxed and very happy. After the ceremony, we were led to a seating area where drinks were available whilst the pictures were being taken and the room was being made ready for the reception.

This was where meeting the people at the hen do proved useful. One of the bridesmaids came over and sat next to me as they didn't know many people either. We got chatting, consumed few Pimms(!) and eventually we formed a group with another couple of people from the hen do. This would prove very funny later on in the evening! Then, before we realised, the room was ready for the reception and we sat at our respective tables.

Sitting with people I hadn't met before would have normally made me very nervous, but this time, I took it in my stride. The bridesmaid from earlier was sitting next to me, which helped and we did the obligatory introductions. I felt totally at ease. Another scenario done. We ate, drank, toasted, listened to the speeches and drank again. Once the food was over, we were led outside again whilst the disco was set up.

We went back in after a few minutes (I can't exactly remember how long, due to the Pimms!) after linking up to another few from the hen do. We were ready to dance.  And dance we did! Fuelled by alcohol and a sense of duty to dance as no one else was, we hit the dance floor hard. I learnt the Macarena, Saturday Night and a couple of other dances, drank lots and had a brilliant time with the people I was sitting with. They know who they are! Thank you to you all and especially to the bridesmaid who sat with me in the beginning. You helped put me at ease and helped me enormously that day.

As quickly as it began, it was over. The dancing had been done, the drink had been drunk and the feet were sore. It was time to go. I caught a lift back with the happy couple as they required a stop at the only off licence open, which was near my hotel. I said my goodbyes and wandered into my hotel, happy and if ever so slightly drunk. It was time for the pumpkin to return, the makeup to come off and the clothes to be taken off as me 1.0 came back. Then, sleep!

I confused the reception staff the next morning. The same person checked me out as had booked me in. You could see the questioning look in their eyes, but nothing was said. I got into my car and started the drive home. It had been a good day and it had helped my confidence immensely. My friend had got married - something I've been waiting for, for a long time!

April was a better month overall. May has shaped up to be a good month so far, with one more surprise up it's sleeve. More to follow after the Bank Holiday weekend.

STOP PRESS! My statement will not be going out this week. There has been a development - not a major one - but it has had an affect on the release of the statement. It will still be released earlier than I anticipated, but not for the next couple of weeks.

Well, what an eventful couple of months. Busy, busy, busy. Much has happened to further my cause, a few outings, lots of major changes planned. The ball is well and truly rolling!

February and March weren't the best of months. A combination of factors, as explained in a previous post, left me feeling lonely and low. Things are taking their toll in certain areas, but at present, there is nothing I can do to change things. Hopefully over time, things will improve, but I'm not holding out much hope. Life does go on though, things will change, the permanent me 3.0 is coming very soon!

So, what's been happening? If you're interested, read on.............!
March was a wash out, socially. The only plus point was telling work of my transition. I was very apprehensive about telling them as I was afraid of the reaction. It's one of the hardest things I've had to do. I'd asked my area manager for a private meeting a week before. The week leading up to it wasn't good. I was on edge, snappy and generally grumpy. I know that, under UK law I have certain protection, but it still makes you wonder what could happen. Will they try and force me out? Will I lose my job? How will I support myself? These and a few other doomsday questions kept me awake at night on numerous occasions.

The day came. To say I was on edge was an understatement. My area manager arrived and we went into the office. My heart was beating so fast, I thought it was going to explode out of my chest! We sat down and.......I told them. The reaction? The best I could have hoped for. Understanding and the promise of support. A massive weight off of my mind. I had prepared a employers information pack from the Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES) which explains the duties of an employer and an overview of what is involved.

We had a chat about certain issues and what the next step would be. In my case, telling my immediate manager and the staff. For my Area manager, informing head office and the HR department. I asked my manager into the office and told them. They had an inkling that something was up and this was one of the things that they had thought might be happening. Again, support and understanding. I gave them the same pack as I had given my area manager. Next, the staff. As I expected, they were fine with it. It was a case of: 'Is that it?'

In the subsequent days, we agreed on a timescale for me working as me 3.0 full time and made a list of work related issues to deal with. I have to put a statement out to the local branches, which will towards the end of August, explaining the situation and asking staff to use the correct pronouns and greetings. Then, in September, I will be leaving work as me 1.0 and after a 2 week holiday, be going back as me 3.0. I have provided work with an overview of the procedure's involved and the process that I will have to go through and the appointments that I will have to attend. As there is currently no policy in place for Transgender staff, I have the chance to influence the policy at it's infancy. Go me!

Now it's a case of counting down the days, weeks and months until me 3.0, is finally here permanently. There are certain things that I have to do beforehand, like changing my name and living outside of work full time as much as I can. There are things that I have to achieve for my own personal satisfaction so that I can move forward. There is a lot to do, organise and buy to move onto the next step. I'm on the road to be the person I should have been. Me 1.0 hasn't got long left now! 

I shall update you on April in the next couple of days.