The Sound of Music

By Norah Blucher

Just before Christmas, I went on a weekend-long outing in Portland, Maine, and went to a holiday symphony and had a smashing time. It was not long after that I discovered one of my sisters from the group I sometime do outings with is very into classical music and wanted to travel there to see a show. I had to return to Portland for work, so four of us planned an evening at the symphony!

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Perhaps?

Audrey Hepburn has always been a style icon of mine, so when I needed to decide on an outfit for the symphony, I needed to look no further than her for inspiration. I often dress up in a business manner on work trips, but do not often get the chance to go full-scale formal. My goal is usually to blend in, but tonight I wanted to stand out and held nothing back with a knee-length velvet sheath, matching jacket with a satin tie waist and polished it off further with long velour gloves, a satin headband, my black fascinator and black suede court shoes. And not to let Audrey down, nothing but an elegant up do would suffice for my hair. As I looked in the mirror, I felt that Ms. Hepburn would approve!

For some reason though, I was just not completely feeling it. I’m not sure if it was the long day, the drive or perhaps, I just do not get out to formal occasions enough to have a gauge to go by. Whatever it was, I felt I looked alright for sure, but was just not wowed if you will. That feeling would soon change however…

It was rather warm that evening, so for the first time in many months I was able to go out without a coat, my dress jacket being enough, so off I went taking the lift down to the hotel lobby. As the lift doors opened, a chap about my age was waiting with his baggage to go up, and I believe he was looking at his phone, but he looked up and our gazes met and his eyes about popped out of his head! He gave me a once over and exclaimed, “Wow, you look beautiful!” 

I was a right bit surprised in the moment and I’m not sure I was what he expected to see on a weeknight in Maine, but I also found this to be one of the most sincere compliments I have ever gotten from a stranger – perhaps my first from a male. It was not as if he had seen me approach or rehearsed what to say. It was purely a knee-jerk reaction to a random and sudden passing with a stranger. I smiled graciously and thanked him, stepped off and blushed my way to the lobby to await my Lyft ride. Okay, so I guess I did have a bit of Audrey going on I guess.

A Show with Dinner, Too!

The Lyft ride was mostly unremarkable,and I tried engaging my driver in conversation commenting on the warm weather and what not and got barely a response. Just a quiet one I thought to myself. That was until we neared my destination. I had tipped him $3, which was the middle of the road 20% option I customarily do, unless I’ve gotten outstanding service or something. The driver looked at his phone and suddenly learned to speak, half jokingly complaining of my tip, saying he was worth the $5 tip!

I’m usually a good tipper, so I thought, but to be honest, I think the tipping culture has gotten a bit out of hand lately. Perhaps I was still elated from my compliment in the hotel, but I actually found humor in this, but did not show it. Acting a bit put off, I said he had been a good driver, but it was not like he opened the door for me, had barely said two words till now and had not even offered up a compliment or anything the whole ride!

He quickly countered that he had to drive all the way from downtown to the airport area to get me and bring me downtown,and that that was surely worth a $5 tip.

Conjuring the most quizzical look I could, I stared him down in the mirror a few seconds, mulling his comment over, before telling him that I found him to be quite a cheeky one for asking, but noted that I had admired his pluck and willingness to speak up, then told him I would up his tip to the requested $5. I did so and stepped out, heading off to the restaurant to meet the rest of the girls.

We had tried to reserve a table, but I guess everyone in the symphony hall area had the same idea that evening and we were lucky to get counter stools, but I was so glad we did. The restaurant only had a counter between the dining area and the kitchen, so though we did not have seating conducive to conversation, we had a front row seat to chefs preparing the meals. They were quite fancy to say the least and as we departed, I commented to one of the chefs how enjoyable it was to watch them work and that they all did a smashing job.

A Classic Never Gets Old

The four of us headed off to walk the few blocks over to the symphony hall, which was a bit treacherous to say the least. Portland is an old city in parts, with brick sidewalks that are not the greatest, especially in winter. I was glad my heels were a bit wider than standard and we all made it over without any medical mishaps, shortly before the show started.

I had mentioned this in my story about the Christmas symphony, but it is worth saying again just what an experience it is to go to one live. At a pop or rock concert, people are yelling, you can’t see a bloody thing half the time and the sound is usually just awful. You are there for the experience of going, not the music, in my opinion.

In a proper symphony hall, the music just fills the room. You can close your eyes and not even tell which direction the stage is in. You just sense the music in all directions and it is quite intoxicating. We were in the upper balcony section, but it still felt like we were on the stage. The first half of the show was Beethoven and though I’m not a connoisseur of classical music, I though they did a flawless job.

At intermission, one of the girls and myself got up to use the loo. Confronted with a long line, my friend turned back, but I did need to go and waited taking my place in the ladies line. It was actually a very efficient process as they had “traffic cops” in the doorways noting when a stall opened and ushering in the next patron. The other ladies were chatty enough and before I knew it, I was near the front.

I noted there was one entrance and then you could either enter the ladies’ room or the men’s room. And off to the side, there was one all-gender handicap single room, which they seemed to be reserving for ladies. I had one lady in front of me and as someone exited the single room, I watched curiously to see what they would do, half expecting them to usher me in there. I was proved wrong though, as they told the next lady in line to go in there and two seconds later, ushered me into the main ladies’ room noting the third stall was open.

For all the fuss made over bathrooms lately, I was not sure what to expect and I have never been in such a crowded ladies’ room, but I must say, no one seemed to care. No sneers, no comments, just do your business, wash your hands and make room for the next one. As I exited, one older lady heading in stopped me, said she had seen me in line and wanted to tell me how lovely I looked, expressing that she hoped whoever I came with was taking me out after the show because I looked too good to just go home.

That was twice now! I’ve received many compliments before; my coat, my skirt, shoes, my makeup once even, etc., but this was the first time I’ve gotten so much attention from strangers on the whole package. Heading out, I was not sure what to expect. A Saturday night holiday show was something I expected to be formal, but though I knew I’d be a bit overdressed for a Tuesday night mid-winter, I was not sure if I’d be taken for elegant or a tart. Most ladies were dressed in the slacks, sweater and scarf sort of deal, though a handful were formal, and it was so nice to be noticed for that. 

I did note too that much of the attention I got was from older ladies, to my surprise. It was an older crowd in general, but it made me wonder if some of them remembered when something like this was a big deal and everyone would have been dressed to the nines. I did have a right vintage vibe going on too, lol.

The second half of the symphony was all Strauss and was just as memorable as the first half. I had wanted to get a picture at the symphony, but they had asked everyone not to and afterwards we tried, but the lighting up top was horrid, so we made our way down to the exit.

The After Party

It was quite hot inside the hall, so stepping outside again, I had to put my jacket back on, but the cold air felt so nice. There was quite a crowd outside as well, and three or four separate women commented that they loved my fascinator! A few did say they liked my hat, though I suppose “fascinator” is not exactly in common vernacular with many and with the headband, I guess it did look a bit like a hat.

We headed a few blocks away to the hotel where the rest of the girls were staying for a bit of drink and conversation, as we had not had much chance to chat the whole evening. There was a lounge in the lobby, but one of the girls found out there was another one on the top floor with a view of the harbour. It was quite smashing and had a very old-time speakeasy feel, complete with leather couches and tables.

We chatted ’til they closed, catching up and discussing our next outing a whole week and a half away, lol. When they finally booted everyone out, the girls escorted me down to the lobby and waited with me until my ride came. I sort of suspect, like me, they did not want the night to end. I did have to work in the morning though, so did have to bid them farewell, but it was truly one of the more memorable outings I have had.

Afterthoughts

As I prepared for bed, I thought of how, aside from the femme factor, we in many ways live life with a different perspective than most. A dinner out, a show, a movie, even a shopping day. These were once a big deal to most that have largely been taken for granted. For those of us who do not live life en femme full time, it is still a big deal when we get to go out and experience the world as women. Even if you have done them as male, you experience them again for the first time as female.

In my case, some of these things are literally for the first time. I was always one who resisted formal things as male. I had no desire to dress up and went about as dressed down as I could to anything. I had to laugh at myself, for now I sometimes buy a nice dress and then go out of my way for an excuse to wear it!

So that is it for now loves and I hope you enjoyed! I’ve not written much lately as I've had a lot going on, but it has not been for a lack of getting out. I’ve actually been up to some not so typical femulations lately, so stay tuned for that when I’ve a chance to write them down.

Until then questions or comments are most welcome below or email me at nblucher at-sign proton.me.

Wearing Boston Proper

Deepak Subramanya femulating in the Indian film Mr. Rani.