A Third Oddessey to Reno

I had been invited to go to the Grand Ducal Ball in Reno, an annual event of the Gay Community there. I had expected a friend from Seattle to be there, but at the last minute she had been stuck with a lot of work at her job. I made reservations for the bus trip the day before, but found that again the package with a hotel there was not available due to the three-day weekend.

I had elected to take the early bus at 6:40 a.m., which is way earlier than I usually get up! By the time I got myself ready and out the door, I reached the main street to see the one local bus that would have gotten me to the bus terminal early go by. There was a later bus which would arrive shortly before the other bus's scheduled departure, so I went across the street to a service station and convenience store that was open, and bought a cup of coffee and a pastry. I caught the next bus, and arrived in time for the bus. I enjoyed the ride, and watched the sun eventually rise. I was seated in the front of the bus. At the stop in Sacramento I telephoned the motel across from where the bus stops in Reno, and reserved a room. A woman joined me there, and sat in the next seat. She and I talked during the rest of the trip

When we arrived in Reno, I checked in at the motel, this time just using my first initial and last name. I tried to contact my friends at The Hidden Woman by telephone, but got a recording and left a message. I then went to the hotel where the Ball was to be held, conveniently across the street, and looked around. Then I walked toward the Transit Center downtown, and practically had my wig blown off by the strong, gusty winds! I once again called the number that I had copied for The Hidden Woman, and this time reached a woman there. It turns out that this was the wrong number, and she had been puzzled by the earlier message from a man named "Janis!"

I rechecked the number, and found that I had copied one digit incorrectly. I then called, reached them, and told them that I was on my way. I took the bus from downtown to near the shop, and walked the rest of the way.

Carly at the shop had posted this picture of me from my previous visit as one of Leona's Girls on their web site. Every time that I have since posted it in the TG Forum chat room, people have said that it is a great picture, and that I look good as a blonde, and in yellow. I owe the wig selection and makeup to Leona, and had picked out the dress and jacket myself later.

But somehow I had misplaced my blonde wig after coming back from an outing when I had had my own hair done at Carla's! So I had gone out in December either with my own hair, or in an inexpensive brown wig that I had long ago purchased at Woolworth's. On this trip I purchased an identical wig, and had it styled by Leona for the night's big event. She also sold me a pair of exquisite pierced earrings for my outfit.

At the shop I met a friend from my previous visits, whom I had first met at California Dreamin' in San Francisco. I first accompanied her to her home for her to change, then she drove me to my motel, where I did the same. We walked the short distance from ther to the Ball.

I also found out that another friend, Dana Bourne, who is known as Reno Dana in the chat rooms, and whom I had only seen before at California Dreamin, was able to come at the last minute! At the end of the event I had this picture of us taken with my simple camera. My dress is actually of a violet and green lame fabric, which unfortunately doesn't show too well in this picture.

Dana, Carly, and several other of the local Leona's Girls were honored by being flag bearers at the opening of the event.

I was impressed and moved by the ball. There were representatives from many groups in California, and each put on a production number. The candidates for Duke and Duchess did as well. Many individuals performed, including a gentleman who had to be assisted to the stage to do a lip-sIynch to Frank Sinatra's song My Way. I was moved to tears, and joined the long line to give some money to him, as is the custom.

After the show, and having pictures taken with the new Duke and Duchess, many of us had dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Then my friend and I went to a local bar, and had drinks, including a non-alcoholic beer for me, amid the somewhat wild happenings there. Then it was back to the motel to take off the makeup, and get some sleep before checking out later in the morning.

I left my luggage at the motel office, and went to the Victory Brunch at a local bar. I met many of the participants, who were all dressed in more casual clothing. I got to talk with a gentleman who is a laison to PFLAG and other organizations. Afterwards I wandered around a bit, and found a new thrift store where everything is $1! Naturally I picked up a few pieces of clothing there! I then caught a city bus back downtown, walked over to the motel, retrieved my luggage, and waited for my bus home in the casino. This trip I only netted about $9 from the $13 slot machine card that was part of the package.

The bus home was full, and I had the very last seat on it. The advantage was that it only had people for my stop and beyond, and actually arrived an hour earlier than the schedule. I had dinner at a Chinese Restaurant by the terminal, then caught a local bus home.

A Third Oddessey to Reno

Saturday and Sunday, January 16 and 17, 1999