I had one of the greatest experiences of my life the week of April 22nd! I attended Diva Las Vegas 2007. It is billed as a CD vacation – not a convention – and it truly lives up to its billing. As a mostly closeted CD, I was a bit apprehensive knowing that I would be out in public as Kaitlin many times during the week but for most events boymode or girlmode are equally acceptable so I knew I had flexibility to push my comfort zone as much or as little as I wished. Everyone at Diva was great and supportive and I would recommend Diva to anyone who wants to get out and gain experience going out dressed in public!

I arrived in Vegas on Sunday afternoon after the short drive down from southern Utah. I got checked in at the St. Tropez and decided, since I was running late, that I would not dress for the optional dinner at Greek Isles. Also, since it was a nice evening, I decided to walk to dinner. I had forgotten how long the blocks are in Vegas. I ended up walking nearly 3 miles to get to dinner. The closer I got to the Greek Isles, the more nervous I was but I fought through it, walked through the front door and found the group at the bar. I was greeted warmly and introduced around. Someone made the comment that it would be good to have one guy with the group on that first night. That made me feel even more at home. We had about 15 for dinner and it was a great evening.

Monday was the official opening day. We began at Studio Lites. I, again, decided on boymode since we were going to Sahara for lunch. I was still not feeling comfortable with being in a mainstream venue dressed as Kaitlin. Everyone at Studio Lites was great. I found several outfits that I only wish I could fit into. Note to self – it is REALLY time to lose those extra pounds before the next Diva!

Lunch at the Sahara was the usual casino buffet but quite good and quite reasonable. I met some more of the girls and a few SO's. After lunch we all went down the street to Elvis's Restaurant for a mature fashion roundtable, moderated by Susan and Kay – two of the group's SO's. It was very informative and well worth the afternoon. After the roundtable, two of my new friends asked me when they were going to see me as Kaitlin. I told them I would be dressing for dinner so back to the St. Tropez I went to get ready. I met one of our group who was staying at the St. Tropez and we walked the short distance to Suede for dinner. It was a lot of fun meeting lots of new people and getting comfortable as Kaitlin. While it was a private party, there were still more people there than had EVER seen me as Kaitlin before. After dinner I walked back to the St. Tropez solo and headed off for some blissful slumber.

Tuesday morning we were taking a boat cruise on Lake Mead. Again, being that this was a mainstream event, I decided to go in boymode. It was a lot of fun and it was fun to ride to and back from the lake with Joan, who is a local in Las Vegas, and a couple of others. Tuesday night we were supposed to have happy hour and dinner at Paris. I walked from the St. Tropez (about 2 miles) and, again, since it was in a mainstream venue, I decided boymode was best. About seven appeared for happy hour but only Mindy and her SO Diane and I ended up at dinner. Mindy is also a local and it was good to get the scoop on things to do in Vegas from her and Diane.

Wednesday morning was the Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf Tournament, organized by Mindy. We had 15 players and it was a hoot! I played in girlmode because Mindy threatened anyone who wanted to play in boymode with having to play from the very back tees. I had never played in girlmode before and it was not as hard as I expected. I didn't play very well but I was respectable and had a great time. Afterward we had lunch and a blind prize draw and headed back to our St. Tropezs.

Wednesday evening was Eating Out Night. The Diva organizers had selected several restaurants and we chose which one we wanted to go to. I ended up at the Blue Ox (in girlmode, this time) with about eight or ten others. I was struck at dinner with how personable and friendly the whole group was – we all truly seemed to get along. A slot tournament was scheduled for after dinner but there were not enough people there to play so I headed back to the St. Tropez.

Thursday we had lunch at Harrah's buffet. I was in boymode again (as I was for most everything on the Strip) but the lunch was really good. Afterward, I walked back to the St. Tropez, doing some shopping and sightseeing along the way. Another six mile walk! A girl has to do something to counter all of these buffet lunches!

Thursday night several of the group went to see Love at the Mirage and then on a limo tour of Las Vegas. For those of us who didn't make the limo tour, Thursday night was the Big Show Pity Party. It was karaoke night at Elvis's and, for the most part, the singers were OK. There was one guy who about drove us all nuts and I swore if he got up again I was leaving. We had a good time, though.

Friday was a big day. First we had lunch with Ginger at the Sahara buffet again. Even though the weather had heated up a lot, I decided to walk the four miles to Sahara from the St. Tropez. It took about an hour and I was ready for lunch (and a LARGE drink) when I got there. We had a good crowd and, as always, a good group, and the lunch was a lot of fun. While some of the group headed off to Glamour Boutique for their open house, I walked the four miles back to the St. Tropez to get ready for dinner.

Dinner was organized at Bahama Breeze and there were about 70 of us in attendance. In addition to happy hour and dinner, we also had an anniversary celebration for two Diva attendees and celebrated the Commitment Ceremony (held earlier in the week) of two others. Dinner was great and followed by anniversary and wedding cake. How do you beat that!

Saturday was the final day. I had planned to return to Utah on Saturday night but thought better of that idea the week before Diva. When I called the St. Tropez to try to extend my room, they told me they were booked up for Saturday night. Then I went to Expedia to try to find a room nearby but EVERYTHING on or near the Strip was booked solid so I ended up at a Best Western up near Nellis AFB. Since I had to be out of the St. Tropez by Noon and couldn't check in at the Best Western until about 4, I had the afternoon to kill. As any red blooded American girl does when there is time to kill, I did some shopping. I didn't buy much but the shopping is the important part! I arrived at the Best Western about 4, got checked in and immediately started dressing for dinner and the party. The theme was retro but the most retro item I had was a paisley top so I decided it would have to do. I think I fit in pretty well. The dinner was good, although I think Elvis's was a bit overwhelmed. The party afterwards was really nice as it gave all of us a chance to reminisce a bit and say our goodbyes.

After the party, I went back to the Best Western, cleaned up and got a little sleep before returning to Utah on Sunday morning. When I got up on Sunday, I drove down to the Gold Coast, my usual breakfast stop on the way out of Vegas but having forgotten it was Sunday and I was an hour early for the brunch so I decided just to head home.

All in all, it was a great week and I am looking forward to doing it again another year. It was a great event for a beginner, the group was extremely friendly and supportive and it truly was one of the greatest experiences I have had.