The first (right) is Lee Shaw.
The second is Vicki (below)
Monday, March 31, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Female Impersonation Classics."
The first (right) is Lee Shaw.
The second is Vicki (below)
In the Company of Women
Sunday afternoon, we had a big, yellow, bright UFO in the sky-the sun and we took advantage of it.
After a short drive along the Ohio River, we stopped at one of the riverside parks near downtown Cincy and then headed for serious business-shopping. Along the way back there is a shop called Spirit Wind and I understand the best description for it is an eclectic metaphysical shop. I am aware many of you (like me in Cyrsti's Condo) didn't know what the hell that means.
Here's as close to an explanation that I can pass along. The shop specializes in earth based spirituality items of which is an interest of mine. Today, I'm actually brave enough to show you the rings I bought and my crummy looking nails which again were abused this week.
The fun part of shopping there was the acceptance from a group of very organic workers. I was asked all sorts of questions on what stones I'm attracted to as well as what animals occupy the top of my totem. The best one of all was when my girlfriend told one of the workers, "she (me) is new to most of this." The worker said "Does she (me) feel the power?"
Well, I do feel the power from very unique ways, particularly gender and I am interested in exploring them more. Of course, Two-Spirit transgender society members were very special to many of the ancient people. So perhaps I might feel more power than anyone (including me) knows. But!! It's important to me to explain my concept of "power" . I do not define it in my old male sense but more from a feminine nurturing "insightful" place.
In the meantime, it's fulfilling to me to express my insights through the different elements into my style , starting with jewelry.The rings above are not expensive in any way but do reflect different expressions of my personality and soul.
In so many ways, all of this feels so right and I'm excited about exploring the facets of a feminine earth based spirituality. Plus, nearly all the individuals I have met have been women. I'm sure they will wonder as much as I do about how my highly unique dual gender life energy will fit it.
After a short drive along the Ohio River, we stopped at one of the riverside parks near downtown Cincy and then headed for serious business-shopping. Along the way back there is a shop called Spirit Wind and I understand the best description for it is an eclectic metaphysical shop. I am aware many of you (like me in Cyrsti's Condo) didn't know what the hell that means. Here's as close to an explanation that I can pass along. The shop specializes in earth based spirituality items of which is an interest of mine. Today, I'm actually brave enough to show you the rings I bought and my crummy looking nails which again were abused this week.
The fun part of shopping there was the acceptance from a group of very organic workers. I was asked all sorts of questions on what stones I'm attracted to as well as what animals occupy the top of my totem. The best one of all was when my girlfriend told one of the workers, "she (me) is new to most of this." The worker said "Does she (me) feel the power?"
Well, I do feel the power from very unique ways, particularly gender and I am interested in exploring them more. Of course, Two-Spirit transgender society members were very special to many of the ancient people. So perhaps I might feel more power than anyone (including me) knows. But!! It's important to me to explain my concept of "power" . I do not define it in my old male sense but more from a feminine nurturing "insightful" place.
In the meantime, it's fulfilling to me to express my insights through the different elements into my style , starting with jewelry.The rings above are not expensive in any way but do reflect different expressions of my personality and soul.
In so many ways, all of this feels so right and I'm excited about exploring the facets of a feminine earth based spirituality. Plus, nearly all the individuals I have met have been women. I'm sure they will wonder as much as I do about how my highly unique dual gender life energy will fit it.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Fly the Colors!
If you have ever wondered about the history of the transgender pride flag. It was created in August 1999 by Monica Helms and has five horizontal stripes. Two stripes are blue ones, two stripes are pink ones and a white center stripe. As with any other flags, there is a meaning to every colored stripe. To read all about them- go here.
As we get closer to all the TGLBQ Pride events in your part of the world, I feel it is a crucial time to separate true pride in our trans status from the usual, drag queens and fetish cross dressers. Every color in the rainbow should be there and I'm sure we will hear the usual Stonewall drag queen history lessons but in reality, it's time to move on and show the rest of the world we belong - not decked out in 4 inch heels and garish dresses. Transgender is a lifestyle for us, not a weekend. I may have to come up with a T-shirt!
Cyrsti's Condo "Sunday Morning" Edition
"Ker Plunk!" Good morning all and welcome to yet another weekend edition.
Page 1.- The Week in Review. The week produced no major over riding transgender national stories. Unfortunately national and international tragedies captured the headlines and attentions of the world. My heart goes out to all of the families.
Around the Condo, we were locally focused. Our Location, Location, Location post focused on the transphobic problems our transgender sisters have in rural America.I saw a rural transgender woman speak at a TransOhio community meeting a week or so ago and came away with the feeling I was so fortunate to be in the situation I am. I was taking it for granted I even had the resources to attend the TransOhio Meetings I do. Many rural trans women live in isolated transphobic pockets and for the most part are forgotten in blogs such as mine. If you have a experiences pass them along and I promise to share them.
Page 2.- Jan Hamilton's Story. I noted the documentary detailing the life of the transgender elite British parachute regiment soldier Jan Hamilton. When the "ultra" macho guys come out and explain their stories to the world, so many ordinary peeps are exposed to what our lives are like and the torment we suffer. All of the sudden, extremely high suicide rates in the trans community don't seem so "far fetched".
Page 3.- Potpourri.- This week, I didn't feel well all week and I'm sure it showed here in the Condo. We talked briefly about subjects such as reincarnation, Regular contributor Pat commented on the Hindu religious belief in reincarnation among others. As I said, it's a concept I don't believe in-or not believe in. Removing all the facts and fictions which surround the concept of reincarnation, I used to wonder how much past lives had to do with me being a transgender person today. Unfortunately, I went from there to the "I was crazy" misconception accepted by the psychiatric community.
Page 4.- The Back Page.-After an exceptionally wet and windy day yesterday, I considered the "beating" my hair was going through but this time- from a different angle-the rear. "Oh no! What did the back of my head look like?" Then, I began to compare the back of my head to the dark side of the moon. You assume it's there but you never see it. The problem now is, I have to see it and take care of it. Yet another milestone in my trans journey. For better or worse now, I can't see all of my hair in one place in front of me and style it!
Well kids, that's it for this week! As always I take this moment to send a bit of positive energy your way and thank you all for stopping by the Condo!
Page 1.- The Week in Review. The week produced no major over riding transgender national stories. Unfortunately national and international tragedies captured the headlines and attentions of the world. My heart goes out to all of the families.
Around the Condo, we were locally focused. Our Location, Location, Location post focused on the transphobic problems our transgender sisters have in rural America.I saw a rural transgender woman speak at a TransOhio community meeting a week or so ago and came away with the feeling I was so fortunate to be in the situation I am. I was taking it for granted I even had the resources to attend the TransOhio Meetings I do. Many rural trans women live in isolated transphobic pockets and for the most part are forgotten in blogs such as mine. If you have a experiences pass them along and I promise to share them.
Page 2.- Jan Hamilton's Story. I noted the documentary detailing the life of the transgender elite British parachute regiment soldier Jan Hamilton. When the "ultra" macho guys come out and explain their stories to the world, so many ordinary peeps are exposed to what our lives are like and the torment we suffer. All of the sudden, extremely high suicide rates in the trans community don't seem so "far fetched".
Page 3.- Potpourri.- This week, I didn't feel well all week and I'm sure it showed here in the Condo. We talked briefly about subjects such as reincarnation, Regular contributor Pat commented on the Hindu religious belief in reincarnation among others. As I said, it's a concept I don't believe in-or not believe in. Removing all the facts and fictions which surround the concept of reincarnation, I used to wonder how much past lives had to do with me being a transgender person today. Unfortunately, I went from there to the "I was crazy" misconception accepted by the psychiatric community.
Page 4.- The Back Page.-After an exceptionally wet and windy day yesterday, I considered the "beating" my hair was going through but this time- from a different angle-the rear. "Oh no! What did the back of my head look like?" Then, I began to compare the back of my head to the dark side of the moon. You assume it's there but you never see it. The problem now is, I have to see it and take care of it. Yet another milestone in my trans journey. For better or worse now, I can't see all of my hair in one place in front of me and style it!
Well kids, that's it for this week! As always I take this moment to send a bit of positive energy your way and thank you all for stopping by the Condo!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
The Power of an Umbrella
I should have waited a couple of days and tied this Cyrsti's Condo post into "April Showers" but I always have had a hard time waiting. Plus who knows what the world be like in a a couple days?
Today was one of those rainy windy "Spring" days in my part of Ohio-not a good "hair" day. We had errands to run and as we rushed from car to store, I understood yet again the power of an umbrella to a woman. But, did I carry one ? Do I even own one? No!
I may soon.
It's bad enough when I think I have my hair seemingly looking it's best until five minutes later in the wind-all is lost. All is even more lost though when moisture is involved. My hair takes on a life of it's own and of course the wetter it gets-the worse it gets.
I know. No one is twisting my arm to have all this hair but all those years, someone did twist my arm to cut it. So, we are more than even. In the meantime, I am learning the nuances of simply not taking your hair off and being able to see and style it from all angles. The problem is I'm an uncoordinated dork and even a simple process of holding a mirror so I can see the back of my head (and brush it) in another mirror becomes quite the process. The back of my head is like the dark side of the moon. You know it just has to be there but what's it looking like these days? Truly, the whole process is just another of the tons of transition minutia which I tie into "muscle memory" Larger examples include posture and walk which are essential to a feminine deportment.
My problem is my brain is similar to a low power overloaded computer and any memory is called into use could be a problem. My goal now is to just stretch the system a little more and remember to buy an umbrella.
Today was one of those rainy windy "Spring" days in my part of Ohio-not a good "hair" day. We had errands to run and as we rushed from car to store, I understood yet again the power of an umbrella to a woman. But, did I carry one ? Do I even own one? No!
I may soon.
It's bad enough when I think I have my hair seemingly looking it's best until five minutes later in the wind-all is lost. All is even more lost though when moisture is involved. My hair takes on a life of it's own and of course the wetter it gets-the worse it gets.
I know. No one is twisting my arm to have all this hair but all those years, someone did twist my arm to cut it. So, we are more than even. In the meantime, I am learning the nuances of simply not taking your hair off and being able to see and style it from all angles. The problem is I'm an uncoordinated dork and even a simple process of holding a mirror so I can see the back of my head (and brush it) in another mirror becomes quite the process. The back of my head is like the dark side of the moon. You know it just has to be there but what's it looking like these days? Truly, the whole process is just another of the tons of transition minutia which I tie into "muscle memory" Larger examples include posture and walk which are essential to a feminine deportment.
My problem is my brain is similar to a low power overloaded computer and any memory is called into use could be a problem. My goal now is to just stretch the system a little more and remember to buy an umbrella.
Some Hide Better than Others
It's no secret transgender veterans occupy a much larger percentage of world wide military's than anyone has been able to measure.
After all, for the MtF trans person, the military is one of the great places to prove how macho you really aren't. Finally, as in other segments of society, transgender veterans from the most macho areas of the military are coming forward-and out. The primary example from this country is former Navy Seal Kristin Beck.
Now, there is a documentary being shown in Australia called Sex Change Soldier. It's the story of Ian - now Jan - Hamilton.(left) Hamilton was an officer in the British elite parachute regiment, serving in Northern Ireland, the first Gulf war, Bosnia, the Iraq war and Afghanistan.
After suffering near fatal injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, he decided that he wanted to live the rest of his life as a woman.
“The only emotion I was able to show in the army was aggression, and I became quite good at that,” she says. “I hated myself, hated the world, and I hated being in the world ... I was volunteering to go back in operations simply because I thought I would die.”
Jan Hamilton makes several key points which hopefully educate the general population. One was willingness to commit a form of suicide rather than accept her transgender leanings.
Another addressed the fading idea that any of us had a choice in any of this. Hamilton said:
"No sane person would do this,” she says of her upcoming facial reconstruction surgery in Thailand. “I would rather walk out of Basra palace with an unloaded rifle into the middle of a hostile crowd than put myself through this."
Go here for more.
After all, for the MtF trans person, the military is one of the great places to prove how macho you really aren't. Finally, as in other segments of society, transgender veterans from the most macho areas of the military are coming forward-and out. The primary example from this country is former Navy Seal Kristin Beck.
Now, there is a documentary being shown in Australia called Sex Change Soldier. It's the story of Ian - now Jan - Hamilton.(left) Hamilton was an officer in the British elite parachute regiment, serving in Northern Ireland, the first Gulf war, Bosnia, the Iraq war and Afghanistan.
After suffering near fatal injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, he decided that he wanted to live the rest of his life as a woman.
“The only emotion I was able to show in the army was aggression, and I became quite good at that,” she says. “I hated myself, hated the world, and I hated being in the world ... I was volunteering to go back in operations simply because I thought I would die.”Jan Hamilton makes several key points which hopefully educate the general population. One was willingness to commit a form of suicide rather than accept her transgender leanings.
Another addressed the fading idea that any of us had a choice in any of this. Hamilton said:
"No sane person would do this,” she says of her upcoming facial reconstruction surgery in Thailand. “I would rather walk out of Basra palace with an unloaded rifle into the middle of a hostile crowd than put myself through this."
Go here for more.
Cyrsti's Condo "What If" Cover Girls
It's Saturday here in the Condo kids and time to lighten up a bit and pass along a couple "what if" pictures. Here's my insight into what the genetic women with their cross dressed guys are thinking.The first one: "Ha ha! and he thinks this isn't going on my Facebook page!
The second: "You know, I don't really mind him dressing like a slut, but those yellow heels???? Really????"
Friday, March 28, 2014
Leather Bikini's and Christmas Heels
Be warned kids, this Cyrsti's Condo post is coming from several different directions in my noggin.
First of all, most of you know I'm a regular visitor to Stana's Femulate blog. Thanks to January for sending in this comment:
Stana of "Femulate" fame reports that her desk has a photo of herself en femme. If anybody asked, it is simply a photo from a past Halloween, in the office. Very clever, that Stana. I agree January, I think Stana is using the picture to get others at work around her "used" to the new person who could be there every day!
Most recently Stana asked the question :
When you’re out en femme, has another woman reacted negatively (or positively) because you looked better than her. The question didn't resonate much with me for several different reasons except to make me consider why. (Primarily because it hasn't happened to me much or at all for years.) Plus, at this stage of my tranisition, I don't consider myself out en femme but bless all that do!
But, at the very same time I was thinking about all of this, I happened to see a show on outlaw biker gangs. The show interviewed one woman who said she was attracted (like so many others) to power and danger and there was no better place to experience it than on the back of a Harley motorcycle.(Not to mention the sexual charge my genetic women friends say they experience on a bike.) By then, I'm thinking why is this intriguing me so? Finally, I connected the dots to long ago Tri-Ess cross dresser Christmas parties, which I had no desire to go to. Instead, I was admiring the long haired boots and bikini women riding on the back of bikes heading into the giant party at Sturgis. To hell with a party dress! I needed a new wig.
Here's the kick. As a guy, I owned muscle cars and sports cars but never a motorcycle of any kind. Plus, personality wise, I was pretty much too nice to attract any of the bad girls. I always resented the women who felt that way- so where the hell did all this come from? Who knows?
To be sure, the chances are very dim I will be riding into Sturgis with my D breasts (Beginning with acquiring them!) in a leather bikini top any time soon on the back of a Harley. But that's OK, I will live. In the meantime, embracing and exploring all my contradictions can be fun because fighting them can be hell.
First of all, most of you know I'm a regular visitor to Stana's Femulate blog. Thanks to January for sending in this comment:
Stana of "Femulate" fame reports that her desk has a photo of herself en femme. If anybody asked, it is simply a photo from a past Halloween, in the office. Very clever, that Stana. I agree January, I think Stana is using the picture to get others at work around her "used" to the new person who could be there every day!
Most recently Stana asked the question :
When you’re out en femme, has another woman reacted negatively (or positively) because you looked better than her. The question didn't resonate much with me for several different reasons except to make me consider why. (Primarily because it hasn't happened to me much or at all for years.) Plus, at this stage of my tranisition, I don't consider myself out en femme but bless all that do!
But, at the very same time I was thinking about all of this, I happened to see a show on outlaw biker gangs. The show interviewed one woman who said she was attracted (like so many others) to power and danger and there was no better place to experience it than on the back of a Harley motorcycle.(Not to mention the sexual charge my genetic women friends say they experience on a bike.) By then, I'm thinking why is this intriguing me so? Finally, I connected the dots to long ago Tri-Ess cross dresser Christmas parties, which I had no desire to go to. Instead, I was admiring the long haired boots and bikini women riding on the back of bikes heading into the giant party at Sturgis. To hell with a party dress! I needed a new wig.
Here's the kick. As a guy, I owned muscle cars and sports cars but never a motorcycle of any kind. Plus, personality wise, I was pretty much too nice to attract any of the bad girls. I always resented the women who felt that way- so where the hell did all this come from? Who knows?
To be sure, the chances are very dim I will be riding into Sturgis with my D breasts (Beginning with acquiring them!) in a leather bikini top any time soon on the back of a Harley. But that's OK, I will live. In the meantime, embracing and exploring all my contradictions can be fun because fighting them can be hell.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Location, Location, Location
At the Trans Ohio Community regional meeting last week, there was one attendee I have given lots of thought to. First of all she was late and all so shy and came with her sister. (Sister was not looking happy to be there.) As went we around the room, she did say she lived in one of the rural counties around Cincinnati and actually she was afraid to come to the meeting.
I for one was amazed because the meeting itself couldn't have been held in a safer place, with no loss of accepting people. Later though, I began to perhaps understand why. For the most part we all live in pockets of transgender acceptance or lack of acceptance. I live around both. For example, Columbus, Ohio is an incredibly diverse and open TGLBQ city. Cincinnati so far just isn't and Dayton for the most part is. But you can go approximately 50 miles or so south of Columbus and hit some very unforgiving areas. The trans woman in question had to first get out of the house, past her neighbors and into "safe" territory. It's no wonder she was scared.
Shelle, one of the regular visitors to Cyrsti's Condo can certainly speak to the issue of our rural trans sisters. She lives in conservative rural Indiana. Unfortunately, many of the good old strong "folk" who built American values just haven't gotten real liberal lately and want to not extend those values to others. If you are in one of the rural areas, chances are you are even more alone as a transgender person and yes, you do stick out and no, it's not easy to just pick up and move from your home.
I'm not better than anyone else and have a tendency to think if I am able to make trips to places like TransOhio or even the bigger cities around me-why can't everyone else? I know for a fact though, other huge factors for many of our rural sisters are finances and transportation. I'm far from wealthy, but I'm lucky my old car and I are fairly mobile.
It's yet another problem which is easy to sweep under the TGLBQ rug. Every once in while though, someone picks up the rug and takes a look. Here is an example called Transphobia in a Small Town. It's worth a look at how "the other side" lives. Especially if you live in a more liberal urban area.
here
I for one was amazed because the meeting itself couldn't have been held in a safer place, with no loss of accepting people. Later though, I began to perhaps understand why. For the most part we all live in pockets of transgender acceptance or lack of acceptance. I live around both. For example, Columbus, Ohio is an incredibly diverse and open TGLBQ city. Cincinnati so far just isn't and Dayton for the most part is. But you can go approximately 50 miles or so south of Columbus and hit some very unforgiving areas. The trans woman in question had to first get out of the house, past her neighbors and into "safe" territory. It's no wonder she was scared.
Shelle, one of the regular visitors to Cyrsti's Condo can certainly speak to the issue of our rural trans sisters. She lives in conservative rural Indiana. Unfortunately, many of the good old strong "folk" who built American values just haven't gotten real liberal lately and want to not extend those values to others. If you are in one of the rural areas, chances are you are even more alone as a transgender person and yes, you do stick out and no, it's not easy to just pick up and move from your home.
I'm not better than anyone else and have a tendency to think if I am able to make trips to places like TransOhio or even the bigger cities around me-why can't everyone else? I know for a fact though, other huge factors for many of our rural sisters are finances and transportation. I'm far from wealthy, but I'm lucky my old car and I are fairly mobile.
It's yet another problem which is easy to sweep under the TGLBQ rug. Every once in while though, someone picks up the rug and takes a look. Here is an example called Transphobia in a Small Town. It's worth a look at how "the other side" lives. Especially if you live in a more liberal urban area.
here
Would You-If you Could?
The past couple of days, I've been as sick as a kitty who ate a rotten mouse, so I've refrained from doing anything much on line as I have a tendency to become rather "snarky" with the world.
Today though, I did get bored enough that I climbed out of my death bed and to my computer...priorities-right? Who says blogging doesn't become a lifestyle?
This morning by accident I ran across one of the many quality MtF cross dresser makeover services. This one just happened to be across the pond in the UK and is called The Makeover Room . Over the years, I've known several individuals who have taken advantage of similar services. Depending on your reason's for going, the results can be fabulous
My example from several years ago, had nothing to do with me but involved a couple other cross dressers I know. One of them went to a makeover specialist and ended up with a positively knock out set of pictures. So good as a matter of fact, the other CD ended up putting up one of the pictures on his gym locker where he played tennis and golf. No one ever knew and in fact wondered if the "woman" in the picture was his mistress. I certainly can't document it, but I just have to believe that somewhere/sometime there has been a guy who has put a picture of his "sister" up in his office somewhere- who of course was him.
As with so many of the other layers of the cross dressing community, from simply wearing panties at work, to shopping at the mall-the culture of makeover pictures fascinate me. On one hand I wonder if becoming the "feminine person in the picture" becomes a priority until one just decides to be her. Or, is the person in the picture good enough? Not unlike the first time participant in a womanless beauty pageant who happens to look great. Does he want to go back to the well for another drink?
As a point of reference, the cross dresser I knew with the "hot" pictures never had the where withal or desire to live as a woman at all. He would have a tough time presenting as a woman in public. Instead, for the longest time, he had a very active Flickr account (and always looked sexy) until recently he disappeared. I just think all the different aspects of how gender plays in our minds is just fascinating. Including one person I know who corresponded back and forth for years as a genetic woman with a cis guy who never knew. I always told him, how did he know the guy he was chatting with wasn't a woman?
At times like that, the old lines of communication don't seem so bad. Until, I remembered adding just a touch of my perfume to letters I was writing to a man "back in the day" ( He did know I was a cross dresser.) I also remember wondering what would have happened if my wife would have caught me doing it or his wife getting the letter before he did?
One benefit of age is, you can gloss over the spots of your life you weren't really proud of or think, just what the hell was I thinking? Most of the time, I would have-if I could-and did.
Today though, I did get bored enough that I climbed out of my death bed and to my computer...priorities-right? Who says blogging doesn't become a lifestyle?
 |
| Makeover Example |
My example from several years ago, had nothing to do with me but involved a couple other cross dressers I know. One of them went to a makeover specialist and ended up with a positively knock out set of pictures. So good as a matter of fact, the other CD ended up putting up one of the pictures on his gym locker where he played tennis and golf. No one ever knew and in fact wondered if the "woman" in the picture was his mistress. I certainly can't document it, but I just have to believe that somewhere/sometime there has been a guy who has put a picture of his "sister" up in his office somewhere- who of course was him.
As with so many of the other layers of the cross dressing community, from simply wearing panties at work, to shopping at the mall-the culture of makeover pictures fascinate me. On one hand I wonder if becoming the "feminine person in the picture" becomes a priority until one just decides to be her. Or, is the person in the picture good enough? Not unlike the first time participant in a womanless beauty pageant who happens to look great. Does he want to go back to the well for another drink?
As a point of reference, the cross dresser I knew with the "hot" pictures never had the where withal or desire to live as a woman at all. He would have a tough time presenting as a woman in public. Instead, for the longest time, he had a very active Flickr account (and always looked sexy) until recently he disappeared. I just think all the different aspects of how gender plays in our minds is just fascinating. Including one person I know who corresponded back and forth for years as a genetic woman with a cis guy who never knew. I always told him, how did he know the guy he was chatting with wasn't a woman?
At times like that, the old lines of communication don't seem so bad. Until, I remembered adding just a touch of my perfume to letters I was writing to a man "back in the day" ( He did know I was a cross dresser.) I also remember wondering what would have happened if my wife would have caught me doing it or his wife getting the letter before he did?
One benefit of age is, you can gloss over the spots of your life you weren't really proud of or think, just what the hell was I thinking? Most of the time, I would have-if I could-and did.
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our Thursday cover feature is Chris Kolonko the most booked drag artist in Bavaria.Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our feature cover in the Condo is one you may recognize. The beautiful transsexual actress/model Mimi Marks. I remember some of her early appearances on a few of the now defunct daytime talk shows. Her comments resonated with me because she didn't identify with the drag queen crowd-as so many did back in the day.Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Trans Ohio Meeting Photo
"All the usual" suspects and some not so "usual" (me) at last week's Trans Ohio Regional Meeting in Cincinnati last week.Cyrsti's Condo "Power Scope"
Well kids, for the most part my power scope is in a boring rut. I'm a Libra and have been jumping up and down on my scales for weeks!(September 23-October 22): You’ll need a double dose of patience and your blinders on in order to focus on your journey rather than the destination. While it’s great to think in hypotheticals and look at all the angles, realize that makes it way easier to drift into worst-case scenarios too. Instead, make real choices, because tomorrow is unwritten and this is the week to steer your plot onto solid ground.
Best Day To Get Lucky: Sunday, March 30
Go to theFrisky to get lucky yourself! My personal favorite this week went to Aries:
(March 21-April 19): Time to spread those legs wider, make your smile brighter and use whatever you’ve got to get what you want. Yes, work your inner femme fatale in a more aggressive and obvious way now. Not that it’s nice to manipulate, but the rules are going to be tricky to define now. So, when you’ve got it, flaunt it, as using anything below the belt is not off limits now.
A REAl power scope!!
Jerry "Springs" Forward Past Rude
Did you see this?
In a surprising move, controversial daytime talk show host Jerry Springer has announced that he will no longer be using the word "tranny" on his show.
In an interview with TMZ, Springer responded to criticism over a recent episode of The Jerry Springer Show titled "Trannies Twerk It Out," telling the gossip site, "I've just been educated."
"I won't use that term," Springer continued. "I honestly had no idea that you're not supposed to use that term, so now we'll find another term to use."
That's his excuse and it's great he has dumped the term. Now what about the transpobic Rude Paul? The obnoxious cis gay man is still carrying the banner saying it's OK to use a gender slur.
In a surprising move, controversial daytime talk show host Jerry Springer has announced that he will no longer be using the word "tranny" on his show.
In an interview with TMZ, Springer responded to criticism over a recent episode of The Jerry Springer Show titled "Trannies Twerk It Out," telling the gossip site, "I've just been educated."
"I won't use that term," Springer continued. "I honestly had no idea that you're not supposed to use that term, so now we'll find another term to use."That's his excuse and it's great he has dumped the term. Now what about the transpobic Rude Paul? The obnoxious cis gay man is still carrying the banner saying it's OK to use a gender slur.
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl of the Day."
Our Tuesday feature cover is make up artist Alain Adeva from the Philippines.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Deja Vu
By definition in English, the term Deja Vu is French, and literally means "already seen". Or is the phenomenon of having the strong sensation that an event or experience currently being experienced has been experienced in the past, whether it has actually happened or not.
On occasion over the years, I have wondered if any of the occasions when being feminine was so natural meant I had lived them in another life? The "past life" theory is one of those ideas I put in my ghosts or aliens category of I don't believe- or non believe.
These days, as I transition ever further into a feminine existence, I have a tendency to toss the feeling of Deja Vu into the category of syncing an over abundance of estrogen in the womb to my HRT meds today. The process of day to day influences just seem more normal. Not because I lived them before, it's because I feel normal living them now.
To put it into other words which you peeps from the 60's might equate to - through most of my life "I got stoned and missed it." Except in this case, I got "T"'d and missed it with my natural excess of testosterone.
Just an idea!
On occasion over the years, I have wondered if any of the occasions when being feminine was so natural meant I had lived them in another life? The "past life" theory is one of those ideas I put in my ghosts or aliens category of I don't believe- or non believe.
These days, as I transition ever further into a feminine existence, I have a tendency to toss the feeling of Deja Vu into the category of syncing an over abundance of estrogen in the womb to my HRT meds today. The process of day to day influences just seem more normal. Not because I lived them before, it's because I feel normal living them now.
To put it into other words which you peeps from the 60's might equate to - through most of my life "I got stoned and missed it." Except in this case, I got "T"'d and missed it with my natural excess of testosterone.
Just an idea!
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Just Playing Around
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Picture #1.-
The girl to the left is thinking WOW we really set him up for success in the womanless pageant - He's thinking Prom!
Picture #2.- I am too genetic!!!!!!!!!!! Dammit!
Cyrsti's Condo "Sunday Edition"
Good morning "Condo-ites!" Lots of content this morning! Let's get moving.
Page 1.- News. Recently, this title caught my eye, 6 Ways Trans Women Are Helping to Deliver Gender Equality. Essentially, for all the movement women have made in the world over the past two decades, this post points out:
From the gender wage gap to increasing incarceration rates — or “Slavery 2.0” — the failure of the ERA in 1982 and the continued lack of a federal equal rights amendment are testaments to the unrelenting, pernicious and unethical treatment of women in America — especially women of color.
It goes on to say:
The movement for women's equality has occurred primarily within the LGBT community over the past decade, with the discourse of “equality” often framed in terms of marriage. DADT and DOMA were both federally repealed, and the marriage equality movement has a nearly invisible state-organized apparatus, thanks to two Supreme Court's decisions this past summer.
It's a good read from PolicyMic. Go here to read more.
Page 2.- Opinion. The preceding story prominently mentioned the growing influence of transgender women of color leading the fight for rights. Not unlike their race went through during the Civil Rights battles of the 60's and beyond. Ironically, the one other transgender woman besides me who showed up for the Trans Ohio meeting was of color and outspoken and not shy. I'm not making the case for color equaling a significant desire or ability to speak up on our trans issues except to say the highest instances of transphobic violence are directed towards women of color.
Now, to my point. I began to wonder if those of us who are transitioning and have the ability or will power to do it - are preconditioned not to stand up for our rights? Do we spend too much time in the stereotypical feminine mind state? I don't know but it is a thought. The irony is not lost on me though that a few of the genetic women groups are grudgingly beginning to recognize the appeal of a group of new transplanted citizens on their soil. After all, immigration is good in so many ways. New ideas, culture and energy are always beneficial if accepted for what they are.
Page 3.- Comments. This week I was greedy and put off answering a couple excellent responses I received here in the Condo until now. From week to week, I never know what content I will have for our Sunday Edition. The first came in response to my post Having Coffee with the Peeps and comes from writer Bobbie Thompson:
"... made the mistake of assuming ... " Been there done that. Of course, my ONLY experience with anyone trans is via Alana. I 'assumed' ALL trans experiences were the same as hers. While attending the 2012 Southern Comfort Conference with Alana, I quickly learned that EVERY EXPERIENCE is different and not one person's experience can be 'representative' of all. I learn something new every day ... mainly that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' ways to 'be.' I think the important part is to simply be yourself ... and allow others to be who they are.
Indeed Bobbie, you are right and thanks for the comment! Perhaps the isolation the transgender community subjected itself to helped to further the notion that somehow we are all alike or know plenty of other trans friends. None of that is true for most of us of course and once again it proves we are just "regular" folk with just a little more insight into how both of the other gender binaries live.
The other comment came from Sally Bend in response to our Oldie but Goodie Post:
Back in high school I used to wash dishes and bus tables in a greasy little cafe that had a old bookstore attached. The bookstore was only open by appointment (it was a cluttered fire hazard), and I usually got the job of cleaning it up for customers. I found so many old trans magazines and paperbacks in there, it was like my own personal treasure trove. I never got to take many home (like you, I didn't have the courage to buy them), but I read most of them.
A great memory Sally and I'm sure many of us wish we had the same access to a "treasure trove" like that too! It's amazing you got any work done. Thanks for sharing!
And thanks to all of you for spending part of your precious time here in Cyrsti's Condo. Can't thank you enough and hope to see you again next week!
Page 1.- News. Recently, this title caught my eye, 6 Ways Trans Women Are Helping to Deliver Gender Equality. Essentially, for all the movement women have made in the world over the past two decades, this post points out:
From the gender wage gap to increasing incarceration rates — or “Slavery 2.0” — the failure of the ERA in 1982 and the continued lack of a federal equal rights amendment are testaments to the unrelenting, pernicious and unethical treatment of women in America — especially women of color.
It goes on to say:
The movement for women's equality has occurred primarily within the LGBT community over the past decade, with the discourse of “equality” often framed in terms of marriage. DADT and DOMA were both federally repealed, and the marriage equality movement has a nearly invisible state-organized apparatus, thanks to two Supreme Court's decisions this past summer.
It's a good read from PolicyMic. Go here to read more.
Page 2.- Opinion. The preceding story prominently mentioned the growing influence of transgender women of color leading the fight for rights. Not unlike their race went through during the Civil Rights battles of the 60's and beyond. Ironically, the one other transgender woman besides me who showed up for the Trans Ohio meeting was of color and outspoken and not shy. I'm not making the case for color equaling a significant desire or ability to speak up on our trans issues except to say the highest instances of transphobic violence are directed towards women of color.
Now, to my point. I began to wonder if those of us who are transitioning and have the ability or will power to do it - are preconditioned not to stand up for our rights? Do we spend too much time in the stereotypical feminine mind state? I don't know but it is a thought. The irony is not lost on me though that a few of the genetic women groups are grudgingly beginning to recognize the appeal of a group of new transplanted citizens on their soil. After all, immigration is good in so many ways. New ideas, culture and energy are always beneficial if accepted for what they are.
Page 3.- Comments. This week I was greedy and put off answering a couple excellent responses I received here in the Condo until now. From week to week, I never know what content I will have for our Sunday Edition. The first came in response to my post Having Coffee with the Peeps and comes from writer Bobbie Thompson:
"... made the mistake of assuming ... " Been there done that. Of course, my ONLY experience with anyone trans is via Alana. I 'assumed' ALL trans experiences were the same as hers. While attending the 2012 Southern Comfort Conference with Alana, I quickly learned that EVERY EXPERIENCE is different and not one person's experience can be 'representative' of all. I learn something new every day ... mainly that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' ways to 'be.' I think the important part is to simply be yourself ... and allow others to be who they are.
Indeed Bobbie, you are right and thanks for the comment! Perhaps the isolation the transgender community subjected itself to helped to further the notion that somehow we are all alike or know plenty of other trans friends. None of that is true for most of us of course and once again it proves we are just "regular" folk with just a little more insight into how both of the other gender binaries live.
The other comment came from Sally Bend in response to our Oldie but Goodie Post:
Back in high school I used to wash dishes and bus tables in a greasy little cafe that had a old bookstore attached. The bookstore was only open by appointment (it was a cluttered fire hazard), and I usually got the job of cleaning it up for customers. I found so many old trans magazines and paperbacks in there, it was like my own personal treasure trove. I never got to take many home (like you, I didn't have the courage to buy them), but I read most of them.
A great memory Sally and I'm sure many of us wish we had the same access to a "treasure trove" like that too! It's amazing you got any work done. Thanks for sharing!
And thanks to all of you for spending part of your precious time here in Cyrsti's Condo. Can't thank you enough and hope to see you again next week!
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
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Cyrsti's Condo "Beauty Break"
Every once in a while, I love to pass along what experts think of our passions such as make up. From day one as cross dressers or transgender women, we foraged through Mom's or sister's make up - fascinated and confused.
This week I found a look at mascara - a very important part of my eye makeup routine. As my skin is finally beginning to recover from the beating winter gave it and my old gray beard requires a lighter shave to cover, my eyes and lips take on an extra importance.
This comes from Yahoo: If there's one beauty product we can't live without, it's mascara. It brightens, opens up the eye and, frankly, makes us all look way more pulled together. But with 192 million types of mascaras at stores, picking one is like a massive game of eenie-meenie-miney-mo. Wand size, shape, texture - the choices are endless. To help keep your eyes on the prize and your lashes reaping the benefits, pay most attention to the type of wand.
For more follow the link above!
This week I found a look at mascara - a very important part of my eye makeup routine. As my skin is finally beginning to recover from the beating winter gave it and my old gray beard requires a lighter shave to cover, my eyes and lips take on an extra importance.This comes from Yahoo: If there's one beauty product we can't live without, it's mascara. It brightens, opens up the eye and, frankly, makes us all look way more pulled together. But with 192 million types of mascaras at stores, picking one is like a massive game of eenie-meenie-miney-mo. Wand size, shape, texture - the choices are endless. To help keep your eyes on the prize and your lashes reaping the benefits, pay most attention to the type of wand.
For more follow the link above!
The Devil is Hiding in the Details
"Back in the day" as I was exploring the feminine side of my life as a cross dresser, one of my bigger frustrations quickly became making some sort of "big mistake." All sorts of things could happen internally or externally. My panty hose could start creeping down my thighs, I could get a heel stuck in a crack in the concrete and yes, when I used water balloons for boobs-one broke. It seemed the more I learned, the more I had to learn. I was doing my best not to be a clown in the mall and an unpaid one at that!
Of course genetic women face the same problems as part of the "high maintenance" gender, they are just more experienced and yes they have faced the same problems as we transgender girls- except maybe the water balloons. They were using tissue. Last night, I saw the process first hand.
A friend and I (genetic) were out watching the basketball tournament in a big sports bar which features five huge television screens in a row, facing the bar. The place is huge with two large rooms on either side of the main room and last light, one of them had some sort of formal party. Could have been some sort of an after wedding party, just knew the 20 something women were dressed in formal gowns. I didn't give them much thought until my first visit to the potty. Just as I closed my stall door, another woman took one of the others close by. I took care of my business quickly and was washing up to leave when she came out of the stall. Literally, she was tall tanned and beautiful in a breathtaking blue gown which was low cut and fell off her shoulders. The dress was also three quarters length and there in lied the problem. She was really struggling with the dress. Was it covering enough of the girls, did she pee on it when she was using the bathroom and of course she was checking out how it looked from the back. I dried my hands and went back to join my friend but I'm sure I missed her checking out her makeup and hair.
Once again I knew appearance is no accident and even a casual look takes a certain amount of planning and work. Even for such a young attractive woman who was working so hard to make her natural beauty look effortless.
Of course genetic women face the same problems as part of the "high maintenance" gender, they are just more experienced and yes they have faced the same problems as we transgender girls- except maybe the water balloons. They were using tissue. Last night, I saw the process first hand.
A friend and I (genetic) were out watching the basketball tournament in a big sports bar which features five huge television screens in a row, facing the bar. The place is huge with two large rooms on either side of the main room and last light, one of them had some sort of formal party. Could have been some sort of an after wedding party, just knew the 20 something women were dressed in formal gowns. I didn't give them much thought until my first visit to the potty. Just as I closed my stall door, another woman took one of the others close by. I took care of my business quickly and was washing up to leave when she came out of the stall. Literally, she was tall tanned and beautiful in a breathtaking blue gown which was low cut and fell off her shoulders. The dress was also three quarters length and there in lied the problem. She was really struggling with the dress. Was it covering enough of the girls, did she pee on it when she was using the bathroom and of course she was checking out how it looked from the back. I dried my hands and went back to join my friend but I'm sure I missed her checking out her makeup and hair.
Once again I knew appearance is no accident and even a casual look takes a certain amount of planning and work. Even for such a young attractive woman who was working so hard to make her natural beauty look effortless.
Friday, March 21, 2014
The "Enigma" Gender
One definition for enigma is: a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
It's no secret the binary male and female genders don't understand much about each other, so it's no wonder neither know much about we "invisible T's". Here in Cyrsti's Condo in the past, I have taken the title from the classic guide Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex and added transgender people must be from Earth, right between the other two. If we liked it or not, we spent some time on both planets and many of us still commute back and forth.
We are enigma's with all the stigma which can be attached-good or bad. This week for example, I ran into many new people. Not just walking by them on the street, but interacting with them too in meetings and social events. Truthfully, I was willingly knocked out of my comfort zone all week long. I know what you are thinking "Whoa Cyrsti, thought you were living all this time as a girl. I can explain it this way: Every so often someone will ask me if I'm living "full time" or "24/7" as a woman. The question is always difficult for me to answer because I can only vouch for living 24/7 between my ears. The remainder of the time I'm awake, my gender is how the world perceives it-not how I do. I already know. For all I know, on my androgynous days some may think I'm from the moon!
So, at this point I am an enigma to the folks from Venus and Mars. For the most part, I can guarantee you most don't understand me but as long as they don't willfully hurt me, that's fine. I can't understand ever perceiving myself as my birth gender completely so I don't understand them.
As I transition, I am learning the fun part is to stay an enigma to the other planets. For the most part the Martians keep me at arms length and the Venusian's are as curious as cats. My latest responses (truthfully a very small minority of the world who has much more to worry about than me) are centered in the eyes. I had two or three women this week who seemingly couldn't get out of mine. If you are a believer in the eyes are the windows to the soul, they were trying to look at mine!
If I was a better writer and more disciplined a "Classic Guide to Understanding Earthlings" would be a fabulous follow up to understanding both other planets-or-we could do the "Why's and How's of Being a Gender Enigma" too. In the meantime, it's interesting to step back and look at the wonder of it all.
It's no secret the binary male and female genders don't understand much about each other, so it's no wonder neither know much about we "invisible T's". Here in Cyrsti's Condo in the past, I have taken the title from the classic guide Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex and added transgender people must be from Earth, right between the other two. If we liked it or not, we spent some time on both planets and many of us still commute back and forth.
We are enigma's with all the stigma which can be attached-good or bad. This week for example, I ran into many new people. Not just walking by them on the street, but interacting with them too in meetings and social events. Truthfully, I was willingly knocked out of my comfort zone all week long. I know what you are thinking "Whoa Cyrsti, thought you were living all this time as a girl. I can explain it this way: Every so often someone will ask me if I'm living "full time" or "24/7" as a woman. The question is always difficult for me to answer because I can only vouch for living 24/7 between my ears. The remainder of the time I'm awake, my gender is how the world perceives it-not how I do. I already know. For all I know, on my androgynous days some may think I'm from the moon!
So, at this point I am an enigma to the folks from Venus and Mars. For the most part, I can guarantee you most don't understand me but as long as they don't willfully hurt me, that's fine. I can't understand ever perceiving myself as my birth gender completely so I don't understand them.
As I transition, I am learning the fun part is to stay an enigma to the other planets. For the most part the Martians keep me at arms length and the Venusian's are as curious as cats. My latest responses (truthfully a very small minority of the world who has much more to worry about than me) are centered in the eyes. I had two or three women this week who seemingly couldn't get out of mine. If you are a believer in the eyes are the windows to the soul, they were trying to look at mine!
If I was a better writer and more disciplined a "Classic Guide to Understanding Earthlings" would be a fabulous follow up to understanding both other planets-or-we could do the "Why's and How's of Being a Gender Enigma" too. In the meantime, it's interesting to step back and look at the wonder of it all.
Porno and the Genetic Woman
Quite the title, right? The reason for it is last night, by sheer osmosis, I found myself in the middle of a porno discussion between my partner and three other of her genetic women acquaintances.
Here lately, I'm becoming better at shutting up and have the conversation come to me. It's very effective in that most people from without the TGLBQ community don't really know what to think of me and a little mystery doesn't hurt.
After the get together last night we were all sitting around chatting and I was surprised when one of the women mentioned her ex husband and her resultant introduction to porno. The conversation went to sex acts and then moved on rather quickly. I am the first to admit, my experience with women has shown me, they are less than the prudes they portray around men. But, this topic with this group of seemingly middle aged conservative women really got my attention!
I found myself stuck in sort of a time warp in the conversation too. Here I was as a transgender woman still not talking about porno. The same as when I was a guy because mainly, I never felt the charge my guy friends supposedly got from porno and/or strip clubs. Through work though , I ended up at quite a few clubs and of course I played the game when I was bored to death. I oohed and ahhed at the right time. I thought it best though not to bring any of that up! So, I just shut up and once again-played the game knowing full well that sooner more than later a woman will ask me about my thoughts.
On this side of the gender fence though, saying less, indeed means more and I do so enjoy the mystery!
Here lately, I'm becoming better at shutting up and have the conversation come to me. It's very effective in that most people from without the TGLBQ community don't really know what to think of me and a little mystery doesn't hurt.
After the get together last night we were all sitting around chatting and I was surprised when one of the women mentioned her ex husband and her resultant introduction to porno. The conversation went to sex acts and then moved on rather quickly. I am the first to admit, my experience with women has shown me, they are less than the prudes they portray around men. But, this topic with this group of seemingly middle aged conservative women really got my attention!
I found myself stuck in sort of a time warp in the conversation too. Here I was as a transgender woman still not talking about porno. The same as when I was a guy because mainly, I never felt the charge my guy friends supposedly got from porno and/or strip clubs. Through work though , I ended up at quite a few clubs and of course I played the game when I was bored to death. I oohed and ahhed at the right time. I thought it best though not to bring any of that up! So, I just shut up and once again-played the game knowing full well that sooner more than later a woman will ask me about my thoughts.
On this side of the gender fence though, saying less, indeed means more and I do so enjoy the mystery!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Woman" of the Day
Our feature cover today is Geena Rocero, model, activist, and transgender woman.Cyrsti's Condo "Oldies but Goodies"
Back in the day" when I was 15, I used to be able to go with an older friend who already had his drivers license. He had an aunt who had a neighborhood variety store which sold magazines and paperbacks among other things like chips, pop and beer. Her store was in a less than affluent part of town and on very rare occasions I would find paperbacks such as these. The problem was having enough courage to buy them-which I didn't and at the same time act like I didn't care!
Having Coffee with the Peeps
If you recall, my sit down with the Dayton/Cincinnati Trans Ohio community meeting was this last Tuesday and I wrote a brief post about it here in Cyrsti's Condo.
Since that time of course, I have come up with a few more observations. First, I was disappointed in the transgender turn out. In an organization called Trans, in a group of 14-16 peeps, there were only three in the room who identified as trans. From that point on, the meeting became one of educating everyone else about us and our concerns. Absolutely no problem.
The tough part was explaining why we transgender women belonged there anyhow. Trans Ohio is largely a trans male based organization but I have no problem with that either. The third trans person in the room was a trans guy and the host. Bottom line was, once again, I found myself aligning with the other trans women and speaking for a silent group. Fortunately, neither of us was shy.
As I said before, we introduced transgender employment, health care and over all visibility into the conversation. The first two, are such huge issues, I can't come even close to solving them -except to talk. As far as visibility went, the turn out proved we are still an invisible "T". A gay guy in the room went out of his way to explain why using the Tranny word was as OK. He had it all worked out. Since gay guys can call themselves fags then they can call themselves trannies as well as black's can use the "N" word with each other. What he still didn't understand was as long as Tranny can be mistaken for an abbreviation for transgender or transsexual, it's not right and is a slur.
I was satisfied though, by the end of the meeting, I walked out with the feeling I had helped to educate the gays and lesbians in the room who we really were. An example was the young lesbian representative from a prominent GL organization in Cincinnati who had no idea of HRT was or the succession of transition. I make the mistake of assuming they know as much about us, as we know about them.
The best I could do from there- at the end of the meeting I passed out my business cards and volunteered to attend their meetings too. Every educated person helps!
Finally, the building the meeting was held in a GBLT Center and the sign on the restroom door was "Anyone"!
Since that time of course, I have come up with a few more observations. First, I was disappointed in the transgender turn out. In an organization called Trans, in a group of 14-16 peeps, there were only three in the room who identified as trans. From that point on, the meeting became one of educating everyone else about us and our concerns. Absolutely no problem.
The tough part was explaining why we transgender women belonged there anyhow. Trans Ohio is largely a trans male based organization but I have no problem with that either. The third trans person in the room was a trans guy and the host. Bottom line was, once again, I found myself aligning with the other trans women and speaking for a silent group. Fortunately, neither of us was shy.
As I said before, we introduced transgender employment, health care and over all visibility into the conversation. The first two, are such huge issues, I can't come even close to solving them -except to talk. As far as visibility went, the turn out proved we are still an invisible "T". A gay guy in the room went out of his way to explain why using the Tranny word was as OK. He had it all worked out. Since gay guys can call themselves fags then they can call themselves trannies as well as black's can use the "N" word with each other. What he still didn't understand was as long as Tranny can be mistaken for an abbreviation for transgender or transsexual, it's not right and is a slur.
I was satisfied though, by the end of the meeting, I walked out with the feeling I had helped to educate the gays and lesbians in the room who we really were. An example was the young lesbian representative from a prominent GL organization in Cincinnati who had no idea of HRT was or the succession of transition. I make the mistake of assuming they know as much about us, as we know about them.
The best I could do from there- at the end of the meeting I passed out my business cards and volunteered to attend their meetings too. Every educated person helps!
Finally, the building the meeting was held in a GBLT Center and the sign on the restroom door was "Anyone"!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our feature cover of the day today is a very "80's" looking Grae Phillips. If you don't recall Grae's story, he was billed as the "original Tootsie." I still remember clearly when he made his first appearance on the Phil Donahue Show. He couldn't land a job as a guy singer in NYC and just " happened" to throw on a dress and makeup with the help of a girlfriend and was much more successful performing as a woman.There are tons of Grae's videos on YouTube plus you can follow the link above for a website.
All The Letters in the Same Room
As you may recall, I posted here in Cyrsti's Condo about attending a Trans Ohio community organizational meeting. Several were set up around Ohio. The main idea was to explore the main issues we face as TGLBQ individuals. Meetings such as this have a tendency to either be used as a platform for some to vent on specific grudges or become extremely boring as a few seem to love to hear themselves talk.
This two hour meeting was neither. The mediators managed to keep an incredibly diverse group on track. Approximately 14 people attended, two of which (including me) identified as transgender. The remainder were either gay or lesbian and even a person who identified as gender fluid.
As issues were discussed, we transgender women were able to mention primarily the lack of understanding from the rest of the community. Of course, another main concern was the total lack of cooperation under the entire community umbrella. In fact, the meeting started with one individual launching a mini rant on another person who wasn't there. Needless to say, an unfortunate example of the problem.
My personal goal for the meeting was raising the goal of visibility for the transgender community. I pushed the need for a central "clearing house" within the TransOhio organization. What I mean is, a spot where a gender studies program, church or any other organization could go to get information or even a speaker. I know it happens now, in isolated spots but to expand it, I believe you need an easy accessible central place to go for info. In Ohio at least, one of the more populous states in the union, none exists which is publicized.
Here's an example. A local small liberal arts very upscale university where I live, does have some sort of gender studies program but the professor I'm acquainted with who is involved knew absolutely nothing about trans people. In fact, he only acknowledged the gays and lesbians in his speeches. Plus, I know larger schools probably have several trans students who have come out but are the major issues of suicide and health care being discussed in insulated college settings?
As with any meeting, what happens with the discussions in the days and weeks ahead determine success or failure. We will see.
This two hour meeting was neither. The mediators managed to keep an incredibly diverse group on track. Approximately 14 people attended, two of which (including me) identified as transgender. The remainder were either gay or lesbian and even a person who identified as gender fluid.
As issues were discussed, we transgender women were able to mention primarily the lack of understanding from the rest of the community. Of course, another main concern was the total lack of cooperation under the entire community umbrella. In fact, the meeting started with one individual launching a mini rant on another person who wasn't there. Needless to say, an unfortunate example of the problem.
My personal goal for the meeting was raising the goal of visibility for the transgender community. I pushed the need for a central "clearing house" within the TransOhio organization. What I mean is, a spot where a gender studies program, church or any other organization could go to get information or even a speaker. I know it happens now, in isolated spots but to expand it, I believe you need an easy accessible central place to go for info. In Ohio at least, one of the more populous states in the union, none exists which is publicized.
Here's an example. A local small liberal arts very upscale university where I live, does have some sort of gender studies program but the professor I'm acquainted with who is involved knew absolutely nothing about trans people. In fact, he only acknowledged the gays and lesbians in his speeches. Plus, I know larger schools probably have several trans students who have come out but are the major issues of suicide and health care being discussed in insulated college settings?
As with any meeting, what happens with the discussions in the days and weeks ahead determine success or failure. We will see.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The Shopping Hormone?
I have mentioned here in Cyrsti's Condo of the internal changes which come with HRT. Last night, or should I say early this morning, I felt the changes in a big way.
I don't know if because I had a long day yesterday and did quite a bit of physical labor, I was extra tired when I went to bed. I went to bed early, around 11 pm and was up around 3 just depressed as hell. First of all, depressed may be the wrong word. I believe the sadness caused with HRT is more of a melancholy feeling. When I experience it, I have a hard time putting my finger on exactly where it is coming from. I just know it's so real. I am learning though, crying it out helps. The problem is, crying is still a conditioned problem with me. Finally last night, I just let the tears go and along with a glass of milk, I felt better soon enough to go back to bed.
Luckily, I'm retired and work my own schedule, so I slept in a bit. When I woke up though I started to wonder what could lift my spirits and came up with a little shopping.
I figured if I was going to have to put up with the negative emotions of this MtF transition, I might as well have some of the fun. Is there a shopping hormone as well?
I don't know if because I had a long day yesterday and did quite a bit of physical labor, I was extra tired when I went to bed. I went to bed early, around 11 pm and was up around 3 just depressed as hell. First of all, depressed may be the wrong word. I believe the sadness caused with HRT is more of a melancholy feeling. When I experience it, I have a hard time putting my finger on exactly where it is coming from. I just know it's so real. I am learning though, crying it out helps. The problem is, crying is still a conditioned problem with me. Finally last night, I just let the tears go and along with a glass of milk, I felt better soon enough to go back to bed.
Luckily, I'm retired and work my own schedule, so I slept in a bit. When I woke up though I started to wonder what could lift my spirits and came up with a little shopping.
I figured if I was going to have to put up with the negative emotions of this MtF transition, I might as well have some of the fun. Is there a shopping hormone as well?
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our feature cover of the day is Australia's Estelle Asmodelle. Asmodelle is an Australian transsexual who was instrumental in gaining recognition for transsexual and transgender people through her solo campaign to gain rights for transsexuals.Monday, March 17, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Power Scope"
The natural need of Libra's to balance will be temporarily set aside this week. Go ahead and jump off the scales fellow Libra's!(September 23-October 22): You’ll be in a daydreaming mood as your routines put you into a trance. Feel free to let loose, because wherever you jump, the universe will somehow find a way to save you from bad consequences and give you a peaceful resolve. Call it a miracle or a boo that watches your back — just be grateful for whatever breathes life back into you again.
Or, we are looking for a soft landing! All the rest of you can go here to theFrisky your own scope.
I Don't Get It
"Although my heritage is not Irish (British/German/Hillbilly), as you all have probably figured out, I am not one to shy away from a big party. Many others aren't either. What I don't understand is why bigots try to ruin it.
Fortunately, mayors and sponsors of two cities, New York and Boston are coming out against the madness of keeping TGLBQ groups out of the parades. In fact, both mayors refused to even be in the parades.
As important as that is,as always money is even a more powerful motivator. In response to the bigotry, major sponsors such as Sam Adams and Guinness Beers are pulling their financial support from the parades as well. Their reason was simple and to the point. It was the right thing to do. Plus, just maybe, we TGLBQ peeps support their products!
My hope is St. Patrick would feel the same way. If you are Irish or "faux" Irish, enjoy the day, responsibly!
Fortunately, mayors and sponsors of two cities, New York and Boston are coming out against the madness of keeping TGLBQ groups out of the parades. In fact, both mayors refused to even be in the parades.
As important as that is,as always money is even a more powerful motivator. In response to the bigotry, major sponsors such as Sam Adams and Guinness Beers are pulling their financial support from the parades as well. Their reason was simple and to the point. It was the right thing to do. Plus, just maybe, we TGLBQ peeps support their products!
 |
| "Wearin' o da green with William Belli" |
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Look Behind the Headlines
Cincinnati has an area of it's downtown which used to have the dubious distinction of hosting more murders within a certain area of any place in the country. Now it's being transformed block by block into a thriving restoration area-almost.
About a week ago, the area was hosting their annual "Bock Beer" Fest and one of the local TV stations was doing a segment of the area and it's recovery. Of course, as soon as they did, about a half hour later, they reported a person was shot and killed only two blocks away from the festival.
I recently read two stories from Brazil which played out the same way.
The first of which came from the New York Times and featured a look at the rise of transgender models recently on the runways of Brazil. One of which is Melissa Paixao, shown at the left.
Then, not much later I read the story of a slain "transvestite" in Brazil.
Of course I'm not bringing up Brazil for unfair criticism. Especially after I read the story of Andi Dier. a transgender woman from New York who was roughed up by the employees of The Irish Times Pub and Restaurant in Holbrooke.As she was bruskly removed from the premise, Ms Dier says they used transphobic slurs and tried to take her I phone after seeing she had recorded part of the incident.
The moral to the story is, as transgender women or men in any part of the world - many times headlines are just that- only headlines.
About a week ago, the area was hosting their annual "Bock Beer" Fest and one of the local TV stations was doing a segment of the area and it's recovery. Of course, as soon as they did, about a half hour later, they reported a person was shot and killed only two blocks away from the festival.
I recently read two stories from Brazil which played out the same way.The first of which came from the New York Times and featured a look at the rise of transgender models recently on the runways of Brazil. One of which is Melissa Paixao, shown at the left.
Then, not much later I read the story of a slain "transvestite" in Brazil.
Of course I'm not bringing up Brazil for unfair criticism. Especially after I read the story of Andi Dier. a transgender woman from New York who was roughed up by the employees of The Irish Times Pub and Restaurant in Holbrooke.As she was bruskly removed from the premise, Ms Dier says they used transphobic slurs and tried to take her I phone after seeing she had recorded part of the incident.
The moral to the story is, as transgender women or men in any part of the world - many times headlines are just that- only headlines.
Cyrsti's Condo Sunday Edition!
Ker Plunk! Another edition of the Condo has just hit your "in box". Good day to Y'all! I hope the weather Goddess is beginning to show a bit of kindness in your part of the world as she is here. However, at this time of the year around here she is rather fickle but then again, being teased is fun.
Page 1.-The Week in Review.- Transgender service men and women were back in the news this week as a major study concluded what we all knew, trans service members should be granted all the rights of any other person in the military. Just as important was the fact the "Prez" could make it happen with only his signature. The classic so near and so far away. Why would he do such as simple thing as guarantee rights to a neglected segment of the population when so many other key issues in the world go unattended?
Page 2.-Beauty/Fashion.- With the change of seasons, comes a change of fashion-if your season actually changes or not. Your climate could be similar to the year I spent in Thailand where winter was 60 degrees and monsoons were the only other noteworthy seasonal change but it was time for the latest in rain fashion. This winter taught me yet another valuable HRT skin lesson. Exfoliation was easy- if you want to lose an outside layer or two of skin , just go outside without a ton of moisturizer for the briefest time. (Which I know you girls up North already understood!) Now I hear we have a 50-50 chance of another El Nino which normally means our summer will produce temperatures just north of Hell. I'm already checking my wardrobe for sleeveless tops as I'm looking forward to the benefits of less muscle definition in my arms and the overall texture of my skin. As the fashionista's say, in summer the greatest fashion accessory is your skin.
Page 3.- We Got Mail.- Thanks Mandy for the comment on my "Horse's What" post:
At one point a long time ago, I donated my first ponytail to one of those cancer organizations...gives you a good feeling to help! But it grew back, and since then, breakage has taken its toll, shortening some spots to the point that they won't stay in a ponytail. Thus my hair stays loose...bummer. A ponytail would work great in the summer!
A while back I heard "that part of a horse's anatomy" you mentioned, referred to as "the north end of a southbound horse." Took me a minute to figure that out, but - it sounds better than some of the alternative descriptions! Maybe a bit more politically correct?
Mandy, I believe I was born with a "non political correct gene!" As far as my hair goes, so far my partner is the only person allowed to approach me with scissors and she does trim my bangs and loose ends here and there.
Page 4.- The Back Page.- This week for me has been one of unrest. For some reason I feel like I am at a standstill in my transition which I know isn't really true. As with anything else in life, there are peaks and valleys and HRT is no different of course. If you are making the hormonal transition, it's sometimes easy to forget you can't measure changes by the size of your breasts when so much is internal.
Page 5.- The Calendar.- The next three months or so are going to be exciting with all sorts of activities. This week, I'm attending a transgender community meeting for the Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio area as a beginning. I can't believe after that, March is all but history and then I have committed myself to finishing my book before the TransOhio Symposium the end of May. At the same time, a plethora of TGLB Pride events begin in my area until the end of June. I'm looking forward to them because I have never been and I'm a great people watcher! In many ways, I think either I won't notice or meet many other transgender women. Obviously our goal is to have a good time and not be flashy and draw attention to ourselves. An interesting dynamic when you put us somewhere in between the gay/drag community and the lesbians. I know too, many cross dressers use a pride event to strut their "stuff!"
So there you go kids, as always, thanks so much for stopping by "theCondo". You are my "faves!" and by the way - is St Patrick's Day a big deal in Ireland too?
Page 1.-The Week in Review.- Transgender service men and women were back in the news this week as a major study concluded what we all knew, trans service members should be granted all the rights of any other person in the military. Just as important was the fact the "Prez" could make it happen with only his signature. The classic so near and so far away. Why would he do such as simple thing as guarantee rights to a neglected segment of the population when so many other key issues in the world go unattended?
Page 2.-Beauty/Fashion.- With the change of seasons, comes a change of fashion-if your season actually changes or not. Your climate could be similar to the year I spent in Thailand where winter was 60 degrees and monsoons were the only other noteworthy seasonal change but it was time for the latest in rain fashion. This winter taught me yet another valuable HRT skin lesson. Exfoliation was easy- if you want to lose an outside layer or two of skin , just go outside without a ton of moisturizer for the briefest time. (Which I know you girls up North already understood!) Now I hear we have a 50-50 chance of another El Nino which normally means our summer will produce temperatures just north of Hell. I'm already checking my wardrobe for sleeveless tops as I'm looking forward to the benefits of less muscle definition in my arms and the overall texture of my skin. As the fashionista's say, in summer the greatest fashion accessory is your skin.
Page 3.- We Got Mail.- Thanks Mandy for the comment on my "Horse's What" post:
At one point a long time ago, I donated my first ponytail to one of those cancer organizations...gives you a good feeling to help! But it grew back, and since then, breakage has taken its toll, shortening some spots to the point that they won't stay in a ponytail. Thus my hair stays loose...bummer. A ponytail would work great in the summer!
A while back I heard "that part of a horse's anatomy" you mentioned, referred to as "the north end of a southbound horse." Took me a minute to figure that out, but - it sounds better than some of the alternative descriptions! Maybe a bit more politically correct?
Mandy, I believe I was born with a "non political correct gene!" As far as my hair goes, so far my partner is the only person allowed to approach me with scissors and she does trim my bangs and loose ends here and there.
Page 4.- The Back Page.- This week for me has been one of unrest. For some reason I feel like I am at a standstill in my transition which I know isn't really true. As with anything else in life, there are peaks and valleys and HRT is no different of course. If you are making the hormonal transition, it's sometimes easy to forget you can't measure changes by the size of your breasts when so much is internal.
Page 5.- The Calendar.- The next three months or so are going to be exciting with all sorts of activities. This week, I'm attending a transgender community meeting for the Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio area as a beginning. I can't believe after that, March is all but history and then I have committed myself to finishing my book before the TransOhio Symposium the end of May. At the same time, a plethora of TGLB Pride events begin in my area until the end of June. I'm looking forward to them because I have never been and I'm a great people watcher! In many ways, I think either I won't notice or meet many other transgender women. Obviously our goal is to have a good time and not be flashy and draw attention to ourselves. An interesting dynamic when you put us somewhere in between the gay/drag community and the lesbians. I know too, many cross dressers use a pride event to strut their "stuff!"
So there you go kids, as always, thanks so much for stopping by "theCondo". You are my "faves!" and by the way - is St Patrick's Day a big deal in Ireland too?
Saturday, March 15, 2014
A Horse's What?
Yesterday, I was heading through the grocery store and in a rare moment of energy, I had a little "spring to my step" because Spring actually looks as if it may be here. (50 degrees yesterday! Whhoo Hooo!)
As I bounced down the aisles, I noticed the fun feeling of my pony tail flipping around behind me. I entertain easily and started doing it on purpose as my hair is very close to the middle of my back now. I quickly wondered if the young girls I see with flowing bouncing pony tails feel the same way? I'm guessing they do and don't. I'm fairly sure the feeling is reassurance of their overall femininity but on the other hand, their hair after awhile just becomes part of their everyday being.
Plus, long hair does take extra maintenance too, so I can see why girls such as my 12 year old grand daughter cut their long hair. She is more of a science and math nerd, so long hair as a boy magnet isn't so important to her...yet. Plus she did donate her hair to a cancer organization - to add to wigs.
Following all this heavy thinking in the store, I became even hungrier and headed for the salad section thinking what the heck, the whole experience was just an extension of the numerous times I have been referred to as a certain part of a horses anatomy. To give you a clue, the pony tail is attached to it!. Mine of course is attached to my head. Some would say, there is a certain symmetry there!
As I bounced down the aisles, I noticed the fun feeling of my pony tail flipping around behind me. I entertain easily and started doing it on purpose as my hair is very close to the middle of my back now. I quickly wondered if the young girls I see with flowing bouncing pony tails feel the same way? I'm guessing they do and don't. I'm fairly sure the feeling is reassurance of their overall femininity but on the other hand, their hair after awhile just becomes part of their everyday being.
Plus, long hair does take extra maintenance too, so I can see why girls such as my 12 year old grand daughter cut their long hair. She is more of a science and math nerd, so long hair as a boy magnet isn't so important to her...yet. Plus she did donate her hair to a cancer organization - to add to wigs.
Following all this heavy thinking in the store, I became even hungrier and headed for the salad section thinking what the heck, the whole experience was just an extension of the numerous times I have been referred to as a certain part of a horses anatomy. To give you a clue, the pony tail is attached to it!. Mine of course is attached to my head. Some would say, there is a certain symmetry there!
Of Course he IS!
It was just a matter of time. The androgynous super model Andrej Pejic modeling as a man and a woman for the MCM Spring Line. This photo is almost spooky in a clone sense!Friday, March 14, 2014
Can You Imagine?
From the Press Enterprise:
A Chapman University senior became the first transgender contestant in the school’s annual all-girls pageant Wednesday night, winning the title of Miss Congeniality. Addie Vincent, 21, faced off against 15 other competitors for the title of Miss Delta Queen, a competition organized by the school’s Greek system.
For the talent competition, Vincent recited an original poem called “The Look,” which chronicled the stares and stereotypes transgender individuals experience daily. In the poem, Vincent encouraged compassion and understanding for those who don’t fit traditional gender roles. Following the poem, students shouted, “We love you Addie,” and gave Vincent the night’s only standing ovation. “Addie has inspired so many people,” said Lauren Shouinard, a friend and former pageant contestant. “Addie sent a message so many people needed to hear.”
How encouraging it is to see the joy on the faces of the other participants! To paraphrase John Lennon's Imagine, Imagine there's no gender bias, it's easy if you try.
Addie is working on that too, she is attempting to create Chapman’s first gender-neutral “frarority,” and said a goal for participation in the pageant was to bring awareness to “trans-visibility.”
The Inner You
Perhaps you remember not long ago I mentioned the Androgyn Beauty Blog. She has a "killer" wonderful attitude to go along with those "killer" legs!
Follow the link above and read her "philosophy". The only thing I am missing is - I will be damned if I can find her name!
It helps I do agree with her belief that "androgyny is the new human future."
Vintage Female Impersonation
Much has been made recently about the "birth" of the internet (along with social media) and how we "more mature" individuals were able to even exist at all back then. Truthfully, those days were exceedingly difficult times to communicate with others in the culture. Plus, if you didn't know, the concept of a transgender woman or man was just beginning to develop and most all cross dressers in the media were up to no good. Early on, female impersonator Michael Andrews was undoubtedly one of the most popular entertainers of his era. Check out this YouTube clip on the Cyrsti's Condo big screen:
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our feature cover here in the Condo today is Russian MtF transgender woman
Charlie Somik Chan.
Charlie Somik Chan.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Doing the "Right" Thing
I caught this story from an Associated Press release. As an American and a transgender veteran it quickly caught my eye:
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An independent commission led by a former U.S. surgeon general has concluded there "is no compelling medical reason" for the U.S. armed forces to prohibit transgender Americans from serving and that President Barack Obama could lift the decades-old ban without approval from Congress, according to a report being released Thursday. The report said Department of Defense regulations designed to keep transgender people from joining or remaining in the military on the grounds of psychological and physical unfitness are based on outdated beliefs that require thousands of current service members either to leave the service or to forego the medical procedures and other changes that could align their bodies and gender identities.
"We determined not only that there is no compelling medical reason for the ban, but also that the ban itself is an expensive, damaging and unfair barrier to health care access for the approximately 15,450 transgender personnel who serve currently in the active, Guard and reserve components," said the commission led by Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who served as surgeon general during Bill Clinton's first term as president, and Rear Adm. Alan Steinman, a former chief health and safety director for the Coast Guard.
The ban itself of course is blatantly Un-American in that it discriminates precisely against transgender service members who are expressly working to protect many rights they have no access to. There is much more to this story. Go here to read it.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An independent commission led by a former U.S. surgeon general has concluded there "is no compelling medical reason" for the U.S. armed forces to prohibit transgender Americans from serving and that President Barack Obama could lift the decades-old ban without approval from Congress, according to a report being released Thursday. The report said Department of Defense regulations designed to keep transgender people from joining or remaining in the military on the grounds of psychological and physical unfitness are based on outdated beliefs that require thousands of current service members either to leave the service or to forego the medical procedures and other changes that could align their bodies and gender identities.
"We determined not only that there is no compelling medical reason for the ban, but also that the ban itself is an expensive, damaging and unfair barrier to health care access for the approximately 15,450 transgender personnel who serve currently in the active, Guard and reserve components," said the commission led by Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who served as surgeon general during Bill Clinton's first term as president, and Rear Adm. Alan Steinman, a former chief health and safety director for the Coast Guard.
The ban itself of course is blatantly Un-American in that it discriminates precisely against transgender service members who are expressly working to protect many rights they have no access to. There is much more to this story. Go here to read it.
"Pop" Goes the Transgender Culture
 |
| Rhys (left) with Zackary |
Over the last five years, Zackary has transitioned from male to female, Rhys from female to male. And in “Relationship,” a photo exhibition currently on view at the Whitney Biennial, the two have chronicled that process and the evolution of their own love affair.
The post goes on to say that a show by two transgender artists should be so prominently featured at the 2014 Biennial should come as a surprise to no one. It is just more evidence of the increasing presence of trans people at the center of popular culture. Go here for an in depth look of familiar and not so familiar names you may not recognize.
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our feature cover today is Brazil's beautiful transgender woman Luana Cimatti.Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Technology and the Trans Woman
The more I bounce around the web, even I am impressed by the sheer numbers of pictures I encounter of all different "flavors" of men dressed as women, from cross dressers, all the way to transsexual porn stars.
I simply marvel at the individuals who post literally thousands of pictures of themselves on sites such as Flickr as much as I marvel at pictures of transsexual women such as Domino Presley (left). It's no wonder so many so called "hetero" men are "intrigued" and the majority of other trans women get the ugly "fall out."
Even though we live in an age of unprecedented advances in plastic surgery and HRT advancements, many times I have to look through the smoke and mirrors to see what I'm really looking at. Domino reportively is an adult film star so her looks are a big part of her business. I assume, she has her peeps who market her in the social media.
On the other hand, there are numerous examples of other MtF video transitions on YouTube which produce equally as dazzling human beings. And, let's not forget the power of a good picture-again go back to Flickr and notice how many of the "heavy hitters" have paid their way into professional camera/portrait studios. Finally, there are the huge percentage of "impostors" on sites such as Pinterest who aren't trans at all but genetic women.
It's quite the industry we have going here. .from the lookers to those who are working hard to be looked at. The industry is male dominated and in most cases still has nothing to do with living a life as a transgender woman. For a person such as me though who grew up in the information "dark ages", all of this is simply amazing!
I simply marvel at the individuals who post literally thousands of pictures of themselves on sites such as Flickr as much as I marvel at pictures of transsexual women such as Domino Presley (left). It's no wonder so many so called "hetero" men are "intrigued" and the majority of other trans women get the ugly "fall out."Even though we live in an age of unprecedented advances in plastic surgery and HRT advancements, many times I have to look through the smoke and mirrors to see what I'm really looking at. Domino reportively is an adult film star so her looks are a big part of her business. I assume, she has her peeps who market her in the social media.
On the other hand, there are numerous examples of other MtF video transitions on YouTube which produce equally as dazzling human beings. And, let's not forget the power of a good picture-again go back to Flickr and notice how many of the "heavy hitters" have paid their way into professional camera/portrait studios. Finally, there are the huge percentage of "impostors" on sites such as Pinterest who aren't trans at all but genetic women.
It's quite the industry we have going here. .from the lookers to those who are working hard to be looked at. The industry is male dominated and in most cases still has nothing to do with living a life as a transgender woman. For a person such as me though who grew up in the information "dark ages", all of this is simply amazing!
Nail Failure and the Pretty Princess
I have a tendency to believe one of the least mentioned effects of HRT is what it does to your finger nails- at least to mine. My nails have become paper thin just at a time in my life I need them to have substance I can style.
One place I have not been for help is a nail salon, yet. My partner Liz wants to book us together for "mani/pedi's" sometime before summer Oddly, it's not my feet which are causing me problems with the idea, it's my hands. Neither are the most feminine in the world but Liz has convinced me my hands and feet are proportioned well for my body. My hands specifically aren't huge but have and will continue to be subjected to what heavy labor I can still do. (My upper body strength is a fraction of what is was and my arm muscle definition has went with it!)
My fear is having my nails done and doing whatever and trashing them. I'm working between two homes and yards. Not getting the work done by being the pretty, pretty princess (me) is not an option.
Two certainties in the upcoming months are, to lose weight (which the work will do for me) and to never whine about breaking a nail to any of my women friends. I'm sooooo sick of hearing welcome to our world! I've been here girls! Come on!
I'm not a real goal orientated person but with what's coming up, it is easy to set goals. The Trans Ohio Symposium is scheduled for the very end of May and it is followed several weeks later by the biggest Pride weekend in the area - Columbus, Ohio. My goal is simple- get down to my pre HRT weight before then. I know it will be harder now than during my male life when all I had to do is cut back on a beer or two along with a pizza but I really want to make May/June yet another coming out month for me.
If I set my mind to it. Failure will not be an option.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Cyrsti's Condo "Power Scope"
Well, the stars didn't take long to ground me from last week!Libra: (September 23-October 22): Forget launching anything new now, because it’ll crash and burn. Not that your ideas or feelings aren’t valid, but timing is going to plague you, as you’ll hardly have any of it in a good way now. Lucky for you, your vivid imagination will be intact and will churn out powerful visions. So, despite the lack of progression, take cues from your creative spirit and flirt with inspiration.
As long as my "vivid imagination" is intact, life is good!
For your "scope" go here to theFrisky.
Whats Important to You?
In a week, I'm attending one of a series of meetings here in Ohio concerning community priorities for trans folks hosted by Trans Ohio. Truthfully, my immediate reaction was, there are so many, where would you ever start? Plus over the past year or so, I have felt hindered by my age in such groups which are populated by younger people.
I used to do quite a few meetings such as these in other community groups I was in and a huge problem is just deciding on a few places to start. Quickly, I came up with just three:
1.-Visibility
2.-Employment
3.-Health Care
I'm not going into all three here except to say, all affect a transgender person regardless of age. For whatever reason my generation did a remarkable job of not being visible and are paying the price now by facing uncertain senior health care. Employment is a problem for everyone regardless of who you are and don't let the pundits kid you, jobs are still difficult to come by but even more so for transgender women and men. Here's an example from the Daily Nebraskan:
Elle Barts (left) went to her last job interview wearing a men’s suit and tie.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumna has applied for 30 jobs since she graduated with a degree in communication studies in August. She’s filled out applications for server positions, working behind a makeup counter and working as a forensics coach at a high school.
Her resume – a solid GPA, four years of speech and debate, Big Ten forensics champion – gets her the interviews. But she said her identity as a transgender woman has prevented her from getting a job . She says it’s because she made a mistake. She told the managers she was transgender. “Are you OK with that?” she asked.
They said, “We’ve never had one of those before.” "THOSE??" really? Unfortuantely I know "those" may be a kind word as compared to others but it does signyfy how far we have to go. For more of the post go here.
Next week I will let you know how the meeting goes!
Monday, March 10, 2014
"Rockin" the Red!
My partner Liz and I finished out the weekend with her coloring my hair. It was time! My natural grays were starting to catch up with me! OK already, they passed me in the dust!
As far as color choices go, I have willingly given up the total decision process, remembering a few of the completely atrocious wigs choices I made. Truthfully, we both were basically on the same color pages. The only compromise I made was putting the box of a streaked ash blond mix back on the shelf-if I could use similar highlights later this spring or summer with the red color I picked. Then, I was told to get two boxes to treat all the hair I have. Cool! The color also words for me because red heads do run in my family as I have written here in Cyrsti's Condo. So, my idea of going back to a deeper red hair is not completely unfounded unlike many of my other ideas.
If you have been through the process, I think you would agree a home coloring ranks way below the sadistic rituals of waxing body hair and plucking eyebrows. The process is just a little uncomfortable, even for a whiner like me, unless you screw up and leave the coloring on too long. I just have a difficult time of sitting still plus I obsess over the treatment rinse and condition timing directions. I have a paranoia of leaving it on too long and my hair falling out! Luckily, that didn't happen. The end result was I loved the color and softness of my hair. I'm sure you regulars here remember my earlier posts about visiting a salon for professional coloring. The reasons I don't now is money plus Liz does a great job and even wants to do it.
Of course I'm figuring by now, you all are thinking, where the hell is our "selfie" so we can see if Cyrsti did do something dumb with her hair! Well, I'm getting a new phone later this week and assuming I can be smarter than the "smart phone", I promise a "seeing red" pix by next Monday at the latest!
As far as color choices go, I have willingly given up the total decision process, remembering a few of the completely atrocious wigs choices I made. Truthfully, we both were basically on the same color pages. The only compromise I made was putting the box of a streaked ash blond mix back on the shelf-if I could use similar highlights later this spring or summer with the red color I picked. Then, I was told to get two boxes to treat all the hair I have. Cool! The color also words for me because red heads do run in my family as I have written here in Cyrsti's Condo. So, my idea of going back to a deeper red hair is not completely unfounded unlike many of my other ideas.
If you have been through the process, I think you would agree a home coloring ranks way below the sadistic rituals of waxing body hair and plucking eyebrows. The process is just a little uncomfortable, even for a whiner like me, unless you screw up and leave the coloring on too long. I just have a difficult time of sitting still plus I obsess over the treatment rinse and condition timing directions. I have a paranoia of leaving it on too long and my hair falling out! Luckily, that didn't happen. The end result was I loved the color and softness of my hair. I'm sure you regulars here remember my earlier posts about visiting a salon for professional coloring. The reasons I don't now is money plus Liz does a great job and even wants to do it.
Of course I'm figuring by now, you all are thinking, where the hell is our "selfie" so we can see if Cyrsti did do something dumb with her hair! Well, I'm getting a new phone later this week and assuming I can be smarter than the "smart phone", I promise a "seeing red" pix by next Monday at the latest!
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our feature cover today is Lorna Vanda in a classic 2005 picture from Puerto Rico.
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Ditching Good with Better as a Trans Girl
Archive Image from Witches Ball Tom on Left. Ditching good with better has always been a difficult obstacle in my life. I always blame my...
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I don't find many new womanless pageant pictures floating around the web anymore. I think it's primarily due to the fact that th...
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Amateur, by my definition means a person who does not seriously pursue a certain interest, job or hobby. Ever sense Cyrsti's Condo ...
