Memorial Salute!

First of all, there are a couple of you here that have gone out of your way to thank me for my service to our country.  You other Vietnam Era vets know that thanks was never part of the deal for us. So I want to sincerely thank all of you for remembering!
In turn, I would like to thank all the others who have served for popular and non popular causes.
Popular or not, the sacrifice is still no different for the veteran and the family. Draftees or volunteers all stepped up for a way of life we believe in.
I am the first to say the system is far from perfect but still very much worth fighting for.
Memorial Day is second only to Christmas in our country as a holiday that can very easily lose it's real meaning.
It's so much more than just another day off to so many people!
Take a second to remember!

Male Privilege

Much has been written by many peeps on both sides of the gender fence about "male privilege".
Very simply privilege is the benefits one receives from simply being birthed as a male.
When I say "much" has been written, I'm not overstating the fact. I have even read several radical fem bigots use the male privilege term to even justify hating transsexual women. Somehow the TS women used their male privilege to cross the gender divide-or something like that.
On a much more personal and basic level, Sherri Lynn recently wrote a post on her blog about the subject.
Check it out here.

"Bishonen"

Yet another term! "Bishonen" literally means "beautiful boy" and is "Yohio's" preferred term for himself.

And another famous "Bishonen":

Andrej Pejic

Beware of Cougars!

The "Honey" moon is over?
Or just beginning?

Just A Moment to Think

When I see all the thousands of words written on all the nuances of the transgender or transsexual or bi gender or gender queer or the gender of the earth worms in your back yard- it has occurred to me it all comes down to this video:


All of the sudden the real problem is so clear and exceeding sad.

It's Time to be Proud!

It's the time of year when almost any community of size in the USA commemorates the anniversary of the 1969 "Stonewall" neighborhood bar incident  in New York City.
"Pride" events of all forms are happening across the country-as they should.
As basically the lowest common denominator, where does the everyday transgender person stack up in the situation?
I'm not real positive. Most of the public pride events I see- two things always happen (which are linked to the transgendered community) by people who don't know any better.
The two are drag queens and cross dressers. The queens are doing what they do best, presenting their flamboyant images of women and the cross dressers presenting their flamboyant image of the queens.
NOW, let me say I see nothing wrong with that. After all, the Stonewall incident was the result of queens protests. Also, if a cross dresser is tired of getting busted in the mall in 4 inch heels and 4 inch mini skirt-then this is a chance for another Halloween. Cool!
Neither of these images do me as a transgender woman any good. It's like saying "no that was not me you saw on Jerry Springer."
So I do have an immense amount of respect and pride for all who have stood up, been counted and effected change in our community.
Just forgive me if you happen to see my girlfriend and I kind of strolling hand in hand-totally unnoticed.
Should we call it "stealth-pride"?

Cyrsti Can Remember Her Past!

Well at my age, I may need some help in the memory department!
Of course, with the help of "Blogger" and it's wonderful archives, we are dusting off a few of our initial posts from two years ago.
For some reason, the last one I brought back was never actually posted here on "Cyrsti's Condo". This one was:
I have been frequenting a couple of the casual chain bar/restaurants in the area for over ten years. On my first visit, I was so scared I took a seat next to a supporting post around the bar and tried to blend with it! Nothing in my closet that screamed Oak, so that didn't work.
I lived that night and found out the world wasn't trying to destroy me and continued to return. In fact, a couple of the bartenders that have waited on me since the beginning are still there!
I also became pretty good "buds" (no not the beer) with the crew of the companies' other unit. I ended up one night sitting next to one of the bartender's sister. I had heard stories about the exotic "stripper sis" and wasn't sorry! She was exotic with some well placed tats. Her other job was as a hairdresser and she proceeded to tell me how much she loved trannies and gave me some tips on my appearance. She even went as far as inviting me to sister #3's bachelorette party. (another story)
Her husband was always with her. He was a big guy with a classic Triumph bike and the look to go with it. He ran a lumber yard. What a threesome!
The only problem was she loved to trade shots and the extra Jaeger and Tequila was hard to survive!
About three months later, she broke up with her husband. I guess exotic strippers have a hard time with monogamy? One night after the breakup, he came in with about three other friends that I knew..
Regardless of his decision making process with women, the poor guy was heartbroken. I tried to lend some support the best I could and away I went.
A week later, he was in the bar again and came over to sit next to me. Much to my (and the bartender's amazement) he was really interested in talking about things like his bike and music. He was leaning into me ever so slightly and added some light touches. He had to be at work early the next morning, gave me his cell number and left. He never asked for mine.
One of the bigger mistakes I've made is that I never called him. Only saw him once after that and he moved away.
At that point in my life my profile would have read "no men" After my brief encounter with him, I changed that profile. Ever so briefly I connected with a person who shared many of the same interests with me. Ever so quickly, I never tried to see the gentle bear of a guy again.
All of a sudden spending time with a guy wasn't such a bad thought.
I often wondered what that ride on the back of his Triumph would have been like! 

Revenge Is a Dish Served How?

Over the years, I spent so much time wondering why and sometimes poking light fun at the females around me for two reasons- keys and hair.
I couldn't figure out the untold minutes wasted as women with me looked for their keys.
I also couldn't figure out the endless need to "do something with my hair".

Over the years, I have come to pride myself on the fact I have to have a fairly decent shot to the noggin (short of a concussion) to understand.
So here I am on that threshold.
Hot humid, sticky weather has arrived in my world with a vengeance. My hair is in a very in between place. Not quite long enough for a real pony tail, it is giving me fits. My survival tools are hair bands and hats so far. In the meantime I am feeling that endless need to "do something with my hair".
My plan is to wait another month or so and seek professional help- no not mental this time!
The idea is to find a stylist who can trim my hair in preparation for the future.
In the meantime...ha ha the jokes on me for ever doubting the need to do something with my hair.
BUT!
The biggest meanest "karma" swing of the two is the "key" debacle.

Some sort of invisible force moves my keys in my purse in some sort of grand gesture of perverse joy.
Ha ha, the jokes on me again. Just where are those damn keys?

Yet Another Anniversary Post!

First of all, thank you Jillian for all your wonderful comments!
Of course some would question the use of "bravery" in my life. I would prefer to look at me just having an absolute will to live as I desire-mixed with a huge amount of good fortune along the way to have experienced what I have.
In my latest journey back into the dusty archives here in Cyrsti's Condo, I was thrilled to find this very topical post from May 31st, 2010:

"Finally found some extra time for myself during the first summer holiday weekend.

The weather was hot and humid so it was definitely time to pull out the denim mini that assumed a back place in the closet. It screamed my name.
It is worth mentioning the skirt only comes about three or four inches above the knee and I wear jeans most of the time.  I rarely wear heels. (boots the exception!!!) Don't don't put me at Wall-Mart in a micro mini and 4"heels PLEASE!

So a close leg shave, a flimsy off the shoulder top, flips and off I went. I must point out, I am not a rookie. I have been out and about for years. But I had a case of the nerves yesterday.
Don't know why.  My dress for the day was appropriate for a hot day. Skin in the summer around here is appropriate. Work dictates I can't shave my arms but I can my legs for comfort and fun. So bare legs help me blend in the summer. (I love it)
But for some reason yesterday I was being paranoid about presenting.
My first regular stop was a place I've been frequenting for years.  It is a national casual bar/rest chain with several big screens where I can watch my sports. A very relaxing start to the evening.  The feel of the bare legs was tremendous. No adverse reaction from anyone. Good.
 My second stop was another  regular stop for me.  Big place, big screens and big mirrors to check my reflection.  Always my favorite place. It's dark too! I always look better in that light! lol.
Last night however proved the earlier bout with nerves might have been a correct premonition.
The bar was fairly empty so a "muscle builder" type guy with big arm tats had a clear sight pattern of my skirt and legs. Over the space of an hour, he put it to good use.  I received a lot of visual attention.
I own what I wear, if I didn't want someone to look at my legs...I would have worn jeans.  So I don't know why the nerves. My "spidey" senses were up and I was ready for the approach but fortunately he belonged to the bartender and kissed her on the way out. Over reaction ruled again.
What did we learn? Calm down!  "Me thinks" I will wear the skirt again for a couple of the guys I do interact with!"

The part that bothers me the most about this post was, I never posted it?