Can you Make the Cut?

Recently, I have read a couple comments from transgender women here and there wondering about the decision they made to go through SRS.

Then I learned a few made the genital decision first and then were considering facial feminization surgery and/or breast work. I know it's just me but shouldn't the order of surgeries be reversed or at the least done at the same time, income permitting?

Many of you regulars around here in Cyrsti's Condo by now are thinking OMG, here comes Cyrsti's gender socialization soapbox. You are very perceptive! In this whole deal of what you cut and when it's beyond me when someone empties the savings and heads off to Thailand without socializing themselves in their new gender? Sure we all make mistakes but this possibly could be a huge one! Call me crazy (and many have) but thinking running off and changing your genitals may not be an end all to all your problems.

Here is what I think is happening with some of these SRS peeps.  Perhaps many experienced most of their socialization in gay venues or endless trips to the mall. They missed real world gender experiences in areas such as everyday communication and privilege shifts. Perhaps others (bless their heart) had understanding spouses who absorbed the transition shock.  In turn,  the transgender person was shielded from the reality of being on their own in the world.

I'm the last person to ever be accused of having any common sense but in my own transition,  it occurred to me a fairly gradual transition was not a bad idea.   I always figured if I didn't like the process I would have an escape. As it turned out  I found I loved the transition process for two primary reasons: socialization and appearance.

As far as socialization went,  I jumped into the deep end because I could.  Sure the experience wasn't all sweetness and light but I came through and learned the basic lessons of navigating the world as a transgender woman.   Now in the future if I decide SRS is to be a positive life choice for me, so be it.

Appearance is a bit more tricky. As  I have written,  appearance should not be a primary factor in anyone's transition but it does help.  Hormone femininization has provided positive benefits for me because I was and am only moderately presentable as a trans woman. I need every edge I can get.  HRT gave me edges in skin texture, breast development and hair growth on the noggin.

Of course,  no amount of HRT will ever change my thick torso and big male bones and I have found I am vain enough if I ever had the resources I would consider facial feminization surgery. Let me point out though that no amount of appearance can help who you are inside. You can be the prettiest CD in the room and never be mistaken for a woman- transgender, transsexual or not.

So there you go, I know you agree opinions are similar to that certain part of your body you sit on...everybody has one.  Maybe HRT is making mine bigger?

Tales of Us

Picking up those Bad Vibrations

I happened across a story about Aerosmith's Dude (Looks Like a Lady)...the real story in the Huffington Post.

Over the years I have been negatively conditioned to put "Dude" on my most hated list. One night years ago I was subjected to someone playing it four times in a row on a jukebox in a pub I was in as the manager laughed about it. Plus there were other times when the song "just happened" to be played in a venue or party I was at. These days fortunately I rarely hear "Dude" which has become a transphobic musical anthem in the hands of many.

To make matters even worse is how badly I get creeped out when I see Steven Tyler who obviously has always had a not so secret desire to be a cross dresser. For some reason he just gives me the same bad vibes I get when I see "Rude Paul".

Here is the link to the story and have a hot shower running for yourself after you read it!

Cyrsti's Condo Fall Fashion

From Fabulous after 40, here is a look on how to wear fall's "Punk Trend" when you're a grown up gal:

" On the fall and winter runways, rocker-inspired style reigned supreme at Michael Kors and Saint Laurent. Now Michelle Pfeiffer (left) has turned up in the Sept. issue of Ladies Home Journal sporting the look. All this adds up to one thing: Punk fashion is back in a big way."

As always most of us can never hope to look as good as Michelle but there are plenty of hints for your fall wardrobe by going here.

Transsexual won - Spain zero.

From Spain's The Local:

Charlotte Goiar has been embroiled in a six-year long struggle with Galicia's government in the hope of obtaining the necessary funds for a vaginoplasty. "I've not managed to be happy a single day of my life," Goiar told Spanish daily El País, speaking about the psychological problems that stem from her being trapped in a man's body. Aware of her condition from a very early age, she's found it hard to find work and fit in due to the anxiety and depression disorders she suffers from. Goiar may now have set a precedent for other Spanish people trapped in a body they feel is not theirs, having obtained the go-ahead for a state-paid €15,000 to €25,000 sex change operation.

Read more here .

Some are just Naturals!

I may have passed this video along here in Cyrsti's Condo before but it is worth another look at this beautiful transgender woman's transition:

Oh Pedestal, How High art Thou?

I know what you are thinking, not another cheap drug reference about being high here in Cyrsti's Condo.  Hey, what can I say I grew up in the 60's...I think.

What I am referring to is the pedestal I so easily want to hoist myself up on.  Fortunately, Momma Karma hangs around to slap me off my little ego stand.

Let's take yesterday for instance. You all know of my latest appointment at the hair salon.  For me the experiece is always a mixed bag. On one end is the euphoria of having someone who knows what they are doing lavish attention on my hair. On the other hand is the stares I get from clientele and crew although I must say most went out of their way to be nice yesterday. The only thing that should matter is that I was there. A couple of years ago, I would have thought such an experience would have been an unreachable dream.

At any rate, as I was feeling all warm and pretty on the way home, of course I had a flat tire.  Momma Karma's little way of saying back to reality Cyrsti.  Not to worry, I had my handy dandy auto club card in my purse.  Of course at that point the worries did start.

Over the years, I have had mixed experiences with tow drivers and the company.  I don't have a very presentable feminine voice and it's a bit difficult to explain exactly who is with the car. I solved part of the problem with getting a dual membership in both of my names last year for a very minimum cost.  The other part of the problem was indirectly but effectively solved by the woman from the auto club.

From the phone conversation she assumed I was calling for Cyrsti who was with the car. Not a problem, the driver would meet her there. In a surprisingly short period of time he did meet me there and cheerfully explained he would have me back on the road in minutes - as he did. No fuss, I stood idly by as he worked his magic and resumed the trip home. No extra glances, no knowing smiles, just relief the tire was only flat on one side.

Of course the view from my pedestal covers more than just a trip to get my hair done. As "Momma" tells me "what if tomorrow never comes? Remember Cyrsti princess, if you are up on that damn pedestal thinking you are ahead of this transgender life game, you are blindfolded up there."

She is right of course and since I am afraid of heights, I climbed slowly down.

Estrogen "Contact High"

After my trip to the hair salon today I believe I can skip a couple days of my estrogen dosage.

There was so much estrogen in the air just breathing it gave me an "Estro contact high"

Today's appointment was thoroughly enjoyable until the very end - when I saw the results.

As you can tell from the smile which is not on my face, I wasn't particularly happy with the result from my replacement stylist.

I guess I have now reached the level of a great majority of genetic women I knew over the years who disliked the results from most of their salon visits intensely.

Perhaps I can compare today's experience to the classic country song "Did I Shave my Legs for This?" Today I paid how much for what?

You CAN Join em and Beat em Too!

As Drew-Ashlyn Cunningham steps into the wrestling ring her male opponents may be taken aback. But, despite her feminine looks and curves, the 5ft 11in British blond packs a serious punch when she fights under her alter ego, Harley Ryder. 

Drew in fact is the UK's only known transgender wrestler and, after months of training, is preparing to take on the men in her first wrestling matches.

I have only one rhetorical question, would it be tougher for a guy to get beat in the ring by a genetic or transgender woman?

Go here for more on the story!