New Spring Look in Cyrsti's Condo

It was way past time for an update around here and a brighter look for Spring.

Of course, there is just a bit more to it. Or quite a bit. Three factors went into the change: personality, evolution and even "Hey! That Sux!" .

Change is not as easy for me as most would think. I'm constantly amazed by my willingness to resist change in certain areas of my life, while in others, change is my life.  First of all, my techno savvy friends had to assure me that a simple new "template"  from Blogger wouldn't destroy Cyrsti's Condo. Just like my old pair of favorite jeans, I was hanging to the old blog template for dear life!

On the other hand, Spring has meant a lot to me this year.  Following the winter we suffered through around here, the annual rebirth of nature feels a little more special this year. Couple that with the fact my body has finally had the chance to settle into the same HRT dosage for well over a year now. Brain and body are having the opportunity to sync up.

Primarily though, I hope you all liked the changes.

Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day

Our Tuesday feature cover is the UK's Allison St.John:

Cyrsti's Condo "Power Scope"

When your horrorscope starts with the "bitch" word, you just know it'a going to be an interesting one!

Libra:  (September 23-October 22): Trust is a bitch. Only in a perfect world would those you bestow that honor to react fairly to everyone they care for. However, disappointment is not for now or later, so don’t turn a blind eye to anyone who can’t hold up their end of bargain. Otherwise, karma is watching and will be out to make your wrong its right.

Don't mess with "Momma Karma!".

Locate your "power" here.

Cyrsti's Condo "Quote of the Day."

This pretty much says it all.

Cyrsti's Condo "Female Impersonation Classics."

Some of us "of a certain age" may remember "sneaking a peek" at these female impersonators in magazines. One thing is for sure, drag artists have never been short on great legs!

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.

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 "Cover Girl" of the Day

Our Sunday feature cover  is the beautiful Sheila Verissimo.

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!