Oct
29
During this week, I have made a point of concentrating on the way I speak. I mentioned last time that I took a voice lesson and attended seminars at Fantasia. But, what I want to talk about now is what I am learning from myself, having spent the week focusing on my speech.
This is the first time I have not let myself off the hook in terms of communicating as a woman. In public, in private, alone or on stage, talking to others or to myself (yes, I am nuts!), I insisted from myself that I speak as a woman.
I usually let my guard down when walking on the street or sitting at home talking about stuff with GF. Not this week. If I got upset, I’d often tend to fall back into guy voice to cope; not this week. In fact, any time I found myself faltering in any way, I’d excuse myself and go to the bathroom and regroup (something that became less necessary as the week wore on).
Read More»Oct
28
This Fantasia Fair had a surprisingly intense focus on voice. Three speech pathologists were in attendance, and 4 seminars on offer, as well as private sessions available.
I took full advantage.
My personal assessment of my female voice is that it is not bad, but could stand improvement. I wanted a professional assessment, as well as some tools to use in order to better myself.
So, I met privately with one of the professionals.
The session began with her engaging me in conversation about myself and my interests, while, unbeknownst to me, a spectrometer was measuring my voice.
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Oct
25
The way I see it, sometimes the simplest things are the sexiest.
You can put on a corset and collar, low-cut bustier, micro-mini skirt and fishnet stockings, spiked thigh-high boots and dramatic makeup and you’ll have something screaming sexy, no doubt.
But, in my view, that’s trying too hard. And the results are more shrill than “sexy” should be.
Sexy is a mood, a feeling… it is something sensual and deep rather than painted on superficially. Its subtlety is what makes it so powerful… it is almost an ambush the way it overwhelms its prey…
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Oct
18
Where I come from, having lobster is a pretty special affair, and is therefore to be eaten in finery – tuxedos, gowns, cocktails dresses and such. More to the point, one wants to be dressed in clothing that costs more than the weighty number at the bottom of the bill that arrives once we’re done wiping the melted butter away from our lips.
But, in port towns where lobster comes from, both the food bill and the luxury factor are much diminished. And, as is often the case with food, the less it costs, the better it is. If you doubt my word, ask yourself whether or not an in-season tomato, locally grown, is not cheaper and infinitely more wonderful than the pricey winter tomatoes flown in from southerly climes.
Read More»Oct
17
Hi everyone! Today, I find myself in lovely Provincetown, Massachusetts, quaint – cute as a button – seaside village, on a sunny, gorgeous day.
PTown is the site of Fantasia Fair, the longest running of the many tgirl conferences in the U.S. It was here that I came, back in my very early days as a tgirl, to find my feet as it were, and it was a judicious decision if there ever was one.
There is no place I have ever been where it is easier to be a crossdresser or tgirl of any stripe. We pretty much have the run of the town – and we are EVERYWHERE!
It is said that the hardest place in the world to “pass” is PTown during Fantasia – as everyone in town is presumed to be T; that is the extent to which we are ubiquitous. We are totally accepted, and any girl, from the rank beginner on up, can feel comfortable walking the streets. You are so likely to be taken as trans that it is neither a reflection on your “passability” nor a concern at all. (Many GGs are mistaken for tgirls too.)
Read More»Oct
05
Annie Lennox, the gender-bending artist who came to fame as the voice (and soul) of the Eurythmics in the eighties, has recently become the sole focus of an art exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London called “The House of Annie Lennox” – a take-off on her website name – The House of Me.
She is even going to personally, physically be part of the exhibit. In what she calls “a mix between art, video and showcase,” she will do some of her work at a desk within the display, on view to spectators but not able to see them.
If you don’t know Annie Lennox, treat yourself to a quick search online for her biography. Or, just click this link: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Diva+display/5452384/story.html
In one of the unusual anecdotes I read, she had to furnish proof that she was actually female before MTV would allow her Sweet Dreams video to air.
Read More»Oct
02
My post yesterday dealt with an ad (from the so-called Institute for Canadian Values – don’t you just love the way certain people decide that their values are the ones for all of us?) beseeching government to stop confusing young children with questions about their gender and sexual orientation – especially regarding transgender issues.
Interestingly, just today, the newspaper in which the ad ran issued an apology for publishing it.
The paper is of a right-of-center political bent, so the apology may raise eyebrows further.
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Oct
01
I am bringing this up with precious little in the way of insight. Hopefully, some of you will have something to offer on the subject.
The ad below (please click on it to enlarge it to readable size) comes from a local paper and expresses concern with efforts to teach young children about sexual and gender diversity. (The title of this post comes from the name of the website responsible for this ad.)
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Sep
29
The “ Pretty Man ” experience set me thinking more and more about the idea.
If it proves possible to give voice to my feminine side without being a woman, then all the inner conflicts about whether I am two-gendered, or which gender I truly am melt away; the stigma of being trans, and the fear of discovery disappear. I go back to being one person, with one name, one wardrobe and no secrets.
The first sign of trouble, though, came the other night when I went out with friends, dressed in a tight-fitting mock turtleneck, narrow pants and somewhat feminine flats – all black.
Read More»Sep
28
Following on from the last post, I figure that as an exercise in personal evolution and introspection, I could try to give being a “pretty man” a try and see how it feels.
In some sense, it occupies a middle ground between regular guy and trans woman, so maybe I can find a way to get my mind around the concept.
As a start, I went out this past weekend to a party with friends, and then out for a late bite dressed as you see in the photo. (I did not dare put on makeup.)
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