Jan

06

Vani-T

Introspection / Transgender Life  Posted by / 4 comments

I am grateful for the comments on my recent post The Irresistible Lure of the Lens, and I think that your explanations for our obsession with taking pictures of ourselves were intelligent and thought-provoking.

Here’s my two-cents’…

I have found that t-girls obsession with the lens is matched by our inability to walk past a mirror without looking at ourselves.

Both are momentary reflections of us that teach us what we may be doing wrong and impress us with what we are doing right.  And we are ever eager to learn about both.

For my money, the mirror is the better learning tool, as it is interactive.  Sometimes, it’s “Goll darn, I am doing pretty good!” but more often than not, there is some flaw that bears improving, and I can look away, take a deep breath and try to change my posture, my expression or whatever, to improve my result.

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Jan

05

Watchin’ Em Work It

Politics and Opinion / Transgender Life  Posted by / 3 comments

Well, after the brouhaha that preceded ABC’s Work It, we finally got to see what all the fuss was about.

Of course the CD community is not going to appreciate some of the innuendo and outright specific comments indicating that crossdressing is nothing but a last resort for desperate people and not something any normal person would ever actually want to do.

I suspect the trans community will object to the trifling with their issues and with the whole concept of changing genders.

But, my opinion is that neither CDs nor TSs are really the true victims here.

In my view the real victims are men. 

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Jan

03

The Irresistible Lure of the Lens

Introspection / Transgender Life  Posted by / 9 comments

I wonder why it is that t-girls seem to have an incessant desire to have their picture taken.  I don’t really know how common it is, but my straw poll shows that almost everyone I know is so afflicted.

What answers are we looking for in the lens?

Is it just to see how well we’re doing at assuming the female guise?

Or is it more, “I can’t believe I look this way!”

Or is it, “Damn, I’m hot. Photos of myself turn me on like porn…  maybe better!”

I have a good excuse: I need ‘em for my blog. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!)

What’s yours?

Jan

02

Now That’s Funny

Politics and Opinion / Transgender Life  Posted by / 8 comments

America is a funny place.

The Playboy Club – a sumptuously shot, multi-layered program lasted barely 2 episodes before it was pulled, due in no small part to complaints from the religious right.

work-it-poster__oPtThe Parents Television Council said: “Bringing The Playboy Club to broadcast television was a poor programming decision from the start. We’re pleased that NBC will no longer be airing a program so inherently linked to a pornographic brand that denigrates and sexualizes women … we hope other broadcasters heed the important lessons of this programming debacle.”

Now, along comes ABC with “Work It,” an idiotic “comedy” (premiering tomorrow) which needs no explanation beyond the poster at right.  Yes, yes, women have it so much easier in the workplace than men, so of course it would be necessary to pretend to be one to secure a job.

But you know who has it easiest?  Transgender women.  Oh yes.  Especially non-passable ones.  Jobs practically fall into their laps, and co-workers enthusiastically welcome them.

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Dec

31

Happy New Year, Everyone

Transgender Life  Posted by / 7 comments

With 2011 coming to a close and a fresh slate about to be written on for 2012, I wanted to wish everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous and productive new year, full of enthusiasm and energy and success.

And, of course, I hope you’ll visit me once in a while and see what changes I manage to effect in 2012.

I hope this year, more of you will make the effort to participate – not for my benefit but for your own.  I think the experience for everyone is hugely enhanced by each and every interaction between any and all of us.  Let’s make this a community thing.

Let’s everyone try to help one another, here and everywhere.  These are trying times and we all need each other.  Where there isn’t love and compassion, hate and discrimination will surely take their place.

Love and kisses,

xoxo

Janie

Dec

30

Is It Just Me?

Introspection / Transgender Life  Posted by / 13 comments

Ever look in the mirror and just ask yourself, “What the hell am I doing dressing and acting like a woman?”

Cuz, I still sometimes do…

Dec

27

Risky Business

Introspection / Transgender Life  Posted by / 11 comments

(…continued from Missed It By That Much)

I ran into the wife of a friend of mine, in a place where and at a time when I often would go as Janie; fortunately I was in guy mode.  She happened to mention that she frequents a nearby cafe for lunch that I have often gone to as Janie (though never at lunchtime).

So, I missed being discovered by the skin of my teeth, now what?

Nobody said life as Janie would be dull, right?  (…kinda the point… though I can do without this particular kind of excitement.)

Clearly, if she had “caught” me, all my friends would have known in fairly short order.  Once a wildfire starts spreading, it is difficult to contain, so it is impossible to know how far the flames would have spread.

By the 6 degrees of separation theory, it is more than a little possible that the news would reach the ears of people I absolutely do not want knowing.

Dealing with my friends would not be optimal, but I would cope.  There would be changes, to be sure, but who knows how things come out the other end?  People often surprise you.

But certain people don’t – and those are my bigger worry.  Again, I’d survive, but I’d much rather not have to go through that.

So, is it worth the chance I am taking to be able to freely walk the streets?

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Dec

21

Lead Balloon

Politics and Opinion / Transgender Life  Posted by / 6 comments

Wow.

I am obviously out-to-lunch on what issues will resonate with you all out there.

I was sure that relaying that episode about coming within an inch of being discovered would bring out all sorts of comments about similar experiences, counsel on wise behavior, discussion of risk and need and so on.

But, I got nothing.  Just a big, flat thud. A lead balloon.

Go figure.

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Dec

19

Missed It By That Much!

Out in the World / Transgender Life  Posted by / 4 comments

The title of this post comes from one of many punchlines in the brilliant 1960s TV series “Get Smart.” Come to think of it, the title of that series is probably some pretty good advice I should be sternly imparting to myself after today’s events.

Sometimes I think I must lead a charmed life…

Today, I was walking down the street when I heard someone calling my name from behind me.  I had just exited a shoe store, in which I had been examining a pair of shiny silver pumps, so hearing my male name startled me a bit.  I turned around to find the wife of a close friend of mine smiling at me.

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Dec

14

Holiday Baking

Out in the World / Transgender Life  Posted by / 5 comments

gingerbread dough for holiday bakingI tried my hand at a little baking today – nothing too complicated, just gingerbread cookies.

holiday bakingI much prefer to cook, where I can create on the fly; baking seems a bit too constrained and measurements need to be too exact to suit my temperament.

The cookies turned out yummy, and now I have dessert for the week.  Goes well with eggnog too.

Just another fun part of the holiday season.

Cheers!