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2011Tranny Transformer and Mr. December
The other day, I decided to attend a “Meet & Greet” in honor of the festive season and for the benefit of charity. GF was in the process of getting ready for her holiday baking, so this was a solo flight.
One of the ways they were raising money for their charity was to offer a photo-op with their Mr. December Santa in exchange for a donation. As I had every intention of taking them up on that offer, I donned my little red corset and a white crinoline. As this was a store that sells corsets and the like, I thought that would be a most appropriate outfit for the photo.
Reality Bites
Anyway, I also had some shopping to do several blocks from the party, so I parked somewhere in the middle. It was night, and cold, and I knew I’d have to walk, so I had a long-ish coat on to hide my somewhat provocative outfit, which had no place out on the street.
No matter… the first person I passed was a street drunk who, as he staggered past me, said, “Hey, Tranny!”
Great! Just what I needed. My shoes were a bit loose, making it hard to walk, and I had to hold my coat closed, so my posture may not have been perfect, but I didn’t realize I looked that bad so as to be clocked at 20 paces in the dark by a drunk.
Breathe Deeply
I tried to reset my mood and my attitude before I got to the soiree…
I took a deep breath and opened the door; there was Mr. December, doing his photos. He and the photographer smiled at me, and I took solace from the fact that Mr. December seemed genuinely enthused about the prospect of taking pics with me.
But, there was a bit of a wait, so I went to peruse the merchandise, grab a drink and some hors d’oeuvres and mingle – which, I guess, was their plan – the business end of this event.
This is a store located a few blocks from the city’s gay village selling leather skirts and dresses, latex clothing, and stuff for more hard-core fetishists. Not surprisingly, then, the people there were predominantly fetish kinksters and/or gay; I am neither, though being a t-girl is at least not completely vanilla.
Despite my best and bravest mingling efforts, I kinda got the feeling I was being tolerated more than welcomed – y’know, being polite and answering my questions, but having absolutely no interest in talking with me.
I am not gregarious enough to overcome this kind of scene.
Still, I tried to remain positive. After all, there were photos to be taken, and I didn’t want to look the way I felt on the inside. It helped that Mr. December and the photographer were much friendlier than the store’s clientele.
Once that was done, I made my way back to my car.
Finding Kindness
On the way, I passed the same rummy I had seen earlier. “How ya doin’ tranny, transformer?” he said with a kind smile on his face as we walked past each other. I turned and smiled back, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop and talk to him – as it goes against my rules for living safely as a woman (especially in heels that are ill-fitting…). Besides, I was in no mood.
But, I feel bad about it, especially in this holiday season. He was the one person who was being genuinely kind to me. Of course, being addressed as “Tranny” on the street is not my idea of a pleasant introduction, but he clearly meant absolutely nothing by it.
I think about going back there and if I find him, giving him a few bucks for Christmas. But, I figure he’d just buy more booze and maybe kill himself drinking. I don’t really know what I could do for him other than the smile I gave him at the time.
Any ideas?
Cyrsti
Hi Janie,
I have a couple ideas…as far as you or any of us getting “tagged” I feel all of us have a dual gendered “aura” we project. On occasion (no matter how we look) our male aura may sneak through,
BUT maybe the street guy may have known a trans girl or two in his life or maybe participated himself before the bottle or hard times took over. He may have been an expert in knowing one of us!
More than likely your smile was enough and I doubt your couple of dollars would be enough to send him to the other side.
But it is the time of the year to celebrate giving and if it helps you to feel better and give him a few bucks? Do the right thing!
Just be safe doing it gf!!!!!!
Merry Christmas!
janie
Thanks, Cyrsti, much as I was thinking…
Merry Christmas to you too, doll!
Mary-Margret Callahan
Oh, I know that feeling, too well. I bet it was the same rummy who stopped me 4 years ago on St Patricks. It was at Church and Wellsley. The guy started out nice, was complimentary and told me I did a great job and looked convincing. Then he asked for a smoke and since I don’t smoke I told him I was sorry and he got down right hostile, and aggitated. I almost had to run in 4 inch heels, in the snow. Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I empathise with you. Sometimes, all you can do is smile and carry on. For what its worth, all those people don”t know what they were missing, you are a beautiful and fabulous person. That’s what matters. Feel great girl!
XOXO
Mary-Margret
janie
Yes, Mary, that’s why I don’t stop. I wonder if it is the same guy…
Shirley Corning
God you get some great shots Janie. I love this one. As for the drunk and what he said I must be jaded or something because I could hardly care less whether I’m read or not or what anyone has to say. So when the drunk said, “Hey, Tranny!” I might have given him a look like, “What?” and kept going. When he said, “How ya doin’ tranny, transformer?” I would be inclined to stop, face him with a smile and say, “Just lovely and how about you?” If he was nice I’d leave him a couple bucks. As long as I’m not in physical danger I don’t care and I’m not taking any crap from anyone. Fortunately no one has been foolish enough to confront me with some static or negativity over the last year because they would get it back and then some, as in both barrels verbally. Maybe I just have an attitude problem but it doesn’t seem like a problem to me. Ha ha ha.
What does it mean? How much difference does it make? A little bit of static from a distant few when there are so many good people and so much that’s good to share with them I can hardly hear the static at all. I think it’s your own position, your state of mind, your point of view that can change the whole world around you. It’s simple. You are right with yourself and anyone who disagrees is wrong. Then the chatter doesn’t matter and you can move through life like a holy one unphased by things that trouble others. Now I’m starting to sound like the Dalai Lama or someone. Oh well. Just some food for thought.
Just got my acrylic nails filled the other day and I just love wearing this metallic Christmas ball red nail polish, a small thing I enjoy that I thought for a long time I couldn’t have. Now I wont take them off for anyone or anything. The world seems to be taking it well and occasionally I get a complement for them or an inquiry as to what brand and color it is so they can get it too. That’s nice.
Sweet dreams all,
Shirley
janie
You have the secret to inner peace and happpiness, Shirley. I’m with you all the way, Dolly Lama lol! xoxo Janie
gswi
I guess if I’d be labeled ‘trannie’ at that distance in the dark I’d probably run and hide and not go out and about again for at least one year. Minimum.
On the other hand, sometimes it’s good to hear the truth instead of all those “you’re great, amazing, terrific” and whatnot comments, because you can learn something from it.
I know it from me, and I’ve seen most of your photos over the past couple of months, so I guess it’s the same for you: sometimes you’re passable, no matter what you wear or how good you’re makeup is, sometimes you’re not.
It depends (wild guessing mode ON) on your inner mood, you have female moments, and you have male moments.
When you walked alone in the dark you were most probably in male mode, because girls avoid to do this, guys do. And in case you have to protect/defend yourself you’d be in male mode anyway. I know from myself that as soon as there’s some tension in the air (maybe because someone seems follow me) that my male self will dominate, not matter what I’m wearing at that moment.
That’s what that guy spotted. Add to that that your outfit was probably a bit over the top (that’s something people EXPECT from trannies) and you know what gave you away. I’m pretty sure that if your GF would have been with you you would have been more relaxed, and nobody would have guessed anything.
But I’m not a psychologist, so it can very well be that I’m about 100% wrong, if not more…
janie
No doubt, you are right, Gabriela. I have discovered this myself, that it is my inner mood that determines my gender, regardless of how I may try to cover it up. Somehow, people sense it so easily – amazing!
But, I guess it is also good news, in that when I do feel girly, that also does seem to shine and people take note. I sure did try to make an attitude adjustment after that wake-up call, and I think it helped.
Thanks for your wonderful insights.
Fiona Alexis O'Neill
An excellent post Janie and I’m left with the feeling that what started as a great idea ended up feeling deflated despite the ripper photo.
I’m not just being nice to you here. But I always see you as incredibly convincing when you do your thing properly. So what is it about you that night that caused a drunk to read you as a tranny? Is it just the way you dressed? When I go out I reckon 10 – 15% read me visually and maybe 50% within 30 seconds of interacting. 90% of those who read me are female. I think you are higher up the convincing excellence scale than I. – Fiona xx
janie
I think Gabriela has the general idea and answer to your question. And thanks for the sweet words. xo
Klyde
That’s one heck of a Xmas card. Sorry about your experience at the meet & greet. What do you think was the problem there?
janie
Hey Klyde, I guess sometimes you don’t meet the right people. The fetish scene can be cliquey at times, and most of the folks there seemed to know someone else. I am bascially a shy girl when you get right down to it, and with people seeming to prefer the company of their own friends, I was a fifth wheel.
steve
As for the intoxicated person, if you would like do do something nice for him bring him a nice warm meal and maybe a pack of cigarettes rather than giving him cash, and be sure to wear some sensible shoes, (like ones that you can run away from him in just to be on the safe side).
As for the meet and greet thing it sounds like deep down they were just a bunch of hipster douche bags who are so hung up in their own little worlds they find it difficult to to talk to normal people. I wouldn’t go back there again.
janie
I think the fet-world does tend to be a bit cliquey – but I am far from “normal.” But that doesn’t change the fact that it is very sweet of you to defend my honor that way, Steve. xoxo Janie
steve
Thanks for the love, it’s greatly appreciated.
What I meant by normal was the ability ho hold a civil conversation with other people. A good part of life is interacting with other people,
The comedian Joe Rogan said it best, “The world is divided up into three types of people, Morons, A$$holes, and people you can hang out with.”
By the way I don’t know any normal people…
Shirley Corning
Thank God I’m not “normal” whatever that is. Normal sounds so terribly boring and ho hum. We all have a concept of what normal is but it seems to me there is no such thing as a perfectly normal human being because everyone is absolutly unique and each has their own peculiarities, etc. Sure mom and apple pie, getting married and having kids, yadda yadda yadda is normal but it’s only a concept, a catagory like plummer or electrition. Individuals are not catagories but I do need to go shopping for a particular catagory of fashionable clothing and I do so enjoy that. I’ll just grab my little purse and I’m gone girlfriends. I’ll be cruising So. Cal. all weekend and will have a great time no doubt. Have fun hun and give Santa a big hug you sexy thing you. I love that shot and if you don’t mind I’ll save a copy.
Ho ho ho. Not me. I’m a good girl, sort of. I want you to know your setting a good example for all of us Janie, I think, sort of, and showing some Christmas spirit posing with big hunky Santa like that. Too bad I wasn’t there because I’d want to take one shot where I pick him up and smile like Daisy May just found a man. Oh well. Back to the to do list. Oh do have a very girly Christmas and find some place good to party New Years eve. We’ll want to see any pictures your willing to post of course which reminds me I wanted to send you a couple of my best shots. It’s hard to be humble when your this good looking you know. Sweet dreams all, Shirley xox
janie
Shirley,
You’re certainly not boring or ho-hum, that’s for sure. I am happy to hear you want to save a copy of my little photo – go right ahead. I will do my best to make you proud this holiday season (and have a good time doing so). And do send those photos along. xo Janie