tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33832361053084995892024-03-05T20:51:15.067-05:00Call Me MegI am a crossdresser on a journey. Join my comings and goings as I come out a bit, and go out a bit. I don't know my destination.CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.comBlogger1853125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-32012127431879342362015-06-11T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-11T06:30:00.245-04:00And LastI used that subject last week as well.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It happens. Click to enlarge (the cartoon not the imagination)</td></tr>
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This is a hard post to organise and a hard post to write.<br />
<br />
This will be my last regular post.<br />
<br />
When I first started writing I found an audience. A small audience. Then one day, <a href="http://www.femulate.org/" target="_blank">Femulate</a> linked to me and my readership rose.<br />
<br />
I decided that if the daily average fell below a certain level, or if I had no ideas for a week, I'd end the blog.<br />
<br />
Something else happened.<br />
<br />
I've always had time management issues. I've tried a variety of programs, planners, structures... none seemed suited to me.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, when my to-do list was out of control once again, I simply made two short lists:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Wants</u> <u>Musts</u></b><br />
<br />
Letting Meg go out was on the <b>wants</b>; a few years ago, it would have been a must, which I found interesting. Some other recreational things were on the wants list; some were absent completely and I took that to mean I didn't care if I do them or not.<br />
<br />
But writing my blog has moved from <b>wants</b>, where it probably was six months ago, to <b>musts</b>.<br />
<br />
That's wrong.<br />
<br />
Too many nights when I think I'm ready for bed instead I announce "I'll be there soon. I have to put up a post for tomorrow."<br />
<br />
I have things to write about. At a minimum, I wanted to work at and critique Kathe Perez' voice program. The world is changing for us and this is a wonderful forum to both share and learn.<br />
<br />
But I believe Thalia is telling me to stop. I trust my muse. I'm afraid if I don't, she'll walk out and I'll ramble and jabber for a page every day and you won't enjoy that and I'll just embarrass myself.<br />
<br />
If there are any comments here, I'll post them. I may write an occasional post. I hope to spend some time on facebook (username Meg Winters) if you want to join me there. So far, I barely get on, but maybe that's because of the blog committment. Give me a chance to ramp up.<br />
<br />
I miss the blog already.<br />
<br />
You can write me at <a href="mailto:youCanCallMeMeg@gmail.com">youCanCallMeMeg@gmail.com</a> and I may even try to figure out google+. I keep getting notices that someone's adding me there, whatever that means.<br />
<br />
I'm also on twitter but that's where I follow just a few people (one trans) and only post occasionally, mostly political dross. I may expand into trans topics; right now if I get on twitter once a week that's a lot. I am @ThePollyTicks. Polly Ticks is my <i>nom de nouvelles</i> when I feel like annoying other readers on The Washington Post site.<br />
<br />
I leave you with someone who did a better job of saying goodbye than I'm doing. It was clear, it was succinct and it was a beginning as well as an end. Change is good. And buy a copy of <i>Exploring Calvin and Hobbes.</i> It's a wonderful read.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final Calvin and Hobbes strip. Click to enjoy!</td></tr>
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We've got five years, stuck on my eyes<br />
We've got five years, what a surprise<br />
We've got five years, my brain hurts a lot<br />
We've got five years, that's all we've got<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-53780638996220127112015-06-10T06:32:00.000-04:002015-06-10T06:32:00.438-04:00PenultimateDidn't I use that subject a week or so ago?<br />
<br />
A few months ago someone from a Spanish company called <a href="http://translingerie.com/en/" target="_blank">Translingerie</a> contacted me. They said they had a line of gaffs and asked if I'd like to try one. I did, although I had my doubts.<br />
<br />
The gaffs I've seen were thongs, and I tried a thong once and found it incredibly uncomfortable.<br />
<br />
They sent me one of their gaffs and I made two discoveries:<br />
<ul>
<li> it worked GREAT and</li>
<li>it was still too uncomfortable for me.</li>
</ul>
It has some extra support to keep everything where it's supposed to be, and clothes over it looked amazing. I wore my tightest dress and there was not a sign of Something Extra. But I couldn't wear it for more than a few minutes. My goal was to give it a day-long test but I really couldn't.<br />
<br />
I would recommend it, if you want the smooth front you <b>should</b> have, and you're good with wearing a thong. If you're like me, I'd recommend a pass.<br />
<br />
I just checked their webpage. They expanded their line and I'll be back there in the next week or so. <br />
<br />
By the way, a few years ago I ordered a gaff from a site called <a href="http://www.crossdresser.com/" target="_blank">SuddenlyFem</a>. The website is actually crossdresser.com. This is not the same as crossdressers.com (plural) which is a great forum site.<br />
<br />
The Suddenly Fem site had a lot of gaffs, in different colours. I ordered one, and I also ordered a few other items, but that was just kind of "while I'm ordering the gaff, why not" stuff.<br />
<br />
When my order arrived there was a note: "sorry. We're out of the gaff you wanted." They didn't replace it with another colour, or e-mail me asking if I wanted to replace it, or anything along the lines of what I'd call "intelligent." (Example: I ordered a tape deck a few years ago. I got a call the next day from someone at the company who said 'I'm really sorry but we're out of that one. Would it be OK if we sent you the next higher model?' Well, duh!)<br />
<br />
The rest of the items were absolute junk. I placed them directly into the trash. But that's not the worst.<br />
<br />
The following month, and for <b>years</b> after that, they sent me a PRINT CATALOGUE in the mail. The package was unlabeled, but if it had opened or was damaged or if a kid opened it I would have found that embarrassing and hard to explain. I wrote the company and said "please stop sending me the catalogues." That had no effect.<br />
<br />
They still send me e-mail, which goes directly into the (virtual) trash bin.<br />
<br />
Do yourself a favour and order from a reputable company, NOT suddenlyfem. All you'll be is suddenlyrippedoff.<br />
<br />
<hr />
CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-77886976833345273162015-06-09T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-09T06:30:00.873-04:00My Friend BethA few weeks ago, I said that I wasn't going to be linking to trans-articles unless something special occurred. There were so many stories that they weren't really news anymore. It was <i>great</i>!<br />
<br />
Here's something special.... Last week The Washington Post had a long article about my friend Elizabeth Taylor. It was headlined<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/learning-to-act-like-a-lady-for-the-transgender-market-coaches-help/2015/06/05/17bad4c8-03ba-11e5-a428-c984eb077d4e_story.html" target="_blank">Learning how to be a lady? For the transgender market, coaches help.</a><br />
<br />
and it was about more than my friend Beth but she was featured (along with Erica, for whom she was doing makeup). It also links to <a href="http://makeoverswithelizabethtaylor.com/" target="_blank">her website</a>. If you want to get a Liz Taylor makeover, I think you're going to have to make an appointment <i>way </i>in advance. If you're going to only be in town for a day or a few, let her know. I'm not her appointment secretary but I bet she'll bend over backwards to accommodate your schedule. She's just a nice person, as I wrote when <a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2015/05/elizabeth-taylor-really.html" target="_blank">I first met her</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVb8FZGnwa2fM2RMvt8RsNKnEIKsS9O8fAdnFP60Hf9RqKkBvCLnpgG8fcpMu7YozWatQTT9VySer5pazXmHV34l-BCw0zyrA-1YWwQRTM6DY9-RyJyCybgBDA4MtR8G2Rjnk44F4c-Yn/s1600/Taylor-Meg-20140531-0179-touched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVb8FZGnwa2fM2RMvt8RsNKnEIKsS9O8fAdnFP60Hf9RqKkBvCLnpgG8fcpMu7YozWatQTT9VySer5pazXmHV34l-BCw0zyrA-1YWwQRTM6DY9-RyJyCybgBDA4MtR8G2Rjnk44F4c-Yn/s400/Taylor-Meg-20140531-0179-touched.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth's expertise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My writeup of my experience at her skilled hands starts just over a year ago, and is in <a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2014/06/maaaake-uuuuuup.html" target="_blank">this post</a> and the next few. Pictures of the great job she did are included, and more are <a href="http://makeoverswithelizabethtaylor.com/client-photos/meg/" target="_blank">here</a>, on her website.<br />
<br />
I recommend a visit. Tell her Meg sent you. ;-)<br />
<br />
<i>Bulletin!</i> My little cockatiel, whom I wrote about when I bought him, said I should call her Cait and to enforce it, she laid an egg! There has been no sign of the father.CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-90709305587723646002015-06-08T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-08T06:30:00.779-04:00I Never Thought I'd Need So Many PeopleFive years.<br />
<br />
On 7 June 2010 I wrote <a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2010/06/bit-of-introduction.html" target="_blank">A Bit of an Introduction</a> and I've been blogging pretty much daily ever since. That's over 1800 little pieces of my life. Amazingly, it was almost <a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2010/06/tomorrow.html" target="_blank">three weeks</a> before I posted a face picture of Meg (other than a thumbnail).<br />
<br />
I've met a broad (pun) variety of people, some just virtually, some in person.<br />
<br />
I re-read that first post, and I realised that I haven't changed much. My world, and the world changed around me. <br />
My home situation changed in ways I couldn't imagine and more people know about Meg.<br />
<br />
The T-world has changed in ways I couldn't imagine. Barely a day goes by without a news story about the community, and, for a change, they're not about violence towards us.<br />
<br />
And I believe I've changed some other lives during those five years. And if there was just one, that would make every minute worthwhile.<br />
<br />
I learned so much from my readers over the last five years. As David Bowie said (and I quoted) <i>I never thought I'd need so many people.</i><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-42921995870811032422015-06-07T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-07T06:30:00.194-04:00Sunday FunniesThe Fusco Brothers. I've featured them in the past. Apparently I've been enjoying them for a while: some of these go back to 1999!<br />
<br />
The brothers are Rolf, Lance, Al, and Lars, and the pet is a wolverine named Axel. Click to enlarge.<br />
<br />
Today's a big day for me, by the way, but like any important holiday it'll get postponed one day in deference to Sunday. <br />
<br />
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-33127200073085794462015-06-06T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-06T06:30:00.653-04:00Off the MarkMark Parisi's <i>Off the Mark</i> is a long-running panel strip. I found it in the Funny Times years ago and while going through old issues (this was July 1992!), I found one I liked; it's the first one below. I flagged it to scan and post and then I remembered.... <br />
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Off the Mark is <a href="http://offthemark.com/" target="_blank">searchable</a>!<br />
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So I first keyed in the obvious keyword (lingerie) and found a few I like. Then I keyed in the more obvious (to us) keyword (crossdress) and found a few <i>more </i>I liked. I know I've done that search before and I posted a few of the results I enjoyed but I think it's been a while.<br />
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Mark requests permission for use of his cartoons. I'd like to post the one I wanted to scan, but I won't post more. If you go to his <a href="http://offthemark.com/" target="_blank">website</a> you can do those same searches and find a couple of dozen fun cartoons on our favourite subject. Maybe you'll find something funny on a different topic.<br />
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Also, keep in mind this would probably be funny in a different way to civilians. Or 20+ years ago.<br />
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-23386456174936480292015-06-05T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-05T06:30:00.479-04:00Another Year Older and Deeper In DebtHappy Birthday to Me! But you knew that. I have a facebook page. :)<br />
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I had an opportunity to go to the sort-of-monthly soirees last Saturday. Due to a time change, I though I didn't have enough time to get ready. But I really did. But I didn't know. By the time I found out I really had had enough time, I no longer had enough time.<br /><br />
Before I thought I was in time trouble, I took a long shower and shaved everywhere. I haven't dressed since February <b>(wow) </b>and I was thinking "the work is done. It's all fun from here on" but, again, I thought I didn't have time to get ready.<br /><br />
<i>Background</i>: I have two less-than-perfect knees. It's not birthday-related. I damaged them long ago, doing high school gymnastics. Mostly they behave but I've had episodes where they feel neglected and manifest that in a number of nasty ways: pain with movement, or swelling, or failing to support weight. It's always unpredictable.<br /><br />
Saturday night, during the time I would have been at the soiree, my right knee decided to stop doing it's job. I almost fell, then I limped around the house, swinging my weight onto my left leg because if I tried to stand on my right I'd fall and probably do a bit more damage to the weak joint.<br /><br />
Imagine that in heels.<br /><br />
Thalia's still watching over me.<br />
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-34161817314997270812015-06-04T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-04T06:30:00.579-04:00My $0.02Caitlyn.<br />
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I still have the Bruce Jenner interview on the dvr. I still have not watched it.<br />
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An often-repeated show business cliche is any publicity is good publicity. A variety of jokes have to do with a famous actor getting caught perpetrating a heinous crime and telling the cop the correct spelling of his name.<br />
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I'm not so sure.<br />
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More attention to transpeople will bring more scrutiny. More scrutiny means more bigots emboldened to call you out when you're all you're doing is, say, using the appropriate restroom.<br />
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<b>The attention will lead to more ignorant people thinking their either smart or funny</b>. I'm not sure which Mike Huckabee, the clown who would be president, thought he was when he said, “<i>Now I wish somebody had told me when I was in high school, that I could have felt like a woman when it came time to take showers in P.E. I’m pretty sure I would’ve found my feminine side and said, ‘Coach, I think I’d rather shower with the girls today.'</i>”<br />
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That remark says nothing about transpeople, by the way. It says Mike Huckabee is a pervert and way back in high school he was a dirty-old-man in training.<br />
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His remark was pre-Jenner, by the way. I don't know what prompted him, except for a deep-seated hatred.<br />
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<b>It will change expectations</b>. People will consider the professionally made up, airbrushed, and photoshopped Caitlyn cover photo and wonder why we're not all bursting out of our corsets and looking half our calendar age. They'll forget that they each know a hundred women who we look better or more passable than.<br />
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<b>It may amplify homophobia</b>. Straight guys who look at some of the high-profile transbeauties are going to think they've lost their minds because their first reaction is "hot!" and their second is "wait... that's a guy" and they won't know how to handle that. I'm afraid that will turn to anger and more crimes against transwomen for their problems.<br />
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I think long-term this will all be good. And by this I mean more of us being visible, not necessarily the Jenner spotlight. Light will banish the darkness.<br />
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Short-term I'm worried. This is a big change in a country where 90% of the population say they've never met a transgender person. I have no figures (or figure), but I'd guess that 100% of that 90% are wrong.<br />
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My gut tells me that going out is going to get riskier for a while. I hope I'm wrong.<br />
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-34437337891837637452015-06-03T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-03T06:30:00.620-04:00A Little DraftyI noticed I have eight "drafts" among my posts. Three were worthless. Four are less so, but not really blog material. One was just a note to myself:<br />
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<i></i><br />
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<i>I'm trying to figure out how I feel about comic drag.</i></center>
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I wrote that morsel about three years ago and I'm still not sure how I feel.<br />
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I' do know I'm not real happy about Caitlyn Jenner though.<br />
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CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-9420817177380664902015-06-02T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-02T06:30:00.676-04:00And LastOur support is all over the map, from the girl I mentioned the other day whose girlfriend would <i>love</i> for her to go full-time to girls who have to keep their clothes locked in trunks or in a storage facility and can't tell their SO or that part of their lives would end.<br />
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If I first found my current wife, I wouldn't understand what so many girls are going through. I think it's why so many of the "1 percent" can't comprehend what living in poverty is like.<br />
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I can never share your experiences, but I can extrapolate from the two points of reference I have.<br />
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So the last Person Who Influenced Meg is my ex. She gave me a taste of pain many of you have (or have had) to put up with. And once she hired a lawyer, she gave me a taste of that poverty I mentioned above. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a bookend</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y1E7RuY9UxEjYMJp4e07n5r97zaCgSBzRvPjbsPu3DEf_ITsDQs8XArMjINMjfQ7v7hIaY4JTZZepakDYL9RSduTO44dFVI82Qv0kFuBYPSTmF1DXK_EG-dVqKP24LndGusVo2I65gEX/s1600/marriage-ink140415.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y1E7RuY9UxEjYMJp4e07n5r97zaCgSBzRvPjbsPu3DEf_ITsDQs8XArMjINMjfQ7v7hIaY4JTZZepakDYL9RSduTO44dFVI82Qv0kFuBYPSTmF1DXK_EG-dVqKP24LndGusVo2I65gEX/s400/marriage-ink140415.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just the lead in to the next cartoon</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOTvy_NST0zfm6lyy4hmB3peHfljb_OFcIJidwmGYYTj01Zn6VD-9jxS4YopGxYDXXzpP9twf2UAxXXyP5dvC03JNbfKzEYcwSTm23b-LjHcPIXVwXr5lgLU_MjiVlwDzRcrYWryTzhR4/s1600/marriage-ink140416.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOTvy_NST0zfm6lyy4hmB3peHfljb_OFcIJidwmGYYTj01Zn6VD-9jxS4YopGxYDXXzpP9twf2UAxXXyP5dvC03JNbfKzEYcwSTm23b-LjHcPIXVwXr5lgLU_MjiVlwDzRcrYWryTzhR4/s400/marriage-ink140416.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVkFt4OHd8aTv5Q7lT8EY6pD5xL5qiowwYdd0qdKa2Dy0rLSUitzxFRUTJIjP7zHxSvgNJJ9Z8q73rqS3FmztVpuw1PD42TO3Fms4EcaY1F9nqky1XOrNosnQ4x4zF6lyqJaRWuhZH9ar/s1600/marriage-tmloo140629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVkFt4OHd8aTv5Q7lT8EY6pD5xL5qiowwYdd0qdKa2Dy0rLSUitzxFRUTJIjP7zHxSvgNJJ9Z8q73rqS3FmztVpuw1PD42TO3Fms4EcaY1F9nqky1XOrNosnQ4x4zF6lyqJaRWuhZH9ar/s400/marriage-tmloo140629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other bookend. And Loose Parts is now in the WaPo!</td></tr>
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CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-57840525360167872202015-06-01T06:30:00.000-04:002015-06-01T06:30:00.871-04:00PenultimateIf Meg needs good advice, assistance, company, someone to talk to, or just about anything else, Charity is there. I could go on for pages but she probably would enjoy the attention or gushing and I try my best to be sensitive to all.<br />
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Everyone should have one. But you can't have mine! I'd fight to the death to keep her.<br />
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-74559725838508690672015-05-31T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-31T06:30:01.017-04:00Sunday Funnies: HermanI was looking for cartoons to post and remembered the first time I opened a book of Jim Unger's Herman panels. I turned each page and laughed like an idiot and finally had to take the book to the register. Many more followed. Click or zoom to enjoy.<br />
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-61839352611784971872015-05-30T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-30T10:21:18.989-04:00Saturday Cartoonswill be up soon. I'm hoping today is a continuation of a (slightly) t-series. Check back about 8am EDT.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
<br />
Meg<br />
<br />
I'm sorry. It went from promising to disappointing. I'll keep looking but I think the lack of t-related cartoons is a good thing.<br />
<br />
<hr />
CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-81533536371319761022015-05-29T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-29T06:30:00.696-04:00There Are MoreI'll finish my people who helped Meg grow next week.<br />
<br />
But I want to say that there are many more who are too numerous to mention individually but are important nonetheless.<br />
<br />
<b>The girls at the soirees</b>. There are many, some I met only once and was in awe of for one or more reasons: their comfort, their poise, their situation, more. One girl came to the soiree as her first time out the door and then went to Freddy's with some of the girls. Pretty amazing. And some of the regulars are pretty amazing too (like you, Cindy!).<br />
<br />
<b>My readers</b>. Some I've met, such as Marian and Mandy and Alana. Some I've wanted to meet but it never worked out. That doesn't mean it won't. And I've learned a lot from readers taking my polls, sending me comments, writing me notes. You're all full of surprises!<br />
<br />
<b>The girls I've met on my travels</b>. One in particular, in Colorado: when we met, she was counseling other girls and her girlfriend wants her to go full-time. Five years earlier she had dressed for the <i>very first time</i>. I find that amazing, along the lines of going to a church for the first time and being a bishop five years later.<br />
<br />
<b>Girls I've met through their blogs</b>. People like Halle and Alison and Annie (who has stopped blogging) and Kimberly Huddle.<br />
<br />
There are two more I will get to Monday and Tuesday and that will be the end of this.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-12203148235212059512015-05-28T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-28T06:30:01.025-04:00The Future Is Here!Next up on my Helping Meg Grow series: the internet.<br />
<br />
Hey, if "the computer" could be a Time Person of the Year (1982), then this qualifies.<br />
<br />
Before the internet, or the world of connected computers ~ networks like Delphi or smaller BBSs (bulletin board systems), transfolk were alone.<br />
<br />
We were more than alone: we were weird to the point that we were SURE we were the only guys who'd ever want to willingly wear a dress or a bra or makeup.<br />
<br />
Think back. Odds are, when you thought about dressing you also thought that you could NEVER tell anyone about it EVER.<br />
<br />
I'm talking to the girls who grew up pre-internet.<br />
<br />
There would be little hints that this was not insane and you were not alone. Maybe you saw an alternative magazine ~ some "adult" newsstands had them. I remember seeing a couple of trans-related ads in the free sex-oriented ad mags in Las Vegas (I was just curious). You might find an ad for the tiny handful of stores that catered to "transvestites," the only term they'd have for us.<br />
<br />
I could never figure out why someone would go into a store where everyone immediately knew you were a tranny (even maybe someone who saw you enter from the street) so you could buy way overpriced clothing, rather than a women's shop where you could probably bull your way into a plausible excuse to buy almost anything. Or go mail order. Yes, they had the odd sizes. Yes, you could try things on (wow!) but the costs (risk and financial) always seemed to high to me.<br />
<br />
But it did mean you weren't alone.<br />
<br />
Then BBSs showed up and if it reached a high enough client threshold someone would start a transvestite board.<br />
<br />
Wow. You're not alone.<br />
<br />
The rise of the internet brought forth Usenet (which I've<a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2015/04/first-aside-usenet.html" target="_blank"> mentioned before</a>).<br />
<br />
And now, we know we're normal, we're not alone, and we can live a sane and safe life as we were meant to be.<br />
<br />
I'm excited about the future: I plan to play a small supporting role.<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-12979114257295104712015-05-27T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-27T06:30:00.176-04:00Surprise and No SurpriseWe went up to Baltimore last weekend. After visiting the aquarium, we wandered around the harbor area and walked into the visitor center for a few minutes. They had, among other brochures and books, a visitor's guide.<br />
<br />
Surprise: they also had an "LGBT Visitor's Guide."<br />
<br />
It was largely a regular visitor's guide with some ads geared towards same-sex marriage and such. There was a short table of "<a href="http://www.tagapproved.com/" target="_blank">TAG approved</a>" places to stay. There was also a box explaining what TAG approved meant: it meant gay-friendly. There was an article about the GLCCB (Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore).<br />
<br />
No Surprise: there was no T content that I could see, although there were three small business card ads under "trans" in the back: two were support groups for transmen; one was for tgirls but "anyone who varies from traditional gender expression is welcome."<br />
<br />
Ah well. Someday, people will figure out we ain't (necessarily) gay.<br />
<br />
ps ~ today's Charity's birthday. I won't say which one because I don't want y'all to know how young she is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-19025191974414765282015-05-25T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-25T06:30:02.402-04:00Boo!A special shout to four ladies I once worked with.<br />
<br />
I told the story of surprising my old boss with the help of a former co-worker whom I came out to. The co-worker is very conservative, quite religious, and open-minded enough that I felt it was OK to tell her about Meg and she helped me get dressed and we met our former boss for lunch on Halloween (hence the <i>Boo!</i>).<br />
<br />
That was in 2008 and the story is <a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2011/09/halloween-2008-untold-story.html" target="_blank">here</a>. After reading, go to the very bottom (past the comments) and read the rest of the story in the next three posts.<br />
<br />
The following year, I came out to my new boss at a new job and she was very enthusiastic about me coming in dressed on Halloween. She was busy when I got in after dressing and I just went up to a co-worker (the office fashionista) who not only didn't recognise me but she proceeded to introduce me around the office as a new employee, fooling everybody. That story is <a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2012/08/halloween-2009-part-i.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and also in four parts.<br />
<br />
So a shout-out to four great women. You all raised my confidence immensely and taught me t-girls were as welcome as g-girls.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-12254593757359508652015-05-24T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-24T06:30:01.552-04:00Sunday Funnies: The MiddletonsI don't think I've ever featured Ralph Dunagin's <i>The Middletons</i>. It has a remarkably small cast (the main characters are Morris and Midge and their son, and their dog Bumper, who's only matched in meanness by Morris' mom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I SAID she was mean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanna do this</td></tr>
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-19838086421040403352015-05-23T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-23T06:30:00.994-04:00Something We Can All AppreciateShoes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYw4QZ9uFX5cbrtmUlixDxHuxmKRn9rt4Ro9iCoxmFl71DOSnOiwhoFhlvMNermgD75jsnJt5xhMXH9wETKmGCRZREiXsDNWdAxi1zYlJN9Hf0NtVnvIW4Fl2hJ9aAa6CrxY6Bvnu3im1/s1600/shoes-BabyBlues.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYw4QZ9uFX5cbrtmUlixDxHuxmKRn9rt4Ro9iCoxmFl71DOSnOiwhoFhlvMNermgD75jsnJt5xhMXH9wETKmGCRZREiXsDNWdAxi1zYlJN9Hf0NtVnvIW4Fl2hJ9aAa6CrxY6Bvnu3im1/s400/shoes-BabyBlues.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Blues</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOICbBmzi0yWegMFPD_92n_1zJPbxOBGD5AqM4qyULdbVgGoOK_r7U0rc05GxmaK-UftK6grv8nFFkt5VfVjALMXGs13RRzJ45BATLQNcGLVh5cNWhgELKAF5kTTQXDDLTwF9bF0Ry1GY9/s1600/shoes-bfriends.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOICbBmzi0yWegMFPD_92n_1zJPbxOBGD5AqM4qyULdbVgGoOK_r7U0rc05GxmaK-UftK6grv8nFFkt5VfVjALMXGs13RRzJ45BATLQNcGLVh5cNWhgELKAF5kTTQXDDLTwF9bF0Ry1GY9/s400/shoes-bfriends.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between Friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp14AWH-VN6UcDgGOvEIY2BmAJk66DKsFfECshCZM36lyg0i1ToXKpsGDths15ZSGx7Bi1pHV7tNOQx8vxYjsHmhUjNJxPX0ZrFQGrM_ehL8UFx5T69D0VPIh-f8mdAWuXEgz6ihcU-mU/s1600/shoes-dp100830.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp14AWH-VN6UcDgGOvEIY2BmAJk66DKsFfECshCZM36lyg0i1ToXKpsGDths15ZSGx7Bi1pHV7tNOQx8vxYjsHmhUjNJxPX0ZrFQGrM_ehL8UFx5T69D0VPIh-f8mdAWuXEgz6ihcU-mU/s400/shoes-dp100830.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Duplex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKk6aQ7saDHRhUz5dzWJ0WlLCjI8p56ABbiPBsGhsuZwUprPj5CRfJqqMCZgd4Z_pbnlAPdKaZmlU9ig8_tCZi1xMaMMOvIIHAnGkAdIxFSAf9tIIRqh4XB_l6npQHVcRr_R5wP6A6Zme/s1600/shoes-pbs_zs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKk6aQ7saDHRhUz5dzWJ0WlLCjI8p56ABbiPBsGhsuZwUprPj5CRfJqqMCZgd4Z_pbnlAPdKaZmlU9ig8_tCZi1xMaMMOvIIHAnGkAdIxFSAf9tIIRqh4XB_l6npQHVcRr_R5wP6A6Zme/s400/shoes-pbs_zs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearls Before Swine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nof5JqmEuaRaiW6Af7G_s6TMt8QCtgz2dcKMOLwkdt60MHbCzeGtdwFJZEZqAckQ00I4Hcw25UhYoaAhsNmwWRqvaCLbN_mzky9JrSRPaeATaXWnNP9lcj475uQbYtZevgD-9l9dLDle/s1600/shoes-speed62198.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nof5JqmEuaRaiW6Af7G_s6TMt8QCtgz2dcKMOLwkdt60MHbCzeGtdwFJZEZqAckQ00I4Hcw25UhYoaAhsNmwWRqvaCLbN_mzky9JrSRPaeATaXWnNP9lcj475uQbYtZevgD-9l9dLDle/s640/shoes-speed62198.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speed bump</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_720767767"></span><span id="goog_720767768"></span><br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-15242998037388016612015-05-22T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-22T06:30:02.696-04:00Elizabeth Taylor. Really.Beth is my idea of what every GG should be. She's friendly, she's outgoing, she does makeup for the T community (she's done mine! Pictures <a href="http://makeoverswithelizabethtaylor.com/client-photos/meg/" target="_blank">here</a>) and incorporates photo sessions.<br />
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She started coming to Christine and Pamela's soirees a while back and enjoys hanging with the "new girls."<br />
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Who could ask for anything more?<br />
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And her name really is Elizabeth Taylor. Her website is <a href="http://makeoverswithelizabethtaylor.com/" target="_blank">Makeovers With Elizabeth Taylor</a> and she does fine work: judge for yourself, and maybe give her a shout when you're in the DC area. (And even cooler, her full name is Elizabeth Ann Taylor so if she decided to just use her middle name she'd still have a dress connection.)<br />
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<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-80730933209424661532015-05-21T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-21T06:30:01.741-04:00No Brainer<a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2015/05/thought-piece.html" target="_blank">Yesterday's post</a> should be a clue.<br />
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Sharon has been out in the t-community for much longer than I have. She's been involved in support groups, Keystone, and more.<br />
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When I first met Sharon (at a soiree?) we started chatting and realised we had met before. Kim (who I gave a <a href="http://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/2015/04/i-meant-everybody.html" target="_blank">shout-out</a> to recently) organised a t-clothing swap. She had a makeup artist friend (who, alas, has moved away) there and a dozen or so girls. She convinced a photographer friend to open her house to us, and she took posed pictures of us ~ a new experience for some.<br />
<br />
I was new-to-being-out and kind of nervous and didn't chat with many people. This was in May, 2009. I'm not sure I spoke to Sharon at all. My loss.<br />
<br />
Since becoming re-acquainted, we've met in every combination possible: my male and female persona have met her male and female persona. She's come over to change before going out; small children at home make changing tricky. We've met each others' spouses.<br />
<br />
She's one of the good ones.<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<br />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-79791950204392008742015-05-20T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-20T06:30:00.724-04:00Thought PieceThis is a kind of long essay from my friend Sharon. It's well-written and worth reading. She asks some interesting questions which I think will encourage different responses, depending on where you are in the t-spectrum. It's on a subject close to Sharon, and I think instrumental to who she is ~ fitting to insert into the middle of my "who I am" series.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Transgender Support
Groups: A History</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
By Sharon Rose</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Once upon a time, there was a
support group in the suburbs outside our nation’s capitol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group met
in hotel rooms at first, and later moved to a church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It advertised in a newspaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it had rules to protect the identities of
its members, and so it carefully screened new members with an interview before
revealing the secret meeting location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the early 1980s, and many of the members worked at the Pentagon,
in the defense industry, or in various branches of the U.S. Government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meeting place was a safe place for those
who were just beginning to discover their transgender identity and also for
those who did not want to go to more public spaces.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwEJRCc8Ku8iLpqCvZuOLeNvWUsDQAt1WYVibLehqZCRsJpvWqusSFA2bWfkSuO0ffKwiXgjTiWr9BCjFDadCRR8Gx7O5-wNBlfoTVq79v5qQg46JADl1BfyiQaLgjKpXpzdQxscpF2Dm/s1600/IMG_7601P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwEJRCc8Ku8iLpqCvZuOLeNvWUsDQAt1WYVibLehqZCRsJpvWqusSFA2bWfkSuO0ffKwiXgjTiWr9BCjFDadCRR8Gx7O5-wNBlfoTVq79v5qQg46JADl1BfyiQaLgjKpXpzdQxscpF2Dm/s400/IMG_7601P.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author, Sharon Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
was a place for transgender people to
socialize in private, to learn about themselves and others, and to discover
that they were not alone.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For over 30
years it continued to function. It held monthly meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It put out a newsletter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group brought in guest speakers to help
with various aspects of maintaining an alternate gender presentation (clothing,
wigs, makeup, nail care, etc.), or members presented programs of their own.
Each December they had a holiday gala at a local hotel with dinner and live
entertainment. And a few members performed outreach, speaking with students at
local universities or with religious institutions about what it means to be
transgender. A small cadre of members performed key tasks and served on the
board of directors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Members of
the group traveled far and wide to attend meetings. Close friendships were
formed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But times began to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The growth of the Internet and the rise of
social media meant that much information was now readily available by
computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Trans people could make
connections online, and knew there were others out there like them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And society was changing too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rising social acceptance of gays and
lesbians gave transgender people hope that they too could be accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More and more transgender people were going
out in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who were
comfortable doing so no longer needed to meet in private.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group shrank in size as members left the
group to join other groups or go out in public on their own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Other
groups have been formed on Meetup.com and other social networking sites, and
Trans people are connected on Facebook and other platforms as never before.
They hold events in bars and restaurants, and those who are comfortable go
anywhere they want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The possibilities
to socialize are limitless.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
questions I have are twofold. First, are traditional support groups a thing of
the past?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do Trans people need a
structured organization with a one-size-fits all approach to provide
information and provide a safe space for those starting on their Trans
journey?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or can they find most of the
information they need online, and simply contact one of the newer social groups
when they are ready to go out in public?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suspect there may be some people who need help getting from point A to
point B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are your thoughts?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Second, what
about providing outreach?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is still
much that Trans people can do to educate the general public. Do we still need
it, and how can we do it?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Like any
small group, a Trans organization can only prosper if a core group of people
are willing to work to get things done, and if others come forward to replace
them when they leave or need a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I believe that those of us who have come before need to pay it
forward and help those who are just beginning to explore their trans identity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ultimately,
the organization is just a framework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can all connect on an individual level to help someone else, no matter how the
group is organized.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dear
readers, I want to thank Meg once again for allowing me to write a guest post
on her blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I invite you to share your
experiences with support groups in the comments section below.</div>
CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-41018149418975455522015-05-19T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-19T06:30:00.564-04:00Introducing Your HostessesPamela and Christine are part of our DC trans community. A few years ago, they decided to open up their lovely home to the trans community for more-or-less monthly "soirees."<br /><br />
Since it was still difficult for me to get out, I missed several. But eventually I made it to my first and it was a new and wonderful experience.<br /><br />
I was out in a relaxed atmosphere meeting new people and enjoying it. Some of the girls already knew me, through the blog, which was cool. But three important takeaways:<br /><br />
* I felt like I was at an elegant party. I would have felt fine in an evening gown. It was a place to dress UP and fit in, which was special.<br /><br />
* Every time I went, there were girls who had never been out before. Christine and Pamela offered them a safe place to go OUT and they recognised it and ran with it. At least one went from never going out to Christine's to Freddy's (a gay club some of the girls go to after the soiree) and then out after that. That's kind of zero to sixty in five seconds.<br /><br />
* I never knew how diverse our community is. There were girls and SO's of every variety. There were girls in every stage and level, from casual dresser to transitioned. It was wonderful!<br /><br />
The soiree has since outgrown their house and moved to another venue but I will always think of Christine and Pamela as the perfect hostesses.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-21262073897931256242015-05-17T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-17T06:30:00.834-04:00Dog/DougI know I've had Brian Anderson's Dog Eat Doug in here at least a half-dozen times. I've probably mentioned that I don't like baby strips in general but I enjoy watching Sophie (dog) and Doug interact. The cats that show up regularly are just... odd. Maybe perplexing is a better term.<br />
<br />
Anderson's blog and other strip is called <a href="http://theconjurers.com/" target="_blank">the conjurers</a> and it is also odd. Or perplexing.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mrAyRL-RfzBGuo2b06kucoJX17_QHUWiNHgA9WPsK88n8YVk6fs9dAue7pk40e0nITifcv2wxKPmuv61bulhMjLguzVfslJNzEBHmuH7KNTX5HxTFHqfSpny6fMLEHKT5wLEDkK2UkwA/s1600/crdog140529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mrAyRL-RfzBGuo2b06kucoJX17_QHUWiNHgA9WPsK88n8YVk6fs9dAue7pk40e0nITifcv2wxKPmuv61bulhMjLguzVfslJNzEBHmuH7KNTX5HxTFHqfSpny6fMLEHKT5wLEDkK2UkwA/s400/crdog140529.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9sH9EhZ5EmQL06w6ddkcEid_GtmTF7IMxoYurZr3Nizl0ukGNsgMO9maqm50R8gymW1ylfJfW6PMoNehMNpbOVRWh5GmyI2zgnfOToNMvPjWMB381ZfZY-iwohvvH9F76h4KRt3pUK_D/s1600/crdog150123.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9sH9EhZ5EmQL06w6ddkcEid_GtmTF7IMxoYurZr3Nizl0ukGNsgMO9maqm50R8gymW1ylfJfW6PMoNehMNpbOVRWh5GmyI2zgnfOToNMvPjWMB381ZfZY-iwohvvH9F76h4KRt3pUK_D/s400/crdog150123.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great eyes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXpcZp7Dug-vflpBobbOxf9KBQGcs0taqljXGTajDGoPDbybe9NNTuRj1YQUOpTaUfulQwU94kF7a8LR1DIGUmxOsLbTrQowj8hU4_LWVrS1cOlKaWjc5hIuApaJWXVZLCTRxbWHKQBXU/s1600/crdog150321.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXpcZp7Dug-vflpBobbOxf9KBQGcs0taqljXGTajDGoPDbybe9NNTuRj1YQUOpTaUfulQwU94kF7a8LR1DIGUmxOsLbTrQowj8hU4_LWVrS1cOlKaWjc5hIuApaJWXVZLCTRxbWHKQBXU/s400/crdog150321.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this worse for Doug or the kitty?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81iJO66HVKwfzmQV7xjI9Mbd0d6uLZWxNUJgR_wS4JrSmty66qoYbx3qLRcyWswMlkz2lmPaGaSsID70MEk9OQaB9LlK5HhFLTXERn3qQRmvpEVggncbWEcYR36uShZx1dcsWFWfon-N1/s1600/crdog150508.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81iJO66HVKwfzmQV7xjI9Mbd0d6uLZWxNUJgR_wS4JrSmty66qoYbx3qLRcyWswMlkz2lmPaGaSsID70MEk9OQaB9LlK5HhFLTXERn3qQRmvpEVggncbWEcYR36uShZx1dcsWFWfon-N1/s400/crdog150508.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE this one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383236105308499589.post-44509632483159295012015-05-16T06:30:00.000-04:002015-05-16T06:30:00.361-04:00If It Wasn't I'D DO IT ALL THE TIMEOnce upon a time, Dennis was a Menace. Then the big bucks that accompanied the Dennis the Menace tv show corrupted Hank Ketchum and Dennis became just another boring kid. You can tell which Dennis you're seeing if you get your hands on some of the very old comics: look at his eyebrows. In the Menace days, they turned down, towards his nose. When he mellowed, they turned up in the middle, looking more benign. So .\/. = menace and /..\ = dullard.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned before, good CD cartoons are becoming scarce, even as we're in the news more and more. I think these trends are related.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR43w-TrkpwmCoWHbZ92pH6mbHNu8bh1WcMkN6SmtWUZrQIUxP3k63QhdTk7mUXP6tu2XpQBZYhiyLNNqSXfh4uKy7EDIheDUZgUDJ8ufqg_XJ93tWqWgRDU-bisFwIlfXqdEnpAMkrC_4/s1600/dennis.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR43w-TrkpwmCoWHbZ92pH6mbHNu8bh1WcMkN6SmtWUZrQIUxP3k63QhdTk7mUXP6tu2XpQBZYhiyLNNqSXfh4uKy7EDIheDUZgUDJ8ufqg_XJ93tWqWgRDU-bisFwIlfXqdEnpAMkrC_4/s400/dennis.gif" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALL THE TIME!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />CallMeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14184763491635476887noreply@blogger.com0