Saturday, November 30, 2013

He's a Man's Man!

But unlike Arlo, I know enough to keep my shirt from getting greasy whilst making latkes.

Yes.  Me

Friday, November 29, 2013

Oops

I made dinner reservations for Thanksgiving for myself, my sons, my sister and her husband.

I used opentable.  Opentable has an account under my "Meg" name.  I didn't really think anything about it until Monday when I got a call from an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"May I speak to Meg Winters?"

I was at work, and more than a bit confused.  Sometimes, t-friends call and say "hi Meg," but this wasn't one of them.

"She's not here; can I take a message?"
"I'd like to confirm..." 

She was from the restaurant and wanted to make sure we were coming.

"I can do that" and I confirmed.

It's a good thing I was reminded the reservation was under Meg's name!  I called back the next day and said Meg won't be there, could they place it under my male name instead.  They did so.




Thursday, November 28, 2013

Well....

It's Thanksgiving, the kickoff to the Winter Shopping Season!  Yes, I can be cynical.

(It's also Chanukah.  That's pretty unusual, but I'm not sure how unusual.  Most sources say it happened in 1861 (before Lincoln declared it a holiday) and won't happen again for 75,000 years.  But a well-researched site says otherwise.  Unless they move Thanksgiving again).

It means nothing to readers outside of North America, and even then I'm late for Canada and any American Indians might not appreciate the sentiment, but

Happy Givethanksing Day!  Click to enjoy.
And, from The West Wing (a great show, worth a marathon view, if that's your idea of a good time):

C.J. Cregg (press secretary): They sent me two turkeys. The more photo-friendly of the two gets a Presidential pardon and a full life at a children's zoo. The runner-up gets eaten.
President Josiah Bartlet: If the Oscars were like that, I'd watch.


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

BIG Jon Stewart Fan Here

And a couple of weeks ago, he was ranting about how fox "news" has doctors on staff.  They come on various shows but don't actually do anything that would be considered medicine or science, but they try to give credence to the station's talking points.

One doctor was talking about what Stewart called "important medical issues" which were in three-foot-high letters standing next to him.  Things like "hemorrhoids."

One was "man boobs."

The doc started "whether you call them 'man boobs' or 'moobs'..."

This was stupid enough all by itself, but then Jon started to come up with his own synonyms:
  • broasts
  • chest nuts
  • mannaries
  • boybies
Personally, I always counterpointed "mammaries" with "daddaries,"




Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Aaannnnd Again

Friday was game night, at a new location.  I pushed up my workweek because there was a lawyer meeting scheduled for Friday at 1.  I expected to be out of there by 3, home by 3:30, and I'd have time to eat and start getting dressed by 5.  Games start at 7:30.

Plenty of time.  Even if the meeting ran until 4, I could skip dinner and still get ready with time to spare.

The meeting lasted until around 6:30.  NO game night.

I'll skip the post-Turkey day games, although they're having a "girls game night" and I'm tempted.  But I'm also conflicted.  I think I'd have to talk to the hostess first.

I'll get to a game night soon though.




Monday, November 25, 2013

Major Meg Weekend

Last weekend was scheduled as a multi-Meg weekend.

I took off Friday because I had used my hours for the week and the company doesn't approve of working over 40 hours per week when on contract.  Weird, I know, but that's the rule.

This also meant I could sleep a little late and be awake and alert for (civilian) game night Friday night.  I considered going out (window) shopping before the games, since they started late that week.  There was a political event right before the games, and I considered that as well, but I was wavering because quite a few people there know me (including elected officials).  I didn't think I was ready for that.

Saturday was a clothing swap in the afternoon and a transdinner that evening.

That meant three, maybe four events over two days.

I've written about planning before.

Here's how it actually played out:

I had homework from a long meeting with lawyers earlier in the week.  I planned to use Friday to do that homework, and by the time I noticed the time both the political event (hard decision made moot) and game night were off the schedule, at least as Meg events.

However, I had finished my work, and I still had Saturday.

Saturday, my son called ~ he needed to be picked up from his volunteer job "around 3."  That would make it difficult to get to the swap, but when my kids call, I respond.  I do my best, anyway.

Then a client called.  The client was a couple of blocks from where I needed to pick up my son so I agreed to drop by around 3, since by that time my son had decided pick up at 4 would be better.

I'd still have time for dinner.  This was going to work out well.

Then a client called.  He was a couple of blocks from my house so I could see him after I dropped off my son.

As I was driving to the first client, my oldest son called and said he'd like to pick up his brother and bring him home.  OK, that was a bit disappointing but they wanted to spend time together so I was willing to step aside.

My client ran late, the second client went smoothly, but by the time I got home it was later than I wanted so I skipped the dinner and figured I'd at least go to the Transgender Day of Remembrance service on Wednesday and I signed up for game night next Friday.

It's all good.



Sunday, November 24, 2013

Sunday Funnies: Donner, Party of Two!

One day I shall leave the name "Donner" with the maitre d.  But they'll probably have one of those little buzzing coasters instead of calling out for the Donner Party.



Saturday, November 23, 2013

Friday, November 22, 2013

About Me and the Ladies I Didn't Talk To

I thought I had a post for yesterday.  I did not.

I hate missing a day.



A few days ago, I made a mention of the girls I didn't speak to at the soiree.  I posted a variation on this to the soiree chat.  I'm still not sure if it's an apology, explanation, sharing, or something else.

As a coping mechanism for my classic introversion, if I'm in a situation like the soiree I tend to focus on one person and cling. A couple of times I was in a 3 or 4 way conversation and it may have appeared I was ignoring all but one person. It's something I'm working on and it's gotten better (a few years ago, a group like that would have had me run out [silently] screaming).
I hope nobody felt slighted (like you missed a wonderful life experience by not talking to me), and I apologise if anyone did.
I AM working on it.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Simple Pleasure ~ What's in a Name

You're right.

Penina, one of the names I liked got 10% of the vote.  It was a little little-girlish.

Levana was better, but only 15% liked it.  I think it has an elegant sound, but the people have spoken.

Margalit (26%), I find hard to pronounce and I think it sounds like I'm trying too hard to match the Hebrew to the English name.  Yes, most people do that but I've never been like most people.

Thanks to a long-ago discussion with my late father (which I won't relate here), I know he'd approve of Miera, as did 45% of you.  And since my father's name is part of mine, this comes full circle.

Hebrew names are formally (your name) son/daughter of (father's name).  I guess that's pretty common in different cultures.  "Ben" or "ibn" in Jewish/Arabic culture.  And depending on where he lived, Donald's offspring might be Donaldson, O'Donald, McDonald, or MacDonald.

For the record, Miera is pronounced May-ee-ra.  It can't be My-ra because there's no hard "I" sound in Hebrew.  It means "illminate."  In Hebrew, it's מֵאִירָה.

So if Meg is ever called up to read from the Torah, she'll be Miera bet Huni Yosef.


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

After the Soiree

As I said, I didn't stop to eat at the soiree.  I needed a snack.

I wanted to go to my "regular" diner, where I seem to get the same waiter each time (and, not surprisingly, he remembers Meg) but they close about the time I'd get there so I headed to the other local diner.

It was pretty crowded, and for perhaps the first time I was a bit apprehensive, and it wasn't because of

Still at the soiree.  No diner photos, alas.
a new experience.
As I walked in, I thought about my paper model convention experience and decided that I had had a good idea ~ use the ladies' room as soon as I arrived (if needed) in case someone later decides I don't belong there.  This hasn't happened, but I like to think ahead and I like to think I'm adequately cautious.

I hadn't used the restroom since leaving home, and that was a glass of wine ago.  I was considering coffee and also considering that I should have gone before I left Christine's house.  I thought going as soon as I came in would have been the best course of action.

I didn't.

I sat at a booth and was facing a group across the aisle.  The person on the aisle was a serious (not angry, just serious) looking 20-something bearded guy.  He glanced at me a couple of times.  I didn't see anything menacing.  He was neither glaring nor glowering.  He was talking with his companions.  But something in the back of my mind suggested he might take exception to crossdressing, and getting up to use the ladies' room might cause upset or a confrontation, neither of which I want.

I'll repeat: everything was my perception.  He did nothing to justify that perception, except based on "biker" stereotype.  I'll also mention that he reminded me of a friend from New York, a guy named Barry who also had the biker look and beard.  And Barry was one of the best-natured guys I've ever met in my life.  So I don't know where it came from.

So I had my coffee and hurried home, and resolved to plan better next time.



Monday, November 18, 2013

At the Soiree

Update: Jill (center) is lovely but did not want her picture in the blog.
 
The soiree itself was, not surprisingly, fun.  It was kind of an extended cocktail hour, and that was
The crossdressers.com contingent.  Gad I'm short!
fine.  I spent so much time talking to people I pretty much forgot to eat and if  hadn't poured some wine at the start, I probably wouldn't have had anything to drink either.  I've mentioned previously that, as a classic introvert, "cocktail hour" is one of those phrases that can cause a lot of anxiety.  Meg feels it, but I think less than my male self does.

I had a long chat with Taryn, Sara, Jill at different times, among others. These are girls I had not met before.  (There were others I met but didn't really talk to and I will address that later).

A couple of readers came by to say they enjoyed the blog ("hi girls" she shouts [waving frantically]).  I always appreciate that.  In my younger days, I wanted to be a radio, well, let's call it "personality."  I grew up with New York City FM radio and wanted to be part of that.  If I couldn't play an instrument, at least I could play a record.  One of my (many) worries was, what if, out of a potential audience of 30 million listeners, I was just talking to myself?  I think of that sometimes and that's when I hunt for the stats, but I know there are at least a few eyeballs out there.  And I have thanked you before but I can't thank you enough.

I'm still short!
There were a few first-timers.  A few came with partners.  One came with her daughter.  I LOVE talking to new girls, both new to the soiree and especially new to going out.  I was chatting with one girl and Bobbi (first time out, I believe) was the third girl in our group and I never did get to really talk to her at all.  (As I said, I'll get to that!)

I caught up with some ladies I hadn't seen in a few months: one went full-time, a couple are moving away, more than one had a new look. 

By the time the evening ended, I was seeing people leave who I hadn't even had a chance to chat with.

I first realised that I was standing for three hours when I started walking back to the car.  My feet suddenly started complaining about the pumps, and my earlobes said "if you'd like to unclip those earrings, we'd appreciate it."  The walk back to the car was over gravel which did NOT help my feet at all.





Sunday, November 17, 2013

Sunday Funnies: If the Shoe Fits

I must have not posted any Shoe in a while (except last Sunday's "Donner" cartoon) because I have a whole bunch just waiting to burst out.  I enjoyed Shoe when the original cartoonist was creating them.  Jeff McNelly produced it until his death in 2000.  I think it's the only strip that's funnier with the new author.  Here are some recentish strips.  Click to enlarge.








Saturday, November 16, 2013

One Blondie Too Many

Trans is ubiquitous.  Click to enlarge.

Could you telegraph the punchline more?  Didn't think so.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Before the Soiree

I was ready a bit early and I had a shopping mission.  Unfortunately, it didn't involve any try-on opportunities.  I needed computer memory for a client so I stopped at the local computer store.  I was mildly concerned about this stop.

They know me.

I shop there a lot.  On more than one occasion, cashiers have called over managers who wanted to thank me for being a regular.  Salespeople say hello, and we chat.

I have also seen co-workers and friends there at different times.

I wondered if I'd see anyone I knew, to see if I'd be recognised (I wasn't confident I would not be).  I wasn't so tested though.

I did see some employees I knew; one pulled the memory I was looking for and simply asked if I needed anything else.  I smiled and said "no."

I considered paying in cash, just because I know they pull up my name and address when I use a card, but I try to keep business expenses separate so my bookkeeping is simpler.

There were no problems with the woman at the checkout.  I put the memory in my car and headed towards the soiree.

I forget more these days....  In the past, I never would have left the store without getting a Meg pic.  I
from my new friend Josie.
forgot.  You'd think, as long as I was buying memory....  Ah well.

And, yes, I was way overdressed for Microcenter.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Soiree! Getting Ready

Christine held her first soiree since the spring Saturday night.  I was more than ready to meet with the ladies again.

I pulled out a dress I hadn't worn before, plus black hose, and black pumps. 

Stana made me think.  She mentioned that she didn't understand the black booties because the idea was to have an unbroken line from the thigh to the toes, to make your legs look longer.  I saw something similar in a fashion magazine ~ they were talking about how "nude" shoes caused that very effect, and how they were starting to come in a variety of nude shades, for different skin shades.

I noticed, now that summer is over, black hose and tights are back.  I suspect black stockings + black shoes = the illusion of longer legs.

(Bea Benaderet played Blanche Morton, who lived next door to George Burns and Gracie Allen in their tv show from the 50s.  In one episode, Gracie commented on how long another woman's legs were.  Bea attributed it to her short skirt.  She said "Short skirts make a woman's legs look longer.  They make men look longer too.")

The dress has a large round gold clip on it so I went with large hoopy jewelry: earrings and necklace.  I have a little gold bracelet I rarely wear which got an airing that night.

Charity did my nails and my eyes matched the gold glittery polish.

I considered a before and after event while I was getting dressed.  I mean, as long as I'm dressed anyway....

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Simple Pleasure? ~ New to Me

(UPDATE: the "All Gender Restroom" sign below was produced by myDoorSign.com They have a huge selection of door and wall signs, including custom signs.  Perhaps my readers could suggest a substitute for the "half" symbol below.)

(Leann ~ what's "first event?"  Is that a new year's eve celebration?)

And I'm not sure where they got these symbols.

Apparently, the old "family restroom" sign, with the man, woman, and child (and sometimes handicap) or the "all purpose" sign (where they leave out the child image) aren't good enough.

Some places are trying to make sure everyone knows how understanding they are by adding new signs to their (obviously) one stall restrooms:

the Braille reads all gender restroom
 Maybe it's just me, but I find that "half" image insulting.  It should be particularly insulting to transsexuals who not "half" anything.  I dislike using the ladies' room, and I avoid it when possible (preferring a family restroom) but this looks way too obsequious.  And I know there are too few of us to make it worthwhile, but I can see this as a hater magnet, looking for someone to harass.

I also dislike the fact that they're considering the three "identities" shown as "all genders."  It's a fluid topic.  And genderfluid is another option.

I also saw:

dunno where the QR goes

The "Why?" explanation:
For gender-nonconforming individuals, just walking through the door of a public restroom can be stressful.  Everyone should have the right to use a restroom without fear of discrimination.  Unisex restrooms are no more dangerous than gender-segregated bathrooms nor do they exclude any one person based on their identity or appearance.

So why not leave the perfectly fine, simple, family restrooms the way they are?

To me, this just draws attention.  It won't draw me.

And where the heck did that symbol in the middle come from?  If it covers everything, why are the symbols on the left and right needed?  If they had to find a new symbol, how about the one for Jupiter or Neptune, since Mars (male) and Venus (female) are already taken?  Or maybe just the symbol for Earth.  Too inclusive perhaps?

I also wonder if it's just cover for places that want to avoid having two restrooms.

I think the new signage stinks.

Am I missing something?

(by the way, this was supposed to be a short "simple pleasure" but the more I wrote, the more it became a rant.  I'll try to get back in form for next week)




Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I'm Confused and Astonished

In a recent poll, I asked if you'd meet with people who only knew your femself, as your "birth self."

You overwhelming said yes.  Am I reading this right?  That means almost all of you are out, or ready to be out.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't show up as my male self to, say, the gaming group.  I have gone to clothing swaps in both guises, but there were only one or two people who knew Meg and met the other me.  The rest wouldn't have any reason to look at some random guy (even in a room of 99 women and one man) and say "isn't that Meg?"

Maybe I'm alone, or part of a tiny minority, or I haven't thought it through.

I need to work on this.




Monday, November 11, 2013

I Have a Question

But first, I'd like to salute all who serve their country, in whatever capacity.  I wish our government appreciated y'all more.  I heard a veteran refer to the US policy on disabled vets as "delay, deny, and hope they die."  I hope that's getting better.

So here's what I want to know....

How's everybody doing?  I talk (write) a lot but I don't get to know most of you.  I have a couple of regular correspondents, and a few I see at soirees (there was one Saturday; details coming).  But most of you, I don't really know at all, unless you blog too.

How is the world treating you?  If you're so inclined you can answer in the comments (write "private" at the beginning and it won't get posted) or drop me a note.




Sunday, November 10, 2013

More Dog and Doug

Since I had that little Dog Eat Doug yesterday, I thought I'd pull out a few more I've enjoyed over the past few months.  And, for the record, I'm not a big fan of baby or dog strips.




+10 for the Airplane reference!

Me neither


Saturday, November 9, 2013

Forced... Something

(name poll is still open)

My first thought was, this is parallel to a lot of "tv fiction."  Man is in trouble, promises to do "anything" if only the woman would rescue him, and he ends up in a dress.

I see it as a "species" equivalent.

You'll grow to love it.

Friday, November 8, 2013

I Hope She's Joking

Although, I bet a lot of us growing up would have wanted a mom with her attitude (and wardrobe)

Blake Lively hoping for transvestite kids

Washington: Blake Lively has jokingly said that she hopes her future children are either girls or transvestites, as she wants to share her amazing wardrobe with them.

The 24-year-old actress, who has starred in campaigns for Chanel and was recently appointed a brand ambassador for Stella McCartney, wants children when she gets older but confessed that she will be disappointed if she doesn’t have daughters to appreciate her collection of designer goods.


“I hope to have a few girls one day. If not girls, they better be trannies. I have some amazing shoes and bags and stories that need to be appreciated,” Contactmusic quoted her as telling America’s Elle magazine.

Blake, who is currently dating Ryan Reynolds and has previously had relationships with Leonardo DiCaprio and ‘Gossip Girl’ co-star Penn Badgley, also insisted that she has only ever dated four guys and prefers to be friends with her boyfriends before they begin a romantic relationship.



Thursday, November 7, 2013

I Wish I Had A Picture

and I couldn't find one on the Interwebs.

Driving up 81 from Alabama, near Roanoke (about five hours from home) there was a large "attractions"-type sign:

                                 VA Museum of Trans

I really wanted to stop, even though I knew I would be disappointed.

Please help me choose a name (poll to the right).

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Simple Pleasures ~ Renfest Souvenir

(please take that poll over there ->)

Just hanging out in my bedroom.



Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Walks Like a Woman But Talks Like...

In July, someone commented:

do you present with a fem voice?

Alas, no.  But I started working on it in earnest and I'm quite discouraged.  I have a link to a tutorial where the presenter talks about using a pitch program to monitor your pitch, to try and keep it within female parameters.  The ones I found respond so quickly I can't tell from word to word (or from word to breath) what the pitch is.

I purchased Melanie Anne Phillips' voice training last June, with high hopes.  So far, the voice has eluded me.  And I know there's more to female voice than pitch, but pitch is prime.  And my pitch is low and inside.

So I keep my voice soft and I keep practicing the first step, where I try to keep my voice from breaking as I lower from a falsetto.  All I've managed to do is strain my voice.

But I keep trying, and I keep looking for new approaches.  Feel free to send me yours in email me or comments.




Monday, November 4, 2013

What's In a Name?

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how our chosen names can hide our heritage.  I mentioned that neither Meg (Margaret) nor Winters are Jewish names.

Jewish heritage passes from mother to child, so intermarriage can certainly produce a Jewish Winters, but I think most people would consider it British, not Jewish.  Of course, those are not mutually exclusive.

Margaret, like Mary, is typically a Catholic name but one reader mentioned a Jewish friend named Margaret.  I know a Jewish Margaret who prefers Peggy.

Jewish babies are assigned a Hebrew name.  Traditionally, the Hebrew name is similar to the English name, so I did a bit of research.

Margaret does have Hebrew equivalents.  So if I ever need to give my Jewish equivalent, I can safely choose from Levana, Margalit, Meira, or Penina.  I kind of like the first and last ones.  What do you think?  There's a little poll to the right to choose your favourite.




Sunday, November 3, 2013

Sunday Funnies: A Little Ginger

I've written about the background of this very long running Australian strip before.  Enjoy some Ginger Meggs....  Ya hafta click to enlarge.  And you'll be able to see the little side notes that are always there.







Saturday, November 2, 2013

Late Halloween Humour

Some Halloween comics.  Click to enlarge.

Mostly, they just show how much fun women can have on this holiday, but Grimm and Ink Pen involve crosscostumes.

Girls have it easy. (btw, her name is Meg)

Nerd Appeal



More nerd appeal
Sexy________

Spot the crossdresser!
You could start with a girl or boy, no?


Friday, November 1, 2013

Sunday Games: Fair-weather Meg

After I got home Saturday, my lower back was hurting me.  I suspect it was the cinch, but I'm not sure.  The top of my left foot ached as well; it might be because I hadn't worn heels in a while.  My left shoulder has been hurting and popping for a few weeks now; I suspect yanking on quite substantial doors at work helped that particular problem to form.  My eyes hurt and were bloodshot from extended contact time.

I guess I'm getting old.

Sunday was game day, starting at noon, and my plan was to get dressed (maybe the same outfit as Saturday, or close variation) and stay until about five.  At that time, I'd head home and change and remove my nail polish so I could pick up my son at 7.

But I also had:
* a client I wanted to visit in the morning, which would constrict my getting-ready time (also there were those nails).  I could visit in the evening, so that wasn't major.

* that lower-back pain.  It seemed worse; I tried a heating pad, which didn't make a difference.

* the achy foot.

My eyes had recovered nicely by the morning.

I used to ride a (small Suzuki) motorcycle, but I was a "fair-weather rider."  If there was a threat of rain or worse, the bike stayed home and I drove.  I would rather ride than drive, but I'd rather be comfortable as well.  Of course I got caught sometimes, and I missed some good riding days, but I would rather be a dry driver than a wet (or very cold or very hot) rider.

I'm also a fair-weather girl.  I prefer to skip really hot or really wet or really cold days, but I can adjust to them and decide where the comfort level (as opposed to comfort zone) is. 

That philosophy kicked in Sunday morning.

The choice was possibly exacerbating the various aches and pains on one hand, and staying at the games later, seeing the client in the morning, and having (nearly) as much fun in drab as dressed.  So I skipped dressing this time.

It's very nice to know that I can drop by dressed either way and be welcome by Star and her friends.