I also believe that signs are ALWAYS ambiguous. I also also believe that one never knows a sign when she sees it.
So an ambulance speeding by might be a warning sign that I should slow down. Or it might be a signal sign that I should hurry to my destination ~ something might be wrong there. Or it might mean something bad happened to someone else and it has no bearing on me (other than the fact that we're all connected).
I wrote about my dilemma Friday ~ should I introduce myself to Charity's coworkers as Meg without any real warning? ~ and I got a brief note from my crossdress idol, Stana. She wrote:
"It is time to push the envelope, Girlfriend!"
Stana rarely comments on my blog ~ I wasn't even sure I was still on her radar. A sign! Hey, signs don't always come from the Universe At Large.
But did it mean I should go dressed and not worry about what Charity's friends think, or did it mean I should be free to go in drab and let them meet both of me and deal with it later?
See what I mean?
Annie and Joanie left comments that were much clearer. They wrote GET DRESSED AND GO OUT. I paraphrase. :)
Admittedly, I should have posted it earlier in the week and done a minipoll:
() go dressed
() go drab
() stay home
In the end, the idea of getting up at 6:00, grabbing a quick breakfast and getting to the metro at 7:00 beat out getting up at 4:00, shaving, showering, makeuping (that should be a verb!), dressing, and getting to the metro at 7:00.
And, really, that was the deciding point: how little sleep did I want to get? I moved a bit closer to the I Don't Care mark and decided it's OK for Charity's friend to meet me, and meet Meg later on.
Funny thing... while there, a woman came up to me and asked me if I'd be willing to be in a documentary. I suggested that Charity would be better, and perhaps her friends as well. Her friends demurred but Charity was more than willing. I wonder if she would have approached Meg for her documentary. I'll never know.
So somewhere there's footage of Charity and me, talking about the Eastern Market. (In the interest of full disclosure, it was mostly Charity talking about the Eastern Market and me nodding my head.) It was for a project, not theatrical release so I suspect no-one I know will ever see it, but still... it's pretty cool.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Politically Incorrect
For some reason, an old advertising jingle has been stuck in my mind. I had to verify the words, because I couldn't believe I remembered them correctly.
My post idea: I'd post the real words and how funny it is that I remembered them differently.
Well, it turns out I had it right. Does anyone remember Armour hot dogs?
The jingle went:
Hot dogs, Armour hot dogs.
What kinds of kids eat Armour hot dogs?
Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks.
Tough kids, sissy kids
Even kids with chicken pox
Love hotdogs, Armour hot dogs
The dogs kids love to bite!
Sissy kids? Really? Is that the opposite of "tough kids?" Is "kids who climb on rocks" the opposite of "kids with chicken pox?"
I want to go back in time and be in the meeting where they discuss keeping that ad campaign or maybe, just maybe, changing it a bit.
My post idea: I'd post the real words and how funny it is that I remembered them differently.
Well, it turns out I had it right. Does anyone remember Armour hot dogs?
 |
| Is she fat? Skinny? Tough? Sissy? |
The jingle went:
Hot dogs, Armour hot dogs.
What kinds of kids eat Armour hot dogs?
Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks.
Tough kids, sissy kids
Even kids with chicken pox
Love hotdogs, Armour hot dogs
The dogs kids love to bite!
Sissy kids? Really? Is that the opposite of "tough kids?" Is "kids who climb on rocks" the opposite of "kids with chicken pox?"
I want to go back in time and be in the meeting where they discuss keeping that ad campaign or maybe, just maybe, changing it a bit.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
It's Herman Time!
(Holiday note: I neglected to mention that yesterday was Star Wars Day. Happy belated Star Wars Day ["May the Fourth"]. And I know Cinco de Mayo is sometimes soon, but I can never remember what day.)
Many years ago, I was perusing the humour section of the local chain bookstore. That's one thing I miss with the local stores ~ just browsing, whether it's humour books, or scifi books, or computer books (or dresses and tights and shoes). It's just not the same on-line.
Anyway, I came across an oversize book of Jim Unger cartoons. I opened it up. I laughed a lot. I bought it (something else I miss ~ bringing your latest find home with you), along with a couple of other oversize Unger books. They had simple names like "Herman VII" and "Herman VIII" but that just told me I had some catching up to do.
Mr Unger took ill a number of years ago and retired, then he unretired and started only updating old strips so they were more timely. Alas, all of the new cartoons are old cartoons: Mr Unger died almost a year ago.
I think this is his sixth appearance in the blog.
Here are some recent favourites:
Many years ago, I was perusing the humour section of the local chain bookstore. That's one thing I miss with the local stores ~ just browsing, whether it's humour books, or scifi books, or computer books (or dresses and tights and shoes). It's just not the same on-line.
Anyway, I came across an oversize book of Jim Unger cartoons. I opened it up. I laughed a lot. I bought it (something else I miss ~ bringing your latest find home with you), along with a couple of other oversize Unger books. They had simple names like "Herman VII" and "Herman VIII" but that just told me I had some catching up to do.
Mr Unger took ill a number of years ago and retired, then he unretired and started only updating old strips so they were more timely. Alas, all of the new cartoons are old cartoons: Mr Unger died almost a year ago.
I think this is his sixth appearance in the blog.
Here are some recent favourites:
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Say What?
I've enjoyed Sherman's Lagoon for a long time. Sherman's been in here at least a half-dozen times. Back when screen savers were somewhat new, I had a Sherman's Lagoon one that had various fish swimming across the screen. If a swordfish swam into a pufferfish, the pufferfish popped. If a shark met a certain small fish the shark would gulp the little guy down. Other than that, it was just... fish and stuff.
Before the Washington Post picked up Sherman, I had another reason to enjoy it: the images were in a predictable place with predictable names, and they appeared a week ahead of the newspaper. So once a week I would load a personal page that gave me next week's Sherman. Alas, that no longer works, but I still love the strip. Who would think a strip that involves sharks eating "hairless beach apes" would be funny? Remember to click to enlarge.
Before the Washington Post picked up Sherman, I had another reason to enjoy it: the images were in a predictable place with predictable names, and they appeared a week ahead of the newspaper. So once a week I would load a personal page that gave me next week's Sherman. Alas, that no longer works, but I still love the strip. Who would think a strip that involves sharks eating "hairless beach apes" would be funny? Remember to click to enlarge.
 |
| What? No Herman on stage? :( |
Friday, May 3, 2013
Dilemma
Charity plans to go
downtown on Saturday. She asked if I'd like to come along and since
it's to a part of Washington I've never been, I tentatively agreed. I
wasn't sure if I'd be in drab or dressed though.
Advantage of dressing: everything is more fun in dresses. It's going to be a beautiful, warm day and I can eschew coats or sweaters and just wear a casual dress or skirt. It's an eclectic part of town where Meg should fit right in.
Advantage of drab: we'd be going early in the morning so I'd have to get up early early.
Then she came home with the news that a friend from work and her SO wanted to go as well.
This changes the calculus.
Charity has no preference as to how I present. Her friend doesn't know about Meg, and it's possible she'll meet my male self in the future.
At this point in time, I'm not comfortable meeting someone as Meg who will most likely get to know my male self at some other, future point. In some cases, I can stretch that comfort zone and meet people either way, but that's mostly t-friends or people in another t-circle.
I've met a couple of t-girls as my male self. I've met Star's friends in both modes, but Star has a circle of friends who've met her SO, Andrea, in both male and female presentation. Yes, I don't know what they whisper to their friends after they leave. Yes, I don't know if they mind their own business regarding their friend, but not regarding a friend-of-a-friend. There's a level of trust here. I don't know if it's warranted but I grant that trust.
I've been to swaps in both modes, but the only person who has met both is Kim and her husband. I trust both. Kim is wonderful and her husband seems like a very live-and-let-live kind of guy.
But I don't know Charity's co-worker. I do know that there seem to be few secrets at work, and I don't know her other co-workers.
I could join them in drab, but I'd feel locked in and unable to "upgrade" later. I could join them dressed, but eventually they'll learn my birth name (if they don't know it already) and that might cause issues. Probably not, and maybe I'll be over that "I don't care" hump by then, but I have a poor record at predicting the future.
Besides, I have some things I need to do at home.
"So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" "Um..." Yes, this is definitely a "don't ask, can't tell" situation.
Advantage of dressing: everything is more fun in dresses. It's going to be a beautiful, warm day and I can eschew coats or sweaters and just wear a casual dress or skirt. It's an eclectic part of town where Meg should fit right in.
Advantage of drab: we'd be going early in the morning so I'd have to get up early early.
Then she came home with the news that a friend from work and her SO wanted to go as well.
This changes the calculus.
Charity has no preference as to how I present. Her friend doesn't know about Meg, and it's possible she'll meet my male self in the future.
At this point in time, I'm not comfortable meeting someone as Meg who will most likely get to know my male self at some other, future point. In some cases, I can stretch that comfort zone and meet people either way, but that's mostly t-friends or people in another t-circle.
I've met a couple of t-girls as my male self. I've met Star's friends in both modes, but Star has a circle of friends who've met her SO, Andrea, in both male and female presentation. Yes, I don't know what they whisper to their friends after they leave. Yes, I don't know if they mind their own business regarding their friend, but not regarding a friend-of-a-friend. There's a level of trust here. I don't know if it's warranted but I grant that trust.
I've been to swaps in both modes, but the only person who has met both is Kim and her husband. I trust both. Kim is wonderful and her husband seems like a very live-and-let-live kind of guy.
But I don't know Charity's co-worker. I do know that there seem to be few secrets at work, and I don't know her other co-workers.
I could join them in drab, but I'd feel locked in and unable to "upgrade" later. I could join them dressed, but eventually they'll learn my birth name (if they don't know it already) and that might cause issues. Probably not, and maybe I'll be over that "I don't care" hump by then, but I have a poor record at predicting the future.
Besides, I have some things I need to do at home.
"So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" "Um..." Yes, this is definitely a "don't ask, can't tell" situation.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Fame and Wealth?
There was someone from Voice of America at the last clothing swap. The marvellous Kim was the subject of a long interview and the reporter wandered around, chatting and shooting video. I saw myself in the background of a couple of shots (long light blue dress) but I was not one of the lucky ones who was interviewed directly. Funny.... None of us were. I'm sure it was just numbers. We were maybe 10 out of 300 ~ 3%. He spoke with a half-dozen women.
I did like the headline:
You can find video and a story on the VoANews website.
I did like the headline:
Social Media Draw More US Women to Clothing Swaps
You can find video and a story on the VoANews website.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Simple Pleasure: Open Planning
When it's time to prep for dress up, I can now take out what I want when I want to.
In the past, I needed to plan just to plan.
Now, I can pull out some dress options and try them on when I have time, not when those around me have time. It's much more relaxing when I don't have to make time twice ~ once for choosing and trying on, once for going out. And sometimes that first opportunity never presents itself and I have to take extra "getting ready" time to ensure I have the right outfit. Or sometimes it takes a few short stolen moments to choose and try on. And, of course, hide everything away in their own boxes and bags.
And today is the first of May....
In the past, I needed to plan just to plan.
Now, I can pull out some dress options and try them on when I have time, not when those around me have time. It's much more relaxing when I don't have to make time twice ~ once for choosing and trying on, once for going out. And sometimes that first opportunity never presents itself and I have to take extra "getting ready" time to ensure I have the right outfit. Or sometimes it takes a few short stolen moments to choose and try on. And, of course, hide everything away in their own boxes and bags.
And today is the first of May....
- Ted: Mayday! Mayday!
- Steve: "Mayday," what the heck is that?
- Johnny: Mayday? Why, that's the Russian New Year! We can have a big parade and serve hot hors d'oeuvres...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
