Folding It Properly

Oh, it's you again.

Its the early evening and blimey its dark already. The general small talk seems to about the new fiver and "no I can't fold it properly, can you?" seems to be the most common reaction along with a generally bemused look.

While in London the other day, I had some free time and the weather ok I decided to walk about which included probably accidentally photo-bombing several people's poses in front of Westminster. I'm sure I couldn't have ruined more if I tried. Later on while walking though a park when I passed a group of tourists taking a great interest and a small amount of delight in watching a group of squirrels doing squirrelly things and being from the capital they also acted nonchalantly while avoiding all eye contact. If there is a point to this tale it's that things some folks see as ordinary and everyday, amaze others.

There's many climbing about and dangling precariously on the tree by our garden gate to grab the squirrelly goodies still about and wait until I'm underneath the tree to drop the unwanted parts on my, the postman's and other visitor's head. Thankfully that's all that's fallen on their/ my head, unlike a flock of birds (my ornithological knowledge doesn't go far) who flew past followed a second later by dozens of little splats and another second later by a few urghs as some unfortunate got hit I'm sure they didn't feel lucky and I haven't read about any lottery winners locally recently.

Personally October has been a whirl of year end rushing about and long days, meaning I haven't seen or read a lot recently and feeling like I need a lot more sleep. Couldn't find a song about squirrels so here's a great Shibuya-kei style song about cats.

Pickup and Pride

It's wrong to think that your knowledge plateaus. Even after many years there are things you're still picking up and learning especially in the trans-sphere. I've been trying out a different bra to improve my cleavage and a more realistic shape. Trying out more sleeveless tops after getting over paranoia over my shoulders being seen as too masculine. And practising a winged eye-liner style. So off I go to Swindon Pride having tried all three. A raincoat covering one and two, as for three, it's still a work in progress.

Witches Hat

Taking my niece to the park, I came across a new playground object that looked like a miniature version of the witches hat that I used to play on back in the days minus the violent movements and concrete floor. The more modern namesakes have gone the other way where even the strongest parent would struggle to gather any speed to excite even the most risk averse child.

Birthdays and Slacktivism

Taking a photo out of a misty bus window on a wet day, really doesn't do the scenery justice, sadly its the best I can do. I'm looking out the window and wondering what the heck to write about. Its already into June and past my birthday opening my inbox I was greeted with happy birthdays from forums I don't visit as much as I used to and brands I hadn't realised I gave out that much personal info to. As for me I spent time at a family gathering, which I spent more time with the children than the adults. There is one big event coming up but I was bored of that months ago. There's also the horrible and tragic Pulse nightclub shootings over which there's been many fine words said and stupid opinions uttered. It's also left many LGBT people saying they feel less safe which while understandable also saddens me. It's quite hard to know what to say other than to say I'll keep up the effort however little in my tiny slacktivist way.

Spring

Hello, it's spring, well in the northern hemisphere anyway. Apparently it's time to start pepping my summer wardrobe like that's a thing. For me with the exemption of the three/ four items listed further on, my clothes are all year round, its just the number of layers that change and the addition of warm hat, scarf and gloves or long shorts. Many fashion pieces I've seen, seem to suggest its time to dig out the pastoral colours after winter months wearing only dark blacks and browns as if the fashion police will arrest you for breaking a pastoral ban when it's not BST and the clocks fall back. As I've noted before tights are not just a winter item so injecting some colour is not a summer thing.

Rushing The Season

Hello again, there are signs that spring is coming seeing the people who try to rush the season by wearing t-shirts when the temperature is barely in the low teens (before wind chill) is the latest.
There's a few things happening, the outing of Lilly Wachowski for reasons of mere titillation, who refused to give in to being blackmailed into giving an "exclusive" and in the process owned the story. Ongoing bathroom panic bills, much more of that another time.
I'm looking after my nieces hamster over easter, his name is Rosie because that's the name she likes. It's been a long time since I've looked after a hamster, you can probably make a guess how long when I tell you it was called Baby Spice, again I didn't name it.

February Already

After a month of posting constantly came nothing at all. The start of the year normally a busy period for me was quite tiring with no time for thoughts. I'm writing on valentines day, being single I get the feeling that the world expects me to feel crap, the reality couldn't be further from the truth.

Adding to that I was dragged back to my occasional role of being my family's tech support which led to the painful task of contacting BT to sort out a broadband issue they really should be able to sort out first time.

Happy New Year

As I take time out from finishing the wine and chocolate selection box to wish you all, wherever you are, a fabulous new year.

Advent Blog: The End

Have a fabulous Christmas.

I've made it to the end of my little experiment, there's nothing like a deadline to make you fill in a blank white box. It's led to me posting as much in the past month than over the previous two years.

Thanks for reading.

Fraught

In some homes this time of year can be stressful and fraught with others having arguments or worse while others are cuddled up watching people having a miserable time on Eastenders. Don't keep it all in, there are many people out there who can help.

Man In a Dress

I am relatively new to the Kardashian/ Jenner media circus mainly because I don't watch/ listen/ read those kinds of outlets, however the transition of Caitlin Jenner led to coverage in the sorts of media I do stumble upon. The latest "man in a dress" comments to Time magazine and subsequent apology show that while she has raised awareness of being trans, she should not be treated as a speaker for all trans people.

Then I'm X

In my forthcoming benign dictatorship I am going to make trans critics who use any variation on the "if they're a man/ woman than I'm X" a crime punishable by a swift whack using a hardback copy of the Bumper book of tired, trite and tedious criticisms with the option of being made to be X forever.

Junk In Your Trunk

A certain festival in Australia has merited comment for its trans exclusion policies regarding pre op M to F trans, again it all seems to boil down to genitals. It's sad to have to keep mentioning that what "junks in your trunks" doesn't make your gender and above all its none of your business.

Elsewhere I got past my first and only Christmas 'do', a touch of enforced frivolity and average food but not the boredom fest I feared.

Have a good weekend.

The Not So Bad Photographer

I was trying to find a photo of myself in tights to illustrate (or possibly to de-illustrate) the last post and it was several years ago, badly lit and a hint of red eye possibly to coordinate with my tights. At the risk of reciting trans cliché #1142 I don't take as many photos of myself as I once did but the ones I do take are hopefully  better partly because the cameras better and partly practice. Perhaps the magical (and mythical) 10,000 hour rule.

Colourful Tights

Included in the things this blog likes its, jaffa cakes, that video of William Shatner singing Rocket Man, dresses with pockets, The Simpsons (seasons 1 - 9), black tights and colourful tights.

Why are colourful tights a good thing?

1. They add some colour to a black dress/ outfit.
2. The right colour can enhance a pastoral coloured outfit.
3. It brightens up a winter outfit.