Dear Constant Reader

Work is crazy and I will likely not be able to get out as April for a week or two because of filming and a script I have to write. I will not be a happy camper (actually my idea of camping is a really nice hotel) and will end up wound tighter than a cheap watch.

Feeling totally stressed and time was is short supply yesterday. I started to draft a post but didn’t make it…sorry. I am always gratified that people read my blog and even take the time to post a response.

It was with some surprise that my post from Wed. had four comments. It was so nice to hear from all of you and it made a huge difference in my day. The lovely, supportive and encouraging words helped clear some of the grey clouds from my sky.

Yesterday was my fifth or six laser appointments, I actually really look forward to the sessions despite the minor discomfort as it is concrete proof I am making some progress on my road to womanhood. (Look I worked in the blog’s title….so subtle).

The morning commute can be an opportunity for some quiet contemplation, if you ignore the resonance from the Toronado’s stainless steel dual exhaust. It struck me that I also enjoy the sessions as it is almost exclusively a female environment and I am accepted without question. They know the reason why I am having laser hair removal and have been very kind, praising the photos I have shared and even visiting this blog.

I am told I have had good results and the time between sessions has been extended to coax out any dormant hairs that can then be eliminated with extreme prejudice.

I am still wrestling with a schedule that it too full for the hours provided. A late night combined with one of the children crawling into bed and then kicking me at odd intervals until the alarm sounded has made for an exhausting morning.

I seriously contemplated calling in sick and working from home as I feared crashing the car into a ditch or worse injuring a fellow motorist. But as there is no rest for the wicked I fueled up with coffee and aimed the hood of the big black car due north. Made it but by the afternoon will need a recharge at Starbucks.

Hugs,

April

I will leave you with Elvis signing We're Coming In Loaded from the movie Girls, Girls, Girls. I love Elvis movies not because they are bad or the music uninspired but because they always contain hidden gems that reinforce my belief that he was the coolest cat on the planet. I mean could anyone else make commercial fishing sound so good or look so good doing it.

I believe that is Red West on guitar, I met his brother Sonny a few years ago, both were members of the Memphis Mafia. That is Elvis' entourage for the uninitiated, but more about that next week.

Winter Time Blues

I think the approaching winter weather here in the southern part of our glorious Dominion (sounds regal doesn’t it?) has played havoc with my emotional state. In fact I think weather is having an effect on the whole family.

All grey and rainy with skeletal trees scratching at cold marble skies. It is not the climate for someone who has an addiction to old cars.

Crazy emotional this week, angry, sad, down, crying. Not sure if it is hormones, work, weather or the stress of Christmas. I am such a mess if anyone shows me any kindness I just want to cry and tell them everything. I know I have to remain positive and work hard for what I want but sometimes it is so overwhelming.

All the transsexual/transgender in fighting on various blogs has me doubting myself, which I had thought I had put well and truly behind me.

Our Christmas lights are up and look pretty but I have not caught the holiday spirit yet.

Looks like Mother Nature was having a bad day and accidently delivered our weather to Europe. Sorry but feel free to hang on to it for a while.

Now I am sure you tune in for my musical picks as much as my brilliant commentary and as usual I don’t disappoint. Here is a psychobilly version of Devil in Disguise (kind of a Trans tune if you think about it):



Hugs,

April

PS. photo is of a Series II Excalibur, my choice for the ultimate winter car so long as the fur coat and hat come standard.

Agent Smith and Friend

Into the city today for a meeting in full male drag, suit, tie, cashmere overcoat (which I forgot I had). Even my big chunky Russian watch, keeps terrible time but looks cool. Usually I am not so sartorial day to day as our office environment is casual, black jeans, black shirt, black jacket, seeing a pattern here…I like black. First time client meeting so suit required.

Being in a suit is both familiar (takes me back to my banking days) and somewhat alien. The reflection in the mirror was not the image in my head.

Friends have said they can see some changes in my face as the hormones begin to have an effect. I perceived that something was off about my presentation (hair too long, nails too long?) but I doubt I raised any suspicions.

A CD/TS/TG meme is the Matrix red pill, blue pill question. If you could take a pill to make it all go away would you. Too late for me I already swallowed mine but the answer today would be different from what it was two years ago.

Hugs,

April

Here are The Collins Kids with Hot Rod:

Keep Hope Alive

Jeez where to start, there should really be canon of blues songs about the trials and tribulations of trying to survive as a middle class family.

Reviewing my finances on line is really the wrong way to begin a Monday morning. If I keep my foot out of the accelerator I just might have enough gas money to get me to my next pay check.

Had to work last night which adds insult to injury as it costs me to drive in on the weekend. Presentation tomorrow have to wear a suit….guy suit….boooooo

I had a whole lot of other topics to bitch about today but economics has rather taken the wind out of my sails. I need a pep talk; Jessie Jackson’s 1988 presidential slogan keeps popping up in my mind… “Keep hope alive!!” Funny thing is I am a Republican or as much of one as someone living in our Dominion can be.

Hope is so important; it is what makes us get up every morning, to take another breath and to believe we can make the impossible, possible. Depression is like anti-matter, it is the absence of hope. So I keep trying to Keep Hope Alive!

I was able to go out Saturday night, met up with girlfriends Ashley and Marissa and her adult son John. We had a great time at Boston Pizza, it felt very natural and I was not spooked by the crowd. I still don’t make as much eye contact as I do in guy mode but I hold my head up and go where I want to go. Just three women talking about movies, fashion, politics etc….wonderful.

So what did I wear, sweater, pencil skirt, boots, black of course with a gold chain belt.

I honor of my general air of being bummed here is Social Distortion and “Bad Luck”, title sound like a downer but it is a real rave up:

Hugs,

April

On the Couch

Just a minute between filming to jot down some thoughts today. I had a therapy session yesterday evening. I had not been for almost a month but was very glad I was able to find the time.

Prior to dealing with being transsexual I dismissed therapy as something for other people, for people who were weaker and lacked the self will to help themselves.

Needless to say I have changed my opinion, after a series of depressive periods and on the insistence of my wife I sought out help. I know it is not always easy to find someone who knows about Trans issues. I was lucky in that an old friend was a therapist, it was still difficult at first to pick up the phone and tell him why I needed to see him professionally.

The sessions have helped greatly, to accept who I am and to control and reduce my depression. I have learned much about myself beyond being Trans as well.

Of course, if anyone in my neck of the woods (S. Ontario) needs his contact info just ask.

It seems this week has invoked the spirit of the King, no reason to stop now. The remix of “A Little Less Conversation” was a big hit a few years ago, did you ever hear the original from the movie Live A Little, Love A Little? No, well here is it is:




Elvis and a 1968 Imperial convertible what is not to love? And yes I want to be the girl in the white mink.

Hugs,

April

Famous Women I Have Met

Ok don’t get too excited this will be a remarkably short series. Perhaps one or two if I can think of someone else.

Surfing You Tube the other day I came across some old kinescopes of Town Hall Party, a country and western TV show that ran from 1954 to early 1961 on KTTV from the Compton suburb of LA.

The show was remarkable for featuring a number of legendary rockabilly artists such as Gene Vincent, Eddy Cochran, Johnny Cash, The Collins Kids and Wanda Jackson.

Wanda is the undisputed queen of rockabilly with a powerful voice and the only woman to better an Elvis tune (Let’s Have a Party), she also dated him!

I met Ms. Jackson at an outdoor rockabilly show years ago and even got her autograph. Her voice had lost none of the power and she could still make the fringe on her dress move in opposite directions.

Here she is doing Hard Headed Woman, that is Joe Maphis on the double necked guitar.

I hope you will be inspired to look up some more of her hits, make sure you check out Funnel of Love or Fujiyama Mama, mere words cannot do them justice.

Pictured, Wanda, Elvis and pink 55 Cadillac…wow!





Hugs,

April

Prison of My Own Making

I have mentioned before that my job is one I cannot transition at. A small privately held company its policies are solely dictated by the owner.

I firmly believe that outing myself would lead to instant dismissal if not the threat of physical violence. I fear that if I leave and my transition becomes known my reputation will be unmercifully attacked.

I have been complicit in allowing what was initially a dream job becoming a stifling prison. Being Trans aside my job has past its best before date. Time to move on.

Ah but there’s the rub, I have been unable or unwilling to give up the safety of a regular salary and dealing with an industry I love. Between myself and my employer I, have fashioned the very chains that bind me to unhappiness and a continued and unbearable male existence.

I had a break down this week, the stresses overflowed the levees of my male façade and I sobbed in anger and frustration.

I am not so blind to realize that in these difficult economic times a job is a valuable thing and I am grateful to have been employed for a long time. But the time for change is LONG overdue. I need to find the strength to make that change happen.

April

Here is the movie version of Jailhouse Rock: