Book Review

Me at the North Korean DMZ, the shorts caused an international  incident

Transsexuals are usually portrayed in a very negative light in popular culture, especially in the last century.

I have since a pre-teen been a fan of Clive Cussler and his American "James Bond" character Dirk Pitt. I recently gave my oldest child a copy of his Raise the Titanic.

The novels mostly combine underwater adventure and historic mysteries. Both Cussler and his fictional hero are car collectors and each novel usually features a cool antique car. 

Perhaps the first reference to transsexuality I ever came across was in Cussler's 1975 novel Iceberg. Purchased as in flight entertainment for a trans-atlantic trip to by boarding school the transsexual character certainly got my full attention. You can picture me on a 747 in my school uniform nose buried in the book, eschewing the airline food for a bag of bbq potato chips….still my greatest weakness.

(warning very out dated spoiler alert)

I recently came across the very same copy of that novel and decided to see if my memory was playing tricks on me.  Nope! 

We first meet Kirsti Fyrie, the Icelandic CEO of Fyrie Ltd. She is described as the "loveliest woman north of the sixty-fourth parallel".

Pitt turned, and so did every other male head in the restaurant. She stood in the foyer very tall and very blond, like a fantasy of womanly perfection, incredibly beautiful, as if caught the perfect pose by the lens of a fashion photographer's camera. her statuesque figure was encased in a long violet-coloured dress…

…she walked over to the table , moving with a graceful flowing motion that possessed all the suppleness of a ballerina and more than the suggestion of a natural athlete. By this time all the women in the restaurant were eyeing her with instinctive envy."

Perhaps it would be too much for readers in 1975 but Pitt eventually spurns Ms. Fyrie's advances as she is indirectly responsible for the death of an old friend (she was being blackmailed in her defence). Others have accused this novel of being homophobic and misogynistic. What is surprising is the even handedness and acceptance accorded her status in the novel. :

'That there never was a  sister. That Kristjan died the exact moment you were born?' He shook his head. 'What difference would it make? As Kristjan you weren't willing to accept the sex your body had given you so you undertook sex conversion surgery and became Kirsti. You came into this world transsexual. Your genes crossed you up. You weren't satisfied with the hand nature dealt you so you made a change. What more is there?'

 Too bad I couldn't take a hint!

April

Bend Over I'll Drive

Once again I find myself apologizing for my lack of posts, bad bad girl.

Last Friday was my first meeting with the mediation lawyer for "J" and my separation....no I didn't wear the outfit above! I went with very conservative black skirt, blouse and grey suit.  I left, mildly positive we can work this out without resorting to duelling lawyers and flushing all assets down the can. Next meeting will be the three of us, fingers crossed.

I believe "J" and I are on the same page about the most important things, though the cars may take some debate, but even there we are closer together than I thought previously.

Despite my positive attitude (maybe its just the drugs) I have a nagging feeling I am rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic or perhaps Eva Braun planning her honeymoon.

My writing is going well (two new articles soon to be published)  but my job search sucks like an Electrolux.

OK car stuff, I have a had serious crush on the 71-72 Buick Riviera for years. I once had a 70 Riviera GS and she was fast, the boat-tail has the same 455 mill but a body that looked like a one off prototype.

Now to red line the cool meter my idols Lux and Ivy of the Cramps had a black 72 nicknamed the Devil Bat. That's Ivy in the photo.

Hugs,

April

Who Wears Short Shorts

I have often written that I have been as honest as possible with this blog, to myself and to those reading. Of course there are some things that remain unsaid as they involve the privacy of others or are just too painful.

One of my fears at going full time was the reaction of my neighbours in the traditional suburban community. For many months I was happy to report that acceptance both genuine and polite was forthcoming.

Unfortunately I have since leaned from different sources that my conduct, parenting and presentation have been the subject of criticism. I have waited a few days to write this post as my ire was raised above DEFCON 1 and I did not wish to say anything I would later regret.

The criticism comes from one person in particular. He reported to "J" that I had kissed a friend (MtF) in my driveway with my children around and that when working on my Cadillac I was wearing shorts that showed my private area. He claimed that both he and a sanitation worker collecting recycling witnessed this act of gross indecency and also mentioned the colour of my panties.

I was incredibly mortified to learn of the following accusations. The first is patently untrue, I had simply given a friend going through a tough time a hug. I  consider myself  a heterosexual female and even if it were a kiss it was no one else's frakkin business.

Second the matter of the too short short shorts. After learning of the accusation I went back and tried them on attempting to put myself in every possible position I could have been in. It is certainly true that a sliver of underwear could be seen but NOT any private area, OMG I am trying to get rid of that not show it off!

If I can try and be charitable he might actually believe what he wanted to see instead of just making stuff up.

I can hardly express my anger, as my knee is still giving me pause I had to go for a drive instead of a walk. Yes I did do a nice sliding burnout as I left my subdivision. Not very feminine or grown up but the cathartic effect of 460 cubic inches cannot be denied.

This one goes out to my neighbour:

Hugs,

April

Wixom Valkyrie

Dear constant readers, sorry for my absence. Feeling a bit blue over my prolonged job search, so many resumes sigh. Also twisted my right knee, seem to have really torn something, was almost in tears driving yesterday the pain was so intense.

Doctors appointment in Hamilton today, told to come back in two or three weeks if still in agony. They recommended an MRI but as we have socialized medicine (not really complaining as I didn't have to pay for visit....forgetting our higher tax rates) there is a long wait and it is easier to see if things heal up by themselves.

That's me in the 72 Mark IV, actually I put both the Lincoln and Seville up for sale, but only if price is right. I don't think I could replace them for what I am asking and a good used car even if 40 years old is still worth its weight in gold....or crude oil. Money talks as they say

Part of me wants to simplify and the other can no more part with a car than sell my children to medical science, which I often threaten them with when they misbehave.

Wixom in the title refers to the now closed Ford factory where Lincolns and Thunderbirds were long made.

As I left the medical building parking lot a woman came up and complemented me on the Mark IV Continental and then said I look just like Geena Davis with my blonde hair. Well I will take her word for it. I wonder if she meant as in the movie Earth Girls Are Easy?

A big shout out to the city of my birth, London ( yes I am a cockney) for such a well done Olympic open and closing ceremony. Not really my kind of music but then not much is ;)

Day 7: Baby Blue

My good friend Bill dropped in Sunday for a much appreciated visit. By mid afternoon the rain had stopped and the sun made a dramatic return.

I changed out of my shorts and slipped on a baby blue sun dress I purchased a few weeks ago.  We decided to go for a cruise along the lake shore all the way to Hamilton (stopping to snap a few photos) then a fast run back on the highway hitting 95 mph, would have been over a ton if that silver Volvo wagon wasn't blocking the fast lane.

Later "J" and the girls as well as Bill and I went out for dinner, a great Sunday!

I am so happy to be me.

Day 6: Legs But Does She Know How to use Them?

Best compliment ever...

Grocery shopping for a weekend picnic, zipped into the grocery, shorts and a pink top, white wedge heels. No makeup except eye liner and lipstick.

As I was getting a cart and an other woman came up to me and said wow you have such great legs. I stammered out a thank you. Needless to say I was very flattered and on cloud nine.

another hot day with the sun roof open in the 72 Mark IV

Suburbia rockabilly style

well I had to include this one didn't I

Day 5: Cruz Nite

no this is not my pimps car

Last night made it to the local cruise night as my friend "D" would be there with his amazing 64 Imperial convertible. I already had the Cadillac out as a result of an earlier grocery run, so why not?

The children were supposed to come but they opted to go shopping with "J" this time.

All that was left to do was get myself ready, yes I was a little over dressed but I thought I should match the outre nature of the car, so short skirt and heels.

now that is a steering wheel, careful how you sit, chrome centre bullet can reflect up ladies skirt

chrome inner ring is the horn

Had two proposals of marriage so long I came with the Cadillac.

beautiful night for a top down drive

Later on we met up with Genni for coffee and chatted well into the early morning hours....

Hugs,

April