Christmas Countdown: No Joke

I seem to be writing about nothing but passing recently. Sorry to add another post on this topic but as I have been out and about recently it means I am meeting old acquaintances anew or meeting people for the first time as April.

Thursday morning found me at JPG Exhaust in Oakville getting an estimate on a terrible exhaust leak on the driver's side of my 76 Mark IV. Turned out they could not help as it was a deteriorated manifold gasket and they only touch the pipes back.

A great shop and very pleasant to deal with, they did the custom system on my Corvette and the original dual system on the Lincoln which it still wears over a decade ago.

Anyway I didn't seem to raise any suspicions when I entered the shop. After their inspection they kindly informed me that I would need a mechanic to repair the manifold leak. That would be me I volunteered, I assumed I was passing as this seemed to catch them off guard. You replaced the other manifold gasket yourself!?! Yes I replied, took almost three weeks to loosen all the bolts with penetrating oil. They seemed suitably impressed. We bid each other Merry Christmas (how delightfully unPC) and I left head held high.

Next stop Mississauga to have the Lincoln undercoated and take photos for an article on rust proofing. Again things seemed to go well, however they were expecting a him as I had arranged the photo shoot with the VP at the rust proofing company's head office who I had worked with on other projects over the past few years.

I received a call later in the day from a slightly quizzical VP as to who actually visited his shop earlier in the day. Whoops, I told him it was a long story, that the location had done an outstanding job and that I would send him an e-mail explaining all.

I quickly kicked the children off the Mac and sent my standard coming out/going full time letter. We talked later on the phone, it seems the franchise owner was a little surprised by me and called saying that the the person from the magazine might be transsexual. The VP knowing the franchise owner is also a practical joker responded, oh that can't be (insert my old name here)! Good news is that he now knows and it is not an issue. Offered his support and amazement that I transitioned in such a male dominated industry. Though I don't know I can say I am still in that industry when I am not working full time.

Swung by garage doing safety on the Seville (again greeted by "hi guy"….really not dressed as fancy as yesterday, I mean does he call everyone that?). Bad news is Seville needs new lower ball joints, not expensive but once you add in labour at almost $95 per hour it gets prohibitive, may have no choice but to do myself or postpone. Not a job this girl looks forward to especially if I do it outside!

Made sure I was back on time to pick up oldest daughter and then home to start dinner.

Some more rockabilly Christmas treats and vintage cars doing donuts in the snow!

Christmas Countdown: Mixed Messages

Enjoyable time getting my hair trimmed at DV8 Salon in Niagara Falls, such a cool place and proprietor Ron makes every visit so fun. Terrible drive there rain all the way but at least it was not snow.

Trying to be a good girl, just a coffee and muffin on the way back and no purchases at the big outlet mall despite there being a Coach store.

Staff at the salon were great, compliments on my makeup and appearance. Happy with the look.

On the way back popped into the garage to check on the safety inspection (like an MOT in England) for my 85 Cadillac Seville. Entered the office and came face to face with the owner's wife who used to work with "J" and who I had met on a few occasions.

I am positive she didn't recognize me as she asked my name and which car I was here to pick up. I had talked to the mechanic a few months ago when I was considering buying the car as his garage had done all the maintenance for the previous owner. When I booked it in yesterday he must have wrote up the work order under my male name.

Informed that I was here he emerges from the garage and greets me, "What's up guy?" WTF I mean I hadn't even said boo yet, really do I look so much like my old self I was certainly not dressed as a guy! (see photo). Additionally put out by the fact the car was not ready as being mis gendered.

Here is the Christmas Race by the Refreshments, a band you may know from backing Dave Edmunds (they certainly have his sound) as well as the guys behind the King of the Hill theme. Check out their whole catalog.

PS. Santa if you are reading this I want implants or a white on white Lincoln Mark V with a matching white mink. Thanks in advance April over and out. Oh yeah peace on earth and goodwill yada yada yada

Christmas Countdown: To Heck With Ole Santa Claus

Here is a Christmas tune completely free of schmaltz and even a little risque by Loretta Lynn. Shame it is not heard more in the typical Christmas/MOR radio play lists. Maybe it is in your neck of the woods but a first time for me.

Released in 1966 her Country Christmas album reached number 103 on the Billboard charts. Another great tune to be found on the album is I Won't Decorate Your Christmas Tree….now what did I say about risque.

Off to Niagara Falls tomorrow to get my hair trimmed, bangs too long and spoiling the overall look. Long way to go for a hair cut but if you find someone who knows what they are doing with you it is best to stick with them. In my former persona I went to the same barber for about twenty years, I guess he may be wondering what ever happened to me.

Hugs,

April

Christmas Countdown: A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Parking Lot

Being transsexual means one best be able look at things in a humorous light, the old adage of not knowing whether to laugh or cry is most apt.

Today I met my father for lunch, we had enjoyable chat about his coming (possible) retirement from career number two, getting ready for Christmas and old cars.

In the parking lot saying our goodbyes and standing by our respective vehicles, a large SUV appears and a rather tattooed gentlemen called out nice car (referring to my Lincoln of course) is it yours addressing my dad.

No he yells back across the parking lot, "its his!" I must have made a rather sour face as he quickly corrected himself and said hers. The SUV drivers responds "be careful she won't like that." My dad adds its for sale want to buy it....why does everyone think I have too many cars. I do like money too (and I know where there is a great 79 Mark V Givenchy edition for sale) so I named a price.

By the way I was dressed up, black boots, nylons, skirt, silver blouse and my new to me black fur coat. I had a voice appointment in Toronto that evening and wished to blend with all the other business women on the commuter train.

SUV guy gets out to check out the Lincoln, while I was showing him the custom built 460 my voice betrayed me and he gives me a look and says, the other guy wasn't kidding was he? Adding that he meant no offence, none taken I reply but I will be adding $500 on to the asking price.

Oh well not all meetings can be like the one at church the other day. Here is Ike and Tina for your Christmas listening pleasure.

Christmas Countdown: Florence Ballard

Sunday I went to church, the first time as April. The children were in the nativity pageant and asked that I be there. It is "J's" place of worship and previously I only attended for Easter and Christmas services.

We were both a little uncertain about April making her debut but it went well and neither of us noticed any weird looks. The children's presentation was so cute, Joseph and Mary, wise men, angel, sheppard's and sheep and even hybrid angel sheep.

After the service there was coffee and cookies in the hall, despite not wanting to expose myself any more than I had too the siren call of caffeine won out and I ventured into the gathered multitude.

A few knew about me but most didn't. The children were sitting with friends and "J" was nowhere to be found so I sat down by myself. Within a minute a very nice lady joined me. Had I been there before, hmm a difficult question, I eventually settled on no. We had a conversation about her trips to Italy and Egypt and last minute gift shopping. She even introduced me to "J".

Needless to say I was very happy to have passed and on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

Today's tune is Florence Ballard, the true voice of the Supremes singing Oh Holy Night. Her tough life and mistreatment by Motown lends the song even greater poignancy.

Photos, a) 1965 Supremes in London, love Flo's coat

b) Flo and husband at their home in Detroit with a 68 Eldorado

c) same home, tougher times

Christmas Countdown: I Shot My Baby for Christmas

I hope you are still with me after those Ravonettes posts, "J" told me to stop playing such depressing Christmas music. I have something a little more up tempo but somewhat homicidal as my seasonal offering today.

Lots to do on my Lincoln but too cold to do any work outside. I think I will have to put the Seville on the road as I don't really trust anyone to work on the Mark and break things except for me. I am also a lot cheaper and don't charge extra for screwing things up.

Off to the bank to renegotiate the mortgage today, "J" knew exactly what she wanted so I felt rather useless and was so embarrassed to have to say I had been laid off when the banker asked had my salary changed. Oh yea plus the added stress of meeting someone for the first time as April.

She said don't be depressed you are living the dream, staying at home and watching the children, guess it is all in how you look at it. Nevertheless I still want a new job.

Hugs,

April

Christmas Countdown: Raveonettes

Cold front moved in yesterday.

Anyone who reads this blog know I love the Ravonettes, a Danish duo who combine a fifties/sixties feel with a dark modern sound. They released a four track Christmas EP in 2008, here are my two favourites.

Be warned their music is hypnotic and beautiful but really a bit of a downer (death, suicide, obsession) so make sure you haven't skipped your meds.

What a week, seemed to have escaped injury by a hair's breadth, slipped on the stairs and fell badly into the basement (you should see the bruise on my hip…or not), smashed my head into the sharp corner of the stoves range hood, the Lincoln (and the children and I) were almost hit by an 18 wheeler making a wide turn.

The Ravonettes, Christmas Song is the 2001 version, the 2011 is nice too but a little too precious.

Hugs,

April

(Betty image thanks to http://photobombshell.blogspot.com/)