TV Dreams

Please take a look at this project by photographer Sara Davidmann and consider completing the transperspective questionaire - thanks.

We’re all transvestites… “like”. Some interesting comments from the public.

Sorry, it’s been a while. Lots going on on the work and fun front. I’ll try to keep it chronological to make some sort of sense out of it all.

Monday 7th April: Went over to Gemma’s in the morning to have more electrolysis; this time I switched from removing hair on the back of my hands to my stomach. Yes, unfortunately it does grow there, but not for very much longer.

The reason I didn’t finish off my hands is because of my niece’s wedding on 19th April - I didn’t want the tell-tale red spots attracting too much attention, whereas short of me ripping off my shirt in some sort of wild gesture (about what I don’t know) no-one’s any the wiser about the torso. BTW, my partner doesn’t know about this, but I’m only removing hair from non-contencious areas. It’s like this, we argue about most things. I can’t really say they’re the important things in life either. But it’s how we are and I should be used to it by now, but I’m not. Let’s move on. My partner doesn’t mind me removing hair from certain parts of my body, in fact she waxes my back. She doesn’t mind the backs of my hands, and she doesn’t appear to be bothered by me waxing/shaving my stomach. But the chest, legs and lower arms she’s not very happy about. During the winter she puts up with it and in the summer I let it re-grow - other considerations like family holidays. So I’m working on the basis that permanently removing hair she’s not bothered about isn’t going to upset her sensibilities - we’ll see.

Anyhoos, Gemma removed a grand total of 943 hairs in an hour’s session and as of today I still have the tell-tale red spots - they don’t hurt BTW. In case you’re wondering, the machine she uses does actually count each hair zapped. I’m finding it takes about 4 weeks for the red spots to disappear. The reason you get these spots is that hairs have their own blood supply so removing them ruptures their tiny little blood vessels - at least that what I think she said.

Gemma loves what she does, not just electrolysis but also counselling (she has a PhD in psychotherapy, I believe) and transitional mentoring i.e. guiding TSs through their journey to the ‘other’ side - my words. She often works with her clients liaising with relatives and employers and work colleagues to ensure a smooth transition in the workplace and family. I suspect she’s very good at it. I learnt how she coped with her own transition, but that’s a story for her to tell.

Tuesday 8th April: Went out in Nottingham with Jane and Rachel North. Last minute I managed to get hold of Alan, and somebody called Phil turned up too. We picked up Rachel from her hotel in Bingham and drove into Nottingham’s gay area around Huntingdon Street.

Rachel knew of a Tapas Bar nearby, just down the street from the Lord Roberts pub. It was quite busy, but no-one seemed bothered, or paid us much attention other than our waitress who was not only very pretty but also very attentive. Alan and Phil had to sit there while we ate, baecause they hadn’t realised us girls would be eating out - don’t know what went wrong there!

Phil was a bit quiet, but seemed very pleasant, and I’ve known Alan for years and he’s very easy to get on with. He related his family history, which had connections with Prince John no less - well I did say we were in Nottingham!

Unfortunately as I was driving once we got back to Lincoln, I had to make do with a small glass of red wine. :(

After the meal we tried a few bars, but being a Tuesday everywhere was very quiet. In the end Rachel suggested we go to the New Foresters, a lesbian bar, but that too was empty. Alan had to leave about 10:30 so we walked back to the car with him and Phil, said our goodbyes and took Rachel back to her hotel.

It was still gone midnight before we got back to Jane’s place and as we both had work in the morning I didn’t stop for a cuppa. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal even if the rest of the evening was a bit quiet. Still, next time out in Nottingham is going to be a Thursday so things should be a little more lively. :)

I was due to go out in Lincoln with Jane tomorrow, but it’s my youngest’s parent/teachers evening - never mind, we should be in Lincoln in two weeks time.

BBC 3 commissioned a number of hour long dramas (6 I think) with the idea of making two of them into  serials. I’ve only seen two, Being Human and Mrs. Inbetweeny, both of which seemed to get the thumbs up as the two that should be chosen.

Now I could go over the plot but I’m not going to, because that would spoil it if you haven’t seen it yet - it has been repeated several times including last night, twice. And you can read Lynn Jones comments on her blog

Suffice to say I felt the treatment of the part of Emma/Brendan was refreshingly positive and defiant allowing her to come across with all her associated foibles, very human. And I’m sure the ending will strike a note with a number of our community.

But, I feel, more importantly, how did the public view the performance/treatment of the subject - take a look at this forum. Very positive in the main.

And to round off this post, Christine Burns of Press for change interviewed Amelia Bullmore about the part of Emma/Brendan and how she tackled the challenge. For me, the last 4 minutes were the most interesting, but you’ll just have to listen to the interview to find out why. :)

rachel-2

Originally uploaded by rachelw80

I’ve surprised myself on two counts this week.

First, I’ve let a local guy know what I get up to, not a friend as yet but someone I’ve known for a long time.

Secondly, I’m having a local makeup consultant come round to my house to sort out my eyebrows and one or two other things.

Two weeks ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing what I’ve just done. But there is a reason, isn’t there always?

I’ve been getting restless about this notion that I have to creep around locally so muggles don’t know I exist. It’s this same restlessness that’s making it more irksome for me to keep hiding the fact from my daughters that I go out in a frock occasionally.

But sorting out my look has had a profound effect on my outlook. Because I’m feeling so good about it I don’t feel embarrassed about letting people know who this Rachel person is.

Now, touch wood, I’ve had very positive reactions all round. The makeup consultant even commented on my geat bone structure. And whilst I gave her a get out clause - “If you don’t wish to deal with me I won’t expect a reply” her comment was that she embraced diversity and personal preferences and would love to help out, and would totally guarantee absolute discretion. Does it get any better than that?

Because, in my heart of hearts, I believe my daughters wouldn’t have a problem with Rachel I’ve been getting more relaxed about them seeing my shaved areas you know legs chest and arms.

And I’ve even been working on resizing the photoshoot images whilst my eldest came into my office and she never said a word. Of course, I don’t know if she saw the photos or not but I’m guessing she just didn’t twig. But I guess this is all part of me wanting them to know so I don’t have to make excuses for staying away overnight when I go to events like BNO. It just doesn’t seem right, somehow.

So, in the main, I’m feeling very positive about the way things are right now and I’ll let you know how things go with the makeup consultant. :)