THE FOLLOWING IS AN ANGRY RANT. NO OFFENSE IS MEANT TO ANYONE, SO PLEASE, NO FLAMES?

All the pomp and circumstance is making me violently ill! 30 MILLiON dollars for security and God KNOWS how much for the actual wedding! EVERYWHERE I turn, on TV, in the papers, even on the internet, this thing is wherever I go! Maybe there isn't enough "girl" in me to be able to appreciate the supposed romance and all the preparations, etc, that go into an event like this.

http://www.spearfishlaketales.com/17gm/gm00.htm It's many chapters long, and somewhat drawn out, but it IS from a "mainstream" author, and it seems to be getting some attention from the so-called "straights".

Chapter nine, in particular, should be read by every therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist to familiarize themselves with the particular needs of the trans community.

It's free to read, but the author DOES ask for donations. If you like the story, think about encouraging him to write more like this by tossing a few shekels into his "hat".

Cathy

have been more than a bit busy. In an attempt to obtain a surgery letter from a psychiatrist, I have gone through three hours of shrink, therapist, and social worker. The upshot? No dice. The shrink doesn't feel she has enough expertise to diagnose me, so no joy there. I also found out that the V.A. doesn't even HAVE a psychiatrist in my area who is qualified in T matters! The therapist was more than helpful, but I already have a letter from a therapist.

As of the 18th of April, three days after my birthday, I will be officially and legally, Catherine Linda Michel!!!!! I never thought, for real, that this day would ever come, due to financial restrictions, but it's here, it's real, and I am ecstatic!!!

Yes, there'll be a buncha stuff I'll have to do AFTER the 18th, to change all my identification and stuff, and of course, learn to sign a new name... LOL, but I can already feel a new peace within myself and a renewal of my goal, full SRS. That however, can wait til I can find the funds. This step will suffice until then.

It seems, by caring too much, I've inadvertantly hurt someone. So...from now on, I am staying OUT of other people's lives completely. I'm not answering questions, or offering advice, or anything else remotely like that ever again. In fact, consider this my withdrawal from the "community" et al!

Every fucking time I let my feelings get hold of me and I care too much, I end up with someone being hurt! Well, I'm done. Carry on without me!

Catherine Linda Michel

Please refrain from commenting on this blog, as I will answer none of them.

A somewhat mild one, to be sure, but panic nonetheless. Reality has just come crashing down around my ears, what with the name change now being in the hands of the court and everything else. I've spent the last few days, surrounded by workmen who are doing stuff around the house thats needed done forever, and either none of them have twigged to the fact that I'm not a GG, or they just don't give a damn about it.

My Birth Certificate, the last piece of paperwork needed, is in the hands of my lawyer. All that remains is for me to sign in all the right places, and then the filing of the paperwork and the setting of a court date. Then, the REAL work begins. Changing all my identity papers to my new name. LOL!

Several of our author friends are N.Z. natives, and the recent quake has really left a mess in it's wake. My dear friend Prudence Walker is a Cristchurch resident, and I am very worried about her right now. We haven't co-responded in quite awhile, but I know why, and I understand why we haven't.

Prue, if you read this, know that I'm still out here, and I hope you and yours are okay. I miss you a lot, but, as I said, I know why you had to go silent, and I accept that. My prayers are for you, yours, and all the residents of New Zealand.

Catherine Linda Michel. (used to be Cathy_t_)

A few years ago a story came out, in the SRU universe entitled "Bimbo Bread." The subject matter of the story should be obvious due to the title.

Recently, at our local "superstore/grocery store, I found the real deal! It's pronounced Beem-bo Bread, according to the packaging, but however you pronounce it, it LOOKS the same.

I don't, like, know if it, like has the same effect as the stuff in the story. I've been using it for sandwiches for the last few, you know, days? I haven't noticed any effects yet, fer shuuure, but I'll keep you...ummm. oh, you know, like appraised?

My nephews and niece showed promptly at our agreed time, saw me for the first time as Cathy... and embraced me and told me they love me and accept me!

We went out and ate, re-hashed old times, insulted one another.. good naturedly of course, and just had a wonderful time. They all knew about my transition before this, but had never actually seen Cathy. Now they have, and I have regained some of my family. I had the chance to explain why I am changing, in a way they understood and accepted. THIS is the best Christmas present I could EVER have gotten, and I am so thankful.

and it's not just me. Some friends on another channel, MST3K on justintv to be precise, are also talking about it. CRAP!!!

A pissed off Cathy.

My left eye, which is my primary one, is cloudy and I cannot read without great difficukty. Everything is as if seen through a film of vaseline. My right eye is clear, but cannot read unless the type is VERY large and VERY dark. I don't know what's causing this problem, and I hope it will go away within another day. It's been two days already and if it continues tomorrow, I will seek medical assistance.

http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2006/11/72174

You draw your own conclusions. Discuss.

I'll be traveling up to Buffalo for the observance, along with some others from our local support group. It's being held at:

******12th Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance******

Nov 18 2010 - 7-9pm
Unity Fellowship Church
1420 Main Street
Buffalo, NY

"Trans people are still being killed."
An evening to reflect on our shared humanity of those who have suffered from transphobia, hatred and violence.

Please join us for refreshments and discussion groups after the vigil.

I hope to see many of you Western New Yorkers there.

hugs.
Cathy

I'm retired, mostly due to some health issues. So I'm drawing my Social Security benefits a bit earlier than I would have wanted to, resulting in a lower amount of money a month.

Just for kicks, I went to my V.A. rep and asked about the possibility of being eligible for a military pension, since I served 8 years, 4 more than the minimum enlistment in the Air Force, during the Vietnam conflict. He explained that if one served for more than 90 days in the military, during a period of conflict, one was eligible, depending on one's monthly income.