Office Space

My office space

Rolling Stone celebrated the 20th anniversary of the film Office Space. I love that film, but had not seen it in awhile, so after reading the Rolling Stone article, I watched it on demand.

Office Space "satirizes the everyday work life of a typical mid-to-late-1990s software company, focusing on a handful of individuals fed up with their jobs." (Source: Wikipedia)

I spent most of my professional career working in an engineering environment just like the one depicted in Office Space. The tall gray cubicles in the film are exactly the same as the ones I occupied during my career and some of the people populating the film's cubicles were very familiar — reminding me of some of my co-workers. I also had a couple of idiot bosses like the one depicted in the film and I definitely tangled with a few uncooperative office machines over the years.

The film has something for everyone who has ever worked in a room full of cubicles. It even has a brief crossdressing moment during the closing credits that I caught for the first time last night.

When the main character Peter Gibbons (played by Ron Livingston) faces possible prison time, his next door neighbor Lawrence (played by Diedrich Bader) tells Peter, "Don't come back wearing a dress."

Wearing Ann Taylor (Source: Ann Taylor)

Dietrich Bader (left) femulates in the 2005 film Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous.

I became my own role model

Vincent McDoom

My mother was my first role model. Growing up, I wanted to be just like her.

I also modeled myself after a long list of tall, beautiful film and television actresses I wanted to emulate.

Then there were my transgender role models... all those gals who were completely open about being trans. I am referring to the likes of Michael/Miqqi Gilbert and Grayson Perry, who are well-known in their respective fields as guys, but occasionally (or often) present as gals and damn the torpedoes. And Vincent McDoom and Vladimir Luxuria, who present as women full-time, but are open about the fact that their sex is male.

I wanted to be just like them when I grew up.

I will be celebrating my 68th birthday in a couple of weeks, so I guess I grew up.

And like my transgender role models, I am open about being trans, I am well-known in my field and I often present as a gal.

I did not realize it until now, but I guess I succeeded in being just like my transgender role models.

Wearing Bergdorf Goodman (Source: New York magazine)

Vladimir Luxuria

Nothing Good

In case you missed it, Payless is closing all its brick and mortar shoe stores in the USA, as well as its online store. (Thank you everyone who e-mailed me with the bad news.)

Payless was my primary shoe store for girl and boy shoes... not so much its brick and mortar stores, but its online store where I could almost always finds sizes not available in person.

Too bad!

And then there was this e-mail I received on Sunday...

I hope you do not mind a little constructive critism.....

IMHO I think you look better with your blond wigs rather than the redish (?) Shown in the recent pix.  I know you have been dieting and have reportedly lost 20+ lbs but I think that you looked MUCH better when had a little more "meat" on your bones. I know you think you look better, but to me, you appear like you have been sick, with very little color in your face, arms and legs; you look a little gaunt and malnourished. 

Your recent weight loss promoted a new wardrobe but to what extreme. I think you looked so MUCH better when you were wearing a size 14 with all that it entails. You mentioned that because of your weight loss, your high heels have become more comfortable for long term wear.....I can appreciate that fact but is it really been worthwhile?

Recently I've lost about 15+ lbs but the only thing that has transpired (to me) is my flabby lower tummy and muffin top have gotten very soft and "jiggly" which resulted in the need for more controlling shapewear. I still wear the same size.....20W ... skirts, dresses and pants. Acquaintances say I've gotten crabby and preoccupied with weight loss.....saying "... it will make me fat". I hope this has not happened to you.  

Anyway.....just my opinion...

I think I'll go back to bed.

I'd wear this! (Source: Rue La La)

Richard O'Brien

Someday Funnies

Wearing Olivia Culpo (Source: US)

Zoe sent me this link to a Japanese television game show where contestants guess if a young woman is really a young woman or a crossdressed young man. (I do not understand Japanese, so I am assuming that is the premise of the show. If someone knows otherwise or has more information about the show, please let me know. Inqueering minds want to know.)

Infectious Affection

Believe it or not, my previous post ("Affection") was inspired by the Boston Red Sox.

Tuesday evening, the MLB Network showed two documentaries back-to-back. The first was about Alex Cora, the manager of the 2018 World Champion Boston Red Sox. The second was about the 1967 American League Champion Boston Red Sox. Being a diehard Red Sox fan since 1958, I opened a can of 'Gansett and sat back to watch both.

I enjoyed both documentaries; they refreshed my memory about two iconic seasons of my favorite team.

Watching the documentaries, one thing that stood out was the contrast in how the players congratulated each other in 1967 and 2018.

In 1967, a handshake or a slap on the back sufficed. There were no hugs or high fives (high fives had not been invented yet). In 2018, high fives, short hugs, very long hugs and even a few kisses were exchanged.

We've come a long way, baby!

Wearing Botkier (Source: Botkier)

Jared Day femulating in the 2005 film Go For Broke 2. 

Affection

Guys shake hands to signify affection between them. But lately, some guys also hug to signify affection. In my case, I was raised to shake hands — hugging was not an option.

When I began socializing as a transwoman, I discovered that transwomen seldom shake hands.
Just as gals have more options when it comes to fashion, gals have more options when it comes to affection and transwomen follow their lead. Gals shake hands, hug, air kiss or kiss kiss to show affection and so do transwomen.

En femme, I have been hugged, air-kissed, kiss-kissed and even French-kissed by one particular transwoman who wanted to have her way with me. The French kiss was a little disconcerting, but I quickly got used to the other signs of affection and usually hug and occasionally air kiss when greeting gals and transwomen. With guys is something different.

When I came out to my ham radio group, I did so by e-mail because the group was scattered across the globe. However, the group met face-to-face twice a year and my coming out e-mail was sent a few weeks before one of our face-to-face meetings so as to prepare the group for my debut en femme.

When we show up at the face-to-face meetings, we greet each other (long time, no see!) Some shake hands, some do not. I was always a hand-shaker en homme, but not so much en femme.

When I showed up for that first face-to-face en femme, I was early and only one guy was present. I went up to him and without thinking about it, I gave him a hug as was my wont en femme when greeting people.

As I unhugged, he remarked, "So this is the way it's going to be."

Now he was a big supporter when I came out and has continued to be, but I did not know how to take his remark.

I'm probably read more into it than there is in it (I always do), but after that remark, I abandoned  hugging and shook hands when greeting guys who knew me as a guy before they knew me as a girl.

There are exceptions, but that is another story.

By the way, I know that the “boys” in the image at the top of the page are not really boys. Rather, they are female models who look boyish enough, at least for the purpose of the message.

Wearing Sail to Sable (Source: Rue La La)

Femulator street-style, circa 1925

My Grammy's Dead

I watched The Godfather on BBC America, while my wife watched the Grammys on CBS.

I don't watch the Grammys for two reasons.

1.  The music passed me by a long time ago.

2.  Although I like to watch awards shows to see what women are wearing, I skip the Grammys because the outfits are so over the top that a transvestite wouldn't be seen dead wearing them.

My wife alerted me when Diana Ross came on. She looked amazing, but she disappointed me by not singing "Baby Love" or one of the other Supremes' hit singles that I lip-synced to when I was a teenager hoping to become the fourth Supreme.

And so it goes.

Wearing Ann Taylor (Source: Ann Taylor)

Students crossdressing on "gender switch day." Guess which one may not be a civilian.

Susan: Out, However Briefly

Susan e-mailed me about her recent jaunt in Los Angeles – her first as a woman. Here is her story.

Last night, I went out among civilians, as you say, for the first time. I'm writing to tell you about it because you were my inspiration for making the move.

So with a professional manicure and a beautiful new boiled wool coat (an absolute steal of a Elie Tahari) to deal with a slight cold snap here in Los Angeles, I set out for a makeover at standalone MAC store some distance from my home.

Given the nature of my neighborhood, I had to leave in mostly covered up guy mode (essentially sans wig) and do some quick change in the dark side of the parking lot. Some jewelry, a bit of lipstick and off to the store. I was amazed at how clandestine I was throughout. I was not happy with the state of my hair which is so important in a presentation. I don't want to have to keep sneaking about changing and applying makeup in parking lots.

As I was driving along at 60 miles an hour, I was sure everyone passing by was noticing my painted nails – how silly!

I had great luck parking right in front of the store. The makeup artist was sweet and professional. She did what I asked – natural, light, age-appropriate. I was not overwhelmed, but it was all that I asked for. I would have preferred pinker lips, but I was so nervous I just wanted to get out of there.

I decided to stop by a women's store on the way home – a place I have visited in guy mode. The saleswomen have always been so helpful and sweet and I just wanted to interact with them en femme.

One recognized me pretty quickly and she was so nice. She loved my coat and said I looked so pretty. I browsed for a very short time. We took each other's hand, said goodbye and off I went into the brrr (LA brrr that is), but so warm in all respects in my new coat. It was dark enough that I drove through my neighborhood right into my garage en femme.

I surprised myself by not taking any pictures to commemorate the event. Surprised too that I was nonplussed by my image. I was just Susan. I was extremely tired – more from the planning, anticipation, etc. So I took off the makeup and relaxed. Glowing, but recognizing that it's hard to live in the dark as I do. I wonder how long I can go without coming out to my spouse. We'll see, as they say.

My point in writing to you is to again acknowledge and thank you for being the inspiration for the event. Thank you, Stana.

Wearing New York & Company (Source: New York & Company)

Rick Hammerly,  Zack Powell and Dezi Bing femulating in a stage production of The Legend of Georgia McBride.

Someday Funnies

Wearing New York & Company (Source: New York & Company)

Bob Gunton femulates on stage in Roza in 1987.
(Bob played the corrupt prison warden in The Shawshank Redemption)

Noted on Tuesday

Here are some follow-up notes regarding my day out at the mall on Tuesday.

Fashion Success Dept.

I was very pleased with my makeup Tuesday. I am finally getting the hang of liquid eyeliner using Avon's True Color SuperExtend liquid pen.

Fashion Failure Dept.

Awhile ago, I stocked up on Kiss stick-on nails that were leftover stock from an affiliated store on Amazon.

I had no problem with the nails until Tuesday morning when a couple of nails popped off shortly after I put them on. I opened a second box of nails to replace the popped nails and the replacements popped off, too. I think the glue on the nails dries out after awhile and lose their holding power. The third box of nails I tried were fine and held on all day long.

After I did my hair Tuesday, I noticed that my eyebrows looked gray, so I had to redo my eyebrows with a darker shade. For years, I used a blond shade of eyebrow pencil. That worked fine when I had blond hair, but now that I am a redhead, the blond eyebrow pencil does not cut it.

These Boots Are Made For Walking Dept.

When I checked my iPhone's Health app, I was surprised that I walked 1.9 miles on Tuesday. Most of that 1.9 miles was at the mall because I did not do much walking otherwise on Tuesday.

My new Christian Siriano Payless "Veronica" kitten-heel boots were very comfortable and served me well walking around the mall, as well as driving to and from the mall. They are one of the most comfortable footwear I own and I highly recommend them, but sadly they are no longer available. (I searched the Internet for other sources and all I could find were black pairs in size 8M on Amazon.)

Wearing Jonathan Simkhai dress and Tibi booties (Source: Intermix)

Nina Chareese, professional femulator

And Ann Taylor

And so I continue from where I left off yesterday entering the Ann Taylor store at the mall, which has been a fashion failure for me in the past. After Katy, the sales rep greeted me, I began perusing the racks looking for the dress that a manikin was modeling. I gave up and asked Katy for help and she said that all they had left was one sized Large.

I thought that it might work, so I took it to the dressing room which Katy had started for me and tried it on. It fit! And it was gorgeous. I stepped out of the dressing room to model it to Katy and she said that the dress went well with my white booties.

I decided to purchase it and since it was long sleeved, I decided to wear it out of the store instead of wearing the short sleeve dress I arrived in; after all it was mid-winter and I had miles to go before I sleep.

There was a 15% discount if you used your Ann Taylor credit card. I did not have an Ann Taylor credit card, but it I signed up for one, I would receive an additional 15% discount. And so I did and that's when I let cat out off the bag.

During the process of signing up for a store credit card, you give them your phone number and Social Security number so they can check your credit and inevitably, your identity is revealed. I assumed this was going to happen, but I did not care that Katy found out that the woman she was waiting on was named "Stan." I only mention this in case you are in the same situation and do care about revealing your identity; in that case, don't sign up for a card.

After Katy bagged my Simply Be dress, I asked her to take my photo in my new dress to feed my blog. She agreed to take my photo and asked me the name of the blog. I told her the name and that it was intended for girls like me. She got it, so here is a shout-out to Katy in case she decided to visit Femulate.org!

I walked the rest of the mall, did some window-shopping, but did not make another purchase. I was getting hungry, so I walked to my favorite restaurant in the mall, Brio Tuscan Grille. Unlike some other restaurants I frequent, I never had a bad or mediocre meal at Brio and my winning streak continued with the chicken marsala I ordered on Tuesday.

My waitress was as charming as can be and another waitress stopped by to say that she loved my "go-go boots." After finishing half my meal, I was full, so I asked the waitress to wrap the remainder, then I paid for my meal and exited the restaurant and the mall.

I arrived home mid-afternoon after thoroughly enjoying my day out.

UPDATE: No Mail

My e-mail service is down. I cannot send or receive e-mails, so if you are waiting for a reply from me, I promise to respond to your e-mails as soon as the service is fixed.

UPDATE: No Mail Workaround

My e-mail service is still down, but I now have a workaround.

Love the coat! (Source: Pinterest)

The boys in the band go girly.