COMING OUT.

 I was standing in the checkout queue at Checkers, when I overheard the conversation of the two middle aged men in front of me. I didn't hear everything but what I did hear was interesting. The one man was saying his kid came home with a form that needed to be filled in asking whether their child was gay, lesbian, transexual or LGBTQ. Well this is the first time I've heard of this. By the tone of the man's voice, he didn't sound to happy about it. I must admit it is not a subject matter that is discussed openly in most families. Let me try and help you all. Firstly will a teenager easily tell his parents they are gay? I think it is one of the hardest things to do especially if the parents are old school. I can honestly say I never told my parents although my late mother did suspect something. All she said was "I still love you, no matter what". That was a surprise to me. My late father never asked but didn't say anything either. So to me the case was closed. But is it as easy as that? Some parents will disown their children and will kick them out of the house. Why would a parent do that? I've never been a parent but I would never do that to someone who is different to me? Imagine gay parents doing that and disowning their straight children. Doesn't make sense does it? 

BEING GENDERFLUID, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

 I'm not entirely sure how to approach this subject matter, but one thing I know for sure is that I feel I am on the right track. Here is what I already know: "Someone who is fluid -- also called gender fluid -- is a person whose gender identity (the gender they identify with most) is not fixed. It can change over time or from day-to-day. Fluid is a form of gender identity or gender expression, rather than a sexual orientation."

 At the moment I am trying to get my hair to grow out healthily. That could take a while considering my hair is thinning on top. But help is at hand, I have started using ViGro shampoo for thinning hair. My hairdresser says it is very good shampoo, so let's see how this goes. Since starting to use it, 3 weeks down the line I can see results especially on top above my scalp. They say it should take 12 weeks to really see the results. My hair does look thicker than 2 years ago, so I definitely am doing something right! Hair should be washed every 2 to 3 days with the shampoo. Let's see the results at the end of the month.

I need to start being more feminine as I tend to still wonder what people are going to say with a transition of any sorts! Then again I shouldn't be worrying at all, as I have come this far and there is no going back! Looking for hoop earrings that are a bit heavier than what I found at MrP the other day. I need feminine or unisex tops that I can wear so I still have a lot to do.

I will update my progress as often as I can, hoping you will all understand.

I HAVE AN OBSESSION!

 I've said it before and I'll say it again! "I have an obsession with growing my fingernails long!" It's nothing new, as I have been doing it for the past 20 years or so. When I was younger it was taboo for a male to have long fingernails. Well here we are and things have changed. Male make-up artists are wearing make-up and have long painted nails. In my younger days you couldn't express yourself how you wanted! Pink was for girls and blue was for boys.

I am in the process of putting together a short video, showing clips of all color polishes and nail art that I have used over the years. So watch this space. It will be available on YouTube as well.   I need to start doing make-up seriously too as it gives me something new to do. Hopefully 2022 will be the year for me, as I'm starting to write more blog posts. I was neglecting my writing in the past and I used to be so good at it. I can do without a lot of things in life. Manicures, long nails and being feminine are not on that list!

A NEW BEGINNING?

It's time for a change and I need to show my real identity by making drastic changes to my life. No more being afraid what the next person will say or think about me. I have been slowlwly getting them used to my everyday look and it is working. Whilst I was in hospital recently, I walked around the ward with my pink toe nails and no one seemed to bother, not even the nurses or doctors. Lol. Whether the patients in the ward were too sick to notice, I wouldn't know. In 2004/2005 I had my ears pierced and for a while I wore earrings which were not unusually large but noticeable, until I lost one of them. Recently I decided to look for earrings again, as I was told to keep the piercings open, one should wear earrings more often. The only ones I could get that were a bit bigger than the ones I had. Yes hoop earrings so what? I don't care what you think, besides I'm not trying to look masculine or feminine for that matter. For those who want to know where I got them from: they are available at MrPrice for R20! Lol. I am told the Gateway branch has a much larger selection. So let's try these out, and get used to them. I really don't know why jewellery and clothing is catagorized into male and female? If want to wear hoop earrings, I will. For 17 years I have been doing accryllic nail tips, so what else is new? I pierced my ears way back in 2004, so this is not a new thing. It's progress!

LET'S GET 2022 STARTED EARLY

The past two years (2020/2021) have not been easy for millions of people, with this pandemic at large. Whether you beleve it or not, there is something out there causing the deaths of billions. Whether it's everyday influenza or some deady virus (manufactured in a lab somewhere), we should still take precautions as to our health. Here we are, wearing cloth masks and social distancing to slow down the spread of the pandemic. It should be said that wearing a cloth mask does not prevent one from becoming infected, neither does the vaccine. Recently it has been shown that people who recieved their shot still got infected. The best way to stay free from the virus is to avoid crowds and large gatherings, or to stay at home. One can now shop for groceries and meals online, that way you never have to step outside your front door as they get dellivered to you. As far as getting the vaccine it is your choice, like I said earlier the vaccine will not stop you from getting Covid19. With all the different brands of the Covid19 vaccine available, whih is the one that will work? Besides someone like myself who has health issues and is taking chronic medication for high blood pressure, gout, stage 2 diabetes and heart (stent in the artery), will I be putting my health at risk? I have decided not to take it after looking at the facts. When I had the stent put in my artery I was in hospital and had to be tested for Covid. The result came back negative. After my scare with the high pulse rate of my heart, I beleve I've been given a new lease on life. I need to get my personal sexual identity in order. I know who I am but I need to express my self more freely. I'm definitely leaning towards being Genferfluid. For those who don't understand, what does genderfluid mean? "Someone who is fluid -- also called gender fluid -- is a person whose gender identity (the gender they identify with most) is not fixed. It can change over time or from day-to-day. Fluid is a form of gender identity or gender expression, rather than a sexual orientation." Would that desdribe me? Just for the record I am gay, so that is one question answered. I suppose the next step would be "What pronouns would I use?

A LATE TRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL PIANIST, RODERICK PALMER.

Roderick Palmer was the resident pianist at Windermere Centre and entertained the shoppers every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning. He was very popular with the pensioners who used to sit and drink coffee at Fortunes Cafe whilst listening to his music. Roderick had a library of tunes in his head and often took requests. If he knew the song he would play it instantly for you. My favorite was his version of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" which he told me was based on a classical piece. At the drop of a hat, he even played Richard Clayderman. He will be sorely missed and the only pianist I know who could hold a lengthy conversation whilst playing a popular melody. Having known Roderick for a long time, I still miss his greeting every time he was seated at the piano. He knew just about everybody who shopped in the center by name and always had that "special tune" for you every time he saw you. My two songs were "Lily The Pink" and "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which Roderick played for me on request. Exactly a week after Roderick's passing I had a very strange experience whilst doing my laundry at Windermere Centre, I was busy removing my washing from the machine when I heard piano music. It was coming from my phone. I took the phone out of my pocket to see a video of Roderick playing "I just called to say I Love you" by Stevie Wonder. How was that possible? I've heard of these things before, but never experienced it. I had recorded a few videos of Rod's playing on my phone. Was this his way of saying his final goodbye? Roderick Palmer whoever takes over from you as resident pianist has very big shoes to fill. RIP my friend.

I'M BACK AND STILL ALIVE!

It's been awhile since I wrote anything on this blog. I know a lot of you probably think I met my maker or worse yet, sucummbed to Covid19. Well I'm happy to say none of that has happened and I am alive. I'm hoping to change the blog layout and design too, so any suggestioms would be welome. I need to start watching YouTube makeup videos too. What with this excessive locckdown we have been having and not being able to buy products. For six months we were banned from getting our nails done too! Can you believe that? Hair salons were not allowed to operate as well, something to do with social distancing. But here we are in August 2021, being forced to wear masks and life carries on. At least I can now dye my hair pink and get my nails done.

Welll this won't be the last post from me, I just wanted to tell you I'm still around and there is more to come!