Losing The Soul

Yesterday I was out with a friend at a flea market. We During one of our conversations we discussed how many neighborhoods are changing. Gentrification is surely changing the way the city looks.Condos, upscale restaurants with overpriced food., banks and drugstores on every corner. Being lost is the mom-and-pop businesses that gave life and personality to a neighborhood.

Everywhere I go, rows of store fronts sitting like empty sepulchers. I am for improving the neighborhood but does everything have to be so sterile? Neighborhoods are becoming less diverse and much more expensive. Everybody looks the same, thinks the same, and live in the same shallow environment. I have not lived in certain places because of this. I like personality and diversity, something that's being lost every day.

I am a lover of the arts, theater, film, and museums. I have long lamented that the average person cannot see a Broadway play because it is cost prohibitive. Seems that the almighty dollar by the greed landlords and developers trump whatever the community has in mind. Kind of sad.  Yes, the neighborhood may look shiny and slick but what does it mean if there is no soul there? If I want to find empty shells, I'll go to the seashore. At least they are beautiful and unique.

Being Authentic

One of the aspects of my life is to be as authentic as I can. When I made the the decision to be open about being transgender, in took into consideration that there would be opposition to the visibility transgender people are getting. I'm pleased that transgender people are taking more control of their situations.

While I haven't encountered any physical attacks, I'm aware that it could happen. I'm not afraid, just aware. The risk one takes by being who they are many. Then again that's what makes life worth living. Over two years ago, I started writing poetry. I started not to prove myself to others but to challenge myself. I have a much better understanding of this genre and the people who write poetry. I have written over a hundred poems. 

Being vulnerable can bring rewards as well as risks. One of the rewards is discovering that you can do things that you never thought you could. It was like that with poetry and now it's advocating for justice causes. I enjoy the moment that I'm in. Stopping to smell the roses keeps me in tune with life.

ENDA Will Be ReIntroduced On Thursday

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is set to be introduced in both chambers of Congress on Thursday, according to multiple sources, but without major changes that were previously under consideration.

The bill will be reintroduced in the House by Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), the most senior openly gay member of the chamber, who’s taking over the legislation now that former Rep. Barney Frank has retired. In the Senate, the legislation will be reintroduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The lawmakers’ offices confirmed they would introduce ENDA concurrently on Thursday.

The Senate version of the bill will have five original sponsors: Merkley and lesbian Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) will be two Democrats, Sens. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) will be two Republicans and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) will round out the quintet.-washingtonblade.com

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/04/23/enda-introduction-set-for-thursday/

This should be interesting, especially if progress is made. 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

There comes a time when we have to put aside our egos and fears and proceed with doing what we know is right.

Protesting, Writing, and Educating

There is a slowdown after all the festivities of Easter. As late April approaches, life is picking up again. It seems that the older I get, the busier I am. I don't mind at all. If I can help someone I will. 

I will be out protesting about some issues important to me. I'm against all these wars. With what happened in Boston, it eerily reminds me of 9/11. The drum beat of war by media pundits and politicians are beginning to sound. I was in the service during the Vietnam War. I just missed going but I saw a fellow soldier a year later who was in my basic training unit. He was really messed up. what's really angering is that there are nearly a million homeless vets that the VA is doing nothing for. People need to be out there protesting.

I'm working on my first chapbook of poems which I may self publish. I already have a title for a future chapbook. I was surprised because thinking of titles has always been difficult for me. Go figure. There are some writing projects that I'm considering. 

With all the events happening I really have to do my homework. Thee's so much misinformation being put out there about everything that I can't take anything for granted. I guess this is part of my unconventional teaching. I do enjoy it. Well, time to get back to it now  

Milestone

I didn't realize that I made 1100 posts. Wow! I never realized that there was a lot to say or comment on. It's been quite a ride. I just pray that others were helped and encouraged.

Week In Review

I experienced two wonderfully warm days on Monday and Tuesday. A taste of summer in early April. By yesterday it was forty degrees cooler. Like I told everyone, that was just a tease.  I finished reading Selected Poems of Thomas Merton. I began reading the last poems of Robinson Jeffers. I'm amazed at the wide variety of styles and viewpoints about a number of topics by the authors.   

I began preparing a manuscript for my first chapbook. I have decided to self publish this one then get a publishing company for the next one. On Friday I moved my radio program to Friday night's at 6 PM. The program, Genevieve's Gems, talks about Godly things from the transgender perspective. I increased it from a half hour to a full hour. The hour went so fast! My wife and I attended a poetry reading event.


Reflecting on some personal aspects, I saw some positive changes in my life. The desire to be more open tops the list.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.


~Author Unknown

Summer Tease

I just have been enjoying the unusually warm weather the past couple of days. Yesterday, it reached 82 degrees.  I was out and about in the city. I arrived at the South Ferry subway station which reopened over a week ago. It was badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

It was the first time that I was in the financial district as Gennee. I got some looks but nothing happened. I visited a few of my old haunts. A couple of them have closed due to the economy. It was just great being out and being myself. 
  

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

In a time of universal deceit-telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

~George Orwell

I'M BACK

I took some time off from posting but now I'm back. I hae been reading, writing, and preparing to participate in upcoming protests. I will be attending a couple of upcoming book fairs, a poetry reading, and an investment seminar. As you can see, I will be pretty busy.

My radio program, Genevieve's Gems, is going well. Tomorrow, I will discuss the whole transgender spectrum. Someone made the suggestion to speak about this. I've been broadcasting for a couple of months now. I've always loved radio and now I have my own program.  

MARCH

MARCH

Trees awaken from winter's slumber.
Silver gray clouds streak cross the blue landscape.
Warm southern winds loosen the grip of winter's chill
March is winter's last hurrah.

Tulips, enchanted by the sun's embrace,
Escape their dark prison
March blasts one last mighty roar
Only to fall silent in spring's serenade.

Taking A Break

I took a break from posting (needed it) but I have been active reading, writing (a lot), and seeing some more journeys that I will take. I have noticed that the backlash against trans people is intense. A bill in Arizona is being considered to jail/fine people if they don't have ID to prove they are the right gender when using public restrooms. On a positive note, South Korea has passed a law stating that trans people do not need to have surgery to change their gender markers.    

Reading much has helped educate me about what is going on. I will respond to some of the events in future posts. I have written a number poems. I'm working on a short story and a prose poem. Looking ahead to April it promises to be an active month for me. I may not post as much but I will keep you up to date on my comings and goings. 

Brought Granddaughter to Church

Today I brought my granddaughter to church for the first time. In the beginning she was overwhelmed because she never been around that many people. In fellowship she began to loosen up. Everybody liked her and she was feeling her oats.

After service, I and another trans woman were asked if we would like to speak at one of our sister churches. We both accepted. I'll let you know the details when they come in.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. 


~Chief Seattle, Leader (1786-1866) 

Freedom Tower

This past Monday, I returned to lower Manhattan from a job interview in Staten Island. It was for a position as a visitors guide at the 9/11 memorial. I passed by the Freedom Tower (above) on my trek uptown. Even after all these years, 9/11 still has an effect on me.

 

TIme To Act

Today I read much news about many issues of the day. Even with all that's going on, it still boils down to whether people can come together and work to resolve those concerns. Egos and personal agendas need to be set aside. 

There is much bickering along ideological lines and belief systems. Through all this, those parties which do not have the people's interest at heart are further entrenching themselves. They are secretly working with federal, state and local officials to pass laws that they create to benefit corporations and not people. I'm currently looking at some future protests in which I can participate.

 Look at the folks in countries like Greece, Spain, and Italy. Unemployment is off the charts. People are eating out of garbage cans, and suicide is on the increase. They are out in the streets challenging the austerity measures put forth by these corrupt politicos and corporate heads. They are challenging the very people who caused this mess.  This is what is needed here in America.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.

~George Bernard Shaw, Dramatist (1856-1950)

Quiet Moments

 In those quiet moments, thoughts of where my journey has taken me fill my mind. I'm different and yet I didn't feel any earthshaking experience. This has been the way my journey has gone. I find these quiet moments rather refreshing.

I've always been a quiet and reflective individual. Quiet spaces for me is nirvana. An empty church, park, among nature. These thoughts are clearest when I wake up in the morning. This has happening with more frequency. From time to time I wonder if my being transgender was the fulfillment of a Native American prophecy.

There are those times I wish that I could travel by foot across the land. As a child I was fascinated by country roads and trails. I wondered where they would lead. Now in my middle years I still have that curiosity. Perhaps my transgender journey is an answer to this desire.

Window Shopping

I had just finished a job interview when I decided to windowship. I crossed the street and entered Payless Shoes. I was like a little girl as I oogled over the many wonderful styles and color-and in my size! I have to wear size 13 in a ladies shoe because I have a wide foot. I saw cream colored low heels, white heels, and aqua blue running shoes. Aqua blue! Right up my alley!