Hello 
I'm Siobhan Curran/Kisa Naumova, and this is my weblog. I tend to write about stuff like crossdressing, Macs, code, cats, wine and Second Life, but in general it's just an ongoing conversation about all sorts of stuff. If you'd like to know a little bit more about what this all is, I recommend starting on this page which has a little bit of info on who I am, and what I'm trying to do — or you could dive into my five years worth of archives if you like.
Otherwise, feel free to close this box and explore...
Chuffed
Sorry. Basically, what's happened here, is that I've found a really good little spot in the house for natural light, and I'm milking it for all its worth
Bound
Hey, look what I found in the loft 
Escapade
photo tranny red wine featherboa
This is, I feel, very "me"
More of a Vin de Pays D'Photoshop, to be honest 
Mind you if you drink too much you might end up with Sfumato rather than Chiaroscuro
Your loft has much more interesting contents than mine
It also has some frightful things in it 
Things that will Never See The Light Of Day™
Sex Change Referral Letter Generator
"...print this puppy out on some nice card stock, set up a voicemail account for the Doctor, and you just saved your tranny bum and entire years worth of medical costs" — (via Eyebeam Reblog)
Now then, see, I am, of course, completely unqualified to comment on this in any capacity other than a complete outsider who took a curious interest in something that popped into her RSS feeds. I'm also very aware that I'm having a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, taking it completely out of context, to the extent of not actually knowing whether it's in all honesty serious, or if it's a little piece of fun, à la Becky's Tranny License Generator.
But, taking it completely out of context (which is what happens on the internets when blog posts start getting bandied around via links), I can't help but feel that a 'vigilante' approach to healthcare — regardless of whether it applies to SRS or something outside of transgender-related issues, like (say) the MMR vaccine — is a very dangerous path to be going down.
And whilst I realise that the medical provisions for the transgender community are hideously lacking, the process (of which I have utterly no experience of whatsoever) is greatly frustrating and painful — both emotionally and physically, and that I'm even less qualified to make any judgements about the experiences of a system in a country that I don't live in ... I just can't help but feel a little uncomfortable about the idea of encouraging the forging of doctors' letters to side-step a system, rather than actively campaigning to change that system.
Interesting ... It surely cannot be serious.
The link lead me here though; http://etransgender.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1822
BBC News: "Tummy fat 'can grow new breasts'"
Hey... there is hope for me yet — mind you I would be top heavy!!!
Also this made me laugh, quote from the above article: Rajiv Grover of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) — surely its not really called Baaps!
I'm guessing anyone foolish enough to take that thing seriously will find themselves in some fairly hot water...
One thing about bureaucracies: you can't "game" them. They bite back. (Heck, the NJ DMV delights in being nasty even when you're nice to them. Go figure.)
The only thing I find "disturbing" about that nonsense is that some TGer will use it, in the belief that it's okay. Sort of like how some use illicitly-gained drugs for estrogen boosts and the like. If you're capable of that, what's to stop you thinking you can get away with fake referrals, etc?
So it's a bit irresponsible. Unlike Becky's License thing, which is a bit of fun.
Ah well: to each their own. If someone's dim enough to use the referral generator, they're more than capable of serving whatever time the authorities dish up.
Carolyn Ann
Hmm, sounds like that person has put way too much effort into it for it to be seen as a "bit of fun". And, fundamentally, it's not funny.
The scary thing is I get about 1 email a month from people who've taken MY tranny licence generator seriously. And I consider that to be pretty well flagged up as a joke. Even if this is a joke, which is debatable, how many people are going to see it as the real deal?
It's a very worrying thought. This is from the country where they have to print "the wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly" on Superman costumes. It's fairly safe to say that someone will attempt to use it. I just hope they're not dealt with too harshly. 
Does the SuperGirl costume contain the same warning? (If not: I'm so getting one...)
(Although Wonder Woman was my super-hero. Linda Carter, where for art thou?)
Carolyn Ann
Not sure about Supergirl :s If you get one let me know 
they have to print "the wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly" on Superman costumes
Hold on a minute ... is that true? 
Seriously, are you telling me that someone actually (a) was stoopid enough to think that a costume would let them fly, and (b) cretinous enough to try and sue the company that made it?!
(For the record, BTW, I think I'd make a rather good Black Widow based purely on the fact that by the looks of that link, I've got the hair for it )
Here's a thought though ... perhaps all of Transformation's stock should display the following: "Warning. This product will not actually make you look like a girl"
You would, especially this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Black_Widow_%28Ultimate_Avengers-The_Movie%29_001.jpg
here's a thought...
do you think that a trip out to Transformation is some kind of right of passage thing? like walking across hot coals or buying a "right said fred" LP?
Re: Doctor's letter generator — I must admit I giggled at it. I can't imagine anyone taking it that seriously, but...
Unlike the TVEE license, which almost every UK-based adult would recognise the inspiration behind, the letter generator takes that dangerous step towards being just too likely for me to trust everyone will think it's not humourous.
This is, after all, the country that has moved us towards such classics as "Caution, may contain nuts" on packets of peanuts, "Caution, contents may be hot after heating" (I kid you not, and um, what's the POINT if they not hot pray?). It's really hard to imagine anyone actually suing for these things, and any judge supporting the suit if anyone did, but the fact they feel obliged to print the warning says a lot, sadly.
Sorry, didn't mean to rant. Let's hope it was meant for a giggle, and no one tries it on for real.
@Misty — actually, I was thinking this one myself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SECWAR004.jpg
(Yes, I know, deluding myself spectacularly there...)
Festiva
Oh ignore me ... I'm just having some fun
Speaking personally I'd rather be Mystique though I'm not sure what that says about me.
With regard to the Superman comment, that could well be an urban myth, though I'm not totally sure. My fvourite one of those silly warnings is for shirts and says (paraprhased!) "Do not iron whilst wearing"
...is that true?
Whilst I can't speak for the "does not enable you to fly" warning; I've got a windscreen sun-shade from t'other side of t'pond, and printed on the inside of it is "WARNING — Do not drive with Auto-Shade in place. Remove from windshield before starting ignition." in big red letters.
Things To Occupy Your Head Over A Cup Of Hot Chocolate Before You Go To Bed
No. 1: Feet
Feet are great aren't they?
Seriously, I dunno what kind of position you assume when reading the interwebs, but I'm guess it's most likely (a) on your bum, or (b) on your back. Either way (if you can) stand up! And look at your feet!
Isn't that cool? Your centre of gravity is riding high at the moment — probably about two and a half to three feet above the ground, and your feet are keeping you stable.
Unless you're me, of course. In which case youre drunk and falling over, and your feet smell.
I'd say the Superman thing is urban legend. The sunscreen: I've seen them! (Ours are just silvered; we don't need the reminder...)
And the peanut thing is voluntary here; it's because too many kids with peanut allergies were ending up in hospital. (The better supermarkets and brands put it on their labels.)
There was a case in the UK brought by someone a few years ago, against McDonalds for their coffee. the judge did throw it out — I think he said something along the lines you suggested, Alli' Cat'.
Pity about the Supergirl costume. I was ready to file flightplans.
(And my dogs are barking; I've been on them too long. And I see I didn't get all the nail polish off before I headed out this morning. Oh well. )
Carolyn Ann
"Caution, may contain nuts" on packets of peanuts
Of course, the interesting/ironic thing, is that peanuts are not nuts
Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense the fruit of the peanut is a woody, indehiscent legume and not a nut.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut)
McDonalds [...] coffee. the judge did throw it out
And quite rightly so. Their coffee is shit
(Sorry)
mmm ... nice ... I suppose that's Chianti with Chiaroscuro then