Earlier today, I was interviewed by someone from the Chicago Gender Society about my upcoming remount of Trans Form. We were discussing my history, things I feel proud of, things I regret. I said that I wish I’d transitioned earlier, but I’ve been trying to remember a realization of mine: Everyone wishes they had transitioned earlier.
I’ve been told, by trans people in their forties or fifties, that I’m “so lucky” to be able to transition when I am, with the support I have. And that’s absolutely true. But it would have been nice to be able to transition ten years earlier. That’s true, too.
I imagine that, whenever you realize you want to transition, and begin that process – be it at six or sixty – you’re going to say, “If only I’d transitioned earlier!” Because being trans is about realizing something isn’t quite right, and going about fixing it. And even if that something is only wrong for a few months, it’s still wrong.
Continue reading 'If only I’d transitioned earlier'»
A few more Fringe-related stories…
I was walking to a show with one of my stage manegers, Amanda, who I became friendly with. She and I were chatting and I said, “I’m going to gloat for a moment. I feel like, as a trans woman, I can so rarely gloat about being trans. But, well, here goes: peeing standing up is awesome!”
She laughed, and called me a bitch, and we walked on, chatting about the wondrous products that exist for women to do just that. Amanda’s two friends were trailing behind us, and while I felt a little embarrassed having a conversation about peeing standing up while in earshot of them, I didn’t really care. (Hell, they’d be seeing my show later that night!)
Well, I found out from Amanda that, even though I felt like I was having a very ‘out’ conversation, they missed that I was trans! So when they did see my show, they went to Amanda afterwards and said, “The peeing standing up conversation makes so much more sense now!”
Continue reading 'Tales from the Fringe'»
Hello again! Sorry my posting has been so intermittent… weddings and the last day at my fulltime job and, of course, FRINGE! I’m going to try and get back into my regular schedule of writing, and figured I’d first share my experiences from the first annual Chicago Fringe Festival.
'Till next year!
First and foremost: the Fringe Festival was AWESOME! It was great to perform, fun to volunteer, a blast to be able to see other shows, and an all-in-all wonderful experience.
Some Fringe thoughts, in no particular order:
Selling out on Saturday night was really wonderful. The Festival started off rocky for me, because on Tuesday night (the last rehearsal) I was very cranky, unsure if I would ever get off book, exhausted by dealing with technical issues, and at the edge of tears (and occasionally over the edge). Wednesday night (opening) went well, and it was good being able to improve on the show each night. Saturday night was both the strongest show and the largest house, although I finished off Sunday with a really strong show and a good house as well, which was great.
Continue reading 'FRINGE’d'»
From Timeout Chicago:
Rebecca Kling’s 40-minute solo performance begins with her miming her way through her morning routine—shower, makeup and swallowing a comical number of pills. She repeats it over and over, the ritual becoming more and more abstract. The transgender performer’s piece returns to this motif several times, as ritual is one of the show’s defining themes (the title is a reference to the Jewish mourning ritual of sitting shiva, during which a house’s mirrors are covered). Kling’s exploration of her experience as a transgender person and her transition process meanders a bit, and as is so often the danger with the solo-confessional genre, it teeters in places on the edge of navel-gazing. Kling is a charming presence, and she explains her struggle to own her gender identity compellingly. In fact, I wish she’d do more direct connection with the audience. Bits and gags like a “build your own ritual” instructional-video sequence serve to distance us. —Kris Vire
Last night went pretty well. There were some significant technical issues with the video not coming up, but the important chunk of video did play and the rest was fine to ad-lib through (and the audience seemed forgiving). I veered wildly off script at a few points, and could see the stage manager flipping through the script to try and figure out where the hell I was, which was unfortunate. I’m taking time to majorly review my lines before my 4PM show this afternoon.
But it’s opened! The infernal beast is on its way, and I didn’t die (or have to call for lines, or cry on stage, or run out of the theatre screaming, all things I worried I might have to do).
Don’t panic, don’t panic, don’t panic, don’t panic…
Obligatory plug: Uncovering the Mirrors opens tomorrow! Get your tickets today!
In other news, this link has been sitting in my ‘drafts’ folder for a while while. Jezebel had a post on “Boob jobs that don’t involve actual boob jobs,” including
That seems like a reasonable claim to make...
There’s also bras and bra inserts, hypnotism, and “boob slapping.” Good stuff.
Today is my last day of working full-time. As of tomorrow, I will officially enter the world of the freelancer. Ad revenue from this blog sometimes pays for hosting costs (and sometimes doesn’t) so donations are a HUGE help, both in keeping this blog alive and allowing me to work as an artist.
But I don’t like begging and pleading for money. I’ll do it, but I don’t like it. (Did I mention please donate!?!) In an effort to spice things up, I’m going to introduce some donation gifts for people who donate at the following levels:
- $5 – I’ll mail you a show postcard for Uncovering the Mirrors, complete with a personalized greeting
- $15 – I’ll mail you a show poster for Uncovering the Mirrors, and a show postcard
- $35 – Everything from the above levels, and I’ll mail you a DVD of Uncovering the Mirrors (whenever the DVD is done)
- $50 – Everything from the above levels, and I’ll write a blog post about a topic of you choosing
- $100 – Everything from the above levels, and I’ll take you out for coffee or a drink if you’re ever in Chicago
- $500 – Everything from the above levels, and I’ll post a video to this blog thanking you for your donation (or, if you’d rather not be publicly thanked, I’ll do a silly video in your honor)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your donations help make what I do, doable. PLEEEEEEAAAAASSE (please please pretty please) donate.
Please?
Just like this. Except I wasn't vacuuming. Or in a dress. Or in heels. Really, nothing like this at all.
My room opens out to the apartment dining room. One of my roommates has been working from home lately, and he often sets up his laptop and materials on the dining room table.
This morning, I’ve been in a bit of a rush (though I obviously paused long enough to write this post…) and was trying to pay bills while getting dressed. I had my shorts on, but hadn’t gotten around to putting on a shirt or bra, when I realized I needed the tape dispenser from the other room.
You can probably see where this is going.
Forgetting I was topless, I boldly opened my door to my roommate working. At which point I remembered I was topless, helpfully squeaked, “I have no top on!” and retreated to my room.
I’m the classiest.
In my ‘hood of Andersonville.
Down the street
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Earlier today, I was interviewed by someone from the Chicago Gender Society about my upcoming remount of Trans Form. We were discussing my history, things I feel proud of, things I regret. I said that I wish I’d transitioned earlier, but I’ve been trying to remember a realization of mine: Everyone wishes they had transitioned earlier.
Themocracy