ahh yeah, that is one of my favourite priest songs. secon only to pain killer with its soul destroying opening drum beat....

didn't know plant was a dingle!! oh well, no ones perfect.....

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jamie

I hate to rattle on about the sinusititis / neuralgia, but it's been bad this past week.

When I got home from ENT at the beginning of the week, I took my eye off the ball. One has to deny pain of this order its very existence in order to live with it. Even then, I'm losing 5 afternoons out of seven.

I've had a week with the wine and cider (first in two months) to have something of a holiday from the pain, but it catches up and now it's time to psych myself for The Sandyford and the GP on the same day next week. It would be inopportune to ask for painkillers a month ahead of my endo appointment lest they set up interactions...

There'll be another day in bed tomorrow.

I phoned TDP this morning to apologise for not making it Glasgow Pride and I apologise to the rest of those of you who may have been expecting me.

I'm concerned that ENT won't be able to help. The chap I saw trained under an acknowledged pioneer in ENT surgery at Graz and his accent suggests as much. He explained himself with clarity and everything he said concurred with all the research I've undertaken these last few years.

He may be my last hope, but he's not Obi Wan...

At least there's hope: ENT at WSM were so bad I'd sooner trust Wile E Coyote and Acme dynamite to blow the wretched sinuses clear.

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

Just briefly dropped by the forums for the first time ages, scanning a few threads, but I just HAD to comment on your new look - you look amazing. At first I was wondering why you'd put a pic of some other lady as your avatar - big transformation!

Hi Reenie,

I was just checking out your photos on the Before and After Thread. I wanted to say how amazing your transition is between the two photos. I would have said so on that thread, but I didn't want to get involved in what seems to be a very old row going on there. For what it's worth, I don't think it's fair to post an after pic without a before (on that thread). But since you have done I must say seeing the difference only serves to highlight your genuine, feminine appeal!

_________________
"I am wondering
what it will take
for my country to rise
first we admit our mistakes
then we open our eyes" - ani difranco

Thanks Joel

Yesterday at the Sandyford I met Dr John Ewan. I had to give him a potted history of my transition (it's starting to get a little tedious now - there's three years' worth) and I mentioned that Dr Gerber had tried to raise the subject of surgery in our previous meeting.

I'd actually deflected him because I was more concerned about sorting my hormones and the annoyance that was the Western Infirmary.

So I told him I'd like my downstairs plumbing sorted out and that would do. I'm happy with my boobs and that with my new haircut, makeup and glasses, I look like my mum which is what you'd expect if I'd been born a girl in the first place. So no facial surgery either. I told him that I've been presenting in skirt and blouse when I go shopping and no-one gives me a second glance.

"That's the aim of the Real Life Test, surely?" I said, to which he agreed.

He told me that Mr Thomas (the surgeon in Brighton to whom they refer) visits Glasgow twice a year and that he'll arrange for me to see him next time he's in town.

I asked about the GRC and he said it would be best to wait until after surgery as I'd be more likely to be awarded one. That's a good year away, so I suggested that we go for it anyway. He frowned...

"Between such an array of doctors and psychiatrists as are here at the Sandyford and a Cambridge-educated mathematician, you doubt that we can get one past the GRP?" I said.

He rose to the challenge and there will be some paperwork for me to collect in due course. Naturally, his warning hasn't fallen on deaf ears, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.

I've just been to the local square to collect my prescription. There's usually a smattering of neds and jakeys there, but I'm not worried any more. If I look like a 40 year old woman they're not going to hassle me. As if to prove the point, when I went into the pharmacist, the counter was strewn with boxes...

"I'll just move these out of your way, hen." said the lady behind the counter which made me smile. Hen, in these parts, is a term of endearment directed at a woman and it is quite usual as in this instance for an older woman to address a younger one as "hen".

I still have the sinusitis though, so I'm not jumping for joy.

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

_________________
Chrissy
Forums Moderator.

Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
Check out the tzone team bios here: http://www.transgenderzone.com/bio.htm

Good news indeed, Chrissy. I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, if that's not an awkward choice of phrase under the circumstances. Dr Ewan suggested that I might expect a surgery date sometime next year. It would be good if it fell on September 1st. I'd have to call it Fanniversary...

To change the subject, I've been sorting through the latest consignment of belongings that Mum has sent to me. I have spent an hour putting CDs into the CD rack and two shelves are bowing under the weight. That's only half the collection. I have my AC/DC, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Foghat installed. Then there's the Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Thunder, UFO and Whitesnake.

I'm still waiting for Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne and a load of stuff that starts around the middle of the alphabet.

My most precious Ferrari books are installed, including that substantial tome by Hans Tanner and Doug Nye as well as the photography of Rainer Schlegelmilch. The latter has a fantastic photograph of Phil Hill, reigning world champion in 1962, heading into Eau Rouge at Spa Francorchamps.

The Belgian Grand Prix goes again at Spa this weekend, but Phil Hill will not be among the spectators, I have just learned of his passing at the age of 81.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7589125.stm

Phil Hill has made his mark on motorsport history, taking the team that I follow to victory in 1961 in the gorgeous shark-nosed Ferrari. He was an enthusiastic participant in historic meetings and was often at Goodwood.

Kimi Raikkonen needs to win at Spa in order to maintain his challenge for the retention of his title. Let's hope so; it will take the edge off the loss of one of the sport's true gentlemen.

I like Spa. Bus Stop, La Source, Eau Rouge, soaking Ardennes weather... It's a classic. I remember Damon Hill winning in a Jordan there and a very angry Michael Schumacher nursing a three-wheeled Ferrari to the pits before storming to the McLaren pit with a view to giving David Coulthard a hiding.

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

Oh god, another F1 fan!

I take it your a Raikkonen fan? I'm a massive Massa fan myself, always supported him since His Royal Highness Schumacher left.

Me and my brother generally have the view "Anyone but Hamilton"

Spa should be great, always one of the best. I also can't wait for the Singapore night race.

Massa will do just as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed Eddie Irvine's attempt at the title. Schumacher actually derailed this and I can't forgive him that, nor his collisions with Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill. Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi were wonderful.

May the memory of Gilles Villeneuve endure forever.

I enjoyed Hamilton on Top Gear, but not at the races.

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

_________________
Chrissy
Forums Moderator.

Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
Check out the tzone team bios here: http://www.transgenderzone.com/bio.htm

_________________
"I am wondering
what it will take
for my country to rise
first we admit our mistakes
then we open our eyes" - ani difranco

'Course you can, Joel

Give my love to Emma Bar and anyone you know in Sidney Sussex.

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

Grrr. Hamilton, lucky bastard. That was supposed to be Kimi's race. Trust the Belgian weather to rain on my parade.

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

There is a God!

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room