Some photos of Sarah's uniforms

I just stumbled across a website, maintained by a flight attendant working for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, that showcases many airlines' flight attendant uniforms over the years.

Of course, United is included, and I was glad to see the uniforms from 1988 (my very first flight on United - or any airline for that matter), 1990s to 2001 (Sarah would've worn these at the start of her career), and current uniforms (Sarah wears these today).

Sarah's piece of choice would be the navy blue coatdress, which had visible buttons and a red trim when Sarah first started, but now has white trim and hidden buttons.

Please check the links out below.

Uniform Freak / United Airlines page

Observing brand-new flight attendants

I flew to Indianapolis today, through Chicago, on Sarah's airline. And the flight into Chicago was staffed by new flight attendants with less than a month of experience - though that wasn't revealed until after landing.

It was indeed a troublesome flight. The safety video showcased the features of the Airbus A319, even though I was flying on a Boeing 757. The video stopped halfway, then started again - but this time, it was the Airbus A320, three times. Only on the fifth try did the flight attendants play the correct Boeing 757 track. Once on the way, the audio programming got bungled up, and the entertainment system had to be shut down several times before it worked properly. The purser's announcements were not loud enough, and practically unintelligible, while the cockpit announcements came in crystal clear.

I need to figure out what kinds of inflight mistakes Sarah will make, as a new hire in 1999. Today's flight could offer some clues, though back in 1999, the safety video was a VHS tape, not a DVD. Time to brainstorm more...

For now, I am tired, so I need to rest a bit to prepare for tomorrow's activities in Chicago.

Transamerican Love Story Finale - Spoiler Alert

I finally got to watch the finale, and had some thoughts.

Jim was sent home early, because Calpernia didn't find the chemistry. I personally liked Jim, however, even though he has residual issues that transpeople, including Calpernia and me, tend to carry. I do wish Jim all the best as he plots his life forward - and that he and Calpernia can work together to further the causes of the trans community.

It was Mike who brought the painful reality of religion into play. Mike played up his Christian background, believing that Calpernia, due to her own Christian background, would be drawn to him over atheist Shawn. But it backfired against Mike in the end, since Calpernia rightfully recognized that she would not be able to fit into many of his social functions. Calpernia must have a lot of hurt from being rejected from her own Christian extremist family, and Mike should've recognized that. Religion is always a touchy issue with transpeople.

That leaves Shawn, whose own issues include his own family and friends not quite ready to meet with Calpernia. But it was he who won Calpernia's heart. Here's Shawn's blog of first-hand accounts from the show. Congratulations, and good luck.

Transameriblog

And of course, I've said this numerous times already, but I can't wait for a second season - and this time, it's gonna have to be lesbian-themed.

Bad Questions to Ask a Transsexual

Another project from the fine Calpernia Addams. Please watch!

Calpernia says YouTube will probably feature the video on its front page soon.

I'm hooked!

Not only on Transamerican Love Story (only the finale remains for me), but also on my writing activities.

The two classes I am taking online will keep me very busy, but I am enjoying every bit of them. In fact, I am appreciating the opportunity to go very personal, not only in writing my memoir, but also in writing for social justice.

My writing will be all the better as a result - and now that I picked up the momentum, I want to keep it moving.

More Thoughts on Transamerican Love Story

I wasn't enjoying enough privacy to watch it in peace... so had to wait till now and watch two episodes in a row. I finished Episode 5 - still playing catch-up.

It's just heartbreaking to see all the fights the guys are having, cutting each other down for the littlest things. Jim was certainly getting a live lesson in male psychology (and I know it's not a pretty thing)! When it hit a point where Calpernia herself was breaking down, I knew it was too much.

Mark was the least cooperative and the most combative of the bunch, and I was relieved to see him leave at the end of Episode 5.

I can't wait to find out how the Vegas trip with the suitors' parents, and the finale, unfold. I look forward to a Season 2, with a different transwoman, and hopefully a batch of bachelorettes competing for her. For now, I have to stop watching, if I am to have any meaningful sleep.

Second class comes online

Writing for Social Change is now online at UCLA Extension, and I've logged on and made the first student post.

I've looked at the syllabus, and it's got full of things to do on not only writing, but marketing the writings to an audience. I am even required to submit an assignment where I write from a social cause completely opposite mine; here comes my own Washington Times editorial!

In my self-introduction to the class, I compared my "shut up and obey" Confucio-Christian upbringing to Gayle's "stand up and be heard" upbringing, and hoped that her upbringing and attitude would give me an inspiration. I sincerely hope so.

I will be super-busy taking two classes and working, but I'm looking forward to everything.

Update: A classmate just logged on - turns out to be one of the classmates from my last class with Gayle. And I have a feeling a few other ex-classmates may join again. This will indeed be a very fun class.

Transamerican Love Story: Some Thoughts

To avoid being burned out, I am purposely taking my time watching the episodes. So far, out of the six existing episodes, I've watched the first three. (There is a seventh episode, but it's a recap. The eighth, the finale, airs on the 14th.)

What's drawing me into this show is that it's unlike any transgender-themed television programming I've ever seen. In the past, transgender-themed television programs consisted of either accurate and depressing documentaries (given the hard lives most transpeople live), or inaccurate/even offensive portrayals (There's Something About Miriam, two occasions of Ally McBeal, countless more). But Transamerican Love Story is accurate AND fun.

I've never felt this uplifting around transpeople before; I myself, until now, dreaded hanging out with transgender groups, because the mood would turn all depressing, fast. That's not the case here. Calpernia and Andrea are successful, fun, beautiful women. Most of the men vying for Calpernia are mostly very ordinary, normal men, with a few personality flaws here and there but definitely good men. The men even include a transman, Jim, who is just as ordinary and cool as any other man in the bunch. Speaking of transmen, another transman makes an appearance in Episode 3, as a macho, mean drill sergeant with real Air Force experience, adding another dimension to the trans experience (though Calpernia also did Navy duty herself). Maybe the only exception to the rule is one of the suitors, Blaine, who admitted to running a transgender porn site, and was the first to be eliminated; now, that's a total creep.

But all put together, this series is very uplifting and cheerful yet sensitive and accurate, something no previous trans television show could claim. I am having fun discussing the show on Facebook, and getting to know the people involved - not only other fans, but Calpernia, Andrea, and Jim themselves as well. The people seem to be genuinely enjoying this show.

Which brings it back to me. Now that Transamerican Love Story has reached out and touched me, I need to return the favor to the trans community, in the form of Perfect Girl, which I hope will have a similar effect. Sure, Sarah will have her depressing moments and her hardships, but the goal is to show that transpeople can live ordinary lives - a flight attendant, in Sarah's case (if being a flight attendant can be called ordinary!), married to the woman of her dreams. The key will be not to make things TOO ordinary - it'd be boring!

Something to do later this month...

As I make my way over to the Midwest later this month, I plan on visiting a Unitarian Universalist congregation, maybe within Indianapolis, but most likely in Chicago, in conjunction with some sightseeing there.

It looks like I have an even more compelling reason to visit Chicago. The Second Unitarian Church near Lincoln Park has an LGBT brunch after service every fourth Sunday. I'm in luck, since my visit will be the fourth Sunday of this month, if it goes ahead.

This will be a time when I get to learn some perspectives that bring these LGBTs to the Unitarian Universalist fold, and formulate something for Sarah and Kirsten. Besides, I do want to meet new people - and even get tourist tips for Chicago.

The only issue will be parking, as there is a free garage nearby, but that's only open during worship hours. I'll figure something out.

Second Unitarian Church of Chicago

Calpernia Addams: Mark 947

My interest in Transamerican Love Story has led me deeper into other projects done by Calpernia Addams, and one of them is a book titled Mark 947. I may need to read it soon, since I am in the midst of a memoir class.

The book details Calpernia's upbringing in an extremist Christian household, her attempts to run away through various means (including gift schools and the military), her relationship to Barry Winchell (who paid with his life in 1999 - gotta love the homophobia in the military), and how all the pain in her life only made her stronger.

I took a quick look at the cover, and found that Calpernia's middle name is Sarah. This is too good to be true - a real-life tall redheaded transwoman named Sarah!

Given that my background, though not extreme as Calpernia's, isn't too much different, I will find a suitable time to read the book. It will surely not be a pleasant read, but I will need to read it nevertheless.

Mark 947 (review at Transsexual Road Map)

If you followed Andrea's link here

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Andrea James (of Transamerican Love Story and Transsexual Road Map) has been following my blog, now that I mentioned Transamerican Love Story a few times here. She's posted links to here at Facebook and on her own blog.

This is a sleepy blog, originally meant for brainstorming for my novel, and mentioning transgender topics only because they pertain to my novel. I am very flattered, to have the support of a very successful, high-profile member of Los Angeles's transgender community.

It tells me that one of my objectives of the novel - to re-connect with the transgender community - is happening. Discussing Transamerican Love Story has brought me in touch with many different people, and I hope to let that continue.

This also tells me that I have even more of a moral obligation to continue work on the novel, finish it, and have it published, so that I can make my own contribution to making the trans community better understood.

If you are visiting from one of Andrea's links, welcome! Please check the FAQ section which I just prepared, which talks about the novel, its protagonist, and a bit about me.

Perfect Girl: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions and answers about this blog and the novel it discusses, for first-time visitors.

What is this blog about?
It discusses my novel-in-progress, Perfect Girl, which will be in the form of the memoir of a fictional transgender woman named Sarah Radcliffe. In the meantime, I also try to discuss issues relevant to the novel's topics, including the transgender community, Unitarian Universalism, the aviation industry, and so forth.

Who is Sarah Radcliffe?
She will be the protagonist of the novel. She's a completely fictional character, not based on anyone in particular. Born in 1977, and having lived as a woman since 1995, she comes in contact with the world, as a flight attendant working for United Airlines.

Originally, the story was to be about Kirsten, Sarah's best friend and my alter ego. Sarah was a mere supporting character. But Sarah's story proved to be more compelling for me to tell, and she took over.

Why did you make Sarah a flight attendant, and send her to United?
I've known for a long time that most major US airlines welcome transgender workers, and given my own knowledge of the aviation industry, I thought it wouldn't hurt to write about a flight attendant. Besides, I've actually seen a few transgender flight attendants working for United Airlines.

Another reason for choosing United over other airlines was my own familiarity with the company, as a longtime, frequent customer. Primarily due to my frequent flier account, I do about 90% of my flying with United.

A fictional airline would've worked well too, but I didn't feel up to the task. Moreover, United's financial woes and bankruptcy of early 2000's weave into the storyline pretty well.

Any significance to Sarah's name?
I needed a common name preferred by many transwomen. Sarah fit the bill well enough.

Her middle name, Allyson, is a reference to one of my favorite TV shows, Ally McBeal, especially since the original timeline had called for Sarah to start living as a woman in 1998, the first year of Ally.

The family name, Radcliffe, has no significance, beyond it being the name of Harvard University's female undergraduate division. And no, neither Sarah nor I have links to Harvard in any way.

Now, tell me about Sarah's love flame, Kirsten.
She was the originally intended protagonist. She is my alter ego and shares many traits with me, and I wanted to re-tell the story of my stint in San Francisco in a slightly different way. But Sarah took over - and after having Kirsten languish with little purpose, I re-promoted her to Sarah's love interest.

Why is Sarah a lesbian? Aren't lesbian transwomen rare?
It is believed that over half of white transwomen are lesbians, while they are rarer in heteronormative nonwhite communities. Sarah was supposed to be completely boycrazy at first, but it didn't work out, as I had nothing to write authentically about. After all, in the trans community, I am notorious for my lesbianism, and for putting it before my trans identity.

When will the novel be published?
I haven't even completed the novel, much less looked for publishers and agents. In fact, I threw out most of what I've written over the past 3 years, to focus the story more on Sarah's adulthood and work. But I feel that I have a moral obligation to get this story published eventually. I should have all major pieces by the end of 2008, at least.

What do you want to get out of this project?
I won't make money off of this novel, for sure. I've spent too much on my flashback trips to San Francisco as well as novel classes. For me, what's important is that I am able to re-connect with the trans community, and contribute something to it - objectives that have been very difficult for me to achieve, living in a reactionary suburb. And for the trans community, this novel will hopefully be of benefit, as it tells the story of the lesbian transwoman experience, and hopefully enlighten people enough to prevent a hate crime or a suicide. If I can improve or save even one life with this novel, then I will be happy.

Feel free to leave comments if you have any other questions.

Another trans site

Here's a site that I've known of for a long time, but lost track of recently.

Transsexual Road Map is a wonderful, comprehensive information site for those who are transitioning anywhere on the male-to-female track, as well as those who need information due to the transition of their loved one. It's probably the best trans information site out there today, and has some Los Angeles-specific information as well, which will help me too. Most importantly, all information is available at no cost, though donations are welcome.

Speaking of Los Angeles, the site says it's a great place in general to transition. I would agree to a degree - unless you are from one of the city's numerous homophobic ethnic groups, in which case the whole city can feel like a hellhole. Rumors of your sightings spread through your community like wildfire, and your family/friends will be humiliated. Count me in this category.

The site is run by none other than Andrea James of Deep Stealth Productions, who is also advising her business partner Calpernia Addams in the reality show Transamerican Love Story. In fact, I re-discovered this site from Andrea's Facebook profile (I just befriended her there).

Transsexual Road Map

Class starting up

As previously mentioned, I am taking two online writing courses, both with UCLA Extension.

The memoir structuring/outlining class with Lisa Dale Norton has just been activated, and I just made the class's very first post, in the form of my self-introduction. I went through the syllabus, and it indeed is the class I am looking for - less about writing/workshopping an actual memoir, more about coming up with a proposal for a book-length memoir through a thought-provoking set of exercises. The same exercises should be as equally applicable to Sarah and her fictional life, as they will be to me and my actual life.

I am really glad to be in this class, and looking forward to ten intense and exciting weeks ahead. I hope my enthusiasm will not dampen in the weeks ahead. For now, I will go through the notes and classwork from my previous class with Lisa, which took place way back in Fall 2005 and gave me a 5,000-word memoir. In addition, Lisa will also have a memoiring guide published in August, and I plan on buying a copy.

Next week, the intensity will go up a notch when Writing for Social Change, with Gayle Brandeis, comes online. I will look forward to its structure and exercises when they come alive.

Three airlines fail this week

Three days ago, Aloha Airlines called it quits.

Yesterday, it was ATA.

Skybus, just founded last year, is operating its last flights tonight.

The airline industry is looking desperate again, with three airline failures just this week. I sympathize with the plight of the various employees of the airlines concerned, especially flight attendants, as they pay for the bad business decisions made by their executives.

The key factors appear to be the high fuel prices and the worsening economy. In any case, it feels like a repeat of the early part of this decade, when many airlines went bankrupt, including Sarah's employer United, which came very close to liquidation if I remember correctly. Sarah ended up losing her job. And even though United recovered, and Sarah was eventually recalled, her pension plan was destroyed.

The larger airlines look safe for now, but if high fuel prices and the recession continue, something will give. And the sad truth is that passenger airlines, like passenger railroads, are a money-losing proposition. I wish the airline industry and its rank-and-file employees good luck.

There's Something About Miriam

Before there was Transamerican Love Story, there was a British reality TV show named There's Something About Miriam.

It was a cruel joke, if it could even qualify as a joke. Six men competed for a beautiful Mexican woman named Miriam, who turned out to be not only transgender, but pre-operative as well. This was never disclosed to the contestants until the winner was declared. It got so ugly that the six men threatened lawsuits.

It was universally panned by critics and transgender rights groups, but nevertheless attracted a lot of viewers for the Sky One channel (run by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., thank you).

This makes the eventually nasty feud among the men of Transamerican Love Story rather civil, by comparison. At least they know what they're getting into in Calpernia.

I will still say one thing though. Someone needs to make a reality TV show with a lesbian transwoman as the protagonist!

On the road again

My plans for mid-May visit to DC have been scrapped. However, I have just booked a trip to Indianapolis at the end of this month.

It'll mean more opportunities to observe Sarah's coworkers; I am once again flying her airline. (I'm hoping to fly often enough to qualify as an elite customer.) In addition, while business will consume me during the day, I will be able to work quietly in the evenings, doing work for my two writing classes, doing a few more writing exercises, or reading some reference books.

Indianapolis doesn't seem to offer much for me to see, so I will be spending more time in the hotel room. That may be a good thing for my novel. I do anticipate a day trip to Chicago, however, on the Sunday before business begins; I'll be attending a Unitarian Universalist congregation and doing some sightseeing, filling in holes left behind last May (my last Chicago visit). And since I have a car this time, I might even get out to Elk Grove Village to look at the United Airlines facilities, some of which Sarah will spend time in.

I hope Indianapolis and Chicago will inspire me, like Orlando sort of did.

Transamerican Love Story

I finally downloaded the first six episodes (which have aired so far) and watched the first.

It was too gay male-oriented for my tastes (even though most of the suitors claim to be totally straight), but still fun to watch anyway. And both Calpernia and Andrea are very stunning women!

I will spoil one thing - one of the suitors is a transman, yet to have his genital construction surgery. If legal issues are to kick in, Calpernia's safe bet would be him, since he's the only one she can legally marry under most state laws. But this is about true love, not about legality, so I'll let things unfold.

It was sad to know that Calpernia would never have fourth dates with most men, because the third date is when she reveals her history.

I'll keep watching in any case. But I repeat - a future show must showcase a lesbian transwoman with female suitors!

ENDA in the Senate

Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts has introduced his version of Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the US Senate. Like the House version by Representative Barney Frank (also of Massachusetts), it lacks transgender protections, and is therefore useless.

The elitist gay group Human Rights Campaign is supportive of this measure. Most gay organizations, that have ANY clue to the straight world's homophobia, are opposed.

I'm incensed, and will withhold my pledged donation to the Democrats. Not only that, I will stay home come Election Day, since I am already mad over Barack Obama's continued coddling of a homophobic advisor/minister in his campaign.

The Democrats are, in any case, toothless and useless. This may explain why so many transwomen, including Ann Coulter, are Republicans, even though the Republicans are relying on South Korean slush funds through Reverend Moon to get the LGBTs exterminated.

AP via Yahoo!