Having now totally lost control of my computer at home, due to involuntary testing of most types of virus, some assorted software which likes me so downloaded itself, and a most persistent hijacker taking me to some rather dubious search sites, I have decided to wipe the lot and start again as soon as I get hold of the original programs. However, the nanny at work has apparently conceded that I am not some kind of pervert or whatever, and let me in again, at least temporarily. So here's something I scribbled a couple of weeks ago while waiting for any progress, a process with which I am all too familiar.

Passing in General:

“It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it.”

That’s the way the song goes, and there is a lot of truth in it, whatever you substitute for the word ‘do’. I’ve seen someone literally striding down the high street on a Saturday afternoon, ‘cat on head’ as my friend puts it, too tight miniskirt, too high heels creating the right wiggle but too much wobble, fishnets, tight blouse over very firm boobs up near her chin, and plasterwork even a tradesman would be embarrassed to own up to. All this on a somewhat more mature lady. J

If you are going out, and want to ‘pass’, i.e. remain virtually unnoticed while you pick up the groceries, it's not too hard. I strongly recommend the first thing you do is to go and look around at other women around your age, and see how they are dressed, what make-up they are using (often none, but that is not often an option, as some foundation is usually required as beard cover), and their general demeanour. It will almost certainly not be anything like the OTT description above.

Most places I have been, your average ‘person on the street’ shopper wearing trainers or flats, jeans and a top, below a harassed expression capped by a birds nest.  No need to go that far, but he gear you wore to the party on Saturday night just won’t do either. Somewhere between the two will more often than not achieve the result you desire. Many trans-people seem to feel that they are not Dressed unless they are wearing the most obvious feminine piece of clothing, a skirt. This is no longer true. Trousers (pants, for all you divided by the common language) are now de rigueur for most occasions. At work, in a building of 200+, I reckon it’s over 90%, even during the summer.  Though ours are lighter material, prettier colours and can be different lengths-but no shorts allowed, which may or may not be a good thing.

And who the hell wears heels except on a night out? 1-2" are about right if you are going to be on your feet for any period of time. For instance, shopping, whether it is down to the supermarket for food or a day at the 'mall' or it's equivalent for the latest fashion, it does not require much imagination to realise trainers will do nicely.

So much for the lower half, but what about the top? Real boobs, unless you are a teenager or a model, or full of slicon, do not sit up and beg the male of the species to take notice. Well, any breasts do tend to attract the eye and the conversation, but I think you know what I mean. Gravity exists, and gravity multiplied by time equals a steady decline towards to the waist. This is where a properly fitted brassiere, or 'bra' as it is more commonly known, comes into it's own. The main problem here is they are generally too small. Not around, and you can choose your cup size