A Night in the Big Closet

Very hard to get motivated to write at the moment.  I have two subjects to cover, both very positive, and I can't muster the will to write.  Grrrr!  Makes me feel like holding up this wall for a spell...

We had a great TransKentucky meeting on Saturday.  We had a guest presenter: one person, two diverse topics.  Rebecca, a speech pathologist, heads up the Gender Identity Voice and Communication Clinic at the university.  The GIV-CC is one of four such programs in the country, so we are very fortunate to have this here.  The program allows transfolk to work on their voices, mannerisms, movement, in order to blend into society more fluidly.  The program is entering its second year, and reviews are very positive.

So, Rebecca came to talk up the program, but after that discussion, she got out her giant cases of cosmetics and began a makeup tutorial.  She did a complete makeover for Joni, all the while teaching us little tricks and rules.  She has a very quick and dry humor, so I naturally just adore her. 

She then did some impromptu work on a transman who wants to have the look of a beard shadow.  She didn't have the tools she would normally use for that, but she tried something novel, and the results were excellent.  Even Rebecca was surprised, and Benjamin was thrilled.

Questions started in earnest, and a few short demos to illustrate.  Then I made my move.  I walked to the front of the room and asked for a critique on my makeup.  She was complimentary, but decided to talk about my eyes, and the issues with making deep set eyes pop.  It's like she read my mind.  She said I have beautiful green eyes (correct), and wondered about the blueish shadow I was wearing.  I explained that it was gray, but she pointed out that it wasn't gray anymore.  Makeup changes color over time, moves with gravity and secretions.  She cleaned off my shadow and started over.

She darkened my eyebrows just a little with brown shadow, helping to define them.  She thought they were shaped pretty nicely.  Then she used what appeared to be a metallic pink shadow on my lid, and a darker shade in my crease.  I'm unsure about the details (dammit), because I couldn't see my own face during this.  The results, though, said it all.  My eyes have never looked better.

I wish this photo was a better representation of her work.  Sylvia had the presence of mind to suggest a pic, but maybe we should have done one with my eyes closed.  Can't tell a thing here.

Soon after this, I had to wash it all off and change back to pumpkin mode.  Rebecca says that makeup is just dirt.  Colorful, expensive dirt. 

As I was putting my Leslie things away in my car trunk, young Benjamin spoke to me.  "I hope this doesn't offend you, but I think you make a beautiful woman."

"There isn't any situation I can think of where that wouldn't be the nicest thing you could say to me.  Thank you."

Before I left, I made a point of speaking again to Rebecca.  After giving her a hug, I said, "You are a beautiful person, inside and out.  You are doing a great service to this community."  We talked a little about my home situation, and she gave me some encouragement.  A really sweet, talented, caring woman.  We plan to have her back on a regular basis.  There's so much she can teach us.