It may not always seem obvious, but many of the things we take for granted as normal and accepted were once immoral. Some people still feel that way. Think about the Puritans who colonized this country, or even the extreme Muslims of today. There are some in this country who still hold on to those type of views, but they are now in the minority. Laws have changed, but we are not at the end of the road of equality.

Women still have not reached equality with men. Homosexuals still have not reached equality with heterosexuals. Transgendered people have not reached equality with cisgendered people. Women have come a long way, and that struggle may be less a legal one know, and more a matter of time, generation, and inertia. Homosexuals have come pretty far, but they are still in the middle of legal struggles, and many still view their sexual orientation as immoral.

Religion still influences the beliefs of many people, and depending on their particular religion, transgendered people are people who are as bad as rapists and pedophiles. If this sounds familiar, it's because the same used to be the beliefs of people about homosexuals. How far do we have to go until the average person realizes that transgendered people aren't doing anything immoral? Decades, or maybe never.

For myself, I am just going to try to be honest, so some members of my family will realize that their understanding was wrong. Being open about yourself and true to yourself is not a sin, but living a life you don't feel right with is. My grasp on what is right and wrong is not based on old traditions that often are outdated, but on what's really happening, in every moment. I refuse to waste my life in fear and living against my dreams.

Try to avoid causing harm, treat others as you would want to be treated, and live life to the fullest: don't waste it. That's how I generally see morality and the good life. So why should transgendered people be forlorn?

Tags: family, philosophy, religion, sex, transgendered
Mood: contemplative

I am part of a new community on YouTube! I just posted my first video there, where I talk about some gender related issues that are coming to New York, once I talk to a bunch of people who posted earlier this week. After that, I posted a video as a response from my persona channel, talking about transition updates and Chaz Bono. If you have about 20 minutes, and don't find me talking to be boring, then check them out...

( YouTube Video )

Tags: camcorder, family, news, politics, transgendered, video, vlog
Mood: accomplished

I just found out that my mother has been holding a lot of my savings bonds, purchased from my birth until I became an adult, and all of them are now matured. With all this money, I could pay off my debts, but I can always pay those off in the long term. I am going to go for gender reassignment surgery with Marci Bowers and get this process over with! I think that's the best decision for me right now.

Tags: family, sex, transgendered
Mood: devious

Life is pretty amazing, isn't it?

Happy Labor Day, in remembrance of all those who got us the rights we have, and those who continue to protect the rights of workers.

I'm moved out of Troy and am back in Schenectady for now, but I still have to unpack. All that moving makes me consider lessening my possessions even more, and not bringing furniture from place to place. My cousin Nathan gets a big thank you for borrowing his dad's truck and helping me move my furniture out.

Oswego was warm, and I got to see a good amount of the new campus center. Pete and his roommates gave me a place to stay, and I really enjoyed talking with Pete more than anything this weekend. Tyna's got all her stuff now, so that's good, and I believe she'll have a great final year.

Bowling was a lot of fun, and I plan on doing it again soon. Me and Pete had a fun competition going on. Magic was... interesting. The state fair was really hot, and otherwise just like last year. It's too corporate and crowded, much like the fan expo, but that's not why I went to either event. TNA wrestling put on a great show.

No sign of Curry Man, but it was cool to see my favorites up close and yell things, chant, cheer, boo, and get a Fallen Angel t-shirt and a TNA CD. Then I eventually found my car and drove home. Maybe things won't be so hectic in the near future, but I survived the craziness so far, and I've gained from all my experiences.

Now for some dumb lyrics that describe what a loser I am!

( Our Lady Peace - Sell My Soul )

Tags: family, friends, games, lyrics, sports, wrestling
Mood: tired

This week starts my string of busy weekends. Saturday, I went to a park with Josh and friends, had a BBQ, played Apples to Apples, and some DS. There was much rejoicing, but in a more mature way than in our college days. I notice this more and more, how people mature and gain experience, some in different ways. Sunday is my brother's birthday party, and I'll get to see his new house for the first time. Next weekend is Canada for the Fan Expo in Toronto, probably. The week after that is Syracuse and Oswego for the State Fair and TNA wrestling, moving stuff, and hopefully some time with my STG friends. Busy, yet fun times.

Tags: canada, ds, family, friends, games, stg, wrestling
Mood: sleepy

I saw a sneak preview of SiCKO tonight with my grandma, although I had asked others to go, and nobody was available. I'm glad I got to see it with her, spending some quality time. I think we'll get together again soon to watch more documentaries, which I enjoy doing. I always wanted to spend more time with family and my grandparents.

This movie is the greatest and most important film I've seen. I could feel the emotion building inside, getting coked up at parts, laughing at others. But by the end, I broke down into tears, and had to shield my eyes from the screen for a short time. I was so moved that I had a hard time even talking afterward without breaking down.

The crowed applauded, and there was much to think about. Everyone in the USA needs to see this movie, now. In the mean time, I'm still as dedicated as ever to becoming a Canadian citizen, if not more so. Maybe we can turn this country around, but I just can't wait around until that happens. I need to do the right thing in my life.

Love & Peace!

Tags: family, health, movies, review, sad
Mood: melancholy

I didn't get the Wii, as I expected, but I got some games anyway. Some think they won't release more consoles until December or January, but I'm trying to be optimistic. Nintendo said millions would be out this year, and there surely wasn't millions sold today.

As I was leaving in my car, a stopped jeep decided he wanted to take a right as I was pulling into the right lane, cutting me off. It was wet out, my anti-lock brakes pulsed as I lurched to a stop, and the guy just kept going. I missed him by a few inches, but I wasn't too pissed, until I realized that my brakes were really weak. They still are, and my brake light is on, and the emergency brake doesn't work. I'm going to try and make it to the repair shop tomorrow, but if they can't fix it before I work, I can take a day off, or put my head under my tires. I mean, spend thousands to fix my wonderful car! I guess the loan to get me out of debt, partially caused by my car repairs, will probably be used up on more repairs. Fun fucking times!

So, if I do have any money left after fixing the car, maybe getting the Wii (if I don't get it when my pre-order is in, I might be waiting well into next year), and paying all the bills, I'm ready to go back to life before I set out on my own. I want to go home.

Oh yeah, and I'm getting tired of doing chores and errands for friends and family. I want to help out, but I don't want to be used. So much for my optimism...

FUCK

Tags: family, friends, games, sad, wii
Mood: pissed off

Today was a lonely day where I didn't do anything. Maybe I'll still do something with this weekend, and while I'm at it, with the rest of my days. Friends and family, I miss you, but perhaps I should focus more on myself. Perhaps my life won't amount to much, and it might... if I could be motivated to act. Goodnight.

Tags: family, friends, philosophy, sad
Mood: blah

Moving Tom to Schenectady was a 3 day excursion. Luckily I got to hang out at my friend's house one more time. Going to my aunt's house with Tom and meeting my dad's family was a welcome break. Now I might be getting a 6 week job that pays $15/hr starting next week, but it's a modest 30 minute trip south of my dad's house in Coxsackie. My car is completely off the road right now, and I come to find the e-brake is frozen. Things have been busy!

Tags: family, friends, job
Mood: sore

My little brother (23) got married, the first of my siblings to do so. I only cried at the end of the reception. It's been quite a weekend...

Tags: family, happy
Mood: tired