See me at the LGBT Expo 2015 in NYC

Hello everyone. I know its been a while. I'll be singing and talking about this blog as well as the Straight Crossdressers and Friends Facebook Group. The awesome Appolonia Cruz will be hosting the at the LGBT Expo at the Video Lounge on Saturday February 28th & Sunday March 1st. My friend Frankie will be performing on Saturday and I will be singing on Sunday. After my song i'll sit down with Appolonia and we'll talk about what i'm hoping to accomplish which is acceptance of crossdressers and for people to be non-judgmental about how people, particularly crossdressers. People always assume that because a man wears womens clothing that 1: they want to BE women and 2: they want to date men (same thing for women who wear mens wear). Where both may be true for some people it is not true for everyone. Just because a man wears a dress we should assume nothing but that he likes the particular clothing he's wearing. We shouldn't assume his gender identity OR his sexual preference. We shouldn't assume that of anyone period.

I wonder if I can get anyone to record it for me this year...maybe i'll set up my camera for video again this year.

I've been sick...all year. Been to the doctor and they say its my allergies...Seriously??? My allergies make me feel like i have a really bad cold....which sux. I've been having throat pain and have not been singing for weeks. I think my performance is gonna be as bad as last year...the horror... Whatever. I'll make the best of it.

I do love you all and wish I had more time to post. I post a bit more on the facebook page. Straight Crossdressers and Friends Group (this is a closed group, you have to respond back to the message from one of the 3 admins to be added)
Here is the thing about the group. EVERYONE is screened. I explain the rules a bit and you have to agree to them, mostly to weed out spammers and people who are looking to date same sex as themselves crossdressers because most of the group is straight and hate being hit on by people of the same gender.
We still have our facebook page as well https://www.facebook.com/straightcrossdressers

I love you all and I will be posting more soon.

Pirate Pebbs

Convo with a CD friend #1 of Many

I was talking to one of my Crossdressing friends the other day. We were talking about clothes, dressing, relationships and such. At some point she says,

*”You are very out there, why can't I be someone like that, loyal and honest and don't care [about what others think about you]?’

My Response: It takes a bit of...well...getting over yourself. I got over myself. Embarrassing things are gonna happen, people are gonna not like some things you do. People are gonna try to put you down, question is...how do you feel about you? Do you like what you do? Do you like who you are?

People come and go, you will be with you all of your life. You should take care of the inner you. The inner you wants to be happy. The inner you likes to dress a certain way and act a certain way. The inner you may want to look different every day. The inner you may wanna dress the same way for a week then totally change up. If you're with someone who can't deal with you being you...well...I don't see how making your inner self sad to make someone else happy will keep you happy for too long.

That was spewed out in the middle of the night when my friend was sleep. Later she responded:

“Wow Pebbles, You just broke it down, But you are right.  I see what you are saying, WE are some [of the] good men out there. Just because we want to dress like a woman doesn't mean we want to be with one or be gay or bi or anything like that.”

Me: Nearly all if not all of the CD dudes I chat with are really nice people & really 'good' guys. If a GG wants to be treated 'right' I highly recommend a CD. If the GG can get over themselves maybe they can find happiness in the arms of someone who just Might look better than them occasionally, lol. A lot of people don't get over themselves till they are way old. You don't see (some)old ladies not doing stuff or saying stuff just cause it might be embarrassing... life is too short to dwell on dumb stuff!

Later, We were discussing relationships again and the GG my CD friend is dating.

Me: I wanna say something which may come off pretty... 'guy-ish' and I'm not talkin’ nice guy... Here it goes. If you think she is your One, you should find a way to tell her you like to dress. If she's not...well...are you ready to drop her in a minute if you do find your 'one' who is fine with who you are?

I totally understand companionship. I didn't like being alone [when I was single].

Their response: ‘Well she’s somewhat one, but what is the one?... I'm 35 years old I don't know what to believe in that aspect. I would think the one would have come by now.

Me: So many of my CD/TG friends are with people who don't like a very real part of them...the emotional turmoil they go through because of it is really heartbreaking!

I had a friend show his girlfriend a picture of him en femme to come out to her. She thought he was really cute. They continued to date for a while, eventually they broke up, but not because of his dressing.

I wish I could talk to all the 'girlfriends that don't know' and ease them into the thought of it. CD guys (in my opinion) are just sooooo much easier to deal with than 'regular' guys. You Know what their major quirk is, that secret is gone! If you can deal with that, everything else will be a breeze to get through! And if you tell her & it doesn't work [or she thinks she can’t deal with it], well, you didn't invest TOO much time in a relationship that wouldn't work out in the end anyway

Why is a CD guys so much easier?

Me: More in touch with their feminine side...for example. [Some] Ladies sometimes (or all the times) wanna get their hair/nails etc done, right?

Yes they do.

Me: My ex hubby didn't understand that and to him it was kinda wasted money...his mom had to talk to him about that.

Oh yes we wouldn't mind getting ours done too.

Me: Exactly! No fight no fuss. That's something you can do together! Spa day, hello!

Later we went on to talk about how women may not like to participate in their significant other’s crossdressing. It’s like any other…we’ll say ‘hobby’ for this example. If I dislike something that someone likes to do, that doesn't mean I won't support the person who wants to do it. I may or may not join in on what they like to do. I may or may not be there every time they’re doing whatever it is they’re doing but I’m supportive. If someone I’m with likes table top gaming but I’m not into it. I wouldn’t put them down for it. I might try to play to see if maybe I could get to like it but if I just don’t like to do it myself…it’s just something I don’t like to do. They can continue with it. I might even make snacks to serve to the gamers or hang out and watch/listen to what’s going on.

I hope other people can be like that. If your significant other likes to dress in a way contrary to their gender type, would you be able to support them even if you’re not in to it? Can you help them with their hair and make-up so they can hang with their friends who also like to dress? Will you go to an event with them even though it’s not an event you want to go to all the time just to support them? It’s my hope that sometime soon this will no longer be considered a taboo…maybe even be considered a some-what normal occurrence.

That’s all I have to say for now. I hope you all have a GREAT DAY!!!

I will again be making an appearance at The Original GLBT Expo in NYC this weekend! I will be interviewed in the Video Lounge on Sunday. I’ll Have pictures and my experience from there to share with you soon!

Love,

Pirate Pebbs

*Bold Print (for the most part) is my CD friend’s words.

CD= Crossdresser, GG= Genetic Girl=Cis-Gendered Female=Female who was born female and identifies as female.

Links & filler

I have had an uninspired week. Nothing really to talk about from my life with CDs but I DID read an article that was AWESOME couple. A transvestite & his Wife. A sweet beautiful loving couple in california. They had a write-up in LA Weekly! Below is a link to the article.

Brian and Debbie

I'm pretty sure I read this on another blog about crossdressing. Here are a few links to other pages i frequent (some are crossdresser themed, some are art themed). I'm sure none of the CD blog owners even know this page exists...i'll reach out...eventually...maybe...

http://www.femulate.org/

http://theartoftess.blogspot.com/

http://www.hisblackdress.com/

http://cutelouise.blogspot.com/

http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/

http://artofcute.blogspot.com/

http://keeponcouponing.blogspot.com/

I have at least one interview on the back burner that hopefully I will get to this week. Also a friend & reader of this blog has written an article which will be posted soon as well.

Love Always,

Pirate Pebbs

P.S. I'll be at the GLBT Expo in NYC Next month in the Video Lounge with Appolonia Cruz! Check me out there if you'll be there as well :)

CD Karaoke at Diamonz

This past Friday I went to a Karaoke in the Allentown area at a place called Diamonz where I met some people from the T-Girls United meet-up group. (Before we went I looked up Manila Luzon's NYE Smoky eye make-up tutorial and made up Paula's face) Every 1st friday of the month there is a meet for the gurls up there (though every friday they have karaoke). Paula & I went up there and...well...sat around for a while till Karaoke began. We did have a few drinks first. They had a special on this shot called blue lollypop...or something like that. It was really good. I think i had 2-3 shots. After that I did order a Rum & Ginger ale (something i usually order at the bar I host karaoke at) ...it was one of the worst tasting Rums ever. Whatever brand their well Rum is (bottle looked way generic)...I hate it. I took 2 small sips, separated by a few minutes and could not stand it. I took it back to the counter and asked for just ginger ale. I didn't wanna risk another bad tasting drink. So, yeah, i guess if you go there for mixed drinks, make sure you order name-brand booze.
One thing that i wish i'd have known in advance is that its a bar that allows cigarettes. I am allergic to the smoke and I hadn't taken my allergy medicine that day but, I wasn't gonna leave. It took us 1.5 hours to get there. I figure, i'll deal with sneezing, itchy throat & congestion, whatevs. ...Ok, i thing i didn't think about was how stinky my clothes would be after i left...ah well as well.
Anywho, when karaoke started I pretty much blew them away with my karaoke prowess. (ok, i've been going to karaoke 1-3 times a week for the past 3 years now, so...yeah) I did some of my standard songs that I do well cause...well...ok, when you're at a new joint you need to put your best foot...er...vocal stylings...forward. I sang: Virtual Insanity, She (The Monkees), Hey Ya, Spiderwebs & Just a Girl. I had a lot of other songs in but, from what i heard, karaoke was unusually full that night. Not only was i singing, i was doing my lil semi-coordinated dance-like steps as well. Most everyone else who went up there were quite stiff and did nothing to try to stir up the crowd. Come on people, when you're at karaoke pretend you're a performer, its way more fun that way. Because I performed like I meant it I was well received and got a bit of cheering when they'd call me back up. Paula sang...nothing. Cause Paula doesn't feel comfortable singing in girl mode. I have no pics of me singing. I have no pix from my camera cause I was a lazy bum and didn't feel like taking my camera out. But the girl who is...the host of the event, (not the karaoke host, mind you, the KJ was Paulie. Nice guy) Antoinette, had her camera and took some pix. They're a bit grainy but the're pics. I'll post one of Paula & I at the end of this post. There were other local girls that I had seen on the Meet-Up page at the Bar who I thought were going to be at karaoke so i didn't bug them at the bar...they didn't come to karaoke, so i'll meet them some other time. I did make 2 new friends there though. Antoinette & Eadie (whose name i remember cause it sounds like my favorite ice cream brand Edy's) I wrote down the web address for this blog as well as Jessica Whos for them to peruse. They are both planning on going to the next Raven event which is coming up this Saturday, January 12th 2013. I will post more details about it...maybe tomorrow. The location etc are in earlier posts about Raven if you decide to look back at older posts. I'm tired & ready to sleep.
All in all, I had a fun time. Diamonz is a LGBT establishment. If you don't mind cigarette smoke, this is a nice place to hang out. Their karaoke book is Huge! It says their book is online but you can't access it with a smart phone. The only disadvantage to their book is that it is by song title only, not artist, but my karaoke is by artist not song title. I guess each way has its advantages & disadvantages. I was invited to 'Please come back', so I will go back. Next time I will be prepared, I will take my allergy medicine. I will probably pre-game a bit (Paula doesn't drink, Designated Driver FTW!) and I will wear clothing that I plan on washing the next day...also Coat will stay in the car.

I look forward to seeing some of you next weekend. Bye for Now :)

Pebbles, your Friendly Neighborhood Pirate

NYC GLBT Expo 2012

So I was invited to the Expo by Appolonia Cruz, a popular Drag Queen from the South Beach Florida Drag scene who is also part of the NYC Drag scene, to not only be her Photographer but also talk about my blog. Appolonia had a time slot on Saturday and Sunday in the Video Lounge.

On Saturday I wore my Pirate Pebbs costume. I traveled the trains from Washington Heights to The Jacob Javic Center in the Midtown West area of NYC. Don't worry, I had a body guard, my friend Cisco (singer, writer, actor, playright). Ok, not technically there as my bodyguard, but he was still with me the whole way. I arrived there a bit later than planned, it was St. Patty's Day in NYC so...

Arrived there and put some make-up & fake lashes on and started following Appolonia around and taking pictures. A couple of guys stopped me to have pics with me (i wonder if they thought i was a guy, lol) 

There were a lot of things being given away...mostly condoms...lots and lots of condoms. Mohegan sun was giving away cards & dice with holes drilled in them, There were keychains & beer bottle openers. Cupcakes, stickers, magazines, BEER, chocolate, cheese, tiny bits of wine. Pens, mirror compacs, tote bags, There were photobooths (will post those pics after I scan them). lipgloss, candy, saltwater taffy, hand towels, $20 off zipcar rental...etc.

I took pictures of a lot of performers. New York Cheer cheerleading squad was performing a few of their numbers. There were videos by various glbt persons that were shown in the video lounge. There were a good deal of shirtless men working the beer booth. There were men from a reality show that was shot and is going to air on cable in the fall called 'Mr. Gay World USA'. Lots of hot dudes...who aren't in to chicks (obviously). There were a good deal of Drag Queens as well. Tyra Sanchez was there on Saturday not dressed in drag. I say him at the end of the day and got a few pictures with him. I also photographed my friend with a few Drag Queens that I am not yet familiar with and some other awesome people.

At 4pm Appolonia Cruz started her show at the Video Lounge and I was the first act. I sang 'Lets Go Crazy' by Prince. Then I sat down for an interview where I talked about this blog as well as about Photography and Karaoke. There were other performers and guests that followed. Around the end of that expo day I approached some of the Mr. Gay World USA guys to see if any of them would dance during my friend's performance. They said Yes!!! Made my friend Uber Happy. After the expo I went to have Pizza with Appolonia, Cisco and my new friends Joshua & Ishmael (who helped me write my blog address on the back of my business cards...cause i forgot to print them on them...sometimes i forget important things.)

Sunday I went to brunch with some friends and then they dropped me off at the Expo. This time I had more time to roam with my friend Cisco. We got some photobooth pics taken, went around getting free stuff and took lots more pictures. I saw Manilla perform and took lots of pics. Also took pics of my friend's performance as well as some others performing. Lavari & PVAZ also performed and I have pics of them. I can't remember exactly when. But I have Pictures!  At the end of the day Tyra Sanchez appeared again in full drag!!! Looking like a Black Barbie from the 80's. Think Barbie and the Rockers!! (i am totally showing my age)

All in all I had a blast! Hopefully my readership will go up and I will have more opportunities to get my blog out there and talk about my straight CD-ing Men who deserve respect and love just like everyone else. :D

I'll probably add more eventually.

NYC GLBT Expo Photos

So I went to the NYC GLBT Expo this past weekend as a guest & photographer for Appolonia Cruz. I had a blast! Saw some reallllly hot guys who are not interested in me cause I'm a girl...but they were still friendly to me etc. I took a LOT of pictures which can be found at: photobucket.com/glbt2012

I am tired from a full day of photoediting and uploading, but I will post a pic here of RuPaul Season 2 winner, Tyra Sanchez, and myself from Sunday. I will post more about the expo over the next few days. I really have to get some sleep so I can function at work tomorrow.

Laterz!

NYC GLBT Expo 2012 Appearance

I will be at the expo promoting my blog on Saturday in the Video Lounge with Hostess Appolonia Cruz! I was personally invited by her to promote my blog as well as my photography & karaoke events. Whoot!!! Thank You Appo! I will be there sunday as well when one of my long time friends, Cisco Perez (as he's called now...I knew him as Frankie) will be singing, if I'm not mistaken. I'm planning on doing a song as well. We shall see...

One of my Favorite Queens from RuPaul's Drag Race will be there as well Manilla Luzon!! As well as her partner in drag Sahara Davenport!!!

I plan to take a LOT of pictures. They will be posted at:  photobucket.com/glbt2012

See you soon :)