Gennee's Library

Movies, Track & Field, and the Flu

gennee — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 20:34:26 GMT

I've been pretty busy lately. Going to the movies, taking part in some activities at church and other places. Have been negotiating through all the snow (snowed yesterday).

Yesterday, I attended my second track meet of the year. I used to run in high school and junior college. I've followed the sport for years and last my competitive spirit was rekindled. I had the flu for a few days last week but I'm better now.

Film

gennee — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 22:59:47 GMT

Yesterday, I watched the film 'Selma'. It is about Dr. Martin Luther King's march From Selma to Montgomery in Alabama in 1965. It was protesting and securing the rights of black Americans to vote.It was a bloody time in the history of civil rights but finally the voting rights act was passed in 1965. You may be aware of it, but more Republicans than Democrats signed the bill.

Tomorrow I will be participating in a march called #Dream4Justice. I will post about it when it has concluded.

2015

gennee — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 01:17:58 GMT

Happy New Year! I look forward to being more active on this forum in 2015. I admit that I haven't been on here all that much. There's much to talk about because so many changes have come to transgender people. Now I need to focus on the areas I feel are pertinent to us. I look forward to reading your posts and hopefully encourage others to be themselves.

gennee — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 18:14:10 GMT

My life has been going well so far. Have been out with my wife and my sister has returned home after a stint to regain her health. October will be a busy one. I have to get everything written down so I can keep up with everything. Seems that ever since I retired my life has been busier than ever. I wouldn't have it any other way.

A Good Summer

gennee — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:49:24 GMT

Fall is fast approaching. It's been cooler than normal but I'm not complaining.The summer was good and I and my spouse enjoyed ourselves. Reconnected with an old friend living in California. Have another friend out there also. I have a couple of good reasons to visit California now but even if I didn't I would go anyway.

Many people are settling into their fall routines (kids in school, finishing up vacations,etc.). Before you know it Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here. The year seems to fly by so fast. Will post more later.

Things Looking Up

gennee — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 21:48:35 GMT

It's been awhile. I was in a down period from May until mid July. My wife went away for a week in July. I hung around the city and sat in the park or by the river or in quiet places. I was a good time to decompress. I took time off from many activities.

What cleared away the dark cloud was when I watched a woman in a wheelchair leaving church service. I have seen many folks in wheelchairs but this woman caught my attention. As she was being helped into a waiting taxi, I thought that once upon a time she was young, vibrant, ad could go wherever and whenever she pleased. Now she needed just for routine activities like standing. That reminded that there is coming a day when I won't be able to do the things I love or even simple things. I need to stop procrastinating and do the projects that are in front of me.

Since then I've written every day and enjoy life more.

Spring Is Here Finally

gennee — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 22:03:14 GMT

The weather is better now. Told my wife that we will be going more than we did last year. Have a few places in mind too. I will going up to Albany, New York for Equality and Justice Day. You could say that I am an activist now. Will be attending workshops, a rally, meeting legislators and other advocates. Looking forward to it. There are some issues that are important to me and I've decided to become involved.

Busy with Life

gennee — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 20:49:03 GMT

It's been a while since my last post. Life has kept me active. Had a bout of illness in January and my wife was also ill. We're better now. Right now, I'm writing and reading a lot. I'm considering a post as an educator/activist leader in TGLB ministry in our church. I will educate the congregation and others about transgender basics. There are still many people who do not understand what being transgender is about. Even in the gay and lesbian communities this knowledge is lacking. We want to do this in June which coincides with pride month.

Hi There

gennee — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 18:35:28 GMT

Hi everybody. It's been a while. I was dealing with some personal issues but things are fine now. I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Most important, be thankful for all the good things in your life.

It's snowing today, with six inches on the ground. My wife and I are staying in and doing the things we enjoy. Last night we attended an open mic event at a nearby bookstore. There was song, dance, poetry, music, and spoken word. My wife and I have read here in the past. I have written over 100 poems.

As usual this time of year is for me reflection about the year past. There has been some wonderful things that has happened. I'm happy that more people are searching for the real meaning of Christmas.I don't care if I get any presents; I'm just happy to be alive and content.

Active September-Eating and Dancing

gennee — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 01:46:12 GMT

September was an active month for me. I attended the wedding of two gay friends. A reception was held at their home. I never danced so much in m life and paid for it the next day. The following week I attended a retirement dinner for the senior past of my church. We dined at a lovely Italian restaurant in the Bronx. It was a joyous time. Many thanked the pastor for his years of service. I appreciated him for making my wife and I feel welcome when we arrived two years ago.

Summer's End; Fall's Beginning

gennee — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 22:42:47 GMT

Summer is over unofficiallly. Yesterday was a rainy end to a summer that breezed by. I enjoyed this summer being out quite a bit.

Fall happens to be my favorite season. It will be an active fal for me. This month I will be attending a wedding and a retirement party. My granddaughter will be going trick or treating next month. I may cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. Have done so in the past. Can't wait till the leaves change their color. Will take a bunch of pictures too.

Anniversary

gennee — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 01:30:41 GMT

It was eight years ago today that I came out to myself as a crossdresser and transgender person. My life went in nother direction and it get better. the journey has been interesting and challenging at times. I wouldn't change anything that has happened.

A Month Of Pride

gennee — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 01:57:04 GMT

I had a wonderful time at my first prom. I haven't danced that much in years. My wife was on the dance floor all night. There ws a great turnout on a very wet and rainy night.

My wife and I served water to the marcher during the New York City pride parade. There were more groups this year. A number of churches that participated was encouraging. Mercifully, many are seeing the light about TLGB people and I'm very pleased about this.

June brought me out of a dry period in my life. I'm very thankful for what has happened in my life and inthe lives of others.

Spring, Finally. First Prom

gennee — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:36:29 GMT

The weather is becoming more consistent here in the northeast. I have gotten out quite a bit. Next month is pride month and it will be quite busy. I will be going to my first prom along with my spot. It's nearly 50 years late but better late than never.

June is full of graduations and weddings. Pride events here will be going on all over. I have marched in four previous pride parades. Last I helped served the marchers water. I will do the same this year. I have heard in some quarters that pride events have possibly out lived their usefulness but I still believe their some value in them. I would love to see more political action groups instead of so much corporate sponsoring. There are so many topics that need to be discussed and presented to the public.

Recharged

gennee — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:15:16 GMT

I took some time off from posting. I needed it. I'm recharged now. I have been writing much. Putting the final touches on a chapbook which I will self publish. Have written more poems and am considering writing an essay and a short story. I have been writing a lot of poetry also. I read poems by Thomas Merton and Robinson Jeffers. I'm currently reading the works of Dylan Thomas.

The job situation is the same. I attended a seminar where I could make some real money. I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kawasaki. Some of his people came to New York and gave a two hour instruction seminar. I'm seriously considering doing this. I'm near retirement age and have many things I want to do.

As you can see, my life has been full.

Spring And The Possibilities

gennee — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:44:25 GMT

It's spring though it doesn't feel like it. The times hasn't really affected me. I'm look forward to the warm weather so I can get out much more. I'm out all the time anyway but during the summer it's a constant thing. I just enjoy being out and enjoying life.

I can sit in the park all day and enjoy the surroundings. I have been to the museum twice and will do so more. My wife is going on a womens retreat in late April. I'm exploring what I will do that weekend (movie, museum, a quiet dinner alone). I do enjoythe winter but the last couple of years the cold has worn on me (age I guess).

gennee — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:28:56 GMT

This past Monday I returned to downtown Manhattan from a job interview in Staten Island. It was for a osition of a visitor's guide at the 9/11 memorial and museum. On my way uptown I passed by the Freedom Tower. After all these years the events of 9/11 still has an effect on me.

Quiet Moments

gennee — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:45:43 GMT

In those quiet moments, thoughts of where my journey has taken me fill my mind. I'm different and yet I didn't feel any earthshaking experience. This has been the way my journey has gone. I find these quiet moments rather refreshing.

I've always been a quiet and reflective individual. Quiet spaces for me is nirvana. An empty church, park, among nature. These thoughts are clearest when I wake up in the morning. This has been happening with more frequency. From time to time I wonder if my being transgender was the fulfillment of a Native American prophecy.

There are those times I wish that I could travel by foot across the land. As a child I was fascinated by country roads and trails. I wondered where they would lead. Now in my middle years I still have that curiosity. Perhaps my transgender journey is an answer to this desire.

Modeling

gennee — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:27:57 GMT

I have taken up some new activities. I have a radio show and am preparing to self publish a chapbook. The other day I thought about modeling clothes. Yes, modeling! Previously, I had no interest in it other than the clothes the models were dressed in. I do keep up with fashion trends. It's a crazy thought, one of my fantasies. It's quite possible that it could happen (never say never). Smething nice to add to my my resume, if it happens.

Museum Visit

gennee — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:01:34 GMT

Today I went to the Museum of Natural History with the Prime Timers ministry at my church. It's been over a decade since I was last there. I viewed a panorama video about the stars. I got dizzy from all the stars and planets circling on the ceiling. I saw a butterfly collection then a greenhouse full of live butterflies. The place was warm and humid because the butterflies fair better. My wife was about to leave when someone said that she had a butterfly on her shoulder. One lady told here that it was a sign of good luck.

The last thing I saw was the global food culture. There were pictures and videos about foods from different cultures and lands. I was fascinated how food plays a role in some religions. The concern about the effects of global warming and the unequal distribution of food was also discussed. I need to go again and will do so.

Being Creative

gennee — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:48:56 GMT

It's a cold day today. It may not hit the freezing mark today.I have been doing a lot of writing. I'm working on a book of my favorite quotes. There's a lot of them that I like. If someone ask me what are my top five quotes that would be quite a chore. I'm also working on a book of my own personal quotes.
My wife is making a quilt and a bedspread. She also makes dolls with soda cans and pin cushions using tuna cans. We both have been busy.

I'm at the point in my life that I want to do things that I'm passionate about. Even in this economy, I'm seeing some opportunities to do the things that I enjoy. I have always wondered if I could earn some money as a writer. I never had the confidence before. Now, I'm willing to take that chance. It's amazing that the older that I've gotten, the more daring I have become. Go figure.

Active and Moving Ahead

gennee — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:49:01 GMT

Hard to believe that half of January is about over. Such is life. It keep moving forward. With it, there's so much to do. I'm sorting out all the activities I'llbe involved in. I would rather be active doing some thing than sit around doing nothing.

Happy New Year

gennee — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:09:18 GMT

Happy New Year to one and all. A new year to do some things we dream of doing. It's a clean slate. What happened last year cannot be changed. We can begin a new chapter in our lives. Change is never easy. There will be some struggles, pain, frustration, and triumphs. No matter how small a victory is, it's still a move in the right direction.

Every year I set goals rather than make resolutions. I put them on some paper or in a notebook and set about to achieve them. When it is accomplished, I set a new goal. I'm still formulating a list so I will post a few of my goals when it's completed.

Happy 2013.

The Year In Books

gennee — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 02:46:39 GMT

I have read twenty one books this year. I recently completed reading Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poetry book A Far Rockaway of the Heart. Each year I set a goal of reading at least one book per month. I have read as many as four in one month. I already have two books to be read in 2013.

I read two books by Jack Kerouac, Pomes All Sizes and Book of Blues. Keeping in line with my penchant for reading the works of obscure authors, I found Delmore Schwartz (1913-1966) to be a brilliant and tortured writer who struggled with mental illness. His books Screeno and Last and Lost Writings revealed his brilliance as poet and story teller. I read much poetry this year. Thirteen of the twenty one books read were poetry.

In the coming here, I will add biographies, history, and current events to my reading. I read Dante's Inferno which was challenging. I enjoy reading Greek and Latin Poetry and am fascinated with Plato, Heraclitus, Lucretius, and Sappho.

Holiday Greetings

gennee — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 03:53:05 GMT

Wishing a Merry Christmas to all the service men and women all over the world.