Crazy sizing!
Oh fine, lets have an amusing rant tonight. And oh, just to confuse my US readers even more, all sizes quoted are in UK figures, which are different to yours. I think you take 2 off those numbers for US sizing, but dont quote me on that?
Well, 4 weeks from now, I will, in my eyes at least, be officially ancient, as I will have had my 60th Birthday, 2 days before. Given that I will be in Blackpool on my Birthday working (though in 1928 mode, its fair to say), I’ve worked the Birthday meal here to one day later, on the 17th. Yes, I know what date it is, but the only thing green I might drink that day would be a fizzy lime drink!
Given that its one of those rare landmarks, and the fact that I’ve pretty much ignored all of them up to now, I thought I’d go wild, and celebrate with workmates as well. Given events of my birthday weekend, the plan is that will be the previous Saturday, after work, in Bradford. Well, I got asked, do I want a theme to things? And I thought, as long as its not compulsory, why not?
Lets be fair, the robot look isnt going to work in a public restaurant, so the obvious answer was 1920’s, or 30’s style. And yes, 20’s is such a fun era (ignoring Crash at the end) that it works perfectly for a party. No, for some at least, it wont be a prohibition era scenario, lets face it. In truth, I do have a couple of flapper style dresses, but as was the want back then, both are above the knee, which has numerous issues in Yorkshire, in March, mainly the weather! Fine, my knees arent a pretty sight, but…
So anyway, today, I thought I’d take a look for longer length flapper style dresses. I found some really nice ones on Ebay, but they’re dispatched from China, so no guarantee of delivery in 3 weeks! In fact some, they definitely wouldnt! So over to Amazon I go, and unsurprisingly, most flapper dresses are above the knee. Then, lo and behold, some maxi length ones! Yes, even in an XL size! But…some of those advertised as XL equate to a UK Size 12! Thats right, a UK size 10 (US size 8) is regarded as large! Seriously?
Who, me? Well, because I’m Trans, and therefore my waist isnt as tapered as a ‘natural’ woman, I tend to swing between size 14, and 16. But yes, seriously, my issue is some people who see a size 10 as a large! I suspect its because many of these dresses originate out of Asia nowadays, and those women can be tiny, but…?
Anyway, if I can convince myself to buy a dress that I probably wont wear often (a 60 year old flapper, seriously?), this is the one that at least ticks all boxes.
I know, its not expensive, but when you’re only able to work 4 days a week, due to your health, money is tight! I’ll probably do it (will probably get killed if I dont now, lol), but if anyone wants to help…? https://ko-fi.com/merrybrooks I suggest you make a comment that its for the dress, not the meds, if donating! No, wont hold my breath!
Right, video time. What would a large dress do, that was a size 10, if I tried to put it on?
Give A Little Bit
No, dont panic, I’m not expecting you to pay me any money or anything to read this, or even look at the pictures. However, I was sort of collecting at work yesterday for breast cancer charity for doing this, and did consider setting something up for people to donate from here, but seriously, by the time Go Fund Me (or whoever) took their share out of what is likely to be a tiny sum, I cant see any point! However, if the amusement of this leaves you so inclined to do so, then feel free to do so directly to the relevant charity in your Country, they’ll probably get more money that way. If you dont want to do it for your own charity, for whatever reason, then send it to a UK one. If you want to say Harlean sent you lol…?
So yes, yesterday it happened, and I must admit, it was great fun dressing up again, this time as an elf. Oh, photo? Fine…Behave, girl!
Before you ask, 2 donations already, plus 1 more tomorrow, so…if you wish to add? 😉
There were 2 other wonderful people who also got dressed up for the day, so I didnt just have the idea to my(s)elf about this. I’m sure they wont mind me posting this, but if they do, and in years to come, this blog doesnt make sense, you know why!
Will I do it again, given the chance? You bet I will! Seeing theaters, and other media people arent rushing for my services nowadays, it will probably be the only way I do!
As for today, back as a human all day…
In recent months I got a couple of vouchers for various rewards, one for being a clever golf tipster (not mentioned before), and one for the transgender presentation I did for work (mentioned before). But being a practical Yorkshire lass, I hadnt got around to spending them, until today…
Given the old creaking bones nowadays find going out to work hard enough, the thought of going into town looking for things, especially at this time of year holds no appeal for me. So, I was limited to sites I could shop from online, that I could use through my ‘One4All’ reward card. So I looked at a few sites, suitably unimpressed, and then saw TK Maxx was available. So, checking it out, I found this https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/womens-mod-box/coral-floral-lace-bardot-dress/p/15098674 and bought it! Put it this way, I certainly wouldnt buy it at the so called normal price, but at that price, of course I did!
I then went for the work voucher, which I put on Amazon to spend, and had a look around. After much looking, and trying to decide what to do, I ended up taking a different course to plan. I was hoping to find a ‘long’ flapper style dress for about the £25, but no joy. Then again, lets face it, young flappers were looking to show their legs, not hide them! But fine, I’m not young, so…I did find a nice, maxi length one, but it was about £40, so no… In truth, I do own 2 flapper style dresses, both above the knee, and never likely to be worn by me outside of home!
So what did I do, you ask? Well, of course I now know of a second movie that Clara Johnson appeared in, so I’ve added that to my collection. ‘Strike Me Pink’, supposedly starring Eddie Cantor, but for me, featuring a certain Miss Johnson will shortly be winging its way to me. I also went on a silver color clothing hunt, and found a silk skirt, with elasticated waistband, so got that instead. Both wont arrive until New Year, movie from US, skirt from China, but at least I’ve now finally spent the vouchers!
Oh, and the blog title, nothing to do with the charity campaign, and everything to do with some ghastly Amazon adverts! Guess what, the video is that song, only sung decently by original Supertramp member, Roger Hodgson
A flying visit for Thanksgiving?
Firstly, I have to duly thank Stacie for providing me with the inspiration for tonights blog. Without her, I have no idea what you might be getting!
This morning, when I logged into that insanity that is Facebook, I found she’d slipped this onto my timeline, and I just loved it. Yes, seriously, if anyone wants to arrange to deliver me one of these before Thanksgiving (topical), or Christmas, I wont say no!
Please, dont get all technical on me, about it being the wrong model, or whatever, I wouldnt have a clue, just look on it with an amused eye, OK? Or the grammar, which is wrong, but not my fault! Or costs to run it, OK? Yes, I would love one, if it was possible, but thats beside the point. Just look at it in the way, that on a morning when my back was aching ‘a bit’, it cheered me up no end to see it, when I got on Facebook this morning.
Of course, to make it perfect for me, I would also need a classic space suit to wear, or even more fun, a real quality alien body suit (Yes, full body, including head) to wear while flying it. I know, its not an alien space craft, but seriously, that would just be so much fun!
However, for some strange reason, when I look on the Amazon website, its nowhere to be seen! What a let down! Yes, tongue, firmly in cheek, lol! I suspect that if I looked for them on there, I might find a full cover alien bodysuit. I suspect less so for adult women, than children, but I suspect there are some there. Perhaps rashly, I’ve promised her that if I can find a nice one, for about £25, if I get the second reward voucher, that I’ll buy one! Mind, as I would enjoy wearing it, well… 😉
No, if only first one arrives, it will either be a dress (vintage style) or winter boots, but now, if the second one arrives, and I find a decent full body one, well…would be a fun look to model, for sure! No, I dont seriously expect the space craft, but if you’re offering…?
But yes, Stacie, if said craft arrives in time for me to fly there for Thanksgiving dinner, I will be there, as I suspect the flight time would be pretty rapid! And believe me, if an alien costume mysteriously turns up too, I promise to wear it for the flight!
Tonights video is an apt piece of Euro disco, from the late 70’s. Just amuses me to think that if a certain cute chorus line dancer had bee around then, at a young age, it might have been the sort of thing she did!
Well, I guess this makes me a pro?
Firstly, let me go back to events yesterday. Yes, Julia went on stage at York, and from what I’ve seen, was brilliant. Yes, I’ve seen the film via Facebook, cant yet find it on You Tube, so you will just have to take my word on that. Hopefully, at some point…?
Yesterday also ranked as the weirdest day at work I’ve ever done, and given thats a 43 year period, that takes some doing. I did consider whether a very wintry day in the betting shops, where there was 1 greyhound meeting that survived, and we took 12 bets all day might top it, but I doubt it.
Basically, the system was down for the day, so there was a message on the phone system advising prospective callers of this, and advising them to ring back during the week, but we had to have a few of us in, just in case people ignored that, and came through to us, so…I got 1 call all day! Day not wasted though, did lots of my apprenticeship stuff (yes, I know, at 59, but has to be done, so…!), also applied for a pathway course to management in Civil Service as well. Yes, diversity candidates desired. I’m not sure, I’m going to be 61 by the time the course ends, and even if they dont give in on retirement age, I’ll only have 5 years to go, so…But yes, I needed to do something! Did some practice tests, seemed to go OK, but anyway…
The other thing I did, technically, was become a professional performer. Yes, I got ‘paid’ for my presentation last week. Oh fine, technically it was a reward payment for doing it, but yes, I’m an actress with a mischievous sense of humor, so I’m saying that makes me a professional performer. No, I dont expect that to create a rush of offers from Broadway, Hollywood, or even small professional companies, but you never know, lol! Professional speaker on LGBT and Transgender issues, hmm? No, I doubt that very much either!
Oh, my fee? £25, but seriously, thats the first time I’ve been paid to perform, ever! Well, that I remember, anyway…? Treated myself to an Amazon voucher (email version), but have failed to find a controlling robot suit at any price, let alone £25 lol! 😛 Question is, if I find a stylish (ideally full length) flapper, or 30’s style dress, does that count as a business expense for an actress? 😉
Lastly, lets get this mentioned on the right day of the year this time around, its Nancy Carroll’s birthday today. She would have been 114, so you wont be surprised to hear she died over 50 years ago. But…? I have a friend in Australia, named Diane, who uses a picture of Nancy on her Facebook page, which leaves me wondering if…? No, I’m sure she didnt really time travel, just before her death, move to Australia, and…? 😉 All the same, she’s a lover of movies from that era, so…hmm? Yes, she probably will kill me for this, or would if we werent on opposite sides of the world!
Lets see, video time. Well Nancy Carroll was a fine dancer, as was my past life self, Clara Johnson. Indeed, they may well have worked together, who knows? Thing is, last year, I used the best video of Diane, sorry, Nancy dancing, and its possible Miss Johnson was there too. So lets do something different tonight instead. This was a hit in the 1970’s, recorded live at the start of this year. Very good it is too, and its what both young ladies did
The Commercial Break
Oh please, dont just pass on by, its not like I inflict lots of ads for my stuff on you. Besides which, doing it this way, you still get 2 more blogs this weekend, which wont be adverts for my new book!
Yes, I’ve been writing again, and this time, its something a little bit different. No light and fluffy here, though fine, the ending is pretty sweet, all the same. But just gets a bit grittier, and thought provoking along the way.
Oh, right, the link. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/667260 is where you need to go. Yes, it is also up at Amazon, and will be up at Barnes And Noble, and a few other places soon, but at the moment, its just those two, and Kobo, so…Yes, fine, I’ll admit it, Smashwords pay far better commission than Amazon, which is why I’m featuring them. But if you love Amazon, just go there, search on Merry Brooks, and you’ll find it there too.
Yes, as mentioned, this isnt your sort of cute story that ‘Miss Brooks’ has written before, because it tackles a subject that interests, and intrigues me, but has the same effect on people as Marmite, seemingly you love it, or hate it, only in this case, it seems more fall into the latter. So, my positive look at ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy) is going to annoy some folk, for sure! Hopefully some will agree with me though. As to the modern style of treatment, its very different to what you see in the movies! Best example I can come up with, is this one. I know, its in Dutch, but I cant do everything. Let me make a film in English, with me as the patient, and I’ll do it, willingly!
I know what you might be saying, she’s putting forward a positive case for it, but if she had to have it herself… Sorry, I would, happily, though fine, ideally, at first at least, I might prefer a lower voltage passing through my mind than a standard treatment, but if that was the only choice, then yes, I would, definitely! In fact, if anyone is offering…?
Anyway, the story, though you can read it in the synopsis on the link, a quick resume. Susan is a great believer in method acting, and likes to know how her roles would react to events. So when she is offered the chance to play a wealthy lady, whose children want her out of the way, in a psychiatric unit, while they blow her money, she needs to find out what that would be like, for real. And fine, because the children dont want her out too soon, they plan on getting her ‘treated’ in a way that will keep her there for a while. So, a stay is booked, though Susan plans to avoid the treatment, but…
Yes, its a role, yes, its fiction, and no actresses were harmed in the making of this story lol! Fine, I wouldnt mind being ‘harmed’ that way, but anyway…
So yes, if you want to make me happy, go give the book a try. Better, buy it, its only $2.99, and you have no idea how good it is to see your books sell a few copies. If not for you, go check out my other books, and maybe buy one of those instead?
OK, publicity moment over, which means its time for the video! Or tonight, two videos! Yes, same group, same song, so take your pick. Firstly, the original video
Then, a recent live performance, which proves that they can still do it live, about 40 years later!
Yes, you like the name of the group, which is why I used it? An amazing pair of brothers, it has to be said.
Me, and Miss Johnson
Sorry, if anyone thinks this is an admittance of a secret lesbian relationship, or anything, you’re going to be disappointed. Despite the seeming admiration of a certain man, who doesnt know me well enough, this is not a blog about relationships, or anything. Well, not unless I’m having a relationship with myself, as the Miss Johnson I’m talking about, is Clara, my past life self!
When we sought her out, after that amazing hypnosis session, on IMDB, we found her credited for 1 movie, because back in the glorious days of the 20’s, and 30’s, bit part actresses (and chorus girl dancers) didnt get credited for their work, seemingly. A shame, as it means finding much of her work, nigh impossible, if not harder, because of that fact. So until I get the chance to go under again, and have someone ask her lots of questions, we know of only that single movie, that we can find her in. Its a skating/dancing musical, called ‘Thin Ice’, made in 1937, starring Sonia Henie, and Tyrone Power, and clearly not starring Clara Johnson! But she’s in it, in a minor role, which I suspect is her dancing, that I do know! To put it mildly, finding a copy of this movie is not easy!
So fine, as I mentioned a couple of blogs back, I won a £10 voucher at Amazon, for a survey I filled in for the Choice Hotels group. Given that at present I have no real need for more clothes, I did consider chocolates, but in truth, with the amount of exercise I’m getting at present, it might not be the best option. Yes, I jokingly put the movie name in the search option there, for movies, and lo and behold…Thin Ice (1937) appeared! The featured item cost about £18, which even with a £10 voucher, is still a bit much for a piece of fun, especially when you add on posting. But then I spotted it, an alternate new option costing just £11.23, plus £1.26 postage and packing.
Yes, thats right, for the grand sum of £2.49, I can watch a movie that I know Clara Johnson is in. Fine, working out which one is her might be a challenge, but…Yes, though credited for this movie, no name credit is given for who she played in this, which means she’s in a small part (dancer, pretty sure), that if I blink for too long, I could miss, but even so…If nothing else, wondering if said dancer is her, or not, going to be fun!
Sadly, its coming from the US, so its going to be a couple of weeks or so before it gets here. Then I need to find time to watch it, then I need to work out which one is her…but I cant wait for the chance!
The video, well its as close a name catch as I could think of. Besides which, given Billy Paul is amongst the many great music starts who have left us this year, it makes for a nice tribute.
I’d love you to take me
As some of my regular readers know, I do occasionally, when the chance arises, dabble in a little story writing. Given the popularity of Amazon (plus the fact 1 book is exclusive to them at present, here’s a link to my stuff
The author name will also work at Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and a couple of other smaller places, though the latest one wont be there until September, when the 90 day Kindle Unlimited thing runs out. Yes, I do it for fun, though admittedly it can be frustrating at times, when nothing seems to sell, but anyway…
Something I discovered on Twitter (see, there are benefits to being there lol) is that some wonderfully generous places offer writer residences, generally in beautiful, and inspiring places. One of those became a contact with me on Twitter, a residence named Hedgebrook, on Whidbey Island, near Seattle, which just happens to be one of my favourite cities anyway.
Get out 1
Me, this is for serious writers, not people who write short ebooks. Answer, not necessarily, we consider anyone who writes in a good inspiring manner, and oh, who is female.
Get out 2
It costs money to apply, and given my personally perceived chance of making the grade, given I’m out of work currently, I shouldnt be throwing money away on something like this. Answer, when there is a good reason for not paying the fee, like being unemployed, the fee might be waived.
So at this point, with this information, and nothing to lose, I’ve gone for it. Well, its all set up to go for it, anyway. At this moment I’m waiting to hear how I apply, without paying $30 off my credit card, so that I can complete it, and submit my application.
Yes, it would be amazing in so many ways. Not only would I have no excuse not to write, in fact just the opposite, I’d get to meet other writers, get the chance to discuss so many things, and I suspect, learn to write a whole lot better! And yes, fine, living in my own little cottage (if only for 2 or 3 weeks), writing, walking, and generally being inspired by everything would be heaven. I suspect the networking would be fascinating for me too. I have requested 3 weeks (2 books in that time, maybe?), but if they offered me 2, I’d snatch their hands off.
My initial plan would be to write a much extended version of one of my short stories, actually, one of those on sale at Amazon, “No Place Like Nome”. Other possibles would be to develop, and extend “A Hollywood Happening”, or to do a Jean Harlow biography, and try and put a few things right, that were so awfully wrong in the early ones. Mind, 2 or 3 weeks, if I got as inspired as I suspect I would, I might get more than one done!
No, seriously, its not likely to happen. I’m told this is a very cherished spot to be, and there will be far superior writers to me looking for one of those delightful cottages to work in. But I guess you never know?
OK, to the video. What I’m saying to those nice decision makers, though I’m not sure how closely they will listen?
I bought a book!
No, I know, nowhere near as controversial as Katy Perry supposedly kissing a girl, but something rare, all the same. And probably more actual than Ms Perry anyway.
To be honest, I cant remember the last time I bought a book that wasnt a travel guide, or a travel anthology, but lets just say its been sometime. I do read, darlings, but its direct from the internet stuff, and lets not discuss the material involved lol.
But something, or should I say, a certain someone made me break the habit of a long while, though when I get to read it, I’m not quite sure. That person, Laura Moriarty, though its fair to say its not her that took me out of my buying slumber, but one of the stars of the book. Of course it is, its Cora Carlisle. Whats that, you dont believe me? Right again, yes, its the other star of ‘The Chaperone’, one Louise Brooks. 😉
The book strictly is fiction, though given that at this time, Louise did travel to New York, with a chaperone, to join a dance school, I suspect faction is a better term for it. And judging by the reviews, Laura Moriarty seems to have captured the style of Brooksie very well. It might well become commute reading, though given that I have to change glasses to read, dont quote me on that just yet lol. Might otherwise fill those boring flight hours to Boston and back in September, but doubt I can resist it that long!
To be honest, I probably really only purchased it because I had a tiny amount of credit at Amazon. Combine that with minimal credit on a pay as you go credit card, and it was just enough, so…I broke the habit of a while lol!
No, I dont expect this to bring about a dramatic change of reading style, but it will be fun picking up a book again, after so many years. I did it a lot as a child, but not so much since, especially since internet story sites appeared. But yes, it will be fun to read about what Brooksie ‘might’ have got up to during the twenties.
But going back to the original line, I have no desire at all to kiss Ms Perry though!
The video. Well, you’ve had the song before, but not this version. Of course, the irony is, this is the classic OMD line up live, but only Andy was actually on the record, the others had all left by the time this was released in 1991. The plus point, some projected shots of Louise behind them, some from the video, some I dont recognise from there.
Enjoy, or ignore, as you choose
stevielounicks 
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