Twitter is full of interesting debates.

The bases of the debate is: Can Male to Female Transgenders have a Period?

Now, let's start off with the definition of a "Period" also called a Menstrual Period or Menstrual Cycle.

Menstrual cycle: The monthly cycle of changes in the ovaries and the lining of the uterus (endometrium), starting with the preparation of an egg for fertilization. When the follicle of the prepared egg in the ovary breaks, it is released for fertilization and ovulation occurs. Unless pregnancy occurs, the cycle ends with the shedding of part of the endometrium, which is menstruation. Although it is actually the end of the physical cycle, the first day of menstrual bleeding is designated as "day 1" of the menstrual cycle in medical parlance.

(From http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7865) 

Based on that definition the simple answer is No. At this time a gender changing operation does not give genetically born men ovaries, eggs, nor a functional uterus. 

However, according to some articles transwomen can have symptoms like those of a genetic woman. (http://www.theestablishment.co/2016/05/31/yes-trans-women-can-get-period-symptoms/)

Now this debate is much like the gender debate we already have about which bathroom to use if you're Transgender. If you feel like you are menstruating does it count as an actual Menstrual Cycle? If you feel like a woman but were born with a male body it's said that you can count as a woman. Where and when do feelings override science?

This, to me, is a massive mess of fuzzy logic. Feelings are not scientific fact. You are either menstruating or your are not. If you feel like you are.. it's likely you need to change your diet and lay off the hormone pills for a bit because you are damaging your body.

As always I am open to your opinions and welcome Friendly Debate. If you're an ass/bitch about this, you are welcome to make your own blog and rant there, leave a link in the comments here so those who want to see it can. I just expect people to have good manners on my page. 

Symbols

I've not put up a new post in a few years, but I'm feeling the need to talk to the internet again. So, here I go. (As always Polite discussion is always welcome, don't be an ass hole.)

Something has happened to society. Something very sad. All of the symbols we have created to inspire and drive ourselves, and others, to greatness are now looked upon with scorn. The Flag of The United States of America is one such victim. I’m not exactly sure when it was first chosen as the whipping boy of our country but the most politicized era of flag hate was in the 1970’s during the Vietnam War. Every person who felt the war was wrong, and fought U.S. Involvement, started burning The Stars and Stripes that represent our country.

I will always wonder what could have happened if those who burned The Flag in protest would have instead waved our Flag while performing acts that they felt were more in line with the ideals they carried, for how the government of these United States should act. The protestors who burned our Flag instead, also, burned all their hopes and dreams for our country. They gave up on the dream The United States of America has represented since the moment The Revolutionary War was set into motion. Old Glory, our primary symbol of who we wanted to be, was beaten, torn, and burned because people became confused about what she is. The Flag of The United States of America is our goal, not our present. Every time something happens that we disagree with we need to look to Our Flag. We need to remember what we want to be, and realign ourselves with that goal, that dream. Only through action, with a clear destination in mind, will we ever reach the finishing line our forefathers set for us.

Next time something happens in our country that you disagree with, please don’t take it out on our one true symbol of hope. Instead, please raise Our Flag as high, and as proudly, as you can. Let her fly in the wind before all to see. Let her call out with every flap in the wind “I am still here! We are United in our belief that we are the greatest nation. We will strive to be better than we are at every moment. We are here to treat every living thing as our equal, for we are, none of us, more important than anyone, anything, else. We are the United States of America. We will stand as one people, for liberty and justice. We are here. We remember why we came. We choose to make our struggles help us grow, to make our country, and all those living here, the absolute best we can possible be.”

That is what The Flag of These United States of America stands for.

From now on, when in doubt, when in fear, or when unsure of what to do: Look up at Our Flag and remember the dreams and hopes The Stars and Strips hold. She is waiting for us to reach out and achieve that dream.  

Personal Responsibility

Personal Responsibility. Get some!

It's the Drunk's fault for driving drunk, not the bar's, Not the Liquor store's. It's the Drunk's fault! Stop letting him/her blame someone else.

It's the bad guy's fault for killing people. Not the Gun's, Not the Gun store's, Not the Knife's, Not the Baseball Bat's. It's the Bad guy's fault. Stop letting him/her blame someone else!

Its the tourist's fault for getting mauled by the momma bear when he/she tried to pet one of her cubs. Not the Momma Bear's fault! Not the National Park Service's Fault. It's the Tourist fault! Stop letting him/her blame someone else! 

If you can't figure out how this applies to everything else in life. Go back to pre-school/kindergarten. That's where they teach this stuff.

YOU, are responsible for YOUR OWN ACTIONS! No one else is.

You have Free Will. You can do anything. So how about using common sense for a change.

 If any of this confuses you, please report to the nearest disintegration chamber immediately! I'm sure a trip through it will alleviate your confusion for the rest of your life.

Food

I was replying to a friends guest post on a vegan food/travel site when I decided to write this. She wrote a smart, well balanced article, but it reminded me of a studying nutritionist who came into my work, saw some Oreo's, and said "that's not food". I wish people would learn how to speak properly and learn the difference between what is, what isn't, and what they feel or think about something.

Food, according to merriam-webster dictionary is:
a : material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy; also : such food together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments) b : inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution
2
: nutriment in solid form
3
: something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies

I'm really tired of people seeing something like Oreo Cookies and saying "that's not food" It IS food! it may not be healthy food, it may not cover all your base needs or do anything other than keep you from starving to death but IT IS FOOD!

Yes we know a lot about how food affects us and what our bodies need and what what they may not need but our brains like. We in the United States and other food rich nations can be picky, But! Don't go off decided what counts as food! As long as it fills your belly and doesn't harm or kill its food, period. No debating this fact, food is not subjective like art. You can either eat it, or you can't. Yes you can eat somethings that are poisons, and some are slow acting and even found in our food but, that is a whole other tangent on manufacturing. We eat food to stay alive. If we don't we die. You can eat whatever you want whether its romaine lettuce or a 2 inch thick T-bone steak, or a package of Oreo's. But please don't get all pissy and start trying to make food subjective! There are still places were that's not an option... heck there are places where food is barely an option. A good amount of people starve to death each day, so if a package of Oreo's, a t-bone, or a salad will save their life its because it's "Food".

Respect... I just don't get it?

For some reason I keep getting into trouble over Respect. I've had this problem my whole life. Teachers, bosses, friends, family, pastors, and anyone else I interact with tend to think I don’t show respect, or at least what they think respect is. That may be my biggest problem. My definition of “respect” is not in line with what most people in my country see it as… or maybe it’s just that they confuse or don’t know the definition of it themselves. I’m sure Webster’s Dictionary has some base definition that leaves lots of room for interpretation, but I’m not going to bother posting it, as people can look that up themselves.

To me, respect is showing people that you think they are worth something and that they are important to you. One can show respect by being helpful or giving complements, by being a friendly ear or a friendly kick in the ass when one is needed. People are respectful to those who have earned their respect or to people they’ve just met who they give the benefit of the doubt to until the respect is earned or lost.

Respect is not about giving needless complements to make someone happy (i.e. brown nosing). It’s not about refraining from complementing someone because someone else may be offended. It’s not about changing who you are to make others like you. Respect is not something you do only because it’s the polite thing to do, nor because others think its proper behavior.

Respect is given to by You to those who You think deserve it or those who may deserve it. I’m really tired of people wanting and expecting respect just because They think They deserve it! That’s not how it works, never has, never will. I’m also tired of people thinking I’m being disrespectful for saying something that is true, simply because those people think someone else is in a position to take offence at my statement. Since when has stating a Fact or a Truth become a sign of disrespect!? Just because someone has an issue with the truth or doesn’t think the person stating the fact or truth is in the proper position to state it doesn’t mean that person is being disrespectful!

Please, do me a favor. The next time someone does something you don’t like and you begin to tell them “it’s a matter of respect” Stop and think. Is it really about respect? Or is it just something your ego doesn’t want to deal with?

"My Goal"

For awhile now I've been working on building up my photography portfolio of people. To do this I'm using sites such as Model Mayhem and the like to network and find people to photograph. Its not going so well...

Why you ask, because the models are only worried about their carrier and their goals. They don't care about mine even though models and photographers are a team out of necessity. It really upsets me that I can have a model booked and they'll cancel me just a couple days prior to the set shoot and say stuff like

"Hey. Unfortunately I won't be able to. I'm no longer doing tfp work due to high demand. I also need to focus on only what benefits my portfolio. I hope you understand."

Especially when they are the one who initially contacted me first. When I replied to this particular model and said

"No, but its your life and your call. So, Good luck."

I was further dismayed when she replied with

"Yeah, I'm sorry.. and I do feel bad. I'm on another level at this point: being sought out by agencies and working out auditions with IMG, Ford, and Elite and possibly getting flown out to NYC to do so. They don't want me working with photographers who won't work with my portfolio, and it sucks, but a cosplay shoot simply won't go unless you can make it editorial, which is doubtful. I can't waste any time right now either at this point. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I do need to stick to my ultimate goal."

First: What Kind of a modeling agency would want a model who makes a commitment then cancels with two days notice or less and uses such a lame excuse as "well... something better may come along"! You've already made the booking! I'm sure they didn't say "So stop all frivolous shoots NOW!" I'm sure they just meant "Hey, keep in mind in future bookings how the shoot will look in your portfolio"

Second: Your Goal!?!?! What about mine?! My goal is what spawned the posting you contacted me over in the first place! And now its okay to stomp on my dreams of being a big shot photographer because you have agencies just beginning to contact you! Hello, does the saying "don't put all of your eggs into one basket" mean anything. For all you know I'll make it first and the company will want to have you after seeing my Portfolio with you in it!

People, Companies, Models Please get your heads out of your butts and think!

Here’s the question that’s going through my mind

If tragic events are so soul altering that you still remember where you were and what you were doing when they occurred and you insist upon stating it every year upon the anniversary of the event… What’s the point?! What is the point of just saying I remember?! If you truly believe that the event was so altering of soul and time why do you insist upon only remembering?

I say, tell me what you’ve done! What have you done since that day to reduce the chances of it happening again? How have you changed your outlook? Your interactions? Your beliefs? What have you Done?! Remembering is only the start! It has been several years now if you’ve done nothing other than say “I remember” once a year, then just shut the hell up! Act, Do, Change or don’t waste my time by saying “oh I remember that day! It was horrible… oops I have to go. I’m late for my hair appointment?”