Book Review: There's No Humility in Art

This book of modern poetry has the weight and rhythm of some of the great black poets in American literature, such as Ntozake Shange and Allen Ginsberg. It deals with issues revolving around race,appearance, gender and politics with an up to date feel. It has a variety of poetry types, from rhymes to free verse and even some haiku's.

The poetry is interspersed with pictures, that are relevant to the poem and add another layer to the artistry. One of my favourite poems from the collection is 'Webster' which is about the power words can have over a person. It is relatable and well written, as most of the poems in the collection are.

The Wind is another poem of not in this collection, it drips with the same energy as the works of Whitman. The down to earth messages are interlaced with moments of lush words and apt emoting.

This books is definitely worth a read if you like poetry, especially poetry from Shange, Walker, Angelou and Plath. It is a refreshing take on age old issues.

 I received a complimentary copy of There's No Humility in Art as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team.  Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

The book is available in paperback and ebook here: http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/thnohuinarpo.html

xx Saoirse

Update: Tranny News!

So, I have not really written much about my actual journey through transexualism. I have been attending a gender clinic for two years now, but due to social phobias and general depressiony things, I am only on my twelfth appointment. They judge your time with them through appointments attended, so I have lost almost a year due to postponing appointments. So today I was expecting my usual session. In, talk about my life, leave. But today hormones were brought up again. My counselor is all for my getting hormone therapy, but I need to quit smoking and build up some more appointments. But all in all, this is wonderful news!

It is not fully straightforward for me, due to my age. As I am under 25 there are further stipulations. I will have to go to an endocrinologist, my counselor assures me that he is wonderful, before I get the go ahead for hormone treatment. Hormone treatment opens so many windows for me in terms of my development. I will be able to get laser hair removal on my face as well as vocal training whilst on hormones, which is a huge leap forward. Hopefully this will get me out of my stagnant funk!

Whilst on hormones, I will be doing what is referred to as RLE (Real Life Experience). This is a period where I live as my gender full time. I have been living as a female for over a year now, but I am too reclusive to be able to prove how I cope as a woman. A volunteer job was suggested, so I will be doing some research into viable volunteer jobs that I will be comfortable in, but will still let me shine.

We also discussed legally changing my name today. I have thought about it, and go by a different name, but it is time to start thinking about actually doing it! I chose the name Saoirse, because it is Irish for Freedom, and that is what living as a female, and hopefully being physically female, is for me. It is freedom.

My counselor played 'devils advocate' with me today, I hate when she does it, but I get why it is important. It is a series of hard to answer questions, such as 'how are you sure you want to be female?' It is a good way of inspecting your motives and assessing your long term goals, and will help find any doubts you may have.

The final thing is, the idea of freezing sperm came up. To enable me to have a genetic child in the future. I will be declining this. I do hope to have a child in the future, but I think adoption is more my style. There are so many children in this world that need parents, it seems stupid to bring another child into the world for the sake of 'they are genetically mine'. A mothers love is more than simple genetics.

So that is all for now! I will keep you all updated (I promise this time I will!)

xx
Saoirse

More Drama Please!

Who said that black eyeshadow and big lashes were just for supermodels and goth girls? It is possible to make even the darkest colours wearable by simply choosing a complimentary shape for your eyes and adding a highlight to the inner corner so the eyes don't appear too small!

When working with a solid colour, especially a dark one, you have to work to get some dimension in there. I chose the shimmery approach. The glitter makes the black look less dead and more like a star filled sky. The lashes add the cherry on top of an already dramatic look!

Just remember to have fun with it, and if it doesn't work then wash it off! Another fun way to use black is to do a gradient from black to grey to silver! So add a bit of dark mystique and glamour to that red summer dress next time you go out, and dare to wear black!

Saoirse xx

Make-Up Tips for Beginners

If you want to make the eyes appear larger and further apart then apply the lightest colour closest to the nose and the darkest colour at the outer part of the eye. Reverse this if you want the eyes to look smaller and closer together (good for wideset eyes)

If you want to add intensity to a look then apply a dark eyeliner to the inner rim of the eyes, this is called the waterline. If you add a dark colour to the upper waterline it is called tightlining and makes the lashes appear fuller.

To test foundation you should apply it on the jaw line, not the back of your hand. Look at it beneath artificial AND natural light to ensure a perfect match.

To add depth and shape to your face you should deepen the hollows of your cheeks and your temples with a bronzer or contour shade that compliments the skin tone. You can also apply it to the jawline, but only if you wish to emphasize the shape (it will draw attention to stronger jawlines) The opposite of contouring is highlighting. Adding a shimmer, complimentary shade to the length of the nose, cheekbones, cupids bow and a little on the chin and forehead. This draws out these facial features.

Try to invest in some make-up brushes. These make make-up application easier and look better. I always say to invest in a good primer (a base for your eyeshadows), foundation and brushes. That way you can afford to buy cheaper products and still have them perform well.

Brand wise: If you are just starting and want to practise then try ELF (eyes lips face) you can order online and they have a whole range of products at only a dollar (1.50 GBP) so you can get to grips with make-up without spending a fortune. When you are ready to move on to more expensive make-up then be sure to check them out online. Search for dupes and reviews so you know you are getting your money's worth. Wet n Wild do some palettes with pretty good MAC dupes, and are a fraction of the price!

Be sure to watch tutorials and videos on youtube for inspiration and technique. You can learn a lot from doing this. It will also give you inspiration for products to buy and how to use some of the more obscure make-up products.

And finally, sorry for long rambling post, make-up washes off. Have fun and be creative and if it all goes wrong then wash it off and try again! We ALL end up looking like clowns a few times in the process of learning. Make-up application is like any other skill, it needs to be developed and honed.

Saoirse. xx

New Year, New Me!

Well this year as my New Years resolution I have decided to go vegetarian!! I have just hit three weeks and I am loving it so far!

Why go vegetarian? Well first and foremost the ethics, I am against animal cruelty and it is very hard to determine how every piece of meat came to be on your plate!

And secondly, the Vegetarian diet is more healthy! You are ingesting far less fat with meat substitutes than with the real deal!

So my main goal this year is to go meat free, and maybe lose some weight! This will be a whole lifestyle change for me but it is something I feel passionate about!


Wish me Luck!
Saoirse