Good evening, well it is for me. as I cannot sleep. I don't know why. Stress? or ???   I have an interview on Monday for a position at the local community college branch. As a testing center proctor, its only 16 hrs a week. It is something that I should be able to do.   All is going well with the wagon. parts on order, transmission at the shop. once it warms back up and the snow is gone. We are getting snow right now. yeah. I will get out and work on cleaning up the engine bay. I cannot wait to drop in the engine. but first things first.   Hugs, Kymmie

Yeah, I'm absolutely thrilled at the thought of having more Soviet-era equipment laying around here...  GF has an actual Russian antique tank in her shop.  It doesn't even run, just sits there being large and rusty.  I can only imagine what she's getting for the county and for herself.  Nothing but the best quality!   "Every nation has its own mafia.  In Russia, the mafia has its own nation...."

The amusing (or depressing) thing I've noticed is that people don't usually LIKE to be free.  Monarchy has often been replaced with despotism of a different sort.  After all, that's what happened in Germany in the early 20th century.  Barely 15 years of dysfunctional democracy between an absolute monarchy and a dictatorship.  People actually CHOOSE this stuff.  And in making that choice, they'll label it "liberal" or "conservative" or some variation of description, when the reality is that it is merely a flavor of authority-worship.  All hail whoever wears a suit and tie or a robe and a weird hat (seriously, what's with every despot having a big hat?)    Personally, I believe that our Bill of Rights is probably the best document on earth for preserving the rights of all mankind.  It is the most significant reason that the USA achieved the status of being the wealthiest and most advanced nation on earth.  If the world was a rational place, I would think that the idea would basically sell itself.  Yet, it seems the opposite is true.  The US government has vigorously tried to export some version of our system all around the world for nearly 100 years, and to what benefit?  Certainly not ours!    In this case, trying to influence British domestic policy is ridiculous.  Its of no benefit to us.  For all Trump's talk about the "art of the deal," it makes no sense to add conditions to any deal that are entirely unrelated.         

We can expect the X eck U Stiff odor about who has final word on IF the games will be held in California sometime next week where the X eck U Stiff will make himself the head of the USOC who gets to tell the IOC all about coming to the U.S.  SIGH!!

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/17/usopc-transgender-athlete-policy-new-white-house-order?CMP=share_btn_url     Carolyn Marie

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/17/how-will-uk-judgment-on-legal-definition-of-womanhood-affect-policy     There seems to be some very problematic practical outcomes from this decision.  Sports is the least of the problems, IMO.  This could prove very bad for our community on this side of the pond.   Carolyn Marie Carolyn Marie

Welcome to Trans Pulse, @Alchemist Dreamer.  What chemical compounds have you dreamed up for us?  We have a pretty special place here, with lots of great people and solid information, so please have a look around and post wherever you like, ask questions and meet folks.  Also, while you're out and about, tell us a little about yourself if you don't mind.   HUGS   Carolyn Marie

All in the title, hihi everybody. How are you all today?

Aw my absolute pleasure. So cool you saw them perform 🫶

Wow. Thank you so much! So much for me to unpack in that little reel. Had on the verge of tears at moments.    I saw Alok in person last month with my wife and a couple trans friends. They were so funny and on point. OMG.    -Timi

Always here if you need us!

Not sure whether you need a fb acct to view. Lovely & empowering message from Alok (they/them).   https://www.facebook.com/AlokVMenon/videos/1628249924255972/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Thanks so much and in particular for the book recommendation. I will give it a read. Nice to find caring folks with a similar background 

IKR

Well, I guess I'll drop it for now.

@Joanne Grace good luck dear! I'll be thinking of you! Bless your heart - this may be exactly the right time for your colleagues to understand the humanity of trans women. I pray they will surprise you in the most positive way.

This is a very tough day for trans people in the UK – with a long legal road ahead to right this wrong. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/17/supreme-court-tough-day-trans-people-labour?CMP=share_btn_url

I'll quote my husband whom I shared this new with - "What a psychopath." 

I thought about it some more, and I agree that you have a point, @awkward-yet-sweet.  In the U.S., hate speech is, indeed, protected by the 1st Amendment, except for obvious things like inciting a riot or causing a panic.   What our admin fails to understand or appreciate is that (most) other countries don't have a "1st Amendment" in their constitutions, if they even have a constitution.  Demanding that they adhere to ours is nonsensical and will result in being ignored.  Germany has good historic reasons for their hate speech laws (Nazis, etc.) and other countries have valid reasons for theirs.  We just look like bullies telling everyone else what to think.  And yes, sometimes that shoe is on the feet of liberals, too.   Carolyn Marie