After some time off (#Trainabout / #EnbyOnTrain, my father’s death, processing good and bad memories), I am back baby!
Back to the Future… no, back to work!
Today I’ll try implementing the now agreed-upon “Forward Message” feature for #Ginlo / #Cicero / #Ginlo_II.
The problem with “Forward Message” is similar to the “Quote Toot” here on Fedi: you don’t want to offer a feature that could be misused to harass or fire-up people. You just want to have a feature that people can use to communicate with each other respectfully.
Yes, I know, I am only the creator of a tool and I am not responsible for how the tool is used. But, hey, if I can create the tool in a way that misusing it to harm someone is really difficult, then I should. At least, that’s my way of thinking.
Warning: POTENTIAL DYSPHORIA TRIGGER, CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
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I realized my sense of beauty, which was not too much influenced by our male dominated society’s view anyway, has changed slightly, and has become by now not influenced by the society at all anymore.
But the other thing is interesting: my sense of “pretty” and “cute” in people has changed completely - I mean, really completely.
I used to think Heidi Klum is pretty - or people like her; or a handful of men (I can’t really mention any).
But since a few months they feel just “meh” for me… Those people, for me, are not pretty but just “yeah, ok, fine”.
I know this is not HRT induced because I started that back in February 2022, and secretly even before that.
My sense of pretty has shifted completely in a way that I find pretty my siblings, whether they are trans or ND or both; I find trans our supporters pretty and cute; I find people who take a stand against fascism, racism, transphobia, … pretty and cute…
Whether they have just woken up with a huge hangover after a long party in the night or preparing to go to such party or preparing food, shopping, gardening or just going on their day while doing nothing or something … pretty and cute.
…. I could continue adding hundreds and hundreds and would still not be done for hours on end…
And when I say “pretty” I mean it - all of you are beautiful, each in their own way - but, for me, you are all so pretty, so cute (please don’t kill me, @Terra , please?)
Part II of a 2-part toot.
Then, after meeting the lovely @endali I had the pleasure of finally meeting the amazing person who sent me a post card just to make my day, the beautiful, handsome and kind @doppelgrau .
I also had the pleasure of meeting his girlfriend, who is just … otherworldly.
Let’s talk about her bit: I had no idea what to expect when @doppelgrau said she would join us since he never wrote anything that could touch her privacy. I won’t either except that she is one of the strongest but kindest women I have ever met in my life, so full of love and kindness, but so strong as to protect any- and every one of the people she deems her friend (shout out to @Terra here). No, don’t ever threaten any of her beloved people, but have her as your friend just to have the chance to spend some time in her company. It is worth it, trust me! And she (they both) gave me over six of their hours…. I felt so humbled and I still do.
We just sat there snd talked for hours on end, went for dinner and kept talking and it was just another “homecoming” (“coming home”) for me. Somehow, even when we have never talked before Nd even if we didnmt know snything about each other, we all find each other.
Thank you, @doppelgrau and your girlfriend.
I do have a selfie of the three of us, but out of respect for her privacy, I only post a selfie eith @doppelgrau , not his girlfriend.
End of day and last night of the #Trainabout .
Today was very different from the others in that I traveled a short distance with the bus (construction) and met three amazing people. Thus, this will be a two part toot.
First was the gorgeous, sweet and adoringly cute @endali . It was such a joy to meet him. I was warmly welcomed by this adorable goth sibling and we had to take this selfie (honestly, it is not a selfie as someone else took it, but hey…)
And yes, he is even more handsome IRL than on any of the photos and so warm hearted, kind, and welcoming. Thank you, Kris, my Count Bicula.
We all have this situation: you have a beautiful photo that you would like to post. A photo that somehow moved you, touched you, and you would like to share that feeling. Whether it is happiness, sadness, melancholy, or even anger.
But…
You have to write an alt text, a description for B/VI persons. You may feel weariness , you may dread, even hate it.
No, I am absolutely no exception here.
You think “how can I describe this image, this photo? „a bee on flower“, no, to short, but what? I wish there was some software which could just describe what I feel…”
And then you either (a) refrain from posting and feel somehow “betrayed” or (b) reluctantly write an alt text…
Yes, I get it, we, the people who can see, who can enjoy the visual beauty of the Universe,… some of us hate to write down what they see, what they feel … or feel forced to write an alt text.
Yes! I really get it! I feel you!
But…
If we want to make this beautiful world better, more beautiful, more enjoyable, then we are obligated to - nay: it is our solemn duty - to make the whole world accessible to each and every one of us; so that each and every one of us can live their real lives, be their selves; so that the brilliance and beauty of each and every one of us can flourish and contribute to this magical thing, to this miracle that we call Life!
Imagine a world where being B/VI is the norm (99.99999%) and being able to see the exception. And you were one of those being able to see. Wouldn’t you think that your ability is a privilege?
I know: doing good, being good is not easy.
But no worthwhile thing doing is easy. It is hard! But it is hard because it is worthwhile, and it is hard because it is Good.
Being bad, doing bad, being evil is easy : just don’t do anything! Just let others do the work! Just ignore every suffering, every pain! Being bad is easy…
To be good you have to actively do things, you have to act, you have to take a position, a stand… sometimes you have to say “until here and no further!” Sometimes you have to fight, even some horrible battles…
But this is it: It. Is. Worth. It! Only by doing good can we make the world a better place.
Next time you despair in front of your screen at the prompt “alt text”, please know: you are a good person! You are making the world a better place! You. Are. My. Hero!
And don’t forget: your alt text is good, and you will get better over time … it just needs practice to … be good!
Yes, all amazing things must come to an end - but not forever; just the first chapter.
Image descriptions:
First photo:
Two lovely enbies, finally meeting irl for the first time, having spent half the day walking through the beautiful park, through the not-do-beautiful city, having had a few nice drinks, decide to take a selfie.
They decide to choose the ugliest background possible but you can’t see it on the photo because it radiates so much love that all ugliness just disappears.
The first one on the left has some over-ear headphones around their neck, oval shaped sunglasses and their hair is covered under something. They smile a very bright, warm smile - as wide as they can and they just look extremely happy. Is it just the moment or is it more? One can not say. But they have their head slightly tilted onto the shoulder of the second enby on the right.
That enby with curly hair with lots of blue and green strands look to the first enby. Their face is turned to the first enby and their smile is full of love and astonishment - astonishment at the chance life gave them to finally meet this other wonderful love.
The second enby wears a top with lace tips, a turquoise scarf with patterns on that match their lovely strands and a black coat.
It seems that both them really love each other…
Second photo:
This time the second enby looks straight into the camera and has a very, very bright and wide laugh. They both don’t smile anymore; instead they laugh - from ear to ear - so happy, so beautiful, so full of love for each other.
“Hey Imdat Celeste, tell us: what is the worst on the road? That the trains are so full? The fact that you chose (a) a holiday, and (b) a weekend AND (c) the last football match weekend for the season?”
Nope, none of it. Yeah, trains are full and yeah, it might have been more relaxed (and boring) at some other time. But that’s not the worst, really…
“So…?”
Bathrooms at train stations!
“…? Too dirty? Too crowded? …?”
No! FUCKING gendered! Everywhere! And they have only “men” and “women”.
And regardless of which queue I stand in there is always one jerk trying to tell me to use the other fucking queue…
Good morning, #Fediverse. Today is finally the day. I'll be on my way, on my #Trainabout.
I'll post my location from time to time and let's see if anyone wants to have a coffee or would like to redirect me to somewhere else (within Germany that is).