This is entry #5 in my vlog series. Hard to believe it’s been over a YEAR since posting my previous video! It honestly doesn’t feel like that long.
There’s been a lot going on in my life, which is why I haven’t been able to keep new content rolling out on a regular basis. I was however, able to take a little time and make this short video. I hope you’ll share a minute or two of your day with me to watch and comment. Video running time: 1 minute, 21 seconds
About the video
The video was shot on May 29, 2011 with my iPad 2, and later edited on it (mostly). The main reason for making it, besides the fact that it’s been so long since my last, was to put something out there and let people know I’m alive and well and… well, still me. Over a period of time, several people wrote to me and asked if/when I might publish another video.
For the record, if this ends up being the last video I publish, ever, please understand that I’ll ALWAYS be me (as in Gabrielle). Do not mistake my lack of time to write/share, as being anything other than a lack of time to share. Time permitting, I’d like to make more videos (and content in general) to explore and discuss various things in the future.
A picture in a picture in a picture in a picture…
The video was intentionally framed to show my back side in the mirror behind me. Not to show off my literal “back side”, but rather to offer another view of me actually holding up the iPad while talking into it. If you look carefully, you can see the iPad screen in the reflection, and in that screen, another reflection with another screen, etc. – kind of like holding two mirrors up to each other.
Gabrielle the musician(ish)
The background music is a custom arrangement by yours truly! I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with sound and music, though I’m far from being a real musician. The music track was made in a music composing application by dropping individual instrument “loops” (short audio clips) onto a timeline to form the final composition. The final result is a unique creation and I’m happy with how it turned out. If you’re a musician or just like to experiment like I do, tell me about it!
[Not a valid template]My first published iPad 2-taken photo!
The iPad 2 is an amazingly cool and versatile device. If you have one, you’re probably aware of the less-than-amazing quality of the cameras it sports. In good lighting, the image quality is pretty decent, but the lighting fairly dim where I took the photo shown here (also featured in the opening and closing of the video – click it to enlarge). I don’t think the photo turned out too bad… aside from it being grainy with blotchy color. I tweaked it a little (also on the iPad). Sorry about the blah pose – it wasn’t easy trying to take a decent self-photo in a mirror, in a small, confined space, while awkwardly holding and aiming the iPad 2 to capture the image.
If you’ve done any iPad 2 photography, chime in and let me know about your experiences.
Talk to me!
Please take a minute or two to answer the questions I posed in the video. Although I directly asked about “YouTube subscribers”, the broader intention was simply: What do you like about my video offerings? What, in particular, would you like to see in future videos? Tell me what’s on your mind – leave a comment or shoot me a private message if you prefer (using the contact link up top).
Thanks for watching (and reading), and have a beautiful weekend!
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Hey Gabrielle,
Always a pleasure to see you having fun, rocking a great look and reaching out to the sorority.
Glad things are well. And my, but you are maintaining …. beautiful as ever.
Cheers – Petra
Thanks for the lovely compliments, Petra! :) It gets more difficult as I get older, but I’m busting my butt to stay fit and trim so I can enjoy working the looks I love. It felt good to share a few video moments with my sisters, if only brief. It’s raining over here right now, but your comment just added some sunshine to my day. I hope the weather is a little brighter out your way. Have a beautiful weekend, my friend!
Gabrielle, the reason I watch your videos and read your web site is mostly for infromation. I’m just starting to embrace my female side after 50 years of denial. I love reading about your adventures out dressed. It helps me preapair for situations I many encounter. My appearance is not as feminine as yours but its a work in process. The fact I stop supressing Christen is a big step. My first trip to the Mall enfem was smoother than your T-Mobil expereince. No one really noticed except for the teenage girls. Thanks for sharing your adventures and advice. You have been a big help to me as was as a source of inspiration. Also, its nice to know there are woman like Mrs. H who are accepting. I’ll continue to search for a Mrs. H of my own. Thanks Christen
Hi Christen. Thanks for sharing. :) I’m so glad that you’ve found my offerings informative and helpful that you’ve decided to embrace your feminine side. It’s never healthy to surpresses such a significant part of who you are. Yet that is what most trans folk do, at least at first, out of fear of rejection, ridicule, or just plain confusion as to what it all means.
I’m glad your first trip to the mall went a little smoother than mine. Getting out in public en femme is a tricky ordeal in some places. If in the future you experience some friction out in public, try not to let it get to you. Just be careful and think personal safety first, but aside from that, we all experience some bumps sometimes.
You’ll find the right woman for you – one that loves and accepts you as your are. Of that, I have no doubt. It can be a bit awkward and down right scary explaining to a romantic interest about your feminine side, but if she’s truly worth your time and worthy of your love, she will be understnding. Just try not to let it bring you down too much if that ends up being a deal breaker to a few before finding Mrs. Right. Trust me – there is no shortage of women who would love to have a trans significant other. It’s just not one of those things that’s easy to figure out up front because of the social taboo element present today.
Many best wishes in your feminine exploration! Take things at a pace you’re comfortable with and don’t let society’s misunderstandings get to you.
Hi Gabrielle!
I love your site and yes I am one of those girls that are excited to see what you will do and say next. I am working hard like you to stay in shape and as you know it is most difficult! I wish you had more time to devote to this site, but I understand life can be demanding. My wife is similar to yours in that she is helpful and accomadating and for that i am greatful! Good luck! Love Robin
Hi Robin, thanks for chiming in. :) I appreciate the feedback and hope to make more videos in the future (and content in general).
No, staying in shape is not easy, and it only gets harder the older you get! Fitness is very important, though, so difficult or not, it is something I will keep up with so long as I am physically capable. Good luck to you in that regard, too. Got to pay your dues to look good in those shoes, right?
Awesome that your wife is accepting – I always love to hear that from others! Please send her my love.
Gabrielle, I received my iPad2 a couple months ago and have been having fun with it. You are correct about the quality of the photos/video in low light. I think the cameras were primarily designed for video chatting such as the Facetime app. Other than the picture quality, it is awesome!
And your comment about fitness getting harder as the older you get is very true. Now that I am in my fifties, I wish I had taken better care of myself when I was younger…
Hi Robyn, thanks for chiming in. :) I was hoping another iPad owner would comment. These things are great and I use mine for everything from entertainment to productivity… and I’m also commenting via iPad right now. When it comes to the whole “TG” thing, that also means Tech Geek in my case! lol It is a bummer that they put such low quality cameras in the iPad 2, more than likely to keep production costs to a minimum while testing the whole “will people use the cameras much in an iPad” market. It works fine for video chatting, as you mentioned, and in good light, the rear camera does offer decent quality image (even if not very high resolution). I could talk iPad specs and uses all day long and I’m tempted into getting into all the image editing apps I’ve experimented with on mine, but I digress…
On the fitness front, it’s never too late to start taking better care of yourself. It’s always best to start young and maintain over the years, but there’s still plenty of benefit to be reaped from starting later in life. From increased strength and stamina to better general health and resistance to sickness/disease. Of course, looking better is always a nice reward for the effort! Tough as it has been getting as I get older, I’m going to keep up with it as best I can. One thing I do on the treadmill and exercise bike is enjoy interesting tech (video) podcasts. It stimulates my craving for tech and helps keep my mind off the unpleasantness of exercising.
I love the everyday talk; the girl talk, as well as what we will be encountering. I love the shared feelings of being laughed at as well as the other “buggaboos” that we girls run into.
One thing that I would like to see is a slow, very basic how to on your makeup. I have somewhat (I have been using dermabrasion to smooth back out-along with laura geller)), but I have a terrible time with coverage and bronzing.
Any help gladly accepted. Liz
Thanks for the feedback, Liz. :) I’m not sure I’d make a very good makeup guide, though. I tend to cake on the eye liner (on purpose) and have a heck of a time getting the rest of my face to look decent with foundation. I’m getting better with even coverage and shading, but have a long way to go. I might be able to do a basic “Gabrielle’s approach to makeup” kind of instructional, but an expert, I am not.
I’ve been considering getting into more serious topics in future videos, and perhaps some creative musical things with something edgy and maybe a message about today’s conformity-loving society, but that would require some time investment, and time is a rare commodity in my life these days. :( We shall see, though. Not sure what my next video will bring, or when I might have it ready, but I would like to make more when time allows.