COPY CAT DRAG QUEEN

Dear Misty,
I am an up and coming drag queen and I have made friends with a lot of queens. I have copied some of their looks and I think I made a few really upset with me. What do I do? I like their stuff and wanna keep doing it cause they are good. And I want to be good. Sincerely yours, Still Learning

Dear Copy Cat:

Yes it is said that Imitation is the HIGHEST Form of Flattery, however taken to the extreme you can really piss someone off. This is a tough bridge to cross, cause I do understand, but if you copy a girls look or trademark etc it not only cheapens your look, but also the original. Nobody wants little copy cats running around. Yes, In any careers or business paths we learn from those that came before us. We take what we discover and improve on it or use it as a foundation for our own creation. Nobody does the exact same thing as those before them (Ok Maybe in accounting) but Definitely not in the entertainment business. So here is my advice... If you really like a girls look, ask her to help you / mentor you... If she teaches you how to do your makeup like her's etc you have permission to copy her. If you ask her to style wigs for you and you buy them from her then its yours. I know its tough especially at the beginning but you need to find your own place in this world. So if you like the swoop that she does with her wig, then you should do your own version of it. BUT If someone does something Far OUT and ORIGINAL and you copy them, and do your own version of it, It will make you look like a horrible copy cat and nobody will take you seriously. Not to mention upset that queen. This even goes for music, if a drag queen gets trademarked for doing a particular song, do not do it in the same town or circle of performance gigs. Especially if she is a professional and better than you, they will compare you and you will look worse. In closing I think you should take many different things from many different queens and make your own creation. XOXO Misty Eyez

What is TWITTER all about?

Dear Misty:

This one might be tough? And I dont know if you can even help me? But I dont get it. Everyone is talking about this Twitter thing. I went to www.twitter.com and I signed up, but I dont get it. Where do you put your photo Galleries? Am I just technologically challenged? I really dont understand what all the Hype is about. ~Twittered Out.

Dear Twitter Friend,

OK , this is Not Facebook or Myspace, and there are no Photo Galleries (Just one main pic of you), and like a friend of mine said this is just Text Messaging on Crack. I can seriously relate to you, for I also signed up and for the first 3 months I simply didn't get it, and I assumed it was just for the 40+ adults to feel young again as if they were secretly passing notes in school. Then I kept getting email notices that People were following me, and then I felt I obligated to either "shit or get off the pot." First, I decided to delete my account. But before doing so I wanted take a final look, and actually pay attention to what was going on before ending it all. OK -- This is what I realized, twitter is best used by TWO groups of people: 1st, Those that have a voice, or something to Say: This can be anything from random thoughts, to inspirational quotes, to actual comments Like "OMG: Im at Starbucks and there is a lady at the counter with toilet paper hanging out of her dress" & 2nd, its for those people that LOVE gossip or just enjoy knowing what everyone around them is doing. (I personally realized I fit into both Categories.) Many times I twitt from my cell phone, and then others I sign on to read and comment on what my friends are saying / doing.

Now, to become a Successful Twitter user, I suggest uploading your address book. (On the top right click on "FIND PEOPLE" then click on "Find on other Networks") This will automatically sign you up to follow your friends that are also using twitter. This is a group of people that you actually Know, and are your Real Friends. That way when you log on, you will have a vested interest in what all of your friends are up to / doing. Then you can also choose to follow other people / celebrities that you may find interesting. I admit its fun to sign on and see, and reply to their twitts. (I also found a Facebook app that automatically directs all off my Twitters to my Facebook Status) BTW: Keep the number of people you follow to a minimum... if you just start following Tons of people, you will be overwhelmed when you sign on, and not care what anyone says. And the last few things to help... In the right Column you'll see @your name (Mine is @theeyezoffl) this is letting you know Every time someone has commented on or replied to one of your twitt's. Direct Messages - is just that a private message sent to you. Favorites is people that you want to keep close (like a top 8) and Finally right under favorites is a white bar that says search. This is where you can search all twitters for your common interests. Cats? or Michael Jackson etc that way you can make twitter friends with strangers of the same interest. I hope I helped you find a new love / understanding of Twitter. PS - If you would like to Follow me Im www.twitter.com/theeyezoffl and Boy About town is www.twitter.com/boysbuzz. Happy Following xoxo Misty Eyez

What is the Differenece between CD / TV / TS

Dear Misty,

So there is a guy that lives in our apt building & he says he is straight but he dresses in "drag". So my question is simple-why do people dress in drag? If it's not solely a "gay thing" then what type of a "thing" is it? What do you 2 gain by doing it? Besides the fun of it all and looking great is there a point? -Jenn

Dear Jenn,

WOW, That is a GREAT QUESTION, and yet it requires a very complex answer. So complicated I don't know where to begin.... First let me say that NO -- dressing in woman's clothing is NOT just a gay thing. Let me see if I can help, and break it down for you, for the trans gendered community is split into three different Categories:

Transsexuals, Drag Queens, and Transvestites/Cross dressers,

Transsexuals, this is the most common group currently talked about in our media Today. Trans-Men and Trans-Women are individuals that feel they were born in the wrong body. This word merely means they are in the process of Transitioning their sex, and there are two types "Pre Op" Transsexuals and "Post Op" Transsexuals (Post Operation means they have had their down stairs surgery) they are often called Trannie's, or TG's (Trans Gendered) There are both FtoM Female to male and MtoF Male to Female Transsexuals. This however does not affect their sexual preference only their gender Identity. Some Grow up identifying as Gay, and become str8 women and some grow up identifying as Str8 men only to become lesbians after transition.

Drag Queens are Entertainers, and most usually identify as Gay Males. (Yes, this is what I am) We live our lives as Men, but we entertain on stage for a living. There are Career Queens and there are Hobby queens (I think Every Gay man does drag at least once before he dies - Usually on Halloween) However we are all guys in the day and dress up for work it! or to spice up parties etc. To Quote Wesley Snipes as Noxeema Jackson in the 1995 Movie To Wong Foo: "When a gay man has way too much fashion sense for one gender he is a drag queen." PS - Some Career Drag Queens alter their Bodies for their profession and end up becoming Transsexuals even though they do not identify as TS or women trapped in men's bodies.

Transvestites and Cross Dressers are the same thing, however most use the term Transvestite for it is much friendlier and this group of people is accepted by the Trans gendered community. TV's /CD's are straight men who wear woman's clothing for sexual fetish. This is usually about the article of amusement. Some just wear Panties or Pantyhose, some love the shoes and some need a dress or lingerie. But dressing in the opposite sex's clothing is just something they do in private for a sexual turn on. Unless they are going into public or a CD Party etc, they usually do not even wear a wig or accessories. Most often these straight men Do not Shave or alter their appearance in any way. In fact many of these men will have a beard or goatee to prove they are masculine, as to disguise their secret life.

We will address the Fun of it on another day, I hope I could Help XOXO Misty Eyez

TIred of this TALKING SHIT BITCH

Dear Misty,

There is this bitch. She is nice to my face but is going around talking all this stuff about me behind my back! Basically, she makes allegations about me and how I treat her and her mother. She knows I know and most people seem to think she is a liar so I am not freaking too much, but, damn stop running your mouth. I want to confront her but don't want to disrespect the people we are with or who's house we're in. How do I say, "Listen bitch, I know what you're saying and nobody believes you so, step off?!"

Dear Frustrated,

OK your right... its time to stand up for yourself, and your also right in not wanting to disrespect the house you are in or the company of others. You need to get her to a place where you are alone, Public helps if you are afraid she is going to cause a scene. I suggest a local coffee shop (If she refuses - then anyplace you can get her alone / parking lot etc) First you need to open with a non threatening statement like I really like you.... and I want to be friends.... but I don't understand why you hate me or what I did to cause you to talk so much shit about me behind my back. That way you can get to the bottom of it and fix what went wrong. Most people react, In Example: A few years ago I was really good friends with a Local Folk Singer and he fell in love with me, and even proposed to me in my parking lot. I politely declined, apologized and gave several reasons it would not work, like the fact that we had never been on a date etc. I thought we would remain friends however I then found out he was trash talking me to each and everyone one of my friends. I hadn't done anything to him except reject him. He felt rejected and was acting out.So if this girl is reacting to something the best way to stop it is to find out why etc. ~Kiss Kiss Misty Eyez

Like a Dog to Its Vomit - a man wants his EX

Dear Misty,

Not too long ago I got dumped by my ex. He treated me like the center of his world when we were together, but when he walked away it was over. No more calls, emails nothing. He started dating someone else immediately. Lately, we have seen each other out and about. He is getting overly friendly & there is some flirting back and forth. Do you think that maybe he just made a mistake? I am no fool and I am on alert but maybe we can "fix" it. Please help Im Confused.

Dear Confused,

NO - Do NOT Do it... You need to realize that your relationship ended for a reason. The only way to re-kindle a relationship gone bad is to address the situation that caused the break up and to fix it. To me it sounds like he just found someone better and dumped you for an upgrade. It is natural to flirt in passing for you both shared something intimate, and more often than not, our memories are either Better or Worse than the actual reality of what happened. You know this reminds me of a biblical scripture: Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. (New International Version) My advice is to stay far away, unless the sex was amazing. But only hook up if you are able to remain emotionally un-attached for he will break your heart again.