On passing...

Okay, before reading any further, let's have some fun, shall we?

I want you to watch a video of two teams playing basketball, and I want you to count the number of times the team in the white shirts pass the ball.

Easy peasy, right? Here's the link, go on! You can do it!

Remember, count the # of passes by the white team!

http://viscog.beckman.uiuc.edu/grafs/demos/15.html

+++ SPOILER ALERT! +++

How many times did the white team pass the ball?

Did you notice anything odd about the video? Did you see the gorilla waltz in the middle of the group and thump his chest before waltzing off?

For real, watch again if you missed.

If you did miss it, don't feel bad... amazing as it sounds, around 50% of people do!

In another experiment, a person standing in the lobby is approached by some stranger asking for directions. During the explanation, two men carrying a door walk right between the person and the stranger. During that time, the stranger is replaced by another completely different looking stranger. When done giving directions, the stranger asks the person if sie noticed that he's not the first person sie originally was talking to. Again, about 50% of people never notice!!!

Amazing, isn't it? Well, when I first started trying to pass (as a woman, not a basketball), I noticed a similar phenomenon. If on first glance, I appeared as a genetic girl to strangers, I tended to remain that way... it seems they expect me to be female, so they just continue assuming I am. Unless of course, they think I'm pretty, then I get scrutinized.

My Cali trannie friends have suggested that breasts are the most important trait for "presenting as female," but I've found hair to be equally important. Although both can be overcome with gloss/lipstick, heels (esp. stilettos) and earrings. Then again, you could have all of that and not pass if you walk, strut, or otherwise carry yourself like a man. Of course, if you have the legs for it, a skirt helps, but that will generally get you more attention, and thus, more scrutiny.

There will come a day soon where I'll always pass as a genetic girl, even in a swimsuit; I just gotta give the hormones time to do their majik. And when that happens, I'll look back on posts like this and go, phew! I'm glad that's over! :)