Thursday, July 16, 2015

Ally's Tale


A long, long time ago, there was a little girl named Ally.
 
Ally knew she was a mermaid. From the first time she had a thought,
Ally felt deep inside that she is a mermaid.
 
The other kids made fun of Ally.
"Don't be silly! You don't look like a mermaid."
Ally protested she is a mermaid despite her appearance
but, over time, she got tired of arguing. Ally let others
believe what they wanted. Ally knew someday her time would come.
She knew who she was and took solace in that knowledge.
 
Every morning, as Ally awoke, she lifted the sheet
and looked down at her feet.
Every morning, Ally saw legs and no mermaid tail.
 
One morning, years and years after Ally was born,
she woke up, lifted the sheet, and looked down.
She had a tail! A real mermaid tail!
 
Ally transformed into a mermaid by strange magic
beyond her comprehension. Ally's outside finally
matched her inside. Ally's belief in herself
finally came true.
 
This is Ally's tale.


 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 


(Thank you, Michi, for your artistic collaboration and photography)

87 comments:

  1. Oh, wow. You look beautiful! I am so happy your outside finally matches your inside, Ally. You make a gorgeous mermaid!

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    1. Thank you, pal. I'm glad people are getting the metaphor.

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  2. You look exquisite! The lighting really conveys the feeling that you are underwater and the set only adds to your beauty. You rock that mermaid tail - and yay for never giving up on what you know is true.

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    1. We worked hard to create the right setting. Glad to hear it succeeds.

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  3. You are an amazing person Ally and you never gave up hope that just one day your wish will come true. It has come true and you look so happy. Congratulations on the awesome photo shoot.

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    1. Thank you, Dale. Your observation is correct.

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  4. OH MY GOD. I love, love, LOVE this!! It's so beautiful--you, the photography itself, the studio setup, and did I mention you? That fourth-from-bottom photo, where you have your head up by your head--so elegant! I bet this was so much fun, I hope you post about the behind-the-scenes experience!

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    1. Your reaction pleases me, Emma. Spreading joy was a big reason I did this.

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  5. Wow, how utterly beautiful you look!x

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  6. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. And so very, very Ally.

    On a selfish note, I'm thrilled that I can now brag that I have a mermaid for a friend!

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    1. You do! I'm trying to figure out a path to swim to Pittsburgh but it's too far inland...

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  7. Absolutely beautiful, Ally. You blow all those other mermaids right outta the water. :)

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  8. These photos are simply breathtaking. YOU are breathtaking! They get better every time I look at them.

    The ethereal, dreamy feel is just like a magical underwater setting and perfectly sets off your own beauty and magic. You always look beautiful, but this is the most beautiful I have ever seen you, not to mention I can tell how natural and comfortable you feel in front of the camera. Also my favorite hair ever on you.

    I love the parallel to your real life as well. My only correction would be to spell it "tail." (Silly, I know, but I couldn't resist!)

    It makes my heart happy seeing your long-held dreams coming true one by one. Happy sigh.

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    1. Thanks, Jen. That's exactly the atmosphere I wanted to create. And I debated the spelling in my head for several days.

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  9. Lovely tale! Beautiful metaphor with a sweet ending. i am glad to know you, and so happy for you, after such a long struggle. The photography is amazing, and creative. This is magazine quality ! YOU go girl!
    xx, Elle
    http://mydailycostume.com

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  10. oh how fun! what a great idea for a photo session. you look so comfortable and natural in these photos. nicely done, michi!

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  11. You have officially upped your game like a zillion percent. These are great pics, and what an awesome concept! I have so many questions...where did you find that tail? Was the costume custom made? How do you get such silky smooth pits? And just think...this probably would never have been created if you hadn't started blogging!

    Oh, yeah, and you look 17 by the way. No joke. - A

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    1. Thank you! Not sure how I shaved a half-century off my age, but I'll take it!

      The tail -- which is functional for swimming -- was obtained through a great place: https://www.the2tails.com/

      Over the weekend, I'm going to offer to lend the tail to anyone who wants to try it. It will fit any normal-sized gal.

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  12. perfection, Ally. Stop the internet, I've found the perfect post. Your hair, your tail, your beaming smile. This is the true Ally on point. Mermaid model!

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  13. I go away for several months and when I come back you've picked up so much confidence and poise and merged it seamlessly with your femininity. You are so lovely here. I squeed when I saw the first photo because I remembered your love of the Coney Island mermaids. :D

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    1. You're right! I'm so happy you recall that.

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  14. Oh Ally, what an incredible series of photos and outfit! For all the magical, dreamy fantasy at work here, there is a powerful sense of reality, too - the reality and joy that one sees instantly when you let your inner self shine through on your blog and via your outfit (or costume choices).

    Inspiring, beautiful, truly terrific shoot!

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Your opinion means a lot to me, Jessica. I like what you wrote.

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  15. How magical! You look beautiful Ally, I'm so pleased your wish came true x

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  16. Oh, Ally. You look absolutely beautiful in these photos. But moreover you look positively radiant - like that special light that is inside you simply cannot be contained.

    As I look through the photos there is something in your eyes that I don't know that I've seen before. You must've been brimming with joy. Well done, Michi for capturing that!

    Your ability to visualize and conceptualize your dreams is beautiful. Michi seems like a perfect partner to help you bring them to fruition. The mermaid is a powerful metaphor here.

    Thank you for sharing your story with the world. You are wonderful <3

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    1. Thank you Rachael. You see farther into me than anyone else. It's because you care to look that deep. I cherish this about you.

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  17. i have often heard that transgendered m-f have a connection and fasciation with mermaids. i'm glad to see the outside and inside match. what a great, stunning photoshoot. everything is on point. i hope you have these framed and/or printed, even if you don't display them. such a great memory. so proud of you and the results!

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    1. That's true -- we find mermaids fascinating at an early age. And yes, I'm making a poster of the first picture.

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  18. Damn, gurl! That's all I got. You take my breath away.

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    1. Breathe, friend, breathe! In and out, in and out. :-)

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  19. How fun!!! That costume looks fantastic on you! Too bad you can't wear it out LOL.

    What a great idea. So happy you were able to bring it to life.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I can wear it out! As I mention to Ashley above, the tail is used for actual swimming. There are videos of girls swimming with them on the website. The tail was designed for that and, after it was created, the maker thought, "Hey! We can sell these!"

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  20. oh true - a little Mermaid!
    awesome photoshoot! Did you self photographed?

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    1. No, my friend Michi did the photography. She's very talented.

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  21. You were right....I ADORE these pictures! How wonderful that you got to live out a dream. I love the idea of never giving up & finally seeing yourself physically how you always imagined yourself to be. Just love these...especially how happy you look! (And beautiful, obviously.) :)

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    1. Thanks, Sara. This post could almost be for children.

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  22. These are amazing pictures! I love the text with them so much too. What a wonderful gift to yourself. :)

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  23. This looks like such fun - what a brilliant idea and you have some awesome photos here. I especially love that you have been so excited about this project, and that right there is what it's all about - getting enjoyment from planning and executing our dreams and ideas, and then being able to share the results with other people with a smile on our face. Nice one Ally x

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  24. OMGoodness ... I cannot stop looking at your GORGEOUSNESS in these photos ... and as I am drooling over them I am smiling, smiling, smiling!!!!!!!!!! Love everything about the photos ... The joy I see is contagious ... I was smiling right through the Tale of your Tail and am blown away by the amazing light that is beaming out of you. Please swim on over to South Africa ... I will meet you at the shore!!!!

    I LOVE your hair and the colours and the set and Michi for doing such an amazing job at making your dreams come true!!!!

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  25. No words. I love everything about this!!!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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  26. As a card carrying costume junkie, I love this! I really like the picture where you arm is up in a sort of dance pose. It's so graceful and pretty. Love it.

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    1. That's purely me -- an unconscious expression of my self.

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  27. Your poses are fabulous, they only keep getting better.
    I think its a beautiful idea and a very well executed one too!
    Hugs :)

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  28. Oh Ally!! You look so lovely and beautiful! These photos are stunning! And your TAIL!! Your poses are so elegant. I love how this turned out!!

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  29. Ally these pictures are BEAUTIFUL. So fitting for you - this post made me smile so much. You are a gorgeous mermaid and someone I'm so happy to call my friend.

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  30. Only one question: Is it possible to ride a motorcycle side saddle? Ride on in CONFIDENCE! <3

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    1. Not sure! I'm gonna have to explore that one. :-)

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  31. Oh I LOVE this!! Just love it, so clever and you look so radiant. Your true spirit is shinning through.

    Allie of ALLIENYC
    allienyc.com

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  32. GASP!! sooooo beautiful and fun!!! what a fun outfit as well... you look amazing!!!

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  33. So beautiful Ally...the photos are beyond...just perfection. And what a touching and gorgeous metaphor in the story.
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.com

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  34. Beautiful!i'venever thought about being a mermai,more of a butterfly with shimmery wings. You look stunningly beautifl!

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  35. I love it! These photos are fantastic, and you look gorgeous. Love the metaphor too - your confidence and happiness really shines through here :)

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  36. Wow! This post brought everyone out to comment.
    I agree, you look great in curls. And your smile!!
    Have heard of other transgender people enjoying mermaid tails...of course non-trans as well. I wondered if you saw a connection?
    So glad your creative idea turned out so well :-) xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. Thanks, JJ. I had the curly hair (wig) but rarely wore it; it suits a mermaid perfectly though. Many M2F kids are attracted to mermaids as icons for reasons I can guess.

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  37. Ally! I just squealed! You look AMAZING. That hair is incredible, that TAIL! You're beautiful :)

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  38. She is AMAZING! You look lovely. Such stunning shots! :)

    ∞ tanvii.com ∞

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    1. Aren't they?! Good photography is beautiful.

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  39. Wow! What an amazing idea! You make a beautiful mermaid. The set, props and photography is fantastic as well.

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  40. I can't get over how stunning you look in these photos. I'm seeing a Susan Sarandon likeness, too :) You look unbelievable, confident, and happy. What a joy to see you as a mermaid.

    XOXO

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  41. What a beautiful extended metaphor. As a little girl, I'd swim in Lake Michigan by my grandparent's cottage and pretend I was a mermaid. Mermaids still have a special place in my heart and remind me of the imaginative play of childhood. What a fun and fanciful shoot to channel your inner sea nymph!

    <3 Liz
    www.withwonderandwhimsy.com

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  42. Oh, wow, what a brilliant photo shoot. Incredible, you look gorgeous! x
    Elegance & Simplicity

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  43. You really do look fabulous. Whenever I wonder if dreams come true, I think of you. Yes! Yes, they do!

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  44. How fun!! You look so good, I just might hire you for my faire!!

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  45. You are THE CUTEST. That fourth picture from the bottom is so beautiful and atmospheric, too. The angle of your face is so dramatic, you look like an Old Hollywood starlet.

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  46. What a wonderful post Ally, great to see you having so much fun. Lovely photos.

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  47. Wow! love, Love, LOVE!! The photos are just so perfect. I'm failing to describe specifics... just amazing!

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  48. I just figured out when I saw this post a few days ago I was amazed at how beautiful these pics turned out and how inspiring you are...and I was sure I had left a comment but then I remembered my ipad started acting weird and I wasn't at home, so I wanted really to let you know I loved this post so very much, special just like you are :-)

    Fashion and Cookies - fashion blog

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  49. WOW! The pictures turned out so wonderful! Great job to you and your friend!!!
    Have a wonderful day :)
    Larissa
    http://cenestquedelachance.blogspot.de/

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  50. I'm sneaking a couple of these for my blog and trusting you are okay with that. I am surprised that I didn't leave a comment here before. The photos are so gorgeous! xoxoxo

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    1. You're welcome to anything you find here, buddy.

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  51. Fantastic. Such gorgeous photos but also such gorgeous face and hair. I love how you look in these pictures. You are a stunningly beautiful woman. And a poet.
    Greetje

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  52. I had to come over and have another look! So beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie! Good posts like this never grow old.

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  53. Just spotted your photos. I think you look fantastic. Such a different look! I hope you had a fab time.

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