iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

How has it (only) been 4 weeks (already)? Results are looking good, swelling is going down, numbness is receding. And most of all, I almost always feel like a handsome mfer these days.

More of a regular selfie. Topless, top of hand barely visible resting on my hairy belly. I'm slightly smirking at the camera but it was morning and I wasn't quite awake yet. Looking good 😊

Frontal shot of my chest to get a comparable idea of healing progress. The nipples are looking good, if a little bit pale, and the scar, while dark, doesn't seem particularly red. It's also covered in transparent scar tape, which causes a bit of a shine. Much less swelling than last week but still noticeable.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

This is in no way fully cooked and yet I'm already feeling myself like never before. Top surgery was a 15/10 decision. Feels weird not to have to spoiler this anymore when it's the same nips on the same chest, so btw fuck the patriarchy.

White trans man with fresh double incision top surgery scars and nipples. Everything is still a bit swollen but he's beaming as he just sits and looks at the camera. In the background is a progress pride flat hanging on the wall.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

LF someone who speaks Portuguese; ideally even someone not totally uninformed about chest surgeries. I spotted this in my post-op report and every app seems to translate it to "nipple-sparing". Now, I did not get nipple-sparing afaik. Is this just the Portuguese way to say ”free nipple grafts"?

Screenshot from Google Translate which translates "mastectomia total poupadora de mamilo" from Portuguese to English as "nipple-sparing total mastectomy"

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

After about a week of not being allowed near me, I removed the pillow barrier in the morning and finally allowed some careful cuddles. The barrier is going up again overnight because Nomi is a bed hogger but I feel like everyone might be a little calmer now. Also, please look at that flat chest! 😊

1 white transmasc person and two dogs cuddling in bed.the human is propped up against a pillow. One dog is lying by his side, the other is sitting between his legs. Both dogs are getting scritches.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Look, I'm not saying I'm doing super duper great but I have been allowed to take the compression velcro wrap off a day early. Now I'm down to the compression vest and feeling loads better. Eating. Relaxing. Even napping. Tomorrow we get to see how my nipples have fared through all this. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

White transmasc sitting outside wearing a blue button-down shirt and black glasses. He's smirking a bit and looking almost relieved. There's a bit of wound dressing poking out of his open collar.

Table with two big tumbler travel mugs on it, one in seafoam, one in baby blue, an empty plate, and a small blue tote. Between the mugs we see a blue merle dog dissecting a toy in the grass a bit away. And to the right of the right-most mug there's a black dog barely visible between the lattices of a chair, also dissecting a toy.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

In case you're wondering what kind of things people say about and to trans people in the comments of trans people's and their ally's posts on Facebook. And no, I'm not anonymising haters anymore. You say this with your whole chest, then I'm showing your name, Jan.

Jeff Mathieson:

@Kai Katschthaler that has to be the worst lie you're telling yourself. It's inflicting your delusion on people who love you.

Kai Katschthaler:

@Jeff Mathieson if they believe trans people aren't real then they don't love me. Pretty easy logic.

Jan Morris:

@Kai Katschthaler Honestly, the child you had Is dead, not sure I wouldn't prefer that option.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

you could say there have been some more changes since 🤭

Pale transmasc person taking a selfie from above, looking confidently up through purple aviator sunglasses. They’re wearing jeans shorts and are topless, just wearing chest tape. His belly is hairy, the beard scruffy but well-kept. A smirk is on his lips.

Pale transmasc bearded person wearing purple aviator sunglasses, blue earbuds, and a faded black shirt. They’re smiling into the camera.

A pale transmasc person with black glasses and a short beard is leaning forward on their arm and gazing intently into the camera. He’s wearing a sleeveless black shirt and his arms shows the definition of some muscles. His other shoulder and the edge of his face is out of the frame.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

19 days to go! There's a distinct chance that I'll be too hot after top surgery. I already am feeling myself quite a bit lately, and idk how powerful it'll make me but chances are I'll be wielding way more confidence than the world is ready for.

White transmasc person in sunnies sitting topless on the beach after a swim. You can see the tape on their chest.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Shout-out to an old acquaintance who, upon running into each other on Instagram, did the most perfect ally thing ever. We haven't been in touch since long before I started transitioning. #transAlly

Screenshot of Instagram DM. Me saying "oh hi! Blast from the past ☺️" and the other person replying with "Indeed! 😁 Nice beard 🤩"

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I should not be the only one at Pride wearing a mask. And A Coruña Pride is *deeply* political, so you'd think people would be somewhat more community care minded but I literally have not seen a single other person who is madking.

selfie of a white transmasc wearing a light grey sleeveless shirt with a handmade slogan on it, glasses, and a shiny grey respirator with colourful spiderwebs on it. gold pronoun pins read he/they. you can't see it fully but the shirt says "100% bisexual 100% autistic 0% chance to notice flirting"

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I accidentally rewatched "Shortbus" tonight. It was accidental in that I only wanted to briefly turn it on while I waited for the shower to free up, and tbh also the spoons to get up. And suddenly it was 3 am. But it's a hot night and it felt kinda fitting given that I first saw this 1/6

Shortbus movie poster showing the cast lying on the floor in a big cuddle pile. The poster reads: "From the director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. A John Cameron Mitchell film. Shortbus." The tagline reads "You've got to get on to get off"

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

🧵3/5 When I was 30, my film school application was a set of 5 photos that told the story of an erotic dancer approaching a man and realising he’s binding. This is the “reveal” photo of the sequence. I remained oblivious. (I also made a deeply autistic short film before knowing I was autistic 🤷🏻‍♂️)

Shot over the shoulder as a POV of the dancer. She’s wearing fishnet gloves, has painted nails, and is gently unbuttoning/opening the shirt of the person in front of her to reveal their chest is bound under it. The person sitting down is only visible up to their nose and wearing a light blue dress shirt.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

even if I say so myself, I'm handsome af these days in a well-calculated and set up selfie at least 😅

handsome white transmasc person in a black sleeveless shirt and black glasses looking to the side into the mid distance with a smirk

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Playing Tavern Keeper until 2am? 🤦‍♂️ This is like Diner Dash fever all over again. Curse my addictive personality!

super close-up selfie of a white masc person with big black glasses and a scruffy beard. they're staring into the camera with wide eyes, teeth bared in something like a wild grin. all in all a bit unhinged.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

I've cured what ailed me by throwing myself into the sea

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

tired and exhausted from a long day of tiring and exhausting shit, but taking some time to regulate by watching s2 of Dinosaur and having a bite and a cup of tea. I may feel a bit shite but I dinnae look half bad.

Tired-looking white transmasc leaning back against a pillow. He's wearing black-rimmed glasses and a dark blue T-shirt. They're looking up at the camera with a slight smirk and tired eyes.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

sweaty after working out and delighted. it's so nice to sweat again! for the past two years I'd been overheating before I'd get a chance to sweat. what a silly thing to be glad about, for normal people at least, but MCAS folks likely get it.

white transmasc with short hair, black tank top, and black glasses lying on the floor and sporting a content smirk. selfie from the sternum up.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

I have suffered the indignity of the barber playing clearly "vintage" music and me knowing every word to every song because it was the same stuff we awkwardly slow danced to circa middle school 😆 So now I feel old. But I did get a great haircut!

White transmasc person with black glasses and a faded black tank showing off a new haircut. It's a bit fluffy at the top, and short on the sides. There's a fade at the back that you obviously cant see from this direction.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

first of all, I'm not going to censor either of our names because this happened on a public reel on Facebook. if that gets your knickers in a twist, don't post shitty comments in public and this won't happen to you now here's the thing that got me worked up: we're far more cooked than I thought.

Noah Tucker: Fuck it. I'm just gonna be a kinda fat really strong dude at the pool party.

Kai Katschthaler: honestly, most women prefer that, especially if you're also a good person

Noah Tucker: No offense, but I'm not taking advice about what women like from a dude that looks like you. Plus, I'm probably not a good person. Doesn't matter, though because I have my queen, and I don't need to appeal to women other than her.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

my kn95 is cute and colourful (CW: spiderweb decorations), last night I beat Theseus and the Minotaur in Hades for the first time, and I don’t have to get up at the ass crack of dawn to go to physio again until Monday!

selfie of me showing off my short curly hair. I’m wearing glasses and my grey Zimi mask with the colourful spiderwebs on (it’s so pretty!). Photo is admittedly a bit blurry. My hair is definitely turning white in streaks.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Wanted to show off the perfect fucking curls today before ruining them by putting my Critical Role cap on because it is, as always, pissing down here today 😆 #galicia

selfie of me showing off my short curly hair, this time sans KN95 respirator and not blurry so you can see the curls better. My hair is definitely turning white in streaks. Beard is mostly blond and relatively short at the moment for easier masking.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Post a random picture, or else everything will go bad in September.

a drawn image showing one method of binding your chest with trans tape. I don't remember who drew it and where I got it, but I saved it as I was trying to figure out taping. whoever created it, thank you. the diagonal piece is a game changer and I hadn't seen anyone else suggest it before.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Up early because one of the dogs needed out. My partner took him but I woke up too and couldn’t go back to sleep. So now I have breakfast and am at my desk to get some work done while I watch A Crown of Candy. I’ll sleep more later. And yeah, I look like shit, I went to bed at 2 and woke up at 5 lol

Selfie of a very tired me, eyes bleary and a bit red, looking very unimpressed that the window behind me is still showing only darkness

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

T shot on Tuesday, barbershop on Thursday 🔥 it's a good week on the gender front

Selfie showing fesh hair cut, short on the sides, bit longer on the top. aviator sunglasses, faded black sleeveless shirt

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Swim a bit more tiring than usual since I rescued this little fella out of the ocean. Luckily I swim with a buoy (for valuables/safety). Managed to put him on it but keeping him on involved turning the buoy as he wandered about. Was about to put on my shoes to feed him at home when he flew off.

you'll probably have to zoom in to see the fat little bumblebee sitting on the edge of my black and grey glasses case. He didn't look twice at the dandelions I put in the case for him. On the right you see a bit of the deflated orange personal buoy I swam him to shore on. He was already shaking his wings when I took this photo, pausing halfway between putting my shoes on. I had a inkling he was recovering and, indeed, a minute later he spread his wings and took off. If you're here to tell me it's a she not a he, idc gender is a construct and this is clearly a chonky boy.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

had enough of Instagram who've been testing their new "ad break" "feature" on me, so I reported it as a problem because it fucking well is.

screenshot from Instagram to report a problem and I've typed out:
You better not make this new "ad break" thing you're clearly testing on some people an actual thing because I swear right now I *will* leave this platform. We're not bloody children who need to put in capitalism timeout. It's rude, it's intrusive, it's disgusting, it's doing nothing but pissing me off and closing this stupid app to go touch some grass instead. And stop pushing AI slop. It's gross and unethical, but then so is Meta.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

You can tell from my expression that I just reset my brain by swimming in the sea for 20 minutes. Absolutely needed that today. GP appointment went really well (got meds and a bunch of referrals) but it was still so stressful. Ocean was of the essence.

Selfie on the beach after a swim, wearing a black hoodie and black glasses, I look relieved and content

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

I'm essentially Hawkeye. Actively refusing to be serious unless it is absolutely necessary.

Hawkeye in M.A.S.H. sitting comfortably and pretending to file a medical skeleton's nails as if at a salon

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

today in "unintentionally affirming" 🤣 I've been cry-laughing for ten minutes 😂 sad they deleted because I was about to reply "nah, man, it's gynaecomastia :( gonna have to have surgery"

skeet that says "Do you have tits???
If you re a dude I feel for ya man.
Bench press maybe"

Same skeet but showing that it's a reply to something I posted ages ago: a selfie of me looking grumpy and complaining about getting misgendered

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

normalise being a hot hunk with a granny carrito 🛒 especially if you're a chronically ill hunk 😆

Selfie from high up to show my fancy new Rolser shopping cart next to me on the way to the shops. I am wearing snazzy purple hued aviators and have a dad bod.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Post-workout balcony ice cream. Best thing about being an adult and working your way out of the cPTSD is realising that there's no rule that says you can't have ice cream before dinner.

Me smirking while holding a cornetto-type ice cream cone in front of my face. Hair is wild, eyes behind my glasses are shining bright. It looks like I've just briefly paused eating my ice cream to look at the camera.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

*strikes cool pose* *ruins it by wearing absolutely ridiculous kt tape with bananas on it* terribly on brand tbh 😂

me striking a cool pose on the beach bent slightly forward towards the camera, one leg bent and leaning on it with my elbow. Other arm casually hanging down, shoulders and triceps are looking good. I'm smirking at the camera. Oh and I'm wearing aviator sunglasses.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

uhm… where did A Coruña go? I swear, ten minutes ago it was all still there and now you can't even see the light from the Torre lighthouse. Which is wild. The good news is that the humidity hasn't stopped it from cooling off, such a relief after two hot days.

View over the hazy rooftops towards what's usually the Torre but you can't see it at all. The lights from the football pitch make it look like there's a fire but there isn't.

Similarly hazy view over the ocean side. Well, you gotta believe me that's where the ocean usually is even though you can't see it right now.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

when in Spain… had to take a siesta on account of tired, heat, inner rage (took my ADHD meds too late), and allergies. Now I have 15 minutes to iron out the pillow folds on my face and be at our tech hang 😂 also: silver streak is going hard these days, I love it!

lying on my front and looking up at the camera like I just lifted my head from my pillow (I did). Bed head, wavy situation with silver streak at the front being a lil dramatic. Eyes slightly red because fucking allergies. Green eyes looking good though. My short beard looks like it scritches good (it does)

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

I jumped on a tiktok trend and I'm low-key in love with my own thirst trap I think 😂 the link (vm.tiktok.com/ZNdApYU23/) if you wanna give me some love over there which I'd appreciate

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

This looks so unreal. I think it must be some intense cloud cover reflecting light pollution back up. It's past 1am. It should be dark. Instead, everything looks almost black and white.

A shot of some rooftops and the vertical part of a crane with an almost white/grey looking sky above it. The photo looks almost like it's in black and white with a pinkish tinge to the sky.

Similar shot of the rooftops and the crane, this time framed by a window which has a pink hue, making the rooftops and sky in the background look even more black and white.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

y'all! we're exhausted and stressed by having to build our ikea furniture this weekend buuut life is good here cos look at that!

shot of my house beach yet again, pretty calm today

A pasty masc person with sunglasses leaning back against a stone wall in the sun. They're shirtless with chest tape and a turquoise towel is closely slung over their neck.

Quick shot of the sunset off the balcony. the sky is a beautiful ombre of blue, purple, orange, yellow and pink.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Almost missed it but I'm 3 years on T today (well, technically yesterday as it's past midnight here). Someone remind me about this whenever I doubt I've changed.

Kai three years ago, holding up a box of testo top gel. Who the fuck is this person because I sure as hell barely recognise this twinkish girl cosplay.

Kai a couple of days ago looking masc with a lil scruffy chin beard and purple aviator sunglasses and a sleeves black shirt. They're posing in front of a graffiti'd wall, looking confident and happy.

Kai yesterday at the beach. Same aviator sunglasses. Chest taped and naked. Belly poking out. Looking up at the camera confidently.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I am reminded of this moment in West Wing too often these days…

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

I find it amusing that the more masculine I get, the fruitier I get as well 💅

Selfie of me in a grey tank top and rose gold sunglasses with a purple tint, smirking at the camera. Hair is starting to give silver fox.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

I didn't realise I was getting ads in Spanish and spent a good minute trying to figure out what a sin blanket was and if I should want one 🌶️ 😂

ad that says "sin blanky: 25°" over a red tinted image of a person lying in bed seemingly distressed, and "blanky: 17°" of a blue tinted version of that same person relaxing in bed

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Still can't wrap my head around the fact that this is just a regular Tuesday evening for us now.

Selfie of a pale transmasc person on a sunny day wearing rose gold and purple-tinted aviators and smirking happily at the camera while behind them the beautifully blue and turquoise sea breaks against the cliffs.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

New sunnies who dis? Considering my prescription strength and that I can see with them, it's good enough, even though they're clearly cheap compared to my actual glasses. Finn says the regular ones fit me better but I think they look less cool. 😎 perhaps that's a midlife crisis thing to think 😅

Me looking cool in a pair of aviators with purple mirrors lenses

Me in more regular type of sunnies. Finn says they fit me better but I think they look less cool than the aviators.

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Kai (he/they) had top surgery 🏳️‍⚧️ @thegrumpyenby.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

For goodness sake, please just buy a toaster already! This IKEA ad telling me they have "everything for my perfect dinner" while advertising some holder for an iron (as in ironing your shirt) to me is the reason friends don't let friends let AI put their ads together. 😂

ikea ad on Facebook trying to convince me that I need this iron holder for my perfect dinner (all of this is happening in German)

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