Well this was a crazy day.

[Liminal Stranger]

First off, my heart goes out to any and all Bostonians tonight. If I could get one question from them and get a straight answer, it would simply be this: "Why?". The fact that a human being could intentionally hurt and kill other human beings is a horrible concept to me, and the news only serves as a reminder that not everyone shares that sentiment.

On a lighter note, lots of passing today. I'm out to almost everyone who needs to know save for two or three people and they already know I'm obviously non gender-conforming. To the rest, I'm stealth, and that got put to the test in gym class today. I got into a bout of very physical playfighting with friends, and equipped with only my dollar store compression tank, sports bra, and sock, I was absolutely terrified that someone was going to go "OMG HE HAS BREASTS HE MUST BE A GIRL!!!11" but my chest and lower half seem to pass without a problem to kids who were unclear of my identity until I showed up in a tux. I'm being thrown into the world of male socialization in high school- creepy girls chasing me, hanging out with bros while avoiding crabby old teachers, getting into crazy shenanigans, and actually having people come into contact with my chest and not being outed by that. Some experimental self-groping made me realize that they do feel more like pecs than anything. I am thrilled by this, now to take the next step and plan how to be out to teachers next year so there's no confusion.

I went in a McDonald's and got a happy meal on some odd whim after school, the meal came with this girly toy and obnoxious pink colors on the packaging. So I went up to the girl who had taken my order with the toy and before I could say anything, she apologized and handed me a boys' toy. I don't know who chop chop is but he beats whatever vomit-inducing creature that other thing was supposed to be. Then I was on line for the restroom, and the guy went to go get the mop to wipe the floor.

I happened to be in the way, and he said to me: "Excuse me, sir".

HE SAID SIR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Jfq5UAk1Bxc#t=307s
That was me in my head right there.
EDIT: Video plays from beginning. Part I was referring to starts around the 5 minute mark.

Went to a college info session after with my mom, found my best friend there too. Mom embarrassed the hell out of both of us by consistently referring to me as a girl to her, almost as if on purpose. But whatever, I had a day full of awesome.

[DriftingCrow]

Congrats on your passing, I think you feeling more confident lately has been helping you a lot. I hope you enjoy your chop chop thing.

And lol my mom was embarassing at a college info session to back when I was looking at BU (and I think she also caused me bad vibes with Bryn Mawr people lol, I didn't even bother applying after that), I think it's inevitable.

While I didn't have a passing incident yesterday (I was heading to temple so I was wearing a scarf over my head, I probably looked like a muslim woman), I had stopped at a store and went to use the restroom, but there was a long line so I just went in the men's room. When I left, a older lady who was in line was staring at me in shock, so I said "don't worry, it's clean in there" and she started laughing hysterically then said "oh, what the heck" and went in the men's room. It was awesome.

First off, my heart goes out to any and all Bostonians tonight. If I could get one question from them and get a straight answer, it would simply be this: "Why?". The fact that a human being could intentionally hurt and kill other human beings is a horrible concept to me, and the news only serves as a reminder that not everyone shares that sentiment.

Luckily not too many people have died so far, and from what I've heard most of the injuries are lower body instead of total body injuries. I saw two people my husband is an acquaintance with (Dick and Rick Hoyt if anyone has heard of them) safely cross the finish line on a CNN video, and I don't know anyone else who was running.

[Damian]

Congrats! !!!!
BTW: I love John Barrowman, I idolize myself after him !

[Liminal Stranger]

Yeah, Barrowman is awesome AND SHOULD COME BACK TO DOCTOR WHO DAMMIT.
*puts away the megaphone*
Nice one, LH! I stopped being afraid of using the men's in public, going to come out to the last few people first and maybe get a haircut before I even attempt at school, also might want to consult with the guidance counselor too. It'd be nice to just have a mass email sent to staff saying "Hey guys this kid *birthname* is a dude and goes by Max, kthxbai" so I don't go through some weird awkward conversation about it with teachers of mine who are waaaayyyy too friendly.

Then there's my dad's side of the family. Orthodox Jewish, plus unsupportive mother. They send me things in the mail to "Ms. *birthname*" or "Miss *birthname*". Gross.

But Facebook made that initial breakthrough so much easier because I learned just how strong the rainbow is in that school. I was even at my saturday orchestra and these girls took my friends instrument and put it in the girls bathroom. So we stood outside like a bunch of awkward dudes, everyone trying to get someone who wasn't them to go in. We ended up sending a girl in, but not before complaining about how they were terrible for doing this and our mutual hunger (and craving for delicious bacon). It ended up not being there, but the point was getting to be one of the dudes. People don't hug me unless it's a proper bro hug now, this is beautiful.

I've actually grown more responsive to Max than my birthname, which is something I worried about for a while. That's pretty cool.