Which hurts less

[Emma1017]

I finally got an "EMMA" last week and went shopping with Jenn. Jenn convinced me to buy a pair of non-pierced earrings that looked like they were pierced.

It felt wonderful.  I started making stone bead bracelets.  I really like the way they look.

[davina61]

Very stylish dear, rocking that look XXXX

[Emma1017]

Thanks Davina. I am getting more comfortable going out but still nervous. I don't think I could go out alone so having Jenn as my wing person helps!

[Sephirah]

You are gorgeous, Emma. You already know I think that. But it has nothing to do with how you look. It has to do with how much you allow what's inside you to shine out. When you let go and just be... girl, you are radiant. Your smile stops traffic. You literally glow from inside, and that comes across in everything.

"It felt wonderful". That's really the whole point. When you feel happy inside, you show that to the world like ripples in a pond.

Go you.

L x

[Lori Dee]

I totally agree with all of this. You look mahvelous!

Confidence will come when you see yourself the way we see you. Looking good, Emma!
Thanks for sharing the pic.

[Sephirah]

I totally agree with all of this. You look mahvelous!

Confidence will come when you see yourself the way we see you. Looking good, Emma!
Thanks for sharing the pic.

You have that smouldering, sultry thing going on in your own pic, Lori. It never fails to amaze me how beautiful people look when they are in the moment of being themselves.

[Emma1017]

OK Lori and Sephirah you both got me blushing.  I think my smile is just the result of good dental hygiene!

...and Lori I agree with Sephirah, you do have a sultry beauty in your photo.

[Lori Dee]

Thank you. It was one of those rare days where hair, makeup, and lighting all came together just right. So I've been using it as a profile picture here, on my website, FB. Hopefully, I will have another great day and can update the pic (it's a year old now).

[davina61]

I think the song to go with that is True Colours, as it says I see your true colours shining through.

[Emma1017]

Followed by "Girls just wanna have fun."

[REM.1126]

Most people who go to bars tend to be young.  I know that isn't entirely true, but I did say "most". 

The lack of transgender bars in NY may be because most younger transgender people go to either "gay" bars or straight bars.  A lot of younger people are going in hopes of meeting someone new for a fun night of (wherever that goes).  If that's any part of your plan, you go to a place where you stand a reasonable chance of meeting someone you are interested in that might be interested in you. 

So, if you are a woman looking for a woman, or a man looking for a man, gay bars probably work as well as anything.  If you are looking for a straight person, straight bars are everywhere.  If you are going to a transgender bar, there is a good chance that you are looking to meet a transgender person for whatever reason.

I suppose I understand the attraction of a safe place bar.  NYC being what it is, maybe many younger transwomen and transmen go to straight bars and clubs where anything is acceptable?

[Emma1017]

REM I agree that the most bars are for young people and they are more accepting of LGBTQ individuals. 

I read that NYC has 48 LGBTQ bars of which six are lesbian.  I only know of two transgender bars. There are over 25,000 bars and clubs in NYC.  The older I get, the more out of place I feel in the bars, definitely given my age and specifically because I am transgender.  It makes sense.  I am not looking to hook up.  I am just looking for conversation.

I have been on the search for transgender support groups in NYC and choices are few.  It frustrating and I know that I am looking for the impossible.  It was great to have the moment at the T Lounge to connect, even though it was briefly.

 

[Lori Dee]

Why limit your choices to trans or gay bars? I realize that there is a higher chance of acceptance. But what about other interests? Book clubs, bowling leagues, or whatever. My interests are in rock-hounding and gold prospecting. The groups were more focused on common interests than they were on gender or orientation. Some of the best conversations I have had were while shopping. And I am not in a very Trans-friendly state. Just a thought.

[Oldandcreaky]

I have been on the search for transgender support groups in NYC and choices are few.  It frustrating and I know that I am looking for the impossible.

You don't need a smorgasbord of choices. You just need one group that works for you and you won't find it until you put yourself out there and try some. Not impossible. Quite possible.

[Emma1017]

Lori and O&C I think you are both right, I am looking for the perfect social group and it doesn't exist.  I need to broaden my horizons.

[Emma1017]

I learned a very important lesson this week.  Don't garden in shorts.  I have a wicked case of poison ivy. I have never had a reaction to poison ivy before but after three miserable days and nights, I went to the dermatologist.

He told me that as we age, at some point poison ivy can break through our immune system.  I can vouch for that. Beside the area on my legs that had contact, the rest of my body has be very itchy and very sensitive to temperature.  They put me on a 15 day steroid discipline and thankfully I am starting to see an improvement.

I intend to invest in one of those hazmat jump suits for all future gardening.



 

[Lori Dee]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. That is miserable to deal with.

I am not allergic to poison ivy or poison oak. (I don't know about poison sumac.) But it is good to know that I could become allergic to them in the future. Jeez, does anything get easier as we get older? Memory? Nope. Vision? Nope. Hearing? Nope. Muscle strength? Nope. <sigh>

[Oldandcreaky]

I once contracted poison ivy that went into my body. Imagine an itch that you can't scratch.

The ER doc said, "I have some many people coming to me wanting something for poison ivy and I send them home with nothing because they'll be fine on their own, but you, you're getting everything."

So, he gave me two shots and a prescription. The shots were so powerful that I fell asleep at the pharmacy.

[Lori Dee]

@Oldandcreaky

Oh my! That does not sound like fun.

[davina61]

Like I said elsewhere I am glad I live in the UK, stinging nettles are the worst of our plants unless you eat the red berries! No wild animals to attack but they have reintroduced wild boar in the Forest of Dean that can be aggressive.
 Well its cloudy again, will call in on Deb and see if any beans on my plats yet.