Here there be dragons...

[lady amarant]

So, yesterday afternoon, I'm on the phone with my mom and dad, and I go out the front door to get better signal. I'm on the phone about 5 minutes when the neighbour walks out, and she putters around a bit, chucking bits of paper and stuff caught in the flowerbeds, when she gets a good look at me ... and then she just ends up kinda ... hanging around. And I'm getting really uncomfortable now because like, 45 minutes later (yeah, we spend a LONG time on the phone, my mom and I) she's still just ... staring at me.

So finally, I hang up and say hi. Her English is practically non-existent, but she gamely introduces herself, asks where I'm from I do the same (Pakistan), I ask how long she's been in London, her the same. And then: "Ladies?"

At first I can't make out exactly what she's saying, but by the 3rd or 4th attempt she switches to "Gentlemen?" and I click (Duh, yet another proud blonde-Simone moment ) so I answer "Lady". She looks at me way quizzically, starts to say something else, and I end the conversation with "I'm working on it..."

Gigglesnort. That was the most hilariously surreal one I've had yet, and I've had a couple so far ... Like the Irish guy on the tube who stared at my friend and I so hard that SHE got uncomfortable and asked him if he had a problem ... or the guy who almost fell off the ladder ... or the shopkeeper who asked me if I had a boyfriend. I mean, how forward do you get?! (hehe. I said yes. Simone = Evil  > ). But that she would stick around for almost an hour just to ask if I was a girl or a boy. Damn.

As my good friend Tash said the other day: "We're past the point of no return now honey. Here there be dragons!"

~Simone.

[NicholeW.]

Aye, that you are, Lass. Drink up me hearties, yo ho!!

Neat story Simone. Yes, we possibly all have stories at least somewhat like your's in early transition. I'd be willing to bet that in the next six months your new stories like that are gonna drop to roughly zero.

Nichole

[Buffy]

Yes it happens Simone in early transition, its part of the process.

I used to go out dressed, wearing a skirt etc and still get called Sir and asked if I was male or female, but it changes over time as peoples perception changes.

My most embaressing moment was when I first went to Speech Therapy and the Speech Therapist was based in a Community Health Centre. I entered a packed waiting room and found a seat, sat reading the paper. You could hear a pin drop it was so quite.

A young girl about 5 shouted at the top of ther voice, ""Mummy, why is that Man wearing a Skirt" to which her Mother repliaed "Because he wants to be a girl""... The guy sitting next to me looked at me, cringed and moved to a free seat.

Yeah, its part of the process and there was no turning back.

Buffy

PS . I am heading for Joburg and Cape Town mid July, if you have any tips and suggestions on what to see, what not to do, I would appreciate them.

[offthesidewalk]

OMW simone- that must felt so awkward- curiosity can be toxic hey?? Hehe.
*huggles*


well, Buffy, i don't know the top half that well, but when you are in CT there's the beach, table mountain, one of those really really old elaborate Churches (i think it's called i cathereral??), the botanic gardens, the wine lands, Stellenbosch (and while you're at it, have at look at all the old houses), the Taal Monument ('taal' means language), and loads more... AND you can't miss robin island. Hehe.

I'll get some brochures for you so long- there is a travel agency right across from where i work. *smiles* ... ...

simone you know the north better than i do- help... Hehe.

*huggles*

[lady amarant]

Hehehe. Don't get me wrong all. I enjoyed it. It was just so surreal.

~Simone.

[NicholeW.]

I enjoyed it. It was just so surreal.

Hmm, surreal. Yes, dear, given that quirky sense-of-humor, I can see where you'd have felt right at home. A Python skit? LOL.

N~

[lady amarant]

I enjoyed it. It was just so surreal.

Hmm, surreal. Yes, dear, given that quirky sense-of-humor, I can see where you'd have felt right at home. A Python skit? LOL.

N~

Not a huge Monty Python fan ... I do like laughing at hairless monkeys going about their daily business though.

~Simone.
       She's in one of THOSE moods again today ...

[Hypatia]

The funniest thing-- I had been in denial of my gender identity, then suddenly accepted being trans one day in 2004 and knew that big changes were ahead. But for the first couple weeks after this, I did not make any changes in my looks. I was just going over my internal feelings about it and trying to learn more. I hadn't yet begun to look female.

I went to pick up some pizzas and while waiting, a couple of small children asked me, "Are you a boy or a girl?" I said "I'm a girl." Some time after that I was waiting in line at a grocery and another pair of small children asked me, "Are you a boy or a girl? You look like a girl." Their mommy told them to hush, but I smiled and answered "I'm a girl." Another time a small child visiting my house asked me the same question and I gave the same answer. All these questions were very early in my process of coming out, a few years ago. Now that I'm unambiguously a woman, I just blend in and don't get the puzzled looks any more.

I'd had long hair for years, but the questions about my gender didn't begin until after my internal realization. Can a state of the soul be outwardly visible? My experiences suggest it can.

A few days after I began consciously dealing with my being trans, I passed a woman on the street. She smiled to me in the way that women only smile to other women while they avoid men. It was that specifically female sort of smile used to make a connection between women. I've never forgotten that moment. It was a blessing that has sustained me through the worst parts of this journey ever since. It was as though she saw the woman in me that had awoken. I believe that the eyes are the windows to the soul.

[NicholeW.]

... I've never forgotten that moment. It was a blessing that has sustained me through the worst parts of this journey ever since. It was as though she saw the woman in me that had awoken. I believe that the eyes are the windows to the soul.

Hi, Hawt-lesbian!! 

Indeed the eyes are the windows of the soul. Not everyone will agree, but I am still convinced that blending and having people 'gender' us is mostly about 'internal belief and vibe.' Yep, it doesn't sound very rational to the rationalists, but, as you said, it does seem to work regardless.

Hugs,

Nichole

[Lisbeth]

Best make sure you don't have a spelling problem.  It's not good to plan for dragons when you arrive and actually find that here there be dragoons.

[Annwyn]

ime remember this one Simone.  Mmmhmm.

uber good laugh^_^

[NicholeW.]

Best make sure you don't have a spelling problem.  It's not good to plan for dragons when you arrive and actually find that here there be dragoons.

Hmm, that might be a GOOD thing for some, Liz!! LOL

[lizard]

I'd had long hair for years, but the questions about my gender didn't begin until after my internal realization. Can a state of the soul be outwardly visible? My experiences suggest it can.

I think so.  After I came out recently... looking in the mirror i feel like i look more feminine.  Like so much so in fact that i find myself wondering when my breasts my start to grow or something... and then I have to remind myself that im not on hormones yet.

Im sure the internal realization manifests itself in some physical form... be it mannerisms or whatnot.  Maybe its just the glow of a woman being happy?

[Lisbeth]

Best make sure you don't have a spelling problem.  It's not good to plan for dragons when you arrive and actually find that here there be dragoons.

Hmm, that might be a GOOD thing for some, Liz!! LOL

[sneakersjay]

I'd had long hair for years, but the questions about my gender didn't begin until after my internal realization. Can a state of the soul be outwardly visible? My experiences suggest it can.

I haven't noticed this yet.  I've not been sir'ed ever and no one has asked.  I'm presumed female everywhere I go still. 

That bites!!

T is on the horizon, though...

Jay

[Hypatia]

Well, your picture looks totally male, sir. You will do great with looks.

[sneakersjay]

Well, your picture looks totally male, sir. You will do great with looks.

Thanks, Hypatia.  There must be something about my body or mannerisms that tips them off.

Well, Starting a new workout, appt. for T next week, and have contacted two surgeons for chest surgery, so it can't be too much longer before I hear that coveted Sir!

Jay

[JonasCarminis]

lol jay i just realize how cute you are.   i just now actually loked at your DP.

and yea, the physical form manifestation thing.  its like my legs are sprouting new hairs from where there were previously none.  and i actually have like a dark happy trail now.  all of that was not there before.  and i havnt even started T!

[Hypatia]

Well, Starting a new workout, appt. for T next week, and have contacted two surgeons for chest surgery, so it can't be too much longer before I hear that coveted Sir!

Given that, there's no doubt at all your looks will become perfect, and your male gender acknowledged by all, before long.