I want to share the experience with you, and I will definitely update this with a link to my photos (I still have to go through over 400 of them!)
To everyone who I didn't respond to in my threads: Thanks!
The most important underlying "social energy" part of the entire experience (for me) began when I showed up at the trip meeting en femme, and then calmly explained myself to those interested (they had all seen me before in a different way) and then I sent out this e-mail:
Quote
Small introductory / explanatory message:
I am terrible at introductions! Since I will be a driver and possibly an important contact for you on the trip, you may or may not have noticed, but I feel I should explain my altered appearance at the previous meeting: I am in fact transsexual at the beginning of transition. This will not be an issue on the trip, I plan to be in "almost boy mode" the entire time. My preferred name is Em, short for Emma. Don't worry about pronoun usage. Due to current biological state, I will also be bunking in a private room within the guys dorm at the DSC. I'm not overly sensitive about anything really, and I am very easygoing.
Regarding batteries: I have 40 extra AA and 40 extra AAA alkaline batteries and a charger that is capable of recharging 8 batteries at once from AAA size to D size at a rate of between 300 to 2000ma per hour (which means it will take only one hour to completely recharge AA rechargeables), I will share these freely on the trip. I can't help it, I'm a flashlight nerd!
I hope you all enjoy yourselves, and feel free to talk to me about anything at all, I am very open to discussion. I can't wait to see you all bright and early in the morning!
Em (Ryan on Dave's associate list)
This went out to 8 of my colleagues and 23 students who accompanied me on the trip. AND IT WAS AWESOME!!! I was treated with respect and adoration (and was dragged into the girls dorm more than a few times), only accidentally called by my birth name 3 times, and was actually informed by a new friend that she was feeding off of my estrogen - at the risk of TMI, I will let you guess what that means
That was all a small bonus, in reality, when compared to the spiritual experience that the desert provides. The Mojave Desert and Death Valley done right are extremely beautiful experiences which can change your entire life.
More to come!
