This is turning out to be a great week.

Had a great visit over lunch yesterday and learned a lot!

Had my third Voice training this morning. The first two were just backstory and paperwork. Today, we went through some exercises, and I'll get homework to do over the next week.

@Jessica_Rose had given me some pointers and coincidentally that is the stuff we covered today. I always enjoy learning new things, especially if it is something that helps me improve myself to be a better me. It could be anything from learning gestures, unlearning habits, practicing my walk, or my speech. I am digging it!

My rock tumblers are completing their cycle, so it is time to wash some rocks. Then I can take a break for a couple of days until Saturday when we have the DAV / VA LGBTQ+ Listening Session. I'll get to meet up with some of the gals from our local VA Transgender Support Group.

Every morning when I get up, I think about the things I will be doing that day. I don't think of them as things I have to do. I think of them as things I get to do. Keep thinking positive thoughts. Always find a way to see things from a positive point of view. Never say, "I can't do this." Instead, ask yourself, "How can I get this done?"

Laundry seems to be the exception.

"I don't have to do this, I get to do this."
No. You have to do this.

"How can I get this done?" Hey, kid, wanna make $20?

The power of pretty.  Pretty women have a lot of power as they get to choose the "alpha male."
Done properly, it is a win-win situation for both parties, elevating their social status.  But, there is also the potential for disaster.

I had an opportunity to select the "alpha male" while waiting for the emission test to be done on my car.  It was just after COVID so I don't recall the exact details, but I picked who I thought was the alpha male.  He came over and we had a conversation.  I believe some of the body language is hard wired into our minds rather than something we learn as it is implausible that I learned the body language for the wrong gender.  This theory may also explain the awkwardness I'd have presenting as a guy if I was using the signals for the wrong gender. The interaction happens  so fast that I realize what I've done after I've done it.  This is opposite of what I've read in autism books where females struggle to memorize what to do because their social skills are lacking.  Highly intelligent autistics often burn out because it takes to much work to fake being normal.

John Nash won a Nobel Prize for out thinking what normally happens is social dating situations.
He postulated that ignoring the "hot blonde" and going for someone else was far better according to his game theory.

You are correct O wise one, some recipes do say you can use lemon instead. Brace yourself for a PM.

Thank you for all your inputs and sharing your personal experience.

I've usually had female doctors all my life, except for a short period when I first moved to Connecticut.  I recently had a female doctor who listed LGBTQ on her web site but she moved back to Michigan a few years ago.

My present female doctor is quite sharp.  She spotted stuff that I didn't think of, like a vitamin D deficiency during the winter.
I now take vitamin D supplements for six weeks during the middle of winter.

I didn't have a preference so I let the clinic assign me a doctor. They gave me a female physician. For surgery she referred me to a male (Dr Oates).

Quote from: davina61 on Today at 02:44:36 AMIf you like I will PM you the Gobi Aloo recipe, thats if you can get the spices. Ground coriander, Garam Masala , turmeric and the one you might have trouble with dried mango powder.

Oh that would be very nice, thanks. Please do!

And BTW, from my VERY VERY limited knowledge of Indian cuisine (but just basically what I know about spices)... I assume dried mango powder is used to add sour notes? And/or citrus notes? So if I coudn't find it — do people replace it with other citruses such as lemon, lime or even tamarind?

Because I have all the spices you mentioned above already other than the mango.. but obviously if we're making this I will seek it out. Just curious!

Pre-transition I had a male Primary who was very good. He moved to a new position at a local hospital and a female MD took over his practice. She was very good in that she seemed to understand my concerns almost intuitively. The psychologist who did my mental health evaluation was male, but again he was very understanding and professional.

Once I started care with the VA, my Primary, Psychologists, Endocrinologist, Dermatologist, and Gynecologist are all female. I don't know if the VA did that intentionally, or if it was luck of the draw. I have found I prefer female physicians because they understand things like hot flashes due to low hormones. A male physician knows about these things but has not experienced them. That in no way diminishes their abilities, but as I transition to female, I am blessed to have a team that has experienced my symptoms and can accurately understand what I am experiencing.

That is just my personal preference. Others may feel differently.

Good morning everyone. I hope everyone is doing well.

I will be trying to set up my primary care doctor soon and see what they can do or offer in terms of trans/gender affirming care. I am not sure how to ask this since I'm sure it could come off as offensive to some. And if a doctor is a good one it should not matter how they identify in terms of their own gender and sexuality.

My question is based on everyone's experience so far. Do you find you received better care, feel more welcomed, and understood, felt more relaxed with a male doctor or female doctor?

I feel I would lean more towards a female doctor. I don't know why. I feel a female would be more understanding and compassionate and empathize more than a male doctor. That's just me, I don't have any proof or evidence or experience on it.

Granted everyone should be given a chance and if they don't meet my needs then I can always switch to another doctor.

Just wanted to hear everyone's opinion on this subject. Thank you and I am sorry if I have offended anyone.