I just got the call this morning. My lessons start on Friday (3rd) first thing in the morning!
I am stoked.

@Gina P

I was watching Trans Voice Lessons on YouTube and she said that many coaches start with that. She has found that some do better with learning to control resonance. She gave some exercises to work on breathiness, pitch, weight, etc. I am curious about what the VA coach will do, but at least I have an idea about the kinds of things we will be talking about.

I am a total newb at doing anything like this, but I love learning new things. Who knows, maybe I'll take up singing. When the neighbors get noisy I can fight back. 

Quote from: Oldandcreaky on Today at 07:33:58 AMI'm glad you added Takeabreakday to the rotation, making it an eight-day week.

Did the cluster headache wallop you?

You are so wise and have invested so much energy in your social transition and it has clearly been a resounding success that I'm reluctant to tweak your approach, but five or ten years down the road, you might want to tighten your expectations around your name and pronouns.

For me, to spend 99% of my life in the company of local friends and strangers who see me as female and then to connect with old friends and family who keep reminding me with the wrong pronouns that they remember me as male, well, it's a jolt every time because they've stayed behind. They don't see me, they don't know me, and we all want to be seen.

Oh I feel as if I'm with you... but I'm also a bit, sneaky. Or at least I think I am? 😉

I've seen my share of REALLY GOOD coaches who teach through fear and intimidation. They have their players constantly on their toes, hyper-aware, always nervous of being yelled at... and in that state of rapid heartbeat and fight/flight some people really step up. 

But those are also the players who, years later, share the "war" stories with each other.

The GREAT coaches get the players to play loose. To let them think they're playing their style, while slowly bringing them into the coaches' system. These players would run through a wall for their coach and these teams are always the most unified and longest-lasting.

My point? I'm not socially transitioned yet. So the last thing I need is for people to suddenly be on pins and needles with me. So I'm telling everyone, I know you're supportive - do your best - and don't worry about what you say. I'm not saying it doesn't matter. I'm just saying do their best and I will never take offense.

This encourages them to do their best. Which, I believe, they will. And as my transition goes further, and they get more comfortable, I hope/assume they'll continue to get better at things, just in step with my actual transition. And it will all feel safe and natural to them... and they won't want to avoid conversations with me, or suddenly be overthinking things. The hope is, mistakes will dwindle, because when they make one they'll move on and try to do better instead of feeling like they just knocked over a very expensive vase in someone's home.

THAT is my theory, anyway.

Maybe it's preposterous? But it's what I'm working with...

Love,
Allie

P.S. Yea, not a cluster-free night. So consider me wolloped. But luckily it was relatively short (fewer than 45 minutes).

One of them "I should have stayed in bed"  days, had a battle fitting a roof lining support in the Austin and then following a very slow driver that I couldn't overtake due to traffic a stone flicked up and cracked the windscreen.  GGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Push to restrict LGBTQ+ rights hits a snag in state legislatures

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/push-to-restrict-lgbtq-rights-hits-a-snag-in-state-legislatures/ar-AA1nQQJz?ocid=windirect&cvid=6fa1b662517145e68ef352417f2739b2&ei=17

Story by Casey Parks (29 April 2024)

Lawmakers introduced a record number of bills targeting gay and transgender Americans this year, but hardly any have passed, raising questions about whether the push to restrict LGBTQ++ rights is losing momentum.

The bills sought to regulate everything from which bathrooms transgender people can use to whether Pride flags can be raised in public buildings. Similar bills sailed through state legislatures in recent years. This year, they failed even in states where Republicans have supermajorities and governors demanded wins.

So far, just 20 bills have passed, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, down from more than 75 last year.

Strategists on both sides say Republicans appear increasingly unwilling to stake their reelections on cultural issues. Though many Americans support policies such as banning trans girls and women from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity, polls have found that the issues aren't especially important to voters.

"We're finding this to be sort of a lightning rod issue," said Sarah Parshall Perry, the senior legal fellow for The Heritage Project, a conservative think tank. "I think there is some legislative will to try to back off a little bit and possibly pump the brakes on what had been previously a more aggressive approach." 

Well done dear I feel exhausted just reading!!!

QuoteThose are the days I will try to remember.

^Wise.^

I have a half-friend who still bemoans her long-a mouldering mother. Her equally a mouldering resentments have half-buried her.

A Costco? Whoa. I'm in the lower 48 and we don't have one of those. Impressive. Your road trip/vacay/fill-the-SUV trip sounds fun and thanks for taking us along with your photos.

I'm glad you added Takeabreakday to the rotation, making it an eight-day week.

Did the cluster headache wallop you?

You are so wise and have invested so much energy in your social transition and it has clearly been a resounding success that I'm reluctant to tweak your approach, but five or ten years down the road, you might want to tighten your expectations around your name and pronouns.

For me, to spend 99% of my life in the company of local friends and strangers who see me as female and then to connect with old friends and family who keep reminding me with the wrong pronouns that they remember me as male, well, it's a jolt every time because they've stayed behind. They don't see me, they don't know me, and we all want to be seen.

Hi Jessica-- I am trying to catch up a little and see the updates about your Dad. I am saddened, altho relieved that you seem to have the situation under as much control as is possible.

Count me in the never-quite-reconciled with dad club. He passed a decade ago now, well before me being me. We tried to get to something approaching detente. We never got there.

~Jenn

Sunday I ate three pork egg rolls and some fried rice.