Current Events > I'm your friendly local trans lady, ask me things!

(+) Yeah! (+)

Yup, it's that time of the month! Ask me your questions, I may (or may not) answer them based upon my arbitrary proprietary metrics. My month in review:

1) My girlfriend and I increasingly speak of the future as though we will be together indefinitely. One day we passed a wedding on the beach, and she started a conversation about weddings (we agreed that people spend too much money on them, that she would look good in a tux, and that a small, intimate ceremony is best). Yesterday, I said I was fine with not seeing her (lots of people around me are sick and she's immunocompromised) because I need her around for the long haul, and she just laughed and said something about how that truck might take a while to get there. And honestly, I'm good with that too.

2) I'm taking a 500-level social work course as a non-matriculating student and just aced my mid-term into dust. I feel I owe some of my success to the study group I instigated: I reviewed with two classmates before class last Thursday, and then the devastatingly interesting classmate who bears a passing resemblance to Courtney Barnett Saturday night. It was supposed to be a bigger thing, but nobody else was responding on the text chain, and she just up and called me. We reviewed the material and talked a little. She definitely likes me, and it happens she moved back out east from the west coast just before the semester started and doesn't have a lot of friends here, so I think she's lonely and we definitely have a vibe.
My girlfriend is possibly a bigger booster of EVxClassmate than me or classmate. Also she desperately wants pics: we both agree that Courtney Barnett is smoking hot (classmate does not know that. She is way more femme than CB but also hot).

3)Why did I never wear this shirt before yesterday? (see selfie below). As the seasons change, I encounter the stuff I wore last winter, which means I encounter a higher concentration of my old "boy clothes" and they're all so...drab and boring! My girlfriend describes my style as "colorful/rainbow cottagecore" and I am down with that...
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/7/4/4/AAIAInAAD0z4.jpg

Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party of America?

Don't you live in NY? That's not local.

Have you played Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne?

Your thoughts on 100 Presidents?

frozenstar posted...

Didn't you do this like 3 times already? Not that I care just sayin'

Oh sorry CEpolice officer, I didn't realize there was a lifetime limit on AMAs.

Kakapo posted...

Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party of America?

I've never been, no, though I do give money to the Democratic Socialists of America, for what little that's worth.

Were_Wyrm posted...

Don't you live in NY? That's not local.

Connecticut, actually. Close though.

MedeaLysistrata posted...

Have you played Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne?

Your thoughts on 100 Presidents?

My one friend (who turned out to be trans) got me into that and Metroid, yes.
Nocturne is pretty great, but the UI is so much worse than later games it wears on me sometimes. Will probably remember the game over screen on my death bed.

Digital Devil Saga was a ride. That one friend happens to be non-binary, so I've always wanted to ask them what they think about Seraph but never remember to. I've kept up with the series, though I haven't finished V yet.

ElatedVenusaur posted...

My one friend (who turned out to be trans) got me into that and Metroid, yes.
Nocturne is pretty great, but the UI is so much worse than later games it wears on me sometimes. Will probably remember the game over screen on my death bed.

Digital Devil Saga was a ride. That one friend happens to be non-binary, so I've always wanted to ask them what they think about Seraph but never remember to. I've kept up with the series, though I haven't finished V yet.

I never played DDS. It was never at Blockbuster and I didn't buy games often so it was a miracle I even picked up Nocturne. The game over screen is legendary, although yeah it does get annoying. If it ever gets remade I might give it a try.

People say Nocturne has a weak story but I always thought creating a new world according to a Reason was always super cool.

MedeaLysistrata posted...

I never played DDS. It was never at Blockbuster and I didn't buy games often so it was a miracle I even picked up Nocturne. The game over screen is legendary, although yeah it does get annoying. If it ever gets remade I might give it a try.

People say Nocturne has a weak story but I always thought creating a new world according to a Reason was always super cool.

Yeah, I don't agree that the story is weak, so much as it's sparse and most of the background lore is locked in an optional side dungeon (another thing I'll never forget: the creaking of that curtain). What story is there is pretty good (IMO), and even though it has a lot of obvious short-comings, the Remaster's voice acting is really good and brings a lot of the characters (especially Chiaki, IMO) to more vivid life.

DDS has a lot more story and benefits from embracing being completely bugfuck crazy.

>local
You're not in pdx tho

She's local if i take the ferry

real glad to hear the update. hope yer enjoyin yer studies, and I'm happy for you and ya girly

gunplagirl posted...

>local
You're not in pdx tho

I have a friend (the very one I mentioned in this topic already) in Eugene though! The two times I've visited them, I've flown into Portland, rented a car, and driven down to Eugene.

Also, fun fact! There are two I-84s: the one that runs from Portland down into Utah via Idaho, and the one that runs from southern Massachusetts into Pennsylvania, passing through Connecticut. I've driven on both.

Well, *that's* confusing.

Aren't they supposed to be individually named or somesuch? I don't know American I-roads.

Kakapo posted...

Well, *that's* confusing.

Aren't they supposed to be individually named or somesuch? I don't know American I-roads.

The main ones are systematized in a very logical way, yes. The biggest, most important interstates are all numbered ending in "0" or "5". Basically, every highway ending in "0" runs East and West, and they're spaced out running north to south, with I-90 being the northmost and I-10 being the southernmost.
The 5s run north and south, with I-95 being the easternmost (and the primary artery that runs through my area) and I-5 being the westernmost (which, incidentally, is what one takes to get to Eugene from Portland). These run the entire length of the country: I-95, for example, goes up through Maine to the Canadian border and all the way down the eastern seaboard to Miami in the south, IIRC.
But then there are other, lesser highways, and some are leftovers from before things got systematized. The I-84s are probably one such case: given that they are thousands of miles apart, there's no confusion as to where you are. Aside from I-84 and I-95, Connecticut also has I-91, a minor interstate that runs from New Haven north through Hartford up into like Vermont (the I-95/I-91 interchange is infamously terrible).
Additionally, the primary highways have tributary highways, so that I-95 has tributaries labeled 195, 295, and so on, and I-5 has 105, 205, etc.

Did I just make an effort post about highways? Dear Lord...

ElatedVenusaur posted...

The main ones are systematized in a very logical way, yes. The biggest, most important interstates are all numbered ending in "0" or "5". Basically, every highway ending in "0" runs East and West, and they're spaced out running north to south, with I-90 being the northmost and I-10 being the southernmost.
The 5s run north and south, with I-95 being the easternmost (and the primary artery that runs through my area) and I-5 being the westernmost (which, incidentally, is what one takes to get to Eugene from Portland). These run the entire length of the country: I-95, for example, goes up through Maine to the Canadian border and all the way down the eastern seaboard to Miami in the south, IIRC.
But then there are other, lesser highways, and some are leftovers from before things got systematized. The I-84s are probably one such case: given that they are thousands of miles apart, there's no confusion as to where you are. Aside from I-84 and I-95, Connecticut also has I-91, a minor interstate that runs from New Haven north through Hartford up into like Vermont (the I-95/I-91 interchange is infamously terrible).
Additionally, the primary highways have tributary highways, so that I-95 has tributaries labeled 195, 295, and so on, and I-5 has 105, 205, etc.

Did I just make an effort post about highways? Dear Lord...

I can safely say that this information is something I, in all likelihood will never need to know.

Nonetheless, it was actually kinda interesting, thanks.

I guess I bored people with highway chat LOL, I don't blame ya'll, I swear I can be interesting! Just try me.

How old were you when you realized it on a conscious level? What were some indicative behaviors you had before you did that you recognize(beyond the extreme/obvious stuff) now in retrospect?

ElatedVenusaur posted...

I guess I bored people with highway chat LOL, I don't blame ya'll, I swear I can be interesting! Just try me.

Do you think the board is sentient?

Unsuprised_Pika posted...

How old were you when you realized it on a conscious level? What were some indicative behaviors you had before you did that you recognize(beyond the extreme/obvious stuff) now in retrospect?

When I was 5 or 6, my Oma painted my sister's nails, and I was really jealous and pestered her to paint me. She did once: she painted them in a clear coat. I kept an issue of New York Times magazine (my Dad has subscribed to the newspaper for decades now) that contained an article about Calpurnia Adams and the brutal murder of her Marine boyfriend by squadmates (because he was "gay", you see) and they actually talked to Calpurnia about her experience being trans, which resonated with me.
Later on, I latched onto Kim Petras hard, in part because she was my first example of trans joy. I've known of her and kept tabs on her long, *long* before she was notable for anything but being trans. I was incredibly accepting when aforementioned friend came out to me ( I believe I was actually the first "cis" person they came out to: they sensed, in a fashion, that I was particularly trustworthy on the matter) and I've always been passionate about trans rights even before I accepted that struggle was very intimately my own.

And although it wasn't until I started my job at Whole Foods years ago at the age of 26 that I encountered actual lesbians, I was *very* interested in befriending them and getting to know them. Two of them (a married couple) were actually the first two people I came out to, and their love and support was instrumental in building my confidence in those early days. I also ocassionally experimented with "cross-dressing", painting my toenails, that kind of thing.

Lastly, I was fascinated by the idea of being able to shapeshift. I would shapeshift into a woman, of course. Just to improve my understanding of them, no other reason! Totally still cis bro!

MedeaLysistrata posted... Do you think the board is sentient?

Eh, if it, not in a conventional sense. I am admittedly intrigued by esoteric, likely unproveable stuff like M theory and collective consciousness theory.

That classmate wants to hang out. It's definitely platonic, but it's really sweet anyhow. She goes to music festivals and stuff and she wants to meet my girlfriend (which is good, because my girlfriend wants to meet her. And seems to doubt my claim that classmate looks like Courtney Barnett, the little Doubting Thomas!)

Are you GrandConjuration?

Why are babies fat?

If CE had a battle royale, who would be left standing?

Irony posted...

Are you GrandConjuration?

Nope, I'm me.

Will_VIIII posted...

Why are babies fat?

Because it's funnier that way.

Heartomaton posted...

If CE had a battle royale, who would be left standing?

I wouldn't be, LOL. We got any combat vets? I give them the best odds.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

I don't. My student loans are private and I'm only taking one course (that I paid for a la carte, to the tune of over $2,000 dollars. Ouch!), so I have very limited financial resources right now. But especially once the winter has passed, I would like to get out and do more, particularly with the lady. Her health is poor but trending up, little by little. I also plan on finally knocking out laser hair removal and my name change (got a lot of plates to balance right now even just with the one class) and exploring the possibility of an orchiectomy.

what's a fear that you overcame and are proud of? and can you think of any advice for someone with a driving phobia who is trying to overcome it?

Aubrieta posted...

what's a fear that you overcame and are proud of? and can you think of any advice for someone with a driving phobia who is trying to overcome it?

Oooh, this is a hard one, but a good question. I used to have crippling anxiety (now it's manageable anxiety, yay!) and I think the best advice I can give you is just to keep chipping away at it and be patient with yourself. Progress might be slow, it might be in fits and starts, you might get nowhere for a while and then suddenly get it. You just have to keep at it in a way that's sustainable for you.

Me, personally? I overcame my fear of my own inadequacy to get my own license. I had to take the test twice before finally passing the third time, but I got my license.
I also overcame hang-ups about my own body and presentation and wore a bathing suit to the beach. I was with my girlfriend, and her support and encouragement was amazingly helpful in that. I'm becoming more confident in my body in general.

I'm spending my Friday night watching a trans streamer play, of all things Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
While wearing latex gloves, of course. I did get a 4-pack of Left Hand Wake Up Dead stout, because I feel like savoring one in a few and reflecting back on a successful week.

What are you doing with your Friday night, CE?

Do you agree that more trans youth need to go out and vote like their lives depend on it?

Humble_Novice posted...

Do you agree that more trans youth need to go out and vote like their lives depend on it?

It's highly unlikely that there are enough trans people in any single polity in the country to affect elections. Like...there just aren't very many of us. What little power and influence we might be able to exercise would come from more than just voting and calling it a day.

It would be nice if cis people stopped voting for transphobes though. It would be really nice. Also it would be nice if Democrats cared more about us. Or anything other than their donors, really.

Do you enjoy watching trash reality TV and if so, what are your recommendations?

lilORANG posted...

Do you enjoy watching trash reality TV and if so, what are your recommendations?

The only "reality" TV I've ever watched extensively are those vet shows and medical diagnosis shows (like Mystery Diagnosis and Monsters Inside Me lol).

Though the one time I did watch RuPaul's Drag Race. It was after my very first Pride outing two years ago, with some friends of a friend (the enby friend who came up before), and everyone in that room was queer. There was a cis gay man, a trans gay man, a cis lesbian, an enby, and two trans women (including myself), and we all watched RuPaul's Drag Race while eating Thai food.
Was great, not going to lie.

And I'm your not-friendly local trans lady. Don't ask me things because fuck you, CE. :)

Sayoria posted...

And I'm your not-friendly local trans lady. Don't ask me things because fuck you, CE. :)

Hi Sayoria :)

Sayoria posted...

Don't ask me things because f*** you

Don't threaten me with a good time say

ElatedVenusaur posted...

Hi Sayoria :)

Yo.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/5/2/7/AAKLOFAAD1Pv.png

Crimsoness posted...

Don't threaten me with a good time say

You heard me, Crimmy.

Do you believe that trans people should be armed, organized, and prepared to deal with the violence that is going to be directed at them from the American right?

ScazarMeltex posted...

Do you believe that trans people should be armed, organized, and prepared to deal with the violence that is going to be directed at them from the American right?

I kinda want to say this.

I never as much as touched a gun in my life and I don't want to now...

I think if worse comes to worst, I am going to look into moving overseas somewhere. I work for a tech company with branches in all the best countries of the world. I could explain my situation to my company and see what kind of help they could guide me to, because my company would actually assist me. I really don't want to live in the US much longer. I'm getting worried, and I live in probably the bluest state in the country.

Sayoria posted...

I kinda want to say this.

I never as much as touched a gun in my life and I don't want to now...

I think if worse comes to worst, I am going to look into moving overseas somewhere. I work for a tech company with branches in all the best countries of the world. I could explain my situation to my company and see what kind of help they could guide me to, because my company would actually assist me. I really don't want to live in the US much longer. I'm getting worried, and I live in probably the bluest state in the country.

I respect that, but I will tell you this, if you aren't prepared to do violence to protect yourself you will want to be leaving sooner rather than later. When shit gets bad here it's going to happen quick and it's going to go from about 20mph to 120mph overnight.

ScazarMeltex posted...

Do you believe that trans people should be armed, organized, and prepared to deal with the violence that is going to be directed at them from the American right?

Even were it possible (I wonder with what money you think I'm purchasing a firearm, and I'm relatively well-off for a trans person!) to achieve such organization, it wouldn't make a ton of difference. Again: the number of trans people is vanishingly small. And some of the wealthiest among us are collaborators in our oppression. We will be swept aside like flies, armed or not. If cis people, by and large, will merely look the other way, then the only practical solutions for us to survive are to flee or to hide.

There are much more pressing issues within our community, in any case.

ScazarMeltex posted...

I respect that, but I will tell you this, if you aren't prepared to do violence to protect yourself you will want to be leaving sooner rather than later. When shit gets bad here it's going to happen quick and it's going to go from about 20mph to 120mph overnight.

I've already been considering countries. It's not an easy process to do. I promise you I've greatly considered it and will aim to if this election does go so bad like they say it will.

ElatedVenusaur posted...

Even were it possible (I wonder with what money you think I'm purchasing a firearm, and I'm relatively well-off for a trans person!) to achieve such organization, it wouldn't make a ton of difference. Again: the number of trans people is vanishingly small. And some of the wealthiest among us are collaborators in our oppression. We will be swept aside like flies, armed or not. If cis people, by and large, will merely look the other way, then the only practical solutions for us to survive are to flee or to hide.

There are much more pressing issues within our community, in any case.

It doesn't have to be with only other trans or members of the LGBT community. Look into various left leaning gun clubs in your area. SRA, John Brown Gun Club, groups like that. They do a good amount of community organizing and fire arms training in the areas where they operate.

This websites restrictions on image size are completely ridiculous. I dont have a single selfie that comes under the requirements!

Go Bills!

ElatedVenusaur posted...

Oooh, this is a hard one, but a good question. I used to have crippling anxiety (now it's manageable anxiety, yay!) and I think the best advice I can give you is just to keep chipping away at it and be patient with yourself. Progress might be slow, it might be in fits and starts, you might get nowhere for a while and then suddenly get it. You just have to keep at it in a way that's sustainable for you.

Me, personally? I overcame my fear of my own inadequacy to get my own license. I had to take the test twice before finally passing the third time, but I got my license.
I also overcame hang-ups about my own body and presentation and wore a bathing suit to the beach. I was with my girlfriend, and her support and encouragement was amazingly helpful in that. I'm becoming more confident in my body in general.

thank you very much for the advice, it is slow going and i failed my first test but i will try not to be discouraged! it does make me feel better to hear that other people failed a few times too. and it is good that you're becoming more confident and comfortable, and wonderful that your girlfriend is so supportive, i think you should be very proud of your progress! i hope everything continues to go well and get even better!

What do you like to drink?

What's your favorite Pokemon from each gen?

Was your family supportive about being trans?

Aubrieta posted...

thank you very much for the advice, it is slow going and i failed my first test but i will try not to be discouraged! it does make me feel better to hear that other people failed a few times too. and it is good that you're becoming more confident and comfortable, and wonderful that your girlfriend is so supportive, i think you should be very proud of your progress! i hope everything continues to go well and get even better!

Thank you for your kind words :)

Solid_Sonic posted...

What do you like to drink?

Beer is my poison of choice: particularly stouts, quads, tripels, and ambers. I also have an appreciation for wine, rum, whiskey, and sake especially. I try to only get beer every other week if not less though: saves money, is overall better for me, but also lets me be a little more liberal in my spending.

Crimsoness posted...

What's your favorite Pokemon from each gen?

Gen 1 - Venusaur
Gen 2 - Steelix
Gen 3 - Cradily
Gen 4 - Yanmega
Gen 5 - Too hard to pick: Volcarona, the entire Litwick line, Joltik/Galvantula, and Ferrothorn are all fantastic.
Gen 6 - Dragalge is neat
Gen 7 - Salazzle/Alolan Marowak
Gen 8 - Toxtricity, I guess.

PMarth2002 posted...

Was your family supportive about being trans?

Yes, actually. In that, I'm really fortunate.

Im planning to go to Alaska in the winter and wear nothing but shorts and tee shirts, help talk me out of it?