But yeah, this is the result of Folsom St. Fair and Roxy near my sensitive bits with a large needle.

*CLICK (nsfw… duh)*

- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Thank you all for being so damn awesome and supportive!

But yeah! I got a job. I’m a theatre technician (lights, sound, stage management, etc.) for a theater in San Francisco. This has basically been what I’ve wanted to do since, well, forever, so to say the least, I’m thrilled. Officially, I start Monday. Went in for some training yesterday and it seems like a really cool, laid back, and comfortable atmosphere. The hours are a little random and I might have to get a second job, but hell, I’m excited anyway.

I have begun the “nesting” process here in California. My housing situation is fantastic. I love my roommates, the location, the fresh fruits and veggies, and even the constant rain. And after 5 months of living here, I finally bought curtains. Yep. I’m home.

My new goal is to make some friends. I love hanging out with Roxy and I love the people I live with, but it’s time to branch out a bit. With a little coaching from Roomie #1, I made an OkCupid account. So, I’m using that to initiate conversations and such, instead of awkwardly going to bars and not talking to anyone. A new year calls for a new approach. If I were to start dating someone, I’d like to be their friend first instead of just jumping their bones automatically, and we all know how well that’s worked in the past…

CORRECTION: OkCupid account has been deleted. Way Awkward (yes, with a capital A).

Also, I’m dipping my toes into the idea of starting T sometime soon. Right now, I’m doing my homework quite thoroughly about my options in this area. It will be really helpful having an income… We shall see.

Hmm. I feel like there was something else I should be talking about, but I can’t remember… Oh well.

Later alligator.

-Wednesday, I co-taught a class on gender/transgender issues. Only three people showed up (turned out to be a diverse crowd though), but I feel like they all got a lot out of it. Need to start somewhere, right? Actually, the conversation was quite productive and they even got a little riled up about trans rights, society, respect, labels, and all that good stuff. I’m thinkin’ the next class will have more people in attendance.

We discussed passing in depth. You wouldn’t think about it normally, but social constructs (yes, even in the LGBTQA communities) force everyone to pass in their own different way.

A few examples:

1. A bio-woman is often mistaken for a man, since she is tall and has short hair. She wears long dangly earrings to avoid this situation. Passing as a more feminine presence.

2. An asexual tries to avoid talking about their asexual status by passing as heterosexual.

3. A bisexual is in a heterosexual marriage. She passes as heterosexual, not on purpose, but since society likes to make assumptions.

4. A boy likes to make baked goods. He hides this fact from his friends in order to pass as masculine.

This got me thinking a bit more about it. Why do we have to pass? What are we passing as? Can’t people stop making assumptions? Why must we be shoved in categorized boxes? And even when we’re in these boxes, why are we still ridiculed and ostracized? Why do people consistently feel the need to live up to these imaginary/binary standards of man and woman, gay and lesbian, etc.  Are we all really that spineless?

Anyway, there’s a lot more from where that came from, but for now I’m immersing myself in books. And I swear, reviews are coming soon.

And just in case you forgot, today is Trangender Remembrance Day. Take a minute. Think about it.