Transitioning at work and in all of my life

[gareth19 (imported)]

Danya,

I am glad you were wearing a seatbelt and avoided more serious injuries. It is a shame that this post contained such bad news. Many of us enjoy your posts and appreciate hearing now and again from you.

Your insurance company should also be trying to recover damages for pain and suffering for you. After all the drunk who plowed into to you not only damaged a car but also took away your transportation and compromised your search for employment. There is no excuse for driving drunk.

[kennath7 (imported)]

sorry to hear the bad news , glad you are ok

[Danya (imported)]

Danya,

I am glad you were wearing a seatbelt and avoided more serious injuries. It is a shame that this post contained such bad news. Many of us enjoy your posts and appreciate hearing now and again from you.

Your insurance company should also be trying to recover damages for pain and suffering for you. After all the drunk who plowed into to you not only damaged a car but also took away your transportation and compromised your search for employment. There is no excuse for driving drunk.

Hi gareth19,

Thanks for writing, advice and compliment. I'm surprised at how many people read this thread at least occasionally. Knowing that is very gratifying.

I am doing very well

today. More about that in my next post.

Hugs,

Danya

sorry to hear the bad news , glad you are ok

Hi kennath7,

Thanks for writing a

nd for your thoughts. The whiplash pain is much less today and I am doing very well. I'll find out more about the driver that ran into me when I call the police department on Monday.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

I am doing very well today. Calls from several archive friends, checking to see that I am OK after the car accident, have helped. These people have all offered excellent advice on the steps I need to take in the wake of the accident.

After my trip to the emergency room, Erica Ann was kind enough to pick me up and drive me home. She then suggested I go out with her and her spouse to Hunter's night club. We stayed until well after 2 AM. It was very good to get out with friends. As always, Erica Ann and her spouse were excellent hostesses. I spent the night at their house, had breakfast in the morning, located the rental car and returned home by early afternoon.

Last night, the shock of the accident left me feeling really down. I was starting to feel that I had made a mistake in moving to the Chicago area. For an hour or two I was even thinking "I hate Chicago!"

Today, I am feeling upbeat again. Four hours of electrolysis this morning contributed to this feeling. Turns out I got very little swelling after the treatment. One's face gets adjusted to the 'broiling of the hair follicles,' as my electrologist put it. I was able to go out to relax this evening with no eye makeup. I used nothing more than a little powder and some blush on my face.

During the electrolysis sessions, I do relaxation exercises to take my mind off the pain of the needle. I almost fell asleep mid-way through today's face work. I also think about the great results I am getting. It's also, strangely perhaps, a time to relax because I can let go of concerns about unemployment while I lie on a very comfortable contraption letting someone else work.

I filled out an involved application for a state position this afternoon. I want to tighten up my responses tonight and send it back to the recruiter. The job is several hours from Chicago and I realized I really do love this city after all. If I take this job it will be, with one exception, the furtherest I have ever lived from a large city.

Filling out the state application was very useful, whether or not I get the job. I was forced to recount, in great detail, all of my accomplishments at various positions over the last 13 years. Last night, I was starting to lose confidence in my abilities. This is not uncommon for people who have been unemployed for months and the car accident contributed to this feeling. It is not, however, a place I can afford to stay in for long. After completing the application, which required short essay responses, I felt renewed confidence.

[gareth19 (imported)]

Today, I am feeling upbeat again. .

Filling out the state application was very useful, whether or not I get the job. I was forced to recount, in great detail, all of my accomplishments at various positions over the last 13 years. Last night, I was starting to lose confidence in my abilities. This is not uncommon for people who have been unemployed for months and the car accident contributed to this feeling. It is not, however, a place I can afford to stay in for long. After completing the application, which required short essay responses, I felt renewed confidence.

I'm glad you are feeling renewed confidence. After a car accident, even when you know it is the other guy's fault, you always find something to blame yourself for. Good that you are not doing that to yourself.

[Danya (imported)]

My Volvo rental car informed me that the outside air temperature was 81 F at about 5 PM this afternoon. We are having above average temperatures for several days. It's very pleasant.

I'm glad I kept collision coverage on my car, even though it is often recommended that you not keep this on older, high mileage vehicles to save money. The adjuster called today and offered me over $3,000 for the loss of my car. I will speak with him tomorrow to work on getting something closer to $4,000. That's the Kelly Blue Book value for my make, model and year auto in excellent condition. Thanks to Kristoff for his advice on this.

Yesterday, I opened checking and savings accounts at a local branch of Bank of America. I used funds from my Minnesota bank, which has only four branches and they are all in the Twin Cities. The new account will enable me to get cash easily should I need it when I buy a used car.

I don't need anything fancy. As long as the car is reliable and gets good gas mileage, I will be happy. I prefer a stick shift, in part because I feel like I'm more a part of the driving experience with a manual transmission. Driving in the big city with a stick shift doesn't bother me at all.

First thing this morning, I checked with the recruiter about the state job I applied for. He responded that 'we are in the game.' As part of the application, I included my portfolio. Kristoff (thanks again!) passed on the idea of creating a portfolio from a friend of his who does the same type of work as I do.

I was contacted by three recruiters today about job opportunities. None of these were the best fits for my skills but I would be quite comfortable doing the work.

I'm feeling more at home in Chicagoland each day. Late this afternoon, I drove to Woodfield Mall in the western suburbs. I visited this mall many times in the years before I moved to this area. It is a very large mall and has been rated the most popular tourist attraction in Illinois. If that ranking is correct, I find it a bit peculiar. I would prefer to visit the terrific museums and other attractions in downtown Chicago that are first class. Of course, the mall is free if you don't spend anything. The downtown attractions are not.

Woodfield Mall seems small compared to the Mall of Death in the Twin Cities. Yet I find it much more pleasant. It's got a much better layout, it's less noisy and I don't feel overwhelmed by its size. The only thing I find strange about it is that there is no bookstore.

Yesterday evening, I drove to Westfield Mall in Vernon Hills. This is much smaller than Woodfield Mall but still very nice to walk around. My main purpose for these trips is to get out and drive places so I feel more at home.

Onto yet another subject. I have no problem admitting that I wear a wig. Until now, I have kept my own hair extremely short. Most of it is gray. Several people, whose opinions I respect, have told me I need to let my own hair grow and dye it to match the wig color. One advantage of this is that, in the unlikely event I ever find myself in a sexual encounter and the wig comes off, my lover will see long, dyed hair.

Perhaps when I have a job, and a little more money, I will be more interested in the possibility of a sexual assignation. After being on estrogen for nearly two years, however, I find that my libido is practically nonexistent. This doesn't bother me at all. If I am treated well by a man and we dance or get physically close in other ways, I get some arousal.

[mrt (imported)]

Stick Shifties! Yeah!

Well relieved your ok after your crash. Be sure to keep in tune with your doctor if you have any pains etc. Some of this maybe coming in later.

Great on the possible job! Good luck!

Re: Book stores. Amazon.com Its not the same as being able to feel, smell etc the books. And whats better then an OLD musty book!?!?

Just remember its not just Estrogen that makes up a proper Female Mix of hormones. Try to get labs of your Estrogen, DHEA, Testosterone and progesterone and talk to your new doctor about balancing them all with a compounded cream. It may end up costing less and give you a better outcome. Women have sex drives. Its "different" and it requires female levels of Testosterone but they have them. Don't give that up just because your TS. I think there is a total aversion to testosterone in some TS women. Doctor Bowers said (On the TV series she did) that a lot of her patients (and herself - SIGH ) are not sexual after GRS. I don't think its the surgery or the ability to attract men. Anyway, give it some thought and look at your labs versus natal female levels.

*Just my amateur opinion.

[Danya (imported)]

Stick Shifties! Yeah!

Glad you brought this up, MrT. I forgot to mention to someone scouting out a car for me that I would much prefer a stick shift.

Well relieved your ok after your crash. Be sure to keep in tune with your doctor if you have any pains etc. Some of this maybe coming in later.

Both of my knees are starting to hurt much more than they were right after the crash. I included this info on the accident report I submitted to the great state of Illinois.

Great on the possible job! Good luck!

Seems everything is a job possibility. I need to keep in mind that I've only been looking in Chicagoland for a little over three weeks. I'm still getting much more interest that in the Twin Cities. The three phone interviews I have had here already equals that total number of phone interviews I had in Minnesota in nearly 7 months of job searching.

Some days, I'm able to apply for 10 - 12 job postings. Of course, some of these companies already have someone in mind for the position and are posting the job as a formality. I may have mentioned in an earlier post that some days I put in 10 - 12 hours on my job search.

Next Wednesday evening, I will attend a professional society meeting and carry plenty of business cards along. I need to get going on a more effective networking campagin.

To increase my marketability, I'm going to learn some advanced techniques for appllication tools used in my profession. In my free time, of which there is very little, I will start to learn C# so I can at least say I have first hand experience with object-oriented programming. Then, too, I need to keep my SQL query skills from becoming rusty.

A big thing these days is to advertise your skills on your own web site, while providing usefull information and perhaps a blog, so that may become another project. With C# and ASP.net, I could program my own site. I may be over reaching here, considering time limitations!

Anyway, I don't think anyone can say that I'm not trying really, REALLY hard to find a job.

Just remember its not just Estrogen that makes up a proper Female Mix of hormones. Try to get labs of your Estrogen, DHEA, Testosterone and progesterone and talk to your new doctor about balancing them all with a compounded cream. It may end up costing less and give you a better outcome. Women have sex drives. Its "different" and it requires female levels of Testosterone but they have them. Don't give that up just because your TS. I think there is a total aversion to testosterone in some TS women. Doctor Bowers said (On the TV series she did) that a lot of her patients (and herself - SIGH ) are not sexual after GRS. I don't think its the surgery or the ability to attract men. Anyway, give it some thought and look at your labs versus natal female levels.

*Just my amateur opinion.

I have never forgotten that you are a big fan of Marci Bowers. The doctor I am seeing is the same one Erica Ann has gone to for quite some time. He may treat more trans women than any other physician in Chicago. His methods are different than those of the hormone doctor I was seeing in Saint Paul, and in a way I have had to start over on estrogen.

The new doctor cut in half the spironolactone I take daily to help suppress testosterone. I'm certainly not averse to testosterone as long as it is not interfering with further feminization. And according to Erica Ann, he likes to keep 'his girls' estrogen levels significantly higher than what I was able to achieve back in the land of 10,000 lakes. We'll be gradually increasing my dose over the coming months.

I continue to be thrilled with the electrolysis results. Since last Sunday's 4 hour session, I haven't had to shave. This afternoon, I went to the post office with no make up and looked fine.

Hugs,

Danya

[EricaAnn (imported)]

I continue to be thrilled with the electrolysis results. Since last Sunday's 4 hour session, I haven't had to shave. This afternoon, I went to the post office with no make up and looked fine.

Hi Danya,

You are a much braver woman than me. Though I have not needed to shave my face or neck for almost 4 months now, I would never even consider going any place like the post office without wearing what I consider my cosmetic essentials, i.e.; moisturizer, foundation, blush, eye liner, mascara and lipstick, but that's just me.

I guess I feel that I always need to look my best when I'm out and about. Got to do my best the "sell the package", if you know what I mean.

[Danya (imported)]

Hi Danya,

You are a much braver woman than me. Though I have not needed to shave my face or neck for almost 4 months now, I would never even consider going any place like the post office without wearing what I consider my cosmetic essentials, i.e.; moisturizer, foundation, blush, eye liner, mascara and lipstick, but that's just me.

I guess I feel that I always need to look my best when I'm out and about. Got to do my best the "sell the package", if you know what I mean.

Hi Erica,

What, no toner before the moisturizer??

You always look terrific.

Under normal circumstances, like you I would not go out without all the cosmetic essentials. For now, though, these are not normal circumstances. I typically get up by 7 to 7:30 AM and get right to work on my job search. I should probably eat breakfast, but many days I skip it because I'm busy responding to interesting job postings and lose track of time. Some days, I don't finish until 10 or even 11 PM. Then I read a novel for 30 minutes or so and go to bed. I just don't have time to apply makeup for a quick run to the post office. I continue my job search, and related activites, on the weekend too. Although on Saturday or Sunday I take a few hours off to relax.

On the other hand, for a night on the town or an afternoon at the arboretum I would not dream of going without makeup. I absolutely want to look my best then and I make the time to prepare. We are worth it, after all!

Speaking of arboretums, if the weather is good next Saturday I will try to fit in the time to go to the Morton Arboretum you told me about. I just visited their web site and it looks like fun. On a drive today, I noticed a lot of daffodils and hyacinths in bloom. I'll take my camera along.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

I have been up since 5:15 AM, searching for my next 'opportunity', er....job! I found two very good possibilities and spent several hours preparing specific cover letters and resumes for each. When I lived in Minnesota, the unemployed worker counselors noted that we jobless folks (those of us who are 'between opportunities') need to learn how to brag about our accomplishment and how we can make specific contributions to the success of prospective employers. It's all about the employer's needs, particularly in this economy.

Residents of the near-Arctic land of 10,000 lakes have a reputation for being 'Minnesota Nice.' In part, this means that these luckless denizens of that frozen clime are reluctant to talk about what they do well. That just isn't 'nice.' The counselors said, more or less, to forget about being 'nice,' at least in the Minnesota sense of the word. Getting a job today means one has got to loudly toot one's own horn.

Fortuitously, I am not a native of the land of 2,000,000 cattle of the dairy variety. Rather, I am a bold and brash native of the eastern megalopolis. Well, I'm bold and brash at times, anyway! More typically, I'm rather low-keyed yet intense at the same time.

Anyway, I am getting more bold and brash now that I've moved to the Chicago area. As I was driving to my electrolysis appointment this morning, I reached a point on the Tollway near O'Hare Airport where I could see the downtown skyscrapers looming in the distance. For some reason, this reminded me of my first, distant sighting of the western side of the Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming. I was thrilled by its massiveness and excited by the promise of rugged slopes to hike and wonderful things to see.

Incongruous aside: Why is it that I actually enjoy paying tolls around Chicagoland??

I still react in a similar way when I see the Chicago skyline in the distance. It promises all kinds of fascinating adventures that, while of the manmade variety, are nonetheless compelling.

Somehow, being in the midst of this happening place is releasing my latent megalopolitan tendencies. I am becoming much bolder, and at times even brash, in the cover letters and resumes I submit online. I have some hope that this approach will pay off. Actually, I have decided it just will work. It would still be nice to know the 'when' about the whole thing.

I finished working for the day at 6:30 PM because I could not find any more interesting jobs possibilities. I could spend time on sharpening my skills in several areas, but I have had enough for one day. Although my electrolysis session was strangely relaxing, I need a more conventional respite from my work.

At today's session, I finished my 20th hour of treatment. I had only one electrologist giving me what felt like hundreds of bee stings. This was a good thing, but only because I like the results. I would have been even happier with both of my electrologists working on me.

At the end of the session, my tormentor said she saw signs that in the next week or two my face might go 'poof.' She meant that I might start to see some significant regrowth after weeks with very little. When that happens, we will go back to the 'tag-teaming' treatments with both women torturing me simultaneously.

After any 'poof' regrowth has been aggressively squelched, I should not experience it again. On the other hand, my electrocutionist has some suspicion that I will never experience a 'poof' period. That would be truly wonderful.

I took a relatively short break yesterday to drive to a local mall, where I walked around for awhile and bought nothing more than a chocolate malt. It was good to be out and I was excited to see how much the landscape has greened.

[Danya (imported)]

1. No sign of the 'poof' effect so far!

2. Last night, although I intended to finish my job search at midnight, I was still at it at 1:30 AM. At that point, I called it quits for the new day.

By yesterday afternoon, I was already feeling burned out from near constant work to find a new position. So today, I took time off and drove to downtown Chicago to visit the Field Museum of Natural History. I haven't been there in at least 10 years. It was great to finally meet 'Sue,' the largest and best preserved fossil of a Tyrannosaurus rex ever found. Although the sign said 'she' was 43 feet long and 13 feet high, and had weighed 7 tons when alive, I was a little disappointed. When I viewed her from the upstairs gallery, however, and saw all the relatively small people gathered round I was quite impressed by the size of this beast.

The museum had a new, to me at least, and extensive well done exhibit on the evolution of life. My master's thesis was on an evolutionary biology topic so I found this especially interesting. The exhibit was extremely thorough. The fossil collection was huge, too, and nicely displayed.

Of course, I found the exhibit on gems fascinating!

There was a special exhibit called something like "Life Below Ground." This was also fun. As I traveled down the entrance, signs noted that I was becoming smaller. What was really happening is that the insects, fungi, roots and other inhabitants of this usually unseen world were becoming larger.

3. I got a call from the insurance agent whose policy covered the van my car struck after the drunk driver ran into my car. He wanted my view of what happened, which he noted was in complete agreement with what others had said. He was unaware, however, that the intoxicated driver had no insurance and had tried to flee the scene. He told me that since the accident was not my fault, his company (Farmers Ins.) was going to go after the driver directly despite his having no insurance. I was delighted to hear this. I let him know that I would show up for any court proceedings.

4. I've decided to update my undergraduate class representative about my transgender status. This should make interesting reading in the next class newsletter. The main reason I am doing this is to make it easier to connect with former classmates and alumni in the Chicago area who may be good contacts for my job search.

5. I am actively looking at alternative career paths, including teaching at private high schools where no certification is needed. I'm also looking at community colleges. All of this is likely a long shot, but the fact is I love teaching. I would even consider a private school teaching position in another country. There is a web site that helps locate these positions. Last night, I did locate several metro Chicago area openings at private schools for science teachers.

Late this afternoon, I called my Masters advisor to see if he would be a reference for my abilities both in teaching and technically. We had a terrific talk and he is glad to help.

He gave me the name and contact info of another former student who is now an associate professor at a university of Chicago. I will contact him to see if he has any suggestions or connections.

Finally, my advisor told me he knows someone at the Field Museum who works in their quite large botany department. He is another potential source of useful information.

I sent my PhD program advisor an email about the same subject. I will try to phone him tomorrow.

6. My chief electrologist let me know Sunday that, because of the unusual intensity of the treatment I am receiving I need to apply vitamin E to my face 2 - 3 times per week. This is to help my skin heal between treatments. I did this for the first time today and not only was it very soothing, it left my skin feeling and looking very good.

I decided I wanted to dress well to go downtown so I applied all of my makeup. I wore a nice dress, too, with my favorite off-black nylons. In my travels today, several men were eyeing me up and down and two of them smiled and said 'hi.' This was very nice!

7. I briefly toyed with the idea today of signing up for gender reassignment surgery now, and even trying to get a surgery appointment relatively quickly. I soon abandoned this idea as unwise, given the fact that I have no job. :-\ It would not do to tell a new employer that I would need weeks off work in a few months for what some consider cosmetic surgery. Even if I put a deposit down for surgery that would be a more typical year off, I would still be making an unwise assumption about how this would fit into a new employer's plans.

Now it's time to eat a quick dinner and get back to the job hunt.

[mrt (imported)]

Glad you brought this up, MrT. I forgot to mention to someone scouting out a car for me that I would much prefer a stick shift.

I have never forgotten that you are a big fan of Marci Bowers.

Hugs,

Danya

Well ahh err... yes, Dr Bowers is quite a dish. If I were single she could put her shoes under my bed anytime!

Great on the new hormone doctor. I think from my experience with DHEA and Testosterone (And high E2 at times) its not a simple one dose fits all thing and having a good mix and program to keep it all adjusted is excellent! BTW the DHEA really does help me with proper sleep and probably more subtle things as well.

Stay warm! Mrs T sez "She had a car wreck?! Why didn't someone tell me?!" so write her an email and tell her your ok. Ok? Ahh the part about Dr Bowers maybe NOT mention

[Danya (imported)]

I purchased a used car today, just as my insurance coverage for the fancy Volvo rental was going to expire. It's a 2004 Ford Focus wagon with 42,000 miles on it. I talked the dealer down $1,000 from their listed price, which was already $500 below the Kelly Blue Book retail value. In addition, I convinced them to replace the three, somewhat worn tires with new ones to match the new right rear tire. I'll pick up the car Saturday afternoon.

As soon as I test drove it, I really liked it. It handles well, in addition to getting great gas mileage and having plenty of storage space. For some reason, all of my cars have been some shade of red and this one is no exception.

I got a call today from a recruiter for a 6+ contract position at Walgreens headquarters. They seem very interested. It would be great if I get the job and better yet, if it should turn into a permanent position. The recruiter felt I was extremely well qualified.

Then there was a later call for a permanent position I had applied for two weeks ago. I don't have much information yet, but the corporate recruiter is supposed to call back no later than Monday.

In the month I have been applying for work in the Chicago area, I have gotten more positive responses than in the 8 months I was looking in Minnesota. The amazing thing is that, with the exception of interest for this latest permanent position, recruiters are contacting me because of the resume I have on a technology job site. That did not happen a single time in Minnesota. So I am hopeful something will work out relatively soon. I'm prepared, however, for a number of additional months of unemployment.

Tonight, I need to go grocery shopping and I will go in 'blonde mode.' I'll use my relatively short blonde wig.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Hi Danya,

I'm so glad to hear about your new car. All the best of luck with it and BTW, welcome to the Ford family of fine cars. I'm a big fan of Ford Motors having driven Ford's for most of life and have always been well satisfied with their products.

I'm also very happy to hear of your pending employment opportunities. I happen to know a transgendered girl that works for Walgreens at their corporate headquarters and from what she tells me they are a very transgender friendly organization. Their insurance plan even covers GRS!

I'm not too surprised at the difference in the responses you're finding to your job search in the Chicago area. Kind of what we discussed all along.

Stay the course girl and be strong. Things will work out for the best, even if it takes awhile.

[Danya (imported)]

Hi Danya,

I'm so glad to hear about your new car. All the best of luck with it and BTW, welcome to the Ford family of fine cars. I'm a big fan of Ford Motors having driven Ford's for most of life and have always been well satisfied with their products.

I was particularly interested in the Ford Focus because of your recommendation. The dealership is loaning me a Chevy Malibu, until I pick up the Focus Saturday, and I hate it! The smaller Focus seems much sturdier and more solidly built. It also handles better. The sound system is higher quality, too.

I'm also very happy to hear of your pending employment opportunities. I happen to know a transgendered girl that works for Walgreens at their corporate headquarters and from what she tells me they are a very transgender friendly organization. Their insurance plan even covers GRS!

I have known for many months that Walgreens is very trans friendly. I'll have to tell you more about this sometime. Even if I don't get the contract job, I will network with a hiring manager for future opportunities.

I'm not too surprised at the difference in the responses you're finding to your job search in the Chicago area. Kind of what we discussed all along.

I am very pleased with the way my job search is going here. You are correct, this is just as we both thought it would be.

Stay the course girl and be strong. Things will work out for the best, even if it takes awhile.

You are such a sweetie, Erica Ann. I know t

hings will work out for the best

but

it's always nice to get some encourag

ement.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

I finished a three hour electrolysis session this morning, completing my 23rd hour of treatment. I continue to be impressed by the effectiveness of my electrologist(s). Already, a fairly high percentage of what regrowth I am getting comes in a very fine, thin hairs.

As far as my job search goes, I came across another career path that fits my most recent work background. This is good, although these jobs would require a lot of travel. I don't mind that. All told, I've got 11 jobs to apply for today. There will certainly be more tomorrow.

Then I need to craft a creative response to respond to a corporate recruiter's request for additional information. She listed questions and added that I could respond to the email, use a Word document or 'even create a PowerPoint' presentation. I will create the PowerPoint show and tell. This is a young company that is rated one of the fastest growing in the US. So I want to demonstrate that I can make a compelling presentation that will, I hope , appeal to a younger crowd.

I agree with a friend here who sent me graphical, and bizarre, resumes that he said I would not want to submit. A PowerPoint demo is different, especially since the recruiter suggested it.

Perhaps I should include a 3-D animation I created for a business project about 7 years ago. It showed the sun rising, through mostly cloudy skies, over a tropical isle. The old business structure was in flames on the shore as a volcano erupted above. By the time the sun started to set in a clear sky, the flames were gone, the volcano was dormant and I depicted the new method as an airy shoreline bungalow. With a tall coconut palm by its side. The sunlight glinted off a calm sea as a sailboat slid into view.

It helps me to write out this irrelevant stuff! I'm trying to get my creative juices flowing. There is no way, however, that I will include my animation in the PowerPoint thingy.

This company's web site notes that they give all employees the Strengthfinders (TM) assessment. I took that over a year ago and my results fit in well with this position. I'm debating whether to include them in my response.

No matter how much work I have, I will go to the Morton Arboretum tomorrow. The weather should be sunny and mild and there a lot of flowers and trees in bloom. I won't leave my camera behind.

[Danya (imported)]

I notified my college class newsletter editor about some changes in my life.

Including my gender transition and other news. It will be interesting to see how he or she handles this in the next newsletter!

[Danya (imported)]

I made the drive to the Morton Arboretum this morning, taking my camera along. After two hours walking the trails and getting many photos, I still wasn't feeling rejuvenated. I needed more fun and relaxation to fully regain my energy for job hunting.

So I decided to drive downtown, with the thought of possibly visiting the aquarium. Even though I have been to downtown Chicago many times over the years, I still get excited as I start to approach the core city. Once I parked, I spent at least 90 minutes walking between the planetarium, aquarium and the Field Museum taking pictures of the skyline. From the vantage point of the museums, the spires are striking with the parks along Lake Michigan in the forefront. I also took some people shots and some local color type of photos.

When I got home and started downloading the pictures, I saw I had taken 155 at the arboretum and downtown. This was a typical type of total from my outings in Minnesota. It was also the first time since I was laid off that I felt like really getting into photography again. Therefore, this was one more indication that my spirits are generally high. When the cold weather returns, I want to get into winter photography.

I was ma'amed twice at interstate toll booths, and one attendant also said "Thank you, dear." This is part of the reason for my strange delight in paying tolls!

When I decided to move to the Chicago area and until today, I always kept in mind that I could return to Minnesota if things do not work out. Today, I realized I cannot leave. I simply love everything about this area. I feel more alive here than I ever did in the Twin Cities. This is not a put down to that area, which was good for me in many ways, but more a testament to my longing to live in a much larger metropolitan area. Like the one I grew up in and have missed many times. I love the energetic pulse of a very large city.

I'm toying with the idea of buying roller blades. I was skating regularly through the summer of 2008. It's great exercise and provides the weight bearing stimulus to help my osteoporosis improve. It also gives me a way to be outdoors and it is very relaxing. Especially after skating 25 miles on a pleasant afternoon. Unfortunately, when I moved I left my skates behind.

I love to skate fast, particularly so I can keep up with cute men that pass by.

The new therapist I am seeing, who will be able to provide corroboration that I am continuing to successfully live as me when the time for GRS comes along, asked last week if I were seeing anyone. I answered 'no.' I'm beginning to think that I would like to date. That depends on finding an understanding man who also interests me.

[Danya (imported)]

I stopped by the Illinois drivers license place, which is run by the Secretary of State's office. I had intended to get an Illinois license today.

The licensing web site lists documentation of various types in four categories required from out of state drivers. I had my Minnesota license to satisfy the first category (A), Social Security card (B) and (D) Illinois auto registration to prove my address. Category C demands your birth certificate or a transcript from your elementary or high school, among other possibilities. I did not want to use my birth certificate since it states I am 'male.' So I thought surely if they'd accept a high school transcript they would accept a college transcript. That has my female name. Silly me! There was no way they were going to accept an official college transcript.

I wound up showing them my birth certificate and the court order changing my name. I was also hoping that since my Minnesota license indicates 'F' for my sex, Illinois would simply accept this designation. Wrong!

After going through two supervisors, I was told that I would have to bring in a doctor's letter stating that I am female. When I left the licensing office, I felt some panic. I simply do not want my license to show 'M' for sex.

I was so upset that I considered going for an orchiectomy now, even though I really can't afford it. Or perhaps opting for cosmetic GRS, which doesn't require the long recovery time of full GRS. I concluded that, if at all possible, I wanted to avoid either of these alternatives for now. I really want complete GRS and will wait for it.

I called my hormone doctor and spoke with his office assistant. I explained the license situation. They will send me a letter in a day or so stating that I am female. I'm not sure how they will word this, but as long as it works that's all I care about.

Sounds like everything should work out with the license once I get the doctor's letter. I am relieved!

On another subject, I stayed up until 4 AM Monday mornings preparing the PowerPoint presentation for a potential employer. They were impressed with it and I will have a phone interview tomorrow afternoon.

A contract work recruiter contacted me yesterday. She thinks she can help me land a contract job. I'll meet with her Thursday afternoon. If I take a contract offer, I will continue to very actively search for a permanent position.

[graylayer02 (imported)]

Chicago is really beautiful at this time of year, until the heat kicks in sometime in late June. Either way, welcome, from a former resident.

Don't let the small minded folks at the DMV get to you, ma'am.

[Danya (imported)]

Chicago is really beautiful at this time of year, until the heat kicks in sometime in late June. Either way, welcome, from a former resident.

Don't let the small minded folks at the DMV get to you, ma'am.

Thank you for the welcome, kind sir!

A long time ago, the summer after I finished my undergraduate education, I worked at Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago 'burbs. I went downtown many times and, even when it was hot a humid, I still enjoyed it.

I am determined that things will work out the way I want with the DMV folks!

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

Because I spend so many hours on my job search, and I've also wised up, I do not feel it is unreasonable to take an occasional afternoon off to unwind. Today, I went downtown yet again, paying $1.50 at a parking meter. I wanted to scout out photo opportunities for a weekend shoot. Saturday, I hope to take the train downtown and spend hours just walking around. Not only will this be great exercise, but I love the architecture and hope to get some good photos.

My electrolysis appointment this weekend isn't until late Sunday afternoon. This will give me the change to attend church. I miss playing the piano and organ. I've dropped in on churches before and when they've heard me play, they sometimes offer me the key to practice any time I want. This is what I'm looking for, a church with a pipe organ that I can play. Of course, I am always very willing to substitute.

Many months ago, I wondered in a post here if whistling were an 'appropriate' thing for a woman. Of course, I am entirely free to whistle if I wish. Today, I found myself snapping my fingers at certain sections of a Mahler symphony. I briefly pondered how many woman might snap their fingers. Whatever the answer, I was really grooving to the music.

I am feeling very upbeat about tomorrow afternoon's phone interview. By the time it arrives at 2 PM, I will be very well prepared.

Late this afternoon, a recruiter who saw my resume on the web left a message about an opportunity she thought was good for me. I'll check in with her tomorrow.

I am considering changing my avatar to my own photo for a very limited engagement. With a coupon for a free photo, I had my picture taken in 'blonde' mode. I went with this hair color because I might at some point post the photo on a dating sit

e. I am very pleased with the result.

I look very different as a blonde than in my usual dark auburn hair. I'm not at all sure an employer and colleagues who might see the photo would make the connection. Not that this necessarily matters. I need to give it some more thought.

Perhaps because my new HRT doctor halved my testosterone blocking drug, I am feeling some resurgence in sexual interest. Now, I just need to find the right guy to date! . I'm not quite sure how to go about this, but I'll figure it out.

[Danya (imported)]

Earlier in the week, I had stayed up until 4 AM creating a PowerPoint presentation for a corporate HR recruiter. Today's phone interview with this recruiter went very well, although I thought I might have been too assertive. Then I remembered I am in Chicagoland where this is just fine.

The recruiter asked if I knew the location of the job. Duh! I always thoroughly investigate everything about a company before the first phone interview. So I knew it was downtown. The recruiter thought this might be too far to be desirable. Not all all. In fact, I would love to work downtown. Seriously, folks, I am totally into downtown Chicago. Besides, there is a train station 8 miles away. I can always move closer to the job, too.

I thought I might have gone too far when I gave a clue to my age. This is something I have never done before. My intuition told me that hinting at my age, for once, might help. Apparently everything was fine, because the recruiter notified me late this afternoon that the hiring manager wants me to come in for an in person interview on Tuesday. I was a little surprised by this, since the recruiter said there would probably be a phone interview with the manager first.

This company is doing extremely well even in the current economy. The role I would have is challenging, but I love to be challenged. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Of course, I will also be very thoroughly prepared come Tuesday. I will wear a very nice pant suit that, not coincidentally, I am having altered on Friday. The pants are too long. Unfortunately(?), I may have to buy a new pair of shoes to go with this suit.

I will not go in blonde mode! A number of women have told me that men, at least in the work place, take them less seriously when they have their hair dyed blonde.

Even though it sometimes goes against my desire to work nearly constantly on my job search, I will likely take much of the weekend off for fun. That will put me in a great frame of mind for Tuesday's interview.

Meanwhile, I had a second phone interview with an agency recruiter for a contract to hire position with a very good, trans friendly company. Unlike many agencies, the people I have worked with here really know what they are doing! The downside to this 'opportunity' is that it is in the Milwaukee area. It is entirely possible that this company will want me in for an interview next week, too. I'm not sure how I will handle things if I am waiting for a decision from the downtown Chicago company and the Milwaukee company offers me the position.

Then there is tomorrow when I meet with another recruiter.

Of course, it is entirely possible that none of these places will offer me a job. I am encouraged, however, that I have people interested. There could be several dry weeks after this if nothing works out.

[Danya (imported)]

The corporate recruiter for the downtown job opening called to move the interview to Wednesday morning. Perhaps this is a test to see how I like commuting in rush hour traffic! I continue to feel very confident about this interview. Hey, I might as well be whether I get an offer or not.

Monday, I will have a phone interview with the hiring manager for the Wisconsin company. I'll spend part of the weekend preparing for that.

A new technical recruiter told me I have excellent qualifications. That's all fine and dandy, but I want a job.

I applied for several jobs late last night and have already heard back from the recruiter for one. This is another permanent position.

I figure I have put in at least 60 hours of work since Saturday. So I took part of the day off to go downtown. I took my camera along and took 233 photos.

The lilacs are blooming now, as are many crab apples and mid-season tulips. It was a gorgeous day.