Traveling to DC Diamond Circulate

Now that all of the work of moving and setting up my new house is done, it's time to get on with living life.

I merely existed for several years. While I took joy in the achievements my daughter accomplished I was not really doing much for myself.

Since 2005, I've been very active in square dancing including going to the International Association of Gay and Lesbian Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC) annual conventions.

Going out to the local club nights and interacting with gay and lesbian dancers was my primary means of gaining experience and socializing with "normal" people. Normal in that they did not have gender identity issues, but were very accepting because of their own adaptation to their sexual orientation. As a result, I was able to practice my presentation. The photographs and differences in social interaction from when I first joined them until today shows a marked improvement, to the point that I was just another woman without regard to being in the "safe" environment of square dancers or out shopping, dining, flying and just living life in mainstream America.

Flying to Washington D.C. alone this time was the first time that I traveled by air (except for returning home ten days post op) with my identity and anatomy in sync. While I had flown with my old id and also my new id, there had always been some concern with being "discovered". Fortunately, I never did have any problems, but the worry was there.

This time however, there was no cause for concern. As a result, I was able to sit back, relax and just enjoy the trip.

Weave the Rain

The day after Thanksgiving, I flew to Vancouver to attend the Weave the Rain square dance fly-in with Square Across the Border

I'd made arrangements to stay with Blanche while I was there. She picked me up at the airport and drove me to her downtown condo. She has a fun black American cocker spaniel named Buddha (Buddy is his nickname and is the one to which he answers)

Friday and Saturday were filled with lots of fun dancing. I was in a groove and AFAIK was mistake free all weekend. We went to a late dinner Friday night at a Greek/Italian restaurant where I had a Tiger Prawn Slovaka (sp?). It rained almost the whole time and I didn't get to do any sightseeing, but what I did see was very nice.

I was told that Buddy would probably sleep with me, but Friday night he slept with Blanche. Saturday night however he did sleep with me. It was really nice cuddling with him. When I got up at 4am to get ready to go the airport he didn't fuss at all when I gently tugged the blanket out from under him to fold it and put away the hide a bed. Thank You Blanche for being the perfect hostess and taking such good care of me all weekend!