Pay More, Get Less. The American Way

Pet Peeve Time!

Been past the chip isle at your local supermarket recently? At first I thought it was just a packaging glitch somewhere but they're all doing it now! If you must give us less for our money (MUCH less!) at least reduce the size of your packaging to match the skimpy amount of corn chips now included with the extra air to puff up the bag.
And, Senor/a Tostito? No way am I paying $3.99 for a bag half full of air! Bad enough these were more than $3

Three Fs

Finally got my Third F today, the driver's license! After getting the SS# I applied for a passport name & gender change which gave me what I needed to get those pesky driver's license people to cooperate (it didn't hurt to go to the slightly larger office in Escanaba to do it at :))
Now I'm all ID'ed up and good for all purposes but those which demand a birth certificate, and I wouldn't be surprised if the passport could prove to be a way around some of those. Cool! I'm a real happy cat now!

SS card arrived!

Amazing stuff continues- after only a week and a day my new social security card arrived in the mail yesterday! Where do all these stories of bureaucratic nightmares come from? They were civil and quick, can't beat that (assuming they got the F on their system, will check that out next week when I'm over in Escanaba again)
That gave me what I needed to go to my local banks and change those over, two more instances of good luck and mythbusting. No problemo! Two downstate banks need changing, or just closing (but not the one with the juicy Visa credit limit!:)). Maybe I'll take a detour on my trip to Dallas in two weeks to take care of those. I just prefer face-to-face over phone and fax dealings.
Next week utility billing, cell phone & insurances will get done.
And that leaves plenty for later! :)

Ongoing stuff

Last week I applied for my changes at Social Security. You wouldn't think UP here they'd see many MtF changes but it was all pretty matter-of-fact, no odd looks or anything, just copied my documentation and clarified the computer entry part of it. Apparently the system doesn't have a checkbox for gender status but the paperwork is pretty clear. The nice clerk was surprised the Michigan driver's license people didn't change my M to an F based on my very clear surgeon's letter, something I expected from the beginnning would involve many hoops to jump through. The new SS card was promised within two weeks, we'll see......
Yesterday in preparation for my upcoming tracheal shave in April I visited a local clinic to see if I could get an ekg there. Much fun likely was had out of view as my prescription with Teresa Thomas, Male prominently displayed made it's way through hopefully necessary hands, followed by a he said in reference to me as the scheduler was told I could get it for $32. All the same they were pleasant enough in their insensitivity and not hostile. Back in mid March for the test.
Sloppy weather with grey and depressing skies and dirty looking roadsides, unlike the crispy whiteness with lots of bright sunshine of the usual northwoods winter. Back to good frozen temps by the weekend, hurrah!

Legally Me

Ooooh! Today was the day I became legally Me, not just an AKA. Getting to the local county courthouse Amber and I waited for our friend Heather to show up- and then waited some more as the previous proceeding ran over a bit. It was a gorgeous sunny day in the single digits, crisp and clear, a perfect omen.

Amber had her name change back in September with the same judge, who remembered us (not many of "us" coming through here so I'm sure it was memorable :)) and it went a simply as can be- a few questions about my intent and to get the spelling right. And then it was done, that awkward guy name gone and my Teresaness all legalised. Cool!

Now for the ongoing adventure of getting the "F" on everything where the "M" now is seen......

End of Year

Whew! That pesky 2008 is at an end (finally!) My personal journey was wonderful and I can't complain about how the presidential race turned out but it sure was a Thrill Ride out there.
I was lucky at every turn, finally finding a buyer for the other house just in time to see real estate really go bad, then getting my new old house at a third off the asking price. No complaints there! But the run up was tense as can be, wondering if I was going to get anything at all out of it.
With that out of the way it was full speed ahead transition wise as I went to E3K in Dallas for face clearing twice and, topping it all, being rid of the nasty 'nads early this month.
I heal well- maybe too well as I healed right over one of the knots in the outer suture before I knew what was happening. Thinking at first it was just swelling I waited a few more days to pull it out than I should have. Mr Knot being securely deep under serious skin I worked around him, using a nut pick (appropriate, eh?) to get under the visible loops either side and snipping free the bulk of the suture. So make sure to keep those knots accessible through your whole three weeks of healing! At some point I'll get it cut out but being sterile stuff it shouldn't be any immediate problem.
My background check for the name change came through and I went to the local newspaper office to run the notice, hearing to be on the 26th! Less than four weeks and I'll be legal :)
Happy News-Year!

Home again!

"I left my balls, in Phil-a-delphia......"
An adventurous return! Only fifteen minutes time allowed to get from gate A6 to C36 at Deetroit in the schedule of NWA so grabbing a wheelchair at the gate Amber pushed me and the luggage at breakneck speed from one extreme end of the terminal to the other. Look out! It's the mad tranny race of 2008! As a kid (and later :)) I would push a shopping cart along with one foot on the cart and the other being used like on a scooter, wheels a-wobbling. So it was with us but with me as the cargo, the wind rushing through my hair as pedestrians quickly (or not so) got out of our way. Some envious senior citizens being sedately wheeled along at a much slower pace smiled as we approached from the opposite direction, perhaps envying our rapid progress. Amber was the little engine that could and got us to the plane on time (barely).
A few notes on my 'nadectomy
1) There has been very very little pain or great discomfort since the operation Wednesday morning. I have used merely four of the ibuprofins provided and even then merely as a precaution against anticipated discomfort from yesterday's return trip. I do not consider a slight "twinge" as pain, and even these have been few. A valium was also provided in case I wasn't able to sleep well. I slept like a rock without it the first and successive nights, even with a large ice pack strategically placed. No swelling due to diligence and a good constitution. Keep it cold for the first two days and you'll be fine.
2) Oozing. Not much. Dr Kimmel gives you enough dressings to deal with far far more and some people experience enough to need the bed pad provided. In my case it was good for drippy ice but otherwise not needed.
3) The Belt. Officially the scrotal support it keeps the dressings immobile and the empty sack up. Not really uncomfortable but needs to be planned for as you will have a large bulge under your clothes. I wore a jean skirt one size too large and just looked frumpy, no obvious discontinuity with a middle aged woman traveler.
4) Stitches. Only the big blue one needs to be removed and can be done yourself when the time comes, will let you know how it goes then (op + 3 weeks). The ends are left long, be careful changing dressings not to tug, will be easy to get a hold of.
5) Mood. Oooooh!!!!!!!! This is just so cool! 'Nadless at last! :) Can you tell I'm happy? :)