In Retrospect, A Few Take-Away Thoughts...

Some Take-Away thoughts about my vacation

Despite my own biggest shortcomings (voice issues, a bit of a weight problem,  and a lack of feminine curves), people tend to mind their own business, simply accepting me for what I appear to be.  If they didn't...and if there were constant hassles, these excursions would be much less fun.

Being dressed in women’s clothes was not a problem…  They look and feel fabulous, and are cool in the summer.  And most importantly, nobody cared what I was wearing...

When out and about en femme, we (collectively) can’t easily change presentation.  So if you get "cold feet," or feel a little self-conscious, why not just go on about your business and forget about what you're wearing?   Don’t even think about it.  You’ll be fine, as long as you follow safety precautions for women while you're out and about, particularly important after dark.

Through many of my vacation experiences, I “dressed the part" of a woman.  And I initially attempted (once again) to change my voice to a more feminine sound.  As usual, it wasn’t effective...if I raise my voice to a higher pitch, which admittedly sounds more believable, it cracks after a few words or sentences, depending on how much or how loudly I try to talk.  That leads to coughing, in "boy tones" of course,  which are more noticeable (and sound worse) than the boy voice I’m trying to disguise.  So when the occasion calls for an all-day skirted excursion, with repetitive speaking,  I just talk in a slightly softer normal voice, and avoid the coughing.  But it's clear that I definitely need voice coaching/training.  

Maybe someday…   

It didn’t seem to outwardly affect anyone that a lady (who was yours truly) was speaking with a deep voice.  They may have wondered about it silently, but were tactful enough to ignore it.  One of the females on the train sounded every bit as ‘masculine’ as I do.  (Could it possibly  be????   Naaahhh.)  Some women just have deeper voices than others.  So I guess beauty is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder….   

Those folks at the restaurant in NYC and the insensitive girl at the Queen Mary were most likely intentionally being nasty.  While I plan to continue to improve my presentation, I don’t think I’ll stress too much, over their (not so implied) criticisms.

I try my best to avoid restroom issues.  Despite the fact that "Bathroom Bills" failed in the 5 states where they were debated this legislative season, this really can be a complication for many of us girls who still aren't comfortable commingling with ladies in the loo.   In my own case, beginning the day with a touch of dehydration helped...dehydration as in omitting the large glass of orange juice and "cuppa Joe" with breakfast (caffeine works as a serious diuretic on me, as it does with many others as well...) 

On trains, with their unisex washrooms, using the toilet wasn’t a problem, nor was it at the meeting (private office and restrooms) or at either hotel.  In androgynous mode, the men’s room was appropriate. And, this time around, at least, I wasn't challenged by any men in the men's room (though it has happened on occasion…)  

In the Amtrak lounge at LA, I only used the women’s room in a skirt once.  I simply “held it till the lady passengers in the lounge cleared out once the next train boarded,” then proceeded to visit the now-empty women's room.  I used the men’s room there in a skirt once, too, right after I got back from my walk.  There were several women lined up outside the women’s room, and I needed a toilet imminently.  I didn’t meet anyone – the men’s room was empty.  I didn’t want any trouble…and didn’t have any.  (Surprisingly, no ladies followed me out of the ladies' room line and into the men's room.  Go figure.)

My clip-on earrings just aren’t comfortable.  Since getting my ears pierced at this time wouldn't be practical (the home front, you know), I need better clip earrings!

I also need a better-looking wardrobe!  But that may have to wait for a while, till I recover from the bills for this trip...or find what works in my size at a thrift shop!

And lastly, I anxiously await the chance to do something grand like this again.  Time will tell...no way to predict how soon it will happen.

Mandy