No Comfort Zone

[ygmir]

a penis, has caused much strife to many of us having them, especially when using them for decision making.

Well, there's your trouble, Ygmir--you're supposed to use a penis for either propagation, puppetry, other various entertainments, or filling out trousers, not leading the 5th Battalion 20th Infantry Regiment or choosing between Wendy's Value Meals.

IT ALWAYS PICKS THE CHILI COMBO. DON'T LET YOUR PENIS PICK LUNCH.

*gets out "life calendar" and writes "doing it wrong" on each day, starting yesterday, back to July of 1972*

[Savannah]

[MacGlenver]

There is nothing more amazing than seeing your friends becoming themselves

Thanks for that, Eric. Never really thought about it that way. I don't know any transgendered people, and it's something that I've never really understood (don't have a problem with it, just don't really understand it). However, to have it put that way makes it seem like something I should be more actively supportive of.

[Zhust]

It's only out of comfort zone when a man transitions to a women and then becomes a lesbian.

My friend did exactly that (re: Savannah's friend: "also"). At least for a while, then became more bisexual. And I haven't asked, but I'm pretty sure she considers herself polyamorous too.

The gender-binary, straight-or-gay world works okay for me personally. Although in 2010 I was absolutely smitten by a man, so there's a first time for everything, I guess.

But on-topic ... umm ... I read a 2-minute monologue piece at the open mic a few weeks ago. First step to being a monologist ...

And I made more progress in a terrifyingly large project that I won't specify here yet.

[Sham]

This may turn out to be the best thread EVERRR!

Knowmad, I don't think that JK meant anything bad. It appears to be the same left handed humor that gets me in trouble on a daily basis.

By the way knowmad, you're my hero!

[Ugly Dougly]

IT ALWAYS PICKS THE CHILI COMBO. DON'T LET YOUR PENIS PICK LUNCH.

I heard about Wendy's Chili. It's widely rumored that the chili at one point contained actual *gasp* beans!

As we used to say during my infintesimally brief career with the Texas Rangers, "Lord knows that ain't right".

Anyway, I ate balut once.

[wh..sh]

But on-topic ... umm ... I read a 2-minute monologue piece at the open mic a few weeks ago. First step to being a monologist ...

I can't imagine the amount of creativity and material that is required to be a monologist! (I say that as a toastmaster who has struggled with 3-minute speeches)
Good luck.

[Elliot]

Years ago I “stumbled into” a lecture on human sexuality, and it turned out to be largely about our genders -- our X and Y chromosomes and the various combinations thereof, our several gender- and sexual-related hormones, and so on and so forth. What an eye-opener! Previously, I was under the impression there were simply two genders. Then it turned out there is not only a linear spectrum of gender-characteristics with the two basic genders at their respective ends of that spectrum, but a veritable three-dimensional universe of such characteristics spanning a number of biological and emotional realms.

Old news to most of this crowd, I expect, but there may be some good folks who have not read about this yet.

Luckily, medical science is able to assist many of the people who grew up in some form of gender-limbo.

Best wishes!


Now…. My own comfort zone….
I don’t smoke, and the only time I tried smoking pot, about 35 years ago, all I got out of it was a horrible burning sensation in my throat. (Well, that, and my girlfriend’s approval for trying. ) Next, I worked in trucking for three decades, where we are tested for pot frequently and any positive result is a certain career-ender, so I stayed well clear of it. Heck, for a while it was my job to take drivers to the clinic for testing!

Then, three years ago, after I retired from trucking, a friend gave me a “special” brownie. He told me to take just a small bite. Then he was surprised when I reported feeling no effect.

Well, this year I was given a big cookie accompanied by the same warning. That evening I sat down with a glass of wine and ate that whole cookie. What a nice sensation – and then I dove into bed and slept like a dead man until morning. Good sleep, to me, is a precious commodity in short supply. That cookie beat the snot out of 300mg Trazodone.

So I think I have now expanded my cannabis comfort zone.

[trilobyte]

While out for brunch this weekend I walked into the restaurant with the intent of ordering in the bacon & eggs/comfort brekkie food for brunch. That was on the menu and I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it, but so was this unusual treat.



Sweet and savory bacon and pretzel dough french toast with maple syrup. The word pretzel just didn't compute as something that could work as a breakfast food, much less with things like bacon or syrup. I decided to give it a try, and am very glad I did - it was amazing.

[nilasnake]

what was the name of that place? looks like we'll have to put that on the list next sf. visit.

[Sham]

My comfort zone clearly had to be being nude in public. That taboo that we deal with in our society. Imagine if someone sees your bare ass--or worse!
My first year in BRC, I was intrigued that someone could actually spend the day with no clothing--not even clothes with them to put on if they got uncomfortable. By my second year I was feeling brave and participated in the naked bike ride and pub crawl. Holy crap! All my fears and anxieties were lifted off of my head. Waiting to use the portos, I looked around to see that I was the only naked person in the crowd. No big deal at all. I walked through Center Camp like I owned the place.

The first time I met TamaraKay, I was on the pub crawl again at BDC. I gave her a great big hug and didn't even think that I was bare assed naked (I of course had boots on). Life is much better now!!

[wh..sh]

Sure, Burning man offers lot of opportunities and new experiences to push our limits. But, what about rest of the year?
In the mean time, we have to keep evolving.

The first time I met TamaraKay, I was on the pub crawl again at BDC. I gave her a great big hug and didn't even think that I was bare assed naked (I of course had boots on). Life is much better now!!

Now, how can we convert that into real world? Have you ever worn velvet pants? (ooo, so sooooft!)

[theCryptofishist]

This may turn out to be the best thread EVERRR!

Knowmad, I don't think that JK meant anything bad. It appears to be the same left handed humor that gets me in trouble on a daily basis.

By the way knowmad, you're my hero!

Psssst! Heroine!

[theCryptofishist]

In one of my weird hang-ups I distrust anything that takes major surgery. (Except for the ones I had to repair my body.) ... And I think that hormones are poison. (However, it's good to go on thyroid.) Perhaps there is a lurking trans-phobia hiding under those. If there is, fuck it. That's my problem. And the thing is I have enough evidence to know that I cannot make that decision for anyone else. Happiness is such a fragile thing in this world anyway, why have "gender dysphoria" on top of that?

I dream of a world of sliding identity and gender queer and huge happiness. Part of the problem is that I am not particularly identified as a woman. It might just be that I never woke up one morning as a man, but there are other things that seem more important to me. As I said, my problem.

Knowmad, I hope that those two paragraphs did not cause you any pain or discomfort. Do what you need, have a wonderful life.
(((((Knowmad)))))

[Elliot]

My comfort zone clearly had to be being nude in public. ....

I guess I’ve been lucky in that regard; my parents did something right. As a child I went to summer camp, and every couple of days we rode a hay wagon to swim in a river. All the other kids ran off and hid behind bushes to change into their swim suits. I could not even understand why we had to wear a costume to swim, much less why the change had to be performed a great distance from the river.

Now…. That Norwegian river was c-o-l-d, and I never set more than a toe in! Why on earth suffer such, when we had unlimited warm water for washing back at camp. But at BM I have happily showered in “room” temperature water when that was all I had -- and I surprised myself with that.

[Sham]

Elliot, I recall back in the days of public schools, where everyone showered after gym in a gang shower area. That is no longer allowed and being undressed in front of anyone in school is awkward for the students. I go to a gym, and I am amazed that anyone in their teens or 20's simply would implode into themselves if they were seen changing or showering. This appears to be such a strong and possibly insurmountable phobia, that it may actually affect their personal lives in the future.

[Elliot]

We did have communal showers in the school gym, but the boys were still uptight about changing at summer camp. So it would appear to be more about being seen by other people, such as the camp counselors or any passers-by. I don't know....

This summer I went to a public pool on the UC Davis (California) campus a few times. The men's changing and showering was communal. Some men showered with swim trunks on. Weird.

I have no doubt such a phobia is harmful.

Again from my childhood in Oslo, there was a big indoor swimming pool which was very popular in winter. I learned to swim there. They had "open days" for both genders wearing swim suits, and they had gender-specific days when suits were not required. On men's days, I noticed that the younger fellas wore more swim suits than the older fellas. So maybe anyone can outgrow it.

[AntiM]

My parents were never hung up much about nudity, but I never saw them naked either. We went to Japan when I was 13, so I was exposed to semi-nudity where no one was hung up about it. As a teenager in Utah, I did get the lectures about modesty, being a Mormon and so on. Boot camp ended any qualms I had about getting naked in front of strangers, we had 30 minutes to jump up, shower, dress and make our racks perfectly. Group showers left no time for modesty. For me, public nudity is a separate issue from feeling bad about my body. I do that even when dressed.

[strange love]

I went to a karaoke bar last night

[wh..sh]

I went to a karaoke bar last night

OMG! That will be the end of me!

[theCryptofishist]

... and make our racks perfectly.

I'll just avoid saying anything that contributes by taking stuff out of context and make sexual innuendo from it.

[ygmir]

... and make our racks perfectly.

I'll just avoid saying anything that contributes by taking stuff out of context and make sexual innuendo from it.

you are so strong......*admiration*......

[theCryptofishist]

Can it with that admiration stuff. Next, I'll be a fucking "inspiration" instead of a regular person.


Um...fish.

[tamarakay]

Came up with a theme camp, expressed it, followed through. And now my hair is blue lol

[tamarakay]

oh crap. that is big. bbadger is going to whip my butt.

[Drawingablank]

Hair was another thing that has gone way beyond my comfort zone since the burn and I decided not to shave off the colored mohawk when I returned. I find it amazing how the non traditional hair color changes so many default world interactions with people - usually for the better.

Since the burn I have had Fuscia, Aqua, Purple, and currently Bright Blue. And still sporting the mohawk although in a slightly different style.

[pink]

I'm going with blue & purple on my next hair appointment, which happens to be Wednesday. Never been blue before.

Knowmad, I'm happy for you! Watching one of my friends transition and finally become happy has been wonderful-and even more wonderful for her.

[Savannah]

Tamarakay, you look kickass!

Drawingablank, I'm so glad you got to carry some Burn-time self-expression into the Default World.

[FIGJAM]

I can't grow a mohawk as I am 2"s taller than my hair.

[knowmad]

Public Nudity.
I experienced much of the same as some have posted here. Communal showers in School, The Navy, and when I lived in Germany. haven't been naked on the playa. well kinda, I'll change clothes, shower or bounce from tent to tent in public, but no running around naked. just not my style.
Kerioki, only when the song is something I can belt out. Violent Fems, Jannis Joplin, or some gender fucked version of Taylor Swift. <--- have to admit even acknowledging I kinda like her music makes me uncomfortable. She's a spoiled stuck-up sexist homophobe and kinda lousy girl but she's got a wardrobe to die for, and enough nerd to keep me looking.

Speaking of. Being around some one who is a public douche makes me uncomfortable.

ETA: Awww Figjam! that explains the 2 inches of nose hair.