Baby Step

[OliviaM]

Olivia drove to work this morning. From the house to the car and car to the office of my GG drab pants and shoes with dress hiked up under windbreaker and no wig. In the car all Olivia. Pulling out of the driveway heart beating rapidly. The more I traveled the more comfortable I felt. In the office we took two pictures in the same outfit. I will post one now. It was a great morning. I almost stopped for gas, but my GG was waiting and had to get to her. We may do this again on Thursday or Friday. I will see what happens next. I could not have done this without all the support from my friends here and my GG's. Love you all.

Olivia

[Virginia]

Hope you noticed that those in the other cars did not see you. Everyone is in their own little world, texting, eating, listening to the radio. Like I have said you could have been purple with three heads and no own would have noticed.

The human brain is tuned to initially believe what it initially sees. A person wearing a skirt or heels, etc denotes female and that is what is registered and they move on! Unless you interact with someone they see female. In a lot of cases, even the interaction indicates female even if the voice is "not right."

Keep the faith, hon, you will be fine!

V

[OliviaM]

Hi Virginia,
Thank you for the positive reinforcement your words especially mean a lot. I certainly realize that no one could see me. Some people dive right in the water and some test and test and test before they do it. I am not as far along or maybe have the same goals as you or others here, but I am advancing slowly down the road. I feel good about yesterday's experience, and I believe it, and your positive feedback (hopefully others too) keep me going in the direction I intend. Is there a timetable for the step? No there isn't, but I know it will be there. And you are right I am OK. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Olivia

[Bernice]

Virginia knows of what she speaks, but she is also very passable. Take your time, push the envelope gently, and resolve to someday experience life to the fullest. Chances are, you will get away with far more than you ever thought possible, but that doesn't make it any easier!

Hugs,

Bernice

[Kelly]

Go for it!!!! Though a tad nervous, I hope you enjoyed yourself.

Kelly

[Robyn]

That's terrific Olivia. I too have been taking baby steps at the advice of those who have experience. Virginia makes very good common sense points, and heeding the wisdom of others has enabled me to have very pleasurable outings thus far.

[Toni_Lynn_P]

Good for you Olivia! It is those little steps that help us to reach the larger goal.

Here's one that worked for me. When I'm crossdressed as a boy I prefer to wear a kilt -- even on days like today where we sit at 6 degrees C/ 44 degrees F. Folks in town got so used to seeing me in a kilt that the transition to skirt was no biggie. Now no one says a thing - and there are no snarky looks or remarks

Hugs

Toni-Lynn

[SilverLady(SO)]

I'm sorry, but if you are not of Scottish descent then you should not be wearing a kilt (ie, tartan). Period.

Now if you are referencing the UtiliKilt that is completely different and I have no problems with that.


- SL

[Robyn]

Those are cool SL. Now that's something that would actually be functional while working on the property, seriously.

[OliviaM]

Thanks Kelly. You know how much I like you and respect by our opinion, and hope to hear from you more. Thanks Bernice, your support was really appreciated, and I know what you are saying concerning Virginia. Her situation is sort of the ideal and what I strive for, and even if I can't reach that ideal the attempt will make me a better woman. Not heeding the advice of someone like Virginia would be foolish. Robyn, hope we can continue down the road together. Your pictures and your words of support have become important to me. And Tony-Lyn, thank you for your kind words. I always read your entertaing, reflective, and informative posts. Lastly, Olivia did not go to the office on Thursday or Friday. I could not get there early enough on Thursday, and did not go to work at all Friday. After watching Braveheart on the big screen, had an incident and went to the emergency room to get the old ticker checked. Everything was OK, but didn't get home till 4AM. Disappointed, but it will happen again.

to all, Olivia

[Ralitsa]

I'm sorry, but if you are not of Scottish descent then you should not be wearing a kilt (ie, tartan). Period.

Now Silver Lady, I think maybe that's a bit harsh. We are in a global society now and it's quite acceptable to borrow customs from other cultures. That is sort of like saying only Mexican people should eat tacos, only Japanese can eat sushi, or only Americans can wear jeans and cowboy boots, and only Russians can invade neighboring countries. Whoops, did I say that?

I would wear a kilt, if I could afford one. And the other objection I have to kilts is that if you make the mistake of wearing the wrong color on the wrong part of the mountain you're likely to get shot.

[Toni_Lynn_P]

Well -- it is a UtiliKilt in my case.

I do wear a tartan though -- because there is a deep connection between my people in central Europe, the Slavs, and the Celts. Slavs, play bagpipes, eat something similar to haggis, and historically there is a similar garment. But it is also out of a deep respect (and one of the few times I will NOT wear a bra) for the men of units such as The Princess Patricia's Light Infantry, who bravely fought whilst kilted in 'the great war' - -and it is on days such as Remembrance Day I do, as well as local events such as Burn's night. It is part of our great cultural diversity in Canada, where in a local mall I have a Fish and Chip shop staffed by East Indians, a chinese fast food place staffed by non-immigrant Canadians, and greek place staffed by Chinese -- and we all get together and wish others things like happty diwahli, merry Christmas, a blessed Eid Al-Fatir.

Sorry -- to divert from topic at hand or threadjack. To each his/ her own, opinion wise

Hugs

Toni-Lynn

[Ralitsa]

Slavs, play bagpipes, eat something similar to haggis, and historically there is a similar garment.

That's an interesting comment and reminds me of something. Several years ago when I was in Bulgaria I was visiting a historical site near a small village (there are a gazillion of those in Bulgaria). Of course there were all the requisite vendors with their trinkets, and in one place the husband (presumably) was wearing what I took to be a skirt, but perhaps was a kilt. I never spoke to him, my Bulgarian is limited to bira i kebapche (beer and sausages), and it did not appear that he was likely to speak English. So I don't know the story, but he would have been the perfect candidate for an old fashioned, bull headed traditionalist who refused to have any thing to do with this new fangled contraption called pants. I really wonder about that.

[Requal Jo]

Congratulations Olivia. Taking bay steps over a period time continues to take you towards your destination. The steps will get longer and more mature as your confidence grows. Very soon it will be second nature to your routines.

[OliviaM]

Thanks Jo. And yesterday took another step when Olivia drove to work again and stopped for gas at Costco. It was 6:30AM so not too many people around and only used cards. I did not really look around but there were people on either side and I was at a back pump and did not even see the guy pull up to the front pump until I was getting back in my car. But I am sure he saw me. It was a really amazing feeling and felt more comfortable as I was out of the car longer. It was interesting to want to know if people were looking and not wanting to look around. After the gas stop I realized I needed something from the store and almost stopped. But it was running late and I wanted to get to work and see my GG. Also I no make-up and didn't want to stop without it. The problem is getting the Make-up on before leaving the house and off before getting to work. Hope to find a solution before next fill-up. And the boots were delivered, look good, and my GG's love them. Thanks everybody talk soon.

Olivia