And some neighbores meet Katie...

[Katie Lynn]

Well I posted a new pic in my pic thread as I was going out. Turns out it was a bit hot out so I changed into my favorite denim skirt.

I live in an apt building, but its midday and most people are gone. I dont usually have a problem going out, but most of the time I do my changing in the car. I just rather not have to deal with odd looks from the neighbors for the rest of my lease. Well today I watched for a while and there seemed to be no movement in the parking lot so I grabbed my purse and walked out the door completely dressed.

I live on the second floor, and none of the walkways to the parking lot are inclosed. I left my door at the end and walked towards the staircase, no problems. All I hear are birds chirping (and my heart beating lol). I round the corner and I hear a door open behind me. I was tempted to turn and look, but had no real reason so I kept walking. I could hear someone following me as I walked down the last steps to the parking lot, but it didnt really bother me. Once at the bottom 3 guys come out of an apt across the way carrying a bunch of soccer balls (i guess going to practice), I would say they were in thier early 20's. I tried to avoid eye contact, but wanted to see thier reaction so I looked up to see 2 of them putting the balls in the trunk and 1 of them actually waving at me. I waved back, he smiled and went on with his business.

I was almost to the car and when I noticed walking right towards me is this older lady walking her dog. I have talked to her on occassion, basically just the "hey, how are you today?", "awww thats a cute dog",...type things in the past. Well her dog, I guess remembering a familiar smell (I have pet it a few times) came up to me and jumped on my leg. Well of course that meant the owner was comming over too. I knelt down and pet her dog till she came by and grabbed it. I in my newly discovered female voice, said "what a good puppy", smiled and got in my car. She smiled back and walked on with her dog.

The good thing was the person behind me walking early was the car parked next to me, and because of the confrontation with the older woman I didnt have to talk to this person. Lucky me because it was a young 20's marine wife that is as friendly as can be. You cant walk by her without hearing about her day and family and what not. I was glad to not have had to talk to her, I think that a lengthy conversation would have definitely given me away.

So I went off and dropped off what i had to do, stopped and got gas without a problem and came home. Now to walk back in. I got out of the car, and this time there was no nervousness at all. I just grabbed my purse, closed the door and walked to my apt. Some people were out on a deck in the building adjacent to mine, but I dont think they even paid attention to me.

Major confidence boost by being seen dressed by people that see me all the time as someone else. No one seemed the wiser, but I guess time will tell. Ill watch thier looks for the next few days, but as for now I FEEL GREAT!

-Katie

[Emily Ann Brown]

Good going Katie !!! It's true that most people only see things that stand out, and you didn't panic so you didn't stand out. Doesn't it feel awesome?


Emily Ann

[Mary L]

First post for me. :) Your description fits me to a T. Nervousness about close encounters, but feeling thrilled at being among other people. And, you are right, there is little reaction from most folks. They arrive at a set of expectations related to your general appearance. Once that is set, they are generally unwilling to investigate in detail. I wish I could get up the confidence to actual engage is conversation, however, particularly with a gg.

[Katie Lynn]

First post for me. :) Your description fits me to a T. Nervousness about close encounters, but feeling thrilled at being among other people. And, you are right, there is little reaction from most folks. They arrive at a set of expectations related to your general appearance. Once that is set, they are generally unwilling to investigate in detail. I wish I could get up the confidence to actual engage is conversation, however, particularly with a gg.

Yea I have tried when going out in drab to think about how I notice other people. Most of the time, even a hot girl I will only glance and look away. I have seen females that look like men before and really thought nothing of it. Even though it goes on in my mind all the time, I dont think most people look at even the strangest girls and think, hey that could be a guy in womens clothing. Paranoia suck though, the more confidence the less paranoia though. And you can only build confidence by pushing the envelope! Who knows what is next? But I have a few ideas...:)

[Tristen Cox]

See no worries. No one's the wiser. :cool:

Now I remember, you remind me of a girl named Amy I used to know. Striking similarity. ;)

[Natalie x]

Yea I have tried when going out in drab to think about how I notice other people. Most of the time, even a hot girl I will only glance and look away. I have seen females that look like men before and really thought nothing of it. Even though it goes on in my mind all the time, I dont think most people look at even the strangest girls and think, hey that could be a guy in womens clothing. Paranoia suck though, the more confidence the less paranoia though. And you can only build confidence by pushing the envelope! Who knows what is next? But I have a few ideas...:)
You are right, Katie, and well done; another giant leap for Katiekind!

I like your point "the more confidence the less paranoia though. And you can only build confidence by pushing the envelope!" I would just add the word "slowly" to that, because it is possible to try to go too far, too soon, and suffer a knock back to your confidence if it goes wrong.

My situation is similar to yours; I live in an apartment block, and have yet to educate my neighbours about Natalie, so my trip out last wekend had similar feelings attached. But, we both lived to do it again another day.

I like to think that our trips out, as well as being great for you and me and the other girls who can do it, are also flying the flag for our less fortunate sisters who cannot leave home for various reasons. I hope that we can also give encouragement to those who want to venture out, but are nervous about doing it the first time. That's why I think it's important to share these experiences. Together we can push against a few doors in society and, hopefully, achieve acceptance and greater freedom for what we do.

Anyway, good for you, and thanks for sharing it.

[JoAnnDallas]

Katie... Very nice outing. It does get easier once you break the ice and notice that you blend in. That is the secrect... just blend in.. and yes take baby steps. Now you will be going from your apt to the car all the time now. No more waiting till you get to the car to dress. LOL

Love,

JoAnn

[Stephenie]

Katie lynn, Sounds like you had fun. The soccer players are probably arguing over who you were waving at. and the neighbor lady thinks you had a female guest while your girl freind was away.

[Colibri]

Well today I watched for a while and there seemed to be no movement in the parking lot so I grabbed my purse and walked out the door completely dressed. -Katie

May be if you had gone straight out you could have had none of it but where would have been the fun. :D

[Sarah Ellis]

Good on you Katie.. Nice one! :Power: :cheer:


Satin xxx

[Katie Lynn]

Katie lynn, Sounds like you had fun. The soccer players are probably arguing over who you were waving at. and the neighbor lady thinks you had a female guest while your girl freind was away.

Yea I already let my girl know about my outing today. Haha, in that odd way it would be great if one of my neighbors told my g/f about me having some girl over all the time. :D



May be if you had gone straight out you could have had none of it but where would have been the fun. :D

Yea thats the way it always seems to work. I like your point though, if no one had been around there would be no story and no confidence boost. Just glad it went well.


Also I agree with all who say take it slow, I have already had one of those set backs from doing to much to quick. It was nothing big in retrospec, and I probably even read it wrong, but id rather avoid feelings like that at all costs...baby steps lol, im new at this whole being a woman thing.

[Sarah Ellis]

First post for me. :)


Welcome from all of us in here. :welcome: :welcom:


Satin xxx

[jjjjohanne]

I would LOVE to have that kind of freedom. I definitely don't look very femme. I am 6'3". I have walked around in winter with a heavy coat and scarf in a dress. No one paid me any attention. It was a snowy day and there was no one at my apartment complex so I walked out and over to a grocery store and walked past the people over to other shops. I didn't go into any stores, but I was walking near people and no one gave me a second look.

Joe

[Mary L]

Welcome from all of us in here. :welcome: :welcom:


Satin xxx
Thank you! As with Katie Lynn, I spend a good deal of time observing gg's in stores. How do I compare? Well, the fact is that the situation for most of us is reminiscent of the proverbial, loudly shouted the checkout clerk, "How much are the extra large t*****s?" Paranoia about being embarrassed in front of a bunch of strangers. Well, the fact that the clerk is shouting shows he/she is not even thinking about the situation. Most clerks don't. They are too busy or too bored. In one checkout line while in drab, I stood behind a gg who was 3-4" taller (I'm average) who outweighed me by 20-30 lbs (I'm average), and who had wrists and feet as big as mine (I'm above average). I thought to myself, well, she is "passing;" why can't I? Then, on another occasion while dressed, I walked into a museum behind a cadre of young women all over 6 ft. In this case, I passed right along with them. The fact is that most of us, if we dress to blend, and take certain precautions such as wearing a scarf to cover an adam's apple (if necessary), do just fine. It does take confidence, however. Katie Lynn was testing herself; boosting her self-confidence, the flip side of paranoia.