day at the zoo

[Lorileah]

I am living the 24/7 life now and I am "Lori" no matter where I go. Thus, as I have posted in the TS section, I attend professional meetings as a woman. But I want to post here for the CDs.

If you want to feel "normal", visit the zoo. I attended a seminar today at the Denver Zoo. the meeting room was on the second floor with huge windows and ...well I spent a lot of time observing the people. After watching hundreds of people, all different kinds of people, I can say...no one looks like anyone else. Sure there were a lot of people dressed similarly, but each was different. There was NO standard or Normal. Each woman walked differently. They acted differently. They dressed differently. I saw women in shorts, from some that almost didn't cover anything to midcalf. I saw capris and clamdiggers and what used to be called pedal pushers. I saw slacks, I saw skirts, I saw dresses. Long dresses, knee length dresses and mini skirts. I saw flip flops, ballet slippers, running shoes, high tops, open toe wedgies, slingbacks, Uggs (ugg) combat boots, hiking boots, cowboy boots. Hair up, Hair down, long hair short hair and a few buzz cuts. There wasn't a single "passing" outfit. were there other TGs there today? :idontknow:. There was one :) No one really cared what other were wearing. They cared about what the animals were wearing.

The other thing I observed was that in the area I was in there were several peacocks (yes males) who had no fear of the crowd. But I saw that some of the crowd feared the peacocks. I saw at least three grown men shy away from an advancing 20 pound bird. Fear. The great urban male who isn't afraid of walking alone on a dark street backed away from a bird. I would like to say that the peacock was over dressed for the occasion but they did blend in. No it wasn't the plumage these men feared, it was the UNKNOWN. You see, they were city boys who had never encountered a bird larger than a pigeon up close. So when this bird came close they moved away. Analogy? When TGs encounter people who have not really had exposure, the people don't know what to do, so they tend to shy away or for their "protection" mount some sort of defense, like taunting or acting big...from a distance.

So how was MY day at the zoo (after the seminar..we did get to roam the grounds). Some treated me like the peacock and gave me wide berth. One group of young people stopped talking and turned around to watch me walk by (It was because they thought I was cute I am sure). Most didn't give me a second look. In fact I was so invisible people closed doors as I was walking near. I wasn't noticed any more than any other person there. You can call it passing. I say they saw what the wanted to see...the lions and tigers and bears.

[AllieSF]

I like peacocks, but being the size that they are, having a pointed beak (I think) and having had unpleasant run ins with geese (been chased by them on a golf course where I blended in perfectly dressed as a male) and chickens, I tend to give them a wider berth than they actually need.

That being said, what you say so well is so correct. Thanks for sharing an interesting example of real life out in the real world as a woman.

[Persephone]

Very interesting post, Lorileah!

But it does sound like the seminar was pretty boring and, like a schoolgirl, you were spending your time staring at the people.

Which brings up the second point. If you were bored by your immediate surroundings and had taken to peoplewatching at the zoo, then were you on the side of the animals? Particularly the lions, tigers, and bears (Oh My!).

Hugs,
Persephone.

[thechic]

Just Loved Your Post..........

[AmyGaleRT]

This is an interesting set of observations, Lori! The "people-watching" observation could have been made anywhere lots of people are gathered, like the 16th Street Mall, but the lesson of the peacocks was special, and no less important. :)

Of course, contradicting myself for a moment, people along 16th may be more inclined to focus on other people, whereas people at the zoo are focused, in large part, on the animals they paid to see. If other people have something to focus on besides us...we're more likely to "pass by default."

You know, in all the time I've lived here, I've never actually been to the Denver Zoo? Perhaps some of us should do a group outing...

- Amy

[Sarah Beth]

Some years ago we lived just outside the fence of a zoo and peacocks were always getting out and we would find them in our yard or sitting up on our roof. They were a pain in the butt and messy to boot, and while you can shoo one of them on its way its hard to get the whole flock moving. Scared of them, nope, but I grew up in the country where there are larger things to fear.

I do think Lori, you are right about the fear factor. It has been said that people fear the unkown and will shy away from it, or react with loathing and hatred. Something is unknown, strange, different so how do we know if we really want to be in contact with it. I can be a pretty shy person, so I know the feelings when around people I don't know in a small group. Yet when there is a large crown, like at a zoo and Im not having to interact with them and can go my own way I feel a lot more comfortable. There can be that thing, like the peacock that takes one out the comfort zone, that unknown factor intruding, so you notice that, forced to interact and you take that into account and do what you do in those situations. So maybe it would be nice if everyone realized there was less to fear in meeting someone who is different what their "norm" is, we could all be more comfortable.

Amy, I've never been to the zoo in Denver either, but I hear its a really nice one, so maybe a group outing would be nice. If only I lived closer and I didn't have that fear of the unknown.

[Beverley Sims]

I have a number of photos of male peacock plumes all up for show.
Others around me would make sharp movements to try and get the plumage, I waited a long time in some cases to get the desired shot.
Some people do not understand birds and animals.
I must get to the San Diego Zoo one day, they tell me that is the best.
Lots of different animal shapes there.
I like your analogy about observing the people zoo also.
As for the shape of people, it does take all types, Lorileah.

[ArleneRaquel]

Outstanding post Lori. Love you and btw you are very inspiring.

[donnatracey]

Very introspective post, as usual, Lori! I do enjoy zoos/watching animals and had never thought of a zoo that way...will have to go to my local one and observe....the people AND the animals.....:thumbsup:

[kimdl93]

Kinda reminds me of my day at the museum. Most people saw what they were looking for - ancient artifacts. The few people who appeared to notice me either took me at face value or not, but were polite enough to keep their appraisals to themselves.

Just thought of an old song lyric....

something tells me its all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it, I do believe its true!

[julia marie]

Lorileah. As usual, a great post. Thanks for sharing your observations (and congrats on the 24/7 move). However, I think you might be guilty of some bias here. You talk about male peacocks. How do you know they were male? Maybe they were hen peacocks who were into crossdressing. You know, brown bird picks up a bunch of shed feathers and glues them on when the spouse isn't around.

[Marleena]

Nice post Lorileah! Oh and to whoever said "this place is a zoo", your next seminar might be better presented in a zoo.:)

Link: http://www.hrmorning.com/hrs-lighter-side-for-anyone-whos-ever-said-this-place-is-a-zoo/

[AmyGaleRT]

I must get to the San Diego Zoo one day, they tell me that is the best.

I'm originally from the San Diego area, and I've been to that zoo, Beverley. It is very good. I've also been to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (what they used to call the "San Diego Wild Animal Park"), up around Escondido, which is also excellent and unusual.

- Amy