Transitioning at work and in all of my life

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Hi Danya,

I'm so glad you have found someone to share and enjoy life with. Though we are all different in many diverse ways there is always common ground between people that can and should be shared as well as celebrated.

Enjoy and have fun. You deserve it!

[Danya (imported)]

Hi Erica Ann,

I am enjoying my time with 'X' more than I imagined possible. As we kissed on the dark street last night near Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, a younger couple walking by commented "Isn't that sweet." 'X' whispered in my ear that he was tempted to tell them we had just learned I am pregnant!

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

I was crying in the car today as I drove to buy an inexpensive pair of Capri pants. It wasn't the idea of Capri pants that was causing my emotional response , although I have never been a fan of them. [I won't go into why I wanted to buy these. ]

Rather, I was feeling overwhelmed by how extremely beautiful life is and how fortunate I am to be at this point in my own life. Everything that has happened to make my life so much better seems like an impossibility that I somehow stumbled into.

Many years, really decades, ago when I was still a young one an uncle died. We had never visited him often, although I remember going to his funeral with my parents and brothers. We also attended a dinner afterward at my aunt's house.

My father noted, with some wistfulness, that Uncle 'M' had lived the life he wanted. My uncle, apparently, was unconcerned by conventional 'rules' of what constitutes happiness. I remember being stunned and realized my father was not entirely happy with his own life.

I also remember the son and daughter of Uncle 'M'. Both played the piano

and we had a wonderful time talking

music. Both of my cousins struck me as eccentric and I found that fascinating.

So, I like to think that I am leading the life I was meant to and on my own terms. Were my father still alive, I believe he would approve.

Although I am unemployed, I still see all kinds of wonderful possibilities for the future. I do not know what my next adventure will be but I like the image of the trapeze aerialist. Letting go of one bar with the faith that the next will be there with someone's out stretched hands to grab me, figuratively speaking. I can let go of many things, and have, to get to where I am. Despite the losses, everything has worked out for the better. I fully expect this to continue.

[Danya (imported)]

I located an open position with a very trans friendly company in Chicago. This is a permanent job that requires up to 50% travel, which I do not think I would mind one bit. I know business travel can be tiring, but I know how to have fun to iron out the stress.

Going from the job description, I am a very good fit. I'm really pushing to find something right here and soon.

I am starting to keep track of job openings in my field in a longer list of metro areas and every several days. This way, I hope to spot anamolies and real differences.

Today's winner is....Boulder, CO and by a very long shot. This may be a fluke. At any rate, I really like Boulder. It's close to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and not far from my one and only encounter with a mountain lion.

Next come Washington, DC and New York which each far surpass the Chicago region. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul area is close behind these cities, but I still find the job descriptions there to be, for the most part, poor matches for what I can offer.

Every city on my list has more advertised jobs in my field than Chicago, usually many more.

I have expanded my list because, if I must move, I want to make the 'right' choice. This means I will need to take the time to look over typical position descriptions for all of these cities. This is very time consuming , but someone has said information is power. It helps that four recruiters have now contacted me about positions in DC.

The cities in my new, expanded list all have transgender protections at the city level. Many also have state anti-discrimination protections in place. New York state is the only exception.

1. Boulder, CO - a dark horse winner??

2. Denver, CO

3. Boston, MA - a high performer

4. Washington, DC - so far, a consistent winner, but as with all of these I need to look into job descriptions - nearby Montgomery County, MD has TG protections while places like Alexandria, VA do not.

5. New York, NY - dependably high on open positions

6. Seattle, WA - always significantly better than Chicago

7. Portland, OR (I thought this one was out, but it has been performing better recently)

8. San Francisco, CA

___________________________________

I'm looking forward to spending the day with 'X' tomorrow. There are fewer openings with the approaching holiday, so I feel free to take this time. We will go to the Museum of Science and Industry. I'll have my cell phone along in case a recruiter calls.

____________________________________

The Be-All transgender conference begins here middle of next week. I will attend on Saturday to speak with GRS surgeons. I may also spring for the dinner Saturday night. Maybe not.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

The Be-All transgender conference begins here middle of next week. I will attend on Saturday to speak with GRS surgeons. I may also spring for the dinner Saturday night. Maybe not.

Danya,

If you plan on continuing any kind of relationship with "X" this idea of GRS may not work for him.

I know "X" fairly well as well as his past history and preferences.

[Riverwind (imported)]

Danya, I have not posted to your blog as I should but I do see that your happy and that is the best thing of all.

I wish you all the best in the world, that job will happen, and go for it.

River

[Danya (imported)]

Danya,

If you plan on continuing any kind of relationship with "X" this idea of GRS may not work for him.

I know "X" fairly well as well as his past history and preferences.

Hi Erica Ann,

I have already discussed my plans for GRS with 'X.' In any event, we enjoy each other's company and have fun together for whatever time I am here. He knows I may move. I have been upfront about everything and he told me some of his history today.

So, for now at least, I do not have long range plans for much of anything except finding a job (by far my top priority) and arranging for GRS (important to me, but secondary to becoming employed again.)

I'll send you an email with some more info.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

Danya, I have not posted to your blog as I should but I do see that your happy and that is the best thing of all.

I wish you all the best in the world, that job will happen, and go for it.

River

Hi River,

It's great to hear from you. :

-)

Thanks for the good wishes.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

Today was one of my worst in a few months. I went

to the Museum of Science and Industry

with 'X' and had a good time. But I had this feeling of hopelessness I could not shake. I was wondering if I will ever find a decent job.

This really bothered me because I typically do not feel this way for long. Not, at least, since I adjusted to my situation within a few months of losing my job.

Then I remembered I slept for less than 5 hours last night. I went to bed very late and got up with the birds, at 4:22 AM. I was spending more time researching other job markets.

What I need is a good night's sleep. I am overdoing things at least a bit. Working hard on my job search while checking out other locations at the same time is stressful. Not getting enough sleep makes it much worse and prevents me from doing my best. It also leaves me in a bad mood.

I suspect I will be fine tomorrow. I am considering taking a near total break from 'work' through the holiday weekend and going out to enjoy life.

[butterflyjack (imported)]

Take care of yourself Danya...smooches dragonfly