I'm still crazy about downtown Chicago. Over the last three days, I've been there three times.
My current avatar is a photo I took this evening. The reddish-hued flood light lit metal structure is part of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park, backed by the 83-story Aon Center and, to the right, a certain health insurance tower.
Being there reminded me of the many fine concerts I enjoyed at this spot during the warm months.
Unlike most companies, mine had today as a holiday instead of New Years Eve. I took the day to visit two more places 'X' and I had spent time together. This is all part of the process of reclaiming them for myself.
Late this morning, I drove to the Lincoln Park Conservatory where I spent 90 minutes. After that, I spent 4 1/2 hours at the Art Institute and for the first time took my camera. Between the two locations, I took 354 photos.
At the Art Institute, non-flash photography is allowed except in special exhibits. Even there, they make exceptions. I got the shot I've been wanting since I first viewed the new Modern Wing entrance way, with its spare but elegant long, multi-level lobby that overlooks the equally modern Millennium Park.
In one of the temporary exhibit areas, there was a cool window covered in 'switchable' triangular films. The window is connected to a sensor on the roof that measures wind speed. The many triangular segments alternate between opaque and transparent based on the wind speed and they do so at random. This window overlooks the main lobby to the Modern Wing. The effect is startling.
In the Japanese exhibit, I took a photo of one of the art works. Immediately, a guard came up to me and said "No photography."
They didn't grab my camera and demand I erase the photo, so I've still got that one.
Marc Chagall's gorgeous blue-hued stained glass "American Windows," which he created for the Institute to celebrate the country's bicentennial, were on display again. I've always like Chagall's paintings. This was the first time I'd seen some of his stained glass.
It was easy to take photos of the art on display. The lighting was perfect, so I seldom needed to make camera adjustments. I had two lenses with me. One is a multi-purpose wide-angle to telephoto lense. The other is a wide aperture lens that is great for low light conditions.
Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:51 am
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Early this evening, I saw my HRT doctor for a check-up 3 weeks after starting injectable estradiol. We spoke for an 1 1/2 hours, mostly about non-medical things.
I told him that, while some note how difficult it is for a post-op trans woman to meet a man who will be interested, my response was b***-s*** to that. I'm not saying this will ever happen for me. I think it is entirely possible, however. My doctor agreed, saying I have a lot to offer the right man.
We spoke of other things like having a life goal of becoming the most complete people we can be. When he said this, I wondered if he were a Myers Briggs type INFP like me!
At the age of 80, he is still becoming more fully himself.
He asked if my breasts were very sore. "Yes!," I told him.
There are time now when I cannot sleep on my stomach for just this reason. I'm fine with this.
I told him that, the day after I do an injection, I have a sharp pain in my upper right abdominal area. I suspected this might be a gall bladder problem. He thought so too. I'll need to have a scan to see what's going on. My blood work shows no problems in this area but you never know. The good news is that he says he can give me medicine to dissolve any gallstones if the scan is positive.
Money is tight and, although I am fortunate to have one more month of COBRA coverage, I have a $750 deductible for medical tests. I do not know how so many people get by without health insurance. Many have no choice. They are considered uninsurable. I may go a time with no insurance because I'm considered uninsurable, too.
This can also be a problem for finding a permanent job. Unless the company is large, many are leary of taking on older workers because of concerns over their generally higher health costs. I'm not losing sleep of this, but it concerns me.
Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:51 am
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For the last few days, I have been thinking I may be too 'vanilla' for the Archive. It's a great place. I'm just not sure I fit in. I accept that there is a continuous range of gender identities between the 'male' and 'female' poles. I'm supportive of everyone, whatever their identity. Other than
Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:29 pm
being a male-to-female transsexual,
though, my life and inclinations seems rather
Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:51 am
ordinary when I look at posts on some other threads.
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The International Consumer Electronics shows opens this week in Las Vegas. My company will unveil something new there. Although I have only worked for them 7 days, a few minor
Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:51 am
contributions I made are part of the "show and tell."
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If I can find the money, I will start taking advanced pipe organ lessons. The last time I did this was several years ago in the Twin Cities. I'm finding it difficult to not play and I'd like to improve my skills
Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:51 am
, particularly in improvisation, where I am a novice.
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Finding this much to 'talk' about has been a stretch. I'm still not very motivated to write, which is unusual.
