The Walk About September 15, 2009

Hi everyone. I am a little behind. I have spent a lot of time gaining the technical skills needed to make this happen and it looks like I have most of the kinks worked out. Following is some insight into our first day on the great Walk About. For those that don't know, Toni D'orsay has come along with me. I am expecting a grand time with her along!!

I was telling some folks before I left for this adventure that I was really interested in finding out how the rest of the world reacted to Billie. I felt that in Phoenix and in particular where I work, I was insulated to a great extent. After all, after living as a woman full-time for 17 months, I have not received a single derogatory comment. I am already finding out and it’s just the first day!! First, some details.

The first leg of the trip took on a new priority when son Tony flew into Phoenix with a friend to move his stuff up to Denver. Since Tony was unable to borrow a truck, he asked if we would consider hauling a trailer up there for him. Unfortunately, there was no time to lollygag as both Tony and Thom needed to be at work on Wednesday. Toni D. and I figured we would have arrived in Denver in two or three days if we had stopped at all the places we were interested in seeing. :)

We had hoped to be on the road by 5:00 am, but didn’t get out until 5:45; not bad. The journey went well; the van performed flawlessly towing the massive trailer. The event of interest was the convenience stop on the Navajo reservation at Indian City. As I was paying for a candy bar, the clerk, a very nice lady, asked me, “So, you two are actually men dressed as women, is that correct?” I am sure she could hear the incredulity in my voice when I responded, “That’s not the way I would I put it.”

She was very kind and made it clear that she was simply curious and did not mean to offend. She asked how I would put it. I said, “I am just a woman.” She told Toni and me that she didn’t get out much and liked to take advantage of learning situations as they occurred at the shop. So, we talked with her for awhile, long enough to bring the boys in from outside to see what happened to us. I vowed that from here on out, I will lose the attitude and become curious myself.

Tony and and his friend, Thom are great kids. Tony drove for several hours so I could catch a little sleep. With all the stops needed for my aging bones and bladder, the trip took 17 and-a-half hours. When we arrived, I actually backed the trailer into a parking place at their apartment complex! I never thought I would be able to do that. I have to confess a few plants may have suffered. :)

We had an interesting experience when we arrived at the hotel. Toni and I arrived around 1:00 am and we were exhausted. Most guys, even the most selfish will help two women struggling with their luggage, if only to hold the door open. This guy, the night desk clerk, was sitting in a chair, in the lobby, a mere 20 feet from the front door, notebook computer on his lap watching the History Channel. Toni and I both were loaded down and could barely open the door. The clerk did not budge; twice.

I am not sure if he was lazy or indifferent or whether he had read us as “trans” and was translating his opinion of us into non-action. I suspected it was the latter when he started using male pronouns in reference to us. I told him I intended to file a complaint about his behavior; which really upset him. He called his boss, who apparently exonerated his lack of action. At the conclusion of the call, he simply smiled and said, “I hope you have a nice evening.”

I will file the complaint. As a customer, irrespective of my gender presentation, “hospitality” is simply good business and I am sure the higher ups at the hotel will be interested in knowing how this franchise treats their “guests.” I will be happy to share the name on the establishment upon request.

We will see Tony and Thom again, and Gina too, on Wednesday evening; then Gina has Thursday off so the three girls will rat around Denver all day. From here Toni and I will be on our own and for starters will head back down to Trinidad for a visit.

I have posted a short video on YouTube. It is the very first using my new camera and the sound is not great, but you get to see my wonderful son, Tony. More tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6xf0CzmFpA

Take Care,
Billie