Perverts, Driving, Acne, School, Madness!

One of my greatest concerns with transitioning?

Ending up in men-only spaces, like locker rooms and public restrooms.

Why?

Because dudes can be downright weird, bizarre, and creepy.

...way creepy.

Yesterday while freelance web designing at the library I took a stroll down to the men's restroom. Upon entering, the sinks are to the right, urinals line the wall on the left, and then there are two normal-sized stalls and then - against the back wall - one large, handicap stall (I'm doubting "handicap stall" is the most PC way to put it... but, I'm inept in this department in many, many ways so forgive if it isn't!).

Seeing as the handicap stall is the largest and, therefore, most luxurious and cozy when it comes to a poop-particle-permeated men's restroom, I darted right for it. The restroom was empty, minus one feller sitting in the stall directly next to the handicap stall.

So I sit. My secondary business begins to ensue. And my phone begins to vibrate. I take it out of my pocket, see who's calling, select "ignore" with the intention to call them back once done and, in my peripheral vision, I catch a glimpse of something amiss coming from beneath the stall to my left, near to the floor.

I see the bottom of a head, darting up quickly.

What the hell?!

I was completely stunned. And stuck, wishing that I could just stop what I'd started, pull my knickers up, and run off.

Low and behold, things weren't that easy. I was trapped, in mid-bidness-process, and I continued to watch where I thought I'd seen the top of a head darting up swiftly. And, about 15 seconds later and for a second time, I see the top of a head begin to emerge and swiiiish, disappear.

At this point I felt a great deal of adrenaline. I thought, given the location and what was going on that this guy was probably mentally ill, or a pervert or just - something way, way wrong with him. I wasn't sure what to do, what to say, how to react. It was just me and this weirdo in the basement bathroom.

And then, I started to see the top of a head slowly creeping down towards the floor. Slowly, slowly... and then: upside-down eye-contact.

Just like this! Except for the fact that his head didn't come out -as- far: just enough to make quick eye contact. And I wasn't holding a plate of food: I was holding a phone. And the toilet I sat on was quite a bit further away from the stall door, making me feel even more exposed. Aside from those three flaws, the image above is a spot on portrayel, to a -T-!

It was quick. He darted back up again.

At this point I finished, pulled my knickers up, and as I left the restroom I noticed that he was sitting with his pants UP, on the toilet, with his stall door open about 3 inches. I decided not to wash my hands and just left.

HOW BIZARRE? Upon reflection, I should have found and reported it to the library security - but I was caught off-guard and leaving; and by the time it dawned on me what I shoulda coulda, I was long gone.

Damnit. Not, at all, adjusted to the world of close-proximity creep dudes.

Quite a learning curve indeed...

Hormone Acne Crap: In other news, I received my acne.org goodies and have been following good ol' Dan's brutal benzoyl-peroxide-lovin'-flesh-scolding regimen. And I've discovered that my tender face flesh is extremely sensitive to the stuff. I'm supposed to work up to two full pumps of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide per application, but I can only get away with 3/4th of a pump, BARELY, and maybe only once a day instead of twice. Otherwise my skin gets red and itchy and flaky. It was so bad in San Diego that I thought I had a sun burn and my friend, Baloo, alerted me to the existence of a magical elixir called Aloe Vera that I ended up slathering all over my not-charred-but-irritated flesh.

And upon returning to Utah, I reduced the amount I've been using (down to 3/4th pump a day) and have been caking on the moisturizer which has helped quite a bit. And I bring some moisturizer with me on the go, in the event somewhere is dry and gross flaky.

But, aside from the tender flesh learning curve, things are MUCH clearer and I'll adapt eventually.

Yay hormone acne! Wee!

Etc.: What else... in a quick nutshell, I'm working on getting my first ever driver's license - finally, at the ripe ol' age of 27. Seeing as I've spent my entire adult life bicycling, I've never been interested in acquiring one. But now that Salt Lake City has this nifty U Care Share shindig going on, I'm suddenly interested in having one.

And, on another compressed side note, I went in for a job interview at a coffee shop earlier today. Upon arrival, instead of being interviewed I was told to get behind the counter to begin training and that I was hired on the spot. Swell! So, as of this morning, I have my first.ever non-computer job as a barista at a coffee shop. It's sheer social madness!

I'm going to continue to freelance, but decided it would also be good to take advantage of the opportunity to experience a job that's in the realm of human-to-human interaction. I've only ever worked on computers, so something as simple as the cash register or figuring out how to put a drink together are monumental, education uphill tasks.

One more side note, I'm very excited to be returning to school. I received an acceptance letter last week from the college I wanted uber mostest. Today Jay and I perused campus and I met with a financial aid advisor. And Thursday I meet with an academic advisor specific to a major in neuropsychology (wooo!) and also getting a campus tour. So.very.giddy.

p.s. and soon I will photo & viddy document, which I've neglected big time. And will also post San Diego pictures.