Ding dong! Satan Claus calling… Yes, another Xmas is now upon us. I've been home about 48 hours or so and it's here already. Ok, a bit of background info for those that came in late… (spot the Phantom reference)
Ok, Thursday I was running around like a wounded blow-fly. I was racing around trying to get Soba's and Sarah presents into the mail. However, I didn't have Sarah's address or phone number. I went by the Electoral office on my way into town and got the name changed on the electoral roll. Then I made sure the lab was ok to be left and tried to do all the little things which tend to crop up like laundry. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I had shaved the night before so I was fuzz-free if a little pink. Dad called about 12:00 am and arrived a little later. We chatted about nothing important and then went for a shop to look for a bike for me and potential presents for others from him. After touring the three bike-shops in Lonsdale Street, we went to Cash Converters and found quite a good light weight racer for a very reasonable price. Then, after some lunch it was about 3:00 pm and we headed off. I drove from Canberra to Gundagai and changed with Dad. My face was really dried out, from the wind and I was thirsty as well. We made it home, and the feeling of weird deja-vu wasn't too bad because I'd been here back in September. My brother Charles and his Brazilian girl-friend Gabriel (Gabby) were arriving later that night by bus and Dad went over to pick them up at about 9:00 pm. On Friday I slept a lot, the bed is a bit small, but since I usually go fetal it's not too bad. I re-typed a rough approximation of the letter I had written for Peta because I had left the original on my computer at John's. I went into town and bummed about because the library internet was fully in use and came back later. I had 170 (!) messages courtesy of the mailing list. I read some of them, and replied to two of them and deleted them all once I had finished. I sent the letter as an attachment to Peta and that was about it. It was about 2:45 pm by then, so I drove home and crashed out for a while. After that, Mum got home and so we got ready to head in for the annual family Xmas church service. As we were driving in, we passed my other brother Ashley driving towards home, so we turned around and got home just after him and said hello. I also had the chance to moisturize. Then we headed in and weren't excessively late for the service.
After it was over, Mum did some last minute shopping, and we drove past the garishly decorated houses in one street with thousands of lights all over. And who says the fake plastic pretense of the commercial spirit of Xmas has been contaminated with spiritualism. ;)
Came home and the men fired up the BBQ whilst the others stayed in doors chatting. Soba called, and I had a great old time chatting to her, it was really great. I wasn't sure how much my conversation were being unintentionally monitored, by the caffeine certainly didn't make me any quieter. After dinner, we sat around chatting in different groups until there was me and Gabby hassling Mum about Xmas starting at mid-night and therefore we should be able to open our presents in 45 minutes, 30 minutes etc. Gabby had some photos of me, and said that when she walked in, she didn't recognize me at all which was fine by me. :) Two years ago she was here and then I went up to Sydney to spend NYE with Sarah. Then one year ago, I was here for Xmas and here (though off my nut) for NYE.
So, nothing rally startling to report so far. Gabby is quite like some of the Drag queens I know, in the same bigger than life, over the top manner. She's funny, and I get on quite well with her. I can't remember what I was like last time, but I feel I'm being much more friendly and listening this time.
Any one looking at my prescriptions drugs which sit on the table in my room, will quickly notice two things. One that the names on them all are Steph Hurst and that very obviously, that one of them looks a lot like "the Pill" and has oestradiol on the side. Oh well, clues, clues and more clues… people find it easier to be lead (knowingly or unknowingly) to the realization of the truth, rather than having it shoved down their throats. But I will wait until after Xmas at least and make it a happy time, even if the conundrum is staring them in the face whilst talking to them. No one else has said anything about the change in my appearance. A friend of the family Mr M***** dropped by today, and so I took off my very androgynous shirt and put on a foot-ball jersey just to let him know for sure. I also did that when I was in town today. I certainly didn't want to make myself a one grrl display of gender variance and went with the gender defining football jersey again. The only time I got any real attention was in the supermarket when an old guy asked me if I'd been to Japan and pointed at my high Samurai-esque pony tail. I made some quick small talk and no problem.
My brothers dog is pretty cool, she is quite well trained, but obviously has a desire to come into the house and needs an occasional stern word there.
Nothing else exciting really, I wrote an email to Michelle, but won't be able to send it because the Tumut library will be closed until well after I'm gone. I've had no communication with Susan or Jules which is unusual because I sent a few emails to Jules with no reply and it is strange. I must catch them before New Year's Eve, unless there is some party to which everybody has been invited except for the persona non grata which would likely be me. Not that I'm being pessimistic, but not being a member or partner of the "inner circle" it's quite possible. Or perhaps that's just the cynic in me. ;)
Ok, I'm running out of news and hence am turning to fluff to fill the vacant page. Well, on this one day of the year where we are reminded however slightly that we are supposed to be nice to each other, I shall wish you all a peaceful and enjoyable Xmas. It doesn't need to be merry or anything, just enjoyable. :)
Ho, ho, ho! I detect the jingling of sleigh bells, best I go and stoke the fire-place. *lol*s