compulsory introductory thread.

[sockmonkey]

I've been mulling for some weeks now over whether I felt like becoming a public part of this board, and after a bit of thinking, I decided to take the plunge and come out of the woodwork and mix my metaphors. Ahem.

I'm a mostly average 27-year-old white boy college student from northern Indiana. Good-natured, open-minded, and eminently inquisitive about segments of the populace that doesn't include 27-year-old white boys. Which, naturally, led me here (among other places).

I've read this forum for a good couple of years now. I mean I've actually read it; the conversations, the flamewars, the amigay threads, the legitimate and important discussions. The jury's still out on whether I have any attraction to transsexual gals, but that's neither here nor there. The reason I'm here, or at least have been up to this point, is observation. Understanding, fuelled by the desire to establish a base psychological profile of the average transgendered person; what makes them who they are, and like that. And I'm glad that, thus far, I've come to have a deep appreciation for the lifestyle and the people that chose to live it for the purpose of true self-actualisation. It's got to be such a tumultuous journey that I can't help but form a level of real respect for the girls who take that first step toward actually becoming women.

It's remarkable how well some of you have transitioned. It's impressive and commendable. So cheers for that, ladies; you all deserve it.

More from me later. I look forward to getting to know some of you better (both the ladies and other erstwhile members of the board), and hopefully have some interesting conversations in the process.

[thx1138]

My advice: go to Chicago and get "initiated" by TS Vanessa. The gurls love "first timers".
http://www.erostranssexuals.com/sections/all_chicago_tv_ts_escorts.htm

[flabbybody]

great first post
welcome

[Richctdude]

welcome

[BeardedOne]

I do believe he just called me 'erstwhile'. :shock:


The reason I'm here, or at least have been up to this point, is observation.

An alien, sent from the planet of 27-year-old white boys, to observe our culture in preparation for mass-invasion and ice cream. :wink:

I'm guessing a psych major. :) Speaking as one who has been 'In the shadow of Lake Michigan' (Chicago, Ypsilanti, A2), I welcome you to our little padded forum. Pink jackets with very long sleeves and shiny buckles are presented to veteran members and you appear to have started your journey to that achievement rather well. 8)


great first post

I agree with Brother Flabby. Quite eloquent. Please don't ruin it with an 'amigay' post as your second (But as your third, it's OK). :wink:

[ottorocket]

Sup brother...welcome

[sockmonkey]

Flabby, B1; I thank you from the depths of my heart and left lung for the kind words.


I'm guessing a psych major.

Psychology and political science, with a minor in philosophy. Heh, is it that obvious? :wink:

Anyhow, yeah, that's my stock-in-trade. My whole life has been devoted to the study of the human psyche.

[DL_NL]

Welcome (though you've been here longer than I have), I like your intelligent observations already.

[BeardedOne]

Psychology and political science, with a minor in philosophy. Heh, is it that obvious? Wink

Anyhow, yeah, that's my stock-in-trade. My whole life has been devoted to the study of the human psyche.

Oh, you'll find plenty of psychos here. :)

'Obvious' is relative and few of my relatives are obvious. You have a decent grasp of the written word that doesn't appear to be condescending or blustery and your mention of observation, study, and understanding lends an air not so much of curiosity as it does one of research. 'Inquisitive' satisfies. :)

I've known many psych majors over the years and a few found me to be an interesting 'hobby' of sorts. Something akin to soda rockets in fifth grade science class: After the experiment is over and you know how it works, you still like playing with them. :) I'm told that I give good interview.

[melissacarter]

I have been following you for quite some time, sockmonkey, and knew you would finally make a posting and reveal yourself.

I also know that you will be sending me large amounts of cash to donate to my upcoming breast implant surgery and I already know you have my email, which although I of course have no need to post it and pander to the masses, is melissacarter@melissacarter.net.

I accept American dollars, Krugerands and Duetchmarks.

[sockmonkey]

B1: I in my more confident moments fancy myself a wordsmith. The English language is a great passion of mine. I'm actually what would be described as an high-functioning autistic, and in person I have a habit of not making eye contact when I'm truly speaking from the heart; this is not because I lack straightforwardness, but rather that when I'm talking, I'm actually visualising the words in front of my eyes and hand-picking (for lack of a better description) them in an effort to choose the most accurate synonyms to convey my thoughts. It's very interesting being me at times (and other times, it's immensely boring). :P

Psychology is merely an aptitude for me, going back to when I was a young boy. I'm a lifelong sufferer of major depression (but am on medication right now, which has just worked wonders to no end), and at the age of about five or six my child psychologist told my parents that I was the youngest self-diagnostic he'd ever seen or heard about. So, needless to say, I feel (without intending the arrogance that might be inferred herein) I have a pretty good handle on the psychological aspects of the human condition.

At my core, though, I am nothing if not a philosopher. Had I been born in a different era in history, I would have endeavoured to pursue study at Lyceum. In addition, although I am a committed, card-carrying atheist, I have a deep passion for the philosophy of all world religions; having been raised at Notre Dame (where my parents have worked literally all my life), I received my informal religious education from some of the foremost religious scholars in the country and by the priests and monks at Moreau Seminary and Holy Cross.

Really, though, I am a suitably boring individual. :oops:


Melissa: Well, nuts. I'm afraid you're a bit late in hitting me up; upon the advice of my accountant, I've converted all my cash assets to the Antoninianus (which I'm told is making a comeback). Add that to the fact that I'm essentially a broke-ass student, and I'm afraid that monetary contribution is outside of my means at present. Best of luck on your b00bies, though.

[melissacarter]

As a philospoher and admirer of TS, I would think you might find the work of Simone De Beauvoir interesting. She said, "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman".

To me, this is of great relevance, being TS. Because we fight for every ounce of womanhood we so greatly appreciate our hard-earned femininity. De Beauvoir believed that in defining one's character as a woman, we find ourselves through what society and culture dictate is womanhood. If this be true, then a male-to-female transseuxal has every hope of developing fully as a woman.

By the way I think your avatar is cool.

[sockmonkey]

As a philospoher and admirer of TS, I would think you might find the work of Simone De Beauvoir interesting. She said, "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman".


I'll have to czech that out. Philosophical treatises on common elements of everyday life are always interesting.

Is this somebody who writes specifically about trans-related issues, or rather the issues of womanhood in society?



By the way I think your avatar is cool.

Oh, thanks. I like to tell people it was taken right before I got killed by the Predator. Actually, I was visiting my mother one day and decided to mess around with her Macbook and the built-in webcam. Perhaps if I'm so inclined I'll one day change it to a picture sans filtering. Y'know, just to scare the kids.

[melissacarter]

As a philospoher and admirer of TS, I would think you might find the work of Simone De Beauvoir interesting. She said, "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman".


I'll have to czech that out. Philosophical treatises on common elements of everyday life are always interesting.

Is this somebody who writes specifically about trans-related issues, or rather the issues of womanhood in society?

Simone De Beauvoir has been dead since 1986. She was a feminist philosopher, married to Jean Paul Sartre. She was the premier voice for feminimism, anticipating a strong feminist movement well before it happened. She was the link that bridged the earlier ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft with the newer feminist voices of Erica Jong and Germaine Greer. Like her husband, her politics were enmeshed in her views and together they participated in and supported many anti-war movements from WW II through Vietnam. They were basically the one-two punch of modern philosophy throughout the 20th century. Without De Beauvoir there would likely have been no women's movement, or at least a lesser thrust to the movement.

[phobun]

I'm a mostly average 27-year-old white boy college student from northern Indiana.
You're 27 years old and still in college working on a BS in psych?
Too much booze not enough studying?

[melissacarter]

I'm a mostly average 27-year-old white boy college student from northern Indiana.
You're 27 years old and still in college working on a BS in psych?
Too much booze not enough studying?

Sock, allow me....

hey phobun go phuck yrself

[sockmonkey]

You're 27 years old and still in college working on a BS in psych?
Too much booze not enough studying?


Unfortunately, real life often gets in the way of academic pursuit, not the least of which is my autism, which makes university difficult for me. The Prussian educational system was constructed to turn out a product; being a classical iconoclast, I don't quite fit the mold. Best I can describe, my brain isn't exactly capable of expressing knowledge to fit the average curriculum. It's very difficult, but I try my damnedest to make it work, with varying degrees of success.

[melissacarter]

You're 27 years old and still in college working on a BS in psych?
Too much booze not enough studying?


Unfortunately, real life often gets in the way of academic pursuit, not the least of which is my autism, which makes university difficult for me. The Prussian educational system was constructed to turn out a product; being a classical iconoclast, I don't quite fit the mold. Best I can describe, my brain isn't exactly capable of expressing knowledge to fit the average curriculum. It's very difficult, but I try my damnedest to make it work, with varying degrees of success.

omg, sock, I wanna give you a big warm hug...

[sockmonkey]

Sock, allow me....

hey phobun go phuck yrself


Aw, you came to my defence; very cute and endearing. :P


Much appreciated, doll.

[sockmonkey]

omg, sock, I wanna give you a big warm hug...


My academic career can be summed up thusly:

Professor: Your paper displays an immense breadth of knowledge of the subject matter; I daresay you might be a genius.
Me: Really? Glee!
Professor: Unfortunately, the manner in which you wrote it is unacceptable according to the syllabus. You get a D+.
Me: *mope*


I'll have it known that I give the best hugs EVAR.