Random Thoughts XI (Eleven Pipers Piping)

[CloneGuy8]

Has anyone joined toastmasters? I have very bad social anxiety when talking in front of people (groups and one-on-one if I don't know the person or they're a person of authority like a higher up at my company). Is this something that would be beneficial for someone in my position? I really hate having this anxiety when talking to others.

 

[CyGuy5]

I hate the offseason

 

[BCClone]

You are correct. I'm too old to be playing basketball. My ACL is torn.

You seriously tear your ACL? That definitely stinks.

Had my first heart stoppage tonight. Son was running an 800 for the d med, he finished the first lap and I see h8m grap his leg a couple times, makes the turn and I can see something is really wrong, the other parents by me ask if something is wrong now. He hobbles the second lap and collapses at the finish line holding his bad knee. I am sick. I go down the steps to get closer, he thankfully grabs his stuff and comes out of the gate. Tweaked the area where they took his hamstring to repair his knee. By end of meet he says he’s fine. Big relief.

 

[BCClone]

Ok, so pretty much everyone in here is aware of my designation as transgender woman, yes? I'm not shy about it among close friends, but I don't like to discuss it in public at all. I prefer blending. But we're fam, so I can talk here, right?

Anyway, things are so different on this side of the divide. Take what just happened. My current worksite is about 45 minutes from my house. I had an errand to run at Walgreen's so I went to the nearest one at lunch. And just happened to run into a neighbor who lives a couple of blocks away. He's a carpenter, and has actually done a couple of jobs in my house in the past, but it's been several years. We don't see each other at all anymore. He just happened to be working a job right nearby my current customer. The odds of an encounter are nuts, but it happened.

Anyway, I was walking in, he was walking out, I stopped him and said hi. He literally didn't recognize me (which feels good, because I always worry about standing out.) And we struck up a conversation, and he's a very likeable guy.

But ladies of RTT, you can tell when someone is checking you out, right?

It's in the 70s today, just gorgeous, and I'm wearing one of my favorite spring dresses. It is a little bit form-fitting, and while it isn't really short, the hem is above the knee. I totally think he was doing that, glancing down every few seconds, trying to cover his tracks by just stealing glances, but generally just doing a terribly unsubtle job of it.

Am I losing my mind here, or was that actually what was happening? It's a weird feeling, partly appreciative of being appreciated, but also kind of creepy.

Figured this would be easy for you, is it how you would have checked yourself out 20 or so years ago?

Btw, I’ve never understood the Kardashian’s backside fascination of some men. Guess that’s just not me. Sometimes I think the chest staring does get read wrong. Some people do this when they are nervous, look down that is not ogle the taataas. I’ve had men and women look down when nervous. I know many men do, but know some just won’t make eye contact at all. I once had a close friend tell me about a couple guys who did it to her. I had some reservations believing her because 90% of 12 year old boys are just as endowed as her.

 

[BCClone]

Forgot to mention, on the way to the meet I happen to catch a song on the radio from a small 80s Charles city band that played in the area during my HS days. The litterer band with ghost town park. Hadn’t heard it in about 30 years.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Thanks. I think you're right. I mostly did take it as a compliment. One of my biggest worries, of course, is blending in, and even as a very tall girl, I usually feel like I do that. My OKCupid profile gets tons of messages, "hey gorgeous/sexy," and all that. I'm kind of lucky in that I look younger than 44. Although I didn't get carded at the casino in March when I had a benefit dinner to attend there.

I was more pointing out that it's just a weird feeling. I've never in my life felt like I was being sized up like an object rather than a person, and it's unsettling.

It might just be Walgreen's that does it. Last summer when I was running errands at lunch, I had a guy put the mack on me in the Walgreen's parking lot. Or maybe it's just men in general, as I've also been hit on while walking my dog.

It has been a while, I will say. Lew still thinks I'm beautiful, so that's all that's important to me.

Having a man give you the once-over can be flattering or it can be creepy. Depends on the circumstances. But yeah, it's usually pretty obvious.

As a short but well endowed person, it was VERY annoying to have guys talk to my cleavage. It was hard to resist pushing up on their chins & saying "my eyes are up here..." Not a problem anymore, though!

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Soooooooo
When you've been looking forward to showing PapaLew Carlsbad Caverns for a couple of months now, and you put up with reservation issues and Oilfield traffic on a crappy 2-lane highway, and you wake up and drive to the National Park and they tell you the elevator is broken, what do you do????

You suck it up, buttercup! This 63 year old, stubby legged, out of shape and overweight old broad made that damned hike all the way down, all the way around, and all the way back again! Did I mention we walked 6+ miles, and the elevation change from the surface to the bottom end of the accessible part was 750-800 feet? We made it! Despite his lungs & knees, and my back, knees & ankle - by gosh, we MADE IT!!! I'm so proud of both of us.

I'm going to go die now........

 

[SCyclone]

Ok, so pretty much everyone in here is aware of my designation as transgender woman, yes? I'm not shy about it among close friends, but I don't like to discuss it in public at all. I prefer blending. But we're fam, so I can talk here, right?

Anyway, things are so different on this side of the divide. Take what just happened. My current worksite is about 45 minutes from my house. I had an errand to run at Walgreen's so I went to the nearest one at lunch. And just happened to run into a neighbor who lives a couple of blocks away. He's a carpenter, and has actually done a couple of jobs in my house in the past, but it's been several years. We don't see each other at all anymore. He just happened to be working a job right nearby my current customer. The odds of an encounter are nuts, but it happened.

Anyway, I was walking in, he was walking out, I stopped him and said hi. He literally didn't recognize me (which feels good, because I always worry about standing out.) And we struck up a conversation, and he's a very likeable guy.

But ladies of RTT, you can tell when someone is checking you out, right?

It's in the 70s today, just gorgeous, and I'm wearing one of my favorite spring dresses. It is a little bit form-fitting, and while it isn't really short, the hem is above the knee. I totally think he was doing that, glancing down every few seconds, trying to cover his tracks by just stealing glances, but generally just doing a terribly unsubtle job of it.

Am I losing my mind here, or was that actually what was happening? It's a weird feeling, partly appreciative of being appreciated, but also kind of creepy.

I'm not a lady, but I am way past the days of ogling women on a regular basis. I have to admit that I will admire a beautiful woman - but like I tell the vixen, it doesn't matter where I get my appetite as long as I come home for supper.

With the advent of #MeToo, these types of things are now being scrutinized; caveman mentality just doesn't cut it anymore. There's a big difference between healthy sexual attraction and out-and-out "meat market" activity. Objectification comes from impersonal sex and pornography and all those things, which demean women. The sexes should be able to view each other on a level plane, without women worrying if they're sexy enough.

I guess I'm kind of an old-fashioned chauvinist, which may result in some barbs on here, but I don't apologize.....women deserve our respect.

 

[Cybirdy]

Soooooooo
When you've been looking forward to showing PapaLew Carlsbad Caverns for a couple of months now, and you put up with reservation issues and Oilfield traffic on a crappy 2-lane highway, and you wake up and drive to the National Park and they tell you the elevator is broken, what do you do????

You suck it up, buttercup! This 63 year old, stubby legged, out of shape and overweight old broad made that damned hike all the way down, all the way around, and all the way back again! Did I mention we walked 6+ miles, and the elevation change from the surface to the bottom end of the accessible part was 750-800 feet? We made it! Despite his lungs & knees, and my back, knees & ankle - by gosh, we MADE IT!!! I'm so proud of both of us.

I'm going to go die now........

Glad you both made it through. We went there on one time on family vacation and loved it, definitely a place to revisit.

 

[wxman1]

Has anyone joined toastmasters? I have very bad social anxiety when talking in front of people (groups and one-on-one if I don't know the person or they're a person of authority like a higher up at my company). Is this something that would be beneficial for someone in my position? I really hate having this anxiety when talking to others.

I have thought about it but I don't really have anxiety or anything like that when it comes to public speaking. One of the things that has helped me the most is preparation and not over extending myself. In pretty much every case (at least that I have been in) it is okay to say "I don't know but I will check into it and get back with you." It certainly can't hurt to try it out.

As far as the guys checking a woman out....yeah we suck at it. Do women check men out? Because I have never noticed a woman checking me out. No need to respond I know the answer. BRB while I go do more sit ups.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Has anyone joined toastmasters? I have very bad social anxiety when talking in front of people (groups and one-on-one if I don't know the person or they're a person of authority like a higher up at my company). Is this something that would be beneficial for someone in my position? I really hate having this anxiety when talking to others.

The only way to get over talking in public is to talk in public. Hopefully about something you know about and understand.

Years ago I was asked if I would do a class at my job and for some stupid reason I agreed. They had an original plan that someone had put together so I had something to start with. I was so nervous the first time as I was told there would be 5-10 people and it was closer to 30.

The second time wasn't so bad and after that I kind of enjoyed it. I gave a presentation at a CA conference that went pretty well. I was really hoping that would lead to a presentation at CA World (All expenses paid) but that didn't happen

Make sure you have something to drink. It's amazing how your nerves make your mouth turn into the Sahara.

 

[BCClone]

The only way to get over talking in public is to talk in public. Hopefully about something you know about and understand.

Years ago I was asked if I would do a class at my job and for some stupid reason I agreed. They had an original plan that someone had put together so I had something to start with. I was so nervous the first time as I was told there would be 5-10 people and it was closer to 30.

The second time wasn't so bad and after that I kind of enjoyed it. I gave a presentation at a CA conference that went pretty well. I was really hoping that would lead to a presentation at CA World (All expenses paid) but that didn't happen

Make sure you have something to drink. It's amazing how your nerves make your mouth turn into the Sahara.

Like some Yukon jack to drink. A few good pulls off a Yukon bottle will get you talking.

My freshman year of HS a college guy was asking for volunteers to give reports. I ended up doing it, while prepping for it, he gave me the best advice about public speaking. He said that most don’t like to do it, and they won’t rip you because they are just happy they don’t have to be the one talking. Never had a problem after that.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Yukon jack

Yukon is my shot of choice.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

The initial renderings are out about the facilities expansion and naturally people are complaining. It was always about adding facilities and the concourse and somehow people got it into their heads that it was going to be a full blown update of the NEZ

 

[BCClone]

The initial renderings are out about the facilities expansion and naturally people are complaining. It was always about adding facilities and the concourse and somehow people got it into their heads that it was going to be a full blown update of the NEZ

I’m cancelling my tickets. It’s a disgrace what is happening in the NEZ, I’m appalled by it.

 

[Cybirdy]

The initial renderings are out about the facilities expansion and naturally people are complaining. It was always about adding facilities and the concourse and somehow people got it into their heads that it was going to be a full blown update of the NEZ

On an related note, the parking lots directly around around Hilton are going to be redone for the big donors for basketball. Different parking configuration, exit from the north directly onto LWay, and supposedly numbered/specific parking spots for everyone

 

[wxman1]

Officially accepted into grad school...what the hell was I thinking.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

On an related note, the parking lots directly around around Hilton are going to be redone for the big donors for basketball. Different parking configuration, exit from the north directly onto LWay, and supposedly numbered/specific parking spots for everyone

That's probably a good idea, at least as long as you need to travel east on LWay.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Officially accepted into grad school...what the hell was I thinking.

 

[BCClone]

That's probably a good idea, at least as long as you need to travel east on LWay.

Just drive over the median I’ve seen it before.