You spin me right round baby right round

Life Updates 

It has been a fairly quiet month in terms of attending the big trans night outs.  I hadn't planned on going to anything until December. It's nice to have a slow month every now and then. December is going to be hectic, but perhaps I will try and keep January a low key one too.

I did still have some things to go to, Swimming and chameleons got me mingling a bit every other week, which is nice.  It's good to have regular normal things that don't involve alcohol.

Work

Not really sure what triggered it, but it was suggested that I might like to move department. So as of the new year I shall be back in the ranks of the IT . There is another woman who works under the same boss,  but the rest are blokes, whereas finance has a lot more women. 

From a company tree perspective, I will have fallen a few rungs, but I have always thought I was reporting way too high, so it's not a bad thing. 

It's not the first time I've had my role changed, it seems to happen quite regularly to some people in the company.  Ones they don't want to keep don't seem to be moved, so I am hopeful it's not part of a move to oust me.  I am having to hand over some critical business tasks to others in the finance team, it's a bit difficult as a lot of what I do is in my head, but I am improving processes and documentation to make it possible at least.

Medical Matters

Due to the name change at the doctors, and them having a new computer system installed, I've been unable to re-register for online access to my medical records.  I used to get access to my blood tests which I need to provide to Gender GP for them to safely prescribe my hormones.

I am going to pop into the doctors with the form next week to see if they are ready to process it, fingers crossed they will.

In the mean time, I just told Gender GP I didn't have any results to provide, and they seemed happy to just give me the same dose as last time.  Once I get access again , I can check if the levels were OK, and adjust my dose if the E is too low. It will just run out sooner, and I will have to re-order sooner.

Home life

Things are fairly static, I did note that my wife seemed to be calling my Izzy more often, rather than daddy ( to the kids)  which is an improvement.  

My parents seem to be doing OK, my brother has been doing some painting for them. I try to pop in when I go swimming if possible, it can sort of be on the way.

Hobby News 

The new (old) car is not going well, the aluminium head is firmly stuck on the head studs. But I have finally got around to purchasing a metal working lathe !!

I have coveted one for a long time, and this issue with the car sort of swung it.  With the lathe I can make a very thin long hole saw to cut around the studs, and free the head.  I will also be able to tackle the worn out steering nut in the steering box with it too.  Plus lots of other things I wanted to use it for as well.

I also bought a new extruder assembly for my 3D printer which should rejuvenate it, and give it much superior performance.   

This is the bad side of not being out drinking at the weekends, I actually get to do other things, and they expensive.

Things Attended : 

NEC Classic Motor Show - 8th of November

My friend Alice was meant to be meeting up with me at this event, you have to pre-book tickets. It's a very big show, the biggest I've ever been to.  

The Woman's Drivers Social Club had a stand, and I had set off really early to ensure I got there for the 10am group photo - but not early enough as it seems.  I had pre-booked parking in the EV part, but the car park people were directing everyone into a normal car park, so I had to try and find my way back out of that, and then around the congested roads to the correct one - which I missed and then had to do another lap.  Anyway, did eventually get into the event.

My main mission , aside from meeting up with the WDSC girls, was to do a bit of networking with the people on the Standard Motor Company group stand, as I will likely need help and to buy parts from fellow club members - and get advice on certain things.

I did manage to talk with Rodger who was lovely, and he said he would put me in touch with a chap who owns the same model as mine. 

Spent a while walking around the event, I got my eldest a drone from one of the stands, got a bit ripped off, it turns out there is no Android App for it !  Bought some tools from one stall, a Morris Minor t-shirt from the owners club stand too.

Did sit with the WDSC girls for a bit as well.  My feet were starting to hurt, so I took a shuttle bus back to my car to change into an alternate pair which were flatter, and drop off some of my goodies too.

Overall it was a nice experience, there were a few bad moments though -  some guys who were clearly having a joke about me while I was walking into the event in the morning, I could hear them a bit, then they all went totally silent while they past me, and then started joking as they got far enough away to feel brave again.  There was also some guys who were less than impressed that there was a Gay motoring club with a stand there.   But most people we friendly enough, and I saw lots of nice cars. 

Perhaps next year I will do 2 days, there is far too much to see on just one day.

  

Swimming Bramley Baths - 10th of November

I popped into my parents an hour before the session just to see how they were. The house was a bit of a state as my brother was there, he had been painting their hallway for them. He stayed for a bit so I got to talk to him too.  I only stayed about 40 minutes, but was glad I had made the effort.

I did 34 lengths during the session  -  it was quite quiet, and neither of my two usual companions (distractions) were there, so I ended up having to swim lots.  I managed 34 lengths, which for the 22m pool is nearly 750 Meters ! 

Alex was there I did talk to her for a bit before we got into the pool, but she likes to try and do 1Km, so doesn't chat in the pool - that's 46 lengths.

This is a new PB, and a target I hope to try and beat one  day soon.  

Chameleons - 14th November

Given that I hadn't been out much, I was even more keen than usual to go. It was a lovely night, packed again. Had a good natter, I made some disappointing tea - I am no good with tea pots. 

There was some new ladies there which was nice to see, and a very packed room once again. We certainly do seem to be on a roll with new people coming this year. 

Swimming 24th of November

I met up with my friend Charlotte at a shopping centre that could be on our mutual routes to the baths.  Had offered to have a coffee with her before the swimming, as it's only a 1 hour session, so you can't have a popper chat really.  

We met at the White Rose centre, and ended up in Starbucks.  I had a Fudge Brownie hot chocolate, with cream on the top - thus neutralising any calorie loss due to the imminent exercise 😄

She had cracked her ribs doing some indoor climbing with a Queer climbing group this week, so I didn't try to make her laugh. We had a nice chat, then headed to the baths which was about 20 minutes away. 

I did only manage 22 lengths this time, well short of the previous count, but it was a lot busier session, and I did have someone to talk to.   I am back on the 1st of December, I think I will be on my own for that one, so hopefully get to 30 at least.