1 year (and 4 months) later

Well, it has been a while.

I thought I'd restart this blog as an exercise in journaling and self reflection, especially since it's been over a year since I started hormones.  Since then, I've managed to change my name, get my finances under control and start considering top surgery.

So, as far as a short update goes:

October 2011 marked one year on hormones for me, and it's been a very good year. Despite some other personal struggles, I found my self-esteem getting better and my dysphoric episodes retrograding.  A year and some on, I'm much calmer, stronger and confident.  The changes that the hormones have elicited have been nothing short of amazing for me.

December 7, 2011 was like a second birthday.  I sat nervously in a courtroom for 10 minutes, answered a series of questions with "Yes, your honor" and "No, your honor" and walked out with a sheet of paper that said (To me at least) "You are now free."  It was exhilarating and relieving to change my name, to finally be free of one of the last vestiges of the female identity that had been placed on me.  I was giddy to say the least, and I had to have been the happiest person the DMV had ever seen walk in.

Now, I'm mulling surgery. It's expensive, yes. But it could be the last thing I need to have done. My name is changed, my HRT is going well...it's the last body issue I have to deal with.  

A video may be forthcoming, either tonight or tomorrow.

6 months!

Can you believe it?  Here's a new video.

Also, this is the link if you want to read the article in CM Life: 

http://www.cm-life.com/2011/04/13/transgender-student-makes-journey-from-female-to-male/

4 months!

Yes, I've been on hormones for almost half a year!  First of all, I can't believe time's gone by so fast, and second, I can't believe I'm seeing all these changes so fast! (well, I can, but I'm excited so who cares?)
Here's a fresh video for you.

Questions, comments, concerns?

It's been an eventful week, but I still don't mind answering questions!  Oh, and a new video for you too.

Again, what sex character do you prefer to play as?

Thanks for watching, see you next week.

Happy New Year!

Maybe I'll post regularly this month!  Anyway, here's a video.

Guidelines for questions:
(1)I'm not going to tell you what my birth name was
(2) Talk about sex life will only happen with approval from my fiancee

Otherwise, go wild.

Busy Break

It's nice to be done with the semester, but break feels busier than school was.  I'm working with the county Parks and Recreation department, and Amber and I are working on the wedding and making plans to visit family for Christmas.  Oh well, at least I'm not sleeping all day (although that would be nice).

Anyway, I'm going text only today, since I'm a bit sick.  I've been on T for two months as of the 14th, and I can't believe how much has changed already.  My voice has dropped a ton, and I'm experiencing loss of my higher vocal range, accompanied by that oh-so-teenage staple of voice cracking. At 21, it's actually a lot funnier than if I were 13 or 14.  Hair is appearing EVERYWHERE, and what I already had is thickening and getting darker.  Lots of chest hair, and my facial hair is getting thicker and darker, especially on my upper lip (Amber says no mustaches though).  I've got a little bit of growth on my chin and sideburns, but the jawline hair is the last to come in.  I shaved on the 5th or 6th, and I've already got as much growth in a little over a week than I used to get in a month.

My dosage is back on schedule as well, and my doctor and I figured out a 6 week checkup schedule that will make sure I don't run out again. All my hormone levels are vastly different from my pre-T blood work, and I'm not converting the T to estrogen, which means that I can probably increase my dose soon.  I'm also working out regularly now, so I should be seeing some speedier fat redistribution and more muscle mass.

Appetite has curbed a little bit, mostly due to willpower and not having time to eat a ton, although a coworker commented on my sizable lunches (Typically a large sandwich, yogurt, apple, vitamin water, treat and carrots).

Well, that's all for this week.  Next week I'll do an early video and then perhaps some X-mas updates.  I have had conflicts with family before, but they seem to be getting better.  I'll keep everyone posted.

7 weeks!

Sorry for the drought of posts, it's been a hectic couple weeks.  But here is a video log for you!

Holidays and Traveling

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!  I'm on the road visiting family and friends, so I'll update on Monday for everyone.  Safe travels to all.

Trans Action Week - Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil

November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance.  It is a worldwide day to remember those who've been killed by anti-transgender violence, and we held a candlelight vigil here to commemorate it.  We read the names of all 20 people who were killed in the past year, and had a moment of silence to remember them.  But in addition to being a solemn occasion, it is also one of hope for years to come, that maybe someday there won't be a list of names.  Last year, there were 90 names.  This year, 20.  Maybe next year it will only be 10, or 5.

This year, though, we remember.

One Month and counting...

I can barely believe I've been on T for a whole month (plus a week).  I've had so much change in such a short time, and I'm excited for the changes ahead. I'll let you go ahead and imagine me with a beard.

I'll be doing two more posts for Trans Action Week, and then I have some exciting news for Sunday!  Make sure to check back, and also to visit my site (http://shawnmckeever.webs.com)!

Trans Action Week - Panel

Tonight was our panel for Trans Action Week, and it went really well!  For those of you who've never seen one, we tell our stories and then open it up for questions from the audience.  The four of us (Me, Amber, Ryan and Kylee) got some really interesting questions, and overall it was a good panel.

Tomorrow is our table in the library, honoring all the trans people who've died over the past year due to violence, and Saturday is our candlelight vigil.  The week has been great, and there's been an awesome turnout to all the events.

Trans Action Week - Movie Night

Wednesday's event was a movie night with Spectrum, our LGBT group.  We showed an episode of TransGeneration, and there was a great turnout.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.  For those of you who aren't familiar with it, TransGeneration is a documentary about four college students dealing with school and transition.  One of the students, TJ, actually went to Michigan State.  It's a really great show, and you can find it on Netflix easily.

I will be posting an update on me and a post about the panel tonight as well, so you get three posts today!

Trans Action Week - Soup and Substance

Today's event was a Soup and Substance lunch.  We talked about the portrayal of transgender people in the media and the stereotypes associated with them.  Ryan and Kylee were great and put together all the clips and did the presentation.  It included clips from Transamerica, the Tyra Banks show, Jerry Springer and a couple others.   (Jerry Springer was trashy as hell, of course.)

One clip that was especially poignant for me was a slam poem called "Hir".  It expressed the things I felt in high school, before I came out.   It really brought back some of those emotions.

That's all for today! Tomorrow we're doing a showing of "Transgeneration", which is a really great documentary about four trans students at various colleges in the US.

Trans Action Week - Dalice Malice Concert

I'll be doing a series of posts for Trans Action Week, which is this week! (November 15 - 20).  Tonight was our first event, featuring Dalice Malice, a singer/songwriter and former CMU student.  She played a great set, and then went to dinner with myself and some friends.

A sing-along about dinosaurs...

Tomorrow is a Soup and Substance Lunch, and we'll be discussing the portrayal of transgender people in the media.  I'll do another post afterward, so look out for that.

In other news, I put up new videos and pictures on my site (http://shawnmckeever.webs.com), so check those out.  I also made a YouTube channel, since it's easier to host my videos there than on my site.   Search for "shawnvmck" or follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/shawnvmck?feature=mhum

Ch-ch-changes!

I thought I'd post some pictures for everyone today!  It's only been a month, but there might be some changes! (That or I'm just imagining it...)

Me Pre-T...

And me now, one month in!

Well, at least I look happier in the second one.  You can check out more pictures on my site (http://shawnmckeever.webs.com/) in the photo gallery.

And make sure to stay tuned for posts about Trans Action Week!

Awesome News!

Sorry about the continual delayed posts! I hope no one was waiting breathlessly. (Breathing is important!)

Just so you know:  Next week (Nov. 15-20) is Trans Action Week here!  We've put together a lot of great events, including a candlelight vigil on Saturday, which is Transgender Day of Remembrance.  I'll do a post every day next week with a review/recap of the day's events.

Also, be sure to check out my website (http://shawnmckeever.webs.com/) for some new pictures on Monday.

Busy Week

Hey everyone, sorry about the lack of a post on Thursday.  I had a hell of a day, let me tell you.  However, I will have an extra special update ready for viewing tomorrow...er, later today that is!

Be sure to check back!

Two weeks, two shots...

...still hungry!

Thanks to everyone who is following along! Your support means a lot to me.  Also, I have a surprise for tomorrow, so make sure to check back!

It's Been One Week...

...since my first shot of T!

Also, make sure to check out my website!
http://shawnmckeever.webs.com/

Day One

Hey everyone, here's a little video log for you!

Also, I have a cold.  That could explain the lower voice >.<

EDIT:  The sound and video are unsynched, I just realized.  Sorry 'bout that.