The Transcendent Rainbow Cafe - social space for LGBTI members

[Paul]

It would be so great to have a thread here where we can chat about almost anything. We can have fun, tell jokes, share stories, you name it!

There's a "BB Cafe" thread in the general area where lots of people chat daily and have established some nice light hearted conversations, it's treated as if it's a real cafe, there's even virtual baked goods and coffee!

Let's create a chat here for anyone to join, in particular the GLBTIQ community to let their collective hair down and chill out. It's a safe space to be yourself.

We just need a name 🙂

[Jo8049]

0400 ( now 0800 ), ( website was under repair earlier ) Clear sky , light zephyr from ESE , 6° , Humidity 30 . Weather from the never never .

Good morning everyone , happy day for you all .x

Coffee and porridge all done ! Chai for you Sarah if you want .

Yesterday I put " T&me" in , well T is LD . Didn't notice before posting . Phone died yesterday afternoon but after going through all the trauma of settings Jo's phone up on other sim I got brutal with this one and it started working again ?

I have to have two phones as have to work as old self ( deadname ) and that is getting far more difficult than I thought . In my heart rather than my head . Luckily there has been little work . Jo is for me to be celebrated not hidden ❤.

It is very wintery here now although sun still out the air is cold . Sarah and everyone else , I do hope that you all have warm boltholes for winter . Most things are tolerable if you can be warm .

I better go and do battle with some auto electrics now . LD is on the kitchen bench digging a cushion she has there before laying on it . She has a chair in place to jump up and the cushion is in a NE facing window with the blind up . She has a jumper on so will get to hot then just jumps down then up again when cooled off . The cycle continues till house warms up .

Lol to all , as always peace love and tranquillity from the never never . hugs Jo&LD xxxx

[Aaronsis]

Hey Jo

A chai for me..yes please...anytime of the day or evening and an absolute must each day...the smell just talks to my soul.

I am here for you Jo, always, and also for the person you are leaving behind as Jo starts to take the reins in this amazing journey. My support and my kindness is the very least I can do, and as you say, we are only known to each other through a screen, a keyboard even, maybe a phone but the words are genuine, the care is heartfelt and the support has no limits. I don't have to be here in this community and nor do you, but the love and support we get from others is just so ever flowing and so heartfelt and real, how could we be anywhere else. There is no effort to be here, no forcing us to post, that is what is part of the wonder of a place like this...a real family. I also am so proud of you for reaching out to others here to support them.

A journal is so wonderful in so many ways that to use the term "journaling" does not do it justice...if that makes sense? Some roll their eyes (and I can hear it through the screen)..lol..with a sigh and almost the words.."please don't tell me to do that as it is a waste of time". For me though the capture of words that flow, the feelings that pour out sometimes without the knowledge of their existence and the feeling as thoughts leave your body and are contained on a page sometimes to be never noticed again is so...well I don't have a word. I can only imagine with totally excitement and wonder and sadness as what the pages of your personal memoirs contains and how I hope one day it may become the very spine of a novel that you may create..of the birth of Jo...and the main star too..the gorgeous little dog xx I did notice you mentioned T yesterday and was not sure if that was your inital of your deadname or if that was infact LD's name...all good though as T could be anything and still conceals her identity.

Ohh I have watched Ice Road Truckers before and there is one lady on there too I believe who is very good at holding her own in a typically male dominated field. I feel terrified though on some of those hauls as they navigate through winding hills and skinny roads that have a fall off the side of well...I hate to think. Fascinating!

My heart is filled with the cuteness of LD in her winter jumper....OMG...adorable I am so very sure.

Hugs to you both, stay warm and stay well...cheek kisses right back to you both and I am so proud of you, I really am.

Your friend

Sarah xx

[Jo8049]

0400 , Clear ( the prettiest sky for ages , imagine the infinite number of stars suspended in a nothing that makes a bottomless dark stage . Infinity at its best ! WOW ) , A light NE breeze , 10° , Humidity 28 ℅. Weather from the never never .

Good morning everyone . A truly breath taking sky this morning . xx

Coffee , porridge and honey . LD will make everything else ? She has found Chia to !

Sarah I won't write to much as will do a post later in the morning . Thank you again ( hugely ) for not only that last post but every one . XXX huge hugs .

Yesterday turned into a big day ( in a good way ) and was after 2300 when I slowed the brain down enough to go to bed and go to sleep. LD had to be dug out from between the sheets for brekky ! She must know I'm writing about her . She looks like a snowman/dog on the chair beside me and when opens eyes they look like raisins stuck in the snow ?

Love Peace warmth and happiness from the never never . lol hugs and xxx. LD & Jo

[Jo8049]

Hi Sarah , this is for you today ( and anyone else who wants to read it ). As I said thank you for kind words and companionship on this journey . ( and in life ) . The remoteness I am faced with works in my favour to a bit I think . Also lucky that being on the age pension that work is not quite so important either . The isolation is not to bad geographically as have been in many more remote places than this . When you can drive along a dirt road in prehistoric country for 2 days and see no other human beings it is starting to get remote I think . ( exploration was like that sometimes). Factor in the other part now of this wonderful journey and that adds a new dimension of safety to it .

As regards the writing down of thoughts and events though I think this is invaluable, maybe for a book but more for record and reflection to understand where I was at when I wrote . Even now with the journey short as it is so far the place I was at when I wrote and what it means now when I read again the meaning is either much deeper or changed a bit due to perception or place on the timeline am at !

Talking last night till late with the trans lady I spoke of the other day . Brain was revved up so was late when got to bed . ( might need a nana nap today , if LD will let me ) . Funny thing yesterday , lay down for rest just before 1400 and sat up and said to LD who was annoying me that I would get up , her happiness showed . Would you believe it was 1540 , I believed that I had head down for maybe 10 mins ? Was hrs ( Her Royal Smallness ) dinner time . She has early dinner and little dinner when I eat and even snack later if I do . She doesn't expect food all the time from me , I can tell her no and she will lay in full view of me with her bottom facing me and occasionally look over her shoulder and stare for a second. Very special funny little girl that one .

Ice road truckers , Lisa Kelly is the one I think your talking about who has the business partnership with Daryl Ward . They are a good pair , very unfortunately Daryl was killed in a plane crash some time in 2016 . My other favourite is the old fellow who prays and laughs a lot ( been there from day 1 , always says his prayers in time of stress . His name will come . Debagorsky I think is surname just can't remember Christian name ) . The show is well done and catches the day to day commaraderie and the family spirit warts and all that exists in the industry . Lol hugs to be continued . Xxxxx Jo&LD

[Jo8049]

Continuation:( ran over char tours) In the US and Australia the life has been overtaken by economics , that has changed everything. Sadly I would say not for the best . When I started it was a lifestyle, sure there was a responsibility to work hard but expectations to do the job were far more reasonable than today . That is all on that subject .

As I have an empty in front of me I will tell you the lightning story . As with many trips across the Nulalbor there were rarely the same circumstance each time .( ie light , wind , time , fategue etc . Mechanical challenges? ) . Was two up in an old W model Kenworth ( long nose KW from that era , the best trucks they made I think ) with my friend who I worked for ( I drove the cabover normally ) pulling the fridge ( I used to normally pull the flat top ) . Was around 0200 and we were between Cocklebiddy and Kaiguna about 50 km east of the 90 mile straight . There was a maniacal thunder storm in front of us . I sat up in the bunk ( driving two up and under way , ) and as I reached sitting position I was looking from the centre line of the truck straight down the centre line of the straight road and one of the brightest thickest hugest bolts of lightening I have seen went pretty much vertically up dead in line with the centre of the road . Probably a you had to be there moment I guess . Sitting in the bunk with the warm dim glow of the instruments and silhouette of my friend in the drivers seat it was a stunning scene and moonlight where we were to . We didn't speak as you don't when you share those moments with another.

Well my dear friend Sarah I will leave you with that , may today and all days be happy and rewarding relaxing and warm in winter for you . Enjoy the Chai .

Lol ,unlimited hugs and huggles, peace love and understanding from the never never,

Jo&LD xxxx

[Jo8049]

0300 , Thin high cloud , brighter stars visible , Calm , 12° , Humidity 28℅ . Weather from the never never . x

Good early morning everyone , best possible day for everyone . x

Coffee Chai or tea , brekky , LD is on strike so have a look about and see what is in cupboard . I might have an egg poached on bread with rice bran oil ( instead of butter , like butter to much so don't buy it very often ) and finely grated Colby cheese with pepper chili and fish sauce . ( sounds weird but yummy ). xx

Morning Sarah , before I forget , " Alex " is the christian name I couldn't recall from ice road truckers . Making contacts is moving forward to . Having one trans lady friend to chat with and bounce the occasional thought off is really good . It eases isolation very much . Did a lot of writing yesterday . Watching Secret Life of the Airport . Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta . Busiest airport in the world . 5 active runways , a take off or landing every 15 seconds . Unbelievable amount of traffic . xx

How have your days been . Are the kids still with you . I guess school will return soon . Was still empty when I went to town Wednesday . Chat again later dearest friend . Happy warm day with Chai for you xxxxx

Hugs love and peace from the never never . xxxxx Jo&LD

[Aaronsis]

Hello my friends from the never never

I cannot even imagine the remoteness of what you speak of, not seeing a human for 2 days is as remote as it gets I would think. I so find solitude in being alone, but not always and I think this is mostly true for alot of us. Even a phone call or just seeing someone to break up the time alone is good, however we are not all that fortunate to have people in our lives so readily available, that is something I really took out of last year and COVID, the isolation. While for some it was so wonderful as they did get to be in their own space and not have to explain why they have been at home with no interaction for 2 weeks, just the way they like it, while for others it was a time of huge challenges but for me..to realise and appreciate more the people in my life and the gratitude I have for these people in my life. That we do have busy lives and catching up can be tricky. Making time is important tho.

I agree totally with what you wrote about writing things down. While I have a few books on the go it is very interesting to re read what I have felt and thought and reflect on that time and see how I feel about those things now. It is a great reminder of how far I have come. However there is one certain book that to this day I have not reopened, have not wanted to visit and most probably never will. I am not sure..who knows what the future holds and if I want to go back to that time and space but all I know is at that time it was just what I needed and was so very good for me.

That is wonderful to hear that your rest turned into mostly a sleep...you must really have needed it and our body sometimes chooses the rest for us if we don't listen and take the time to recharge. I have been feeling so very tired the last few days, that saw me cancel plans with my friend last night, go home, shower, PJ's and into bed before 8pm!!! It was wonderful.

WOW..the lightening story, how awesome to see, and almost terrifying but in a fantastic way...if that even makes sense. I can only imagine what that bolt of light screaming from the night sky looked like...wow..that is something really special to have witnessed. As you say..no words required!

My chai was divine today and on Fridays it comes with a free baby muffin, just the stuff of happiness..lol

Well the weekend is before us and I have a few things on that I will tell you about on Monday..

Huge hugs to you both in the never never xx

Your friend

Sarah xx

[Jo8049]

0300 ( stupido'clock ) , Full Overcast , 4knt SSE , 17.7° , Humidity 21℅ . Weather from the never never . x

Good morning again , happy day and happy weekend for everyone x.

Coffee or tea ? Chai for you . LD is grumpy this morning . egg or porridge ? Both there . x

Hi Sarah , quite tired today . Did a lot of little writing sessions yesterday and a quick trip to town , plus three fairly long phone calls of which two were quite tiring .

How was your day Sarah ? You have been tired to . I love early to bed and the warm in winter or the cool in summer a/c . I think the bed feels like the inner sanctuary of home . LD tells me quite accurately when we should go to bed . Maybe she reads my tired meter ?

I was reading your post sweety and on writing , some things are best left where they belong in their time and space . ❤ ! I have been writing questions on a page to get back to later ( so don't forget ) then sit and contemplate them and when I get back to the space where they are I can work on them and record that . Makes for quite random reading in the main body of work .

Interesting thing happening now on the journey , been having flashbacks ( best way can describe it ) into my old world and when old name and image appears ( in the thought ) I have immediate anxiety ( not a problem kind ) and sometimes sweat ? Consciously turn it off and all good ? Has been amicable change ( old me to Jo who I am totally now .) and I wondered if maybe old me should be dead name instead of old me ? A bit picky I thought , but maybe not ? Have been incredibly surprised at how such little things as this can have an effect that is way more than you would expect ? Ages ago we talked briefly on deadname . That term has cropped up on multiple occasions recently ?

Lol wonderful human , beautiful lady , great weekend for you and all around you , huge and many hugs xxxx 🐾💃❤

May the winds of joy love peace and happiness be caressing the the world forever . Jo&LD XXX

[Jo8049]

0540 , Fog ( Heavy ) , Calm , 9° , Humidity 41% . Weather from the never never .

Calm tranquil day for everyone . Hi everyone . hug x

Coffee + Chai for S and anyone else to of course ( out of tea and chocolate ) , brekky soft wholemeal bread with honey and fried egg black pepper chili and fish sauce ?

Hi Eight and Mudcakes , how are you both going ? Hugs xx

Hi Sarah have been reading from where our chats started on this thread . Thank you so very much for traveling with us . Have enormous admiration appreciation and love for you and your kindness , do hope you benefit as much as I . Am glad this part of the internet exists . ( I don't go into social media except for you tube ) It has all been exceptionally helpful and supportive . xxx

Wondered why getting exhausted , moon ! From last Friday I have slid sideways with rest . 27th which is next full moon happens to fall on Tuesday week is Transcendents meeting ? Will stay at trans friends place on 26th then on to Bris . That is the lady I met ( very briefly ) at radio club meeting around 4 years ago . Just really met on phone Saturday week ago . Looking forward to that to .

What have you been getting up to ? I spent all day yesterday writing ? Have been having anxt over going back into mainstream work ( my presentation ) and narrowed people I like that would be supportive to 2 . Has been a constant in mind . How's this , one of them rang me yesterday and had a good chat with him and it was excellent , but still remains though that they have no control over who drives the truck that the job is with . We talked about that and I left it with him .

The moon fatigue is definitely here . Huge hugs dear friend . So glad your in our lives xxxx !

Fair winds and gentle sea's for all , much love and kindness from the never never . lol and hugs Jo&LD x

[Jo8049]

0245 ( stupido'clock ) , Very clear with happy stars waving down to me , Motionless , 4° , Humidity 31% . Weather from the never never xx

Lovely morning and happy day to everyone . x

Coffee tea Chai or warm chocolate ? Weetbix warm milk and honey .

Hi Sarah , do hope you sleep a bit longer than I do and wake up refreshed . ( tired self out writing and reading on and off all weekend . No Nana naps and early to bed ) Woke up fully charged at 0130 but got up just after 0200 .

How was the weekend for you beautiful human . Any soul food ? Like to hear some more of your stories if you feel like it sometime ( or not if you don't of course ) . Do you hop over to the BB Cafe sometimes ? I do my weather thing there daily and put little bits of me on there occasionally . I feel like we have a little chat table here and it is my most comfortable place really .

Spent time reading journal and have made a list of questions to be examined and between reading what I had already written of journey and contemplating questions and dissecting them and writing that , the weekend rolled by . A thing I have realized now Sarah is what I called the old me is now the dead name . ( didn't think that would matter , but now I am pretty sure it does . ) It seems there are a lot of things like this on the journey .

The job I couldn't do on Tuesday is now Friday ( at this time , they can change with a phone call ) . That will put LD and me 90 km from Mondays target . It will finish early Saturday I think . We have organized to stay in finish point town for weekend then on Monday only 90 km to target for Monday .

Really looking forward to that stop . Staying at trans friends there . They are the ones doing you tube interviews .

Talked about me to much there , lol hugs ( lots ) and xxxxxx ( on cheek ) . Look forward to chat soonish lovely human .

May you all enjoy the day in a peaceful calm anchorage with no swell . xxxxx

Lol from the never never Jo&LD xx