January 28, 2009
Where Do You Feel At Home?
I was back in my hometown of Wickford, Rhode Island recently for the weekend with Anh and Samwich. We went to visit my mom after I had been in Boston for work.
I’ve been back probably five or six times in the past year.
Just about every place else that I go, I have no problem at all feeling at ease – at work – out and about – whatever. I don’t feel self-conscious.
Today I was in a business meeting with a group of customers from Japan. No problem! I still know how to be culturally polite!
However, turn me loose in my hometown, where I grew up from third grade, and I’m a mess.
The local pizza place that I absolutely *love* (Filipou’s) – I even remember the phone number by heart still (401-294-4737) – I almost freeze when I call to place my order.
I went to middle school with Tim, who’s place it is. I went there all the time. I remember when my dad died, the day of his funeral I ordered a pizza to share with Anh and some of my close friends (I’ll never forget that Hillel flew out from Seattle to RI for one day to be there for us…). I walked in to pick up the pizza and Tim asked how I was.
“Well, my Dad passed away, and today his funeral.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Have a baklava. Give my best to your mom.”
It was sweet actually. You had to be there.
Back to the weekend, I call for the pizza.
4-0-1 2-9-4 4-7-3-7
“Hello, Filipou’s”
“Yes, I’d like to order a small pizza with meatball and peppers and a meatball grinder”
“Name?”
“Uhhh….. Wallent?”
(It had always been “Mike” before)
“20 minutes.” Click.
I was relieved that it was cold, and that I was wearing a thick coat when I went to pick it up. I hate to admit it. I feel like I’ve let myself down – not being honest…
I’m not sure why.
Maybe it’s because I have so much history there. Creating a new identity is easier when you are less known.
We moved from Sammamish to Seattle right before I transitioned.
At work, I moved to a new team right before I transitioned.
Work is also easier because honestly, most of the time, I’m “The Boss”… power does make it easier.
Back in Wickford, I’ve got lots of history, but no position.
We’ll be back in March. Improvement is needed.
Megan needs to order a pizza.
M( ) 
Kris from Arkansas said,
January 29, 2009 at 6:52 am
I know how you feel, Megan. But don’t feel bad, you’re not a robot, you’re a human. I have confident that you’ll walk into that pizza parlor in all your Megan-y glory. Good luck!
If it makes you feel better, I go back and forth about leaving my home state to live up in Seattle. Only 5 more months to go. Let the 3 AM panic attacks continue.
Jenny said,
January 29, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Megan, Jellybean and I would like a pepperoni ,green pepper and onion ….please deliver? I miss R.I SOOOO much take some pic when you go again was there snow? fill me in please?
brian said,
January 30, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Old habits / patterns of thought don’t resolve overnight. . . it takes time. Most don’t even see what’s going on, or much less decide to work with them. That can be more than half of the battle.
Seems like you found a good opportunity (to have Megan order the pizza) to move forward.
Diana said,
January 31, 2009 at 11:00 am
I also feel that way when I go into a store where they knew me before I transitioned.