What Being a Woman Means to Me

International Women's Day under our belts I thought I would take some time to reflect on what being female means to me.

I don't have a relationship with my mother and always strive to be the opposite of her.  She is a self-proclaimed weak person; so I always tried to be strong.  I am adopted and what I know of my birth mother is that she was having an affair with an older married man and gave me up for adoption.  As a result, as much as I want one, it is hard for me to fully trust or rely on a man.  I did grow up with two older brothers and as far as family goes they were the largest influences on me.

"I see you as a person and no MAN wants to date a person they want to date a WOMAN."
"You don't present yourself as a sexual being."
"You're more of a guy than I am with that stuff."
"Well you're different because you're basically a guy anyway."
"I didn't even know you had boobs til like 2 months ago."
"Are you sure you don't have a penis?"

These are just some of the things men have said to me since I burst onto the dating scene.  I am fortunate, in a way, because of my "male characteristics" they felt comfortable enough to share these things with me though it doesn't make them any less hurtful and confusing, I know that was not their intent.  Just the way society views gender roles. They offer advice on how to be perceived as being more sexual and feminine and all of these things are completely lost on me.

I look in the mirror and see the face I learned to appreciate over time.  When I look in the mirror I see a woman.  A woman that was emotionally raised like a man.  We didn't talk about our feelings in our family, in fact we didn't talk much at all.  There were no hugs at least not like other families give hugs and when I was a child if I was upset about something I would have to come up with a concise, logical and somewhat manipulative proposal if I wanted something to change.

My brothers being my role models were great.  Though we are all separated by distance and they are both approximately a decade older than me I am a direct result of their influence.  They taught me to push myself academically, mentally and physically.  I can't think of many other kids who's Big Bird flash cards made them cry tears of frustration, learning not to show fear over being front row the first time on a roller coaster and to learn that even though you were the fastest in your class at the 50 yard dash your brothers could still run circles around you.  You didn't cry though, at least not much, because you wanted to be like them.  I know they loved me and I loved them but I related to my brothers in the same way I imagine that a lot of men relate to their fathers.

I am not saying that all men who are brought up this way end up like me nor am I saying women who were brought up with female role models end up another; all I can say is I am fortunate to have used it to my advantage in many ways and it's my detriment in others.  Typically it is a double edged sword.

Advantages, the majority of people see me as very confident.  I say exactly what is on my mind and am unapologetic for it.  People who see me and don't know me very well see me as someone who does not fear rejection or at least gets over it fairly quickly.  People see me as someone who can be spontaneous and adventurous and humorous.

Disadvantages, how people perceive me couldn't be further than the way I actually feel and think on the inside.  I just learned at an early age to do it anyway.  This sounds great but it is a great way to keep people at a distance and for people to never see you and for people not to want to care about you on a deeper level.

I watch Sports Center in the morning while curling my hair, I am resourceful, I am not ashamed that I received 2 promotions in 2 years, I support myself financially, I can drink you under the table, meet you in a battle of wits, talk about current events, be well read, like comics, science, go out without makeup on, get dressed to the 9's, sit in a restaurant alone, cry in romantic movies (as long as no one sees), enjoy football and Tom Ford, swear like a sailor and not clap between movements during a symphony.  I think about being a mother, writer, wife and having a daughter that will always feel like she is enough and will not feel the stigma of gender-shaming.

Every time I tried to be more feminine in the ways I was told; it made me uncomfortable and I felt like a fraud.  I felt like I wasn't being true to myself.  I feel feminine, I feel strong and I feel internally beautiful and at peace with myself when I am my abrupt, loud, awkward self which may not be feminine by societal standards.  If you look beneath, I have all the wants, desires and societal reservations of any other female.

I am a woman...girl maybe...definitely female and proud to be.

Camp Milwaukee

"C" it looks like a cubs logo from a distance and I remember seeing this one day driving through the heart of Shorewood, Wisconsin.  Now through a complete twist of fate; by trying to discover myself once again, I happened upon this place through an OnMilwaukee article saying this place had an amazing bartender.  The best in the city even.

Shorewood, Wisconsin boast a plethora of newer business.  Owned by those that are going to make it because the 30-40 somethings made their wealth early and are following the millenial dream of doing something that matters or that is different.

The ski lodge like decor is a rarity in the cream city break of Milwaukee.  There is always something to me (mountain region girl and all) that is comforted by this.  There is something intentional yet beautiful about the unmeasured yet finished wood of the bar.

The crowd is eclectic.  The median age...33?  I play a pull tab for the first time in my life and I can tell you it's not as thrilling as I thought it would be.  I am sure my being alone permeates the room and takes away some of the magic.

There are a few great people I meet there.  I always love doing this in bars; a car salesman from Monroe, Wisconsin and his wife, an older couple who spent what I thought was an unimaginable amount on pull tabs, an elderly professor from UW Milwaukee who kissed me on the forehead as he left.  Could this be the perfect mesh of small town Wisconsin and the metropolitan snobbish spirit I enjoy?  I think so.

Brad, the best bartender in Milwaukee, has a certain warmness about him.  He flatters appropriately.  I left my writing notebook at the bar after several shots of Jameson.  When I called the next morning he said, "Oh you're the artist at the end of the bar."  Though, I could live off that for the next 6 months, I was praying that  he would not look inside the notebook and realize what a fraud I was.

2 of 642 - The Worst Thanksgiving Dish You Ever Had (writing prompt)

Day 2 of going through writing prompts is like the second day of going to the gym in a row.  This is something I could easily do each day for the rest of my life.  Sketches of Spain playing in the background and me knowing that it is only a matter of time before Pizza Hut and Miller Lite will be partaken of as well.  I am all set for an afternoon of writing and research.  

*   *   *   *  

I remember the tablecloth; beige with delicate white embroidery that framed the center.  It was a special occasion whenever this came out:  Christmas, birthdays and Thanksgiving.  I remember the china and the green goblets that we filled with a mixture of cranberry juice and ginger ale, the rolls and the turkey that always came out a little dry.  I remember the last family Thanksgiving when I was 9 and after that my brother's moved away and my Mom stopped cooking.  

Since then I was on occasion invited over to friend's homes to have Thanksgiving with their families and while I was married we had meals catered.  Usually in these instances I would mainly feel like an intrusion and could tell that my hosts felt like they were doing their good deed for the day.  

All in all most of my Thanksgivings were spent alone and I grew to like it that way.  Whether it would be my opening a bottle or two of wine over a takeout Thanksgiving dinner from Marie Calendars or Boston Market or me going to the bar to watch football, it was my tradition.  There is a special comradery amoungst  those who have no where to go on the holidays and the best way to experience that is with a stranger over a turkey log and talking smack about the Cowboys.  

So I've never had a bad Thanksgiving dish because when I eat turkey log and gravy or my tongue salivates at the mild tang of canned cranberry sauce; I can still feel the soft beige tablecloth beneath my fingertips.  No matter how bad or off the Thanksgiving meal is from the ones of my childhood it can still transport me back to a time where things felt safe.

A Capitol Day - reposted from my wordpress

A CAPITOL DAY. MADISON, WI

Posted by unfortunatetwinkie on November 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

The state capitol building in Madison, WI stands high above a mess of one way streets and a confused industrial neighborhood which has a smattering of hip coffee shops which sell t-shirts telling us to homogenize milk not Madison.  The capitol building itself is located on the isthmus of Lake Monona and Lake Mendota.  Isthmus, a geographical feature the people of Madtown boast on their alternative newspapers and variety of small businesses.

As a recent transplant to Wisconsin I was very interested in exploring the state capitol building.  The only one I had been in previously was in Salt Lake City, Utah where I interviewed for and failed to get a receptionist position for then Gov. Huntsman.  The capitol building in Madison did  not disappoint.  We were able to find street parking.  The parking is metered and marked for time limit; either 2 hours or 25 minutes.  It cost $3.00 for 2 hours.  Any entrance you chose to take seemed to take you right into the rotunda and the 4th largest dome in the world hovers high above you.  I was happy to see they offered free tours and that one so just happened to be starting in 15 minutes.  The highlight for me would have to be the tour guide, Jim.  A cross between my favorite high school history teacher and Mr. Rogers he fills your head with knowledge and takes you on the best adult field trip of your life.  Looking at the other tour guides behind the desk after the tour I know that they would probably disappoint.

Free tours are offered daily with the exception of some holidays.  I will be back for a visit in the summer months when the museum and observation deck are open.

1 of 642 - What Can Happen in a Second

I was in Barnes and Nobel today perusing books about baseball for research on a project I am developing when I came across a book called 642 Things to Write About.  It's a journal that gives you writing prompts. As someone who is just starting to take her writing seriously I thought it would be fun to try and do one a day and post it here and see where these prompts take me.

1 of 642 - What Can Happen in a Second

There are 1 of 2 conditions that must be met when I write.  I will drink and I will listen to Miles Davis.  I need to do one or the other preferably both.  At the moment it's Miles Davis Round About Midnight.  It is painful to force yourself to write when you don't have anything that specifically inspired you.  

...What can happen in a second?  Inspiration, connection, disconnection....

Just one second to feel a connection to you.  

You vibrate on the frequency of jazz musicians at 3 in the morning

that second our souls danced

now I try and untangle myself from that beautiful moment

saddened that seconds like this happen rarely

and are never meant to last

There is No Going Back

Friday night, hanging out at a partner in a law firm's house in Chicago I realize how much "success" and I don't have in common. It's a mix of Asians and Jews on hardwood floor and forty dollar bottles of wine. I am given a scotch flight and argue with the 23 year old intern regarding gay marriage over the legalization of pot.  I am easily dismissed since I lack finesse and an education.  How could I possibly know anything? Needless to say I rub them the wrong way.  This scene I would have dreamed to be a part of in my early twenties.  The baby grand piano when you walk in and then modern styling of an old Chicago brownstone; hanging out with the accomplished.  I now feel a complete disconnect and disdain their narrow views and judgement.  

I cover up my shyness with being loud. This is a hard thing for people to recognize. The rare few that do have been schooled in the various aspects of my personality for years.  My Chicago friends tell me of the person I was when they first met me; how confident I was then, how that girl wouldn't put up with the things I did for so long.  My past performances were exceptional and that after 10 years they have no idea who I really am.  I am petrified and right now feel more alone than ever.  

Now, 2 months into my separation from my husband I long for someone to be able to see all of me.  He did but didn't know how to reconcile any of it.  There is no going back, but I appreciate the rarity of someone taking the time to see through my pomp and circumstance, seeing the vulnerable side and somewhat giving a shit.  My strong personality is what makes relationships a struggle.   I walk over those who are too easily molded and those who challenge me are too much like me and 2 self involved people don't usually make a successful relationship.  

Later that weekend from a 37th floor balcony off Dearborn and Lake I am still astounded by the city's beauty.  I still feel embraced by the buildings that reach towards the sky and soothed by the roar of the El.  The city is one of the world's great works; a great symphony, a great sculpture and it still can make by heart sing.  I realize my love affair with Chicago is over, it had been for quite some time but like a random encounter with a first love it can still stop you in your tracks.  I appreciate this city that formed me into the person I am but for now it will have to embrace the big shoulders of another. 

Falling In Love...Again

I am an expert runner.  5 middle schools, 4 high schools, 8 states and numerous locations within them; sometimes we get so used to change it is impossible for us to ever develop roots.  When I turned 18 and I was in charge of my own relocation(s) I became an expert of removing myself from uncomfortable situations.  It usually took a couple tanks of gas and a month to month lease.  My constant bouncing from one place to another was encouraged by friends that found this behavior, "daring" and "adventurous" and "brave".  I usually developed more of a relationship with the city/state I lived in than with the people in it.  

My second stint in Salt Lake, I didn't want to leave but like most habits/addictions you do them anyway even if you want to quit, so I moved to Wisconsin.  I grew in Wisconsin.  I married a man I met in Wisconsin.  I kept my first 12 month lease in Wisconsin.  I am getting divorced in Wisconsin.  I gave a lot of myself here, Wisconsin changed me.  

The first time I ever stepped foot in Wisconsin, I was 17.  I was  visiting my brother in Chicago and he wanted to drive up to Milwaukee and take photographs.  It was March and the mugginess of Chicago did not join us when I opened the door of the car and was hit by a blast of cold air.  The streets were relatively empty and the gray sky made the buildings ominously beautiful.  There is a loneliness to Milwaukee on a gray day and I felt a kinship with it immediately. 

Before we headed back south we drove aimlessly until we found a place to take a pit stop.  There was a grocery store on a hill.  Almost like a monument.  "They call their grocery stores Pick N Save???  That's awesome!!"  Stupid things give me a thrill sometimes.  They always have.  I walked in and they were playing Brahms overhead and I found the Produce section especially well organized.  I don't know why but it left an impression. As we drove away, I remember telling my brother that one day I would come back to Wisconsin and buy something from that grocery store, Pick N Save.  Little did I know that in less than 10 years my life would take me back there and I would be living within walking distance from that exact store.  

*    *     *     *

"So what's the plan?  Where are you off to next?"  Is the question I have been asked the most after hearing about my divorce.  I am encouraged to move to any of the numerous places that I've lived previously and still have contact with people there.  I can hear the anticipation in some of their voices wanting to live vicariously from any rash decision I may make.  I hadn't even considered leaving...seriously anyway.  I even got this question from people in Wisconsin.  I finally asked why everyone thinks I am wanting to leave. ..."BECAUSE YOU HATE WISCONSIN", was the resounding reply.  This bothered me because I didn't think I hated Wisconsin.  I didn't want to convey something I didn't even know I felt.

"You don't have to hate Wisconsin just because your life fell apart there."  This hit me like a ton of bricks.  I realized that I "hated" Wisconsin because I was mad and hurt about my divorce.  I "hated" it because it always challenged me out of my comfort zone and made me face my fears and insecurities.  I really "hated" it because I didn't necessarily want to leave.  I felt betrayed by the place that clipped my wings and didn't give me anything back.  I knew that if I was ever going to break my cycle of running I had to take a stand and at least commit to developing a home base.  This caused my gypsy soul to scream and thrash in protest and I feel like half of me is disappointed.  Wisconsin makes me feel raw.  It represents all the wants that I haven't explored and that make me feel vulnerable.  Wisconsin says to me, "I will take your sarcasm and your walls but I want every other part of you that you've ignored and pretend like it doesn't exist."

*   *   *   *

"Oconomowoc"

"Menomonee Falls"

"Waukesha"

Laughter erupts from the back of the car as I try to  phonetically pronounce the names of the cities we drive past.  I am starting a new journey in another location in the United States.  I ignore the taunting. I am too mesmerized by the water towers that boast the mysterious names and the new scenery that is full of possibility.  The scenery reminded me of a never ending road trip with hundreds of places I wanted to stop just because; exploring and listening to stories of the people who lived in the homes with the manicured lawns.  

We pull up to an apartment complex behind a Family Video.  This is going to be my home.  I saw the pictures online and as I walk up the stairs I realize how large my new home will be and I feel an incredible weight in my stomach.  The spaciousness carried with it responsibility. I felt nauseousness that I would be discovered as a fraud, and I wouldn't be able to live up to the expectations that this perfect piece of Americana embodied.  

My relationship with Wisconsin started cautiously, I bought travel books, books by the naturalists, guides to hiking and biking trails and set out.  On my long commute into Milwaukee from West Bend I was mesmerized by the community storytelling 88.9 FM and knew I wanted to be a part of this community.  I remembered the lonely buildings and streets from when I was 17 and wanted to fight for it.  To be a part of the grit.  I did and I loved it.  My friend from out of state came to visit and as we were driving  through downtown Milwaukee we turned to each other and said, "Now this is what a city looks like."

I would take walks along the beach in Port Washington and ride my bike up to Eden.  I would hike and snowshoe through the Kettle Moraine.  Bonfires and fish fry in Washington county, the observatory in Lake Geneva, driving past small farms with red barns; I looked at these with wonder and warmness.

I want that feeling back, but like ex-lovers that are trying to rekindle a romance there is distrust and fear and awkwardness.  It's like restoring an antique; through the proper time, care, patience it can be as good as new.  My relationships with the places I live can be just as tumultuous and/or pleasurable than the ones I have with the people in it.  Anyway, Wisconsin...after all my bumbling verbosity, what I am trying to say is best said by John Cusack from the state that I had an awesome relationship with before you...Here it is...