This is going to be my first DLV :)

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This posting is from: Nami
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No, I will not overdress :p ,however, I may need some help as this will
be my first time in public. If you have any questions for me, please
feel free to ask, k?

Nami

btw, hotel prices are slowly creeping up

:(

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[External Poster]

This posting is from: annie
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> No, I will not overdress :p , however, I may need some help as this will
> be my first time in public.

If you need help or advice, just ask, and you will receive it, in
abundance. :)

You may also want to request the assistance of one of our volunteer Big
Sisters, either before DLV or during.

If you're feeling a bit nervous, it's normal, but it's almost
universally reported that this goes away very quickly!

> btw, hotel prices are slowly creeping up

Yes indeed! Book early! (Book often.) :)

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(This posting was entered by annie, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Sarah Charles
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I'm not a seasoned vet, having only been to part of one DLV, but these
girls make it very easy for us newbies. I had offers of help if needed,
rides if wanted and did two things in boy mode before going out and
being myself. All that made it so much easier and eliminated that
nagging fear. Let me know if you want to compare all those irrational
fears that going out the first time involve. It really hasn't been that
long and I still fight them myself.

But when you finally get out it is SO worth it!

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you finally put your hand
on the doorknob and actually get past that barrier!

I hope to be there to celebrate your success.

Sarah

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This posting is from: Sharon
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I know I've told this before, but I need to tell it again.

Diva 1999 was my first real night out. I had been to a few support
meetings, but nothing big.

Hand on the door knob was no problem, neither was walking through the
lobby and into the car. When I approached the Good Times bar I panicked.

I drove over by the airport and back to the bar corner two or three
times, I don't remember. I just couldnt get the nerve to pull in the
parking lot. I finally did, but all I did was sit there with the motor
running and the air on. I must of sat there fifteen minutes. Finally I
got the nerve to shut off the motor and go in, this was the hardest
thing I ever did in my life!

So I walk in and it's all DARK. ALL I could see was the light by the
bar and the light over the pool table. I was a basket case. I almost
turned around and ran right out, but I walked up to the bar to see
if I could see anyone.

There was this girl at the bar, and I can't remember the name but
if I ever see you again, Im goign to give you the BIGGEST HUG you
ever had! All she said was "Hi, we're over there" and pointed over
to teh corner. But that mean't SO MUCH to me. Friendly people are
a big help to coming out.

So I walked over to the corner, still very nervous but not panic, and
this other girl, again, don't remember the name and didn't see her again
in 2000, pulls out this empty stool and pats on it and motions for me to
sit down. This also mean't so much, like they wanted me there. I was so
happy I almost cried!

So then Annie stops the conversation, introduces me like I'm an old
friend, and everyone goes around the circle and introduces themself.

Annie, your a sweetie! I'll never forget at the end when the girls were
done introducing and you said "Jimmy Roy" with Roy in a low voice. I
found out then what it feels like to almost laugh and cry at the same
time! You don't have any idea of how much those little gestures mean
to someone who is new and feeling a total wreck!

In a few minutes we were talking like we were old friends. All the girls
were so nice. And it wasn't all girl-talk. We talked about cars and TV
and movies and music, and played pool.

You don't know what it's like to go from panic and unease to total joy
in such a short time!

I missed Diva last year, but I'm going to be there this year if it kills
me!

Thanks for listening.

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(This posting was entered by Sharon, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: annie
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> But that mean't SO MUCH to me. Friendly people are
> a big help to coming out.

Agreed, and with the DLV people, the unfriendly one is the rare
exception.

> Annie, your a sweetie!

Uh, thanks. {blush} :)

> You don't have any idea of how much those little gestures mean
> to someone who is new and feeling a total wreck!

Yes I do. I think most of us have been in this situation at one time or
another.

I think our people do a very good job of including the newcomers, and
not because it's our job to do so, but because we have a bunch of
great people who naturally do things that way.

> In a few minutes we were talking like we were old friends. All the girls
> were so nice.
[deletia]
> You don't know what it's like to go from panic and unease to total joy
> in such a short time!

This is almost universally reported. The nervousness is real, but it goes
away very rapidly. Having a group that's open and inclusive really helps,
as you say.

> I missed Diva last year, but I'm going to be there this year if it kills
> me!

Well, don't let it kill you. We want you there alive. :)

> Thanks for listening.

And thanks for writing. :)

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[External Poster]

This posting is from: Monique
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Sharon,

We at DLV look forward to seeing you at DLV'03! Look me up, I'll be the
tall redhead and I look forward to meeting you :)

Huggs,
Monique Monet
A Proud Southern Belle Society Sister
SBS Grand Belle, Colorado
A Proud Tennessee Vals Sister

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