So true and well put.
I just don't know if its worth it bringing up this stuff with him. My last T seemed to think I should just let it go. I actually have wanted to meet with him with T present, but mainly to be able to tell him what I am up to, and to have a third party to see how he reacts - someone who is actually "on my side." It's just that so often he asks me, "how are you doing?" and I can't really tell him. I completely edit everything I say to him. I know his reaction will feel hurtful to me. For example, right now I have gone back to studying chemistry. It's a class I had to drop 2 years ago when I had a breakdown. (I've taken a lot of biology, oddly, but no chemistry). I loved the class but also found it complex and intricate (I know its the nature of the beast), so I'm reading over my textbooks. Eventually I think I might like to get back to school for something like archiving or art conservation.
But he doesn't know any of this. I can't tell him because he'll say something like, "I don't know what you find interesting about that. Don't you want to do this instead?" At one point he even said, "you're not cut out for that." Thing is, he does not know me. I never got below an A in any of my bio classes. I graduated with honors when I got my BA. He just assumes that because he doesn't like science, I shouldn't either. And I find it crushing to know he can't support me for who I am.
Oops. I ended up rambling on.
Anyway... I know you'll get that tattoo! What is it a picture of?

E