Here is my take on 2015:

This was the year where old, tired governments got replaced by parties with younger leaders and more optimistic outlooks

But it was also the year a reality show host became the leading nominee for President of the U.S.

It was a year that a black man was still in the White house

but it also was a year where a lot of unarmed black men got shot by police.

It was a year in which the Pope asked capitalists to take more care of the less fortunate

This is the first piece of original writing I've felt able to do since putting up "The Bridge." If you haven't read it this piece will make more sense if you stop now and do so.

This article may be sprawling, it may be rambling, or it may be short and rambling. I expect rambling, regardless of the size. There won't be any pretty pictures for this unless someone comes along and adds one. I don't think I can find a graphic that demonstrates how I feel now or how I felt when I wrote that story that won't trivialiase or make trite my feelings.

Well reading "The ties that bind" and, to put it blunt, pissed me of. so that I needed to shake it of. Not, to be to the point, that I hate it or that am angry at it. Just me being f****d as usual and letting my brain do her stuff >faceplam<

One reason I like reading and some tv-show /movies / anime , and that's forgetting music, is that my brain gives it an extra twist. My Mom used to say that when I watched a show, I was 'IN' the televionset instead of on the couch/floor where my body was. (was fun with the original Star Wars but hell with horormovies ).

The talk of Gor, and Gorean stories ignited an exploration of my own stories that are similar. I found one that was written back in 2007 when I was even nuttier than I am now and while reading it, found serious sentence structure issues. I have copied and pasted it back to Word for a tune up and plan to replace it at BCTS later today.

My plan is to cut and paste it above the existing story and then cut the old out of the bottom. This feels laborious, and knowing the level of my own "skills" feel there is an easier way. Any suggestions?

Gwen

Happy new year, everybody. I hope 2016 turns out to be an amazing fantastic year for you all.,

And just because you've all been good, here is a little treat:

"So what do you want to do tonight, Dottie?"

"Same thing we do every night, Jaci - try to convince people we're not girly girls!"

(Music plays)

"Oh they're Jaci and the Dot.

Jaci and the Dot.

One is a smartie, the other might have a thought.

They're really girly girls,

who give their skirts a twirl

They're Jaci, Jaci and the Dot Dot Dot ...."

At first I had writers block for several months, not being able write much I didn't hate. Afterwards I got absorbed in my own life and my old laptop died. This was bad because I had my story outline and research there, and of course it wasn't backed up. However, I have gotten back into writing and am happy with how chapter 3 is coming. Although I won't be able to write chapter 4+ until I can redo my research, trying to keep it somewhat historically accurate with names and all that.

To you all

Look out for the conclusion of Christmas Catastrophe on the 3rd.

Echoes by Sarah Lynn Morgan is as much a travel back in time as it is a fascinating life switch story. She had all the furnishings and nuances of history correct as far as I know. When Charlotte was at the dance, the young soldier asked if her "card" was filled for the dances. Young ladies of prominence had their evenings arranged with who they would social with and yes dance with beforehand. Thus the card and if it had some empty time for opportunity of a gentleman to ask the ladies hand for a dance.

This is an apology for my latest story.

I'm sorry its so dark.

Its just that the stress of losing my wallet, the stress of watching my mom get a lung infection and be unable to take antibiotics for either it or the hole they dug in her head to get out the cancer because they make her sick, the stress of my friend Jaci having no money and no food in her house and me not being able to help, the stress of knowing I'm going to have postpone any chance at SRS for the foreseeable, the stress of my PTSD, my depression, and my gender issues ...

No Shadow of the Heart this week due to illness.

Well, I have learned that no matter how bad things get, I can always make them worse with a little not thinking.

I managed to lose my wallet Monday, and spent yesterday hitting catch-22 after catch-22 trying to get replacements for my driver's licence, so I cant go to work tonight.

I know this too will pass, but darn it, I really didn't need to make things more difficult right now.

Yes, I know. It's been a long time, and about that I will only say, depression is an evil affliction, lifting for a few days to a few weeks of blessed lucidity, only to return with renewed vigor. Much like the party guest who lingers well into the wee hours--the more you want him to leave, the more determined he is to stay.

Fortunately, in my lucid periods I did have a large backlog of ideas, so expect them to start appearing in future Mixed Tapes, if Hutcho will be so kind as to accept them.

In doing research for a story character, I am building a little boy, the heir of an Arab family, who was kidnapped from the UAE at age 4 and brought to the US, castrated, and raised as a girl slave by criminals. Her nanny, also kidnapped, but from Saudia, has raised her, teaching her Arabic, and the things expected of a woman. The child is very bright. This is still developing.

Hi everyone. I'm looking for a story. I can't remember if I saw it on here, or the old Chrystal's Story Site, or even in Fictionmania.
What I do remember about it, there was a boy who was transgendered, and he got involved with this girl and her friends, and they made some sort of movie or something using Barbie Dolls.

If anyone remembers that story, can you please tell me the title.

Thanks.

Daphne46

My muse is resting at the moment, but she might kick in next year. I have a lot on my mind right now. I'm trying to find a professional agent for "A California Saga". I've been going through those listed on the "Predators and Editors" web site and have found several that look acceptable. I started at M's and am through the R's at this point, I'm contacting only those that work through email. I've sent queries to around a dozen so far.

I have a glimmer of an idea for a story in the Cynthia Chronicles series. Not even close to putting anything in print.

Well maybe it's because I'm not sleeping right (as in regulary and enough houres). But I got my eyes tearing up almost constantly at the moment. Crying at one moment, wishing for things an being jealous at another and laughing at reference and music at again another.

Well, not really new for this time of the year but it's a bit extreem this winter.

For those of you collecting the Lulu digital versions of Gaby here is 14.3 just for you!

http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/gaby-san-part-3/18181348

Mads

Lost my flash drive with my current works, looks like I forgot it at work and it was taken right out of my computer.

being a 68 year old M-F and having your 22 year old Goddaughter asking to borrow your red lipstick!

Catherine Linda Michel

Hi folks

There is a book on Amazon by one of our authors. Does anybody here publish as Holly Dunn? If so ok but otherwise I think someone has stolen lastboyscouts story-the generals daughter.

This is the link http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/sitb/B019MEMOXU/ref=sib_dp_aw_kd...

If I'm mistaken I am sorry!

Sydney

I was browsing Flickr just now and thought I found a Steel Butterfly (Lyssa KM?)

https://flic.kr/p/CkxQVU

Today and everyday is a vessel, a gift from God.
It is yours to fill however you wish.
Fill it carefully for whether it is with love, caring, happiness or despair
Tomorrow this day will be your own memories for eternity

always
Barb

Seems I'm really back to the me of 20 years ago. The only difference is the fact I'm not having my gender issues which is good (post-op for 11 years now) although I'm still having body issues.

The bad? Well, my weirdness factor is going trough the roof. Can't seem to 'read' any situation. back to being afraid to walk out of the door (and no it's not agorafobia) and my mistrust due to not being able to 'read' thse situation I mentioned earlier is back t it peak. Not even going to start at the rest.

I hope all are well and enjoying the holidays with family and friends.

I know for some of us this may not be possible but it is my Christmas wish.

Hugs and love,
Erin

I've been giving a lot of careful thought to one of my major issues. It's my sexuality. I consider myself to be very conflictidly bisexual. I have a strong desire to be with a woman. I also have strong desires to be with a man. However, I am not really attracted to men much at all. While at the same time I am very attracted to women. Therein lies the bulk of my issue. Every time I see a woman I'm attracted to I feel my desire to be with a man. Every time I think about dating a man my desire to be with women comes back.

To all my readers and everyone else for that matter - from Gabyland.

It's cold and wet here - others have it wetter, I wish them well, not a good day if you live in the Eden valley.

We've had the traditional Christmas tragedies, thankfully with fewer casualties than in recent years - it's almost as though it's dictated that a car/bus/truck will kill/maim innocents as an Xmas gift.

Today for me will be quiet and solitary - lunch will be cooked, radio listened to and then i'll crack on with some writing, the results of which you should see in the next few days.

Seven years' bad luck. That's what happened to TopShelf ;-) It's been seven years tomorrow morning since I made that first blog post, rambling about crap that I honestly can barely even remember now.

Well, We're a little ahead of most of you, so I'll throw another prawn on the barbie for you.
A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all at Big Closet and thanks to all the Elves who do Santa's hard work all the year round for keeping everything running smoothly.

Merry Christmas to all. I just realized I love this place and the people who make it up. I feel more welcome here than just about anywhere I have ever been. This is a beautiful place where all are accepted for who and what they are. The world could learn a lot from this site.

May God bless you all and keep you, and as the old Irish blessing says, may you be a half hour in Paradise before the Devil knows you're dead. Be that the Christian Paradise, Muslim Paradise or whatever Paradise you believe in. If you're agnostic or atheist may you be pleasantly surprised.

In case I don't get to post before then, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Waterdog

I'm 47 today, and well and truely know I'm not changing.

But while out xmas shopping, the family in front of me in the queue included a 10ish yr old transgendered child.

Damn she brought a smile to my face.

Didn't say anything of course, but she made me feel much better just by being there.

Hi everyone to be totally politically incorrect I'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Stuff the happy holiday theme I was raised in a conservative home and I'm proud of that. It's not rocket science to know that we're living in very troubled times. So no matter what your personal beliefs are I wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas. And also a very prosperous and successful new year.

I'd like to write a couple stories.

Right now I'm struggling with pain and rsi, and busy with work and other hobbies. So it'll probably depend on my health, and my trouble typing.

I've tried typing breaks, which seems to help, a lower desk, which definitely helps, a small tilted keyboard, which seems to help, speech-to-text, which has not helped, and a drawing tablet software, which has not worked with my disabilities. I'm not sure what else to try on that end.

But in the near future I'd like to write:

While going thru the 100+ gigabytes of old Dr. Demento shows on my hard drive, I stumbled across this short that further investigation revealed that he's only played twice.

Santa and a little girl

(the above is a link to an mp3 file)

Seemed appropriate for here.

https://stream.org/high-school-girls-dont-want-transgender-s...

Mya Taylor, star of the iPhone shot movie Tangerine is being promoted as a potential Oscar nominee.

http://www.theguardian.com/global/2015/dec/21/mya-taylor-tra...

2015 certainly seems to have been the year of the 'Trans Celebrity'. Ironic, seeing as most of us would rather fade into the background.

Well, I was on my way to the local cycling shop to meet up with my group, supposed to be my first night pulling the pack, or at least attempting to. I'm riding past the local elementary school and my necklace falls off. (Bear in mind the clasp is perfectly functional and not broken) so I double back and spot it in the middle of the exit for the school parking lot. I lay my bike down, pick up my necklace and walk back to my bike. I put it on tuck it under my jersey and go on my way. So I was on the main road and she was exiting the parking lot of the school.

Katie Leone is still in the hospital.

Would you like to make her feel better? Here's her Amazon page, do what you can.

Katie Leone's Amazon Page

Hugs,
Erin

Well my muse returned and so you can look out for the next arc of Gaby Book 14 on Kindle later today!

I've also got an electronic version of part 2 for you on Lulu, part 3 will be available there as soon as I can manage it!

Oh and of course there is a new chapter of Book 12 posted here.

So I send you all Seasons Greetings and urge you to look out for a Gabyfest over the 'Twixtmas' period!

TTfn
Mads

I just had a look at "My Stories" and I notice that there is activity all along the line back as far as Chapter 1. So, people are still re-reading it! I admire your stamina.

I also noticed the date I posted the first chapter, 22nd December 2010. Wow, a whole five years! I swear I never intended for it to take this long!

I was on Youtube listening to Unchained Melody by Righteous Bros when this annoying ad kept running so being the person who NEVER clicks on links. I was drawn to the 60s styles and yes I clicked. Personally this is what class was then. There wasn't a quickstop on every corner and most everyone I knew worked. There were no IPads, computers, or any other of those talent wasting idle time things. TV was still fairly new and cable TV was too. Anything more than fifty miles from the TV stations was iffy at best of times.

I lost track of a series I was reading. One entry was about a wife/SO who worked in a beauty salon and was changing her husband/SO. I think the name Victoria was involved. By the way, Merry Christmas, or Happy Holiday! and thanks for your help.

In the last little while, I've read two very different stories where a character who is struggling with PTSD gets help from a dream.

That has got me thinking, could there be something to this idea? Could a dream really help someone like me heal?

And if so, does anybody know a dream walker who could come to my aid?

Because honestly, right now I'm just trying to hold on until I see someone about the PTSD on Dec. 22 ...

Just an FYI to anybody out there. There is a large remote code execution exploit that affects all versions of Joomla since 1.5 that has been in the wild for about 3 days now. There are hotfixes/patches for old/outdated/non-supported versions of joomla, and a proper update for the latest version.

More detail here: https://blog.sucuri.net/2015/12/remote-command-execution-vul...

-Piper

As some of you may have known, I have been having a tough time these past two months, and the Christmas season isn't buoying my spirits the way it used too. I am grateful for the kind messages I have received here and on Facebook and I will do my best not to vanish for so long again. that being said, I will post another part of The Enhanced: TRI either later today or tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Diana M. Howe, Moongoddess at Large

Dad changes moms tattoo.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/tattoo-artist-alters-w...

Was a cute girl in a pink dress, now a cute boy in a blue shirt and shorts...

I have an original Microsoft Surface Pro to give away. Caution - the battery will not take any charge and is EXTREMELY difficult to replace so it's only usable when plugged in. Includes power supply and type cover (keyboard). Seems to work perfectly except for the dead battery. First to PM me with a name and address in the US gets it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Pro

Woody

So we're approaching that time of year again, so it's time to roll out my annual tradition - the Christmas Tunes Acronym Quiz!

This year, I've compiled over 200 tunes to decipher, including a handful of instrumentals in addition to the usual mixture of songs, carols and novelty / parodies. There's also an "Add Your Own!" tab in case your favourites aren't represented in the list (already filled with a handful of songs I discovered which didn't make the 200).

From the Guardian, some have happier stories to tell than others.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/dec/15/...

okay ... i forgot my password, did the correct thing to get my password reset and it tells me to change the password ... problem is ... i do not know what the password is .... sigh