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I was interviewed

Not too long ago I was contacted by someone from Poland about doing an interview. Can you imagine? Poland? Didn't know I made it there, guess I should put another thumbtack in the big map I have. Anyway, they run a pretty big blog and have interviewed a lot of notable people and decided to include me. I guess to some I'm a heroine. I hope I'm not too addictive.

If anyone cares, and I can't imagine anyone not caring, here is the interview link. Share a comment here and there.
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Going forward with transition.

Wonderful news.

After my first consultation with my psychiatrist on October 22nd I have been classed DM 5 and he has agreed I am suitable for GRS. Letter has been sent to my GP and she has prescribed Oestrogen plus Spiro.

We have agreed to suspend any breast augumentation because my breasts are growing nicely and it is better to wait and see where they end up before deciding what augumentation (if any) they need. So far they are close to 36/38 B to C; they still appear to be growing and very noticeable..

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TDOR a surprise

I spend a lot of time on Facebook talking about things that matter to me. Oddly, I have yet to be confronted on TG issues, and this is surprising to me because I have pictures and everything right there.

A couple different people including the TED group put up things about Transgender folk and gratifyingly they were supportive and not snide at all. Perhaps things are turning around for us?

Sure, there were those who demonstrated their hate and ignorance. I think the anger was mostly manifested by the profoundly ignorant.

Khadijah

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Fallen (for Transgender Day of Remembrance)

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Fallen

The fallen are remembered today

All of Those who've passed,

Persecuted for just wanting life

lost, Through their own hand or another's.

What does society say

As We continue to be harassed,

Our every day filled with strife

remembering all the others.

Being true to ourselves every day

No judgments at last,

Lives with honesty and rife

With happiest ever afters.

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Dealing with issues of my job and how it is affecting me personally.

I am a Co-Facilitator of a 'Vet 2 Vet' Peer Support Group at two of the VA Hospitals in the Boston area for Transgender Veterans and other LGBT Veterans that wish to join us also. I have not super active with the group for a while, because I was in school for 9 months and had to miss meeting due to classes. Then I became homeless and entered a program myself at the VA to deal with some of my own personal issues. Now I am missing the groups, because I am taking a Certification Program, offered by the state.

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Good news, bad news

Well, I got some good news, and some bad news.

First, the good news - My birth certificate arrived today, so I am one step closer to getting a passport to go to Arizona for my consult.

Now, the bad news - Sharon called saying it looks like she might be getting her surgery in December, and she called about having me or mom take time off work to look after Samantha. Problem is, both my mom's work and mine don't give time off in December, and so now I feel like a failure as a parent ...

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A glimpse at Editing.

Below is a picture showing the first page of JG Ballard's Crash. The marks all over it are the author's edits. When I'm doing my own edits, I do this. I print out my work to edit in a different font (and font size) so that it doesn't look the same as it does on the screen. I've read and can testify from experience that changing how the text looks can help see it fresh. It can help you see those things that you gloss over from familiarity and such.

I also thought it was just neat as hell.

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Why are stupid people in charge?

I can't take this any more. I am near tears.

The ongoing saga of my foot will not end.

So, they need to do a ct scan to confirm that I have a bone infection and also to know how to cut it out. I'm sure it's not every bone and probably not the whole bone so they have to be careful. The specialists have been pretty nice and on top of things so I hate that part of my frustration gets taken out on them.

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Ashleigh Blayze Where Are You?

Ashleigh Blayze:

So, in trying to find her, it seems that the last time she visited this site was in June of 2012. Has anyone here had contact with her? I am not thinking of badgering her for more of her science fiction, but would like to know how she is doing and to wish her the best.

Khadijah

PS: I have a strong suspicion that Ashleigh Blayze is one of the authors here who chose to write in a different voice. All I can say is bravo!

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Following story links

So often I see blogs from authors talking about their stories. Maybe they're bemoaning the number of comments or kudos. Maybe they're talking more generally.

But so rarely do they provide a link to the story. If I click on their name, it doesn't take me to a page showing their titles.

They may think everyone knows the story they're talking about. We don't. Please provide a link so we can quickly look up your story.

Charlotte

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Just in time for the holidays

Just in time for the holiday rush. All 4 books of the God Bless the Child saga are on sale for $.99 each. While your out shopping and fighting the madness, an awesome collection of books can await you on your kindle, tablet, or android phone.

This may be one of the best transgender series ever written, and that's not just me talking. Maybe others would like to chime in. Be sure to have a box of kleenex, you'll need them

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Quiet

Indeed, after several quite hectic weeks this current seven day has been very quiet, no trips, no deadlines, work has been exceptionally quiet too. The weather has been quite poor, fog, rain and otherwise overcast which hasn't helped my chesty cold one iota! in short its typical November weather.

It does mean that I've got five Gaby chapters written so the next run is well on schedule for its end of month release.

Of course its only two weeks before my Rheinland Weinachtsmarkt trip and just five weeks until the day itself - where did the year go?

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Buffalo N.Y. is closed!

My heart goes out to our sisters and brothers in Buffalo. The whole upper and western northern part of N.Y. got clobbered by a winter's worth of snow overnight.

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/holy-mother-of-god-check-out-this-...

I hope you're all safe and warm up there. I'm in Jamestown N.Y. and all we got was some cold temps. it's 9F here right now.

Catherine Linda Michel

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Anyone else having probs with the home page?

Is anyone else having probs getting the home page to load completely? On my machine right now, I only get the story lists, but none of all the other stuff. Blogs, comments, ads, the In Memoriam list, who's online right now,a ll that stuff just won't load. I'm using the same MacBook that I've always used and havein't done anything that I could think of to cause this prob.

Catherine Linda Michel

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Lost Story.

So, I thought her name began with an "A", and she wrote what I think was the most marketable Science Fiction I have ever seen on this site. She wrote about TG in a way that would be acceptable to the general public and that is what I want to see more.

He was a colonist whose world was attacked by pirates. He ran and got up into some woods to hide out and lo and behold, stumbled into a space ship that transformed him into a Princess with strengths of megalithic proportions.

Anyone have a clue?

Thanks

Khadijah

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It might be fake

So this is interesting, or at least I think so.

Today I got a certified letter in the mail. It is an invitation for me to try out for a reality television show. It appears that one of the networks wants to put on something to rival "The Biggest Loser" and because of my sports background they think I'm a good candidate.

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Tammy's continuing story

As I said a week and a half ago, Tamara's Debut ends with the next posting. Writing for the next installment (Tamara's First Christmas) has now reached 40,000 words but I want to finish it before I start posting so there will be a gap. In story terms, however, Debut finishes on December 12th and the Xmas story starts on December 13th.

What I have not yet decided is how to release it, whether one day at a time, in cliche cliffhanger (ie Bike) style, or as a novel. Debut, as a completed story is 108,000 words and I'd expect Xmas to be a similar size.

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A big thank you to everyone

You know, if you had tried to tell me five and a half years ago when I first joined Big Closet, that one day I'd be standing in front of a group of people at a church and telling them about being trans, I never would believed you. But it happened, and a big reason why is the love and support I've received on BC and elsewhere online.

So, to all those who have sent me support over the years, let me say ...

Thank you all so much.

Every one of you rocks.

And huggles for everyone!

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Congrats to the Eagles

What a FINE game against the Green Bay Packers... NOT!

The FIRST time in the 94+ year history of Green Bay where they scored over fifty points two games in a row AND Philly's worst loss since the 1970s.

Remember Green Bay is the smallest small market team in all of American pro sports AND the only not-for-profit.

-- SNICKER --

Mom is doing a second happy dance in her grave. Badgers AND Packers crushing their opponents on back-to-back days.

YEAH!

Other than the snow shoveling.

John in Wauwatosa

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No Bike tonight

I've just got off the phone to my needy friend who had bent my ear for the previous 90 minutes. I feel washed out, so hopefully tomorrow I should have time to write. Apologies to my regulars. I've been rereading back numbers of Bike and some of them moved me to tears and one or two episodes had me laughing out loud--and I wrote them. I had completely forgotten bits, so anyone who hasn't yet tried ordeal by Bike, it might be more pleasurable than you thought.

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My anniversary snuck by me.

My 10 year anniversary snuck (sneaked for those of you across the pond) by me last month. I'm an avid reader and sometimes author/contributor here. I have made myself a promise to get more of my stuff posted here. I have several stories completed that had been posted on my now defunct web site and need to be cleaned up a bit before I post them here. I really need to get motivated to do that.

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OK...Does anyone else hate the 'nines' as much as I do?

So...I write for ME... No, really, I do...

I enjoy writing... It is FUN!

I can put into words my fantasies, me desires, my NEEDS...

It is not about whether anyone appreciates my writing...it Is ALL about me getting my 'feelings' out there... Right?

Yeah--that is it!!!!

So... Why does it bother me so much when my 'likes' top out at a 'nine'? You know... 79...89... Or, the WORST...99?

Why does that last 'like' matter so much? Who knows...

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I've spent nearly a third of my life on BC

So, according to my account page I've been on here 7 years 10 months.

Next month I turn 28. So, let's say 28 years old and 8 of those years have been spent as a member of the site. I'll also be honest and say that, of the time I've been a member of the site, I've stayed logged on pretty much constantly, at least during the times I've even had a computer to log on WITH.

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And so it gooes...

Just found that I was official member of BCTS for 2 and half years. I was following stories on this site for much much longer. Basically, since Crystal's site stopped updating. And... I had registers here twice before but forgotten logins/passwords...
I never consciously tried to be troll on this site, but as I was recently banned from several sites for asking people to explain their position and to provide substantiation to their claims I can say that I am a semi professional internet troll :-) Can't claim to be professional as I never received any money for my posts online :-)

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a move toward tolerance of trans people?

I was listening to the local Christian radio station, and they play some kid-friendly shows on Saturday, including a show called "Adventures in Odyssey".

Well, I had missed part of the program today, but I heard a student and teacher talking, and the teacher said, "In computers, you have hardware and software. The hardware is how the computer is made, the software is what makes it run. Gender is like software, and its changeable, especially nowadays."

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writing Update

Last May/June I spent three weeks in the Rockies travelling around and taking lots of Photos (5600+).
Whilst driving from Laramie to Yellowstone I had an idea for a story. Now after a prolonged period of gestation I've nearly finished it. So far around 20K words have been typed.
Now I'm about to start the editing but I have my 2015 Photo Calendar to get off to the printers first.
The provisional title is 'The Good Samaritan' but I not happy with it so it might change.

With a bit of luck I'll start posting it in a couple of weeks.

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feminizing fungi

Strange science fact of the day:

There is a kind of fungi that attacks male crabs, effectively feminizes them by causing them to lose their fighting claws and create a womb-like structure that the fungi can then use to create more of itself.

There's probably a story for Big closet in there somewhere ...

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And so it goes...

So I bricked my netbook. Maybe permanently. I'm researching things to try. What that means is no more writing. Posting a blog on this tablet or spending a little time in chat is okay, but I can't write on this thing. Not to mention that all my projects are stored in iCloud, and this tablet is Android.

Healthwise I'm having more pain than usual. I'm getting recurring pain from either side of my abdomen, on top of the back and foot pain I've had for years now.

This site and my friends here keep me sane. Thank you all.

Edit: My netbook is a Dell Mini 9.

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Blockage

I wanted to get Twice Removed done by the end of the month but I have ben having the worst case of writers block on it the past week. So I'm going to do what I usually do and take a bit of time away to let it percolate in the back of my mind while I work on other things this week. Hopefully I'll have it going strong again by next week.

*hugs to all*

Amethyst

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Out Of Comission

Just an FYI, I'm going to be out of comission for at least a couple days.

I currently have both an Middle Ear, and Outer Ear infection, which is causing me extreme pain which even the prescribed pain meds aren't helping. My left ear is so swollen that they had to use an "ear wick" so that the drops get to where they need to go.

I'm on both an ear-drop antibiotic, and an oral antibiotic as well as Ear drop pain relief and oral pain meds.

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New Book Published - Dead End - On Amazon

Phew! What a summer.
Well, having been through the mill, I am out the other side and back writing again. My new book (actually, it's taken far too long!) is called DEAD END and is the sequel to the Candy Cane Club. It is the continuing story of Nikki, now Lady Nicole Calder, who, as a detective constable, is on the murder team of a spate of killings of TG prostitutes. If that wasn't enough, Robert Telford, late of the Royal Marines and inside HMP Isle of Wight as a serial killer - escapes and is heading to complete some unfinished business.

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Order by Kudos

I wonder whether there's any chance of enabling a sort by Kudos on the My Stories page?

For me, this is the most important order - ie which of my stories are popular and which are not - but paradoxically, it's the only column which can't be sorted! It's by examining Kudos counts that I can really tune in to what readers most enjoy.

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When IS the last time anyone heard from Ellen Hayes?

I got a very nice comment from her back when I was posting the Little by Little stuff (though I think I lost her respect in the PMs that followed,) and the last Tuck note says that a new chapter SHOULD have been out last September.

Nada.

Does anybody keep up with her, and know if she is doing okay? Seeing more of the story would be nice, too, but just knowing she hasn't dropped off the face of the earth takes precedence.

Melanie E.

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Remembered

After celebrating the failure of terrorists and frightening the spirits, this week, in Europe at least we've been remembering the dead of two world wars and more recent conflicts. Today we aren't threatened by other nations but by extremists hiding behind religion to kill and terrorise the innocent and force their idealogy on others, our military personel continue to die in the pursuit of peace, we should thank them and remember their selfless sacrifice on our behalf.

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Just a little heads-up

As far as Anmar is concerned, then I am delaying posting the next episodes of JoB (#38, #39 and #40 are already completely written and #41 is well under way).
AO #2 is also ready.

However, as each, in their ways, refer to the main story, I like to pass them all through Penny's scrutiny before posting, in case Penny feels I have misjudged some Alaesianisms or Palarandisms. This, of course, then delays poor Penny from getting on with her own stuff.

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Passing of the torch

Today is as special day of me and my husband. Today we watched our two daughters graduate from the US Army Airborne School. For us it has a special meaning for our family. You see when I first came to the US I joined our military to help gain my citizenship. While I served I won those same wings, so you can see why this was so special to me. For my husband who is from the UK and had served in their military as a British Paratroop it was doubly so. You see his father and his grandfather were also British Paratroopers going all the way back to WW2.

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To old friends at BC

Yes, both of you...

A few of you know the last year and a half have been a challenge for me as my cataracts overcame my eyesight. Reading and writing became difficult if not impossible. I had the surgery in July. It has a 99% success rate but I was in the 1%.

On the 29th I had PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) also called ASA (Advanced Surface Ablation). For someone who loves to read and write this has been a real trial. I was warned of extreme pain and a slow recovery: Weeks, months, maybe a slow year.

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Transgendered or broken?

In my own situation, growing up with nasty, brutal men, I hated them, and I hated being one of the enemy even worse, and did not accept that idea without struggle. Then, what did I do but marry a young woman who herself had been abused awfully, and in her adult years became a rabid feminist. So after a while, I could never be right, or even OK. Looking back, I just wanted to be on the winning side. It was a choice to just walk away from her like so many other young males did at the time.

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The Bestseller ~ Part 2 -- Duplicate Posts...

Hi Everyone,

I REALLY apologize for the multiple postings of chapter 2 today. I don't know what is going on with my computer... Anyway, I have asked Erin to remove the duplicates.

As for the voting on how to proceed: Well, I wrote both versions of how I felt it could go forward and liked BOTH so much that I am going to meld them. The good news for those that like the story, I guess, is that it will add another chapter or two to the whole series.

Again, sorry for the confusion!

HUGS,
Shauna

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To quote Jack Parr....

"...As I was saying...." (Google it if you're under a certain age or not a fan of ancient television)

I'm mortified that my last fiction updates were nearly 3 months ago.

Yes, I've been having 'muse troubles' (she vanished without a trace, leaving me to slog along on my own), but I managed to eke out a bit more of both Dead Ringer and Summer of Love.

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The Bestseller ~ Part 2 (NEED HELP!)

So... I am at a crossroads...

I have (I think) pretty good options moving forward for 'The Bestseller'... The problem is, I am not really sure which way to go...

So... I am going to post two options tomorrow...and see which gets the most likes/supportive comments in 24 hours and continue on from there...

Either works well for me...and will (for the most part) end up at the same point... The journey will just be different... I like both so much, I really can't decide...

HELP!

HUGS!
Shauna

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not a good day, sadly

Well, I spent most of my day hanging out in a hospital waiting room with my daughter while my ex got a CT scan on her heart.

It was stressful, but then my ex managed to make it worse, as after it was over, she asked me to run her to get some pet food, and while at the checkout, the cashier first called me "sir", and then corrected himself and called me "ma'am". Of course, my ex couldn't stand that, and loudly "corrected" him while I stood there feeling helpless to stop her.

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home

well i may not be coming here as much anymore do to the way my life is going whatever stuff i got here will stay . there may not be more. take care hugs to all

rues

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Taking down "Mum's Encouragement" Trilogy

Hi Everyone

I have decided to take down my autobiographical account namely "Mum's Encouragement" as I don't believe it is well received on here or indeed Fictionmania. I have had good feedback, but also a lot of negative feedback and what is most frustrating for me is when authors don't get any feedback.

I thank all of you who enjoyed my chapters. Your positive feedback was really appreciated.

Lucy J x

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Looking for some artwork for your book or online publishing?

My housemate does some really nice work... if you have an image you want copied or several that she could combine to make an original so it wouldn't run afoul of copyright rules.

Naturally she would LIKE to be paid for what she does, if you like and use her work, but it wouldn't be more than a few dollars, again only if you use it as cover art.

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In need of an honest opinion

Okay, I know everyone asks this once in a while. I sometimes look in the mirror and see I'm pretty and feel I can pass as myself no problem and others I question myself. I am hoping I can get a few people to offer an honest opinion if I look good or not. I know my chins gotta go it horrible and my nose is huge. good or bad opinions are accepted. Thanks for putting up with my silliness.

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Experiences as a "writer" with my family

I've had some odd experiences with my family relating to writing.

One of my nieces has become an art historian, and sent me some things she's written. They were flawless, and I told her so in an email. I was very specific about her strengths as a writer and the way she built and supported her argument. Some time later I was talking to her father (my brother-in-law), and he said, "Your opinion meant a lot to her because she knows you're a good writer. And when she said that, it made me wonder: Have you written anything lately?"

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A nice night out

Well, last night I had a pretty good night out, as my brother and sister-in-law took my mom and me out for dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday.

They gave my mom a framed picture of my grandfather on his tank taken during WW II, which got my mom reminiscing about those dark years during which she could only hope and pray her dad would make it home.

So as Remembrance Day approaches, don't just think of the soldiers who fought. Take a moment to remember the families who lost out as well.

Huggles for everybody.

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i•den•ti•ty

i•den•ti•ty
/īˈdentitē/
1. Noun: The fact of being who or what a person or thing is

Hmm, that seems fairly straight forward. Let’s see, I am first an individual, a human being. In some respects no different than you or anyone else and yet in so many other ways, I couldn’t be more different. So is that any clearer? No? Yeah, I’m still confused too.

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NPR on Transgender Men Who Become Pregnant

Although BCTS stories deal mostly with MtF issues this article covers something that could be an interesting story element. Think of the challenge for a FtM, MtF couple starting a biological family.

"Transgender Men Who Become Pregnant Face Social, Health Challenges"

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/11/07/362269036/transge...

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The Wisdom born of Experience? - and iPad Book Author App wanted

Today I understand and have sympathy for my late parents. They were it is true given to racist, sexist, homophobic, snobbish religious fundamentalism but nobody's perfect and they probably only wanted a little certainty in their lives.

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Simoné and the Second Time Around

Last February 6, I posted Simoné and the Second Time Around. Things didn't start off well as I innocently chose a horrible title. The final title was much better. I am very happy with it. Then misfortune hit BCTS and the site was down for a while. Unfortunately, when the site came back up, most of the kudos and comments were lost. Maybe I'm a comment and kudos whore; however, what I feel is a sweet and very nice story languishes with few Kudos and comments. It looks horrible when put up with my other stories, but I know it's not.

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wisdom about problems

here is a little wisdom about problem's that i got from my father before he passed away. he said that a problem is an opportunity for growth and that once you learn the answer to a problem, it stops being a problem because you know how to solve it no matter how many times it rears its ugly head again. he told me this when i got depressed when overloaded by problems feeling self pity and just staying in the bad situation. i hope this help others like it helped me. i love you all.

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Discouraged and down

I got a phone call from a SRS doctor in California that my gender doc sent my info to regarding me possibly getting surgery. But after talking with her, it turns out I'm about 100 lbs too heavy for her to work on me.

Honestly, I wish I could know if I have even a chance before i fly down to Arizona for a consult, as right now I am discouraged and down.

Ah, well.

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Tommy & Tamara series continuation

I've just posted chapter 17 of Tamara's Debut, due to editing that series will end on Chapter 24. Most of what was Chapter 25 now forms the intro into Chapter 1 of Tamara's First Christmas. As of now 20,000 words for that series have been written and posting will commence shortly after 'Debut' concludes, the story as written is now many thousands of words beyond where I left it in 2010.

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My Amazon ebook 'Coming Home' for sale in the United Kingdom

Synopsis- Anthony Rizzo is a serving National Guardsmen. His longtime girlfriend is Angela Pellegrin. They met while they both played college basketball at the same university. When Anthony comes home from Iraq on leave, Angela asks her boyfriend if he would like to switch bodies with her.

This 30,000 plus word story, which was first published on April 1, 2014, is on sale for the next week at the price of £0.99.

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Choices, choices, choices

I bet most people thought the end of Princess For Hire would never come, huh? I bet you were all thinking it was just another piece of abandoned writing on the site, left to forever linger on the cusp of a conclusion.

It wouldn't surprise me. Heck, I've got a LOT of unfinished stuff here. Hence, what I'm about to ask:

Which one of my old stories should I finish next?

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East coast meeting in NJ

I attended the meeting on Sat 11/1. I had a great time and met the most wonderful people. Erin, Piper (Amy and Ninja Baby), Cat, and Becky left me awed by their tech abilities and all they do for BC. I admire them and must confess to a bit of jealousy that they can at least sometimes openly express their inner self. The conversation was vibrant and jovial. No one asked personal questions but we were free to share our interests and background.

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DVD's, Stacks, and Twilight

So, I do not own a TV and do not wish to purchase one. I watch DVD's on my ancient Dell XPS 430. Sometimes to watch a Video disk, it is like dragin a dead mule through the mud. It freezes, or won't load and it seems impossible to predict when it will happen. At first I thought I could solve this with new DVD drive, but once I got a message that Windows 7 could not read the disk. Out of 5 disks of "Twilight", two were exceedingly frustrating, while the other three played without issue. Last night, the last disk would not load at all, so I just went to bed.

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Bondfire Night

Yes its that time of year again when we Brits celebrate the failure of dissident terrorists' attempt to kill our King and destroy our Parliament, we have long memories, it was in 1605, over 400 years ago!

A bit nearer to home, its time to celebrate the release of the next instalment of Gaby - Culture Clash, Part the Second is now available for your Kindle from Amazon and for other formats via Lulu. The third stanza is underway and should be ready for release at the end of November.

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