I was actually a bit worried, nothing was past due but things were getting tight. And knowing that everyone has their own expenses I wasn't sure anyone would be able to help out. But plenty of you cam through with donations and in two days, we reached goal for June and got a start on July.

Yay, us! :)

I'll be gone for a week in July but I'll have my laptop with me and Piper and my other helpers will be around to keep things on an even keel. Let's have a great summer!

Hugs to all,
Erin

I got a request to expand a concept for someone, and to do it publicly, so, here we go. It might end up a little long, but consider this to be a little bit of my personal view on what makes compelling conflict.

So, you've come up with the wonderful hero, Peter the Protagonist. He'll save the damsels, stand for the eradication of bigotry, and generally be a swell guy. Now you just need to throw a villain at him and everything will be set and you have yourself a story.

Well, apparently I cant hide it very well when I'm having a bad flashback.

I was at the pot-luck dinner for my trans support group, and started having real problems, when a couple of people made a point of asking me if I was okay.

Of course, I wasnt, but by keeping myself engaged in my surroundings through what I could feel, see, hear, and even smell, I was able to ride it out and get back to normal.

I got a very nice card from my son today, in addition to the nice ecard he picked out,

his personal note to me was:

Happy Father's Day to the best of the best! I hope Kristy has a wonderul day too.

Love, ...

According to my wife, FanFicWriter, he wrote it himself (with her assistance on spelling and grammer lol)

A very nice treat for today.

Here is wishing to all of you out there that are Father's, a very happy Father's Day to you as well.

Hugs,

Kristy

Brief synopses:

John is shot interfering with a carjacking. His wife, Krista and her two sisters give him some of their life force to save him. It worked and makes him female and genetically their sisters. The three original sisters are from a parallel universe. In one section they travel back to the other Earth.

Has anyone heard from her recently? We don't always see eye to eye on things, but I miss the pithy bloggs and comments. I hope she's okay and just busy.

It's June 16th and we're a bit in the hole. We didn't make the subscription goal for last moth and this month is half over. I know not everyone can do so, but if you can, please, send us a few bucks via the Hatbox Membership request box on the side bar. It really does take about $40 bucks a day to keep this place open.

Thanks and hugs,
Erin

Well, on Mother's day I talked a bit about how that day and Father's day can suck for people who dont fit the gender stereotype, but today, with Father's day being tomorrow, I wanted to talk a little about some of the challenges I have being one.

First, you have to understand that I was totally not prepared for parenthood, to but it mildly. This was not just because of my gender issues, or my overall mental health, both of which have played a part in my struggle to be a good parent, but because I had no role model in my own life to draw on in terms of what a good dad looked like.

Can someone explain who votes these idiots into government?

http://jezebel.com/5918493

Well, I had a super hard day at work in terms of trying to get stuff done, and I'm paying for it with a stiff neck, sore shoulders, and general tiredness. Added to that, I'm losing my up part of my bipolar cycle, which means I'm headed down, and fast ...

To make things totally yucky, after reading a story on here that had a forced sexual moment, I started flashing, and really havent stopped so much as have small breaks between flashes.

Ah, well.

This has to count as one of the most bizzare stories ever to come out of the world of sport:

A female Indian athlete who won a gold medal at the 2006 Asian Games appeared in court on Friday charged with raping her former lover who has alleged that she is actually a man. Pinki Pramanik was remanded in custody for 14 days to await trial on allegations that she repeatedly raped her female live-in partner.

Source: AFP (via Yahoo)

When I first started this universe, everything was going fine. There was the right balance of story and characters, enough to populate the town and keep it still mysterious. Now however, the town has been starting to get flooded with characters and all different kinds of stories, all of which that seem to be happening at once. So sadly there is going to be a new DRU rule from now: No More Stories in Ravencrest.

I hate to do this but there's really no other way. The town is just too crowded now and not everything can happen at the same time.

THAT AND MORE I’LL DO

I would cross mountains, rivers and valleys if I needed to find you
I would brave storms, cyclones, dragons no matter what
Just to be able to look into those beautiful eyes
And feel the glory of being at your side
Because I have always known that I need you,
That and more I’ll do.

If the cost of gaining that fresh smile from your soul is so high
If one glorious day I can get you here close by my side
Would it mean I must offer up the dearest thing I own?
Gladly would I pay that, whatever the cost

Heya peeps! Long time no hear, right?

Let's kick this thing off right, then.

How many here can tell me the difference between good writing and great writing?

Anybody?

A tough question, right? After all, there are so many ways to judge a particular work. Great characters, but crappy story line? A great story, but terrible dialogue? Mediocre everything, but nothing particularly wrong with any one part? What makes a work of writing good, and what makes one bad?

Bears Know Best

A New Novel by Tiffany Shar!

I'm pleased to announce that I will begin posting my new novel, 'Bears Know Best' tomorrow evening here on BC. I will be releasing it here as a serial work, or you may purchase the full edition on Lulu.com beginning tomorrow as well. This book is a standalone work outside of my Standing Up to Life Series. I hope you will all enjoy it!

I'm conflicted about what to do with my Quest story, now that we managed to make it available on Kindle. Part of me wants to encourage all of you to buy it, and use what has been posted as a teaser to hopefully help, but I have really enjoyed the feedback I've been getting on each chapter here, and would miss it if the rest of the story wasn't posted here.

Suggestions?

Formerly known as Tom Gabel, here's Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! in her first live performance since announcing her transition. (Previously blogged by Rami and others) I'm happy for her; she looks like she's having a great time! Good for her!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/29/against-me-transgen...

It appears as though the US Anti Doping Agency can't leave Lance Armstrong alone - they've written a fifteen page letter to him littered with yet more allegations dating as far back as 1996, claiming a "pervasive pattern of doping" over many years.

Unsurprisingly, Armstrong has hit back: "I have never doped ... These charges are baseless [and] motivated by spite ... These are the very same charges and the same witnesses that the Justice Department chose not to pursue after a two-year investigation."

I am a Desert Shield/Storm Veteran. During the war I was a Field Artillery Surveyor in the 1st Infantry Division. As such, I directly participated in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq. This also means that I actually witnessed the results of what happened on the "Road of Death". This is the main road between Kuwait City and the Iraq border. Needless to say, the sights were not very pretty (I actually stepped on brain matter). For years now, I have been having difficulties so, I finally forced myself to go to the V.A. Medical Center in Bedford MA.

If anybody would like to do a story in the CENTER Universe please send me a PM. I am not creative enough for writing a full story, but I think my idea could be a interesting story with one of our talented authors working thier magic with thier creative minds
HUGS EVERYBODY -- RICHIE2

I LOVE THIS SITE

Maybe some of you are like me, a good song can change my mood, so I share with you this beautiful video that fills me with joy. Enjoy it you too. I was not privileged with a beautiful voice to sing, but likely I can dance like the small pet in the video. Isn’t it lovely ? Hugs.

http://youtu.be/oUMwu_gXK7Q

well my day started last night really. To get a better Idea though I'll give a bit of back history.

A friend has asked me to fix his car. It's a 1966 Chrysler, nice car but the old rubber needs replacing. Since there is very few people that can do the job correctly I get to do it.

In exchange for the work I am getting a 1991 Power Ram. Its a 4 x 4 that also needs some work. However in the meantime it is still his truck. So he uses it and while driving the exhaust breaks he keeps driving it breaks more and he runs over the exhaust pipe and breaks some stuff.

For the vast majority of my life, I've felt like a failure. No matter what I tried, I failed at it, or at least that's how I saw it. Then, having nothing left to lose, I went looking for help for my rape, and then for my gender issues.

And a funny thing has happened since. I've made amazing amounts of progress on both issues.

First, with the rape, I can now ground myself through a flashback, and my nightmares have gotten much better.

This is quite interesting:

http://biblethumpingliberal.com/2011/05/19/you-can%E2%80%99t...

I hadn't taken it to quite the extreme that the author did, but he is exactly right.

The article mentions the Old Testament prohibition of homosexuality, but it is equally applicable to what the OT says about cross dressing.

There are lots of other examples of rules that people universally consider to be Christian commandments, when what they really are is cultural norms masquerading as morality.

I overheard some men enjoying this rather rude joke at a party on Saturday, so as part of the language studies that my brother and I are doing, I translated it into my semi-bad Spanish:

Una vez Caperucita Roja estaba caminando por el bosque, para llevar una cesta de cosillas buenas a su abuela. Caminaba sola cuando un conejo se acercá³ a ella y le dijo: "Me temo para te, Roja. Hay un lobo en el bosque y él podrá­a intentar herir te."

Had a busy few weeks, mostly moving to another neighborhood. It was quite hectic, among other things. Didn't know if you guys missed me or not (I hope you did! ;_;) but I figured an explanation was in order.

In any event, I'll have another chapter of Ithycca done soon, then resume writing more of Scott Ryan's story in the Crossroads. I really haven't worked on that in awhile, and I'll most likely focus the next few weeks on that. Of course, it may not be released as fast as I normally do (which is fast!) but I'll be doing what I can while I unpack and get settled in.

Okay, as many of you know, this is the time of year when I start posting stuff about Whedonfest, the three day charity festival that celebrates the works of Joss Whedon and raises money for Equality Now and Kids Need to Read. If you are interested in coming to Whedonfest, which is being held near Nashville at a campground just outside of Scottsville KY, then please follow this link and check it out: Whedonitesunited.

For those with an interest in things cycling, Bradley Wiggins has just won the Criterium du Dauphine for the second year running, and on current form could be a good bet for the TdF, for at least a podium place or possibly (dare I say it) an overall win. If so he'd be the first Brit to do so. This win also places him third in the UCI rankings, with Team Sky, the top ranked teams. Yep, cycling's full of rankers!

Well done, Brad.

Angharad.

OK, so, I've been "out" for a while. Just about everyone knows about me, lots of people who passed me with only a casual glance were already seeing a girl... So it was time to take the next step and drop the male facade completely.

Last night as I drove to work, I listened to a marriage therapist talk about the different needs men and women have in a relationship. According to him, Men need to feel successful, women need to feel safe.

If that's true, then I really am a woman, because safety was the quality that was really missing in my marriage. I dont blame my wife, a lot of it was my fault - I was the one with the massive secret called "Dorothy", after all.

But regardless of fault or blame, the fact is that I never felt safe in my relationship with my wife.

Or with most other people, in fact.

MY WISH

I wish you never look back
But you never forget
All the ones who loved you
And the place you left

I hope you always forgive
And you never regret
And you help somebody
Every chance you get

I would like to thank all the readers of my story "Leadership" and especially those that commented.

The comments left for my story inspired me to keep on keeping on when it comes to writing.

Huggles All

Angel

Last night, I started to have a flashback, and I found a new way to ground myself. I started clicking the button on my safety knife (its the knife I use at work to open boxes). The sound of the clicks somehow kept me from spiraling out of control.

Interesting, no?

I'm sorry that the wrong story has been posted.
SamanthaK does all the posting for me, and she is visiting with a friend this week, and I think she was having a little bit to much fun when she made this mistake.
I've texted her and pointed out the problem, but I'm not sure when it will be fixed.
Please bear with us for the time being and I hope to have it fixed soon.

Hugs

SaraUK

I get a lot of comments about the faith morality of Odyssey. I obviously support Christianity, but I do not believe it is exclusive, the only way to God. It is man who tries to limit access to God, not God.

True Christianity is the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Everything else is clutter. Faith is belief in God, a one on one relationship. Faith is God reaching out to us. For me Christianity is a good fit. THe problem with Christianity is religion. Religion is MAN making rules to limit God. Religion is the work of Satan to corrupt faith.

I suppose it was bound to happen. Nay, it was destined to happen. In fact I've done it to myself on purpose. In a little over a month's time I am set to begin hormone therapy, if I decide to go through with things. I purposefully set a time in motion for HRT as sort of a way to "put up or shut up" and it looks like shut up is about to win out.

wow, i dont think i have ever seen as much as said about one story as angels leadership.
robert

Well, just got two big pieces of news. First, the federal government has passed a law extending anti-discrimination protection to trans people, meaning we no longer have to worry about things like losing a job or being denied housing because of who we are.

The second big announcement is one that effects me personally. The Alberta government has announced that they will once again cover SRS. This means that once I get my 2nd opinion in December, I will go on the list, and once they clear the backlog, I will be whole.

I actually cried with happiness when I heard this.

Spotted on Google+, shared by a prominent Googler (Kristoffer Sorensen):

The Danish Folketing has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a full ecclesiastical marriage service in the national Evangelical-Lutheran church for homosexual couples, to be instituted as a full, official marriage equal to that of heterosexual couples. After a lengthy and sometimes heated debate, which ran some three hours over its expected time, 85 members voted in favour of the law, 24 against and with two abstentions.

Source: Politiken.dk

Apparently, the reason the Folketing can rule in this way is that the Protestant Church in Denmark is a State Church.

There are some trans people who somehow never doubt who they are, and can easily withstand any pressure to be anybody else.

But not me, I get moments of doubt.

When I was young, this doubt came partially out of fear - the fear that I had to be insane to have this feeling of femininity coming out of a body that was anything but female. So trying to disbelieve the feelings came a form of protection against that fear.

Ray Bradbury died last night at the age of 91, a unique voice whose writings will be treasured for centuries.

There saying on all the Net News spots thaT CALIFORNIA'S PROP 8 (SAME SEX MARRIAGE) IS HEADED TO THE FED SUPREME COURT IN WASH. DC. I just wonder if this will change the laws in both the states that voted for Same Sex Mar or voted against Same Sex Marriage like the voters just did in North Carolina reasonantly

Well tomorrow, my three-week stress fest commences as the biggest exam I will ever sit starts with English. Therefore, I won’t be on Big Closet (or the internet at all) until the 21st of June when I will be free for the rest of the summer. I cannot wait! The relief will be incredible! Anyway the first story I will be posting when I return will be Harry Potter and the Curse of the Emerald Witch — Part VI, the final and concluding chapter of the fan fiction novel along with the regular posting of a new Crossdressing Charlie episode! So, um, yep! That’s it!

 
When I'm feeling weak
and my pain walks down a one way street
I look above
and I know I'll always be blessed with love
and as the feeling grows
She breathes flesh to my bones
and when love is dead
I'm loving angels instead

Perhaps to the world you're just one more,
but you're all the world to me

Well, I had a better day at work last night, and now I'm off for a couple, so I'm going to try and get a few things accomplished. But its not all rosy, as you can guess by the title of this entry, and that's because there are things in my head that kinda scare me, and I have a number of almost-mental-illness like conditions that are less than fun.

They include having some OCD-like traits -I'm not a neat freak, or a germ freak, but I have a number of "magic" little routines that seem to serve no purpose other than keep me calm. ...

Well, for those who have been anxiously waiting, "Quest for the Silver Cleric Chapter 1" is up.

I hope you all enjoy this, my longest story ever.

Not for the cat lover. Wait until this guy dies. I'll bet the cats will think of something for him.

http://on.aol.com/video/dead-pet-cat-is-turned-into-flying-h...

My ebook "Fool Moon" has just been reviewed at Bibrary.com as well as three 5-star reviews at Amazon! Coincidentally, at the same time it was reviewed, I was already doing a fine-tuning on the book that answered some readers' questions, and the New and Improved is now available, as all my ebooks are, at Amazon, Lulu, and Smashwords, as well as mostly available at Barnes Noble and iBookstore.

I felt like sharing a little bit before I go away. Lately I've been having a lot of dreams and remembering them, which really isn't that odd for me but I know some people would be envious. A week ago I had a dream that my Aunt was back living and approved that I bought a house. I was more worried that since she was officially dead and I spent the inheritance, she didn't have anything to live on monetarily (though she would always be allowed to stay with me). Anyway, that's not the dream I wanted to talk about.

First off, real life back story or the dream won't make sense.