I had Friday off and apart from a little shopping, buying a new tyre for the car and doing some scribbling, it was a non-event. Okay, I wore a skirt and some makeup for a change - I should have gone for a bike ride but couldn't be bothered.

After nodding off in the chair I started a short story, and two hours later I'd done two thousand words - it sort of wrote itself once I got started - my stuff seems to.

Reading Karen Bishop's story has had me thinking about memory - especially my memories of my abuse. For most of my life, I had little conscious recall of what happened to me, mostly it was something that I only had flashes and nightmares about. Now, I can remember, and I think that's better, but its been a painful journey, and I'm not done yet.

Ah, well.

It has sex in. It has religion in. It has religious discussion about sex in it. I was shown it by the original for my character 'Kate' in Ride On.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/mar/02/gay-straight...

READ THIS:

Well, last night I got a compliment that blew my case of "Tg PMS" (That's what Bailey Summers calls those times when I struggle with feeling like a fake). What happened was I started early, and I was talking with one of the evening staff who I dont know well, and was gushing over my daughter. His response "Ah, you're just a proud mom."

"Mom".

He called me "Mom"

There comes a time, as we approach our transition that we have to tell our Bosses. Well, I reached that day, today. *sighs*

Due to the number of inquiries I've been getting as of late...

A number of people have been asking about writing characters that have already been chosen. Sadly, I have to tell them that those particular ones are unavailable at this time, because other people have chosen them.

There are a number of authors/potential authors that have chosen characters and after a number of months, and in some cases over a year, have posted nothing.

"Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya (Juan Pablo Montoya) You killed my Father! (You killed my car) Prepare to die!

Does that help?

I understand that NASCAR doesn't appeal to veery many people, but the GREAT reference, relating the amazing crash at this year's race (Thank God no one was seriously hurt) was, to me, inescapable!

The blog was about the reference to the line from the movie, and its similarity to the crash. NOT about the race. Sigh. Maybe mine is the only small mind amused by little things like this.

Oh well. I tried. I STILL think it's very funny.

Cathy

I wrote this post this afternoon at the FM Hyperboard

*****

But the Task Force's concern for upsetting comments or posts to this hyperboard are a recent phenomonon. One I would a causation of the Noah Veil controversy of a few years back and then the website being shut down by its ISP. The Task Force is still smarting from that and rather than have another storm that happened like the NV one, are deleting anything that comes along that threatens another one. No dissent means they won't ever be made to look bad.

"Hello Jet Track Dryer. My name is Juan Pablo Montoya. You killed my car. Prepare to die!"

Another great one: How many NASCAR drivers does it take to kill a jet track dryer? Only Juan.

Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week. Try the veal, tip your waitress.

Cathy

So, some of the stories here are really long and I can't read them in one setting, so I have been using a marker to mark the position of the slide thingie before I shut down for the night. Before you all laugh at me, how else can I do it? It is really troublesome to find my place again when I come back on line.

I am worried about getting the marks off my screen.

Is there some sort of book mark thingie I can use so I can come back to the right place?

Thank you.

Gwendolyn

Just keeping people updated because, quite frankly, I could use the support.

My friend is still here and i am still inching ever closer to just going full time, or at least part time with an option for overtime and vacation. It has been decided that thursday we are going for makeovers. At that time I will get a feminine hairstyle (not a unisex one that I can change back and forth). I am also contemplating getting my ears pierced. I just guess I finally got tired of putting up the facade.

I'm not depressed, exactly, but I feel like ... I dont know. All my life I was stuck in boy world, with my face pressed against the glass looking in at girl world, so envious I was salivating like a starving person watching people enjoying a five star meal. Now, I at last found an entrance into that land, but I wonder if I will ever be seen as anything but an immigrant. Will I ever .... just fit in?

This isn't so much a problem as an annoyance. I have noticed recently that I say 'sorry'even when I don't need to, eg. yesterday a guy said we shoud meet at 12 to study. I got there on time and he wasn't there. I waited for him in the library for 30 min. and then went to do something else with an advisor.
I saw him later and he told me he had arrived at 1, but he seemed to be upset so I said 'sorry' even though I'd done nothing wrong. I am writing this more for myself so I can be aware not to apologise when I don't need to. Essentially I'm just venting. lol.

I'm Sorry to bother anyone taking the time to read this, who has also been reading my 'You Have it All Wrong four' But i've noticed a sudden drop in the number of people looking at it, and I'm begining to wonder if people have gone off it, or I've just pushed the story line as far as I can?
I would like to get some feed back as to whether or not I should just give up on it, and focus on other stuff instead. I also don't want to keep posting it and taking up space that better writers could use.

Well, first of all, if you want to see what came before look below:

Part 1
Part 2

Jewish and Transgender: Follow the Words of Hillel

This an interesting article primarily about an Orthodox Jewish MtF who teaches at Yeshiva University in NYC.

Rami

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leora-tanenbaum/jewish-and-tra...

I take this opportunity to wish a very special lady a wonderful, nay magical day. Beverly is a treasure to talk with, and she educates me every time we talk. She is a writer of rare talent, and a true lady.... well, MOST of the time anyway.

Growing old disgracefully or not, you can't fool me. You're a good 'un, Beverly. Thanks for educating an uncultured colonist.

Hugs and love,
Catherine Linda Michel

P.S. I almost forgot! CARPE CAKEM!!

Here is a video that I thought about today. It deals with the understanding of both sexes in a way that deals with some role reversal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nJAP_mJsUI

Well, it had to happen, after a fairly sensitive article in the Sun, the self-righteous Daily Wail attacked, showing the forces of repression are in fine fettle. Makes the one in the Guardian look wonderful, hell it makes the one in the Sun look good.

For those with hypertension, maybe not a good idea to click on the link.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2106215/Mixed-year-o...

Angharad

h'okay so... I am massively stressed because one of my classes is so stupid hard you just cannot believe it. Psychopharmacology taught by a Neurobiologist who has never taught this before is... an experience. I am learning a hell of a lot but OMG.

Happy Birthday to Maddy's off spring, Gaby from her series.

I'd like to take a moment and talk about my Phoenix stories. Those who get bored easily might want to skip this one.

I just sent Erin a question regarding the February Short Story contest. It had to do with word counts. I was wondering if there is anyone other then Erin to ask (actually bother) with questions like this about the site operation or problems. I know that there is a group of folks here who help run the site, but I do not know who they are.

Perhaps something can be done to identify them so questions and concerns can be sent to them and not Erin, especially if they are not critical issues.

Rami

"Stop it, Jeffrey."

"Stop what, Susie."

"Obsessing over whether 'a' or 'the' makes the line funnier."

"One wrong little word can kill the comedy, Susie."

"Not with me, Jeffrey - I could read from the list of Huntingdonshire cabmen and still raise a horse laugh."

"I think that may be a joke too far for here, Susie."

"As is a lot of our stuff, Jeffrey, but we can't do anything about it now, so let's expend our energy on some pre-publicity and see if we can waylay a few new unsuspecting readers."

After reading Dorothy's Blog, I decided to go to My Account to see how I was doing (Yes, I am that vain. I'm weak, I know. Somebody spank me?). Anyway, I noticed a Favorites that really shouldn't be there, but I can't seem to remove it (I don't have permission?). I know what happened, sometimes when I hit "comment" I accidentally hit the Add to Favorites tag. I really do need better glasses! How can I clear out my favorites file so I can add the stories I really love? If I keep adding favorites, will the old ones be pushed out of sight?

Wren

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/22/baltimore-transgend...

Melanie's Rules For Writing That Doesn't Suck

(Or: Why I Stop Reading Stuff)

One of the original 5 has decided that, due to issues in her real life, she cannot continue as a contributor to the Reckoning storyline. We will miss her, but we intend to continue. I'm sure we all wish her well as she tries to get her life in order, and we thank her for her participation thus far in the story.

We will continue using her character and powers, but her part will become more like that of an NPC in a role playing game. We all want to thank all of you who are sticking with us to see how this experiments turns out, and we thank you for your comments.

Just been sent this. It relates to a proposed law in Russia to 'make it a "crime" to write a book, publish an article or speak in public about being gay, lesbian, bi or transgender - labeling it "homosexual propaganda" '

Prisoners of Gender by John Bushore

I'm far from 100%, but HOME!

They decided they had more urgent need for my hospital bed.

Holly

Just a quick note, Tonights TMAW will be a little late tonight as I'm having fun with a tummy upset :(

Huggs
Sammi

Hi folks.

Well as you know - or maybe you don't, since my car accident last year, things have been a little odd up top for me; you know, forgetfulness, lack of concentration etc, etc.

Odd things have been happening, but usually they have simple explanations and usually, it's down to my head playing tricks on me.

Not this time.

In Fort Worth a cruiser with the Cop's show crew responded to a call.

Complaining victim: female crack head

Complaint: she paid a lady twenty dollars for a rock of crack and was given a piece of sheet rock. Victim called the police trying to get her money back. She told Fort Worth City police that she paid twenty dollars for a rock of crack and the lady gave her a piece of sheet rock.

Police then talk to the lady. The lady denied agreeing to sell the complainant a rock of crack. Her statement was; "I don't sell crack, I am a prostitute." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucaU077ePfE

A five year old boy who lives as a girl - I heard this mentioned on the Today programme on Radio 4.

Here's the link: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4142485/Boy-5-who-...

Well, today is Family day - a provincial holiday here in Alberta. The ironic thing is I dont have mine - Mom's working, and Sam is with her mother. I just tried phoning them, but Sam was in the shower as they had just got back in the door from swimming. I've been thinking a lot about relationships. The fact is, much of our identity is tied up in our relationships to others - we define ourselves as someone's child, or someone's spouse, or what have you. And whether I want mine to or not, they will all change as my gender changes.

I just have to say this, and I can't resist any longer. In Part 9 of The Girl Most Likely To ... there is a couple of comments about the story being fast paced, almost warp speed.

Well, the way these other stories are being posted must be faster than that because Part 10 was posted earlier today and already is on page 4. I mean, that is faster than war speed.

Love & hugs,
Barbara

to anyone who may have liked Noircoleptic, another adventure of Peabody Aloysius Dirkenhammerwoodsteinovitch (the P.I. what knows what he knows) will be coming hopefully before the end of February.

This is the true story of a family which was totally devastated by the outcome of bullying on a son who might have been gay. I read it and wept, it is so sad. It involves suicide so please if this pushes your buttons don't read it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/19/dominic-crouch...

Angharad.

I just posted a story and made a couple of errors. I've fixed them now.

I accidentally posted it twice, then realized a table I'd included didn't make the transition and everything in it blended. I did a quick redit.

If tyou were a first reader, sorry.

Hope you enjoy!

Jennifer Sue

Everybody is surprised to see a "change" in Rachel. But if you remember in the first part, when Renée and Sandi were passing the door marked Principal, they heard crying from inside. That is all I am going to say without giving the whole story away. Thank you all for reading and commenting, it is greatly appreciated.

Love & hugs,
Barbara

First, the fantastic part. A friend from my trans support group had heard I was struggling with feeling ugly, and invited me to come to her house for a bit of a makeover. It was absolutely amazing what difference a pretty blouse, a new hair style, and some lipstick could make. Then she listened to me as I talked about my situation, and helped me with the memories of my rape.

I have just posted 'Too Little, Too Late?' 62nd chapter, and that is the end. The reason will be apparent in the reading. I will take up the tale later, effectively a second book, but that's all for Jill at the moment.

Holly is tired and will not be able to do any editing this weekend, maybe longer. So far nothing major.

I will keep you posted. If no note by Monday, you may send her something.

Last week, my kitty Bandit was eating less and sleeping maybe a little more.

I haven't posted a blog in awhile, or at least I haven't posted a serious blog in awhile :-) Like the title? It sort of came to me after talking with Ashleigh about something that's been on my mind the last couple of days: the "H" word.