I have some holiday over the Easter period and although I have list of chores as long as my arm I'm hoping to do some extra writing as well. I'd rather like to move Snafu on towards a conclusion, although that will require more than one episode, but I might manage the next one.

Well, I'm officially the luckiest woman alive, and forget Fluke. My girlfriend Kylie has graciously taken me back, and life is good. Now, onward and upward I go .....

Well, I just put out my knee trying to go up the stairs to my room. Hurts like a bugger, too. Ah, well, Just what I need days before my interview ....

Just a quick note for Becoming Robin and/or Boys Don't Cry fans, I'm still writing, and I'm still okay. :-) There's a lot happening in my life, none of it I'm really at liberty to discuss right now because some of it is business-related, and the rest of it is very very personal, and I respect the other person involved's privacy too much to say anything in public like this. ;-)

What I CAN say is that if all goes well, in the next six months:

on how Transgendered people are portrayed in the media. Her name is Amy. I have been helping her by citing a few examples. She turned in a rough draft to her professor yesterday and she is supposed to get that back by Tuesday to rewrite it for the final version due on Thursday. I talked to her about how newspapers cover hate crime reports against the Trans community based on where they are in the country. Could anyone give me a few more examples to use just in case she needs more refined material?

Just an FYI for you all, I have been quite sick the last two weeks and haven't done any writing more than a few paragraphs at a shot the whole time, so once I post Sunday's episode of 300 Rains I will probably take another break like I did in November, more for recuperating than anything else. I am sorry for this disruption to the release schedule but it was unavoidable. If I can't write or really edit it becomes difficult to keep supplying you with the adventures of Melanie in the Academic Jungle. Give me some time and I will catch up with things.

I don't normally post two blog articles in succession, but BBC News is carrying the story of a rather unusual orchiectomy...

A mother of four accused of biting off her boyfriend's testicles has denied grievous bodily harm. Maria Topp, 43, allegedly attacked Martin Douglas at his Newcastle flat at 0400 GMT on 18 February. He required emergency hospital treatment for his injuries.

This question is the result of my evening out with the 'original' Ginny and Kate last night. They are involved with a 'Reclaim the Night' group, and had a question that I would be interested in hearing some responses to.

I've loved Eva Cassidy's music for a long time and have read about her sad story. I recently learned of a special segment that ABC Nightline did on her in the early 2000's and remembered to look for it tonight on YouTube. It's a very good cry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXU219b3Zdw

The Actress who played Sarah Jane has Died. I found her to be a wonderful actress and I will deeply miss her character and her show

James

Well, after the Linda/Lisa debacle on my last chapter of "Rock star makeover", I've sent part 12 to an editor here. So there will be a slight delay until they have a chance to look over it before it can be published. Hopefully, it wont be so long everybody forgets whats been going on before....

I have come to the conclusion very clearly that I am no longer welcomed where I am living. My mother told me she is selling my only means of transportation to get to a job and everyone in my immediate household is mad at me now. I am nothing but a burden to them. In a few days, I will pack what I can in a rolling suitcase and set off on foot. I don't know exactly where I will go yet. I have $3 to my name right now, but no other choice but to go. I have a sleeping bag to sleep on the ground if I have to. I have needed a change of scenery for a long time.

I have now created my own TANYA ALLAN Page on AMAZON.COM. Hopefully, as I manage it, all the published books that I produce will be available to purchase here. I have already revised a few existing paperbacks and eBooks as Kindle books - RING THE CHANGE, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A SUPERHERO and AMBER ALERT (within the next 48 hours)

Find the page here > Tanya Allan's Page

The books are available in $$$ on amazon.com and  £ £ £ on amazon.co.uk

well, I decided I needed a pick-me-up, so I went to the unemployment office dressed as Dorothy. I was served without a comment or even a blink, so that was fun. But, after I left the office, and went to my car, I was stopped by a man, and told I looked nice. I thanked him, and he confessed he was a cross-dresser. I was going to tell him I'm not, but he recognized me as transitioning. A bit of an odd experience, especially when he ended our conversation by saying he was going to go buy pantyhose. TMI, as far as I'm concerned. Ah, well.

...especially after watching the trailer for Rise of the Planet of the Apes and this episode of I Survived...

I'm not sure how many people here watch Smallville but I've been a frequent viewer for the last ten years. I know this has no relevance to the site but I thought I'd give a heads up to anyone who's interested. This Friday, April 22nd, on The CW a new episode of Smallville will be airing titled "Booster". It will introduce Booster Gold into the Smallville universe as well as two Blue Beetles: the former, Ted Kord and the new one, Jaime Reyes. So if anyone is interested, I suggest you check it out.

Here's a link to the promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-8BLpKWhqE

I wonder if they turn into basketballs at midnight?

You may have noticed that neither I nor PS have been updating the Bike summary spreadsheet recently. Unfortunately, we've both been quite busy recently, and as I often now read it first thing in the morning before heading to work, I don't have time to update it until the evening, when I tend to forget to re-read the last episode and update it.

I was out today, on the bike, walking around a nature reserve with friends, and for the first time ever we were able to discuss the elephant in the room. I was, I am, in such a position that I needed reassurance, and to talk my life over.Now, I know they are friends, and they know about me, but for the first time I was reminded why I write supportive characters. As 'normal' as can be, married, two kids, they were totally without reservations in supporting me, and I realise I am actually blessed. Don't want to go into too much rambling, but I am now smiling.

Pakistan's tax collectors
As I was looking at a major news web site I found this and it brings a whole new face to tax time.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/04/14/pakistan.tax.col...

TG_Karmon

I should be the last to complain as I am not creative as our wonderful Authors are,BUT I have 15 stories that I have started to read (I like to print all my stories to read them complete) and thier have been no new chapters in over 2 weeks ,it is because life comes first or because negative comments?? Don't stop writing because a few people done like the sart of the story write for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of those who love to read these great stories.

For those of you who like them I am hoping to post the second part of my serial today. Thanks to one and all for the comments and kudos. part 1.1 may seem more like an added chapter, and will fill some plot holes from the first part. If I have stepped on someones elses story or plot line, I do apologize. I don't get to read a lot of the story's here as time is limited for me on the net... Best wishes to all.

One of the blogs I read has posted

http://onlyagame.typepad.com/only_a_game/2011/04/a-game-of-g...

where the author has come up with a "3D gender" definition that yields 27 variants.

Good? Bad? Indifferent? Fun? Useful? Insulting? Any comments?

This man is an expert on video game design but hardly an expert on gender issues.

- Moni

Once upon a time, I expected most of my stuff to receive double figures in comments and vie with the best in the then voting system. Things have changed and sometimes I only get a handful, although my core readership remains about the same so I still enjoy entertaining them with my scribbles.

Well, I had an unusual incident at a local McDonalds. I was taking my ex home from her 2nd job with my daughter in tow, when she asked if she could pick something up. I had no objection, so we went. I was waiting in the car with my daughter while she went in to get her stuff. While I was waiting, this young man came out, and he had a "wet floor" sign under his jacket, and he started to walk away. I did something totally out of character for me. I got out of the car, and asked him what he was doing. I basically shamed him into returning the sign.

So as I'm staring at my stories page, I noticed that Becoming Robin is 4 hits away from 10,000. The next closest is chapters 2 and 3 at around 6.5k so of course hits don't mean much :-) But since Robin is technically one year old at this point (Though her 1 year anniversary is in a couple of weeks) I thought I'd post something appropriate.

In the desire to enhance their environmental credentials, many local authorities have started installing cycle facilities (e.g. cycle lanes, shared use paths). One UK cyclist has started noticing there are some excellent (*cough*) examples of cycle facility design out there, and for the past few years has compiled a "Cycle Facility of the Month" page.

Yes, I do. Maybe that's why BC is home to so many of them and such good ones. Who doesn't want their daily or weekly dose of their favorite serial? Well...

I was so astonished to day when I posted Ch 3. It went up just as I had written it!!! Thank you Erin!

This story is a horse of a different color, and in looking at the two previous stories, I am satisfied with the Kudos and read counts. I did not set out to be a star, but to write from my heart.

Ch4 will be the last. I hope that you will enjoy it.

Much peace

Khadijah

My dad gets his other knee replaced today.

The first one was done this January when he was 83. He's 84 plus a few weeks now.

Cross your fingers.

Thanks gang.

John in Wauwatosa

P.S. How are you doing, Karen_J? Back in Texas yet post heart bypasses? Hey, you can always claim the scar line was from a jealous lover's signif other.

Here is a neat web page done by a trans woman. I hate using that term but must because if I just called her a woman, as I call myself, you would think that she knew nothing.

http://www.secondtype.info/bodysize.htm

This highlights the struggle of larger T folk very well. I know that they can not change what is in their heads and they are stuck with a body that they feel considerable pain over. My only, heart felt, suggestion is to do the best you can.

Anybody who has followed my blog here probably can tell that I have, on occasion, struggled with negative self-talk. I'm starting to realize how much this has held me back. It becomes as self-fulfilling prophesy, where I make mistakes because I expect to make mistakes. Its not going to be easy to get rid of a habit that ingrained, but I have to, if I want to make any progress. So I'm asking everyone here to help keep my accountable. If I start whining and feeling sorry for myself, give me a boot in the back of the skirt, okay?

Well, I'm trying to take this tough period as a character builder. I'm stronger than I used to be, and I will not give up.

http://www.spearfishlaketales.com/17gm/gm00.htm It's many chapters long, and somewhat drawn out, but it IS from a "mainstream" author, and it seems to be getting some attention from the so-called "straights".

Chapter nine, in particular, should be read by every therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist to familiarize themselves with the particular needs of the trans community.

It's free to read, but the author DOES ask for donations. If you like the story, think about encouraging him to write more like this by tossing a few shekels into his "hat".

Cathy

The latest installment of my story Trailer Park Baby, Chapter 14 & 15 has disappeared off the front page? Can someone tell me how or why this has happened?

Well, My six-year old Dell was showing signs of senility, so I carefully transfered my files to a Simple Drive and verified they were indeed there. Actually, I had been periodically backing things up by copying files to the drive. I thought every thing was going just right.

Saw This Article on AOL.

See the link below

RAMI

Sex-Change Drugs Given to Children as Young as 12
by Tom Henderson (Subscribe to Tom Henderson's posts)
Apr 11th 2011 1:30PM
20

http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/11/sex-change-drugs/?icid=...

Well, I'm having a bit of a crash today. Haven't been able to do much but work on "Rock Star Makeover." I hate feeling like this, but hopefully, it'll pass soon.

Yeah, okay it's from the Mail again, there was one from CBS but it didn't have piccies.

Anyway, some brave souls in Alaska do an annual walk in women's shoes to highlight sexual assaults on women. I should say, they're all men and they walk a mile.

Good on yer, boys, hope the blisters soon heal.

http://www.mail.com/news/us/332836-men-heels-march-anti-rape...

Angharad.

Well, today was an interesting day. First, I got a call from the local TS support group I belong to reminding me that there was a potluck dinner today. Trouble was, my brother and sister-in-law were also supposed to come over. I decided that since the potluck started at 430, and they were not supposed to come until 7, that i could go and still come back. But, I decided to leave a note for my mom that I was going to be coming home dressed as Dorothy, so if they had a problem with that, I could just skip showing up. But she phoned me to say they would not cause problems, so I came home.

I've been working on writing a letter that will "out" me to one of my sister's and my brother. I'm hoping things go well, but it's such a risk! I have to do it, though, for my own sanity. I hope they react well to learning they have a very ugly older sister than a big brother. I'm sooooo nervous!

Wren

A peculiar noise woke me this morning -- the sound of snow sliding off the carport roof. We had about two inches of snow last night. It's bright and sunny now and well above freezing so the fluffy white stuff is not going to last till noon but I'm sure the people in the ski resorts on the mountains would rather have it up there than down here. :)

Hugs,
Erin

Just wondering if anyone had heard yet from Karen or her family about her Friday heart operation?

My dad was rather out of it for a couple days after his heart valve replacement so I understand why she wouldn't have had an opportunity or the energy to post any message after having multiple bypasses.

Here's hoping all went well and for a smooth recovery.

John in Wauwatoa

Please have mercy on a newbie.

I have a story in preparation and need an editor to help grammar, punctuation and spelling (in that order). Comments and criticism would also be desirable - and possibly a whip. If there is anyone who feels they could help, please send an email to [email protected]

Well first off I think I need to change my name to Aria or something just to get closer to the top of the alphabet.

But that's just random thoughts.

Still not much movement on Crossroads BUT I have been having idea's flicker here and there so that's a good sign. Been working on a few other things but nothing that done enough to print.

All that sad admission of low productivity aside how ever I wanted to share a little list of things that i made. Specifically it's a list of things to avoid in stories.