Today is an anniversary of a sort for me.

This day, one year ago, my wife discovered the remainder of my crossdressing clothing 'stash'. I was on a work trip to San Francisco, and was in a meeting when she called me on my cellphone to ask "Did I have anything to tell her?"

Being confused at the context, I remained silent. She continued to say that she had found a bag hidden away in my home office closet that had female clothes, and high heel shoes in it. Not being in a place where by I could discuss further, I told her I'd call her back at the end of the meeting I was currently in.

Hi Peeps

Just to let you know that a visit to http://www.maddybell.com/page600.html will allow you to read the latest Gaby fiction and chapters 1 - 8 of Gaby Dress Up - all for free!

Mads

Folks, I ask for your prayers or whatever your belief system uses.

I plan on introducing my 3 sons to the type of counseling I'll be receiving. The little angels would may totally wig on me - or rip the wig off! They're loving kids, I've been the nurturing one all their lives. Please Oh Please remember me between now and Saturday afternoon!

With fear and trembling,
Beth

I want to thank you all for your kind words and the seeming involvement you got from my story. I hated writing it, I hated posting it, I hated everything about it.

I didn't choose to write Sara's Story. For real, IT chose me. There are writers here who put my poor efforts to shame, and any one of them could have done a much better job than I did. I wish one of them had been chosen instead of me.

But if you accept that there is such a thing as reincarnation and then by definition accept that in your previous live's you would almost certainly been a member of the opposite sex , Would that then explain why some TG folk feel that they have been born in the wrong body..... Maybe the memories of their previous happy life are so strong that they yearn to return to those days.

Of course the more likely scientific answers as too why we feel the need to change sex are most probably the real answer...But i guess it always pays to keep an open mind!

Kirri

2009 Terry Awards - Solos of Unspecified Length

This list is rather long. I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to require a story length when submitting a story. I'd like to suggest the following list: Serial, Drabble, Short Short, Short Story, Novelette, Novella, Novel, and Verse. Any more than this makes things too complicated and confusing.

Authors, please let me know the length of all solo stories in the list below. I don't have the time to download stories, strip out any HTML and load them into my word processor for a word count. Also, let me know if you'd rather your story not be considered for an award.

NOTE: Looking at the list, I see Andrea DiMaggio's name listed many times. I know she's posted a lot of verses so many of the "stories" listed here are actually verses and not stories.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Novellas

Here's my preliminary list of novellas according to the Solo pages.

There may be several novellas that are missing from this list. I know many have been posted in multiple parts. Stories posted in multiple parts will be included later in the year.

Authors, please check to see that your novella is included here if it's posted as a solo. Some might be missing. Also, let me know if you'd rather your novella not be considered for an award.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Short Stories

Here's my preliminary list of short stories according to the Solo pages.

Again, I can't imagine having a short story posted in multiple parts so this should be a complete list of short stories.

Authors, please check to see that your short story is included here. Some might be missing. Also, let me know if you'd rather your short story not be considered for an award.

My son was born seven years today. He died the next day and the pain still remains.

This afternoon, the wife and I plus our children Carl and Mary(Jenni is at college now) will go to the cemetary to put flowers on Daniel's grave. Tomorrow morning a mass will be said for Daniel.

I wrote a story dedicated to my son. If anyone missed it, it is here.

Arecee was posting a revised version of Princess, then all of a sudden, NOTHING! I, for one truly enjoy both the original, and the new version. Is there a problem? Hope not.

I got barked at in another blog, so I quickly resended what I said, and decided to make my own.

In reading some responses to Bike 883 the subject of cross-dressers, and motivation came up. From my perspective the exchange was more then a little dismissive of Cross dressers. I am posting this as a blog, because I don't want to hijack the comments on Anghard's story.

For example Kimmie responded:

... because I seriously doubt that Annette's acquaintance's wearing of men's attire has anything to do with her wanting to express her 'masculine' side. The latter has been in general the proffered motivation for at least a portion of CDs.

As of the writing of this blog, my story Dear John officially has twelve dozen votes! YIPPEE!

Ladies,

I've reached the point in my life where I need a good psychologist. I'm certain of the outcome, but you know "Standards of Care"...

Does ANYONE have a suggestion for a p-shrink in the Greater San Diego area?? I'll go as far as LA if I have to. But San Diego, Orange County, Riverside county would be best.

For me, it's time.

Beth

A TV Ad..

There is an advert currently being shown in the UK for the Renault Twingo. It’s a nice take on a TG situation, it made me smile.
Not sure about the car, though.
Here’s the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq8HsRUpfGo

Love to all

Anne G.

Okay, two more chapters for your edification...on my site...
WHY ME? Ch. 6 > http://tanyastales.yolasite.com/wip--why-me.php
SECOND CHANCE Ch.6 . http://tanyastales.yolasite.com/wip--second-chance.php

More soon....I hope.

Tanya

I want to post this ahead of Chapter 3. It is a VERY emotional chapter, and it might make you angry, it might make you cry. This is the most emotion I have EVER felt, in any story I've ever written. I had to stop typing several times because of tears. Chapter 4 will follow, Sunday morning and, barring complications, it will be the final chapter in this story. THis story is dark, for a reason.

Sitting here during the biggest storm in the last 5 years, with a extremely sore throat, feeling like something the dogs found under the rose bush, one can get a bit melancholy.

Hey everyone!
I'm going to enter Amazon's Breakthrough Writer contest with my Heroes of Justice novel. http://www.amazon.com/b?node=332264011 The entry date begins on Jan. 25 2010, but one of the requirements is a 250 to 300 word pitch. This is important since that is what is going to weed out the majority of the contestants. The problem is I haven't a clue about writing something like that. What follows is my first attempt and I would be forever grateful for any assistance.
Hugs!
Grover

Quite often I read a story and the phrase 'I could care less' crops up.

For example 'I could care less about you.'

As far as I am aware, in the good ol' UK we say 'I couldn't care less about you.'

So which is right or are they both right?

Hugs

Sue

PS, Another good one is the use of 'is all,' rather than 'that's all.'but I'm not sure about the context on that one.

Hey everyone!

I'm researching a story and I have a question that I can't find the answer to. Does a modern metal hull ship have anything to fear from even a bad lighting storm at sea? What I can find suggests no real problems. The metal hull and purposely designed systems channel the lightning away into the sea just as a lightning rod protects a house by grounding it. Even wooden ships had systems to protect them as early as the mid 1800's.

I've been listening to old shows from CBC radio's science program, Quirks and Quarks. One of the topics was a very interesting discussion of the many variants between the usual male and female body types and why they are not so accurate. Here's a link to the Between XX and XY segment.

We've got some rough weather here and there is the possibility that we may lose connectivity and the site may go down or I may be unable to get to it,

Just so you know. :)

Hugs,
Erin

I saw the current issue of ESPN-The Magazine at the bookstore today, and the last page, which always has a column by Bill Rielly (formerly at Sports Illustrated) contained a very nice eulogy for the transgendered sportswriter who killed herself (himself?) a few months back. It seems Rielly and his wife had taken her under their wings after she started transitioning, having been friends with him before. I'll try and go back and pick up a copy tomorrow if I can, but it is the one one the newsstand right now, they have two issues a month. It was very touching, and had me wiping my eyes.

I was just looking at my stories page in my account skimming for any new comments, and I happened to notice that Chapter 1 has had over 10,000 reads. I want to say thank you, both for the comments that I've received either attached to the story or in Private Messages. I want to say thank you for putting up with my absences as life got in the way to write.

Thank you.
Samantha

I've said it before, but I just have to say it again -- the new Random Solo feature is an absolute smash hit.

One of the features of BC that I absolutely love is the ability to quickly and easily edit your old stories. When I have an odd moment I often bring up one of my old stories and go through it looking for ways to improve the quality of the writing. Some I haven't read for years. It's like reading someone else's writing. I almost never change the plot, but I always find something to fix. Sometimes it's humbling to see how much needs attention.

Women with fair hair are more aggressive and determined to get their own way than brunettes or redheads, according to a study by the University of California.

Researchers claim that blondes are more likely to display a “warlike” streak because they attract more attention than other women and are used to getting their own way – the so-called “princess effect”.

Even those who dye their hair blonde quickly take on these attributes, experts found.
Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/genetics/artic...

Thought I'd post a link to this here, as it relates to the emotional and practical issues many of us have to deal with at one time or another.

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/01/18/sl-lett...

How do you mark a story as a solo? I looked and couldn't see a way.

I was going to meet a friend and go out on a girl's night out with her.

Hey everyone. The next chapter of Once the Hero is up at StarDust. I was running a little late today but it's up now. I've finally nailed down the last parts so we'll looking at 14 total parts/posts. The divisions were made solely on the need to keep them down to about 10 to 12k each. I did try to find reasonable good places for the splits but some of them are unbalanced, a little lacking in action. Trust me as we countdown to the end action will not be missing!

I've said repeatedly over the past few months that I'm not an author, and I doubted I'd ever be one.
Yet somehow, after not writing a word of fiction since High School (~1993), my mind has evidently decided that's long enough.

Hi there folks

After yesterdays miserable posts here's some better news, a brand new Forum for the discussion of all stuff Gaby and my other scribbles.

So if you have anything to share with other Gabfen pop along to http://gabychat.freeforums.org/search.php?search_id=newposts

Hopefully we'll see some return to the bouyant exchanges that took place on the original Maddy Bell forum - was that really seven years ago?

Anyway, enjoy

Maddy

Today's New York Times published this article on gender testing in sports. I think the paper has had generally good treatment of the issue.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/sports/olympics/16ioc.html...

Kris

I'm looking for a new home ... For Sephrena.

Everything will be shutdown as soon as i can arrange it - this is due to piracy of the gabyzone and lack of interest in the chatroom

Maddy

Doing the rounds (and even got a mention on The News Quiz)...

Look at this item on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Communion-Wafers-Box-of-1000/dp/080547...

Now look at "Customers who bought this item also bought..."

What is it like to go around loving everyone you meet?
You know what its like to feel love for others,
But you never feel like someone loves you back.
Its soul wrenching to watch yourself,
Greet person after person who can not understand.
You can not stop tho because you have to find the one.

Hi everyone! I have a question and am looking for advice. At this point in the story, most of what I presented in the 'Bikipedia' exposition has already been covered in the story. I always knew that big whopping piece of information was clumsy but I felt the need to lay down the background so I could get into the meat of the tale.

I'm not sure whose idea the "random solos" was or who implemented it, but I imagine if it wasn't you, then you at least had a big hand in it.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading stories I haven't seen for a long time, and I know it's the only explanation why my own meager three stories keep accumulating a few hits per week.

No one could convince me that I'm on any par with the best story writers here, but I did post them hoping that others might enjoy or otherwise find something of value in them. Evidently others are still at least opening the links.

Here's a little something to brighten up your day...

Spotted on a link to the Daily Wail, what happened when Kiefer Sutherland (star of the hit series "24") lost a sporting bet...

Good Evening ALL,

I am in need of an editor or two. I have two stories actively being worked on, one a Serial Comdex...(eight chapters, 3-5 more) and the other a much shorter story, "Between Christmas and Hell."

What I'm looking for in an editor:
1) Someone who will smack my nose with a newspaper and say no no no! Bad Writer
In other words someone who isn't afraid to make suggestions or tell me I'm wrong!
And then won't get bent out of shape if I don't always take their suggestions.

I've been out on disaster relief twice before; to Honduras after Hurricane Mitch. Of course that was 12 years ago, and I've had a broken back since. Still, I get around OK, and I'm only 63. I't thinkin I'd leave the Hijab and skirts at home. I am still a very good electrician and for me it comes down to my personal freedoms as opposed to a clear need. I'm thinking I'll make a couple calls tomorrow to see what develops. It would be a financial stretch for me, but I just feel driven.

Gwen

My best friend Tina's, Granddaughter died suddenly, at the age of three months. I don't know how long the process and everything is going to take, but my place is with her right now. Forgive me, and please say a prayer for little Tehya (Tay-uh)

Cathy.

An article in today's Guardian, shows a change in policy in Spain.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/12/spanish-teenager...

Since I've gotten a new computer, I've had problems accessing BC with both Firefox and Explorer (up to date versions).

The only thing that has changed is that I'm running Windows 7 now instead of XP. All other sites I try to access work normally.

The error messages I receive are either "Problem accessing page cannot connect to server" or "DNS Lookup Error" once I refresh about a dozen times I get through, but it's getting old real quick. Anyone else having a problem or know of a solution?

(This is where you run away, screaming.)