It's hard to believe, but just over two years ago, I posted my first "segment" of Who Was I. I believe my writing's improved a more than a little bit over the course of that time (though, you don't see this, as you generally only see stuff that have been edited). I pity those editors, but I also really appreciate them.

Bugger!

I've forgotten what it was

The town of Swindon, Wiltshire; whose previous claims to fame were a railway engineering works, the UK's first public lending library and the (in)famous Magic Roundabout now has a new claim to fame.

It has just been twinned...

Those readers possessed of a specially sensitive and caring nature may have passed sleepless nights a couple of months ago as they agonised over the problems I was experiencing whilst trying to insert pictures and fancy text into the teaser of "An Eft in Her Bra."

Such exceptional souls may recall that Bobbie offered to compile an idiot's guide for those, such as myself, to whom computers and all associated with them are shrouded in a malignant mist.

I wanted to thank everyone for their love and kindness to me the last few months. As many of you may know, I only started writing this year, and that has been so wonderful and rich and special. You may also know about my tremor disorder and the challenges I've faced, along with my wife's health this year.

You may know about my most recent challenge; diagnosed with PTSD after memories of being sexually abused along with my sis by a family member when we were little.

As many of you might have realised, I have a questionable love of Limericks, so I thought with the festive season just around the corner, a Christmas Limerickathon might turn out to be quite entertaining.

The TLDEF has filed a discrimination complaint against an Orlando, FL McDonalds' restaurant which refused to interview a transgender job applicant. Here's the story from their website (including a YouTube voicemail message received by the applicant):

TLDEF Files Employment Discrimination Complaint with Florida Commission on Human Relations
Against McDonalds for Refusing to Hire Transgender Woman

I know this is hopelessly off topic, but...

A year and a half ago, at just a hair over 40, I ended my adult lifetime of apartment dwelling and bought a very cheap rather small house.

I started renovations right away; had my tenant move out (I shared the whole house with him,our own bedrooms, but other than that, totally sharing).

Here's what all got done (if anybody is even remotely interested);

YES, I am now the very proud Papa to three girl dogs.

I am after a story I recall reading a few years back, cannot remember the story title but there was a ts boy in it that had built up a stash of clothes in an abandoned railhouse and found a suitcase with a load of female clothes in it an assumed that persons identity.

would really like to read it again

Samantha

To all of you who are in the least bit interested, I have sent the final chapter to Gabi for her to pass her magic wand over and as soon as it is returned, dusted and ready, I will be posting it.

Now last time this happened, I felt foolish as I assumed Gabi would return it within about two and a half minutes--as she usually does, but it didn't happen. So this time, when she's done, you'll get it, alright?

Hugs

NB

I am terribly sorry for this afternoon's nuclear weapon. There are some things really bothering me and I just senselessly lashed out at anything close. I just wish I could sit down and cry and I will but my brain isn't ready to do it.

The TD Aldonetti thing, the killing of the officers near Seattle, the Fort Hood thing, and several other things plus the fact that I am sick and have been since mid September and worrying about my adoptive children, and any other lame ass thing I can think of are making be act like a bitch!

Hi all,

After 24 years and 11 months I am now divorced. Surprisingly for the first time in 50 years I am alone (not an island, but rather by myself) for the first time ever. I am blessed with friends and family (biological and those I have invited or been invited into that special place), and have the luxury of time to continue rebuilding my life.

This is a very interesting sci-fi story about a plague that is caused by gender-changing nanobots. I just read through it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think you all will also.

http://cli.gs/D17P4

Just had to share.

Men's genes 'may limit lifespan'
Men carry the seeds of their own destruction in the genes present in their sperm, research suggests. Scientists working on mice have highlighted a specific gene that, although carried by both sexes, appears to be active only in males. They believe it allows males to grow bigger bodies - but at the expense of their longevity. The study, by Tokyo University of Agriculture, appears in the journal Human Reproduction.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8390055.stm

I was just wondering if anybody on this site ever leaves any comments or feed back on here. I would like to hear from someone on thier thoughts of anything that I have posted and what they might have to add, good or bad. I'm a big gurl and can take it either way. How else am I to know if my stuff is any good or not. thanks Domino

I was recently sent this P.M. and am asking for ideas for our new member.

IM new to this site, and im wondering if there are any sites for underage transgender persons to go

I've been informed that the BigCloset author, T.D. Aldoenetti passed away on October 30, 2009, the victim of a homicide. I don't know the details but this does not seem to have been related to her status as TG or connected to her posting stories on BC.

Today, 30th November, is St Andrew’s Day and I would like to send my best wishes to all fellow Scots and those of Scots ancestry here on BC/TS.

How many of us will be tucking into haggis, neeps and tatties at our evening meal tonight? Not forgetting the dram of whisky poured over the haggis as “gravy”.

Slainte mhath,

Gabi.

Much of the trouble has been influenced by US evangelists. God save us from zealots.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/29/uganda-death-sen...

There is line from one of my favorite Garth Brooks songs called "We Shall Be Free" It says "When we're free to love anyone we choose. When this world's big enough for all different views. When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew. We shall be free". This idea should have been in evidence here before some people let nasty comments ruin the free expression of opinion. Getting to the point of offense is very sad for everyone involved . We live in a country where we are free to express opinions.

Okay, the next section of Sorority Boy is done but I am wondering about the reaction to it. Sadly a lot of this is taken from a number of different sources, much of which in anecdotal. Since I a working on making this as true as possible, I am worried if readers will even believe what I have.

Sometimes these issues make release dates fall backwards.

Hi,

I am a native French speaker, and so I never know if my guesses about English are correct or not, I wanted your enlightened opinion. I want to know what you think about a special buddhist text I'm studying currently.

So, it is the Guru Yoga of the Longchen Nyngtik Ngá¶ndro. One of the preliminaries to Vajrayana. And those verses comes from the empowerment part of the practice.

From the letter OM in the Guru's forehead, radiant and shimmering like the moonlight,
Rays of light stream out and enter my forehead.

I found this site interesting; though I could not join so I could comment.

http://jmcl.wordpress.com/category/gid/

Gwen

I've been a member for over a year now, and I have written very little. I do love reading many of the stories. However, lately, I haven't had much time to write, as I am in my first semester of nursing school.

I am 45 years old, born male. I have been married 20 years and have three sons.

British PM, Gordon Brown, was furious at the proposed legislation Uganda wants to introduce. He was volubly supported by the Canadians at the Commonwealth Heads conference. See the story here in today's Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/27/uganda-bill-prop...

For the past few years, I've inflicted this quiz on colleagues / family / friends, and it's proved quite popular.
So now I'm going to inflict it on you lot :) [Insert evil laugh here]

Attached is a spreadsheet, containing acronyms to title / recognisable line from 125 different Christmas tunes - carols, pop songs, novelty/parodies and traditional. All you have to do is work out which tune is which.

I am an owned gurl who belongs to a dream come true for me. I have searched for someone such as herself my whole life.I am so happy I found her after several attempts with others that didn't workout. I have lots of rules to follow, although she gives me lots of slack ussally. One rule though is a daily journal I am supposed to keep for her. If you would like to read it, you can find it at http://drlove1968.livejournal.com/ .

It was glorious. I was only able to handle one helping, myself, it was so filling. Made a chicken sweet curry -- not so much on the spicy, as I would have preferred, but we just didn't have the hot stuff on hand.

Over the past few weeks I have been feeling the blues. The career path I enjoyed heading for is no longer possible due to my physical limitations. I am left with trying to figure out where I go from here and it is really discouraging. A couple of nights ago, I attended a Memorial service for a teacher in High School. She was just 43 years old. As I sat there listening to the eulogies that were given, I began to ask myself "What have I done to make a difference in the lives of others? I turn 39 years old tomorrow and I have not accomplished much of anything compared to Ms. Toy.

Dear Readers,

This is very hard for me, but before I get to the difficult part, I want to announce the newest chapters of Angharad’s ongoing paranormal adventure story “ SNAFU” and the next chapter of Melanie Brown’s “Reluctant Prom Date”. I want to publicly thank Angharad and Melanie for continuing to send their new chapters to Sapphire’s Place, even though I haven’t been updating the site regularly.

Dear Big Closet Top Shelf friends:

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. There are many things we all (even those non-Americans reading this) should give thanks for. In no particular order.

1) This website
2) Erin
3) The other staff members and Administrators
4) This website
5) The authors
6) Their stories
7) This website
8) My many friends here
9) Those people who get upset at my comments and tell me so (I'm serious - debating with you is enjoyable)
10) This website
11) The Freedom we have in this Great Nation to be able to have a website like this.

Ugh...

Nothing is like having the flu and heading into Thanksgiving.

Ugh...

Whether or not you celebrate the American Thanksgiving, another Thanksgiving, or nothing at all. Take it easy, take your time, and enjoy whatever it is that you enjoy. Life is too short to let a moment's carelessness or inattention put you in danger. Please be careful where ever you go, whatever you do. I want to read good stories next week, not unhappy news.

Portia

I wonder how much it would cast me for Erin to block the viagra ads that Project Wonderful is now pumping out? I understand the advertising is a necessary evil, but what transgendered person wants to take viagra, of all things?!?!? GAHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Please Erin, name your price for a truly premium ad-free experience! I beg of you
Diana

I have a few clients who I would like to know when they opened an email I sent them. Is there such a facility in Yahoo, Gmail, or Live accounts. I have not found it, but I know that Outlook used to have it. I would use it sparingly because I realize that this would double my traffic.

Gwen

You know what has been amusing me lately? The difference in numbers in the stories. What cracks me up is to see one chapter that has a large number, the next a smaller number and the third a larger number. Are people skipping chapters?

Just something I have been thinking about.

... Nine months for Chapter Twenty-Four.

Hah! I got it out in less than one. A personal best I think.

You know, all of you who assumed different things and expressed their opinions as to what was happening, I really appreciate that.

the "Wow, they were close, I'd better rethink this a little because that comment has promise..." train of thought is one of many reasons why my tale takes me so long.

... have been greatly exaggerated.

I'm sorry I have not been here. I have not been anywhere for some time. My life in short:

1) I got sick.
2) My wife got sick too and had to go to the hospital for it.
3) I got a short term assignment and it was at night
4) I got another short term assignment as (get this) a secretary.
5) I started a process of redoing my entire *other* site, the religious one, into Wordpress from the static site it was.
6) I got sick again.

In my quest to improve myself as a woman, I watch and listen a lot; analysing the most intricate details of what they do. One thing that has just occured to me is that, for the most part, women in groups use Full Duplex communication, while men seem incapable of it. I do hope that with time I can train myself to follow what women do in that regard.

I spoke with Angharad on the ’phone a short time ago and she asked me to say that there wouldn't be a “Bikesode” tonight, because she was feeling very tired and was going straight to bed. She sends her apologies and hopes you can wait until tomorrow.

I must say she did sound very weary and not her usual cheerful self, so I am sure a good night’s rest will do her a power of good.

Hugs,

Gabi

The last letter in this week's "Savage Love" sex advice column touches on a TG theme.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=2763502

N.B.: This week's column is relatively tame as regards language, imagery, and squick factor, compared to other weeks. You probably shouldn't be reading this column from work.

Actively chatting at Stardust/BC Main chat room now about Day of Remeberance and related stuff and just saying hi as well.

Got to go. See yah maybe?

john in Wauwatosa

It seems as though, all of a sudden, Haikus have reappeared on the scene.

Apparently the new EU President (and Belgian PM), Herman Van Rompuy, writes them as a hobby - mainly in his native Flemish.
He even publishes them on his official website: http://hermanvanrompuy.typepad.com/haiku/
This translation of one is the most frequently quoted in media reports:

Hair
Hair blows in the wind
After years there is still wind
Sadly no more hair.

My daughter sent me a link for this wonderful website with a handful of cartoons featuring the hapless Simon and his monstrous cat. Do have a look, they are really funny and will strike a note with cat owners.

http://www.simonscat.com/films.html

Angharad.