Psychoanalyst Adam Phillips examines the culture of excess which seems such a part of modern life. He looks at this in regard to all areas of life, including consumerism, sex, and religion. It's well worth the read and it may give insight into how you feel about yourself.

The essay is in today's Guardian Review. Link below.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/aug/08/excess-adam-phil...

Angharad.

I decided to write this entry when I saw Jill Macayla's blog entry "Testosterone Laden".

Ever wondered what it's like to live with vampires?

The people of Bon Temps Louisiana know just what that's like...

Just to let you know that I am starting a Video Review section on Fictioneer and the first one - Race to Witch Mountain has just been posted.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM AND THE RABBINICAL ASSEMBLY ON THE TEL AVIV NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING

I have been trying to post stories at Storysite. I think that I succeeded in posting M.I.B.D. Artemis The Hunter.

Many years ago, I started a sort of club to honor the TG's in our community who served in the armed forces. I called it the TG NCO club, but all ranks were welcome.

She Need But Breathe

A lonesome woman on her own
A different path to walk alone
A living hope she wants to own
Before her heart becomes a stone

Yet hope is as a breeze of air
That gently strokes her snarled hair
And while she may be worse for wear
She need but breathe to find it there

-- Lisa Maren Stein

I have a story Idea using TransBike to tell the story, and it is not as sweet, sentimental as the others. In the new story, the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter in the past was the planet Minerva which shatters, and ends all life on Mars.

The Martian Life force goes insane and attacks the Earth. Gaia barely shields the ecology from each attack. The last attack weakens the Earth, allowing Mars to plant a few seeds that only the Dapper Gentleman and TransBike stop.

Does anyone happen to know of a host, in other words a site that can provide (free or paid for) web space for someone who wishes to setup their own personal transgender fiction site?

Between some trouble with Venus Cursed! #38 and not having much time to write (virtually nil!), I'm way behind. Again. Still. Whatever!

So, I have been away a while, life getting in the way and so on. I'll not bore you here with the details. Also, I have not stopped writing, merely a hiatus and apologies to any who would read my mewlings, they are a little delayed.

Okay, so maybe not trans related, but I wrote a little thing and here it is. It is called: Elemental Dreams.

Fluttering blossom on the breeze,
A soothing blast to clear the air,
Of life and love its calm reprise,
Whisper tales both cruel and fair.

Now I know that you have to clean the outside of your computer screen, but did any of you know you know you have to clean the INSIDE of your screen? I sure didn't, but I found a place where you can get it done for free.
http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

Glad to have been of service. *giggle* This was sent to me by "understanding wife"

Hugs 'n love,
Catherine Linda Michel

I'm writing this as a thank you for all of the folks who have been kind enough to comment on my work. I am fairly new to this apart from the odd paper or two in grad school years ago. My intent, first and foremost, is to encourage and inspire, and I hope I have. My desire is to create authentic, real people that the reader will want to care about and follow, like friends or family. Your feedback tells me that my fictional family is worth caring about.

I started posting trouser snake chapters with a ten chapter buffer, but I'm close to the end of that buffer now and so things are liable to slow down a bit. I'm going to try to keep the posts coming at about one a day as a sort of experiment to get me writing more regularly, but I'm probably going to have to ease off a little bit at least for a little while, and then I'll have a spurt of writing and take care of another ten chapters and things will be back to normal.

Thank you for all the comments on the story. You guys rock!

Okay, I feel the need to offer an explanation. Where I have been? Why have I written another story when I haven't finished the last one?

I got caught up in work. I have these obsessive streaks where everything else goes to the wayside. I've been focusing on work and haven't been able to post chapters of Trouser snake. I'll get back on it tonight. Sorry for the interruption.

-Shini

Well, I have a totally week in store for myself. This is the last week until Whedonfest, which is a three day mini-con/ charity fundraiser that is being held in Middle Tennessee. I am not ready to pound my head into walls yet, but by Wednesday... oh yeah.

Needless to say, there will be no updates then. However, fyi... I now know the ending to Sorority Boys and it's pretty cool in my opinion. I just have to figure out if I am going to write more of Caitlin's adventures after this or not. Once I know I'll have everything in place for the end of this book.

from my former employer, the most recent one, that I just left for health reasons. I'll transcribe it here. Remember that during the time I worked there, I transitioned, undergoing my Real Life Test. Their attitude during the time I worked there was understanding, supportive and caring.

"Dear Catherine.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the nearly 5 years of service that you have dedicated to CARTS (Chautauqua Area Rural Transport System) through your assignment here as an Office For The Aging Senior Aide.

I Have the Greatest Brother

I've been meaning to do this for a while, but I kept chickening out! First off, thank you so much Erin for setting up this wonderful site and keeping it going for us, you're fantastic! :) Also, thank you to Sephrena Lynn Miller and the other administrator/moderators for helping Erin keep this lovely site going and friendly for us all! I also want to thank all the editors who help so many authors clean up/improve their stories.

Here is a link to an article on CNN where Scientist have been using the dye from blue M&M's to help repair/rebuild spinal cord injuries. The one major side effect from the treatment is that your skin turns blue for a period of time.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/28/spinal.injury.blue.dye/...

I was given permission to revise Tragedy Of The Spirit [PrairieGirl64's Autobiograghy[ by her friend, Melanie Dixon. I asked Nora to help proof, which she has done, and taking Sephy's advice, I asked JennaFl to proof, also. She accepted the offer, now, I am soon to post the story.

Sorry that I haven't been able to get another Changes chapter out to you today. Real life has got in the way again.

Unfortunately, despite my every endeavour, I had to pull out of the trip I was expecting to go on yesterday.

Heck, this morning was really bad!

I'm working on what *may* be a last look at Spin Cycle: Random Glances.

I'm having lots of fun but I'm pooped. :)

Hey Everyone! I'm putting out the word that the next chapter of Renae's "First Among Fools" is up at Crystal Hall main page.

Crystal Hall

She has not been on site in many days. I know that she has medical problems, I just hope that she is not hurt.

I had the supreme privilege of singing "I will rise" with my in-laws at the wake this evening, and it was a wonderful, sad, happy and glorious time. Tears and laughter mingled freely as we appreciated the life my mother-in-law led and all the people she blessed. I said that if you looked up the definition of "sweet" in an illustrated dictionary, the entry would feature her photo. Thank you all for your prayers and support and may God bless you all! 'drea

I joined YouTube recently and am having fun surfing all over the place. But one video popped up and, while well done, I cannot get it through my mind why a genetic girl as pretty as this one would voluntarily cover up like this. Mostly we hear it is 'forced' or a 'religious requirement' but she says it is by her own choice. When I think of how many would love to have and display (show off) a face such as hers it boggles my mind. If you are a member of YouTube just type in the search box: Niqab styles 1 and then please tell me WHY?
Cheers,
Anne

First off, I want to apologize for my sluggishness with KittyHawk this week, and extreme slowness with Pass On What You Have Learned. I meant to post the next part of KittyHawk Monday, and right now it's looking like this upcoming Monday is more likely. As for Pass On What You Have Learned, it's already two or three weeks behind. I have it about half written, but I'm not sure how long it will take me to finish as it doesn't flow as easily as KittyHawk and Venus Cursed!

Since Maddy Bell is enjoying a fortnight off, she's asked me to announce that the final book of my "Note's of a Journey" trilogy (Reconciliation) is now at Lulu.com as either a download or print version.

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/reconciliation/74...

I am so sorry for the multiple posts. I didn't mean to be so selfish. My sweet mother-in-law died on Saturday, and this has been a way of dealing with the loss as we prepare for the funeral Friday. She was a lovely kind woman; her name was Natalie, and even though I married into her family, it hurts and I miss her so. Thanks for understanding, and I'll try to "pace" myself. God bless! 'drea

Of all those who have served as president of our country Jimmy carter holds a special place in my heart.

The following news article caught my eye:

Just a public thank you to jennaFl for providing editorial oversight. Does anyone remember how much better Jack Kirby's work was when he had a great inker? Same here. Thanks, jenna and God Bless. 'drea

The next episode of Spin Cycle will be up within the coming week.

The logo entry just posted is partly housekeeping, and partly the premise of the story.

Liobhan

Sue Brown has asked me to tell you that there will be a few slight delays to forthcoming chapters of Changes and Football Girl for the time being, because her mother is ill in hospital and she has gone to be near her.

I originally bought an IPAQ several years ago to read stories on and that proved to be too impractical; too small. Now, I am seeing a thing called a "Kindle" and I wonder if anyone else here has tried one. It seems as if the "pages" are as large as a paperback novels'.

Over the years we have all sought out books to read, before we found this wonderful site. Thanks Erin.
So I thought I would list a few of the one’s I have found and read.

There is an episode of the show "Mental" on the Fox Television network on a teenage girl who sets herself on fire because she was a boy who was forcibly changed to a girl because her mother wanted a girl and could not stand to look at her son.

Hugs,

Jenna From FL

I have been using poser for ages now, and I LOVE playing with fonts and graphics. If anyone is interested in a customized cover for a story they are writing, please send me a PM. If I think I can make something pretty and fun, I'll give it a shot:) Below is an example of one that I made for a story a I wrote some time ago.....ignore the typos:O

I began HRT while still receiving Social Services assistance. I was initially diagnosed by my therapist and then had it confirmed by a shrink who, while not necessarily agreeing that I was a good candidate for SRS, still started me on hormones and T-blockers.