The Tour of California started today with the first stage being won by Mark Cavendish. VS. (Versus) is again providing daily stage coverage. The TV times (and race information) are here: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/tv-schedule.html. There's more info and video on the VS. site: http://www.versus.com/shows/tour-of-california/

from San Jose Mercury News

I have been working on a story for me that is in a very different voice, and feels very different than anything I have ever written. It is action, funk and gore, Sci Fi and lots of other devices that I have never used. I am just a little concerned that where I take the end will offend some of you. It is not intended. I am an American Citizen, a Veteran, and very loyal to the US.

I thought I had it finished a couple weeks ago, but then my muse drug me off to Worcester for a month. GAH ! My protag really needed shopping therapy! LOL My research has been exausting

About 430 PM PDT we hit 10,000,000 visitors here on BCTS. It took us almost exactly 4 years and 11 months to do that. Other versions of BigCloset, before and during the time of TopShelf, have clocked about 1 million additional visits.

Congratulations are in order, I suppose, if for nothing else than that we survived. :)

Hugs to all,
Erin

Okay here is your chance at an old newbie. Hows that for an oxymoron?
After reading so many stories and lurking here a thought (hare brained?) came to mind.
'I could do that!' Then reality arrived. Maybe I can do better than some I've read where
it was actually painful to read. No punctuation, no uppercase where needed, etc.
Hopefully won't come across as some no talent idea stealing hack, if I do manage tolerate
the result, I hope to entertain with my submission.

Does anybody know any of the gay and transgendered policies of the Canadian armed forces?
I'm going to try to work it into a story I'm going to write soon but I kind of want to get it at least mostly right.

I need some help with how to write a story on here. I keep seeing stuff that just confuses me. I write in MS word if that helps. I have no clue how to copy or paste stuff, and I just want to write a story on here. Can I just write a story in the body section like for a blog? Would that work? People sometimes get ticked if protocols are followed, and I don't really get the submission instructions, I'm still new to the computers now-a-days.

Help me please.

well, I went to the school, and told them my story, including the fact that I am tg. They are going to recomend me to the goverment agency that does retraining. I will see them at the end of the month, and if they approve, they will pay for my schooling. I almost cant belive it, everything could really fall into place.

Some culture courtesy of the Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/may/13/cross-dressing-w...

Angharad.

The Lil Orphan Annie comic strip wil be ending after 85 years. sniff!

As far as I know, nothing whatsoever to do with the US State, but according to an article on our Intranet today (i.e. lifted directly, including the logo):

17th May marks International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Campaigns and initiatives take place around the world to combat prejudice against LGBT people.

I received an answer to an email I wrote my neurologist.

Leviticus rules
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 15:38:30 +0800

This was sent to me today. It is self-explanatory and, in my opinion, very, very funny:

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Bob has added a new capability to BC. Near the bottom of each story, in the mass of links down there, you should find one labelled, |PDF Version|

This will produce a PDF file saved on your hard drive of most of the stories on BC. Some stories with poor or wrong HTML will not be properly converted, but if you need a PDF version for some reason, this may be handy.

Thanks, Bob.

Hugs,
Erin

Well, I learn tomorow if I could get a loan to return to school and take medical administation assistant. Yet, I find myself hesitating. It wouldn't be a bad job, but I cant see how I would transition doing it. You are still in the public eye, and nowhere to hide while making the changes nessasary to live as a woman. On the other hand, the company that does training might be a better fit, but untill I have my appointment with them at the end of the month, I won't know for sure. I could use some wisdom in making a right choice.

As I sit staring at my screen, I wonder if I've taken too much, too fast with Robin's life.

The 'problem' is that Robin has lived in role all of a week to a week and a half, but she's taken to being Robin so absolutely naturally because of the loving support of her friends and family. She's been allowed to be who she always was inside, and she wants to take that a step further as quickly as possible.

I started writing this story last night and my muse threatened to be uncooperative, but when I got into it, things just started flowing. I plan to add another part of it tonight because the ideas are flowing once again. I really don't know if anyone likes it, but I assume they do because at least 560 of you have read it. I plan on revealing some more surprises before I'm done so stay tuned!

I wonder if any of you remember this excellent series that came out about ten or more years ago?

Well, it's being shown on FX (which I think is part of the Fox network) here in England at 6pm each weekday evening.

I say this because I have just written a review of it here, so you might want to jog that memory and revisit an old friend. If you haven't seen it before, I can wholeheartedly recommend it, so go check out the review and if you can spare the time, watch the series.

You know you want to...

I'd really like to see one of our good authors write a story from the point of view of a Big Hunky Manly Man who meets a special girl. At first he doesn't suspect at all, though she is sort of Tom Boyish. He likes her brashness, and sturdiness, but he is also attracted to her kindness, modesty and bright mind.

Maybe she's a lady fire fighter, or landscaper girl, or Doctor, or even a Fighter Pilot?

The whole point is they meet, work together for a long time and then he finds he is becoming attached to her and ... well good things happen to her after that.

Last night in Tallahassee, FL they passed a new human rights ordinance that protects against discrimination based on sexual and gender orientation. Employers can no longer hire or fire someone based on their sexual or gender orientation. Businesses must now provide access to all now including restrooms this even covers chrurches. This covers all of Leon County. This now provides everyone basic human rights in Leon County.

Who would have thought of this passing in a bible belt city.

Hugs,

JennaFL

I posted an edited version of "A Prayer Answered Chapter 11" thanks to Michelle B.

SaraD

After wrangling with that delightful corporate entity known as Blue Cross for the last seven months, our family medical insurance has finally been restored.

I'm contemplating writing something off the wall and different than what usually gets posted. If you see my stories April and June, or The Conversation you might have an idea when I say off the wall what I mean. I haven't written anything in quite a while, and have been feeding most of my ideas to a fellow author whose skills greatly outshine my own (and who thankfully will edit if I get that far)

Well - it was the first tree I took down, since HRT.

Back in the day - when my wife thought she was married to a guy, I took out several of our hemlocks. Very straightforward, if you know what you're doing... I mostly do.

It just isn't fair!

When is "Mommy's Day" ?? Any woman (genetic) can be a "Mother." But it takes someone special to be a mommy. In my household, my wife is the "mother," but readily admits that I have been the "Mommy."

Well, today is the 9th of May and Sunday at that. More importantly today is Mothers day.
I don't know who celebrates this and who doesn't and I don't want to offend anyone.
There's a lot of really great gals out here who deserve the mothers day love and respect even if they were once counted amongst the guys. There's a lot of you girls who in my opinion are great Moms, Mums, and both to be if fate is kind. Some of you are even that to others here.
Much Respect.
This one's for you sweet ladies.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

*Hugs*

Bailey

Everybody contributes. Read how the TVs of San Francisco are doing their part in the Gulf of Mexico. :)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1265364...

It should make you smile. Tell your hair stylist and dog groomer about this article, too.

Hugs,
Erin

Do yourselves and Erin a favour in one go.

Make tracks to Hatbox NOW and read this wonderful story by Angela Rasch. It has to be one of the finest pieces of TG fiction ever to have graced this site.

Go on! Now I've made you curious. Resistance is futile!

Joanne

Honestly, I sometimes wonder at people's intelligence, homosexuality is caused by demonic possession - duh? So how would they explain transsexualism? In this day and age, to judge persons on their sexual orientation is so ridiculous it's pathetic. The evidence is stacking up that most of these things are organic or genetic in origin, so why can't they get the message? Oh I forgot, most of them think the world was created in six days...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/07/philippa-stro...

Angharad.

This letter was writen by a friend of mine to a relative

Dear Relative --

You’ve no doubt noticed that I have had a lot of things on my mind lately and that I haven’t been myself for…well, years.
I’ve been trapped in depression and self-loathing for years…all because I took everything that people have dished out at people like myself and internalized it.
The message from school to people like Bernie was made clear. Don’t do that. Don’t act like that. Don’t BE that.
So, I took who I was and buried it for years.

Well, I am still stuck in wait mode. My counsilor got back to me with the name of a company that might help me get training, so I will be calling them monday, but i am having trouble remaining hopeful. I feel like i need to brace myself for the worst, and then if something good happens, it will feel like a bonus.

For those of you who didn't know, it's on the Daily Mail Website. I hope he'll find some peace now, though I also think he could do with losing some weight from the photos they show.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1274006/Chers-g...

Angharad.

I'm working with Lulu to upload a cookbook that I have written. My intent is to have it available both in PDF and in paperback. It has seventeen chapters and is a mix of opinion and recipes (over 200). The title is "The Opinionated Cook". I will post again as soon as I get it uploaded.

djkauf

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/05/03/chely.wright.out.ppl/i...

I found this story particularly interesting because I was literally JUST thinking last night about how I enjoy country music and bluegrass, but never really got into it because of the generally ultra-conservative attitude of its fanbase.

I'm vaguely disturbed by supermodel Agyness Deyn's most recent haircut:

According to this link on MSN, the man had several asbos instructing him desist the practice of wearing school uniform including skirts and bare legs during school hours.

See link: http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=153289130

I wonder how much of a danger or offence he was causing? Probably more sad than bad.

Angharad

I know that it is not good form to cheer at the misfortune of another; forbidden in my religion, but I could not resist this. Maybe this is simply justice being administered in an unusual way?

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/crime/2010/05/05/ac.kaye.wh... After so much crowing for racial purity and morality ...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alvin-mcewen/anti-gay-organiza...

I wrote this in answer to Chilli who commented on Quillian over at FM:

My sister had a bundling baby today, of course at this time biologically is believed to be male, and no questions otherwise, so i am happy...thought to share it :) hip hip harray :)

with love and ligth and smiles so bright

Erin Amelia Fletcher

I wish to apologize for my previous behavior mew. Concerning keywords, in the past I have ranted that people have misused key words to try to hook certain types of readers, when I didn't think that maybe they DID fit the keywords just not in the way I was thinking. For instance, sweet and sentimental, it's hard to believe any sort of forced story could be sweet and sentimental, but there are ways. For instance, if there's a cute romance between two villains, then that's the romance tag, and could even count as sweet and sentimental.

Check this out... New Sniper Record.

That is amazing, to be able to hit not one but two targets at that range. Dayum!

Nursing? Nah. Or maybe? Is someone trying to get my attention?

So, this week end, I got a call from my Brother and he needed my help. Well, actually he did not need my help, he wanted me to change the window motors and the Alternator on his Ford Pick Up. He was not intending to help. He gets to angry and frustrated with these things. Well, I wanted to say I couldn't do it because I'm a girl, but to be fair, he has the mechanical aptitude of a Frog.

The Working Girl Blog #22: Coffee Break, or The Working Girl is going on a one-week hiatus To see all of Bobbie's "Working Girl" blogs, click on this link: http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/19261/working-girl-blogs

Had a bit of a "thing" happen, and it's made me think about taking a bit of a break from the world of the Big Closet. But be cool - the blog (and me) is coming back to the Top Shelf in about a week. In the meantime, have a cup of coffee, or in this case, a mug of hot chocolate, on me.