My weekend was a bit like the curate's egg - good in parts. I had a good time with my daughter and her partner, although my IBS nearly spoilt things - I had two bouts this time, once in the cinema and I had to go running to the loos as the film (Kick Ass) was about to start. The film was OTT violence and bad language - but was so slick and fast moving it didn't put me off. Both my daughter and her partner enjoyed it.

I thought I'd say this formally, then if it pops out in conversation no one will be shocked (although to quote Maggie Thatcher, who is probably the opposite of everything I believe in, may shock some).

I have a baby grandson born yesterday by Caesarean section. Mother and baby are doing well as is the father, my son.

I'm far too young to be a granny, but se la vie!

(Does this mean I have to start wearing long black dresses, sitting in a rocking chair while knitting for the Red Cross? If so, bugger that for a game of sojers, I'll stick with riding and writing Bike(s)).

I've finally managed to get a letter about women's cycling in the Guardian; sadly it's not in a place accessible from the internet (being in letters and emails in the sport section)it was accompanied by a picture of Bradley Wiggins.

More political correctness from Europe. However, the answer could be allow TG children to wear the uniform appropriate to their preferred gender.

See the link:
http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=152243390

Angharad.

They asked several top writers for their ten rules of writing fiction, people like Margaret Attwood and Zadie Smith. Some are quite funny. It's a big article which they've broken down into two parts. I hope the links work.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-wr...

And the second:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/10-rules-for-wri...

Angharad.

For those who are interested, I have another chapter of Bonkers (Totally Insane) in production and which I hope to post during the weekend.

For those who aren't interested :p

This classic novel from 1968 is available as a download from the following link. As far as I know it's complete and intact.

http://www.antijen.org/iwant/WantMain.html

Angharad

Like so many people safe in their own homes, I was horrified by the devastation in Haiti by the recent earthquake. I was also pleasantly surprised by the way the world responded in donating money, equipment and teams of rescuers. I think the military are making a pigs ear of it, but that's what they do best. Then I read this in today's Guardian and the joy I felt at the rescue of the little kid was put into a new perspective, by the disgust I felt for what happened to this child. Read it for yourself, and ask yourself, is this a proportional response or just plain murder?

Appears to have become the most viewed story on this site, according to Popular Content, with well over 32,000 hits.

I know Karen J joked about having hit on it 28,000 times on a slow night, but as long as she read it each time - it's one of my better efforts - I don't mind.

Angharad.

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

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

It seems that forced marriage is becoming an increasing issue for gay Muslims. An interesting report from the Beeb.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8446458.stm

Whereas the Guardian reported on legalisation of gay marriage in Portugal, despite it being a Roman Catholic country.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/portugal

An in China, of all places, a gay pageant.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/10/china-gay-pageant

I notice that for the past couple of days a copyright notice has appeared on my stories, and many of the others posted recently.

As it obviously takes time to do, there has to be a good reason why it's being done. Are we being plagiarised and sold for huge sums of cash - or in my case used Mars bar wrappers?

I'm not complaining - never managed to find the key for an umlaut let alone a copyright symbol, and I am happy to admit ownership of my witterings, so just curious, like Alice.

Angharad chwilfrydig.

According to the popular content counter, Gaby's Manx Tale has received over 29,000 hits. Thank you to all who've read it, to Maddy Bell for creating the characters, and to Erin for allowing me to post it here.

Totally Insane (the serial not the author) part 30 is with my editor and I hope to post it during Christmas Day (UK time). So those of you who wish to follow the adventures of Kylie and her psychopathic sibling, tune in tomorrow for the next riveting episode (actually they're not riveted, they're screwed like the rest of us).

Oh Bonzi sends Mioawy Christmas to both his readers and a Happy Mew Year.

Season's Greetings - Pax Vobiscum.

Angharad.

The attached link to the Daily Mail is about a campaign to boycott 'pink' toys for girls, they claim stereotyping has held girls and women back for generations.

Personally, I'm more concerned about sexually objectifying young women - but what do I know?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1233779/Parents-urge...