.... I have tomorrow off work yay.

And apparently this is my 'creature nemesis':

(err, thanks Embsbabee)

Sigh. People today. blah blah, daily mail, etc, etc.

There I am, all milk of human kindness, donating 10p towards Chunk from the Goonies coffee and panini 'cos he was short (of cash, not stature). Thank you? Nope. Did it even register where the miraculous levelling off of the shortfall suddenly materialised from? Nope.

Sigh again. Still, never mind, I did it purely out of the goodness of my heart, with no intention of getting the money back. But an acknowledgement at least would have been good manners.

Eventually though, a full 20 minutes later, at the prompting of the barista, a quick recap of the events that unfolded (sadly there were no finger puppets to hand) and an explanation that the money didnt just fall from the sky, over comes Chunk proferring a shiny 10p piece.

Obviously, I declined, but was inwardly pleased that good will was recognised.

------

Website is still chugging along with all the speed of a one legged greyhound. Got some pictures sorted and just about decided on a template layout, so its coming along tickety boo.

------

The butterflies were restless again today. Sigh. I could feel them thrashing around and fluttering agitatedely in my stomach, around and around.
All they wanted to do was to escape the confines of their cage and be able to do what they love and reach out and land on the beautiful flower.

Sigh.

------

Right, so how did you like that post for sighs? Boom boom.

Im off to eat cous cous, feta, peppers and olives, watch a few Frasier with a nice glass of Shiraz, then perhaps a few beverages later.

Toodle pips all.

Wow, I got to the end of that post and not a charitable/ecological/environmental plea in site!!

(runs back........support Friends of The Earth......runs away)

I posted previously about the plight of an individual who faced a prison term for 'daring' to 'peacefully criticise' the views of his countries government in his blog. This is something we take for granted on our own blogs, and indeed in satirical media content either in the press or on television.

Enjoyable though it is to some, and I will refrain from expressing my own personal opinion, the opportunity to lambast Labour or Tony Blair is seized upong gleefully. But can you imagine the rozzers knocking on your door to arrest you, after having posted a blog comment saying you dont agree with his policies and fear its detrimental to the welfare of the countries population? No, its a bit Big Brother / 1984 isnt it?

Well, unfortunately, the Egyptian blogger HAS been jailed for his personal views being aired. Freedom of speach is not tolerated in this instance, and he is now serving a four year prison sentence merely for writing personal comment.

---

Irrepressible.info campaigns against internet repression in all its forms: the blocking of websites, deletion of blogs, restriction of search engines and imprisonment of people simply for posting and sharing information. For more information see:

Imagine the worlds biggest rollercoaster. Then double it.
Imagine the butterflies in your stomach. Then double them.
Imagine the exhilaration and fear. Then double it.

None of it would come close to what my insides are now doing this morning... And no I didnt have a curry last night. I wish I had, because I could do something about it then. But this, Im not sure I can.

The parallels with the rollercoaster maybe dont truly explain how Im feeling, but its the closest I can get to it. Its like knowing how much you miss that feeling in your gut, the love it gives you and how much you want to keep riding it, but not knowing whether you will get to again. My whole being is wanting it so much, and wanting it forever. Its a part of me that I dont I ever want to be without but is agonisingly distant at the moment, and may always be. And I long for it so much.

Which, paradoxically, the empty feeling it it conveys, is so at odds with the fullness of the rest of me.

Butterflies have never been so beautiful and so sad at the same time.

-------

In other news, website plans are coming along nicely. If by nicely I mean slowly and painstakingly difficult! Lol. But I need to get the plans right first, and the ideas for the layout before I start progressing further. Oh, and pay for a domain name. But, Im proud Im doing it and will achieve it.

It seems that two holidays have been booked, which is nice. They wont replace the one I wanted, but hey ho, maybe one day...still, I really need a break.

Oh, and Ive got some more words down on my story too. Crap, but theyre down, lol.

And I hate to say it, but through gritted teeth I will - I watched a film called Edison the other day, which was very good. But the best thing about it? a Mr J Timberlake, who I have to say was absolutely superb. (Flat) caps off to you sir.

Well its been a rollercoaster of a week and weekend, ups and downs aplenty. Get your mind out of the gutter, its only 8am on a Monday!

I had a very interesting session on Tuesday which was actually very emotional and made me realise that I sometimes end up carrying other peoples burdens. Hmmm, what say you, Freud. Of course, its going to ultimately trace its way back to my parents, or childhood, these things always do. But it was good.

On Sunday, I awoke trying to retrace the steps from the day before and recollect why I was waking up on a sofa, wrapped in a blanket, in a strange house, with a smashed (very expensive) egg ornament on the floor. In a different village, and not the town I started out in the day before.
Eventually it came flooding back, but was a little random and disconcerting to start with!

I did a very very bad thing on Saturday, which the moment it happened I instantly regretted. It wasnt nice of me to act that way, and I didnt intend to, I never ever would. The only thing I can say is I was very angry and confused still.

Call me vain, but Ive been very pleased with a choice of outfit I put together. I likes it, I likes it.

And Ive also turned into a temporary geek. Only in private though. Ive been squirreling away over the last week or so learning computer speak to build a web page. I have a plan. No Im not telling you yet. Yes I will one day.

And now its Monday. A fresh week beckons us...

It wasnt my fault. I really couldnt help it.

I mean, if youre going to serve me up something like that, its the natural order of things that Im going to giggle. Especially with drinking involved.

How can you seriously sit and say to me 'i finally gave in last night to having a chocolate indulgence with my husband'

Why not just put a feather to my armpit.

Oh, I'm sure you all know the drill by now...

It would be really great as well, if you could link this post in your 'bloglists' to get others to do their bit. Thanks

------

"why not take 1 minute to click each of the following links and by clicking on the coloured tab you can ensure that foodstuffs, books, or care is donated to each of the groups. And it costs nothing to you":

The Hunger Site

The Animal Rescue Site

The Literacy Site

The Rainforest Site

----

Also, please take the time to add your weight to these campaigns:

Control Arms campaign

Add your name to the 90,000 plus who have already mailed the Starbucks president to force them to play fair with the coffee farmers of Ethiopia

----
Also please add your name to the following online petition that aims to help to keep freedom of expression:

Proof indeed that ministers never actually see whats really going on out there...

Israeli minister in vision gaffe

...or yet another do-gooder post from the glosmeister.

Last year over 130,000 asked their MP to support calls for a new law to make annual cuts in carbon dioxide. In response the Government announced last November that it would introduce a Climate Bill.

The challenge now is to make sure that the Bill is a tough one. The majority of MPs last year said they wanted such a Bill. This year we need to make sure they stick to their word and support a strong Climate Bill.
Please ask your MP to make sure the Government does the right thing. Click on the link below to find your MP and send them a letter by email
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/email_mp/index.html

For more practical advice, competitions, quiz and discussion forums see:

www.foe.co.uk/living/

Good old Audrey Hepburn. Still bringing sunshine into the world.

Not only have we been graced with the pleasure of her in Breakfast at Tiffanys, but now the elfin-esque movie icons dress from it has been auctioned and funded 15 new educational centres in India.

I wonder whether the sellers of Britneys hair will make the same impact with their proceeds? NO.
By the sounds of it they are going to be trimming away some of the money for themselves...still, at least they are throwing in her bic lighter.

http://www.buybritneyshair.com/

Due to lack of military funding and supplies, i.e. money, I have had to retreat from the disputed war zone recently. Im still winning the battles when supplies intermittently find their way through to me, but lack of reconnaisance during my absences means I have no way of knowing what despicable dictatorish activities she is performing.

Sporadic reports from the frontline suggest that the attitude and megalomania are still intact, but I feel thats just bravado when she knows her foe is not primed for an attack.

I took immense pleasure last week in pretending to get up from my seat, as I knew she was already practically sitting in it the moment my body moved. If it wasnt for her rudeness, I would gladly let her occupy the seat. But it was fun seeing her trying to back track with as much inconspicuousness as a large aubergine trying to blend in with a gang of sweetcorn. or something.

More reports from the front line to follow..

The Good

Randomness upon randomness appears to be occurring, um, randomly this last week. People, events, opportunities and more. Bizarre, but very welcome.

The Bad

Why is it, that the less you want to see things when you are out and about, the more you do.

The Ugly

I am missing an enormous piece of me, which no matter all the points unfolding in Good (above), will always, always feel like Im missing a limb. I hope it will grow back one day, because Im rather attached to it and cant even comprehend it not being there forever.

-----
Mr cryptic has arrived on your desktop once again this dull Monday morning.

On the plus side, 10% of the working week has now gone

Oh, I'm sure you all know the drill by now...

It would be really great as well, if you could link this post in your 'bloglists' to get others to do their bit. Thanks

------

"why not take 1 minute to click each of the following links and by clicking on the coloured tab you can ensure that foodstuffs, books, or care is donated to each of the groups. And it costs nothing to you":

The Hunger Site

The Animal Rescue Site

The Literacy Site

The Rainforest Site

----

Also, please take the time to add your weight to these campaigns:

Control Arms campaign

Add your name to the 90,000 plus who have already mailed the Starbucks president to force them to play fair with the coffee farmers of Ethiopia

----
Also please add your name to the following online petition that aims to help to keep freedom of expression:

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=17257

That on this day in 1758 - Mustard was advertised for the first time in the America.

Wow, love that fact - its cole,man.

geddit?

(for those who know, thats also the title of a cracking trance tune)

most of the future i dont want to know - the element of surprise is key.

theres one thing id love to fast forward and know though, well, just one particular element, not the exact minutae.

i wish i knew. i want to know. i want it to happen, whenever time dictates it might be. but i dont know, and it may never be. which is sad for me. the only thing that makes me sad at the moment.

i love everything else about me and things at the moment, but not this.

Who knows, perhaps.....we all have dreams....

peace

Lunchtime 'quiz' - find out how enviro friendly you are!

Click the picture:

...thank god thats over.

Email pharmaceutical giant Novartis
India's important role as the pharmacy of the developing world is under attack. Multinational drug company Novartis is challenging India's patent law in court.

While proclaiming publicly that it "aspires to responsible and conscientious global citizenship based on trust, transparency and accountability" Novartis is taking the government of India to court to restrict its right to make life saving medicines affordable to poor people.

Novartis was recently denied a patent for a cancer drug (Glivec) but is refusing to accept the ruling and is now challenging India's Patent Law.

This could seriously impede poor people obtaining cheaper medicines and is against an international agreement that declares that developing countries can produce and import cheaper versions of medicines in the interests of public health.

Why should you care?

If Novartis wins its case, poor people in India will be denied cheaper cancer drugs.

India is the world's biggest producer of cheaper and therefore more affordable medicines. If Novartis is successful, it will jeopardise India's ability to provide a wide range of drugs, including HIV medicines, to millions of poor patients in developing countries.

Q & A -
all you need to know about the case here

Act now!
Send an email to Dr Daniel Vasella, the CEO of Novartis

Silent prayers. Then the inferno

It was intended as a period of national reflection. A 15-minute pause at midday to mark the first anniversary of what many consider to be the spark that lit the fuse of Iraq's civil war...

...read the full Guardian article here

What is the answer???

Bluer than a blue thing on national blue day.

Damn, I look fine today!!

Well, if I dont say it no-one else will. My god, please save me from myself!!!

lol

"You're a handsome devil. What's your name" Martin Blank; Grosse Point Blanke

What time is it????
Not yet quite time to get 'phonkeeeee', but time for your weekly dose of being good.

It would be really great as well, if you could link this post in your 'bloglists' to get others to do their bit. Thanks

------

"why not take 1 minute to click each of the following links and by clicking on the coloured tab you can ensure that foodstuffs, books, or care is donated to each of the groups. And it costs nothing to you":

The Hunger Site

The Animal Rescue Site

The Literacy Site

The Rainforest Site

----

Also, please take the time to add your weight to these campaigns:

Control Arms campaign

Add your name to the 90,000 plus who have already mailed the Starbucks president to force them to play fair with the coffee farmers of Ethiopia

----
Also please add your name to the following online petition that aims to help to keep freedom of expression:

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=17257

Ah, Prince at the superbowl. What an absolutely fecking grand performance that was. Even in a huge downpour, he was inspiring and too cool for words.

The stage, the 'We Will Rock You' intro, the Lightning!, the purple lighting, the marching band, the Foo Fighters cover, the Purple Rain finale with the 'phallic' incident amusingly being debated!

Im not a fan of embedding or posting YouTube clips, but Im going to make an exception this once!!

DAMN - Youtube have had them removed!!

This might still work though: http://www.dailymotion.com/virtualmatter/video/x14xwu_miamirain

Please please please watch and enjoy a master craftsman at work.

I'd like to thank...

...my publicist, wardrobe assistant, make-up artist and all of the voting public, for my nomination of:

Laziest Blogger

at this years Bloscars

Wow, it is indeed an honour to be recognised by my peers.

Laziest though?!!! How very dare you!!

Actually, considering Ive only just noticed it and its probably been there for several weeks, I shouldnt start acting like a racist pot (think about it!!)

Erm, yes, thank you. I THINK its an honour.

...gotta love the American administration, havent you?

How the US sent $12bn in cash to Iraq. And watched it vanish

Morning, by the way!