Public Announcement

I intend to get my first novel finished and start trying to publish it by next summer.
I'm hoping that saying it in the public domain will make me get on my a*se and write the d*mned thing.

The Most Awesome Thing I've Seen Today

Sheepdog
That's even better than Babe.

One of the funniest lolcats I've seen for a while.

star-light

Apparently it landed in the middle of the ocean.

Pearls of Wisdom: Always Thank the Bus Driver

What goes around, comes around. Politeness doesn't cost anything, and it only takes a second, but the more people say thanks, the more likely the driver is to wait next time you're running for the bus.

Reader Response Question of the Week: Islam

First off, I promise I'm not getting at anyone's religion. I'm genuinely interested and I'm sure it does make sense when you understand it properly.
I am led to believe that a certain branch of Islam (Sunni Islam?) beleive in divine omnipotence over human free will. I don't understand how that can fit with belief in a moral code. Would it not mean that if you did something 'wrong', it's because Allah wanted you to?
Can anyone help?

A Brief Guide to Expiry Dates

It has come to my attention that many people simply panic when the date on their calender passes a date on their food, and immediately throw it away. This is silly and wasteful.

How to render a cat (mostly) harmless with one hand

Anyone who's ever owned or looked after a cat knows that at some point you have to do something it doesn't like, like wipe its paws or give it tablets. At this point your affectionate, friendly, soft little pet reveals its other personality as a predator beautifully adapted to kill. The hair stands on end; the body that normally feels like it's made almost entirely of fluff becomes a double handful of writhing sinews; all five sets of needle-sharp pointy ends come out and blood-curdling screams from both parties fill the air.
So you need to know how to restrain it. Standard solutions are scruffing, which can be tricky and even if your grip doesn't slip, risks the apparently subdued animal returning to violent activity as soon as you start doing whatever it was you had to do; and the blanket, which I personally have never found effective. First you have to wrap the cat tightly enough that it can't get any of its limbs out, but gently enough not to hurt it. That's a very narrow window. Then you have to leave the relevant part of the cat outside, which is often easier said than done.

Misc.

I saw a little girl out riding her bike the other day, wearing tight beige leggings that were almost nude-coloured. Did a double take I can tell you.

Pearls of Wisdom: The most important thing for a girl to remember

Chocolate is practically a vegetable, and definitely a medicine.
Never forget that.