It would appear that the Gulf States Cooperative Council are considering a Kuwaiti proposal to carry out sex tests on immigrants wishing to work there with the intention of preventing entry by transgender people.
I do wonder if I came to the wrong planet because I was seeking one with intelligent life forms!
In a blatant attempt to double the number of my readers to four, and still basking in the afterglow of completing SNAFU - at least in its first version (I want to do a full edit when I have time)- I'm inviting readers to inform me which of my outstanding serials - not including Bike - they would like me to write another episode.
To refresh memories these are:
Charlotte's Tale.
Soldier of Misfortune.
PFH - The British Kid.
Totally Insane.
Or if you don't fancy any of those, a brand new short story.
I had loads I could have done today, from mowing grass to doing laundry to riding my bike. I was too tired or lazy to do any of them. I didn't even get dressed but have sat about in my nightdress all day reading Snafu - I'd quite like to do another chapter of that if I can find the energy and I'm quite pleased with some of the earlier chapters.
It was good to meet up with Mads and the rest of the crew on Friday evening for dinner at a very reasonably priced carvery to fortify us for the stresses of the next two days.
Life seems to be intent on stopping me from having any time to myself, which is when I write as well as sleep, eat and poo - okay, TMI. Tonight, after a second twelve hour day in succession, I had two long phone calls, the second from my needy friend and it's sucked all the energy from me.
Tomorrow evening, I shall be trying to get my act in gear enough to pack for the Gabicon, so I honestly don't know when I shall next have time to write and post the next episode of Bike, possibly not until after the weekend. So please have patience, even we superhumans have off days.
No one ever suggested that it was easy being a writer, though I always thought on BC it was easier than most places because of the friendly atmosphere. I'm not so sure anymore. I'm seriously thinking I might stop writing Bike, perhaps it's run its course - maybe I don't have anything to say anymore without apparently upsetting people, maybe I should just bow out and let someone else entertain people for nothing.
I'm still thinking about it. I won't withdraw my stuff as others have done but I might not post here again either.
I don't believe in muses, writing is a cerebral thing and it's something I've always done. I've written Bike most days for the past six years to prove to myself it can be done without loads of drama, or special conditions - I just sit there for an hour/ ninety minutes and out pops the next episode. In some ways it's easier than writing from scratch because my characters are well established and I have plot lines I can continue or even pick up from a while back.
A blog on the Guardian based upon an article in the NY Times. I hope this is one trend that doesn't cross the pond, it's plain stupid and the parents should be prosecuted, it's tantamount to abuse.
Especially interesting because it's the number of kudos I appear to have in my account. So once again my thanks to all who've contributed, I do appreciate it and Whizz thinks they taste wonderful - go figure.
We're probably having more new material every day than ever before, so it's easy for earlier works to be forgotten. I asked Sephy to resurrect Stephanie's Deal as a retro-classic to remind readers who might have missed it before. I just finished reading Torey's 'Switching Playing Fields', and its sequel, 'On The Flip Side'; two stories with a lovely feelgood factor about them. I highly recommend them to those who haven't previously encountered them.
We're approaching 2100 episodes of Bike and I thought I'd better ask the readers if they want me to continue. Bonz and Whizz have indicated they have no difficulties in continuing providing I give them a rise in the number of munchies they get to eat
- blackmailing little monsters.
Judging by the response to the recent birthday episode, I suspect this question is possibly rhetorical, but I feel I should ask it every now and again, just to make sure, and assuming that the management are also happy to continue finding space for my daily ramblings.
A BBC4 film about the thespian couple who loved each other but couldn't live together. It was very well performed by Dominic West as Richard Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter as Liz Taylor. If you get a chance to watch it, do.
I think it's worth reminding people that there are some cracking stories on this site in the archives, both stand alones and serials. So do feel free to browse, but remember to give the authors a Kudo or a comment or both.
Sorry, I'm entertaining a visitor and we went out for a long walk this evening - it was delightful, but by the time we got back I was late starting Bike and keep falling asleep as I try and write it. So rather than have you read a load of gobbledygook, I'll finish it tomorrow and post it.
Sunday is Bastille Day, the anniversary of the storming of the notorious prison in Paris which was one of the trigger points of the French Revolution and arguably, the French have been revolting ever since.
being one of the few intelligent life forms on this planet. Over the weekend I laboured in my garden removing an invasive species of plant, periwinkle, which forms matted roots which required me to use a mattock to get through. I took them to my back garden and tried to burn them. The fire smouldered all night, but didn't destroy half the pest. I'll finish the job tonight, thought I.
Been out watching hedgehogs in my garden then had to listen to an hour long phone call from my needy friend. It's been an exhausting week, culminating in my working twelve hours yesterday and Tuesday. I am knackered, though enjoyed the hedgehogs - have a family of four zipping round the garden.
Hopefully normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
Which involved some walking there and back, plus a bike ride this morning against a strong wind. So, I'm just starting to scribble tonight's Bike, if I can stay awake.
Sorry folks, I was just starting to write tonight's bike and my needy friend rang - do I have to say more? She talks for England - she's lonely and anxious and I don't have the heart to tell her to go away I'm busy, but after a twelve hour day, I'm going to bed, I'm simply too tired to do Bike tonight. I have started the next 'Bonkers', so over the weekend I might get some more done, along with redoing the brakes on my bike, decorating, gardening, laundry, shopping, cook...
I recently reread this series and actually enjoyed it, forgetting half the stuff that was in it. I'm tempted to write another episode, even though the person it was written for seems to have vanished. Such is the nature of people with gender identity problems, though I hope she and her family are safe.
Why I'm blogging is, assuming I find the time, and an even bigger assumption - I can rekindle Kylie's innocence and charm - are any of you interested in me doing another one. In other words, would you lot read it?
Sorry I've been distracted by my fridge turning up its compressor or whatever happens to deceased cooling units. I had to dash out an order a new one as well as cough up the readies to pay for it. Amazingly, my freezer is still working, so in that regard it could be worse, but the new one won't arrive until Sunday morning - so bang goes my lie in.
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.
