Lots of stories here feature school life in the USA. I read this article this morning which describes a school life so alien from my own, very long distant, school days here in the English NE Midlands. It reads so much like some fantastic dystopia that I can't help but feel that it's distorting the reality. I'd be interested in reading comments from our US friends to gain a little perspective.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/09/texas-police-sch...

Robi

I occasionally find that BC is either very slow to respond or not available at all. For example, last night about 1 am BST I couldn't get on at all and the site timed out. It can be often slow to get to the main page but moving within the site can be reasonably fast. Last night it meant I didn't get my 'Bike' bedtime story :(

Heard this on BBC Radio 4 this morning while I was having a shower (I rise late now I don't need to go to work :) ) Evan Davies is investigating 'Deception' as a topic and in this case he's interviewing Penny, a MtF TS about how she felt compelled to hide her true nature for so long. It's a very sympathetic treatment which seems to reflect the experience of many here from what I've read.

She was born in 1951, 11 years after me, so I know only too well the atmosphere and attitude of the general public to unconventional gender and sexual conditions, for want of a better phrase.

That this is his first time in 4" heels, that is. I spotted this in today's Guardian I read over breakfast. Looks quite convincing in the photo and it would be interesting to learn more about the circumstances. The court hearing seems to be over a relatively trivial matter though it could be a serious breach of safety legislation as he's a gas fitter ... and gas goes bang.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/may/30/gas-fitter-in-drag-...

Robi

PS I'm surprised I beat Angharad to this. She's usually quick off the mark on Guardian references :)

This morning's Observer had an article by the Readers' Editor referring to comments received on an article about David/Sonia Burgess. Burgess, a civil rights lawyer, was allegedly murdered by being pushed under a London Underground train last year and a trial is shortly to take place. The comments were concerned with how the paper referred to to her/him. It was quite difficult because sometimes Burgess lived as a male (David) or female (Sonia) and had friends in each persona but, apparently, few in both.

I know writers love to have their stories noticed and a comment is perhaps the most appreciated. This isn't a plea for more comments rather a plea for those so carefully written missives to find their way onto the list.

Just recently I've made some erudite(?) comment and found, to my surprise, it wasn't where I expected to find it. At first I thought I'd made some dreadful mistake and Erin had deleted it. Then I realised I'd fallen foul of the double layer posting regimen and clicked off the story without confirming the comment preview.

I don't think Angharad has spotted this travel article in today's Grauniad. So here it is for your delectation :)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/nov/13/isabella-tree-m...

Robi

Spotted this on the Guardian's web site this morning.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/sep/22/transgend...

Robi

Since some of you liked the other 500 word story I wrote for a local radio competition I suppose I may as well post the second one (the competition allowed 2 entries per person). This isn't a tear jerker but may raise a wry smile.

Love in the slow lane

John self-consciously fingered the red carnation in the buttonhole of his sports jacket. He wasn’t used to it, not sports jackets nor buttonholes nor the flowers that go in them. He searched the tables in the Motorway café. Then he saw her sitting alone reading The Spectator, and walked nervously over.

I wrote this piece a few years ago for a story competition. The brief was a love story in no more than 500 words not including the title. I don't think it justifies a proper posting but it may amuse a few of you.

A Woman’s Life and Love

Tamara Drewe has just been released as a film but the story originally appeared weekly as a graphic novel in the Guardian. The artist is the wonderful Posy Symmonds. Knowing that there is a following for well-drawn strips (and this is one) I thought people here might appreciate a look at the original before seeing the film. The film got an excellent review in today's Guardian but perhaps they're a bit biassed :)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/cartoon/2005/sep/17/tamara-d...

Robi

This Guardian article highlights an aspect of the Malawi case I hadn't appreciated.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/22/malawian...

Robi

Angharad and I share a couple of characteristics. We're both Guardianistas and we both ride bikes but I've long suspected that her 'real' identity is ... Lucy Mangam, Guardian columnist. The writing styles are so similar. Take Lucy's contribution this morning as an example and tell me you don't find similarities with the (allegedly) fictional Cameron family in 'Bike' :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/03/marriage-...

When I logged in earlier today I'm sure I saw a new story by Nancy Cole. Like the favourite morsels on my dinner plate I elected to save it for later while I took care of other internet 'duties'. Now it's gone! What a disappointment.

I hope it's merely to receive a little more polish before releasing it to the hordes ... or am I really going illusional?

Robi

Interesting article in today's Guardian. Thought I'd post a link before Angharad gets her PC booted ;)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/29/hijra-pakistan-t...

Robi

A friend sent me an email which says:

You don’t dare miss this amazing Video Clip . . . but, first, read this properly, all the way through…

This video shows the winner of "Ukraine’s Got Talent," Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange one, is mesmeric to watch.

The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience to tears, and she won the top prize of about £75,000.