Interesting development in the same-sex marriage debate, Benton County in Oregon (US) have now banned all marriages until the issue has been settled by the relevant legislative authorities.

Monday Madness. Again, not quite on a Monday.

1. Describe what you believe is a “good” driver.
Technically sure (able to keep mind on traffic rather than “which was the clutch, again”). Considerate to other drivers, though not too hesitant. Observant of the rules, but prepared for other people breaking them. Patient. Able to concentrate on the task in hand – so probably enjoys driving.

2. Describe a “bad” driver (your opinion of course).
Impatient. Arrogant. Insecure (technically or “socially” – driving too slowly or wanting to let everyone else go first can also create dangerous situations). Unable to concentrate.

3. Which category do you fit in? Please back up your answer. Feel free to use examples!
The latter. I’m all right with everything except the concentration part. I think driving is boring. I also have a habit – aquired from being a passenger – of drifting off in my own thoughts when riding in a car, and the fact that I’m the driver doesn’t stop me doing this. Hence I don’t have a licence and I don’t think I ought to have one.

Via Donna, 100 most challenged books from 1990 to 2000. You think we’ve come far?

Long list… Those I’ve read are bolded.
Read More

R.I.P. Peter Ustinov.

Lazy. Lovely. Pity it’s Monday, really.

As I’d be pretty happy with the parole “Anyone but Bush”, I had better link to this initiative to garner support in Europe for a campaign against Bush in the forthcoming election. We may not be able to vote for the – in effect – leader of the free world, but we maintain our right to state an opinion.

It’s also a good time to repeat this useful bumber sticker:

Plaster your walls ;)

I had a comment on the “Currently reading” blog last night which really made my day. It’s the fourth one down. You should read it.

I’m left to wonder how anyone could feel so strongly about a book which, even if I had thought it “a wonderfully entertaing book of the first rate” I would still have thought rather inconsequential. It’s not as if Mr. Aitch is set to revolutionise the world with this book – unless he is seriously misguided (in which case I have seriously misinterpreted) his aim is to entertain while contributing to the sum total of observations on human nature and maybe make a bit of money while he’s at it.

I am, however, delighted at having been called a dullard. That’s never happened before and it’s such a lovely word and certainly ought to be in more general use. In fact I am going to make it my aim for today to use “dullard” in a sentence.

I have one question for you, though: What is a cavehead? I assume it’s not a compliment, but what is the implication? That my head is the shape of a cave? (Would that be a bad thing?) That I ought to hide my head away in a cave? That I am as blind as Plato’s cave-dwellers who see only the shadows on the walls and not the Thing as it is? Please, someone, explain.

This week’s Monday Madness:

1. What was your favorite TV show as a child?
I used to really love a slightly surrealistic cartoon called Balthazaar (quite Yellow Submarine-ish)

2. What show did you hate?
I didn’t much like the Norwegian cult childrens show Pompel & Pilt – I thought it was scary.

3. What show did your family gather around the TV to watch?
I can’t really remember us gathering round the TV much. We probably did to some extent, though. I know we all loved the “classic cartoons” randomly interspersed in the general programming – La Lina, Pink Panther, Tom & Jerry etc.

4. What show is currently your favorite?
Beat for Beat (except the season’s ended) and Nytt p? nytt (Norwegian version of Have I Got News for You). And Parkinson. Always Parkinson.

5. What show do you hate now?
Most of the reality shows, but the new Norwegian show “Bill. mrk. Bryllup” is probably the worst one – even managing to top Temptation Island in speculative voyeurism and general debasement of human values.