Im fine thanks flower pots, Im not dead which is good, because you would probably be charged with murder by neglect if I was.Going to work isnt classed as neglect though really, is it?Yes. It is actually. The judge would throw the book at you- leaving your defenceless wife home alone where anything could happen- theres probably a paedophile looking for a little whipper snapper like me at this very moment.Youre mental. Youre not really what they look for babe- they tend to go for smaller younger people. He saysI cant believe you just said that- so Im old and fat now am I? Im only 28, Im hardly Janice Dickinson and you know Im sensitive about my weight!You know what I mean, shut up will you? back peddles Husband.So Im old, fat and you dont want to talk to me, fine, Im so glad you phoned.Dont start, what do you want for dinner tonight, Ill pick something up.Im not eating, Im too fat. Im going nowBabe....
Blogs
If there is anyone who can help me until I get back on my feet; Paypal to my e-mail: bynwalters@libertysurf.fr or cheque to Byn Walters, Tavarn Ty Elise, 29690 Plouye, Bretagne/Brittany
Apologies again if this appears unseemly.
Dewi and I left Madison yesterday morning and spent the night outside Toledo, Ohio--it was a long day of driving with only a couple of stops. It was sunny and quiter warm--even had the car windows down when I was in town.
Today we drove from Toledo to Akron (usually 3 hours) in about the same 9 hours--we took the scenic route along Lake Erie to begin with, driving under (hand to God, these place names are true) Fangboner Rd., on the way to Put-in-Bay, which is near Port Clinton. You connect the dots and creat your own punchline.
We also went to Lakeside--a quaint littletown that hosts a Chattaqua in the summer, but is like aghost town this time of year--not even a place to get breakfast! Then we went to Marblehead to see the lighthouse, whichwas pretty, but would have been more interesting if it had been open.
Also, it was noticeably colder, greyer and windier today. By time I stopped for lunch at 1 pm, there were even a few stray snowflakes coming doiwn! I wanted to go to a paper warehouse (don't ask) so that took a couplw hours after lunch. By time I finished there, we were having a real blizzard--it snowed 3-4 inches in about 4-5 hours and driving the last hour took me 2 hours and it was near-white-out conditions! This is the part of thge trip where we cross River Styxx Road--now who would name a road that? And put houses there? Did not see the Boatman. He probably thgought Hell was freezing ovder. The snow finally let up, but everything is covered-it looks like a Christmas card and the roads are all slushy.
If SJ is reading, we may have photos of Dewi in another Welsh-naamed town--if we can get credit for "Valley City, OH"--it is no more a city (less of one, even) than Valley, Wales. We made a U-turn just for the photo op outside the old train depot. Let me know--photos will probably have to wait til the end of April. We also came across a Muffler-Man-like thing up by the lakeand took a photo--don't think it was an actual Muffler Man, but similar.
Visited a couple of cousins tonight, then founda cozy hotel. More cousins tomorrow and maybe Friday morning, then on to Cleveland for the NAFOW planning meetings.
Stay tuned for any other interesting sightings. And, photos later.
Mona and Dewi
Seren News - April 2011
Welcome to the all-new Seren News! In this issue we bring you an insight into our latest titles. Find out where your favourite Seren authors will be reading in the next couple of weeks.
Ruth Bidgood Shorlisted for Roland Mathias Prize!
![]() | Ruth Bidgood's Time Being has been shortlisted for the Roland Mathias Prize 2011. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Ruth Bidgood, who lives in Powys, has published twelve volumes of poetry. Her descriptions in Time Being are credited as Sharp and memorable, tending to a cool accuracy. The Award Ceremony for the Roland Mathias Prize 2011 will be held at The Guildhall, Brecon on Friday 8th April 2011. |
Latest Titles
![]() | The Colour of Grass by Nia Williams Helens family is falling apart. There are no answers from her husband. She can't communicate with her daughter. So she turns to other relatives: the ones who are dead and gone. Straightaway she finds herself floundering in a new world of friends, secrets, enemies and family history enthusiasts. A story about families, past and present, and lifes unexpected connections. Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115393 |
![]() | Poor Mans Parliament by Martin Shipton Did you vote 'Yes' for the new law making powers in the National Assembly? Read this incisive account of the first 10 years of the Welsh Assembly. Its packed with eye-catching drama those who think that nothing happens at the Assembly will read Poor Mans Parliament and wonder how they could be so wrong. Paperback 12.99 ISBN: 9781854115164 |
![]() | Sound Archive by Nerys Williams The strikingly original first collection of poems from Nerys Williams. Using formal strategies similar to modernist painting: abstraction, dislocation, surrealist juxtaposition, the poet conjures a complex music, intriguing narratives, and poems full of atmosphere that query identity, gender, and the dream of art as a vehicle for emotion and meaning. A thoughtful, subtle and fascinating first collection. Paperback 7.99 ISBN: 9781854115386 |
Coming Soon
![]() | The Dragon and the Crescent by Grahame Davies In the early twenty-first century, the relationship between the West and Islam has, due to recent political events, become the subject of intense study, curiosity and tension. But to understand contemporary anxieties, we need to trace their historical roots. Grahame Davies' The Dragon and the Crescen t does this for one small European nation, revealing for the first time, the full and surprising story of the Welsh relationship with Islam. Publication April 2011 Paperback 12.99 ISBN: 9781854115577 |
![]() | Noteworthy by Bruce Cardwell Music makers are the focus of Bruce Cardwell latest book of black and white reportage and portrait photography. Practitioners of acoustic and vocal music folk, gospel, opera, choral, classical and ethnic in Wales over the last decade of the twenty first century, make a rich and diverse gallery of talent. Publication April 2011 Hardback 14.99 ISBN: 978185411540 |
Meet the Author
Monday 28th March, 7.30pm. Martin Shipton, author of Poor Mans Parliament , talks at the London Welsh Centre. Lower Hall, London Welsh Centre.
Friday 1st April, 7 pm. Ruth Bidgood will be reading at Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown with Jan Fortune-Wood.-Ruth's most recent collection Time Being is shortlisted for the Roland Mathias Prize.
Saturday 2nd April, 12pm. Bruce Cardwell exhibits his new book, Noteworthy: Images of Welsh Music at Moma Wales. Mavis Nicholson will open the exhibition.
Tuesday 5th April, 5.30pm. Nia Williams launches her latest novel The Colour of Grass at George & Delila Caf, 104 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1JE
Wednesday 6th April, 7 pm. The Other Room reading series with Carrie Etter, author of The Tethers , Ken Edwards, Alec Finlay, and, by live stream, Derek Henderson, The Old Abbey Inn, 61 Pencroft Way, Manchester M15 6AY. Free admission.
David Hurn and John Fuller present Writing the Picture :
Thursday 7th April, 7.30pm at the Media Point Room, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff and Tuesday 12th April, 7.30pm at The Drill Hall, Chepstow. Entrance to both events is 2.00 (redeemable against the price of the book)
Competition
Seren have five proof copies of Daniels Beetles by Tony Bianchi to give away!
What is the key to happiness? Is it a job at www.happinesstheexperience.com ? Daniels Beetles , out at the end of April 2011 is an absorbing, unnerving novel about memory and forgetting, stories and lies.
Send an email with 'Daniels Beetles' in the subject line to seren [at] serenbooks [dot] com for your chance to win. Closing date 4th April 2011 Terms & Conditions
If you like Seren News and you think that some of your friends would too, why not forward it on to them? Just ask them to email us so we can include them on the next monthly newsletter, keeping up to date on all events, prizes, new titles and news from Seren.
this blog can be viewed in its original format at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk and http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/
Yesterday was a strange day, I realised in the shower that Im about 2 cinnamon bagels and an ovarian cyst away from having to wash with a sponge on a stick. This is of course a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.
DIRECTLY FROM WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVT:
Minister formally announces funding for Swansea Universitys new innovation campus
The Welsh Assembly Government is providing 15 million to Swansea University to deliver the proposed Bay Science and Innovation campus that will be located on Fabian Way across a 69 acre site.
An economic study by the University estimates the project will contribute more than 3 billion to the regional economy over the next 10 years and create thousands of jobs.
Plans on display for the new campus include a research and testing facility operated in partnership with Rolls-Royce; integrated teaching and research facilities for the Universitys Schools of Engineering, Business and Economics, Maths and Computer Science, as well as student residential accommodation.
The major research and development facilities are designed to encourage industry to work side by side with researchers, academia and students.
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has approved outline planning consent for the new Bay Science and Innovation Campus on the 22nd February 2011.
Mr Jones said,
This project fits into our vision for the Welsh economy with its focus on innovation and research and development. For Wales to succeed in the modern economy, academia and businesses must work together. Wales must move towards a more knowledge based economy where the right conditions exist for innovation to flourish so we can unlock our full potential.
That is why the Assembly Government is pleased to be providing 15 million to help make this campus become a reality. The Universitys research shows the project has the potential to create thousands of jobs for the region and pump millions into the local economy. Of course our funding will be subject to a business case appraisal and the University demonstrating its ability to fund the ongoing operation of the project. Innovation is key to our future in Wales. It is what can pave the way to success both in our businesses and academia. That is our path to further prosperity as we adapt to stay at the forefront of developments. For that reason, this development will be a significant step forward.
Professor Richard B Davies, Vice Chancellor, Swansea University said,
This is a bold and innovative project. It promises to be a global exemplar of universities and industry working together, creating high technology clusters and hugely enhancing the career opportunities for students. We have a number of multi-national companies as partners, but a project of this massive scale could not have proceeded without the assistance of the Welsh Assembly Government. We thank in particular the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones for his support and encouragement and for allocating funds from his own department budget to make the whole project financially feasible.
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Those of you who read my blogs will know how strongly I feel about recycling, regeneration and sustainability in Swansea and Gower. (Particularly Gower).
This is the type of news we welcome as it promises so much for the future sustainability of the region.
When highly intelligent individuals come to Swansea to study they more often than not fall in love with the beauty of Gower and the Swansea coastline. This is very good news indeed because often they decide to live and work here after their student days are over. In choosing to live and work here they boost the economic climate and the vibrancy of the area!
What should the planners be doing to help to make the region attractive to this group of individuals?
One thing they should be attempting is to bring vision to planning the recreational infrastructure. What currently tends to happen is that we train these high-worth individuals, and sometimes we incubate their businesses only to find that when they reach a point where they are viable and begin to employ workers themselves, they transport their business to The Cardiff Bay area where it is deemed to be trendier.
What is the solution? Please feel free to leave your opinion in the Comments section below.
Acclaimed Hollywood star Michael Sheen has given his support to the Healing The Wounds charity which helps treat sufferers of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
The actor has agreed to become a patron of the charity.
Its a wonderful gesture, said Healing The Wounds charity secretary Carol Richards.
We met Michael the other day and he was very interested in the work of the charity.
He was delighted to accept our invitation to become one of our patrons and we are sure that he will help us put the charity firmly on the map in Wales.
Sheen is currently working on a production of the Passion Play in his hometown of Port Talbot over Easter.
He is famous the world over for his film roles, which include playing Tony Blair, David Frost and Brian Clough.
Carol Richards added: Michael Sheen is a big box office star and a person who obviously cares very passionately about his home community in Wales. We are all looking forward to working with him in Healing The Wounds.
The Healing The Wounds charity was set up in January 2010 to help provide PTSD treatment for members of the armed forces and veterans. It aims to set up a Welsh base for the treatment of PTSD. It is already arranging treatment courses and building a team of counsellors who can treat PTSD.
Diary of a Crap Wife: Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum (Your dinner's in the dog.)
By Crap Wife, 2011-03-29
This post can be found in its original format at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk and http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/ with pictures and video.
"Hi, my name's ######. I've been affected by some of the issues in tonights show- you see, I gave my daughter away when she was a baby because my father made me, I grew up distant, closed off and acerbic, and never had a boyfriend 'cause anyone I tried to have sex with lost their penis to the cold, the only saving grace in my sad little life was my overwhelming love for my sister, who I have suffocated and babied through her cocaine addiction in Ibiza and her failed relationships with a nightclub owner, unfortunately, it would appear that she has slept with the only man who had enough sense to use Anti-Freeze instead of KY when he shagged me, and they now have a baby- that they called Amy, you know, like the one I gave away- in between all this, my sister's husband left her, and I had to save them from an icy pool, fortunately I'm immune to the cold; I'm not really speaking to my sister, but I'm making an effort because my father (who told me my kid was dead) is marrying my aunt, not sure how it's come about, but that's how us Mitchells roll, anyway, to get to my point, it would appear that the cleaner from the local pub who's been following me looking sad for a while (can't blame her, I did recently help you get an abortion) is actually my daughter, who is not in fact dead, oh, hang on, that tramp from the car lot has just mown her over. You can see my problem, I've very much been affected by the issues in tonights show, and I think when your writers are mirroring real life so closely in future, you need to think of the affect this could have on your audience."
Hi babe, you alright- missed you today. He says coming through the door.
Were out of milk. I say clutching the empty bottle to my chest and holding my hand to my grief stricken head dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum
What are you doing.
Nothing
Babe, Ive felt so ill for such a long time, Ive decided that something has to be done. I have been thinking about it all day, and Ive concluded that, to see if it helps......(dramatic pause)....... Im going to become a vegetarian. dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum
Do you really think it wou- dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum
Stop doing that, its really fu- dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum
Look, if you think its going to help you then Ill do it with you, I hate to see you ill, dont get me wrong, I wont enjoy it, but if it makes you feel better, Ill help. Says the sweetest man in the World.
Im so happy you understand Husband, I know that you love meat, but I really think this could be good for us for a while, we need to start being more health conscious anyway and if it helps my headaches, thats got to be worth it, hasnt it?
Yeah, ok, starting when? says poor, starving Husband. I can see him visibly shrinking in front of my eyes as the joy leaves his body. I had promised him a steak tonight, and when He phoned from work earlier I told him about the two monster fillets I had found reduced in Morrisons.
Ive made a lentil soup for dinner, so no time like the present. I had some earlier though, so youre eating alone. I fed those steaks to the animals, they loved them. Would you do me the honour of....(down on one knee).... Joining me in a cup of barley squash? dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum
As part of our publicity for the forthcoming West Coast Eisteddfod we will be releasing press releases from time to time . Our first such release has been posted today and can be found here:- http://americymru.net/profiles/blogs/an-interview-with-paul-child-1
Please, if you can, spare a minute to check it out and help spread the word . The more it's viewed the more prominent it becomes .
Diolch
Hot off the BBC news:
More than 200 writers, artists and supporters of Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre have signed a letter expressing concerns about its future use.
Dr Who writer Russell T Davies, Cerys Matthews and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy are among the names calling for it to be run by trust.
Swansea council is looking lease the centre to the city's universities to open a "creative industries hub."
It said the centre would not close and the permanent exhibition would remain.
The city is surely going to look a little bizarre, to put it mildly, in the eyes of the wider world if it is seen to have abandoned the Dylan Thomas Centre ~ Supporters' letter
The letter states since the centre was opened 17 years ago by former US president Jimmy Carter it had delivered a programme of literary and artistic events "unparalleled for its variety and excellence by any other arts venue in the United Kingdom".
It adds: "The centre has celebrated the literary arts of Wales, in addition to music, drama and the visual arts, and has attracted to Swansea a panoply of internationally renowned writers who, returning home, have burnished the renown of Swansea and Wales in all parts of the world."
The signatories, who also include Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, theatre director Michael Bogdanov and Thomas's son Colm, say with the 100th anniversary of the poet's birth in 2014 a trust would be the best way to safeguard its future.
"Plans are currently being laid, locally and nationally, for celebrations of the 100th anniversary," they added.
"The city is surely going to look a little bizarre, to put it mildly, in the eyes of the wider world if it is seen to have abandoned the Dylan ThomasCentre on the eve of this major national and international celebration."

Last year Swansea council and universities revealed plans to transform the centre into a "cultural and enterprise hub" for creative industries.
But in response to the letter the council said it was "making serious and significant preparations" for the anniversary with the Welsh Assembly Government and other partners.
"The Dylan Thomas Centre is not threatened with closure," said a spokesman.
"A joint venture alongside the University of Wales will allow us to secure its future during these difficult economic times when finance is limited.
We are working very closely with our partners to make sure that the Dylan Thomas exhibition is refreshed and improved ~ Spokesman Swansea council
"We are working very closely with our partners to make sure that the Dylan Thomas exhibition is refreshed and improved.
"The current proposal is that the exhibition will remain at the centre permanently although we are jointly working with the University of Wales on the fine detail.
The spokesman added that the centenary of Dylan Thomas' birth was a "fantastic opportunity for Swansea to celebrate his life and works".
Diary of a Crap Wife: Regaine, Refrain and Rethink (There's a storm brewing)
By Crap Wife, 2011-03-27
This Blog can be viewing in its original format with picture at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk or http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/2011/03/diary-of-crap-wife-regaine-refrain-and.html
It was my first day of being 28 yesterday.What a shitty age, dont get me wrong, I know Im not entering my twilight years or anything, and realistically, I know its not old, but still, if the last 28 years have only taken this long, then at this rate soon all Ill have to look forward is Marisota and a slack bladder.
Twitters not helping. Ever since I started this blog, Ive been trying to get round Twitter and I still dont understand it. From what I can gather, its like faceboo
k with only status updates Im totally stumped- what the hell am I supposed to write on t
here? I have had more people follow me around the pub to tell me Ive got loo roll
hanging from my leggings than I currently have on Twitter, and it takes me 20 minutes to decipher what people are saying.
The lack of vowels people use, owing to the character count, had me thinking for the first week that Id stumbled upon Polish Facebook. Its making me feel old and out of touch. Granted- being sat in the garden writing this with a tartan blanket over my knees isnt helping matters, but still, I blame the technology.
Speaking of which, the laptop has 100% got Aids now.This morning it coughed as I booted it and started making noises like Chloe Mafias dildo, I fear the end is near so if you dont hear from me for a while its because Im burying it (maybe Ill ring Gary Mole.)
Theres little to report on the campaign to break him at the moment, after the awful cock-money fiasco I feel that the only way to succeed is to plan something major that he cant ignore/rise above/turn on me.
I will keep you posted.
In the meantime, I have created what I believe to be a fool proof plan which should really hit him where it hurts- his hair.Husband has been going bald for about 6 years now and has for a long time been shaving his head.The introduction of Regaine onto the marketplace has offered him a glimmer of hope that he thought was long gone.Im pleased for him as his bald spot becomes highly reflective under the halogen spots in the kitchen.
His Regaine has been left unopened in the bathroom cabinet for the last week has hes been too busy to commit to the routine involved. This has worked in my favour as he doesnt yet know what to expect from the solution. In this time, I have transferred the follicle enhancing elixir into an old jam jar and replaced it with a mixture consisting of 60% water, 30% hair removal cream and 10% Johnsons Holiday Skin. Im hoping, after a twice a day application over the coming months he will be left with a dome like head that looks like one of Jordan's tits. I couldnt give a shit if he doesnt like it, Ill give him some cock-money to buy a hat.
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