I must be slightly stressed because I’m very amused by this BBC news headling: “Rubbish fire hits rail services”
Surely that’s a bit judgemental? It might be a really good fire, for all they know.

I discovered Free Williamsburg while Googling Orhan Pamuk.
And I apologise to H, to whom I rhapsodised about the Chris Ofili, because it already has or is about to close.

One for my special New Zealand friends: “New Zealand is not for sale, despite somebody in Australia trying to offload our neighbour – a nation of 4million – to the highest bidder on eBay. From a one-cent start, 22 brisk bidders took the price to $A3000 before the “sale” was pulled from the website.”
I’m having trouble believing this one but I’ll blog it for my friends from Leeds (or who went to uni in Leeds): “A man, 34, wanted for serious assault, escaped on a horse- drawn rag-and-bone cart and eluded four police motorbikes, a patrol car, a video van, two cycling constables and a helicopter in a bizarre low-speed chase through Leeds, England.”
And while I’m here, this man has wisdom for all of us: “During a civic ceremony to honour him as Britain’s oldest known World War I veteran, Henry Allingham, 109, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, attributed his longevity to “cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women”.” (Odd Spot)

It’s ages since I’ve read Art and Letters Daily and I’ve also been directed to Edge.

It’s Anzac Day.
It’s the first year my uncle won’t be marching. I’m thinking of my aunt and their family today.

“Vatican ‘may relax condom rules’
The Vatican is preparing to publish a statement on the use of condoms by people who have Aids, a senior Roman Catholic official has said.” (BBC)
If it’s true, it’s incredible news.

“Bosses at a Stockholm hospital have asked a nurse called Jesus to change his name after concerns that patients told “Jesus will be coming soon” might get confused and think they were already dead. Jesus will now use his middle name Manuel.” (An old Age Odd Spot.)

“A female secret service agent has been honoured by the Royal Air Force – 63 years after first complaining at the “injustice” of not getting her “wings”.
Pearl Cornioley, formerly Witherington, became the leader of 1,500 French freedom fighters during World War II.
She was recommended for the Military Cross but, as a woman, was not allowed to receive it.
…
“It was a complete accident that I ended up leading 1,500 resistance fighters. I was not a military person, I was supposed to be a courier, but I ended up having to use whatever sense I had – but I certainly didn’t do this on my own,” she said.” (BBC)

I don’t think the Germans have quite caught onto the art of spin:
“Julia Kienbaum, a spokeswoman in Berlin for football’s governing body Fifa, says: “Germany’s image is not that good and we want to show we’re not as bad as people think.
“People think of Germans as very serious and they still have a bad impression because of the Second World War, brutal Prussian discipline and the idea we want to be the leaders of the world.”” (BBC)

“He didn’t like Led Zeppelin or The Clash but I don’t think there was any need to tell the police.” (“Clash Song Terror Alert” from Sky News)