:: Bleeders' Digest ::

Another week, another two-day hiatus in Devukha posts...

Frantic line-learning and purchasing of last minute items (such as a new suitcase) have all but sapped my free moments at work, which has been busy to say the least. Nonetheless I return to the fray this afternoon with a bevy of "news" snippets and inconsequential shite. So in chronological order:

• Tuesday's glum newsworld was lit up by the news that a spillage of mushy peas had closed the A1. Not to be outdone in the silly story stakes, Ann Summers must have booby-trapped a couple of dildos, as yesterday it emerged that the M6 was closed. This time a lorry full of sex toys and burning paper (jazz mags?!) was to blame.

• Also on Tuesday, Steve Bell provided an exquisite visual critique of the Press Complaints Commission. Nothing more need be said, other than that the notion of a self-regulating, responsible tabloid media is a dangerous fallacy:

• Continuing the "bollox" theme, I giggled at the announcement on Popbitch that Powergen (UK electricity company), has bought out an italian firm and launched this "racy" website www.powergenitalia.com. Sadly it emerged today that the company is an Italian domestic battery manufacturer and has no connection with the British Powergen. And no knowledge of the amusement caused to English speakers when their name is concatenated in a URL. Also apparently heartless Cameron Diaz wouldn't even tend to the wishes of a dying teenager.

• On to today's headlines. The astonishing news emerged today that US soldiers admitted to shooting innocent Iraqi civilians. This is the supreme example of the US "seen one raghead, seen 'em all" attitude. If you need further proof that America's motives in the recent Iraq war were not entirely altruistic (hah!), you can buy a pack of war profiteers playing cards.

That's me just about caught up with myself. I'm off to pack and ponder vodka related antics. And to commemorate Red Rum's move to the world of freelance sub-editing and my proposed trip to the banya on Sunday with Dyadya Pyotr (and Revd Plumstead Coleman) a publishing-related joke. So old it creaks...

Two fonts walk into a pub
The barman says "Oi - get out! we don't want your type in here..."

Oh - one more thing. Anyone know which bitch broke my cafetière at work?