There's Still Time

to get in touch with your MP before tomorrow's Human Fertilisation and Embryology vote. I did. I have yet to have a reply but I will let you know what it says when I do.

I quote from the government's website: "Amendments to abortion law are likely to be introduced during the passage of this Bill." We need to be all over this like a rash. The bill is before committee as I type and you can watch the privileged white men argue about what happens to women's bodies if you go to www.parliament.uk - but don't blame me if you end up frothing at the mouth and looking for someone to beat senseless. I'm late with this post because things IRL came up and overtook me, but PLEASE, if you have two minutes to spare, e-mail your MP or phone the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000 and ask to speak to, or leave a message for your MP. They need to hear us.

Womyn Company

Recently I find that I am spending all my time with womyn. And it's so comfortable and supportive and funny and smart! They aren't all feminists, they aren't all even lefty liberals like me, but I adore them, one and all. I don't know how things will be if and when I get the job I want, and have to work alongside men, but for now it feels right. I'm volunteering with womyn of all ages, loving the older ones, despairing (a bit) of the youngsters, but LOVING it! I'm exercising with womyn, talking, listening, dancing and laughing. I feel relaxed almost all of the time. I don't crave my food. I don't feel unbalanced. I am so up and energised at the moment that I am thinking of starting something myself, maybe a book club. Want to join me?

I changed

the name of the blog. I think because I feel less "Salford" and more radical these days. The Salford identity bit isn't driving me the way it used to. I love my city but I think I'm moving on a little bit and thinking of myself in different terms. Or not. Maybe I'm just ready for a change. Things are changing. I am enjoying the experience.

Hiatus ii

I shall be back.... Just having a spring break.

Things I Saw Yesterday

I am feeling disturbed by these window displays. Disturbed enough to have photographed them and load the images here for you to examine.
The first two photos show the window of a clothing shop (All Saints) where several headless black mannequins are hanging by the neck on chains. The third photo shows the black mannequins in JJB sports window, and for comparison, the fourth photo shows the white dummies in the same store. Can you see a problem? Are the black models horribly stereotypical? I went into JJB and asked whether the black dummies were supplied as part of a specific brand campaign, thinking perhaps that might explain the glaring difference. But no. So I am currently working on my letters of complaint to both shops, and what I would like to know is: am I overreacting? Am I seeing racism where there is in fact none? Opinions please.

Oh, You know how it goes...

This goes on and on in my city and elsewhere, perhaps because of this. As an antidote to which, I suggest reading this. And for those of you with a strong stomach and a taste for the extreme, I point you at this. Enjoy.

Hahahahahaaaaaaaaaa!

I am laughing my ass off! Those stolen items I blogged about a few days ago - they popped up on e-bay! I was so sad and so angry that they had been taken (from a CHARITY shop) that I just sat and searched local papers and e-bay listings, thinking that certainly someone would try to sell them, and bugger me, they did! They were listed the same day they were taken. The best bit is, me being the anally retentive person that I am, I had written down the serial numbers from the bottom of each item, so I KNEW they were our missing ones.

So, to cut a long story short, the police stepped in, issued a warrant and this afternoon the items are back in my possession! I could dance with excitement! I don't know what will come of it all but I DO know that this is a victory for me, for the shop, for my obsessiveness and for our community. Hurrah!