Busytown by Jolisa Gracewood

But in the spirit of journalism in the age of the internet, I have repackaged the story for your consumption and put my own name on it.

And done in a way that is not at all plagiaristic.....

(I would, however, do whatever it took to smuggle the phrase “axle rose” into the headline.)

And since you're their mother, I'm thinking that's just begging for a follow-up 'Sweet Child O' Mine' joke, buried somewhere in a following paragraph.

And done in a way that is not at all plagiaristic.....

Personally, I felt the attribution was more than adequate.

I love my family very much, but just occasionally I do wonder what it would be like to be adopted by someone else's. Say, the Gracewoods (and that's without having "met" any of aforementioned peoples), or, Sofie and Mr Sofie, or Danielle's. Or Giovanni's. And did I mention that if any of these people adopted me, I would, of course, be one of the children? Yes, I like that thought very much.

his mouth fairly rectangular with anxiety.

Nice shape to picture a mouth in. I'm baffled as to who wrote this, but it's a good read.

*That* Jolisa, is a beauty.
"his mouth fairly rectangular with anxiety." O so observed, so excellent! (And the subject matter - whee! And, arrgh!))
It's like the way wee kids can keep their hands on their hips and stick their elbows back at impossible angles. Or their faces mirror 5 moods in a minute. Thank you. Again.

Jackie, we dwell among an amazing e-space eh?

It's like the way wee kids can keep their hands on their hips and stick their elbows back at impossible angles.

Picture perfect Islander. I Like that.

I'd been sitting here for a couple of minutes thinking, Jackie Clark, familiar name, but I don't recognize the face...fair warning when changing photos please!

Thanks mark taslov- a lot of my sibs have bred (I am a greataunt many times over) and I truly am fascinated by watching their kids, friends' kids, grow up-

Damn! I can no longer find the newspaper in which was reported, breathlessly, the murder of the Tamagotchi by the washing machine. It also had an interview (of me, about cooking) and advertisements (for a soft toy minding service). And a somewhat forlorn request for story ideas. It had a very wide circulation, to New Plymouth, Wellington, Auckland, and Adelaide.

Bravo on the Pterry reference, bravo. :D

The future of newspapers perhaps? Hyper-local, super-relevant, same-day production and controlled circ - no wastage, minimal distribution costs. Lovely read, as always.

gravity-confirming spectacle previously seen only in Tom and Jerry cartoons.

Surely Calvin and Hobbes* is a more appropriate?

* laziness leads me to use this 'example'

Thanks, all. It's always a pleasure to share these sweet child(ren) of mine, especially when they are being sweet. One of the happy ironies of the Breaking Trolley Incedent [sic] is that for once they weren't actually trying to cause grievous bodily harm in the pursuit of fun.

Deborah, I reckon we need a Library of Deposit for youthful newspapers. Otherwise how will the future know what the most urgent issues of the days were for the least represented citizens? (I'm actually kind of serious here...hmmm... this is close).

Alan, I think you're right - it's like the hyper-hyper-local version of our own hyper-local news site, only without the discussion forums. The next step: hammering up the newspaper on telephone poles up and down the street. Or a return to "Hear ye, hear ye." That would be awesome.

Paul, well spotted - I do believe Messrs Calvin and Hobbes directly inspired the original stunt - in fact they may have been what persuaded us to rescue the dilapidated trolley from the bulk trash pile where we found it. The eight year old has memorised every downhill-in-a-wagon-or-toboggan C & H strip. (Who am I kidding, he has memorised every other C & H strip too).

The rectangular mouth on the little guy is for real - he's been doing it since he was a baby, and looks exactly like his paternal grandfather performing the mask of tragedy. It's an excellent expression, although rarely seen these days as he is such a happy chappy.

Islander, I love that you notice the elbows and faces. How do they do that? And how do we become so unbending with age? I miss that lability, both physical and emotional.

Jackie, I reckon online communities - and other people's blogs - are all about playing swappa-families and enjoying that adoption fantasy! It's a village in the computer. And I like to fantasize that once upon a time, the real world village was that fluid and embracing, and still is in good places.

As it happens, Jolisa, I saw your lovely sister Gemma at the do last night, and had to physically restrain myself from throwing myself at her, and pleading for adoption. Was that your mum I saw there with her?

Yes, Jackie - that was them. Next time, don't physically restrain yourself!

Was that your mum I saw there with her?

I believe the better line is "I didn't know you had an older sister!"

Russell, you smooth thing! I'm surprised Fiona lets you out of the house with a repertoire like that.

Ooo. Book club. Yes please.

Jackie I have met the Gracewood's. I used to flat with one of them. Did you know they used to be Wood's but changed their name to Gracewood to save their mother's maiden name Grace? I have always liked that story and now they have this great unique name except Greg who rebelled and stuck with Wood. I remember talking to Jolisa at her parents wedding anniversary and when I found out that she was living in Ithaca the only thing I could think of that I knew was there was the Moosewood restaurant. I asked if she had been and she said she had but it was a bit disappointing and it was better to just enjoy the books. I also remember that night because Jolisa’s sister in law was playing Carla in Shortland St at the time and her character was a real terror but we had only seen the beginning of what she had to offer. A couple of us asked Carla (real name Elizabeth) what was in store which she would not tell us of course but alluded to much more to come which there was. She is still one of the most memorable Shortland Street characters I think but I have not watched the show for a very long time.

Thanks for that, Hannah. What a lovely story.

I believe the better line is "I didn't know you had an older sister!"

This line was deployed to great effect by Peter Sarsgaard in An Education ..

Oh, what a film. Managed to see it the other night. Gorgeous acting, great story, hot clothes, beautifully shot. I loved it.

Yes, wasn't it wonderful? Great script too, I might add - Nick Hornby has a magic touch. Glad you enjoyed it.

oooooohhh Russell - you are SO smooth!! May I say that I thought YOU were looking extremely handsome and well groomed for the Media 7 bfm report :)

Jackie - you can come and play with my kids at my house anytime. Your lovely, lively personality will fit right in.

You can come too Hannah - it would be lovely to see you again.

Hi, Mummy Gracewood, I just wanted to tell you, and I'm sorry I didn't on the night, how fantastic I think your family is. Really. And I am so sorry about your lovely husband. Big hugs and mwahs from me to you.