Showing posts with label Just for fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Just for fun. Show all posts

Thursday, 4 March 2010

Rhodri Morgan uses the internet for the first time...

Former Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan has been targeted by online fraudsters, MPs were told today.

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said Mr Morgan, who stood down last year, was sent an email from a woman saying he was “exactly the kind of man she was looking for”.

During Commons question time, Mr Brennan – MP for Cardiff West – joked that the message had not come from Mr Morgan’s wife Julie, the MP for Cardiff North.

After setting out measures being taken to combat online fraud – particularly among vulnerable and older people – Mr Brennan revealed that 70-year-old Mr Morgan raised the alarm after receiving the email.

He said: “The former first minister of Wales, Rhodri Morgan, has just taken up the internet and he recently in the office received an email which he showed to me from someone – from a woman – who said she was exactly the kind of man she was looking for.

“I did point out that it was not from the Hon Member for Cardiff North, his wife.”

P.S. More amusing news comes from Jonathan Morgan AM "Rhodri Morgan's mutterings from the back of the Senedd make him sound like Fr Jack, the old priest in BBC's Father Ted series!

Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Thought of the Moment... Carwynista


A Changing Wales, and at a Faster Pace?

Not only is Wikipedia showing that Welsh Labour leader and First Minister designate Carwyn Jones is a Rt Hon, and before even becoming First Minister, but I also discover that the Welsh media is abundant with absent script, short sentenced 'new' Welsh speaking AMs who have taken the opportunity to step out into the sunshine for the first time since Autumn has ended and Winter has begun.

Please form an orderly queue before a warm Winter chat and confirmation on the FM's balcony.

Looking back, what surprises me? A large and more than generous donation to the campaign. How desperate can one person be? Surprise? On second thought, no!

Thursday, 12 November 2009

A sign of things to come...










Monday, 20 July 2009

Rhodri Morgan Appreciation Society revisited

From time to time I keep my eye on Rhodri's fans on Facebook. You may remember my report back in August 2008:

Back in September 2007 a Facebooker set-up the group 'Rhodri Morgan Appreciation Society'. The group had 20 members when the above snapshot was taken in January 2008.

"This group is for people who think that Rhodri Morgan has been a great leader of the Welsh Labour Party and a Brilliant First Minister of Wales. Rhodri Morgan has lead Wales a progressive direction over his years as First Minister. With good socialist policies like free prescriptions, or his support for the Welsh Language, Rhodri Morgan has done a lot to improve Wales, and help the worst off in Wales."

Still at 20 members at today's date, it seems that not many Facebookers agree with the above statement. Glad to see that Alun Davies AM and Joyce Watson AM are members. Are the other Labour AMs trying to tell us something?

On the plus side for our great leader, only 4 Facebookers belong to Rhodri's other group, 'Is it just just me or does Rhodri Morgan need a new suit?'

"A group totally dedicated to the fact old Rhodri has looked shabby in his
suit for years. Surely its high time the old man of welsh politics bought a new
suit?"





In Rhodri's final (depending on expected and unexpected circumstances) year, the membership has risen to 32, and 6 respectively. Makes you wonder why more Labour AM Facebookers haven't joined up with the growing number of fans.

Who'll be the first to set up the Carwyn Jones or Huw Lewis Appreciation Society?

Sunday, 12 July 2009

We've dined at this restaurant before

The BBC report that TV chefs have a rival in the shape of the Welsh Assembly Government.

A new recipe booklet promising "mouth-watering dishes" has been produced by ministers to promote Welsh seafood. It also offers advice on choosing fish and sustainable local sources.

Rural Minister Elin Jones, launching it at the Cardigan Bay Seafood Festival in Aberaeron, said she believed Welsh produce is among the best in the world. We have, however, been here before. Strict vegans will have to wait until next year for the third installment of the complete cook book.

The assembly government said the promotion of Welsh fish and seafood was a key part of its strategy to support the "development of viable and sustainable fisheries".

Ms Jones said the assembly government "is committed to working closely with major retailers to offer consumers a range of choices in sustainably produced and harvested fish and shellfish".

Monday, 6 July 2009

To be put on a pedestal

The One and Other project will see a different person standing on the 'fourth plinth' every hour for 24 hours a day over the next 100 days.

Housewife Rachel Wardell, 35, will take her place as the first "living statue" when the event kicks off in a few minutes at 0900 BST.

More than 14,500 people from across Britain have so far applied to take part in the event.
Ms Wardell will be followed at 1000 BST by Jason Clark, a 41-year-old nurse from Brighton.

Other people to take to the plinth on the first day include Jill Gatcum, 51, a consultant from London, Suren Seneviratne, a 22-year-old Sri Lankan student and artist, and Ishvinder Singh Matharu, a 31-year-old optometrist from Chigwell in Essex.

Heather Pringle will be celebrating her 20th birthday on the plinth
The oldest among July's 615 participants is pensioner Gwynneth Pedler, 83, from Oxford, who plans to signal with semaphore flags.

Friday, 20 February 2009

8 things women want to know*

Ever since Freud, men have been guessing about what women want. Famous for our verbal skills, women are still not about to tell you what's really on our minds. But believe it or not, we women don't have you men completely figured out yet, either. We spend a lot of time thinking about what goes on inside that non-communicative head of yours. So what do we want to know? When your girlfriend gets that dreamy look in her eye, she may be thinking:

"Why can't I drive?"
Every guy insists on taking the wheel, as if merely sitting on the passenger side might somehow sap his testosterone. Riding shotgun used to be a macho position in stagecoach days. Now all it's good for is asking directions.

"Why won't you go to the doctor?"
Most men would rather suffer at home, wracked by fever, puking their brains out, than go to the doctors. His refusal to admit any kind of vulnerability leaves it up to her to fret over that suspicious mole on the back of his leg.

"Where do you keep all the stuff we lug in our purses?"
I don't know any man who carries a handkerchief these days. But how can your pockets hold your notes, change, credit cards, photo ID, checkbook, pills, PDA, mobile, breath mints, lip gloss, tissues, a comb and condoms? Maybe that's why combat trousers are so popular.

"Do men ever really talk about the important things with their friends?"
So much of male friendship is about what you do together. When it comes time for emotional support, are you able to share that intimacy? It doesn't seem as if men work at their friendships as much as, or in the same way, women do.

"How come you can't smell your dirty underwear?"
When you put on the socks stuffed in your running shoes, doesn't it occur to you that they are the same socks you ran a 10K race in two days ago? Draping your briefs over the back of a chair is more of a territorial display than a cleansing rite.

"Why don't you call when you say you will?"
If your date was so unforgettable, why say you'll call? Are you so chicken that you can't let her down to her face? If you truly mean to call, and postpone it, is it out of shear incompetence, or are you playing a mind game? This leads to the corollary question..."What will you really think of me if I call you?" Is a woman who makes the first move, or second, or third, considered desperate or daring? Is she charmingly bold or offensively brazen?

And of course, the million pound question:

"When you say you love me, do you really mean it, or are you just trying to get into my pants?"

[*According to Marcy Barack]

Monday, 24 November 2008

Balancing bookends

Since former minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas was air brushed from a picture of the Cabinet, the Welsh Assembly Government has been busy updating its photographs on their website. As well as posting an up to date Cabinet photo, there's also a complete Welsh Assembly Government shot.


The usual suspects are in the photo - First Minister, Deputy First Minister, Counsel General, Ministers and Deputy Ministers. But wait, I see more! There are also what appears to be two bookend hangers-on.

I've asked Pippa if she knows who they are. She does. She also said that I should be able to guess the one on the right.

I'm guessing the person on the right is the new Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Assembly Government Gillian Morgan from her BBC photo. But who is the person on the left? Miss Wagstaff wants me to find out for myself and is giving me no clues.

Given the negative publicity on equal opportunities in the Assembly, I'll be surprised if this isn't a way to get more women in the official photograph. With two women leaving in 2011, they need all the numbers they can get.

Saturday, 25 October 2008

7 Deadly Blogging Sins

According to Windows Live there are 7 Deadly Sins of the blogging world - a far cry from Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride! Of course, these deadly sins don't apply in the world of political blogging!

The humble blog has swept the internet world by storm. Think of it as your own online journal - a place to both store your thoughts and air your views.

1. Not blogging

There is no rule when to begin. Put simply, the more often you blog, the better you will become. One thing to remember - Blogging is a commitment, set aside some time each day. It is easier to get into blogging regularly than trying to pick it up after a dry spell.

2. Blog only when you have something to say

Too many posts are an instant turn-off for most people – this is the blogging equivalent of sending e-mail forwards. Everybody wants to have a lively blog; an absolute maximum should be 4 a day, no more! Nobody wants to fall into this trap.

3. Having a meaningless post title

People blog for one of two reasons; either they gain enjoyment from doing it or for some monetary, commercial purpose. In the case of the latter - in order to gain the most blog views, people insist on cramming their title with the most vague and nonsensical keywords. Codswallop I say! The same applies for writing purely for fun; don’t use boring and generic headlines, your title should encourage people to read - not send them to sleep.

4. Not leaving comments for your friends

Being tight with your comments won’t win you any friends; it may even alienate people from your blog. Blogging should be a lively medium and encourage communication. Don’t be a scrooge and leave your friends comments as appropriate.

5. Don’t delete your comments

Your friends have spent time reading your blog – to delete their comments is just plain rude. Don’t be put off by negative feedback; if you blog often and make great posts - any bad comments you receive will quickly be overshadowed.

6. Don’t strive for perfection

Perfectionism will hold you back and will turn the simple task of writing an entry seem like a chore! It is especially easy to fall into this trap early on. To be a successful blogger you must find your own voice - don’t force it, blog in the style that feels most comfortable to you.

7. Shameless self promotion

Nobody likes an attention seeker and this rule applies for online too! Don’t promote yourself at the expense of others - you shouldn’t have to force your blog down other blogger’s throats, this is the sign of a bad blog.

Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Cutting-edge Union

It must be time for some pointless idle gossip again.

Many (okay, one anonymous person) might be wondering what happened to the staff of Aberystwyth and their key-cutting nightmare that I covered in an earlier post:

Staff in an Assembly office in Aberystwyth have been asked to sign for pedestal keys; with a penalty of £22 if lost. This local policy has been as welcome as a wet-weekend in Cardigan Bay, and the union have advised staff not to sign for keys. Instead, meetings were instigated to convince management of the worthwhile idea of attaching keys to the security pass which is issued to all Assembly staff. This has not been adopted. The union is concerned that this local initiative will spread Wales-wide. What will staff be asked to pay for next?
You'll be pleased to hear that thanks to the Trade Union and their intense talks with management, the charge will not now be introduced. What a good example of the union working with local management for mutual benefit.

Who ever said the union is powerless and a damp squib??

Next week:

Union negotiates with management and succeeds in allowing staff to use three sheets of toilet paper, per person, for each trip to the loo.

[Thanks to the anonymous email]

Thursday, 16 October 2008

What if...


Following on from Senedd Whip's earlier post speculating on Eluned Morgan MEP's gap two-years, my mind started to wonder or even wander over a glass or two of wine.

What if... Welsh Labour have designs on Eluned Morgan becoming leader in Wales. She is a woman and we all know that they prefer equal representation in Welsh democracy (and even in the civil service, moving on to Dame Gillian Morgan from Sir Jon Shortridge).

What if... Jane Davidson AM was persuaded to 'resign' her seat in the National Assembly, after all, it could be for personal reasons and she hasn't got to disclose them if she leaves sooner than expected. No scandal over an unnecessary by-election. She's already forewarned us about her intention to stand down in 2011.

What if... First Minister Rhodri Morgan considers it a good idea to prolong the leadership contest, after all he's feeling better and healthier than he has done for years; and is known for supporting Labour-friends above and beyond the call of duty, as seen with Ministers Jane and Jane.

What if... a by-election was called in Pontypridd before 2011 and a certain leading figure in Welsh Labour and constituent friend of Rhodri's was 'convinced' to stand for the good of the party, and won.

What if... the leadership contest of the Welsh Labour party was then held after a reasonable and respectable amount of time post by-election, and certain 'said constituency friend' of Rhodri Morgan had the backing of the man himself, the Welsh Labour party, and the unions.

This would - of course - annoy quite a few members in the process.

They say that 'What if...' is a game for scholars, of which I am not... but... what if...

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

One leak, one drip!

A meeting of a Welsh assembly committee has been abandoned after water leaked through the roof of the building.


AMs were taking evidence from teaching unions on education plans for 14-19-year-olds before giving up.

"Very, very embarrassed" chairman Jeff Cuthbert AM called it a "leak in the Welsh assembly of the wrong sort".

With this much fuss over the noise of one leak or drip, it's fortunate that there's not a war taking place - that would bring the wheels of democracy in Wales to a standstill!

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

A towering figure... of 5' 11''

Gordon Brown's wife Sarah stepped centre stage at the Labour conference to introduce his keynote speech.

It almost seemed like a mother introducing her son to a group of friends in an act of pride (that could easily have been you Pippa), building him up in only the way a mother can. Or even having to defend his actions before a headmaster after being called into school - defending him to the utmost of her ability, and with no flicker of doubt

She said she was "so proud" of her husband's achievements and praised his "motivation" to help people.

I'm so proud that every day I see him motivated to work for the best interests of people all around the country. Sometimes in a world where there is so much to do we don't perhaps have enough time to celebrate what has been done.

She went on to introduce Mr Brown, "my husband, the leader of the Labour Party, your prime minister" - who made mention in his own speech about critics of his personal style, amid poor opinion poll ratings for Labour and rebel calls for a leadership challenge.
What is it with the women in his life? A towering figure indeed.

What of Gordon's turn? Garbo summed it up well with:
Well, it was a very good speech… by Brown’s standards. And it has put the doubters in the background… for now. Brown is no Blair and he is no Cameron when it comes to public speaking, but yesterday he was better than the Gordon Brown we are used to dozing through.

This was not a speech aimed at the electorate. It was not an attempt to turn the polls round over night. It was aimed directly at the party. The snipers. It was a speech that would reassert his authority and cut down any “novices” who were pretenders to his crown. And, to a certain extent at least, it has worked

N.B. I have asked Pippa Wagstaff if I can mention her son in a post. I wouldn't want her to accuse me of using him as a post prop - he's a person! She mentioned having the same pride when dropping off her son at his first day at nursery.

Thursday, 4 September 2008

Welsh Blog Index Awards 2008: Results

Having been away for nearly a week, I'm humbled to have returned to the following news from our very own Welsh Blog Index Awards 2008.

A big thank you to everyone that voted for this blog, and a hearty round of applause to my colleagues - Dotcommentator and Senedd Whip - for their huge effort over the last several months.

I can only assume that those who voted for Miss Wagstaff Presents in the 'Most Improved Blog' category are old readers that have stuck it out since the beginning :)

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

All at sea


Here's the new front page of the Assembly Government. Let's hope it is not an artist's impression of the ministers.

Monday, 1 September 2008

The Editorial Policy of Leighton Andrews AM

The blog of Leighton Andrews AM - holding up the fine tradition of blogging Ministers:

Editorial Policy
This blog does not publish anonymous comments, unless they are really witty and I like them. If you have something to say, then have the courage of your convictions and use your name or an identifiable alias. Even then I reserve the right not to publish comments that are malicious, defamatory, stupid, pointlessly cynical or boring.

There are very few [no] comments on the 'Look at Me' blog of Leighton Andrews AM, and that's only if you include the posts on Cardiff City FC. Senedd Whip demands to have him removed from the No. 33 spot on Iain Dale's list of Top-40 Welsh Blogs. Partly for its pointless use of space on the web, and mainly for being the definitive boring political blog.

Friday, 29 August 2008

Rhondda jokes

Much excitement at the Western Mail today as they get a sniff of a story about a happiness survey. Rhondda Cynon Taf was adjudged to be the least happy area of the UK.

If this is true a clue might lie in the quality of the jokes that the Western Mail quotes:

There were two goldfish in a bowl. One said to the other: “How do you drive this thing then?”

'Two goldfish in a tank', surely?

Thursday, 28 August 2008

Comment of the Week

It seems that life doesn't begin at 40, according to one reader that commented upon Iain Dale's announcement of the Total Politics Top 40 Welsh Blogs:

Being no 40 on a list of Welsh bloggers is quite a thing. To receive such an accolade is a bit like being singled out as the 40th most pro-democracy member of the Chinese politburo or the 40th most attractive check-out girl in the Croydon branch of Tesco! Respect. Ha ha consider who is number 40 that's probably the most accurate thing ever written.
No. 40. Martin Eaglestone

Martin, don't listen to them [him]!

Tuesday, 26 August 2008

Total Politics Results: Top 40 Welsh Blogs

Forty Welsh blogs [a high number, I thought] have made it into Iain Dale's Top 40 Welsh Blogs list for his Guide to Political Blogging in the UK 2008-9.

As Iain puts it "Plaid Cymru will be pleased with their showing in the Welsh Top Blogs list, with 18 of the 40 places going to nationalist blogs." Those Nationalists have far too much time on their hands!

  1. Peter Black AM
  2. Glyn Davies
  3. Ordovicius
  4. Miss Wagstaff Presents
  5. David Cornock
  6. Miserable Old Fart
  7. Cambria Politico
  8. Bethan Jenkins AM
  9. Betsan Powys
  10. Adam Price MP
  11. Cynical Dragon
  12. Vaughan Roderick
  13. Guerilla Welsh Fare
  14. Valleys Mam
  15. Welsh Ramblings
  16. Dib Lemming
  17. Hen Rech Flin
  18. Blog Menai
  19. Lone Voice
  20. Amlwch to Magor
  21. Welsh Blog Index
  22. David Jones MP
  23. Paul Flynn MP
  24. 07.25 to Paddington
  25. Borthlas
  26. Blog Dafael
  27. John Moorcraft
  28. Andrew Nutt
  29. Ceredig
  30. Nicolas Webb
  31. Dylan Jones-Evans
  32. Inside Out @ Swansea
  33. Leighton Andrews AM
  34. Elfyn Llwyd
  35. Huw Lewis AM
  36. Jill Evans MEP
  37. Gwilym Euros Roberts
  38. New Welsh Right
  39. Independence Cymru
  40. Martin Eaglestone

The full list and entire series can be followed by clicking on the following link to Iain Dale's Diary.

Thursday, 21 August 2008

Quote of the Week: Party differences

Ministers congratulate Welsh Athlete on Olympic Gold Medal

First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones have congratulated Nicole Cooke on her historic Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics.

The First Minister said:

Nicole Cookes' Gold medal is a fantastic achievement. I am so pleased for her because she had been planning this for four years since her disappointment in the Athens Games in 2004 when she was outwitted in the final attack.

She has learnt her lesson and was able to time her efforts perfectly. This has brought her, Wales and Britain the honour of an Olympic Gold - the greatest prize in sport.

Nicole has already been a great example to women in Wales, encouraging them to take up physical exercise. From now on she will be forever be a role model as it has been for a very long time, if ever, since a Welsh woman has taken a Gold medal.

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said:
This is another incredible achievement for one of our great sporting champions.

Despite such dreadful weather conditions, Nicole's strength and sheer determination secured a victory in China that will be celebrated as a great moment in Welsh sporting history for many years to come.

Nicole is a great ambassador for her sport and for Wales and a role model for aspiring young athletes across our nation.
[August 11 2008]

BBC UK Politics

BBC Welsh Politics

WalesOnline

Welsh Political News

UK News from Times Online

Telegraph Politics

Copyright

Words © The Author [Posted by...] 2007 2008 2009 2010. Comments © their authors.

Disclaimer

This is a personal blog - any views expressed are not those of the authors' employer(s), or organisation(s) they are involved with or represent.

Comments posted by readers of this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the authors.

We don't accept any responsibility for the content of any blogs or websites linked from this site. Links exist to provide a wider experience of politics and life on the internet or to reciprocate for links on this blog.

For further information please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Copyright © Miss Wagstaff Presents 2007 2008 2009 2010
No part of the content or the blog may be reproduced without prior written permission.

  © Blogger template 'Perfection' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP