Job well done

Jac was right as usual, issue 303 is a cracker so well done all of you in our Ed's absence. Jac's role as stand-in editor reminded me of my trials and tribulations sitting in the big chair way back when I was still living in Tenerife.
The most stressful aspect to editing the paper, I found, was getting a good splash. On one occasion however, it was Monday night, and with just one day to go before pressing, I had nothing to grace the front page but a weak whale story. Now the old whale story is a great filler, partly because it evokes emotional sentiments, partly because you can always find a cracking whale picture (which Tenerife editing room doesn't have one knocking about?).
But this time round, I really wanted to impress the Ed and go with something striking. At the time, I was also working at night in a bar called The Drunken Duck in The Patch, and so, having left the office rather stressed at this 'no story' business, jumped in a cab and went off to collect some glasses (a great stress buster as the job came with six free Heinekens and three pints of Vodka Redbull - but that's anther story!).
As we approached the bar, the traffic came to a stand-still and in the distance, I saw plumes of black smoke rising from The Patch area. In a flash I jumped out of the cab after paying the driver and ran towards the smoke, which was evidently a fire judging from the fire engines that were fast approaching it.
Hurrah, I thought, this is my story. Looking back, that seems so mercenary. People could have been dying and all I thought of was my story. I have since learnt that all reporters get this same rush of adrenaline at the prospect of a scoop. No wonder we are not very popular.
As I reached the fire engines, a small crowd had surrounding the busy fireman, who I recognised from a day I spent with the Bomberos (wicked day - I've never been so popular!).
One of them spotted me and kindly filled me in on what had happened. Okay so it was far from a towering inferno, but thank goodness for that. A fire had been starting on the lower levels of the Patch - something to do with the tramp that used to live there. My Tenerife amnesia (any other ex-Tenerifians have this problem?) prevents me from remembering his name, but he was always knocking around The Patch with his trusty dog. Anyway, his mattress set light and there was a lot of smoke, but thankfully not much fire and even better, nobody was hurt. No matter, I got my front page. Some dramatic pictures of a closed off Patch, and an admittedly slightly weak story on what could have been. Oh, and if I remember rightly the whale story made it to page three!
Tasha Laming

Issue 303

Well, here we are again, slogging away on the latest issue. It's absolutely boiling hot, we're in the midst of a calima, and the air conditioning and fans are just about keeping us cool. Physically cool that is!
As usual on the last couple of days, we are at full speed, sorting everything out and just managing to cope without our editor Sandie. Yes, while we are all here, noses to the grindstone, the ed is off galivanting on a well-deserved break!
Had a lovely get together on Friday evening, to celebrate my husband's birthday, and many of The Paper gang turned out. Maude, our co-publisher and all round sweetheart bought Jim 3 Rod Stewart CD's and I think I've gone off her a bit. It's been nothing but Rod for the past 3 days!
Anyway, this issue is shaping up to be a good one, of course, so be ready to enjoy.
cheers, Jacqui.

Issue 302

The Paper staff are all having a well earned break now after putting another edition to bed. Online readers can enjoy issue 302 sometime Sunday evening. The editor herself is currently enjoying a wee holiday with her grandchildren and daughter (me) in England. We are off to Center Parcs in Longleat for a break next weekend, which will be hysterical as it involves a lot of bike riding. Anyone who knows the Ed might consider the bike and her high heels an illfated marriage, but she insists she will be fine. For those keeping up to date with her smoking, I'm thrilled to say she is still off the fags which makes for a much easier life all round when she comes a visiting. Whilst the Ed is away, The Paper will be left in the very capable hands of news editor Jacqui Yuille-Flight, so good luck to you Jac and don't work too hard.
Tasha

Back again

Yes, Tasha is quite right. We have been a bit lazy, but it's true it has taken us some time to recover from the party and then we get hit with St. Patrick's Day!
Anyway, seems we're all quite fit and able now. Sandie is off for a trip to see her babies and while she's away I will be standing in as editor. OOps, you know what they say about while the cat's away and all that! Look for a lovely big story on the Tenerife Train!(not our ed's favourite subject, lol)Both Sandie and Steve are still off the nicotine and we are all well impressed. Sandie is coping fine and Steve, bless his cottons, well suffice to say he is currently a bit on the confused side, but frankly he's given us some truly hilarious moments as a result and we love him.
Most of us here on the Island that give a damn are moved and saddened by the plight of the hundreds of Africans that are arriving on our shores almost every day. In Los Cristianos it has become a common sight to see ambulances racing from the port or paddy wagons full of terribly sad looking people. It has become global news. Right now a trip to Los Cristianos beach is definitely not on the cards for me, though I heard that UK tourists are the first in line to snap photos of the poor buggers as they land.
Well, that's it for the time being. Love to hear what's happening out there with our online readership. Give us a blog, eh?
Jacqui Yuile-Flight

Posting drought

Well, apologies primarily for the distinct lack of postings in the past couple of weeks. Basically issue 301 proved a trying experience for all concerned. It probably had something to do with the post-celebratory hangover from our 300th edition party. It didn't help that a few of us were late in with our copy, namely myself with a 'few' words and Michael Harding with his sport, which arrived around the same time as Reds' which is always notoriously on the line every issue!
Another stumbling block is our ed's seeming inability to work her way around anything technical i.e. posting a blog entry or replying to a comment. She'll get there in the end I'm sure.
Meanwhile, on another tangent, sorry to be so English and talk about the weather, but you lot in Tenerife honestly have no idea how BLOODY cold it is here in England. I know we were warned about it being a tough winter this year, but this is taking the proverbial!
Posted by Tasha Laming, freezing her **** off in the UK!

Issue 301

Hi all, issue 301 of The Paper will be ready to read on the net on Sunday 10th March. Many thanks and enjoy your weekend. Tasha Laming - web administrator

Happy Birthday Tasha!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Tasha,
Happy Birthday to you.

Have a super day, Tasha. How clever of you to be born on International Women's Day!
loats of love from the rest of The Paper's Bloggers xxxxxx