The Paper Blog

Job well done

2006-04-11T06:46:00.000Z

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

2006-04-03T11:51:00.000Z

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

2006-03-25T08:00:00.000Z

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

2006-03-21T17:37:00.000Z

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

2006-03-18T20:01:00.000Z

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

2006-03-10T07:15:00.000Z

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!

2006-03-08T08:44:00.000Z

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

Jac says

2006-03-07T12:08:00.000Z

What a night! It's taken me three days to recover and manage to finally blog you all. Bianco was the ideawl venue - elegant and stylish and the food...fab. We all looked very glamorous indeed, I must say. Sandie was incredible - n0t one ciggie all night. If she can manage that she can do anything. I personally went through a couple of packets - bit nervous about the speech but people tell me it went across fine. Met some fascinating people too. Hardly thought any existed that I didn't already know here on the Island - how wrong was I?
Great news too - the sun is shining again at last and we are all looking forward to a few days lazing about once we put 301 to bed.

2006-03-06T21:36:00.000Z

It's 9.30 p.m. and I'm tired. The Paper is way behind - not that that is unusual in itself - but this one seems particularly hard for me. Could it be...could it just be...that I need something to puff on? Oh no, must not go there. It's nearly a week now since my last cigarette and I cannot understand why I'm feeling particularly bad today. I'm very short tempered, a bit of a bitch to be frank - sadly not a rich one - just let me get through tonight. Must be strong.

editor says

2006-03-06T15:38:00.000Z

It's Monday, 6th March - party well and truly over - but this one will not be easily forgotten.
To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it - what's wrong with me? I used to be such a party animal. Anyway, to say the evening was a huge success would be an understatement.
I'll let all the others rave on about the night - suffice it to say I was so proud of our news ed, Jac - speeches in both Spanish and English - go girl - and she was definitely the belle of the ball.
And...guess what? I didn't have one cigarette. Now, this is an 80 a day girl (nothing to be proud of) but I've gone from Fag Ash Lil to 'Fragrant Rose' practically overnight.
Do I have cravings? Oh, god yes. Do I feel depressed? Oddly, no. Am I grouchy? Who cares.
My husband Steve has now gone nearly 48 hours without a cigarette and I am so proud of him. He's finding it pretty tough and is a bit twitchy.
I'll keep you informed.

A sporting chance?

2006-03-01T21:35:00.000Z

I've just had a much needed laugh watching Shaun Wright-Philips standing alongside the gigantic Peter Crouch - they looked like Laurel and Hardy! But seriously, judging by tonight's performance, who rates our hopes in the World Cup?
Mike Harding

Guess what!

2006-03-01T15:57:00.000Z

Yes, the rumours are all true. Our editor Sandie has actually stubbed out her last fag! It's almost two days since her last puff and she's still going strong. Talk about proud of her. She is managing the whole thing fabulously well, not grumpy at all, bless her. Well done, darlin' Sandie, and by the way, got any leftover fags you don't want? Tee hee hee!
Keep it up, mate.

Jac the news ed says

2006-03-01T15:47:00.000Z

In response to the comments made by the anonymous blogger. Your point would, of course, be well taken had the four Orcas been taken from their natural habitat "for entertainment or display purposes." However, as the article clearly states, the four were actually born in captivity as part of a breeding and conservation programme in the US.
Any regular reader of our paper will be well aware that we are constant advocates of the rights and the need for protection for the cetaceans that live in the waters surrounding the Archipelago and beyond. I am sad to hear that you are 'appalled and ashamed' given that we take our role within the communioty quite seriously in terms of the influence we may have.
Nevertheless, we report the local news as it happens and as we see it and I stand by the story in the firm belief that these particular Orcas, 3rd generation born in captivity, will bring the message of their kind in the wild to many visitors. What do you think?

Website up

2006-02-27T07:34:00.000Z

Well, the new-look website has now been finished and the 300th issue of The Paper is now online ready for viewing. All the staff are having a well earned rest and some beauty sleep in time for the party, which I sadly won't be attending. There in spirit and all that!
Hope you all enjoy this issue, and apologies in advance for the numerous mentions of it being our '300th' edition!!
Tasha Laming

Jac says

2006-02-21T15:01:00.000Z

It's the 11th hour, last day of work on our 300th and things are much better today - all of us are recovering from our various ailments at last and well pleased with the way this issue is shaping up. Still cold though, here in sunny Tenerife.
Many thanks to Bobbie from Blackpool for your good wishes, mate, cheered us up no end.

Tasha Laming Says

2006-02-20T18:12:00.000Z

Everyone is definitely feeling the pressure now as the 300th edition gets put to bed. I still can't believe we have produced that many issues of The Paper though when I look in the mirror and count the lines around my eyes, it does kind of make sense!
I'm just thankful that I am a long-distance member of staff now, having left Tenerife's shores four years ago to live back in Blighty, for I remember only too well how intense the atmosphere became in the office when the pressure started. But then again I miss the buzz of watching someone read The Paper and enjoying it, and knowing it was all worth it.
Hope it's all going swimmingly at the Paper Towers everyone! Not long to go now!

Jac says

2006-02-20T17:17:00.000Z

Hard as it may be to believe, things have gone from bad to worse! The Paper team is suffering here at Paper towers. Rich is limping after pulling a ham string yesturday while checking to see if he could run as fast as he used to. He now knows he can't.
My tooth is murder and my head's not much better. And all we can do about it is sit and giggle - at least our Ed Sandie is sympathetic!
The 300th edition is almost complete and it's a winner. One more day to go then we can all relax! Now all we need is the sun to come back out - it's hardly made an appearance for days now and we are all sitting here in our woolies. Oh well, must get on, have to write up the Carnival events - yep, before you know it Carnival will be upon us again and this year I'm going as Pebbles from the Flintstones!

Jac says

2006-02-18T15:17:00.000Z

Nursing a sore head and tooth today! but the show must go on. Sandie is limping after spending most of the night awake with leg cramp. Rich is dozing after spending half the night awake chatting with Ralph on the porcelain telephone. Between the three of us we scarce make one complete person - and we have three days left until sending the 300th edition to press/ never mind, at least Liverpool beat Man U in the FA Cup tie - first time since 1921!

Tasha Laming says

2006-02-17T07:29:00.000Z

We are still dipping our toes delicately in the waters of the blogging pool, but it hasn't taken long to realise there is a brave new world out there just waiting to be explored. Already we have been contacted by a fellow blogger living and working here in Tenerife. Many thanks to Leslie Beeson for your post, and also for giving us a chuckle here at The Paper with your hilarious blog! Keep up the good work with the smoking, you've done better than our Ed! Here's Leslie's address for you to have a read - it's well worth it!
http://tenerifescribbler.blogspot.com

Tasha Laming

2006-02-16T11:51:00.000Z

I have just been working on an intro to a brand new column in The Paper, which could advance into bigger things in the future, though more on that later on in the year. For now, I'll let you in on a bit of insider info - the column will be called Elegancia and will be promoting the high life in Tenerife ie fine dining, fab shops, beautiful hotels - all the glam things the island has to offer. After the bad press we have received in recent months, it's time we hit back with some positive advertising for this wonderful island which has so much to offer to so many different tastes.
Wish us good luck with it!

Jac the News Ed says

2006-02-15T16:12:00.000Z

Couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up this morning to find Teide once again wearing a white blanket of snow! So pretty - but let's face it, we're all fed up with the chilly weather of late and will be glad to see the back of winter.
So nice to read Monty and Jimmy Riddle's blogs - we love to hear from our readers - thanks to you both for the good wishes.
Have to say the buzz of excitement for the upcoming 300th celebrations has now become the tremor of fear as the reality of the task to organise it all has hit home! No propblem fitting into those posh frocks now - nobody can eat!

Jac News Ed says

2006-02-14T15:35:00.000Z

Gawd! What a day. I think I've spoken to everyone today and the list of people coming to our bash is growing longer by the minute. In fact we may have to cancel our hair appointments, Sandie, or mine at least since I seem to have pulled most of it out!
Now I'm praying I'll fit into that gorgeous dress and wishing I hadn't asked Rich to get me chips for lunch today!
So back to it for me, the office is literally buzzing with excitement - 300 issues - wow!

Ed says

2006-02-14T15:08:00.000Z

Hi there, it's the editor here - making plans for our big party, which is being held on 3rd March at Bianco restaurant in Santiago III. Invites have gone out, hair appointments have been made and all at Paper Towers are preparing for the big night.

Welcome to The Paper Blog!

2006-02-14T12:53:00.000Z

In celebration of our forthcoming 300th edition, The Paper staff felt it only fitting that at long last we join the 'blogging' revolution. So here it is in all its finery. We have plenty of anxious bloggers here at The Paper Towers all keen to impart a little wisdom your way about life in Tenerife.
Expect a lot of laughs and the odd serious moment but above all be assured that much like The Paper it will be a ruddy good read!
Please feel free to leave a comment and make sure you make regular visits in the future.
Hasta luego,
Natasha Laming