Closing proceedings

Here we are then, it's getting on for 11.15pm, and I think I'm about done for today. Donna (Nightmaremom) is doing fine, but is asking us to send power. She hasn't got any, following a 22 inch fall of wet snow. Aye, it's only mid October here as well.

* Don't forget the J-land chat tomorrow.
* Don't forget that voting for nominations for VIVI awards will commence tomorrow, Sunday 15th.
* Don't forget (readers in UK) the Mass Blog on Tuesday 17th October

I would like to make a special mention of an event that will be commemorated on October 23rd, a week on Monday. In 1956 on that date, an uprising began in Budapest, Hungary, against the communist regime which had been in place there for 11 years at that point. A demonstration against the government and the occupying Soviet forces was bloodily suppressed. Although the tanks withdrew for a few days, Soviet rule was finally reinforced on November 4th, 1956. Thousands fled the country; a year ago I met two of them. Others lay down their lives in the name of freedom. The seed that they sowed had to lay dormant for 33 years, before democracy finally returned to Hungary in 1989.