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WE are now the victim of a ritualised existence. Awake. Determine where we are. Venture one tremulous foot to the floor. Wobble to the kitchen. Stumble around the room on autopilot. Switch jug on, place coffee mug ready and arm percolator. Kick cat.
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GOOD morning. Enter bathroom and confront mirror. Open eyes. Eyeball gecko displaying fangs. Close eyes immediately. Sneak second look. Resemblance to Methuselah noted. Close eyes again. Feel around medicine cupboard for razor, brush and shaving soap. Cut finger. Swear. Register cat climbing up toilet cistern in pursuit of gecko. Kick cat. Shut door.
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AND so on. We’re sure you have your own ghastly First 20 Minutes each day. Try not to think in the early morning – do the necessaries by sheer force of habit. Take control only when you have left the house or flat or settlement and are queuing up for the PMV.
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THAT’S when the eyes must be open, the feet itching to kick competing fellow travellers and the elbows ready to deliver terminal blows to all who stand between you and PMV entry. Em nau. Now you’re in fully operational mode and nothing can stop you demolishing another day’s work. Yabba dabba do!
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SEVERAL of our correspondents reacted with fury to a letter we published yesterday critical of a report covering an incest case that we carried in The National on the same day. Steve’s e-mail reflected the anger of our readers.
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HERE’S part of what Steve wrote: “Your correspondent has performed the most incredible feat of mental gymnastics, somehow deciding that the girl who was being systematically molested by her father over many years was partially to blame for not speaking up. What hope is there when there are people out there who think like this? He has no concept of a position of trust, or the notion of parenthood and nurturing.”
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AND finally, as part of the US recognition of international women’s day, Ambassador Leslie Rowe will today announce the 2008 PNG winner of the Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage. Good to see recognition of the world’s bravest women – more on the award tomorrow. Cheers.

– Dee Nesenolis
Editorial