This is a Bookring started by http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/BookCrossingUK. If you want to join the ring, take a look at the group - we're not sure yet if it will be open to non-groupees, but anyway the group is worth a look in its own right!

The book will travel around the group gaining words of wisdom and decorations as it goes. Once it gets back to me (WistfulDragon) I will start it round again, so we can all read it. The idea is that it will then be swapped with the similar bookring started by Dawnmomoffour in Canada, so we can read each other's words of wisdom and see how they differ/are the same on different sides of the pond.

The only trouble is I haven't thought of anything to write in it yet, and I have referred to it as 'wisdom' and classed it as 'philosophy'! Never mind, the other ring members are better at this sort of thing than me.

Ring members (asterisk denotes have made journal entry):

*WistfulDragon (of course!)
*Yowlyy
*Estherase
*Talkland
*Olliebear
*Lucycat
*PDB11
*Veganvixenuk
*Hey-miki
*Jalna
*Weebly
*KANGAROO
*Lady-mondegreen
*Loopy1
*Chelseagirl
*Perfect-circle
*Swisstoni
Ffyrestar - apparently has had it, although didn't journal!
*Semioticghost
*Daemonwolf
*Netstation
*Mrsbridgewater
*Moondreamer
*Wiblick
Dr-M - currently stuck here, hope everything is ok
Gooner
Torialouise
Spike1972
alans-daughter
ragtimebabe
Hexa
Sandyundead
Freesia
Winterson

Arrived today in the mail!!! Oh shock.... what will I write???? Time's runnig....tick...tick...tick...
Well...in the meantime I hope WistfulDragon isn't mad at me if I "fix" part of her decoration... I'd hate to think it can fall off the book!!! :-)

Picked up from the Post office today. Thanks Gabriella! I need a larger letterbox.
I'm not quite sure how I managed to get this "Wit & Wisdom" thingy before talkland, but get it I did. It says on the database that I'm number 7 and she's number 3, so I'll send it to her next. Once I've got something to write. Hmmmm....

The journal arrived this morning. I am not feeling that wise or witty at this point in time. I am going to pick my family's brains [gosh, no hope of any wisdom let alone wit there] and hope that I can come up with some pearls!

Extract from my journal

When I received the 'Wit And Wisdom' journal my brain seem to shrivel to the size my father always says it is, pea-sized. For some reason known only to him, he has since I was small compared my mental capacity to vegetables. Usually after I have done or said something more stupid than normal, well normal for me. I was afraid that I would end up rattling on [in print] like the a pea in a drum, my dad's turn of phrase, feeling like Mrs Potato-Head, my husband's term for me, wondering what to write.

I am limited in supplying humour to ghastly puns and terrible double entendres. My delivery of jokes is notoriously poor and my ability to make others laugh is generally just by slapstick. I would make a great clown and I don't need big floppy shoes and daft props to make a prat of myself. I have more hair, mainly in places I don't want it, than wit and about as much wisdom as the average person on the street and therefore minuscule, I decided to do what I did at school and borrow and copy from those that do. With this plan of action in mind my first stop was my family.

"Nan, do you have any wise words or witticisms that I can share with my BookCrossing chums?" I asked.

"Hmm, what did you say?" she replied. My grandmother isn't deaf but spends her life watching soaps. After trying to divert her attention from the TV half a dozen times I gave up and went to make her and myself a 'nice cup of tea'.

Next I tried my parents, or I really should say my Mum. Daddikins doesn't talk on the phone, just sort of grunts in answer to any questions before quickly handing the receiver over to Mum so he can retreat behind his newspaper or return to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer do amazing things in short skirts without messing her hair up.

My dear old mum, she provided me with a whole host of proverbs and sayings. Most you will all have heard before and a disproportionate number to do with the weather. I scribbled the more obscure ones down, the ones I have only heard my Mum utter. I promised to feature a couple of them or all of them if I was desperate in the journal. Then as our conversations tend to do, we meandered on and stumbled into the pat answers, put-downs and exasperated expressions that all parents seem to say before drifting into nursery rhymes and borrowed quotations. At last some material! All borrowed or as Mum said recycled.

Happy that I at last had something to start with, I cast me eye around my home. [Note at no time did I ask my husband for his help. He tends to grunt at me too but he holes up in the bedroom with the Play Station. And don't ever try talking to a man who is bashing the hell out of some monster while he is on a mysterious quest to gather shining orbs so he can save the world!] We have 'Complete Works Of Shakespeare' and 'The Bible' sitting gathering dust our bookshelves, always good sources of amusement. The monosyllabic light of my life has a whole swathe of books on eastern religions and philosophy. He also has a legion of t-shirts with slogans, jokes and just plain gross humour.

Flushed with my success at gathering other people's wit and wisdom, I toddled off into the wider world and saw that is everywhere: car bumper stickers; posters; newspapers; two old dears twittering on the bus; cab drivers [no, they don't just talk s***]. Arrgggh! Now what was I to do? It was all too much and my brain was hurting. In the end I decided to include only stuff I had heard people actually say and stop when I had cover my two pages worth. Actually, one page as one is going to be a picture [one which I haven't chosen yet but is surely going to stun everyone or make them laugh] of me. As it is an A4 notebook not the A5 that I was expecting maybe I should write my observations in VERY BIG LETTERS. Whoever starting this journal I thought was being optimistic that we would be able to fill up that amount of paper with humour and universal truth or in my case the scribbles of a demented mind and the peas of wisdom.

Released on Sunday, September 14, 2003 to a fellow bookcrosser mailed in Eastbourne, England United Kingdom.

I am sending this off to Olliebear. Hopefully she likes her vegetables as there are potato and peas galore [from me] fortunately plenty of wit and wisdom from the previous journallers.

Ooh excitement city! Received this form postie this morning - finally got to say HI as he couldn't fit it in the letterbox! Wears a silly hat though for a postie!

Anyway, have filled two pages with colour and witticisms - want to do more but realise it has to be available for others! Self control, Zoe, self control.

Anyway, will be passing along to Luc on our next pixie potter! Look out for a glitter attack from her!

Picked this up from Olliebear this morning, and managed to do my bit while the pixie slumbered this aft...how's that for good timing?

So, just waiting for Peter to get back to me with an addy now, and then it's off, off and away...

P.S. Glitter? Glitter? Spangles galore, darling...x

Update 30/9/03

Was unable to contact the good Doctor, so Mary's given me the go-ahead to skip to Philip next, so the journal has headed out to him today. Sorry for the delays, everyone.

Found this waiting for me when I got home from work on Friday. Why did it have to happen at quite such a frantic weekend? Probably because all my weekends are frantic at the moment.

All you girls are wonderfully creative! A hard act - or rather several hard acts - to follow!

I've written a piece of music to go in, and I've almost finished making a neat copy to paste in the book. Now, how do I find out whom to send it on to ... ?

Update 20/10/03

I too didn't get a response from M, so I've stuck it in the post to Vixen. Have fun!

Got today in the post.
The pages written on so far look amazing! All these arty people we have in our midst. What a hard act to follow!
Will probably be working on my contribution tomorrow night.

Well, i've completed my pages. I enjoyed the chance to get a bit arty! I just hope my bits don't fall out. Pritt stick isn't as strong as i'd hoped!
I'm not feeling very imaginative at the moment - i blame brain drain - all of my brain has been dedicated to learning how to teach! So the quotes are some of my favourites.
Anyway, will be sending on to hey-miki as soon as i get the address!

It arrived! hooray! (It must have got rather delayed in the postage strike)
Thanks veganvixen for your little extras!
What an exciting book! I do not feel worthy. Think think think...

Wow, this book is looking really good! Lots of colourful and varied stuff. Its going to be amazing when its finished! (I hope we'll still be able to afford the postage by then... it is accumulating weight on the way!)

I finally added my bit today. It's now on its way to Jalna

One bit of wisdom I have never managed to abide by is "Never volunteer." I responded to a plea for more contributors to this journal ... and now I wish I hadn't because I've looked at it and it's wonderful and I haven't a clue what to write in it.

I'm away to ponder awhile ...

I finally decided what to include in the Journal and then added an apology for taking up so many pages. Now that I have sent it on to Weebly, I must further apologise for contributing so much to the weight, and therefore the postage costs:-(

I do hope this Journal will keep on travelling until it has no more blank pages.

Highest parcel count so far today - 5 -one from ebay - one from monkeyroyale - 3 from book crossing. Postman started bringing his van !!!

10/12 - My sons project on France has provided sufficient inspiration for my entry..........going off to kangaroo tomorrow - then on to lady-mondegreen after.

Go - fly me pretty .........

Arrived this morning - wow! it's so impressive! I'm scared! With not an artistic bone in my body, what have I let myself in for..?

Luckily the weekend ahead finds me in Oxford so you never know, I might find inspiration there. Wisdom aplenty, hopefully.

Well, I've filled in my sorry excuse for a page (about time too) and now the journal is off on its travels again.
Looking forward to second time around, I have to say!

This journal has literally just arrived in the post 5 minutes ago and I haven't even looked at it properly yet but decided to mark it's arrival with an entry here. This is the FIRST time I have received a book on any of the rings and rays I have signed up for so far. It is sooooooo exciting! I will read all the entries from the previous journalist, then try to emulate their wit and wisdom and pass on.....

Ho, Ho, Ho. I have had a great Christmas and am hoping for a happy new year! I have enjoyed reading the jottings of all those who have graced the pages with their own wit and wisdom so far. Adorning my own pages today has been great fun and hopefully enjoyable for all the readers hereafter. I will post it on Monday to loopy1, Enjoy!

Wow! Three days? it will take me longer than that to go through all the previous contributions!
This looks like an amazing book, and I only found it when I finally remembered to bring the milk in - postie is being kind to us this holiday, not rousing us out of bed to open the door.
Wit and wisdom? maybe the most useful would be advice on how to open a parcel :-)
I'll ponder on this for the rest of the day, and consider carefully my contribution. Thanks, guys :-)

This book is amazing. I can't wait to see what it's like when it's full!
I have my contribution prepared and intend to get the book back in the post tomorrow. I tried my best with my handwriting - hey, at least you can read it! That's what I always tell my sons :-)

Received this at some point over the weekend from ffyrrestar - not sure why she hasn't journalled it! Wow, it's impressive, and I'm scared. Why on earth did I sign up for this? I'm neither wise nor witty, and certainly not anywhere near as artistic as any other contributor!

Anyway, as I didn't actually get to open this till last night (was away all weekend) I'm going to try and get it sent off by Thursday, hope that's okay with everyone. Just got to think of something to go in it now!

Well, I've done my best. This journal is just so amazing, everyone who has contributed has worked so hard and put so much thought and effort into it. Looking forward to seeing the finished book after it's travelled through several more BCers!

I've emailed the next person on the list, dr-m, and will send it off to him as soon as I get an address. Failing that it'll be winging it's way to perfect-circle in Newcastle!

Update: I've not heard anything from dr-m so will be posting this on to perfect-circle in the morning. Apologies for the delay!

finally arrived this morning (no thanks to the post office) and now I feel under pressure.

There are some amazing entries so far in this and I had real trouble to think of something that would make sense let alone include any wit or wisdom. Can't say I've managed to do that (I'll let you decide when you read it) but I have finished and will be mailing to Swisstoni in the morning.

Righto. Arrived safely here in Nottingham. All looks very impressive so far (and as a former medieval historian, might I say that Lucy's illuminated manuscript is especially fine). I'm not much of an artist I'm afraid, so mine will be mainly words, I reckon. I have decided on my theme and have started my research. Should still be done in time (I hope! 3 days is a big ask)

I think my theme could also be used as a quiz when I am done, actually. I may even offer a prize... It is supposed to be wisdom, but I won't be too shocked if it ends up as trivia. Clues? Well, we have just had a big long discussion about it (no - not cheese).

okay-cokey, pig in a pokey. I'm done. Actually I was done days ago, but there has been a weensy bit of confusion about who was next (naughty Stef hasn't journalled). Anyway, Esther K is next, and so has the first chance at my entry (also available in spreadsheet form, which will frankly be easier to manage).
It's a lovely book, and you are all marvellously creative. Loved the French homework!

This arrived from Tim today - hope to write in it this week and then pass it along - famous last words!

I've included my contribution and sent it off to Daemonwolf today. Most of mine is typed and pasted in, because my handwritingt is barely legible at best.

I've tried to include some of what little wisdom I've managed to acquire in the time I can remember. As for the wit, I invite you all to contribute to the 'wisdom of work' bit on the inside back cover :)

This looks like ***so*** much fun...

---

Later: And it was. I ended up including some interesting new periodic tables and a load of recommended books amongst other things.

Released on Monday, March 29, 2004 at Nottingham Meet in Nottingham, United Kingdom Controlled Releases.

Update as of 27/03/04 - passed onto Netstation at the BCUK Nottingham Meet after everyone there oohed and aahed over it.

OK, I'm the guilty party! I collected this from 'Nia of the hat' at the Nottingham meet-up and haven't touched it since for two reasons: Like others I'm a little overawed by the preceding entries and wondering how I can contribute, and quite honestly I've not had time. I have a whole two days off now though, so I'll do what I can and send it on its journey on Tuesday.

28/04 ...and finally it's gone, winging it's way to mrsbridgewater. Sorry everyone, for holding it up so long.

Oh wow! This arrived today and it looks amazing. I feel a bit humble just looking at some of the contributions so far - haven't had a chance to read it yet, think that may take the alloted 3 days in itself! Am feeling a tad emotionally unstable at the moment so am hoping to retire to a quiet place to read this and think some profound thoughts!


EDITED 29th April 2005

Looking back, a year after the above journal entry I realise that I was feeling 'a tad emotionally unstable' because I was probably in labour with Freddy who was born on 29th April last year. I have fond memories of reading the journal on the afternoon of his birth and would love to read the completed journal again one day.

Arrived safely, thank you. When mrsb contacted me for my address, I'm afraid my reaction was 'Oh no!', because I already had some idea of the excellence of the content and was concerned about trying to match it. Having just dipped in briefly I still have that concern, but the one comforting thing is the incedible variety - I might manage to find a niche to fill, but I fear its contents may be neither witty nor wise!

Right - finally on its way - apologies for my part of the delay. Sent today to wiblick as Gooner is extremely busy at the moment.

My contribution is words only, and most of them not even mine!

Thanks, everybody - a wonderful book. Thanks, Wistfuldragon, for organising it and starting it off.

Wow! just registering the fact that it has made it safely to Dublin, will update this entry when I finish my bit and pass it on, hopefully within 5 days, thankfully it arrived just before the weekend.

My apologies for stealing this book away for soooooo long.

while I'm around I'd better get this moving again.

Will contact the next person on this list and send it on.

Recently got this book back from Dr-M, whose been having a very busy RL - my thoughts are with you, Doc!
Now I have it, I can't resist reading it before passing it on again, so you'll just have to be a little patient - but it will go on by the date of the Unconvention, I promise!