What do bloggers do when they have “writer’s block“?! (Doesn’t happen to me, because I’ve always got plenty to say, haha!) This is a question that the folks at WordPress have answered brilliantly. In case you haven’t heard of it, they provide prompts from a site at www.plinky.com.
How does it work? From their website:
- Every day we provide a new prompt (like a question, or a challenge), and everyone gets a chance to answer.
- It’s simple to add photos, maps, playlists and more. You can easily share your Plinky answers on Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, Tumblr, and most major blogging services.
- We know you’ve got something interesting to say. Plinky is here to help you say it in a fun and compelling way.
An example of one prompt I thought I’d share comes from last week:
Thursday, Mar 22, 2012
When was the last time you voted in an election?
If I wasn’t signed up for Plinky, I might have never even thought about this question. I’m glad I’m reminded as it’s an interesting story about a funny situation I found myself in as an officer cadet in the Canadian (un)Armed Forces. I think it also sheds light on English/French Canadian relations and where we find ourselves today.
Would you believe that the last election I took part in was the historic decision in 1995 on whether Quebec would remain as part of Canada or would seek its soveignty?! Amazing as it sounds, it doesn’t even seem likely as I’m a small town boy from British Columbia. What on earth was I doing voting on whether Quebec would remain in Canada or not?!?! Well, because I had attended university since 1990 at College Militaire Royal de Saint Jean (“Verite! Devoir! Vaillance!”), I was considered a resident of Quebec and thereby allowed to vote. This was true for many Anglophones in the military who happened to be stationed in Quebec. The vote was SO close that I like to think that we played a small part in keeping Canada united. 
One reason we may never have to see Quebecers voting for soveignty is the fact that the Right Honorable Jean Chrétien pushed through the Clarity Act in 1999 and it finally became law in June of 2000 which makes it harder for a province to consider leaving Canada. (Jean Chrétien considered this one of his greatest political achievements!)
Anyway, that whole journey down memory lane was in thanks to Plinky’s prompt from last week. Thanks, Plinky! (& WordPress!) Make sure to check out plinky.com and if you’re a blogger, consider signing up for their daily (or weekly) prompts.
All this talk of elections, makes me think about the American Elections coming this fall. Have you seen this funny little video from “the Canada Party“. Worth a view!
Andy in Oman 
Dear Andy,
Congratulations on your successful blog! Great job! I have been trying to register with Oman Forum which I find almost impossible to respond to, an article on `Rape` in Oman. I would like to know how RAPE violators are dealt with in Oman. Even though I have lived here for 34 years there seems to be very little information on this subject. It is a subject I feel very strongly about. Who can innocent victims turn to? Maryam Anne Malin
Anne,
Thanks for the kind words. I have no idea how rape violators are dealt with in Oman. It sounds like one of those issues that would be very hard to get concrete info on here in the Sultanate. I hope someone can post some helpful info for you here. All the best!
Anne Malin: The punishment in Islam is death but in Oman is jailtime decided upon by the courts unless the victim accepts a cash payment of somekind, usually. Same for anykind of molestation, even an unwated kiss*
My friend took an ROP officer that molested her to court but forgave him on the condition that he be fired from the ROP. If she hadn’t, it would have been 10 years in jail for him. So rape, if backed by the court, would be a longer sentance than that. I think it depends on the characters of those facing the charges, ect, as I imagine the courts fined the ROP officer for abusing his duties, far harder than they would a fisherman, ect.