A couple of months ago I wrote about two former friends of mine with gender identity problems

At the time, I was under the impression that one of them had died. Today I had the pleasure of finding out that I was wrong. I do not feel that I can say anything more without her consent, but she wrote to me yesterday to put me up to date. This is lovely news and a heartening way to end the year, so much otherwise under the shadow of colossal natural tragedy and depressing political rot. I am very happy.

Somebody tried to celebrate the end of the year by beating up our Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Unfortunately he was interrupted before he was able to do much towards this praiseworthy goal, and is now facing some time at the expense of the Italian taxpayer.

Happy new year.