This blog has been a long time coming.  And it is quite possible that after reading it once or twice, a few of you (many of you?) will say that it should have been a lot longer! We live in a world where the commentary that we read and hear comes from so many different sources and through so many different media.  In the past, the only option was to speak back to the newspaper; or shout at the television; or perhaps, share your opinion over a pint … or two … on a quiet evening. And that was enough, because … well … that’s all there was – until now. Facebook has its place.  But is a blog social media?  A blog is about more than ‘checking in’ or, ‘posting my status’ – however much fun it is to do these things and read these things. Not a day goes by when I am not surprised by something.  Sometimes, the surprise is that I shouldn’t be; at other times, it something more significant and to others, not just me.  And so to the title of this blog, “You can imagine my surprise!”  Some of my friends will know another way when I use YCIMS! But that’s not for now.  Enjoy, follow, comment (but don’t be rude!) and get to me know a little better!!