3BT: coffee, opinions, and the nicest ever rejection

1. The Starbucks sign is up at Gare Centrale, and I see a man in a green apron. Two more sleeps until my next latté.

2. At my writers' group, I am, as so often, confidenty advancing a strong opinion. 'You should write for the Guardian,' says my friend.

3. I get a personalised rejection from a well-known agent. She says there is a lot to like about my book - a controlled tone and an ability to captivate the reader. I've had, I think, my first 'near miss', and it feels good.

A damsel in distress..

Anyone out there know the Voice Recorder app for iPad?

I recorded something for work the other week, and didn't touch it for a couple of weeks - in part, I think, because I was worried I might accidentally delete it. When I could no longer avoid opening the app, I did so - and my recording had disappeared. I know I took it because I played it straight afterwards. I didn't delete it - certainly not knowingly.

Does anyone know where this file might be hiding, or how I could find it?

It's pretty urgent and fairly desperate so I would be forever grateful!

Anthony Weiner and the Evil American Press

Well, American press, you have what you wanted.

You did want Anthony Weiner to resign, didn't you? Because the way you hounded him certainly didn't indicate otherwise.

Yes, what he did was pretty terrible. But you know what was also terrible, and possibly even worse? Your treatment of him. Your revealing to the world that his wife is pregnant, a private detail that should have remained private until she chose to tell people, probably in about six weeks. Your insistence that he should continue to be ridiculed and embarrassed, when he was clearly contrite and ready to move on and keep serving his country.

Right-wing American press, of course you wanted his resignation. But Democrats? This guy has fought hard for the liberal cause; yet you too got you wanted, by ensuring he remain in the news: every day a different prominent Party member calling for his resignation. This was certainly not the way to get the focus back onto the President's agenda.

You left him, in the end, with no choice. I hope you don't regret this decision. I suspect, though, that you will.

A West Wing wedding...

For those of us who follow the West Wing characters on twitter, yesterday was a lot of fun.

Charlie and Zoey got married in Manchester, New Hampshire. There was much merriment, despite the drama when Donna thought she was going into labour eight weeks early. Overcome with the excitement of it all, Josh forgot about his sensitive system and thought it would be fun to ride one of the Bartlet horses. Not having any clue how to make a horse stop, he then had to be rescued by secret service agents. Meanwhile, Gail the Fish stayed behind in DC and amused herself by swapping round the letters on the keyboards.

They also took the opportunity to highlight a couple of charities that people might want to donate to, in honour of Charlie and Zoey: the National MS Society and Missing Kids.

This morning, they are all hungover and perhaps a little grumpy.

Check out the #bartletyoung2011 hashtag. For those who doubt the reality of it all, there's a photo of Zoey in her wedding dress, and another of CJ and Danny arriving together.

Makes you wonder who these people are, running these accounts, though. Do they not have lives? Are they all separate people? Did they coordinate beforehand? Will Aaron Sorkin give them all jobs in his next show? We can but hope.

Happy birthday Aaron Sorkin!

Just pausing to reflect on the impact Aaron Sorkin has had on my life.

Without him, I might never have...

- known or cared about American politics

- known much or cared much about America, full stop (sorry, guys)

- visited DC

- been introduced to my very favourite actor

- been inspired to write the book I have just finished

- fallen in love with the English language

- known who Rob Lowe was (yes, I'm that culturally inept)

- gone to Hay to meet Rob Lowe, and ended up meeting another author who inspired me, listened to me, and may well be helpful to me later down the line...

- met Rebecca, who's now one of my best friends, and made countless other friends online

I realise I'm repeating the word "inspired". Which, when you come to think of it, is quite apt.

Aaron Sorkin, you can be my three beautiful things for today.

3BT: the BBC, Inevitable, and Starbucks

1. I log into the BBC website during my lunchbreak. A banner informs me that it wasn't a vicious rumour: soon we foreigners will be able to access iplayer. Hooray: no more kicking myself because I forgot to record Question Time.

2. Many unexpected backings and kind comments on my book. I even get an email back from an agent saying she 'likes the tone'. It's still a no, but it makes my day.

3. Another tweet, another happy shriek: the Gare Centrale Starbucks is apparently not just a rumour either. It's going to open on 22nd June. I'd been looking for something to use my countdown app on.

3BT: journalism, writers, and good food

1. I do my first ever interview as a freelance journalist. I'm not quite ready to be the next Mariella Frostrup - maybe in time for Rob Lowe's next book - but it goes well, with no need for prodding or artificial sounding questions. I've chosen my subject carefully; I knew this lady would have fascinating stories, and I am happy to be proved right.

2. At my writers' group, a newish member reads out her story and beams when we all (deservedly) congratulate her on her excellent writing. I recognise that smile, and it feels good even to see its reflection on someone else's face.

3. Honey-glazed duck, accompanied by a glass of red wine.