Joanna Newsom

So, Joanna Newsom - I've read several reviews which have all raved about how awesome she is, from writers who are usually OK, but having heard some of her stuff this week I now realise that it's all a joke, or maybe one of those emperor's new clothes type things - I mean come on! I don't mind a bit of Kate Bush, and Bjork certainly had something, but this, this is just a little boy squeaking a bit, with some nice harp music in the background....

Looking across the valley

I look out from our bedroom window. It's just getting light. Across the valley on the old Merthyr Road I can just make out four coaches parked in a line ready to ferry the kids from the school that burnt down, across town to their temporary home; luckily another school had just closed down, up behind the railway station, so there is a ready made replacement for their burnt buildings.

Cheeky

Funniest news story of the year:

To anyone who has been residing for the past 48 hours on a planet other than Earth (in which case, be warned, fanatical stargazer Mr Opik will doubtless have you in his sights), the story runs thus: ITV weathergirl Sian Lloyd has broken off her protracted engagement with said quirkily-named MP after he ran off with one half of the failed reality TV chart-topping Romanian identical twin duo the Cheeky Girls.

But the unlikely mix of trashy low-brow and Westminster politics guarantees it a place in just about all the papers, from the Mirror (headline: Cheek to Cheeky) to the Telegraph (Sian Lloyd's MP fiance runs off with Cheeky Girl). The Independent even runs a leader on the story, concluding that the pair's east European background means they might well have bonded over the issue of EU enlargement. Phnarrr.

In which I get a job...

The weather forecast said heavy showers, and for once they were quite right. With hail! Cleverly managed to do my walk and visit docs for flu jab, without getting soaked. River high, wide and not too handsome.

In other news, I have got a job, 2.5 days a week, as a Job Search Officer, going back to my careers adviser roots. Hurrah. Bit scary though...I have to go for a medical, so am still a bit concerned in case this is a problem.

December

Still haven't heard about the job I went for on Tuesday. They said they'd let me know in a couple of days, so it would be nice to hear before the weekend.

Exciting News

I have got an interview for a job as a Job Search Officer next week. I have to do a presentation. I am working on it as we speak.

Traffic

This morning I have mainly been walking round the park, going to the post office, perusing second hand book shops, and having mug of tea at best cafe in town. It is of course lightly drizzling. In cafe old man started explaining to me what was wrong with the town's traffic system, and how it had taken him 32 mins to get into town the other day. He explained that what was really needed was a cross-valley link road, north of town, to take through traffic away from the town centre. He may have a point. Of course the road would have to run across ancient meadows, and would be in a river flood plain, but what can you do...

As I returned home, Quite Wet, I heard next door but one chav-lite neighbours L & G having major shouting contest. They were Very Loud, probably discussing the environment or the latest Martin Amis.

Currently listening to Blur - Tender.

Sunday/Monday

Yesterday morning S & I walked for several miles, criss-crossing a nature reserve, on the outskirts of Cardiff, hemmed in by river, old canal and motorway.

Later, I took J to play football, or at least he did for 20 minutes, coming off the bench. I tend to loose interest when he's not playing.

Today was grey lit by odd peach-coloured light, as the sun came through.

Now, at three, as the day dies, opposite our house, big trees double gold, lit by the going down sun.

Dark at Five

It got dark at 5.00 today, and feels like proper Winter, although it is in fact still Autumn, although having said that, all the seasons are getting messed up because of Global Warming.

Who'd 've thought it!

According to the BBC, EX-CORRIE star and former Aberystwyth student Nigel Pivaro is to be questioned by police after a gun and ammunition were found in a raid at his home.
The dad-of-two, who played bad boy Terry Duckworth, was away when officers broke down the doors of two flats in Ordsall, Salford. They spent five hours searching the properties and a pick-up truck after "acting on intelligence".
Pivaro, 46, said, "I am shocked. I am going to see my solicitor to see where to go next."
He quit the ITV soap in 2001 to study at Salford University. He then went on to get a masters degree in terrorism and international relations at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Half Term

Half term next week, and my kids also seem to have today and the following Monday off, as teacher training days. I'm sure we never used to have teacher training days when I was at school. Young people today...

Listening to Jerusalem by Steve Earle.

East Fife 4 Forfar 5

Having perused the scottish league tables at the weekend, I was concerned to note that whilst Forfar are pleasingly adrift at the bottom of Division Two, East Fife are annoyingly sitting pretty at the top of Division Three, meaning that these two bitter rivals could pass each other like ships in the night at the end of the season, thus preventing the possibility of That Scoreline for another year. They've been in separate divisions for several seasons now, which obviously reduces the chances of it happening.

The reverse score happened once, in the 1963/4 season in the old Scottish Second Division, the final score being... Forfar 5, East Fife 4.

My brother and I went up to Scotland in a hirecar a few years ago, stayed a couple of nights in Edinburgh, and cruised up the Fife coast on the Saturday, taking in the game and a couple of meat pies. (It was 1-0 since you ask). It snowed on the way back.

Football powers

The traditional North-West/South East axis of domination in the top division of English football seems even more pronounced than ever this season, with nine out of the twenty teams from London & the South, and seven from the North West. All but one of the Midlands' top clubs are in the Championship, or worse, (Forest, whose purgatory may come to an end this season) and all but one of Yorkshire's bigger clubs are currently vying with each other for relegation from the Championship.

Should I stay or should I go now?

BBC NEWS Magazine Should I stay or should I go now?:
"Strummer was one of the first performers to make his tours carbon neutral, and was instrumental in promoting the idea of carbon offsetting. There's a forest planted in his memory on the Isle of Skye. "

Cardiff

And it was all going so well for Cardiff City.... Ridsdale to fulfil Hammam 'dream' : Hmn what was that other thing about living the dream...?

There'll Be Custard In The Streets

I like this:

Neil Dixon, a science teacher, in an article in The Observer describes ' an explosion in a custard powder factory in the Midlands in the 1980s. A fire started in a storeroom and custard powder fell into the flames. There was an enormous explosion, which did extensive damage. That was bad enough. However, when firemen played their hoses on the burning factory the water dissolved the unburnt powder and custard began pouring down the streets.'

Sheds

When we used to live in Brierley Hill, I used to collect funny shed stories from the local paper, the Express & Star - there used to be loads about sheds getting burned down, having tools stolen, etc. and occasionally sheds getting blown down. There was one about a shed in Dudley being the first probation office in the borough, and another about a shed getting blown over a fence and on to a passing police car, although this was somewhere in the south west, rather than the Black Country.

There was also an article about a local artist who was making a study of local shed culture, and although I emailed her offering my help and expertise, I never heard back from her.

Now I have come across this website: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/readersheds/index.cfm
which in many ways is very good, shed-wise, but seems somehow worringly serious about sheds, and not sufficiently postmodern for my liking.

Tree

I think the tree in the corner of our bank out the back may be some kind of mountain ash (had a discussion about it with one of the Ladies Down the Road With Many Dogs - this is her native american name).

Nearly mist Monday

So, when does mist become fog, or vice-versa? First thing, valley filled with fog. By mid morning thick hanks of mist clinging to hillsides, and sun trying to come out. Cold.

Did a quick once round the park. Damp.

On the way back, a seagull crapped on my shoulder, which I know is supposed to be lucky, but I was not best pleased. Got home and put fleece in washing machine, thinking, must remember to Chec (it's) hov. Hmn.

MDF

Yesterday I went to my first meeting of the local branch of Manic Depressive Fellowship (MDF), which in acronym form sounds like it should be something one purchases from B & Q. It was not as bad as I expected, and there was chatting and cups of tea, and biscuits. The people were nice and welcoming, and I didn't have to stand up and say 'My name is Frank and I'm a Manic Depressive.' Which was nice. I don't really like the term Fellowship, which sounds sort of odd, and vaguely sinister, but there you go. And I got to go to Aberdare on the bus. Upstairs, on the almost mythical X55.

Today I had v. short haircut and spent my birthday vouchers on new jeans (moleskin) and new book called My Father and Other Working Class Football Heroes, by Gary Imlach.

It's all go.

Trees

The tree on the bank out the back is shedding its leaves at a rate of notts, leaving big clumps of pod things dangling like bunches of little bats.

The russ tree is turning fire-orange.

Complaining

Old women in Somerfield complaining that it was too mild for the time of year...

Old woman in Barnardos Charity shop complaining about Tony Blair.

Old women in Doctors complaining about queue for flue jabs.

Had nice chat with Doc. Didn't complain.

Bad Blood News

V. Bad News - my nice blood lady, (Phlebotomist) who takes my blood every few weeks, in order to monitor it's thickness (I take Warfarin, due to blood clots a few years ago) and check my lithium levels, is leaving. I will end up getting a blood person who can't get blood out for love nor money, or even out of a stone.

Listening to Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Fierce Wind

Swept yard in the end yesterday, but then in the night, the fierce wind and rain tore down loads more leaves of course. For some reason I didn't hear the thunder. Still raining.

Went out first thing and did my thirty minutes walking.

Running Lady

Low cloud, slowly lifting. Mist down the valley. Smell of leaves.

Just heard, then saw Running Lady, and today, excitingly, she had Running Boy with her. Too many commas. One day S. and I saw her at the bus station. She was running for a bus of course. She must live on the estate up the hill, above and behind our house.

Bad Run

Just trying to get back into the swing of things here.

Forest on TV on Saturday, and of course played appallingly , as they always do when appearing on television, but in spite of 4-0 home defeat, managed to remain at top of table, in spite of current Bad Run.

Next it's Gillingham. Twice in fact, as we play them in the crap sounding Johnstone's Paint Trophy, three days after the league match. This is of course the Football League Trophy, which has had some of the crappiest sponsors imaginable over the years - LDV Vans, Autoglass, Leyland DAF, etc. and for me is one of the most embarressing things about Forest having to play in League One.

Just waiting for back yard to dry, so I can sweep up leaves which are arriving, before they get too slimy, and make paving stones even more hazardous in wet weather.

Back in the SSRI

Been away so long I hardly knew the place. Gee, it's good to be back home!

Haven't been here since May 25th, which is about four months. Not sure why really. Just suffered a lull in Blog interest generally.

Since May, we've had a World Cup (England v. poor) some average cricket (Notts v. poor), and a holiday in Milan (v. hot).

Now it's autumn.

Yellow

Apparently the Spanish manager Luis Aragones is a follower of kabbalah and believes yellow to be an unlucky colour, shouting at Raul to remove a yellow surf style shirt, when he turned up at a meeting in said colour. Aragones' fear of yellow is so strong that he once ordered a set of training cones in the offending shade to be replaced with red ones. Unfortunately for Aragones,
Spain are in line to play Brazil in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Back

Not posted anything here for a couple of weeks; not really sure why.

Apparently ducks have been spotted on the outfield at Edgbaston, enjoying the pools of water, which doesn't bode well for the Test Match starting tomorrow. I'm guessing they popped over from Cannon Hill Park across the road.

New Order titles

Not too bad this morning. Not too blue monday.

Did post office, library and supermarket in gradually increasing drizzle.

Walking home, realised that suddenly and without ceremony, everythings gone green. Saw some swallows, or possibly swifts - never know the difference - the arrival of swallows/swifts is a sign of impending summer, or something...

Listening to Show Your Bones - v. good.

Haircut 100

Very exciting morning - haircut (nice and short for the approaching warmer weather), exchange of tablets at Chemist (wrong brand of lithium, and not slow release), and two loads of washing out in the sun.

My most embarrassing secret? I once saw Haircut 100 in Hull...

Jobs

This morning I put the washing out, then did dentists (filling and Clean & Polish), Car Tax (gone up in budget) and collected prescription for additional supplies of lithium.

The drugs aren't working

Went to see psychiatrist this morning for regular appointment. Lithium levels still low - not yet up to the required theraputic level, so dosage increased. Tried to explain how I've been feeling, ie anxious, uncomfortable, not enjoying anything, etc.

Back 2 School

Kids back to school today after the Easter holidays. Not sure why, but I don't seem to get round to blogging when they are at home; I think it is just the change to my normal routine.

Been raining all morning of course, but brightening up as I type.

Blue Sky Monday

It is the start of the Easter holidays, and J & S are both off school.

Blue sky, sun, and cold wind. Apparently the south east has had snow.

Mobile

Sun and blue sky, but still chilly.

S away on course, so as I have car, I took J & S to school this morning, then did food shopping, and went for walk in a country park, before coming home for lunch.

When J was a baby, I made him a mobile in the shape of the state of Alabama.

Listening to Gene.

Speaking of which, Gene Pitney died on Wednesday, just down the road in Cardiff.

Wednesday Weak

Not feeling too brilliant this week, but keeping going.

Dentists for checkup this morning.

Walked in sunshine.

Lee Trundles into trouble

Police are apparently investigating, after a flag with a special message for Cardiff fans was displayed on the pitch immediately after Swansea's Football League Trophy win on Sunday. The message was daubed on a Welsh flag held by Swansea players after the 2-1 win over Carlisle at the Millennium Stadium. As the BBC puts it, 'the neighbouring clubs have a history of rivalry'.

And, with their win over Chesterfield, Forest are belatedly and perversely edging towards 6th place in League One, after they had seemingly left it too late. Now only five points off the play-off places, with Barnsley, Oldham and Swansea almost within reach - if only Forest had dumped Megson sooner. If they beat Colchester next Saturday, then all their remaining matches are against teams below them in the league, with a couple being relegation material...

Sod's Law

As I walked out the door I felt a few spots of rain, and saw a shower coming across the valley; by the time I'd reached the corner it was raining heavily, and only abated as I returned from my walk 40 minutes later. Typical.

Glimpse of sun

Blood test first thing, then some shopping, then a walk, and back before it started raining.

Yesterdays glimpse of sun didn't last long then.

Listening to The Magic Numbers.

Sun and Air

The sun came out today, after about ten days of rain, drizzle, mist, low cloud and cold winds. Outside, it was almost mild, and the air was loosing its winter chill.

Heron

Another week.

Out walking this morning I got buffetted by the wind which seemed to spring up with the express purpose of turning my umbrella inside out. A couple of heavy squalls left my lower half wet. When I got back to the house, a heron cruised overhead, struggling slightly against the wind. Herons often seem to use our shoulder of the hill as a short cut, avoiding the town, and enabling them to get from one river valley to the next.

Waiting for Guardian

Trying to enter a Guardian Unlimited competition to win tickets to Arsenal-Juventus, but apparently need to log in to the site, which am seemingly unable to do, and am thus waiting for a password reminder from the helpdesk...

And it is raining, although I have been out for a walk, and only got slightly wet...

Thursday

Started off sunny and springlike, but by this afternoon, cold and grey again.

Not feeling so good today - anxious, uncomfortable and ill-at-ease. Am sick of it.

Noughts and Crosses

Walking back from town (an emergency chocolate biscuit dash) I saw a perfect noughts and crosses grid of vapour trails, the slow jets still easing across the sky.

Further to my musings on concrete ads at the Test Matches in India, I came across this excellent site today: http://www.indianconcreteinstitute.org/

Bog Snorkelling News

According to the Western Mail, online betting firm goldenplace.com, has snapped up the sponsorship rights to the World Bog Snorkelling Chamionships, which we usually attend, and, standing in the rain, watch plucky competitiors navigate a 60 ft strip of peat bog, wearing flippers, mask and snorkel.

Sadly the loss of the previous sponsors, Ben & Jerry's, means no more free ice cream, a big loss, and a betting firm somehow doesn't seem quite right for the event.

The annual August Bank Holiday championship takes place at Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys.

Heat and Dust

Just watched England beat India to draw the series, after a slightly bizarre afternoon session, when India seemed determined to get out, and a conclusion in which Monty managed not to see a catch, but was then given another chance a couple of balls later. Andrew Flintoff won a motorbike as his Man of the Match prize, and David Lloyd managed to mention that it was a good job he'd signed Flintoff...

There is a light that never goes out

Bitterly cold wind today, and whilst out walking, I was subjected to the full gamut of different types of precipitation, predominently small sleety stuff.

Mornings are getting gradually lighter, earlier, and when I looked out across the valley, with the town spread out below,I noticed that our street light appeared to be the last one still on; does that mean it's darker outside our house than elsewhere?

Spring

S is off work this week, so we have been out quite a bit the last couple of days, doing various errands, and walking.

Went to a deserted and misty country park yesterday, and walked for an hour or so. Parc Cwm Darran is a peaceful spot, tucked away in the Darran Valley, two miles north of Bargoed. It's an offshoot of the Rhymney valley.

Parc Cwm Darran is set on the site of the former Ogilvie Colliery that closed in 1975.

Apparently the old mine was famous for its appearance in the Dr Who series 'Dr Who and the Green Death'.

Today, S has gone down to her Mum's to help with some packing, ready for her move.

Hurrah, it's sunny.

The birds seem to think it's spring, with much singing and general activity in the trees round the back of our house.

In other news, the Queen has declared the Commonwealth Games open in a 'glittering' ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The teams arriving in the stadium, were 'serenaded' by singer Delta Goodrem. The former Neighbours star sang Together We Are One, co-written with boyfriend and former Westlife singer Brian McFadden. Classy.

Hail the weather

Not feeling so good this morning - anxious and finding it hard to get things done - even simple stuff - procrastination is really bad at the moment.

Cricket in India disrupted by bad light and rain, which seems somehow wrong...

Walked into town for a bit of shopping, then did a quick once round the park, as the rain held off.
Back now, and it's just starting to hail, cat not keen...

Welsh Government Leaks

The newly opened Welsh assembly building - the Senedd - will have to undergo repairs after the roof began leaking in heavy rain. After several days of rain in Cardiff, puddles have appeared inside the £67m Richard Rogers-designed building, which was opened by the Queen on 1 March.
It's all good though, because it is the greenest government building in the world, and so will presumably be able to recycle the leaks in quiches and suchlike...

Last week, the Scottish Parliament was evacuated after a beam slipped and was left hanging from the roof.

Excellent.

Concrete and Clay

Watching bits of England's Test series in India, have noticed that there seems to be a lot of advertising for concrete companies round Indian cricket grounds, and as England went off for bad light this morning, I found myself wondering why this was...

Heard some stuff by The Concretes yesterday, which sounded quite good - perhaps they could get some sort of sponsorship deal with the Indian cricket authorities...

Listening to Johnny Cash - Hurt. Saddest song ever. Probably. Specially if you watch the video.

Running Lady

Raining hard when I walked into town, so took umbrella, but being crap, another strut broke, although it still functions.

Returned home after shorter walk than usual, due to inclement weather.

Running Lady has just passed the house, heading down the hill into town.

It is still tipping down, and the hills round town are smothered in low cloud.

Patron Saint of Fruit Trees

In an exciting development, St Fagans, the National History Museum of Wales, on the outskirts of Cardiff, is rebuilding St Teilo's Church, replete with decorative rood screen.

The church, which originally stood at Llandeilo, near Pontardulais in west Wales, is being faithfully rebuilt to recreate its appearance in the year 1520.

The rood screen will depict the legend of how St Teilo, the patron saint of fruit trees and horses, fled to Brittany to escape yellow fever in 545 AD.

Not sure how St Teilo managed to combine the two contrasting responsibilities of fruit trees and horses, but, he/she is certainly the leader in the most intriguing patron saint stakes...

Am a bit disapointed at St Teilo abandoning his/her duties, merely to escape yellow fever, unless it's possible to administer patronage from France...

Further research also revealed that in due course, St Teilo returned to Wales, and helped the locals defeat a tricky dragon, which he tied to a rock at the seaside...

Lady Luck

Now I've seen everything - last night, Ferguson apparently admitted that Man U were lucky to beat Wigan, and for once he's right - an outrageous own goal, which hit a Wigan player via the crossbar, in the last minute, and this after a typically lucky equalizing goal via a mishit shot, which turned into a pass. Pure jam.

This morning it's tipping it down, so am looking for a window to go out.

Been out, got soaked, now drying off.

Grey all day, drizzle and mist on the mountains, which are probably, strictly speaking, hills.

Daisy Chain

Walking back up from town today, I noticed that some daisies were out on the grassy bank at the side of the path, so this must mean that winter is almost a spent force. Brought a daisy home, to remind me to mention it...

Cricket and Spring

Watched a bit of England unsuccessfully attempting to get India out, and then went for a walk and some shopping - needless to say they took a couple of wickets as soon as I'd gone out.

Cold and sunny. Snow gone, apart from patches in corners and shadows.

Listening to The Cribs.

Apparently there is an arguament going on in the media about when Spring starts...

Light

Very cold and icy this morning, over the remains of yesterdays snow.

Children disapointed that we weren't snowed in, and that they had to go to school.

Man from British Gas came to fix light fitting in hall, which had quietly exploded and taken to rejecting light bulbs.

Still very cold. More snow predicted...

St Davids Day

New Welsh parliament building finally opened today. Most exciting...

We had some snow - not loads, but enough to close the schools, and give the kids a day off...

Shrove Tuesday

Today is of course Shrove Tuesday, but for some reason we had large numbers of pancakes last Tuesday, as a half term week treat for J & S.

It is also the date that the final episode of M*A*S*H was broadcast in the USA, in 1983, becoming the most watched television episode in history, with 106–125 million viewers in the U.S. (estimate varies by source).

Made more pancakes for J.

Beyond A Joke

Just been reported that Pete Doherty has been arrested again, this time, according to The Guardian, on suspicion of stealing a car and being in possession of Class A drugs.

He was one of three men stopped in Birmingham on Monday night and detained in connection with a report of a vehicle having been stolen in London. A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "Three men were arrested on Monday when a car was stopped in Colmore Row at approximately 9.15pm. "They were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle relating to a report of a car stolen in London and on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs. "One of the men was aged 26 and from London. The other two are aged 18 and 19 from Dundee. They have been released on police bail pending further enquiries."

This is just getting ridiculous now - I think we can drop the Baby part of the name now...

Survivor

Still here.

Have survived half term, and visit from Mother in Law to look at possible houses, or rather bungalows, in our area, as she is intending to move down here from London. Could take a while...

River High

Just got back from doctors - blood test for INR.

Whilst at docs, sky went dark, and rain came. River high after a couple of wet days.

Yesterday took S to docs with gungy eye, had coffee & cookies in town, and thence on to school on bus. Hung around for a bit waiting for bus back to town. Cost of single fare outrageous.

Listening to Shack - the legendary Head brothers.

Always keep half an ear out for Nottingham bands, and today listened to a few, via the Local Bands section of Radio Nottingham's website : http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/entertainment/music/local_bands/
Sadly, the ones I listened to sounded a bit pubrock to me.

Went out for a walk after lunch, dodging showers, and on way back encountered Man With Basket.

Lumberjacks

Much milder Monday, likewise today. Saw Wayne on way into town, and stopped for a quick chat about Forest losing at home to Swansea...

Also saw workmen who woke us up in middle of the night, chopping trees down, by the railway lines. Still at it.

Ah yes, apparently later in the week, we're supposed to be getting the storm which deposited 2 feet of snow on the east coast of America, but without the snow...

Friday

So, it's Friday, at half past eight in the morning, and it's sunny, for the second day in a row. Also very cold.

Flu

Acquired flu over the weekend, and stayed in bed Monday morning.

Up and about Wednesday. Into town early, before place gets clogged up by market day shoppers.

After several days of cold grey cloud, we have some sun today. Hurrah.

Later went for another walk, and on way back, on our street, got asked for directions by motorist, who looked about 12, and was about 5 miles away from his destination, a school in a completely different town...

Fresh Produce Awards

BT man at home today, looking after the children - bumped into him on way back from town this morning.

It is bitterly cold, as it has been all week.

Walked to library, and thence to Somerfield - Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year 2005.

Haven't felt so good this week. Bit better today.

Cold Walk

Cold. Did longer than usual walk. Tired.

Unfortunately, L's van now mended, and duly woke us up at 6am. He's also decided to do more home improvements, and is duly adding an en suite bathroom to front bedroom. No doubt the wallpaper will be Burberry...

Most exciting

Had a most exciting morning, attending docs surgery for GP appointment, then blood test for INR, and appointment with my consultant.

Walked back from town, shivering in the teeth of a biting wind.

White van man

When walking into town this morning, I passed neighbour L's noisy old white van slewed to the side of the road, tragically broken down - hopefully it's completely dead and will be unable to wake us up at 6am as it usually does...

Life

Outside in the pale watery sun, the camellia has many buds; there is life in the dead cold garden. The camillia is apparently called Debbie, according to the fallen off old label.

Inside Steve Earle is playing.

Ruby Tuesday

Did jobs at home. Walked for 30 minutes. Cold.

Emailed some places about J's work experience.

Ruby - the cat - is watching me. She should by rights be sleeping, having been out all night.

Traffic Wardens

Seems a bit mean: Whale rescuers' £300 parking bill

I don't like January 24th

Apparently tomorrow is the most depressing day of the year, according to An Expert: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4187183.stm

Dr Cliff Arnall, of Cardiff University, devised a formula to determine the worst day — Monday, January 24. The formula is: (W + (D-D)) x T Q. That is divided by M x NA.
His calculation is based on: The poorest WEATHER — which tends to be around the middle of the month; DEBTS owed after the seasonal spending spree; the TIME since Christmas; the period of time before you QUIT New Year resolutions; the dates when MOTIVATION levels seem to be at their lowest; and the timing of a NEED FOR ACTION to escape the blues, like when you book a holiday

Crows

Outside, the extended Crow Family swarm and caw across the tall trees opposite our house, then wheel away above the valley below.

Collective noun - A murder of crows.

J. was off school yesterday with a sore throat, and was good company.

Just been for a walk, and met the man from down the road who goes into the woods with a wicker basket, and collects, well, what exactly - mushrooms, wild garlic? What else could be up there worth collecting?

Forest quite good shock

So, Forest drew away. At Brentford. Who are quite good. Whatever next.

New strikers Holt and Tyson look like they might score a goal or two. Also Holt has the squad number of 39, which being our house number, could prove lucky, and he apparently scored a lot of goals for Rochdale - 38 in the last 18 months.

The new left back, Julian Bennett, is supposed to be useful too, and originally came through the Forest Academy, although Julian isn’t a very rock n’ roll name, and he apparently got sent off last night. Being from Nottingham might motivate him, and it will be handy to have a left back who is left footed.

A couple of away wins, at places like Rotherham and Blackpool over the next few weeks, added to continuing home form, and Kris Commons staying fit, would see Forest in the playoff places.

The Sound of Young Swindon

Walked down to the library, and paid fines/renewed books, then got soaked on the way back, as the clouds rolled down off the hills, and a heavy misty drizzle covered the valley.

Reading stuff about diet and depression.

Currently listening to XTC, who I used to really like, and whose first four albums I purchased, twenty years ago. Am listening to some of their later, rural-themed, stuff, which I downloaded last year. It's good.

Still feeling OK.

Eating bananas and oily fish, though not together.

Slowly Working

Something may be working a bit, as I continue to feel a bit brighter.

Walked up hill through woods to White Rock, and then down via main road.

Have found a couple of interesting blogs to do with depression, which I will add to my list.

Wrote long email to my friend N. in Japan.

It's a slow process...

Definately Maybe

Think I might be feeling a bit brighter today - actually had some ideas and thought of a few things to blog.

Watched the first three episodes of Invasion on Sunday night, and whilst the basic premise is clearly far-fetched and a tad ridiculous, it's nevertheless fairly compulsive viewing, even allowing for the epic three hour stint. Can something be 'fairly' compulsive? Is it like saying quite unique?

Still raining.

Politics

Presumably in the weeks to come, Liberal Democrats will be saying to themselves, Do you remember where you were when Kennedy was assassinated? Ooh, a little bit of politics there, as Ben Elton used to say, when he was funny.

Tipping it down this morning, so I got soaked en route to my blood test, this time the one for lithium.

Not feeling too bad today.

Listening to Goldfrapp - Supernature. Am thinking it is overrated.

Now listening to Aha Shake Heartbreak, which is definately not overrated.

Currently reading The Last Party by John Harris - an analysis of Britpop and Cool Britannia, which I'm enjoying, and which prompted me to dig out the first Suede album. The book is very detailed for what was just a moment in time, but is irresistable nontheless.

Banana eating

Today, fixed the fence at the back of the house - the cold was the bone chilling sort.

Ate some bananas - aids serotonin production.

Cold Friday

Out early today. The day still struggling to get light. Shopping. Home

Walked for 20 mins. Cold. Home.

Cat just came running in to hide from the dustbin lorry.

Listening to Cowboy Junkies.

Neil Young

Kids back to school yesterday. Struggled to get up today.

Went to docs for blood test this morning. INR has been low lately.

Sky low and grey, cold rain trying to fall.

Listening to Neil Young's Greatest Hits - Original Master Mixes. Also listened to several Clap Your Hands Say Yeah mp3s - sound good.

Didn't feel so good this morning, but felt brighter after I'd been out, and OK by this afternoon.

Read a thing about how bananas help combat depression, because they contain tryptophan which the body converts into serotonin, so ate three for lunch. (I knew about this already, since I know lots of useful facts about bananas, but had forgotten about it).

Still here

Survived Christmas and New Year OK.