There’s nothing to worry about for all tomorrow’s children you know…. For generations hence there will be no more bad behaviour, no tantrums, no bad eating habits, no rudeness, nor lack of respect for elders, hoodies will be worn safely and happily by all and fear of the hoodie generation will be in the historical past…. And why am I so sure of this, well it’s because we now have two saviours, two people who, if they became a team would be world beaters…. The answer is simple…

Jamie Oliver and Supernanny!! It is so simple…. They can sort out the nations transgressors… supernanny can sort out the behaviour and Jamie can feed everyone properly… then children will love vegetables, their parents and the world and so will become more naturally eco-friendly in the process and in so doing will be awake and aware enough to act on global issues of environmental concern…

and yes went to see Brokeback Mountain on friday..... incredible film! Amazing for its understatedness! It has floated around in my thoughts and the utter poignancy and beauty of the tale it told has settled within my head like the softest silkiest handkerchief. I keep remembering moments, an image, a sentence, a look... god it was a beautiful film!

Jake saw it and his comments were... 'they could have done more with the cinematography and pulled a little more at the heart strings!' I was crying in the cinema, if they had pulled more I would have been audibly sobbing... the mountains were stunning but yes I see what he means but for me the understated beauty of their surroundings was all part of what made it such a memorable film... definitely recommend it to all

Walking in to work gives a moment of time for thoughts… it’s quite a lovely little space in the day when I trot along pondering the ineffable… a time for solitude and peace… and so the brain wanders, meanders the finer points of life… comes up with solutions to anything from kitchen design to why I wanted to be an anthropologist when I was a child…. Went for a job interview yesterday and was asked this question and then had to say why, found myself describing an old Australian atlas that my parents had which was fascinating, it had, in the middle pages, old sepia images of ‘peoples of the world’… photographs of family groupings, of stern Norwegians in patterned woollen clothing, of pygmy men standing proud!, of a Chinese family with the father with pigtail and odd platform sandals/shoes… different worlds, different lives….

Oh yes the job interview was for part time work at Rohan… need more money so have to work more!

Another pondering meandering thought was about accents and dialects… maybe it’s something to do with walking through the centre of Cambridge so often and all I hear are fascinating accents, numerous languages and odd dialects… ok so how come people from all over, initially mostly, Europe, all speaking different languages, having different accents arrive in a vast new continent, settle in regions right across the continent covering vastly differing geographical areas and then other diverse groups from Asia and Africa also arrive and settle, including of course indigenous peoples that have their own languages… and out of all this an accent develops that is distinct and easily recognisable, with even local dialects and variations?? How come they all speak American? Or Australian, the same thing happened there and both continents now have a distinct accent? How or why did this happen?

March looks like it might be an interesting month! Something has been set in motion, you know that feeling... it's almost as if something bigger has taken over and it's rolling, rolling along with a life of it's own. Tonight I go to a travel clinic to see what jabs I need for Mexico, I have been proactive in sorting out my finances and it all looks possible, I have checked with my parents about storing stuff in their loft, I have told Mepal that I'm away for two months and will start in May... it is all happening!!! I am going to Mexico in March. Renting out the flat looks likely to be the most stressful thing though, too many variables and negative possiblilities... do you know anyone that wants to rent out a flat in Cambridge for 6 months?? Someone, quiet, tidy and appreciative!!!

so jumping on that rolling ball with a big smile on my face I will be heading off to .... the unknown

Have been doing lots of reading in this new job! A very nice way to spend one's time indeed and have come across a few interesting things.... generally have to find things that relate to the university but it is sooo difficult to restrict my reading and not wander off on little tangents all the time.... catching up a bit on maybe what, to you, is old news but I haven't read news stories in such detail for ages... so now with all the bird flu stuff happening came across an old news report about Donald Rumsfeld being Chairman of the company that makes Tamiflu, the one vaccine that is recommended globally for this possible pandemic. He has already made millions and is set to make many many more... link that to the story which relates the possibility of replacing the world's global stock of chickens, in all it's diversity, with a monoculture of GM chickens which could be possible within 4 to 5 years! Frightening possibilities indeed, I feel we are turning that corner into a new world!!!! and it is a bit dark and a bit scary!!!!


Mexico looks more and more possible!!! Have now found myself reading up on what innoculations are required and have purchased a 'Teach yourself Spanish in 6 weeks' booklet and CD .... so far I can talk about a black donkey and a fast river! Hopefully my vocabulary will become more extensive!

just a very quick posting as I realise I haven't posted anything this year!! New job is good, walk to work nice in the mornings, so feel loads healthier just for that reason alone... and away from 'Misery' too so life is smiling at me! This job will probably last until Mar/Apr. Mepal starts again in April which gives rather a natural gap between times... maybe Mexico??

New years' Eve found me meeting up with 'old' friends Hannah and Simon, which was utterly lovely.... JJ&H came along with me to the Slug and Lettuce and we had a drink or two there but it didn't really suit. H&S felt like dancing and not been the most keen dancer in the world I felt happier trundling to The King St Run with JJ & H, It does have a good juke box so was quite content.... oddly we had a game of pool when we arrived as upstairs was empty... then at 12 headed towards people gathered at the bar... it was heaving and warm and I was gin-filled and happy.... the actual New Year was a little confused as they had a clock and a silent TV at different ends of the room and the room was split into two depending on what you were watching, one cheer went up but the other side of the bar were still concentrating on the 'time' so it sort of got missed somehow???? Got chatted up by assorted rogues but wandered back with Hayley, J& J got waylaid somewhere on route???? So that was it, another new year....

but all that seems such a long time ago! Now back to work........ cutting and pasting in the old traditional way!! Fingers getting all sticky and black!!!!