The end of an era...

Today, was an emotional roller coaster, as my project that I have worked so hard on for the past two years said 'thank you' to all my colleagues who had helped out at various times. I thought last Friday, on the last day of the final course would be hard - but it was easy - probably because I had too much to think about, and today would be the easier one to cope with - but it wasn't. It was really hard. Who would have guessed that I, of all people, would be rendered totally speechless! We provided a nice lunch for them, and then made them do the famous [or should it be infamous?] 'toolkit challenge'. The world record was safe though [30 seconds], as the winner took 43 seconds to make up a toolkit from a flatpack, attach the handle and close it up correctly. Nobody took us up on our offer to stick the knife into one of us though while cutting the cake, and we heard all the jokes about having your cake and eating it as well!

No more Darcey

Tonight sees the final performance of Darcey Bussell, who is retiring from dancing at the age of 38. She prefers to go while she is at her peak, rather than fade away - and in a way I agree with that, but it is a shame. I have only seen her dance once, in Elite Syncopations, and it was magical. British dance will miss her.

Darcey Bussell's dance to the top

Gallic style

Like it! The south of France gets really hot - any shade is welcome in the middle of the day - and these hats are a funky way to cool off. Can't really see them taking off in Birmingham though - just not enough sun!

50,000 editions

The Guardian prints the 50,000th edition on Monday, and to celebrate they showed 50 front pages to illustrate the paper's coverage of momentous events over the last 186 years. As an avid Guardian reader from a young age, the first one that I can remember reading [from the selection shown...] was the one about the funeral of Winston Churchill - but I do remember hearing about the Cuban missile crisis, [my dad was on a few hours call up for weeks on end, his kitbag packed and ready to pick up at the bottom of the stairs...], and President Kennedy being assassinated. The old copies of the paper were very messy, hands were black after reading, but they were fantastic for lighting the fire! But they did teach me to spell, as I was expected to be able to correctly spell the misspelt words by my mum!


50,000 issues of the Guardian

G8 on climate change

The G8 summit has declared that global greenhouse gas emissions must stop rising, to be followed by substantial reductions in the emissions. They want to half global emissions by 2050. 2050!!! Are they mad? At this rate, there won't be a planet left to reduce emissions on by 2050. Bush has said he will 'consider' reducing emissions, but only if emerging economies do so as well. What a jerk that man is. He thinks the USA is the leader of the free world, but with him in charge, all it does is put it's head in the sand and pretend that it isn't happening. US citizens need to give up their gas guzzlers, and wake up to the reality that cheap oil isn't a right, and the US government has to do something to curb the industrialists who are only concerned with making a profit.

G8 agrees 'substantial' climate deal

Terminal exhaustion

I have been teaching an ultra concentrated course this week, and I feel as if I am about to expire. The traveling has been awful, and the extra work involved has meant working most evenings as well. By the end of this afternoon I wasn't sure if I was coming or going - so I sent them all home a bit early. I now face the thought that I have to get up again in just over 5 hours time, and catch that 7.04 train again, and I just hope that nothing goes wrong on the final day, that all 38 of them turn up, and that the ones who have been preventing me from having a break all week, give me a chance to have SOME lunch - just for once! I can't remember what I have planned for this weekend - but at this rate, sleeping looks a good bet.

Roll on the end of June, when I finish my teaching commitments for this academic year...

Olympic logo

What on earth is this? It doesn't do anything for me at all. A 'multimedia' brand apparently. I remain unconvinced...

London Olympics sport new logo

Branching out

The project I work on is coming to an end. Funding MAY be available later in the year, but nothing is sure in this life , and I think it is time to be brave and branch out. Working for myself as a careers consultant/trainer has appealed for some time, and perhaps now is the time to take the plunge and test the water - as I would still have a half time post to fall back on - but if it DOES work, I can expand and eventually be totally self employed. So, I need a name for my company. Suggestions please...