Thank goodness that bug was short-lived as that was NOT nice.

Feel much more human again today, and have had enough energy to catch up with some chores while the kids had a lazy day. Have given up with the idea that we are going to do anything exciting this half-term, given that today was the last day of it.

Must learn NOT to make lots of exciting plans for half-terms in future, then it’s less frustrating when we inevitably end up ill and lethargic.

I’m feeling a bit better today, but Li’l Bhaji has a temperature of 39.9C and is very listless and tired. So, I’m guessing yesterday (for me) was bug related rather than SAD related.

I’m pretty worried, actually. Li’l Bhaji isn’t usually ill. Oh sure, he goes down with things, gets high temperatures… but at worst is just a bit grumpy with it – it barely slows him down. Today, he doesn’t really want to talk, just lie there and cuddle Cuski and Macca Pacca. I can give him more Calpol at 12…

I suspect It’s going to be a long day.

I just can’t get moving today. I am completely in a fug with no energy or inclination to do other than veg. Half term is probably not the time to feel like this.

I’m putting it down to lowering my SAD therapy dose by 5 minutes yesterday. It’s been so gloriously sunny over the last week or so, and predicted to be for a while, plus lighter for longer in the day, I really thought I could reduce it by now.

I’m guessing not quite yet.

Sigh.

So… for about the first time in… (how old is Akra Jr now?!)… six or seven years, I went shopping on my own and actually tried stuff on. It was an alien situation to me, to be able to take the time to slowly browse and choose clothing. I’ve relied on Tesco branded clothing and mail order for way too long. Plus I had birthday money burning a hole in my pocket.

First stop was an eminently practical one – to Blacks to choose a pair of lightweight trail shoes ready for the camping/walking season. All last year, I’d relied on my docs shoes – but they weren’t terribly comfortable and were quite heavy and clunky – if we ever had a miracle and got an actual hot day, they really weren’t that appropriate. After making the poor assistant’s life hell by requesting to try on just about everything on display I ended up with these rather cutely named The North Face Women’s Hedgehog Gore-Tex XCR. They’re not prickly though, and are extremely comfortable and light – just what I needed.

Then I went into Next. I desperately needed a new pair of jeans as I’ve warn through all my cheap pairs. The idea of having a nice pair of jeans that actually fitted properly was very tempting, and I chose a few pairs to try on. Then, my dilemma…

… you see, I no longer know the correct changing room etiquette these days. The last time I remember trying anything on there was a staff member by the door of the changing rooms handing out plastic disks with a number on it (equal to the number of items you were taking in to try on) and a rack to put the garments you didn’t want after all on when you were done. Here, there was nothing and no-one. Did I wait? Did I saunter in regardless looking confident? I so hope the security guard wasn’t watching, as I must have looked very dodgy. Do they just not do that these days and rely on the security tags instead?

Anyway, I survived unscathed, paid for the pair I liked the most at the till without being dragged into the managers office to check all my bags. I even popped into Game for a new game for the Wii (allegedly for the kids, and I am sticking to that even under interrogation) and happily returned to the car with my quality carrier bags with expensive purchases in them feeling very grown up indeed and hoping no-one noticed that really I was just playing at shopping.

I paid for my parking. £1. *sigh*. I’d still not broken the habit of shopping with military precision and getting everything I needed within an hour, then. So much for making a morning of it.

I guess I’ll just have to work harder at the browsing and shopping for leisure part.

• meish.org :: Be My Anti-Valentine
  For the cynics among my readership (via D4D)
  (tags: funny valentines fun ecards humour love society valentine)

Currently playing with Twitter and without many people to follow! Are any of my readers twitterites?

You can follow me on Twitter / Pewari.

Li’l Bhaji has been playing with Tux Paint today and created this:

Isn’t it great? Almost looks like it should be some government warning poster against exploding radioactive apples…

I am going to be breaking a self-imposed rule here. Normally for my podcast of the week slot, I try and strive for variety and not have two similar genre podcasts in a row.

However, I have just discovered this podcast and have been so utterly blown away by its quality that I just have to share right now.

So for those who aren’t interested in science fiction and fantasy fiction, I’ll have something different for you next week – thank you for your patience.

This is a series of short stories, but all taking place in a single cohesive world – Metamor City.

Created by Chris Lester, it’s a world where magic and technology co-evolved together, and magic is getting stronger. It’s a dark and gothic universe with a futuristic twist – think Buffyverse/Angel meets Batman meets Torchwood.

The calibre of writing and characterization is top notch, and the production quality is excellent. At the time of writing, they are on episode 10 but I thoroughly recommend you start from the very beginning and work your way through, as you learn more about the world as you become immersed in it.

The very first episode, while simply narrated, is an excellent introduction and it certainly held my curiosity by the end of it. However, episode 2 was gripping from start to finish and from that point on I was completely and utterly addicted. By episode 4, the series has a full cast (rather than just simply narrated by one person) and makes full use of sound effects and music to totally immerse you in the story telling.

If nothing else, I highly recommend listening to their promo (Morgan) as it gives you a chance to get a feel for the series. I should stress that the series often has very mature content and is not suitable for children.

I hope you become as addicted as I have.

This was sent to me by Sylvia, and I loved it so much I had to share. I’m not sure of any correct attribution though, so apologies for that.

The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialled the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whisper. “Hello?”

“Is your daddy home?” he asked.

“Yes,” whispered the small voice.

“May I talk with him?”

The child whispered, “No.”

Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” “Yes.”

“May I talk with her?” Again the small voice whispered, “No.”

Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, “Is anybody else there?”

“Yes,” whispered the child, “a policeman”.

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”

“No, he’s busy”, whispered the child.

“Busy doing what?”

“Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman,” came the whispered answer.

Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”

“A helicopter,” answered the whispering voice.

“What is going on there?” demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive.

Again, whispering, the child answered, “The search team just landed a helicopter.”

Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, “What are they searching for?”

Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle…

“ME!”

• YouTube – My Letter to Hip Hop
  Speaking out against language and attitudes in a music genre. Powerful and moving poem.
  (tags: youtube poem hiphop culture)