Many things happened today. Some, such as a pleasant conversation with my boss and being given some rice, were pleasant and fulfilling.

However, others were not good. For example, I had to pass on some news today. The recipient will have been very disappointed and saddened. I took no pleasure from it.

One, in particular, was utterly terrible: the London bombings. I haven’t heard that anyone I know has been directly affected. My cousin works for the London ambulance service in a co-ordination/dispatch role – no news from her so far but hopefully no news is good news.

I had thought my species might grow up…

… so I’ve spent the time I would have prefered to spend sleeping putting up a few photos from the last few months. Go here and then scroll down to Random Gruntings.

Further details of why my body-clock is knackered to go up this week, once I’ve had a chance to put my thoughts in order. On Monday, I have Community Council; Tuesday Fairtrade meeting; Wednesday sorting a mate’s mac; so this may not be until Thursday.

Canada is cool – but this isn’t news

However, they appear to have homo milk

My brother’s current safety doesn’t stop a Pink Floyd song and a Kate Bush song going round and round my head.

Just had an email in from my brother who is doing military things in Iraq. Among other things he says

It’s strangely enough quite a bit more relaxed than the last time I was here. Boiling my bum off is definately one way of describing what I’m up to. We have broken 50°C and it could get as hot as 60, which apparently is fookin warm!

For those of you who still lament the demise of the florin and guinea, 50°C = 122°F and 60°C = 140°F.

After some chat about an impending family event, he says

Anyway – basically I’m safe and well and enjoying being all healthy as we are eating well and we are decidely alcohol free…

Blogged simply as examples of life’s rich travesty, and the amusing thought that bus tribulations, just like buses themselves, don’t occur for ages, then several occur at once.

1. The air-conditioning failed on the bus taking and I to Glenrothes this afternoon. and fellow passengers travelling further on this route were transferred to another vehicle and went on their merry way.
2. After visiting a friend in Glenrothes, I got back to Glenrothes bus station and found that the toilets had closed at 7·. I was in dire need of a toilet and by the time I’d found one and returned to the bus station, my bus to St Andrews had departed.
3. An hour later, the next bus to St Andrews appeared to arrive. However, this bus’ fan-belt had broken en route from Dunfermline and so this bus was going no further. The driver contacted his depot to arrange a replacement bus. It arrived a few minutes later, allowing resumption of the journey without further delay…
4. …until a ticket inspector boarded at Cupar, causing a few minute’s more delay as passengers scrabbled for their screwed-up, tossed-away tickets

Was this blog-entry really worth my time spent typing it or your time spent reading it?

just possibly

From it, I learn:

When i kill myself i’ll…

Find out your most ideal means of suicide by clicking here

It also tells me ‘Jesus fucking Christ you are a loser, maybe if you would have spent the 2 hours each day you spent jacking off in your room alone on something constructive you wouldn’t be in such a fucked up situation… too late now. A bland person should have a bland death… go hang yourself you good for nothing piece of shit.

They’re a bit rough-and-ready and probably don’t have the best design in the world but minutes* and the draft constitution of the St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign are nestling on my webspace here.

Pretty good to see how much we’ve achieved over the last six months.

*ahem 1 (one page is just placeholders because I can’t find these minutes – this meeting happened when I was off gallivanting)

*ahem 2 (This process reminds me I still have some stuff to do this month.)

What else explains the long silence?

1. The old boiler was removed on Monday evening. I think the new one will be fitted on Friday.
2. General sadness at some nasty events in far-flug friends’ lives making me ponder my future and validity. Not much to crow about just now, really. However, it could all be much, much worse!

OK, time to unwind with a cold one. G’night

My dad has been involved with Scouting since his twenties – almost 60 years. I became a Sea Scout in Worcester, 29 years ago. This led to both of my parents being involved, mum on numerous Sea Scout group and Worcester Scout District functions and and dad as Group Scout Leader for many years (and for quite a few more after that as acting GSL because no-one could be found to replace him).

He emailed me today:

Changing the subject, last night Mum & I were invited as guests of the Group to an evening do at which I was presented with a mounted plaque to be fixed at the base of a gum tree which has been planted to mark the time that I was GSL. It was a bit embarrassing to stand in front of a crowd of kids & parents while John Benjamin read out a list of improvements & changes that had been made to the Hut & site during my time. It was very fitting that Mum’s efforts as Group Secretary were also recognised at the same time & Fay Benjamin presented her with a beaut bouquet.

The whole thing was wrapped up in a fund raising event – a very popular Beetle Drive. This event is great for a lively family night out including a barby. We all ate & drank well, especially the kids who had multiple helpings of hot dogs, burgers & puds made possible by over-catering. A good night.

Pix of the plaque are here and here. I may be biased but I think it’s totally deserved.