Eee - Cha - Wa - Wa

First Ewok - "That guy's wise."

Second Ewok - "Martin Short?"

Push Me - Pull You

A) Switch off unneccessary light to save on electricity

B) Leave lights on while you're out to deter burglars


A) Walk your kids to school

B) Local authority no longer has funding to salt paths



A) An egg a day is a healthy way to get your protein

B) More than three eggs a week can lead to high cholesterol



A) Coffee is good for the heart, stimulating the circulation

B) Coffee is linked to certain forms of cancer


A) Eating oily fish is good for your joints and your mind

B) Tuna fish contains traces of mercury that can affect the brain


A) We are increasing the Council Tax to pay for more refuse collections

B) We are changing your refuse collection date to once a fortnight

Another Birthday

Getting older has never been a concern of mine (nothing to do with spending so long as a teenager trying to pass for older just to get served in pubs) although trawling facebook has made me realise that some folk have added ten years on their physical age by ciggies and sunbeds.

I do notice the lines around my eyes more now but they are proof that I smile more often than I frown. The odd grey hair (or three) only confirm that there are enough people in my life whom I love enough to worry about.

And I feel wiser, even though I may not always act it.

I have that settled feeling, something I have spoken of before, which seems to have coincided with leaving my twenties behind. It is a deep rooted satisfaction that comes from knowing that, although I have made many errors on the road of life, I got the important things right.

I married the right man. I held onto the right friends. I chose happiness and health over material trivia and wealth. I chose to become a mother when I knew I could do the role justice. I have taken responsability for everything I do and everything I am. I spend my free time with people worth my time.

So, by some folk's standards, I had a quiet birthday with the two people who mean the most to me, my husband and daughter. Life doesn't get much better than that.

44th President

A few months ago, when I first heard this man speak, I got a strange tingle at the back of my neck. It was that odd feeling you get when you are witnessing something significant but can't quite put your finger on what it is that has peeked your interest. I began to think this feeling was HOPE.

A lot has been said about this man, about the significance of who he is, his racial background, his political background, his experience or lack there of. I am in no position to comment on any of it and I imagine for every well thought out argument there are a hundred knee jerk reactions that will carry just as much weight with the general public.

All I know is this: I am very rarely drawn to anyone talking about politics. Although relevant to our daily lives, it has always seemed like the greatest waste of breathknown to man, a web of lies that I have closed my brain to for years never imagining any of these overpaid blusterers ever had anything of worth to say.

I listened to Barrack Obama. Every word made sense.

All I can say is this: Whatever else his term in office brings, something in this world has changed for the better with his election. It is as if common sense has suddenly broken through the cloud of prejudice, hatred, greed and stupidity and a ray of sunlight has fallen upon us.

Good Luck, Mister President, rather you than me.