The IT thought police at work have suddenly barred access to certain "social networking" websites, including Youtube (don't much care) and (sob) Livejournal. Can't really blame them I suppose, but I will miss having access to LJ in particular, as I do not get many chances to use my home PC during the week ( Read more... )

I recently rediscovered this wonderful Kate Bush parody from the old UK comedy series "Not the Nine O'Clock news ( Read more... )

Well it's several days since I posted the topic on tiredness in the INFJ community (http://community.livejournal.com/infj/235540.html) and I'm more tired than ever. Mostly because I had to fly to Wellington to give evidence in a court case, which involved a very early start and some intense ( Read more... )

We had some excellent news last week: a place had come free for my partner's mother in the rest home of our choice in Auckland. So, we hastily organised a major military-style operation this weekend - firstly moving her furniture and possessions into the room, then returning to Hamilton to collect her, her little dog and all her clothes ( Read more... )

After another fraught weekend visiting my partner's mother, I needed a little stress relief ( Read more... )

It is the depths of winter here in New Zealand. Normally that does not mean a lot to an ex-Brit like me, since the climate in Auckland is sub-tropical, but for the last few days we have had a real cold snap, with frosts and all. There has been heavy snow in the more mountainous regions of New Zealand, which is good news for winter sports fanatics ( Read more... )

What a great show Dexter is - original, exciting and unpredictable. No-one in the show is quite who they seem to be and there is just enough (black) humour to balance the horrific crimes. Even then, the show is not particularly graphic - most of the horror is suggested rather than shown ( Read more... )

It's been a while since I've commented here on my more metaphysical interests, but I feel the need to mention some of the recent changes I've discerned ( Read more... )

Yesterday I had my fifth driving lesson, and for the first time I started to be able to really "feel" the car. It was a beautiful sunny Autumn day in Auckland so it was a real pleasure to be driving around the streets of the city. I had one or two wacky moments - but it's a dual control car so the instructor can take over when I lose the plot. This ( Read more... )

Well, things have calmed down a lot since my last posting. My partner's mother has improved dramatically, thanks to the 24 hour care we have been providing. We can't afford to keep this up for much longer, so hopefully she'll be able manage when it's reduced to about 4-6 hours a day ( Read more... )