Spoof signs and Mock Turner prizes from the BBC.
Bratislava was really pretty, especially when covered with snow. The gay bars were full of friendly and cute girls and boys. Saw some impressive dance floor moves – a cross between Solid Gold, liturgical and interpretative dance.
Food was mostly variations on dumplings but they have a range of hot alcoholic drinks that made up for the food and the cold. I avoided the hot punch that featured bacon and lard in favour of grog or fresh apple drinks.
We were diverted to Vienna on the way there because of a snow storm over Bratislava, and had to get a taxi from Austria to Slovakia.
Back-tracking, dinner with a friend on Wednesday night turned into one of those random London nights and we ended up hobnobbing with slebs at the Groucho Club. Mojo’s birthday at Flash Monkey at Cafe de Paris on Thursday was great fun, though I left before the end to go home and pack. Most of the crowd had put a lot of effort into their outfits, and there was a lot of variety. I’ve discovered that I can run for the night bus in a corset, very useful.

Depressing article about Guantanamo Bay. I fail to see how we can claim to be the civilised West when we stoop so low. It’s not just the torture, it’s tricks like this:
“Talking to my clients is draining. Even gaining their trust is not easy. After the right to counsel was won, the military tried to outflank us by sending interrogators in pretending to be lawyers.” (New Statesman)

Today is three years since I got my proper UK work permit. Assuming immigration laws don’t change again (and they’re unlikely to without the impetus of an election campaign), I could apply for permanent residency in another year.
If I got it, I could work anywhere in the UK, without needing a permit. I’d be able to contract, and earn loads of money. I assume I’ll still love working at the museum, so it might be an interesting dilemma.

This week I made up a pun and an insult. Are you ready?
How did the geek get out of prison?
She used the \ key!
Last week I made up a pun, possibly even worse than that one:
What did the Frenchman yell when his poo turned out green?
Verde!!
Oh, and one I made up last month:
What do you call a Moroccan having a sulk because the market didn’t have what he came to buy?
A souk!
I have no idea why I’m inflicting these on you all now. Sorry.

“South-East Asia’s most wanted terrorist has warned in a video message seized by Indonesian police that Australia will be the prime target of new “intimidation and terror” attacks while its troops remain in Iraq.” (Age)
And meanwhile…
“The draft anti-terrorism law is so broad it could even be used to jail members of the Australian Wheat Board accused of paying Saddam Hussein $290 million through a front company, a Government committee has been told.” (Age)