It’s been a week of goodbyes… Mum and Dad left on Tuesday and my cousin left this morning.
Before she left Mum actually managed to ask if I was seeing anyone. It might not sound like much but given we’ve spent the last however many years avoiding topics that might mean we have to talk about the gay thing, it’s pretty brilliant.
While it was sad to see them go, especially as it’s been cut short after the disastrous holiday in Ireland, it does mean I get to have a life again. Woo!
Generally anticipation of the joys of an English Christmas isn’t exactly making up for the coming cold and dark but I guess I’ll survive.

Just in time for Halloween parties…

Things I should remember
(And my lovely, lovely brother just humoured me by acting out sudo with me)

“The debate about religious freedom versus society’s norms has strong similarities to a row that engulfed England in the 16th Century, says Steve Tomkins.” (BBC)

US in good taste shocker:
“The US has banned Vegemite, even to the point of searching Australians for jars of the spread when they enter the country.” (news.com.au)

It’s completely immature, but I can’t resist.

“Advertisers love skinny models, but women see real body shapes as healthier, more credible and smarter, say researchers
…
New research has found that instead of being admired by women, excessively slender models are regarded as less ethical, knowledgeable and truthful than their larger peers” Observer

What a day.
To put it in context, I was visiting Mum in hospital. She’s broken a bone in her right ankle and is in a cast, but should be out tomorrow. They didn’t need to operate cos they’re trying to manipulate the bones through the skin first.
So much for touring Ireland! We might get to Borris and some of Kerry but it’s going to be very different. It’ll affect the rest of her holiday – no hiking in Eastern Europe for us – but at least she’s ok.
We actually had a good day together, the nurses let me stay through non-visiting hours so we had a good catch-up.
The poor nun was in the bed opposite. She has dementia, and was distressed because she’d been waiting for an operation all day. The tubes into her arm and nose kept bothering her, and at other times she was desperately looking after some cotton swabs she thought were matches. It was pretty upsetting watching her, I hope she has her operation and gets some rest soon.

It’s been a long time coming:
“Judges, police officers and prosecutors will attend sex-assault seminars under radical reforms to be introduced to NSW Parliament.
…
Industry experts believe an increase of 41 per cent in callers who were sexually assaulted as children shows victims feel they are now more likely to be treated with respect, the newspapers said.” (Age)

A random search for ‘yappy dog’ lead to payattention.org.
wufoo.com for online form building seems pretty cool, though only basic functionality is free.