Today was a rather amusing day on several counts 
aside from being March 20th (although apparently March 14th counts too, so says Wikipedia, those with no idea what I’m talking about should discard this sentence.)
The first incident occurred in History where we entered to find the board defaced with some frankly immature messages implying that they disliked the school, that they preferred certain sexual positions and most notably a charming phallic illustration. So far so good. However, one member of the class did not appreciate the illustration, taking a full 15 minutes to catch on. Apparently, he\she had viewed it as ‘An A with two 0s’
Rest assured said person will now bear that catchphrase for the rest of his\her life.
Our assembly today took place in the gym with us all sat at little exam desks so we could do a little Reasoning Test for a university researcher, but first Mr. Birch came to sell PhotoReading once again. And denounced me! “SOMEONE in this hall I know doesn’t agree with PhotoReading, questions the ETHICS of PhotoReading…” as I sat at the back grinning. (For the record it was very nice and good natured and don’t shoot me!)
Well here’s the deal. There are perfectly valid techniques which I’m sure you pick up on these courses. Skim reading, scanning, concentration, etc. If you want this, go for it! I have, however, a healthy scepticism of the ‘PhotoReading’ component which has – as far as I can see – never undergone a scientific peer-review.
So that’s that. Have a lovely afternoon. 
P.S. Oooh I nearly forgot! Mum has gone away for the week so we perform the ancient tradition of Dad, Tash, Katie and I playing Rummikub each night. And I won the opening match! Woot 
Woo hay! This morning at around 7.30 I got up, which may sound unremarkable but Nic’s RV crew had all been up since about 3 in the morning to get a coach to London. So I hopped along to meet them. There was actually something weird about seeing people in real life for the first time actually. A bit like meeting a celebrity from TV, but with added Brummie accents.
See, I am real after all!
So, we all headed on the wonderful Tubular Railway – me with my Oyster card and everyone else with those amusing paper tickets. And we went to Oxford Street so people could shop, and then on to Westminster for the touristy things like looking up at Big Ben and the London Eye and going “Oh look, it’s Big Ben and the London Eye.” Far more interesting was the tail-end of those anti war protests which we ran into. And nicked some of their posters!
I’ve also been asked to announce on the blog that Jason will be shaving off his hair. Nice, Jason. I also need to take a moment to denounce the cynical marketing strategy that GG has adopted. After some initial high-brow podcasts, a character called ‘No Name Toony’ was brought in in an obvious attempt to sell some merchandise to small children later on. I am disgusted. Vent your anger at GG by all going and listening to his podcasts now. 
Apologies for the dearth of blogging, I’ve been rather busy running around with all little bits of work. Tomorrow I’ll be meeting up with Nic, Josie et al on their London Adventurey thing. Hurrah!
Patel Pier
Cash for Piers, it’s the hot new thing.
Yes I am alive, but aside from that all I wanted to point out was the Observer leader I noticed today on the subject of our beloved Health Service:
It should be incorporated as an independent, state-funded body, with its own management and a charter explicitly stating its responsibilities to provide care free to all at the point of use. This is the model of the BBC, a national institution loved, respected and willingly funded by the licence-fee payer.
Wow! That sounds a lot like exactly what I said last year!
Why don’t we break the entire NHS off from government to form an independent body – state funded but not state controlled?
I’m right! I so know I am! This is so going in my manifesto…
Woo yay houpla – got an A in English. 90/90. Full marks.
Which means I’ll never have to look at Wise Children again!
Linda Moffitt on Colombia: “Such a sweet memory of the four of you meeting up in Colombia!” Dec 2, 07:42
