A technological salve

My back twinges may have seemed like an excuse for idle-olatry [see previous blog entry] but, they're certainly no joke.

Bed has been temporarily removed from my agenda; a couple of discomfited hours lying there and unable to toss and turn led to an irrevocable decision to arise, attempt to walk, and discover temporary repose in an office chair.

The fact that the office chair is in close proximity to the PC is the sole reason I'm bothering to blog at this very earthly hour. A kind of technological salve to one's sanity, that's how blogging appears to me at this moment. It may even transform the Night Howl back into a Night Owl.

Home And Garden

The quality of the water in the aquarium is definitely improving, contrary to earlier fears and, after the sad but frequent demise of cloud minnows last weekend we're taking good care of the remaining four.

The pond resembles a mildly diluted pea soup rather than water. The earlier treatment of blanket-weed proved reasonably succesful, even though the results took some time to become really apparent. The important thing is, all the fish are thriving ... I sometimes wonder if they don't appreciate it more, than the aesthetically pleasing and easy viewing conditions that suit us. Maybe the floating straw bag will help engender a little more clarity.

The wildlife section of the garden is thriving, the more cultivated area is where our problems lie. It really has been a pleasure to spend a little time there this Spring Bank Holiday, Helen doing a little tidying up whilst my back twinges meant I had to remain idle! It really is more difficult than some people may imagine to remain idle .... but ... I'll just have to try and make the most of it.

No longer lumpen-prols

Truly, we are reaping the whirlwind of Thatcherite a-social sensibilities/insensibilities. On Jeremy Vine's show (BBC Radio 2) we were treated to "delightful" accounts of £6,000 to £10,000 of damage caused to homes when teenage children held parties while their cosily middle-class parents were away.

The fact that the "responsible" parents are able to laugh about it, in retrospect, I find extremely chilling. "Oh well, they've learned their lesson ...", seemed to be the attitude; the pampered middle class brats don't learn anything from parents who can put anything right with money. Society is sick, with such irresponsibility being condoned (albeit unwittingly) by parents having the material wherewithal to put things to rights.

Seems like the place of the 'lumpen-prols' has now been taken by 'lower order Hooray-Henry's'.

Warren Zevon

Just been re-watching "Warren Zevon - Inside Out", a kind of documentary diary of work on his final album. Somehow, it manages to be simultaneously moving and amusing; above all it's tremendously life affirming. Considering the prognosis of three months to live Warren remained brightly stoical.

One or two phrases stick in the mind: "I think it's a sin not to want to live", "I still love every day" and "life's a lot of fun". Thanks a lot Warren, thanks for your legacy of song.

A Life of Privilege

Yesterday (Saturday), a day like any other day, saw the continuance of my endeavours to correct the conditions prevailing in both the aquarium and the garden pond. Brief visits to 'Homebase' and 'PC World' provided the only escape from hearth and home, not that I really have any desire to escape.

Got on with a couple of VHS to DVD transfers, in the afternoon, leaving space on the disc to record the evening's programme of "Soul Deep: Southern Soul". Otis Redding and Stax are much more to my taste than Motown (the subject of last week's programme). Watching the series has helped me to understand my own preferences within the broader Soul genre.

Spending most of the day in the company of my best friend, my lover and my wife, didn't lead to any conflicts! Nor was the house overcrowded; I feel that Helen and myself are so fortunate having each other, the best thing that has ever happened to me. It really is a privilege to find best friend, companion and lover all rolled into the one wonderful "spouse" package.
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5.25AM Just having another attempt at uploading this blog to site after several failed attempts much earlier this morning.

Another Bank Holiday

Well, Saturday of the bank holiday weekend has just crept in via the back door and, it feels just like any other late night. Why do we build such expectations into holiday weekends; even when I was working full-time these were the weekends I tried to ensure I stayed at home. To be honest, the prospect of a longer weekend was irrelevant, as so often I was employed in positions where weekend working was part of the routine.

Perhaps it's time for legislation to be brought in that ensures, whenever a bank holiday occurs, an extended break, of at least some consecutive days, is allocated to all employees within at least a couple of weeks.

Of course workaholics may apply for exemption; usually this need to work all the hours either God sends or the employer demands, is a sign of inefficiency! If they simply enjoy wage slavery ... good luck to them.

In Two Minds

Today I can spare you all a health report as, somehow, Heterocon has read my mind and reported for me; the reference is 'Mining The Matter' on Broad Thoughts From Heterocon.

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

A Prescription For Good Health

A rather good day for me, in spite of the displays of incompetence demonstrated by the Tax Office in this morning's mail. As that has already been recorded elsewhere, it's now time to give thanks for a better than average day in the life.

I actually managed two brief (slightly) brisk walks today, one around midday and the other bbw in the afternoon.

Continuing the treatment of the aquarium with good bacteria which is already having some effect as, to our surprise the nitrite level is already declining. Must admit I'm still somewhat puzzled as to how I account for the earlier hike in NO2 level. Suppose I'll just have to accept it as just another of life's little mysteries.

The green water problem with the pond is still subject to the closest scrutiny. This evening I gave the filters an even more thorough rinsing (in pond water of course) than usual; at least 7 bucketfuls of water were drawn from the pond to wash three filters. The water in the bottom of the filtration tank received a little dredging action as well.

After this action, I replenished the pond with several bucketfuls of treated tap water. My halo is well and truly polished up!

How do I account for the sudden lease of energy:

a) a wonderful bottle of Stafford Lodge Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2003, shared with ma belle Helene on Tuesday evening certainly gave the feel-good factor. Nettle-y gooseberry with a subtle lychee note .... makes me wonder how I'm managing to keep the cellar door locked!
b) an enjoyable simple Chilean Chardonnay 2004 (an Asda purchase) shared with Graham ... and a glass saved for Helen on her return from Pizza Hut. [Wednesday's contribution].
c) I've not taken an anti-depressant today, just a minimum dose alternate days until I attempt (once more) to start the new medication next week.
d) The sun is shining.

I like to think the item at "a" is the cause and, that my doctor will prescribe a case for me on the NHS. The feel-good, enjoyment factor, could prove a great medicinal aid to my recovery.

You Can't Win 'Em All

Today, at lunchtime, the demise of yet another little fish. It does seem strange as Cloud Minnows are such a hardy species. For some inexplicable reason, the nitrite level in the aquarium has risen since Monday despite the use of biological, mechanical and chemical filtration in the tank.

The ten little minnows are now down to four, so I am desperately feeding in extra good bacteria as part of what appears to be a losing battle. Close monitoring of the water condition is going to be vital over the next ten days or so. It's strange that these kind of problems/ conditions never arose when all the tanks occupants were goldfish.

All our pond fish seem to be thriving, the waters greenish bias not proving detrimental to fish health; both the PH and NO2 readings are near perfect. Of course, the saying is "you can't win 'em all"; let's hope that with reference to the aquarium that the result is "you can't lose 'em all"

One Man's Objectivity ... etc.

A slow start to the day, after a night of fitful sleep, finally emerging around 11.00AM. A day of sunshine and threatening clouds, becoming increasingly muggy, relieved at intervals by a breeze of variable force.

Out for a walk, the closeness of the day proved excessive but, turn a corner and face the breeze, a different and more pleasant environment. Overall the temperature was not that high, it must be something to do with the humidity level that made it feel uncomfortable. As my body thermostat is somewhat erratic, it was a relief to discover that my better half found it rather muggy too.

Objectivity is so hard to recognize and, almost impossible to achieve.

For an interesting article on ideology(?) and objectivity(?) in journalism see Daniel Okrent's Revealing Closeout as Public Editor of the New York Times by Edward S. Herman [www.zmag.org].
[ My own sympathies are towards Krugman and Dowd; when it comes to Friedman I am much more sceptical.]