It's Halloween

And I always think of this epic story of intrigue, mystery and witchcraft by the renowned Jewish poet Rabbi Burns.

Envoiceulated by Karen Dunbar

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Job Done!

Now I stand on my own feet. Today was my last day at work.

But I must say that today the warmth, friendship and generosity of my former workmates has been overwhelming. I feel quite emotional. I won't miss the journeys to work, especially in the cold and dark of the coming winter, but I will miss the camaraderie.

Well, a stage of my life ends. New beginnings? You bet, and maybe I can find time to blog more :)

Anyway, for tonight...
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Late night music

This warm and haunting piece hardly needs an introduction.

Joaquín Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez.

Rodrigo captures Spain's history beautifully; a culture crystallized in music.

Concerto Guitar Rodrigo De Aranjuez


Guitar: Taymaz Hemmaty
Cor anglais: don't know :( Grow into these trousers... >>

A thought for a Sunday

"There is one kind of robber whom the law does not strike at, and who steals what is most precious to men: time".


Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821) Grow into these trousers... >>

One week to go!

And I will finally have shrugged off my shackles and be walking the free and verdant Earth.

Time is dragging. The days seem to pass with their usual regularity, I keep busy and time flies (like a banana), but the days are so slow to add up to weeks. I am so frustrated, I want my last day at work to come as quickly as possible.
In the meantime here are some links I was going to post last week:

I'm sure most cat owners will have seen this...
http://diracseashore.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/if-you-have-cats-youll-understand/

Via Skepchick comes a chart showing something we should all be aware of, so I was once told.
http://streetanatomy.com/2009/10/22/the-good-ol-menstrual-cycle/

An image which has so much future in it:
http://failblog.org/2009/10/15/protest-fail-3/

Live to 100, feel like you're 50
A soon to be former colleague outlines a new research project at Leeds University.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8314442.stm

All I can say is: 'Come on Eileen'

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A bit of boogie

The Grateful Dead - Alabama Getaway
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Today's silly joke

Once upon a time…

In a faraway land the King found his dominion under threat from a rebel group seeking to overthrow him. Calling for his spymaster, the King gave instruction to find the ringleaders and bring them to his justice. By the skill of the spymaster the rebels were soon infiltrated and the King's own cousin, the Count, was implicated.

The Count was taken to the dungeons and given to the torturer for the extraction of the truth. Under questioning the Count refused to yield so, with a nod from the King, the torturer began to cut off the Count's toes. "Tell us names and places" said the King. "Never" screamed the Count. The torturer began to cut off his fingers. "I will never tell" cried the Count. Then his feet were sawn off. Then his hands. Still the Count was resolute.

Now, the King was a kind and benevolent person, and he viewed the Count with new honour. For withstanding such agony and still refusing to confess, the King thought to end the Count's misery by granting his death. The executioner was summoned.

It was not a good day for the executioner. He had not expected any business today and his axe was with the smith, for a service (normal things: sharpening, balance check and a good polish). However he did have his trusty hatchet, with which many had been dispatched to oblivion. At a sign from the King the hatchet fell, but at that instant the Count's resolve broke. He cried out "Hold, I will tell all". Too late, the executioner's blow was swift and it was out for the Count, so to speak.

The moral of this story is below the belt.

Don't hatchet your Counts before they’ve chickened.
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A thought for a Sunday

"As for me, all I know is that I know nothing. I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing."

Manuel, Fawlty Towers

Socrates (c. 469 BC–399 BCE) Grow into these trousers... >>

I know I've been quiet

Don't worry about it! There's been much I've had to do, and much more I still have to do. I've been doing some of it today whhich is wwhy I now haave an elevated blood/alchoholl level. I never expected so much reminiscence...ing though.
Two weeks, 10 working days, till I hand in my key fob, pick up my P45 and go to the pub.

This October is the longest month of my life.

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Late night music - The animal eating song

And I don't know why either...

Burl Ives - I Know An Old Lady
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