albert's staring at the back of my head as i write this... perhaps he's read my comment on his growing waistline yesterday. had a mini lie-in this morning given that for once I have no real need to be at my desk for 9 o'clock (or in fact at all today). For the first time in three and half years I am living on my own and can work from home if i choose. so i started by writing the first part of a book proposal on jack.. trying to keep it interesting without it descending into a whodunnit. mostly it is lifted from the module i wrote a few years ago because i feel that remains a viable and interesting project. whether my potential publishers/editors agree is of course another matter.

rang the council to tell them im single again.. too busy to take the call but they say they will ring me back. odd really - the 25% rebate on council tax will end up costing em more than if she had stayed and paid half.must remind her to cancel her dd for the virginmedia payments if she hasn't already.

got my first comment on this blog yesterday.. short and sweet but i suppose its evidence that someone read it.. saw my grandfather yesterday. He is 91 and recovering from a stroke. He has slowed down and seemed rather disconnected yesterday surrounded by three grandchildren and one great granddaughter. he is having one of his 'parties' on bonfire night (he does this every year) but this time i feel might be his last. For the first time in talking to him i got the feeling that the stroke has taken away his love of life - which was incredibly strong before - and he might not make it to 92. I hope im wrong - he is an amazing man who never seems to get angry and rarely exhibits stress, and sees the positive in nearly every situation.