NASA - Cassini Images Bizarre Hexagon on Saturn





Good lord! This is, to say the least, fairly gobsmacking. Take a look, and see what you think...

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So it's been a while since my last entry. I've had some problems with my blogging software since blogger changed their API. The software on my Palm continued to work, but neither Performancing nor Deepest Sender (they're addons for the Firefox web browser) would work. Luckily, Performancing has been reinvented as Scriptfire, so I back in business.

The big news is that I started my new job on Monday, on promotion. It's based in central Liverpool, and therefore involves a little more travelling - although it's basically just a couple of extra stops on the bus. It's a completely different organisation, so I've spent the first few days just trying to learn a little about what they do and how they're set up.

I'd expected the job to include bits of project and implementation work, but I've spoken to my new boss now. From what she says, it's going to be more planning and forecasting. That's a bit of a disappointment - especially since it seems I've basically taken on the job she's just left, and she seems to be a little protective of what she left behind. This could make things interesting later. I guess we just need to get to know each other.

It's also taking a little while for me to find out exactly what I'm responsible for. Maybe it's me, I'm finding it difficult to settle in and find out what I'm actually responsible for. At the moment, I feel a little bored and listless. I want to be proactive and start taking things on, but I don't feel like I'm in a position to.

Oh well, I'm sure things will get better. And at least if the job isn't going so well, then it isn't going well on HEO money etc..

Well that's all a bit gloomy I'm afraid. Must make sure I post again soon when I'm sure things will be looking up.

Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | That 2p off income tax is a one-day wonder that comes at a high price



Crikey, this just about sums up my feelings about the budget. I was amazed to read this (sitting in Starbucks in Liverpool before going to work - but that's another story), but it's a hell of a piece of political analysis.

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Amazon.co.uk: The Making of the English Working Class: Books: E.P. Thompson

Current reading matter. I know it's a classic text for students, but I saw it in the local library and fancied reading something different. It's very interesting stuff. Though provoking, and certainly not dogmatically left wing - although left wing for all that. I'm planning to move onto some Hobsbawm probably after this.

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Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | People like us:

Another interesting article from today's Guardian. This one touches themes  from the book I'm reading  (Making of the English Working Class, E P Thompson) about life before the Industrial Revolution. The illusion of constant progress is something that belongs to the world of the capitalist - and it is indeed an illusion. To paraphrase Marx, the freedom offered by capitalism is for many simply the freedom to starve.

Correction: this could become a crash after all | | Guardian Unlimited Business:

Crumbs, Larry Elliot hits the spot again. The comparison of the challenge to US hegemony posed by Iraq not to Vietnam, but to Britain and South Africa around 1900 is very challenging - based very properly (I say this as a Marxist) on the basis that political power is based firmly in economic power. Hmm...

I'm trying to get back into the habit of adding entries to my blog. I hadn't added any for a while, but then was inspired by some autism info I found on the web last week. I need to add some more routine stuff. So, where are we up to?

Back to school for the kids today after February half term. Neither of them particularly keen to go. Had to promise some fun stuff when I get home to get them going - playing Gamecube with Jessica, and Microsoft Train Simulator with Alex. That'll keep me busy!

Jessica travelled with me to visit Granny and Grandad at the weekend. A much easier journey without Alex in the back. Jessica was very well behaved throughout, and really enjoyed the visit. It was a bit of a push to do it all in a weekend though - 3 hours there on Saturday and 3 hours back on Sunday.

Alex is enjoying the new train set we built for him for his birthday. It now runs on a shelf built all the way around his bedroom - with a bridge acros the doorway. His contribution to the subject of India, which they study in Year 2, will be some stuff on transport, inspired I suspect by the fact that he knows there are still a few steam trains there (such as the Darjeeling railway).

He's gone very 'stimmy' at the moment. Lots of flapping, shouting, and running around. We're not sure what it's about, but it seems to be a legacy of coming off Strattera. He doesn't seem to be particularly stressed out. It can really wind you up though when he's perpetually running around the room. Might have to ask the paediatrician about it at our next appointment (although I doubt that'll do any good...).

Jessica is progressing with her judo - although she hasn't been for a few weeks as she wasn't well before half term, and then there was no session at half term itself. She's very into Mario Kart at the moment. She also managed to read an omnibus of Horrid Henry in a weekend - they're some of her favourite stories.

I'm going to sign off now, but will add some more to the blog as soon as I get the chance.