Further ramblings of a self-made pauper

I should just like to be the very first person to wish you a happy and preposterous 2009.

That is all.

Well I don't know about you, but I was just getting used to 2005 when it finished.

It's pretty much like that every year; it was deep into the year 2000 before I stopped writing 19... in the date section of cheques, and most years it takes until about mid February before use of the correct last two digits in the date become habit. Luckily I rarely have to write the date any more, computers do that for me. I guess it's a little like the handwriting thing I mentioned some time back, though I expect my mistakes have more to do with encroaching senility than any lack of practice.

I shan't be going to bed for another hour or so, I had a late meal and think I might have over done it slightly (amount wise, rather than the cooking per se). After spending the biggest part of the past fortnight eating very tasty, but comparatively rich food, I deliberately dropped off the bottom of the haute cuisine table (unintended pun, by George) and made myself fish and chips. Very nice, but perhaps a chip too many. Sadly, this was not apparent until after colonel_maxim had wandered in and indicated that he might need help polishing off a bread and butter pudding and tub of double cream. It would have been churlish to refuse to help, and I consider myself to a polite and helpful cove, so I took half of the amount available, and he the other.

It might have been the coffee to follow that caused the current unwillingness to go to bed for another hour or so...

I hope that one and all had a splendid New Year. I did. Quiet, but splendid, which is how I like them.

Further experimentation with the laser pointer over the weekend revealed to me the existence of either the world's laziest or most intelligent cat. It spotted the the red dot bouncing in front of it on the floor, watched it for a moment and then wandered into the other room. So much for my planned entertainment, watching the poor feline beast try to scuff something that wasn't there.

Well for me, not having gone to bed yet, it is still 30 December, but I have to be up with the lark if I am to get into central London and back out to Marylebone Station before the bastard Tube drivers go on strike at midday.

I shall therefore wish you a happy new year now.

And while I'm at it, let me be the very first to wish you a happy and prosperous 2007. And I bet I am, too.