Wednesday Jan 11th- day 5

I get up late today and watch some quality TV. Judge Mathis, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

I don't know the standing of his court exactly, but he settles disputes between neighbours, lovers, families, friends. He listens to the arguing, then uses his common sense to decide before banging his hammer and sending the pond life scuttling back under their stones. It's best when he gets all uppity-
"You sleeping with this man, and his Uncle too?"
"You saying that she gave you $3,000 just two weeks after you two started dating?"
"You lied to the police about who was driving that car when it ran into the pick-up?"

Justice, when it comes, is swift and uncompromisin'!
"Request denied, the plaintiff will pay $1,300. Good day!" It's a weird one though- the people don't usually seem to be upset as they list the ways in which they hate their lvoed ones, or have been wronged by their friends. It really is "all about the money", and being on TV. I try and pretend that my interest is in the type of argumentation occurring, and that this is vital for my research; but really it is just me being nosy and watching other people's squabbles.

On the other side is continued coverage of the weather. They go mad for the weather round here. Fair enough I suppose, they are closing in on a record for consecutive days' rain (which stands at 33 I believe). The outside broadcasts are great- some young reporter under an umbrella, souping up a story about a wall that looks like it MIGHT be about to collapse.
"This is Daniel Gehre, KONG 13 News, reporting live from Everet, at the scene of a potential mudslide."
"Daniel Gehre reporting from Everet there on that mudslide. We'll keep you rrrright up to speed on any developments over there in Everet. You are watching KONG 13 news!"
Talk about stating the bleedin' obvious! I would have made a good reporter I think...
"Look people, in a nutshell, it is chucking it down, yet again. You might get wet feet on your way home if you walk, or it might take a bit longer than usual in the car. If you live near a river, you might get flooded. If you live out in the sticks, there might be a mudslide nearby, and at the very worst a tree might fall down and take a power cable with it. And it's probably going to rain again tomorrow. Good evening."

The other main news item is that the Seattle Seahawks have a big game against the Washington Redskins. That's American Football, which is a bit like Rugby but where everyone wears armour plating, and they stop the game overy 30 seconds for an ad, a timeout, or just for the hell of it. Hup, hup, yawwwwn! Still, it IS a big game, a Superbowl play-off. Nearest equivalent is probably Newcastle (Seattle) against Arsenal (W'ton) in the FA cup semi-final. The hype is starting and I will have to locate a decent bar to watch the game in on Saturday lunchtime.

I don't do a whole lot else today apart from browsing for about 3 hours in the University bookstore. I really want to buy a book to get my teeth into, something which will be a real page-turner. I would normally buy Haruki Murakami's lates, but I have that waiting for me in Sheffield. In the end, I buy Michael Chabon's "Kavalier and Clay" because my friend Jo said it was brill, and she knows about these things. I also buy some postcards for peeps, and a little book for Rosy. I can't say what it is just yet as she might read this and it would spoil the surprise (post takes about 5 days to a week to arrive in the UK).

When I get back, I eagerly check on the progress of Roger. He is coming along nicely. You will again have to cock your head on one side until I work out how to rotate photos on the blog! (disclaimer- C.Blackmore hereby accepts no liability for neck injuries concomitant with reading of this weblog). I think you'll agree, Roger is coming along nicely, nay "swimmingly" (boom tish!)





"And tell me, how does that make you feel?"