I cut my hair at the weekend, and I'm benefitting from the nicer hair feeling that comes from having chopped off some of the tatty old stuff.

I also started clearing out the cupboard under the stairs, in the hope that I can stash the tent and camping equipment there. But it seems to be a big job.

This morning on my way to work I had blood taken for some tests (v. brave) and it might have been made easier by the fact that I was kind of stunned by sudden and unexpected news of my mother's impending wedding. Really not sure how to react to that.

I was working on a proposal for a paper today, when I realised the instructions actually indicate I pretty much have to submit the whole paper and not just the abstract, so that's going to keep me quite busy for the next week or two.

This week I learnt from a Facebook person living in London that my year group from secondary school is having a reunion next March. Neither she nor I will be in New Zealand then, but our discussion raised the possibility of having a simultaneous meet up for anyone based over here who wants to attend. While that might seem unlikely, I reckon it's not so much; it's probably pretty common for our cohort to be living over here, at least temporarily. Why I'm wanting to be involved at all, though, is a bit of a mystery. I guess curiosity is the key motivator.

Yesterday I seemed to be swimming in sentiment. First I finished the silly book I'd been reading; it was a silly book because I'd bought it from the motorway services on my way to camping, which meant my choice was limited and I was therefore able to absolve myself of the guilt of buying popular chicklit blah. I'd forgotten how compelling that kind of a book can be. It was a very thick one, and yesterday I reached the end, some nice people got back together again, some other nice people got together against all odds, someone finally admitted they were an alcoholic and it looked like their life was going to start getting sorted out, and the bad guy had been publically removed from office and potentially for causing further harm. And I was sad that I finished it. Then I had a conversation with my sister, in which I got the nicest compliment ever and it made me tearful. And then I went to the cinema and saw Ghosted, which was a sad and pretty film. So today I think I need to stick with mundane thoughts and tasks.

I suspect some of my friends might like http://www.ispot.org.uk/ (Jeremy springs to mind).

A trip to the shops with SSG&T to get various things for the barbecue, I stopped at the bakery and wavered about whether or not I'd like my sunflower seed loaf sliced or unsliced when the boy asked whether I wanted it sliced, and eventually I said no I prefer it a bit rough-hewn, and the baker looked over and grinned and said 'so you like it rough do you?', which was somewhat cheekier of him than usual. But what made it even funnier was straight after the bakery we stopped into the health food shop next door where I got a couple of packets of the dreadful Olbas blackcurrant pastilles - I buy them pretty often so I made some remark to that effect, and the man asked me whether I liked them because he thought they were horrible, and I said no I didn't like them but I had a kind of chronic frog in my throat, and he said if I had a frog in my throat I should try kissing a few princes. Maybe it's because the sun's out, but I think SSG&T must have the idea that my local shops are all staffed by very amateur comedians.

Elsewhere I was reminded of the existence of the mug tree, a hideous invention that is actually a trap for people like me. I have never owned one, would never give one kitchen space and my heart sinks when I find myself in the situation of having to interact with them. If you're a clumsy git yourself, you might find this feeling familiar -- it's like playing pick up sticks, but with someone else's china. Alas.

One of my colleagues said they are an anachronism from the 70s. Katherine related an anecdote about how she and her sister made a mug tree out of a fruit and fibre box and sent it to someone famous and it got mentioned on the radio.

Four different people on my front page today are talking about childrens/babies. Is it the theme of the day?

Oh, I have not posted all week. It's because I've been busy, and also away for the past couple of days giving my tent a trial run!

I was a bit nervous about this tent business, because I'm not an experienced camper, and after buying a rather substantial tent wondered whether it was a stupid crazy whim. However, after the initial struggle of erection, I loved living in my tent and I think I could happily spend many days in it. Although the weather was very kind, and I couldn't have done it without PB's help and company -- don't think I'd enjoy solitary camping at all.

So the first camping happened at a place called Hedgehog Corner near Axminster in Devon. I went via Exeter so I could drop in on my sister, and arrived at the camping place just before 4, met by Joy Hedgehog, put up tent (which took about an hour, not 20 minutes like the tent shop man said) (although it ought to be quicker once I know what I'm doing). Cooking on the little gas stove and portable barbecue. Wandering around Axminster and ice cream on the beach at Lyme Regis. All very nice. No photos though, because I've not charged my camera battery yet after the last weekend away, so here is a slow loris from the Internet instead:

I'm just back from a smashing weekend in Dorset, revisiting Corfe & Swanage where I went way back in spring 2004.

Highlights:
*unexpectedly not having to drive
*nice, comfortable room at the Purbeck Vineyard
*the lovely garden outlook with lavender and vines and all, and a view of the steam train
*the weather was kind
*a beautiful coastal walk
*a lovely lunch of sea bass at a pub in Studland
*young calves and ponies and bunnies and deer and stuff
*rediscovering Corfe Castle
*going on the steam train
*walking barefoot on the sand at Swanage

After not being able to find one in places where you'd really think you would find one, I finally found one in the ridiculously messy garden and general supplies shop up on the high street. I popped in just on a whim on my return trip from getting dolly mixture from our new local sweetie shop.

I had an email from Melissa ex-Cherry Bomb comics in NZ who is now in London and working on comix/ziney projects and things there (kiwis get around). I may drag myself into London for her event in July, depending on whether I manage to organise myself in time. It's at some sort of alternative young person venue at Elephant and Castle, so I might be too scared. I already have to go to London for a work thing later in June too. But mainly I need to say I've passed on details (just your public websites, nothing intimate) of various other girl comic-making people, so hope this is OK, and if you hear from her that's why.

It was quite a bloody effort finding out where to go to vote. Yes, I know they send you a card and all, with the details, but I can't find that. I looked and looked online, and eventually phoned up the local electoral office or whoever. A very chirpy gentleman said he'd put me through to someone or other who would know, and then accidentally hung up on me in the manner of a regular call centre operator. In the end, Rachel kindly found an online list of my area's polling booths.

I think I've decided, but I'm a bit shocked at myself for what I've decided, and I'm wondering whether I've been irresponsibly lazy about not doing enough research, and then I got wondering about how much research everyone else does.

Poll #1410008
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

For this European election, what factors are likely to influence your voting choice?

I walked up the hill in the sunshine.

I had a very healthy sort of lunch.

I went to pilates.

I'm looking forward to a weekend in Dorset (B&B), and my first camping trip in the new tent next week!

Katherine saw an invigilator who looked a bit like Susan Boyle.

http://www.jasonelvis.co.uk

And with any luck, the following thingy should take you to the Facebook fan page.

Jason Elvis Barker's Facebook Page

Promote your Page too

On the way to the kitchen, Katherine was telling me a sad tale about a possibly diminishing number of ducklings somewhere she's been recently. I pointed out I'd seen some goslings driving in to work. She was puzzled about how their feet could reach the pedals.

Seriously, though, we have wildlife crossing warning signs on the campus. Imagine how awful it would be to crush a gosling under your tyre. I have been driving very carefully.

What I loved, in the end, was the amount of light it lets in.

A new chapter begins...

Two health inspections (eyes and teeth) happened during the week, both were uneventful. I don't need new glasses (although my white pair that I wear very often are kind of scratched on one lens, so I should probably get those fixed). No problems with the teeth (miraculous after my having ignored them over the past six years).

Friday night I went out with some friends and saw Chéri, a love story tragically doomed by a generation gap. Poignant.

Yesterday, after doing some chores and visiting the local shops, I drove out to Chippenham for a lovely walk, followed by lovely pub, tagine and wine and a DVD (that Sex And The City film - it went on and on and on and on! But it was okay). This morning I returned via the nice Chippenham farm shop, and the shops at Longwell Green where I bought some shorts and things for forthcoming summery weekend excursions. Still haven't bought a tent.

The sad part is I did see three dead badgers on the road between here and Chippenham.

Now listening to Gardeners' Question Time and about to do a bit of work on the paper.

There are some people out there in the world performing some function, but whose existence seems like a service in itself. After I was given the all clear by the very nice optician (who says I have lovely healthy eyeballs and don't really need different glasses), I crossed the road to the French delicatessen opposite to buy a couple of things. As I mentioned I needed some bread, the delicatessen man sent me back across the road to Fishponds' relatively new health food shop. I've been in there once before when I urgently needed a snack before walking home. On both occasions, it was impossible just to go and buy the thing I wanted; the man in the health food shop has a need to get to know you personally and tell you a whole lot of things. In fact, the health food shop man may well warrant a tourist stop in Fishponds if you're ever passing. I may well start to drop by with out of town visitors.

The eye test was the first of my forthcoming week of health-related appointments, and tomorrow is the dentist (!). Yikes. I've reached an age where the optician checks you for glaucoma and mascular whatsit, but so far so good. When I mentioned on Facebook how my eyeballs looked like big golden planets in the test photos, it was suggested that perhaps I should name them after planets, so I've chosen to call mine Vland and Bolarus IX, but those are names for my eyeballs...

Poll #1399372
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

what's your preferred planet name for an eyeball?

I'm planning to buy a tent. On Saturday I popped into Millets and saw a huge variety of them packed in their bags. I had no idea which one to buy. Katherine sent me a website, and from that I've noticed this one:



Does that look like an alright tent?

I didn't feel up to an eight mile walk in Bath today, so I'm home just doing odd things like laundry, handwashing, making hummus and shortly will plant the beans and cut the grass. Sheets are drying on the line, jerseys are soaking in some wool wash and I am drinking hippie tea and listening to Radio 4.

Here's a thing though; in an online conversation earlier I asked why it was that people always insist that it's so easy being a child, because I think being a child sucked. I was told adults think that because they have to pay taxes, but I still think paying taxes is much easier than being a child, even including those bloody awful complicated forms you have to fill in.

Have you heard this? An Internet friend of mine just sent it to me.