Things I love about summer:

• Not having to wear socks, and still having warm feet
• Sunflowers
• Sitting outside the pub in the evening
• Having breakfast outside at the weekend
• Raspberries, peaches & nectarines
• Quiet roads on the way to work

Went twitter mad

Went twitter mad at work today. Watched streamed conference, tweeted & read tweets at same time. Very tiring. It's an interesting way to engage with ideas though. What also interests me is whether this provides a more effective way of learning. I've always felt my education has been about fact-cramming. I was good at school because I have a good memory for facts. Subsequently I've been a serial student. I did a language degree (1985-89), and I don't remember having to use much critical thought then. Then I did a speech therapy degree (1991-1993), which must have required critical thought, but also felt very theoretical and far removed from what then happened when I became a practitioner. Then I did an IT conversion course (1998-1999) which was focused on passing. Again, in the 'real world' it didn't seem to relate much, although I think it was a good background to working in that field. I am able to think critically, but that seems a result of my personality rather than a trained skill. However, I would say that a university education is useful culturally, I believe that it should not be about training the workforce but about stretching people's minds, and giving the space for blue sky thinking. Don't know whether that will be the case in future though.

Iphone

So I really want an iphone, or maybe a Blackberry, though that seems a bit corporate. My current mobile is 2 years old, and works fine. doesn't have a camera or internet connection, it's very simple. One thing stopping me upgrading is the environmental impact etc. I've now given it some thought, and realised that the compromise position is to wait until this phone packs in, and recycle it, but get a new whizzy exciting one then. I can wait.

Glad I've sorted that in my head.

It's in the mind

Heard an interview on the Today programme yesterday about holidaying at home, and how to a certain extent, the idea of a holiday is a state of mind. Interesting, as I think a lot is down to state of mind. Being a natural Eeyore, my usual state is harrumph. But am trying to be more positive and am interested to see whether that changes things. Certainly being calm about people speeding is far easier on your blood pressure.

The only thing is I feel a bit airy fairy and wet being smiley. what's that about?

Viz

Had to laugh when buying my paper today. On the front cover of Viz is 'Blakey the Ripper' threatening "I 'ate you Victorian prostitutes" Stupidly funny.

Songs to ride bikes by

When we were toiling through Northumberland, Cumbria & the North Pennines, one of the ways I tackled the hills was by singing to myself. I found that songs with a rhythm were good for up hill, and it was good to whizz down hill to some exhilarating songs.

So here's my very short list:

Up
Pump it up - Elvis Costello
Pump up the stereo - Supergrass
2468 Motorway - Tom Robinson
Up up & away in my balloon - some radio 2 Sunday afternoon group

Down
I want to get away - Lenny Kravitz
Down down - STatus Quo
woo hoo - Blur

Slightly up, or just passing the time
Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello
This is not a love song - PIL
Dancing Queen - Abba

Mike Leigh films

Been watching the Mike Leigh back catalogue thanks to my manager Andrew. 'Naked' seemed to have dated a lot, I remember David Thewlis's nihilist as a lot more appealing. 'Secrets & Lies' was excellent though. Even if Brenda Blethyn is a bit high-pitched.

Weather today has been warm & dry. Listening to the forecast at 8.00 they said that it was currently cloudy & wet, as the sun blazed in through the window. Hmm. Picked fruit & made some tayberry jam & a raspberry sponge cake.