Democracy is a curious beast. In Greece it could lead to the collapse of the Euro. To be fair to the Greeks, if you've been used to being paid for 14 months in every twelve, retiring almost before you've started, with a pension that would make a banker weep with envy, and had a job that is done by ten people, austerity must be hard. So I have some sympathy...even though the consequences of the hope to renege on their commitments will be a disaster for the global economy. The French too are making it all look a bit tricky. Some of the proposals of the new President (how on earth did the French elect someone called Hollande?) make me raise my eyebrows...reducing the retirement age (for some) to 60 from 62, whilst the rest of us have to work until we stagger into the grave. But I do quite like the concept that there's merit in trying to make the economy grow, rather than grind it down as Punch and Judy are trying to do here.
As an amusing little side-note, someone in our office has had their mortgage application rejected because it was printed on 80gsm paper rather than 100gsm. If you're not familiar with paper weights (as opposed to paperweights) 80gsm is the sort of paper that EVERYONE uses in their printer. Frankly it's no wonder we continue to live in economic misery.
I've learnt a lesson...never comment on one of Nursemyra's posts from your mobile phone. a) because it's tricky b) because Wordpress automatically subscribes you to follow-on comments. It seems impossible to turn them off, no matter how many times you click the unsubscribe box. And Nursemyra gets a lot of comments. And she lives 'down under'...so the comments tend to arrive through the night on your phone. I blame Wordpress, certainly not my techno-incompetence.
One of the absolutely marvellous things about being a parent is that occasionally your offspring give you such a sense of pride, that you can puff your chest out and march down the street happy, smiling, and bathing in the reflected glory. First off The Cat has been made Head of House...a fine achievement of which the Cat's Mother and all the family are cock-a-hoop.
The Boy has been made Deputy Head of his house...again a fabulous achievement. They're both much liked and respected at school, both participate and show the qualities of leadership that will do them well in future life.
The Boy has also been awarded 'Best Cadet'..a fine silver cup which will have his name added to it. We've got our fingers crossed that he may be put in charge of the Contingent...but are certainly not counting our chickens as there are more than enough animals in this post already.
Today I like being a parent...
