I’m not one

for over reactions. I always try and put things in persepctive. However sometimes things come along which just undermine my understanding of being a human being.

Man’s inhumanity to man has known no bounds, and history is full of sickening atrocities, which I wouldn’t even begin to try and rank.

This recent story over here though has appalled me, both as a parent of small children and even more basically as a human being.

It’s not a story for the faint hearted, the catalogue of abuse is harrowing, as is the failure of systems designed to limit such happenings, but things like this should not be ignored or swept under the carpet:

http://pysih.com/2008/11/17/steven-barker-jason-owen-tracey-connolly/

I’m not sure what punishment could ever fit these crimes, or how the “professionals” in the care services who were involved can sleep at night.

Fatigued

I’m feeling really run down. This has been a tough year so far and the immediate future doesn’t hold much optimism for me.

I feel weighed down with so many different things, there doesn’t seem to be a sphere of life that is going well. Oh, except the godzookies, they still manage to light up my life, so there is an exception after all!

Grandma Zilla is facing another op next week, to remove a rodent ulcer under her eye. Then all she’s got to get through is the removal of her cataracts.

Work just seems to grind on and on. I’m facing a deadline for the preparation of procedures manuals for all the elements of work I’m involved with.

This has to be completed, along with the attendance on training courses for the new MIS computer system being introduced on the first of next month. In their wisdom, the powers that be have decreed that there will not be a parallel run of systems, we will go live on the new system and leave the legacy system behind immediately. Crazy in my opinion.

I hate these sort of whinging posts that I seem to return to more and more often, but I seem to have no other real outlet for my frustrations.

Why does tv taunt me

with things that I’d love to do, but will have to wait years to accomplish?

I’ve been loving the programme with Stephen Fry travelling around each state in America. The scenery is so disparate and wonderful, with what seesm like limitless possibilities of exploration and discovery.

I had my eye on a fly drive holiday a while back: start from San Francisco, through Yosemite National Park, down through Death Valley. A stop in Las Vegas and then on through to Phoenix. The driving schedule looked fairly punishing (300+ miles per day) but the different landscapes to travel through would be stunning.

When will the godzookies have left home, so I can possibly make this a reality?

Yawn

all day training for the new computer system, starting in 15 minutes.

This follows me working last night, and not getting home until 10.50 pm.

It’s going to be a long day….

Homework

Godzooky 2 is now getting homework! Her work is phonics and learning words. She’s showing a lot more interest than Godzooky 1!

She can’t wait to be able to read, she’s dying to sit down and read books by herself.

Her zest for life, and boundless enthusiasm counterpoints Godzooky 1’s attitude. He seems to be rapidly approaching his teenage years at the tender age of almost 9. I’ve noticed that he’s shot up again in height recently and is defintely losing his puppy fat. Actually he has never been fat (getting trousers to fit him on the waist has been a nightmare) but he has that look of someone who has been stretched out of shape.

He’s growing up far too fast, and developing terrible verbals tics: sucking his teeth and saying “Flipping H” every few minutes.

The need to fit in with his classmates is also developing. he is ultra cautious about admitting liking anything. and adopts a sneering tone about anything the other Godzookies like.

There may be trouble ahead….

Parents evening

went swimmingly.

Godzooky 1 is doing really well in Maths, working about 18 months ahead of schedule. His only problem is presentation, as usual, his work is very slap dash, as he ploughs his way through his work.

Godzooky 2 got a glowing report. She’s one of the keenest in class, always with her hand up to answer questions. She’s also very caring apparently, and will rush to anyone who appears upset or is crying.

Her eagerness to learn is coming home with her. Every night I have to help her do some maths and spelling. I’m sure this won’t last, but we’re maximising things while we can.

Her only request for Christmas? Art materials, as she is “an artist”!

Remember, remember

the 5th of November.

The fireworks passed without incident thankfully. It was a simple “one light” and watch job. They lasted about 40 seconds, so I’m glad they were free! The kids seemed to enjoy the sparklers more, and totally blew away my preconceived ideas that they’d be scared!

I was also amazed by how many hot dogs they managed to put away. It left the number left for me quite pitiful!

Tonight is parent’s evening, the first for Godzooky 2, although I have no doubts that she is doing well – she’s already writing out the whole alphabet by herself. I’m going to have to keep a close eye on her, she’s one smart cookie….

Huge interest

in the American election over here – probably sparked by a real desire to see Dubya gone ASAP.

I think anyone could see that there was going to be a reaction against the incumbent party, given the state of the economy and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan dragging on and on. I forsee a similar situation over here next year, when our elections roll around….

The change could be interesting, although given how basically convergent the parties now are I’m not sure how great the change will be.

Back in the real world we’re having a small firework party tonight. We bought fireworks on a “buy one get one free” basis, so we’ll have a very short burst of fireworks. It’s a one light box, so there is no danger of my previous experiences of being bombarded by malfunctioning rockets (hoepfully).

That, comb

Busy and rewarding

is my summary of the weekend.

I was working on Saturday afternoon, then it was home for a swift change of clothes before attending the street Fireworks Party.

It is a truly lovely night, when everyone in the street comes together to have  a few drinks and enjoy the fireworks. Technically it’s not bonfire night until Wednesday, but this is the nearest non-school night to it.

Because everyone takes some fireworks it makes for a fairly full on display. It took about 90 minutes for the bangs and whizzes to stop. A few glasses of red wine helped to keep out the cold, whilst the godzookies did their best to o.d. on junk food.  My particular favourit eis the way everyone takes a food dish along to the party, so you get to enjoy a real variety of tastes.

In this day and age of insular, selfish society it makes a pleasant change to get lots of people together and just have a nice time.

Sunday saw us travel up to the Lakes, a visit to Grandma Zilla, now she’s finished her radiotherapy, and combine it with a friend’s daughter’s birthday, who was turning 3.

It was great to catch up with them, as we haven’t seen them for about 10 months. Comparisons of child development were swapped and general shock expressed at the size of Godzooky 3. I forget just how big he is, even though he doesn’t turn 3 until January he was head and shoulders, literally, above the birthday girl. He’s also not much shorter than Godzooky 2, who is 16 months older than him.

Our friends gave us more details of their plans to emigrate to Australia. Lots of forms to fill in, but sadly, the timing of the credit cruch has hit them badly. House prices dropping like a stone has seen £40,000 wiped off their house valuation in the last 2 months, and that’s without any firm offers being received.

They seem resigned to losing quite a bit of money, but are still pressing ahead with the plans. I hope they get some respite soon, even though it will be a wrench to see them leave the country.