The Big 40.

40 today. I was feeling sad at about 7 in the morning. Not about turning 40, but about some extra classes and responsibilities which are making me have to re-schedule my guitar lesson, my one truly educational hobby. It will now be shunted to a poor Monday night as I teach Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and take Oi to uni on Saturday mornings. Phit was late to arrive at the school too, and I hate being late.

All these dull thoughts were shattered however, during the opening classes of the new term. I was teaching about the face and had a scream with the kids; drawing the mouth above the eyes and gags which get them shouting "No!!!" and then drawing big noses and hair on the ears and stuff like that. It was really funny and we topped it off with a game of Hangman. They are only Kindergarten 3 but very bright and brave. Afterwards, they pour out of the class and mob me. Someone always manages to punch me in the nuts too. It's like some horror movie being swarmed by psychotic, laughing children slapping your arse and kicking you, about 30 of them. Trapped in the corridor unable to push through the 10 foot radius of naughty killer zombies.

I have actually been very happy lately, though exercise has fallen by the wayside as the bud is in town. I'll be starting soon again, and I think I like the mornings best when it's dark and fresh.

Life with Oi is fairly pleasant. We can both take care of ourselves and meet up on the sofa every hour or so for a break. I purchased Crysis Warhead, a total head fuck but very, very pretty. I think each individual blade of grass is draw these days. It looks fantastic and they have structured the game very well. You have all different types of levels; all out war, alone in the mine, speeding on vehicles etc.

I must tell you about this new music I have acquired; Putumayo. Type it in and start downloading. I was watching Bloomberg the other day, such is my life, when this brilliant interview came on with some cool, hippy business tychoon who records music from traditional bands from all around the world, compiles and sells it. He has a hip, world clothing shop in New York. So far, I have extracted Mali, Sahara, Turkish, Cuban and more on the way. There's about 20 albums of all different cultures and music.

I am really enjoying Of Human Bondage, which might have opened me up to books again after a long and bitty absense.

I found now that I sleep much better slepping with Oi. I certainly wake up later and feel nice and cozy instead of wanting to make a coffee and check out the news on the PC.

The financial crisis? Well...I assume that productions will come to a grinding halt. Actually, it's already started. A lot of people are going to lose their jobs, and of course tons of human beans have already lost life savings with their shares and invested money. I should state that I am really sorry for anyone affected, and although I am pleased with what is happening on a global scale, obviously I am very sad for the individuals affected by this current state of affairs, both those I know and don't know.

Where does it go from here? Well...I imagine it will still be kicking in at about Spring next year. Crime will increase and beans may be forced onto the streets to find stay alive. This could result in riots in places you might not think it could happen.

After that?

It might be that another force will come into play, like a war or environmental disaster, to roll on the emergency. People without commitments might want to locate to a safe distance before the fireworks kick off.

Oi bought a tiny lap top and in the evening we both have a little gaming session. I'm playing Peggle and Crysis Online, don't even go there, and she's on Bejewelled 2 which I played for about 3 months. But she says she doesn't really like to play video games. I know how she feels.

So, birthday. I don't really celebrate birthdays, or Christmas for that matter. I might go for some Guinness on Friday though.