The Smiths - Gerald Depardieu

Seriously into both these types right now and there is a huge backlog of Gerald's movies to obtain. Even Oi can see the charm of this man. She cracked up to Tais Tai (Shut Up) which we are yet to finish watching. Shame the subs were a bit lame. Just got Police (1984) which looks great and some movies I am opting for the DVDR version which is a copy of what you buy in the shops (what are they?) as opposed to a cheap rip. There is still some Smiths I haven't heard yet too, namely Meat is Murder album tracks, and I know only a tiny amount of Morresey's solo works. I have viewed some awesome docs on The Smiths which have also been great, of course.

Tuk-tuk drivers here are getting their just desserts. Multiple attacks on tourists who resist paying the extortionate taxi fares is attracting international headlines.

School is fun but hard work right now. I note I only received two Happy New Year messages from folks I know here. I didn't send any. I think it reflects the general mood of knackeredness bods are experiencing right now. Still, only another 2 months and I got my paid 10 week vacation.

The week off I had I spent with Oi and Grace and I could see how valuable giving undivided attention to Grace was. Like, I really got to know her. I would decree that spending undivided time with your little ones is time best spent. Helps one shut out the world outside too.

Funny, I did a class last night with my teenagers on winning the lottery - good and bad points. It was a good class. I wake up today and the headline on the Daily Snail is some 17 year old winner (now 29) took himself out of the game unable to cope with it all. Similarly, I watch all these prescription-related deaths of the Hollywood rich-kid pack. Britney Murphy and the Johnson girl. I remember watching ads in the US. Nearly every one was for some pill or other. I went to pay the rent to the Chinese landlady this week. She happens to own a pharmacy. I said I had a sore throat, probably from starting back at school and shouting at children. First thing she did was offer me some anti-biotics. I declined and went for the lozenges.

One Planet is worth a listen this week. It's about animal testing stemming from a film made in the 60's with Julie Christie. One fugitive scientist states that very little info is gained from testing animals and the talked about this feelings of slicing up dogs at work and then going home to play with his pet dogs at home. He turned to his boss who exploded when he questioned the validity of what they were doing. Various profs state that the whole industry is driven by money and the unquestionable belief they bestow on governments and public alike that what they do is off imperative importance and must be continued to be funded and researched. The reality was that there was very little evidence that there is any real benefit, but (a bit like General Motors and the electric car), they daren't stop doing it in fear that the whole industry will collapse and all those big rich cunts will be exposed as fraudulent and loose their precious millions.

Those who support the system unquestioningly, best avoid such questions.