I'm Still Alive

Don't fret. I haven't forgotten how to blog. Update since 24-AUG.

Boston, Upgrade, Lobster, Rush (Wembley), Rush (Birmingham), Cotwolds, Manchester, Thame, Credit Card Thefts, Paris > UK > Paris > UK, Chakra, Creative Labs Zen.

I know I need to update the "Currently Reading", I know I need to update "Currently Listening". I know I need to update Bemuddlement. Stay tuned.

Long Time No Post


Quick update of the last 7 weeks, in no order at all: Northern Ireland, gallbladder, decorating, life laundry, kestral, Bockets Farm, golf, Manchester, saucepans, quiz, smoked garlic, BBQ, fish, mirror.

Little Victory

Tasty Cup of Campachino 18p
Inserted 20p
Returned 6p
Net Profit 4p

Running 2004 Total +90p

Little Victory
The Thai Sweet Chilli crisps (38p) are still in the 28p tube.

Net profit 10p

2004 Running Total +87p

Little Victory

6p left in Coffee Machine

Running Total 2004 +77p

Little Victory

Lovely Cup of Campachino - 18p
Inserted -20p
Returned 4p
Net Profit 2p

2004 Running Total +71p

Happy Birthday to Me


Today is my 39th birthday. I enter my 40th year with a new vision and a clarity I've rarely experienced. I can honestly say that I have never felt as good as I do today, 10th June 2004. The main reason is this.. after 15 years, of which a large latter proportion were spent unhappily, I find myself single again (the first birthday I've had single since 1989) and I'm enjoying the liberation. That in itself is no reason, but I have had the support of my friends and family throughout this period. They saw me through the shock, the confusion, the anger, the regret and now they are all cheering for me from the touchline as brush myself down and head off to seek my dreams. Today I've received countless messages, e-mails, txt's and well wishes. This is a first for me and largely due to the fact that after one particularly life changing event, that ended 16 months ago, I realised I had to change.

This last year I've learnt
1. Always find time to see your friends and family... no more excuses
2. Seize the opportunity to travel, its a small world, full of interesting people
3. Order something different off the menu, you may like it
4. Big risks are worth taking, if the goal demands
5. Life is too short to eat bad steak, drink bad red wine (or bad champagne) and to accept compromise.
6. The only thing you can shape is the future
7. Be patient, there is nothing to say things have to occur at your pace.
8. If you can afford it, buy the best, quality beats quantity everytime
9. Laugh Loud, Laugh Hard
10. Play music loud, dance to it, don't care if you look an idiot
11. Try a different radio station, with different music at least once a week
12. Go to that gallery you've always promised to visit
13. Don't be afraid of the Number 13
14. Read.
15. Write
16. and lastly... In hell there will be accordion music... and celery, and Chris de Burgh, and Sarah Kennedy.

Thank you my friends. You know who you are.

Little Defeats/Victories

2p gained from Coffee machine
20p short changed

Net Loss -18p

2004 Running Total 69p

Little Victories

1 Cup of Campachino : 18p
Inserted : 20p
Returned : 19p
Net profit : 17p

2004 Running Total +87p

Little Victories

2p left in Coffee Machine

1 Packet Walkers Sensations Sweet Thai Chilli Crisps : 38p (in 28p tube)
Inserted : £1.00
Returned : 72p
Profit : 10p

2004 Running Total +70p

Little Defeats

One failed cup dispensing tasty Campachino directly into drip tray.

One Diet Coke : 45p
Inserted : 50p
Returned : Zilch

Net Loss -5p + -18p

Running 2004 Total +58p

Little Defeats
Too numerous to mention. Short change coffee machibe, 3p swindle from Crisps.

Net Defeat 23p

2004 Running total +81p

Little Victory

1 Packet of Walkers Sensations Steak & Peppercorn crisps : 38p
Wrongly placed in 28p tube
Inserted : 30p
Returned : 3p
Net profit : 11p

2004 Running Total £1.04

Apologies

ARRGGHHH! I MISSED HENRY McGEE'S BIRTHDAY (MAY 14)
	Not Chuffed. Henry McGee in solemn mood after hearing no birthday greetings from the Bemuddlement Offices (May 14)

Little Victories and Major Battles

3p scavenged from drinks machines

Net 2004 profit +93p

The battle is being won... but more needed to win the war.

Little Victory 2
30p left in snack machine

2004 Net profit +90p

Little Victory
Campachino : 18p
Inserted : 50p
Returned : 35p
Net Profit : 3p

2004 Net profit +60p

Life in the Slow Lane
Woman spotted in Silver VW Polo, eating Pot Noodle, 7:54Am Westbound M26. Time Delay: 1 sachet of Soya Sauce.

100 Not Out
Clonemeister pointed out that today is the 100th working in 2004 (for those of us who didn't come back until Jan 5 that is).
An odd 100 days, pretty life changing... here's to the next 100...

Life In The Slow Lane : Rubber Necking
Slow through J5>J6 M25 clockwise, due to an 'incident' on the anti-clock. Rubber neckers are often viewed with contempt, but I have to admit the scene of carnage is fascinating.
Time Delay: 3 Tracks of WUTW...

Crawley : Capital of Multi-National Culture

The "Jewel" in West Sussex's crown that is known as Crawley is not known for it's cultural highlights, however, one is pleased to announce that some high moments of performance art  could be spotted in the town center this lunchtime. Firstly there was the OAP singing to the keyboard backing track of "Evergreen", who at one point almost sounded like Barbara Streisand (not bad for a 70+ yo male) and Secondly, an odd gentleman in shorts playing an authentic digeridoo (a hollowed out tree branch, not one of those reconstituted tubes you see in the shopping malls)... a lovely sound, but you can' knock much of tune out of it. Cyclic breathing was employed... by the dogery-doo player ... not the 70+ Barbara Striesand Impersonator...

Barabara Streisand, uncannily impersonated by a Crawley Senior Citizen... today

Today
a) Saw grime graffiti on window "Window".
b) Got incredibly frustrated with the A-holes at main site. Don't they understand I need to get my e-mail... like now"!!!!
c) 2.5 hours to get to reading
d) Did lots of self talking
e) Thought I'd lost specs (left them at home)
f) Nice weather
g) Two very pointless meetings at main site.

Today
Fog cleared, today things seemed clear, today felt good, today met my dreams.

Little Victory
Lunch : £2.45
Paid : £2.50
Change : £0.45
Profit : 40p

2004 Running Total +57p

What's Really On My Mind?

Rightly, or wrongly, I followed a link to a website that contained the uncensored video of the murder by al-Qaeda of American hostage Nick Berg. I am constantly amazed at the brutality that we as humans can inflict upon each other. There are no words I can use to adequately describe the sheer revoltion, anger, sadness and contempt I subsequently felt. The termination of any life is senseless, but when that action is detached from the individual upon who it is inflicted, it is particularly sickening.

As a Human Race...Today, we seem more lost than ever

To Nick Berg's family and friends, you are in my thoughts

Moving Out Today
Moved desks today. Must have been there 5 years+. Given the events of the past few weeks it was kinda strange discovering all the old bits n pieces I kept and how my life had changed whilst sitting at that desk. Little drawings, photo's, gifts etc.
Life is changing fast, that's for sure.

Mortality
I see many road kills on the drive to and fro work every day, but one thing struck me today... how come you never see any Magpies or Crows splatted... damned clever birds those.

Little Victory
1 Bag of Bacon Wheat Crunchies : 30p
Inserted : 40p
Returned : 15p
Net Profit : 5p


2004 Running Total : +17p

Little Victory
1 tasty cup of Campachino : 18p
Inserted : 18p
Returned : 5p
Net profit : 5p

2004 Running Total : +12p

Ironing Apart from the odd shirt when away on biz (I still say that hanging the shirt in the bathroom, running the hot shower with the doors closed gets the creases out faster). I have successfully managed to avoid ironing for the first 38 years and 11 months of my life... until now. Now I have two questions a) Public opinion is that ironing is the work of the devil, so obviously this new found joy wears off. How long before I too will be cursing Satan? b) Where does the ironing board plug in? I've looked everywhere.

The Tefal Avantis 95, newly purchased, along with the "Blue Skies" ironing Board Cover... yesterday

Good Things About Today
1. Weather was gorgeous
2. RHS Wisley Gardens were glorious and was a good "Thank You" to me Mum
3. Heard the new version of Nick Drake's "Hazy Jane" really liked it
4. me and Romy still remembered how to play "Is Anybody Out There?"

Nice Things People Did For Me Today
1. E-mail to home address from best mate who was in work at 6pm (he doesn't have home e-mail).
2. Free Alka-Seltzer, paracetamol, croissant (chocolate) from friends who let me crash last night.
3. Woman who sol me hot dog, told me to be careful as it was piping hot.
4. A baby in M&S smiled and pointed at me whilst trying to decide which meal to buy from thier Italian cabinet.
5. Chelsea won 4-0 (probably didn't do that for me but made me feel good).

An Announcement
Due to certain events in my life over the past few week, the Blog may take a slightly more serious look at life for a while. The Blog initially was very much "heart on sleeve" stuff and that was wrong, so I purposely changed it to the collection of trivia it is now (vending machine accidents, grime graffiti, Kit Kat slogans, motorway stories). This was to give the impression of "moving on". This Blog won't be full of self pity, don't worry about that, but the observations and stories maybe a little darker. For instance today's life in the slow lane would read....

"Saw young woman wiping her eyes behind the wheel of a Black Ford Ka. About 25, blond, hair tied back, smart suit, little bit overweight (but not too much), pretty face. I saw her wipe her eyes with a tissue and as I drove past, I saw her biting her lip and fighting back the tears. My heart reached out to her. I tried to catch her gaze so I could just give her a smile, let her know that a stranger had noticed her pain and wanted to make her day a little better. She kept looking straight ahead, fighting the tears, we were stuck in traffic side by side for about 2 miles, eventually losing sight of her car at Clackett Lane. Sighted upper tributaries of the M26 and the clockwise Kent/Surry M25. Time delay: Few tracks of morning Radio 2"

My "Support Group"

To all my friends and family I would like to say "thank you" for the last few days. You've been incredible. Above and beyond.

Thank You, in no particular order

Dave and Nadia
Anton and Gillian
Di
Trevor
Bob and Maxine
Kevin
Jules
Dawn
Pat and Peter
Iain
Barry and Sue

and most of all my Mum.

Little Defeat
1 can of refreshing Diet Pepsi - 45p
Inserted - £1
Returned - 45p
Net Loss 10p

2004 Running Total +7p

Update
Well it's been a while since last blog. Blame combination of 406 water pump, Tiger Woods 2004, Golf, New Putter (TM TPi.. very nice) and general, general apathy.

Life in the Slow Lane
Spotted Four Garden Chairs (white) in a field by the side of the Southbound M23 (J8>J9).

Little Victory
Walker's Sensations Crisps (Slow Roasted Lamb and Mint Flavour), placed in the dispensing receptacle for ordinary Walker's crisps.
RRP : 45p
Dispensing Machine Price : 38p
Charged : 28p

Net Profit 10p

Running 2004 Total : +17p

Kit Kat #8
8 Kit Kats, 8 different messages. 35p... no little victory.

life in the

fast lane

use your

breaks

Please Support

Observations/Occurrences since Last Blog

a) GDN Departures is even worse now. The months of renovations weren't to put more desperately needed seats in, but to put in more shops selling undesired French produce at inflated prices b) In Paris, "Upper Crust" has become "Paul's" c) Now the owner of a rather superb set of Taylor Made RAC OS (L/H)... the old Wilson "Blue Ridges" looked a little tired when traded in. d) Whilst walking around the National portrait Gallery on Friday I had this uneasy felling I was in a Monty Python cartoon expecting certain characters like Henry VII (pictured) to walk off on his fingers. e) ?7 really is really too much to see the Cecil Beaton exhibition at the NPG.  f) I really hate the West End of London now. Full of souvenir shops and "tat". Even Tower Records, once described by me as "Heaven on Earth" is a dive now. g) I don't think the White Bird spotted on the nearby marsh was a Snow Goose after all. h) Fantastic bit of road rage witnessed on the on-slip to M20 this morning. Silver Passat and Red thing, side by side, windows down, giving verbal. Class. Oblivious to the mini jam created behind them. Silver Passat had personalised plates... it figured.

Pythonesque Experience in the National Portrait Gallery... not yesterday

Grime-inal Offence
"HONK IF XXXXXXXXXXX" it said on the rear of a blue truck. Driver obviously offended at what some young wag had scrawled.

Grime is Fine
a) "DERBY 4 FOREST 2"
b) "SEAMS" written on it an "X" was placed over the final "S" and "EN" added after the modified word.

A fine testament to the intellect and education system of the Nation.

Slagging Grime
"FASTWAY ARE CR*P", written, unsuprisingly, on the back of a white transit, Crawley Way. Company was BVR... there was even a webaddress on the side "www.fastwayarecr*p.co.uk". Obviously a joke of some sort.

Little Victory 1 tasty cup of Campachino : 18p
Inserted : 20p
Returned : 4p
Net profit : 2p

2004 Running Total : +7p

Romy Schwarze

Well it had to happen. Romy finally busted her first string yesterday, which after nearly two years is not bad. How fitting that it (the 5th string, A)  should be busted whilst emulating "La Villa Strangiato" just at the moment where a "A Lerxt in Wonderland"  exits into "Monsters".
	King Lerxt, inspiring the string busting of Romy... yesterday

Little Victory
1 tasty cup of Campachino : 18p
Inserted : 20p
Returned : 4p
Net profit : 2p

2004 Running Total : +5p

Life in the Slow Lane

Small MG convertible stacked into the barriers of the London bound slip at J6 M20. Juggernaut jack-knifed closing roundabout above M20 J5. 3 Idiot lorry drivers causing a 60mph moving chicane on the Westbound M26. M25 J8 closed. "It's a jungle out there". Had unerring desire to wring John Prescott's neck, with respect to the decaying status of the UK motorway network system. Time Delay: 1.4 plays of Auf der Maur's new album.

The Lovely MaDM, providing drivetime distraction today

Little Victory
1 tasty cup of Campachino : 18p
Inserted : 20p
Returned : 4p
Net profit : 2p

2004 Running Total : +3p

Kit Kat #7
7 Kit Kats, 7 unique messages. HOW MANY MESSAGES ARE THERE?

feel

tension

slip

away

Monday Morning Grime
"SLAP MY TOP 3/6" read one rather curious grime graffiti, on the back of a juggernaut... curious that is until a few square meters of thick sheet ice peeled off the top and started flying at my car at a closing speed of about 50mph.... we laughed.

Little Victory pt 2
2p left in vending machine

2004 Running Total +1p

Little Victory
Campachino 18p;
Inserted 20p;
Returned 34p;
Net profit 32p


2004 Running Total -1p

"Happy Birthday to me.. Happy Birthday to me"
This Blog (in it's current style) is 1 year old today. Here's to another year of Little Victories and Grime Graffiti spotting.

Top Grime
A great day for grime graffiti spotters today.. some very fine examples included

"I AM GAY BOTTY BOY"

and the hilarious

"MY FINGERS GOT DIRTY WRITING THIS"

Grime
"HELP! I'm LOST". Back of food distribution lorry Kent/Surrey stretch M25.

Kit Kat #6
6 Kit Kats, 6 unique messages. (35p, correct change given)

your

break

starts

here

Kit Kat #5
A more traditional message.

have a

break

have a

Kit Kat

Little Victory
No purchase. 2p left in coffee machine.

2004 Running Total -31p

Grime Crime
"RENT ME LEAN... SEX ME SEX", what the hell is that about? Scrawled in the grime back of white transit van Westbound M20.

Kit Kat #4
4 Kit Kats, 4 different messages. 35p... no little victory.

break

before

you

snap

More Grime
"SLAP THE TOP". White truck, southbound M23.

Connoisseur

As one gets older, one appreciates the finer things in life. A decent red wine, fine works of art, the odd piece of classical music. Today I was truly astounded by the rhythm guitar work of Malcolm Young on AC/DC's "High Voltage".
	"He's dirty, he's mean, he's mighty unclean..." Much underated rythym guitar meister, Malcolm Young, providing journey time entertainment today.

Kit Kat #3
Three Kit Kats, three different messages imprinted on the scrummy politically incorrect chocolate bar. WHAT IS GOING ON?

sit back

tune out

switch off

tuck in

Grime Censor
I'm not often driven to the need to censor observations of grime graffitti written on the back of trucks, however I I'll leave you to fill in the gaps of this gem on the back of a medium sized truck crawling along the Kent/Surrey stretches of the M25 this morning. On the Passenger side was inscribed "W*nk*r 1" and on the drivers side "W*nk*r 2".
One echoes the sentiments of the house.

What is going on with Kit Kat Bars?
Well I've been away from Kit Kats for a long time (see "Man of Ethics" post 29-JAN-2004), so this maybe old news to some, but it appears the inscription on the fingers varies from packet to packet. Today's inscription

give

yourself

permission to

relax

Is Someone Trying to Tell Me Something?

Hi,

I work at #XXXXX#, and would like to offer you to redesign your complete web site absolutely free of charge. You will only be asked to pay for the monthly hosting, which is only $9.95/mo. There are no other fees, and there is absolutely no risk from your end. If you are not satisfied with our work, you will not be asked to pay anything. Please let me know if you would be interested in this offer (in fact, I can't imagine why you wouldn't be). Take a look at http#XXXXXXX# for details. When signing-up, please indicate Xxxx Xxxxxx (that's my name :-) ) in the "How did you hear about this offer?" field.

Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!

With Best regards,
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
xxxxx@xxxx.xxx
XXXX.com Web Hosting & Design
1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
www.XXXX.com

Life in the Slow Lane
One lane closed west bound M26.
Time Delay: Gave up, turned around after getting 200yrds down the alternate A25 route.

Grime Writing
"FILTHY" it said on the back of a golden coloured Vauxhall thing. Car had a URL written on the tailgate. How ironic.

Little Defeat
White Coffee (No Sugar) 18p;
Inserted £1p;
Returned 62p;
Net Loss 20p


2004 Running Total -33p

Life in the Slow Lane

One mile tailback on M23 at J10 both directions, due barrier repairs on Crawley Avenue. After 30 mins of queing and fuming and thinking West Sussex County Council Highways Department really did have "sh*t for brains", was humbled by the vision of the said barrier contorted out of shape and overhanging into the 2nd lane of the carriageway. Time Delay: 5 plays of Sheryl Crow - "It Don't Hurt"
	Sheryl Crow (far too talented for her own good) providing the journey time delay measuring technique today

Lapsed "Man of Ethics"
I try not to buy Nestle products. Click here to see why, but when the urge for a Kit-Kat hits (35p, correct change given) , there is no stopping it. However, during my approximate 5 year self imposed ban I have discovered that Kit-Kats are no longer foil wrapped (plastic vacuum pack) and they have "One for Me" and/or "One for You" embossed on the chocolate.
I ate the lot in the time it took to Blog this.

Great Mysteries of Life

Why is it you never here Rush fans demanding to hear "The Fountain of Lamneth" performed live?
	Much underplayed live. A Necromancer contemplating his Didacts and Narpets... yesterday

Frenck Leuboqrds
Qs I sit here in GDN I qn puxxeled by th efqct thqt leyboqrds qre not stqndqrd in their lqyout/ Still the zine is free qnd itùs only "( :ins before the trqin depqrts/

Life In The Slow Lane: A Nice Morning Drive

An uninspiring "Morning Drive" as I drove in. Another day where I had to Roll the Bones and earn some Big Money. "Entre Nous" I'd rather be following my Freewill and being doing something Closer To The Heart. The Mystic Rhythms persist but this inner Analogue Kid is trying to be a New World Man and Resist the urge to be a Digital Man. But for this Working Man, the Limelight has to wait. Circumstances prevail and it's a Marathon ordeal.  In The End, I'm just Finding My Way and end up being Nobodies Hero. I'm Here Again, I'm really not In The Mood, but you don't get Something For Nothing; oh for Time to Stand Still. No Red Barchettas were spotted. It wasn't 21:12. My Battlescars are showing. Is "Rush In Rio" possibly the finest live album since "Strangers in the Night"?

Mean, Mean Stride. Professor Neil Peart providing this mornings soundtrack to life. We are not worthy.

Little Victory
Sweet tasting cup of hot Campachino 18p;
Inserted 20p;
Returned 4p;
Net Gain 2p


2004 Running Total -13p

Life in the Slow Lane

Bit of rain and it turns to carnage. Special mentions to the small white hatchback dumped into the ditch by the side of the M25 Kent/Surrey section this morning (looked like the culprit was yet another member of the European haulage industry) and the sole Blue Mondeo with a disintegrated rear bumper, M25/M23 intersection this morning. The large piece of juggernaut debris on the off-slip at the M25 J7 probably explains this fibre-glass shattering incident. Time Delay: 3 Plays or Tori Amos "Baker Baker"

The simply devine Tori Amos, providing this mornings travel delay timing

Griminal Offence
"----- ---- ------ BREAKFAST --- 95.6 ----" back of white transit van, southern regions of the M23. First rule of grime writing... make complicated messages legible.

Love Grime
"HS 4 JC" it said on the back of a red Volkswagon golf (1.6).

Spoons
Once upon a time I used to have a teaspoon in my works mug. A proper metal one. This I finally lost approximately 3 years ago after it successfully followed me in my career since 1985. Rather than buy a replacement spoon, I have relied on a succession of plastic spoons from the canteen. The longevity of these varies, especially when placed in very hot water. The spoon bends in a variety of distorted directions, making each successive use a new and rewarding experience. My final 'teaspoon' snapped in the cup yesterday, leaving me with the only free alternative from the canteen... a rather splendid plastic desert spoon. Now this may seem odd, bearing in mind I'm using it for coffee, but even odder, is that this is the only type of spoon available to eat a variety of potted products. A yogurt can last as many as 4 spoonfuls.
When I say coffee, it also includes Green Tea with Lemongrass.

Riddle
Who was #1 clonemeister on the planet describing as...

"an oversexed Transit heater dies on Monday" ?

for the answer click here

Unusual Grime
"RACH WAS ERE", inscribed not on the side of a grubby Transit Van, but on a the side of White Renault Laguna. Low quality message, but in a unusual location. Rare to see an inscription on the side of a "normal" vehicle, instead of the usual light/heavy haulage vehicles. One assumes "RACH" is a female, which in itself is unusual. Past evidence suggests these "witty" messages are the work of the under-educated, hungover, tabloid reading citizens of the transit industry. For example, one particular truck witnessed over the holiday period had "I SLEEP WITH MY MUM" etched in the dirt. Now, unless the said driver was exhibiting a proud exceptance of his Oedipusic lifestyle, one can only imagine the type of colleague that would scribe such a slogan... just try for 30 seconds to imagine... are you laughing yet?

Breezes Update
Now, you may remember that the washroom originally held two air blowing hand dryers
1) The fast blowing cold air
2) The weak puffing warm air

You may also remeber that Bemuddlement carried out a deep scientific test on the effectiveness of the different types (see December 8 post).

Well Dryer 1 has been removed and replaced with a duplicate version of Dryer 2, just as ineffective. Watch this space.

Font!
Yes, I've changed the font. Yet to decide whether the main site should trundle down the dull Arial route. Was starting to think that Verdana was sooooooooooo 2003!

Little Defeat
Sweet tasting cup of hot Campachino 18p;
Inserted £1;
Returned 62p;
Net LOSS!!!! 20p

2004 Running Total -15p

Little Victory
1 packet Walkers Crisps (Ready Salted) 28p;
Inserted 50p;
Returned 23p;
Net profit 1p;

2004 Total Profit: 5p

Nixie Clocks

Seems these are the new retro for 2004. I so want one of these. More wonderful examples of 1960's digitalia here and here
	Object of Desire 2004

Little Victory
Strong Black Coffee (No Sugar) 18p;
Inserted 20p;
Returned 4p;
Net Profit 2p;

2004 Running Total: +4p

Little Victory
Campachino 18p;
Inserted 20p;
Returned 4p;
Net Profit 2p;

2004 Running Total: +2p

Little Defeat
Tasty cup of Campachino 18p
Inserted 20p
Returned... nothing
Net Loss 2p

... and my Jaffa Cakes (35p, correct change given) are slightly stale... stop laughing out there.

Car Sticker
One is puzzled at the mentality of someone who would place a a car sticker in their rear window, in the style of the Nestle Kit Kat logo "Have a Break, Have a Kwik Krap".
Spotted rear window red transit.

Little Victory
First one of 2004. Tasty cup of vending maching campachino 18p; Inserted 50p; Returned 34p; Net profit 2p.

Breezes
Hand Dryer #1 (the fast blowing cold air blower) has been removed leaving Hand Dryer #2 (the slow puffing warm air blower). Hand drying time 1 min 30 seconds.

First Post of 2004
Well I'm not going mad, it really was darker this morning (as I made the terrible journey on the UK motorways). For an explanation, click here