Clearly I gotta find something more intresting to blog about than my arm because no-one is responding to my entries... Or you're just all busy with the silly season & spending time with family and/or loved ones.

I'm off the hook for the big joint birthday party because we left it too late to organise (moocow pauses to wipe the sweat of relief from her forehead). Instead we are going out to dinner at a pub next Sat (5 Jan - the actual DAY) in Heidelberg. I'm to invite any friends I want to come along. Dr Wacky has already been claimed, and I plan to impose on erudito and possibly hometime & her hubby, and maybe Ms M if she's back from up the country. Bro is only inviting a couple of friends, so I don't see any point in having everyone I love there. Ms S you are off the hook because it's now evening & I don't expect you to abandon hubby & child...(again)

I will do an extended brunch on Sun 6th so if you'd like to drop in to that or to afternoon tea later, let me know. If no-one wants to come I will cancel & stay at home with the covers over my head wibbling gently.

I have begun to fear what I may be given... I love the idea of presents but in reality they embarrass me - if they're really, really right, I am embarrassed and overwhelmed; if they're a good try near miss I am embarrased and overwhelmed and disapointed for the givee that they were so close and feel horribly ungrateful for even thinking like that; and if they're completely off the mark I get depressed that my loved ones don't know me better. Luckily I must be reasonably easy to please so the last one doesn't come up much. It just doesn't feel right that I am being given stuff. Especially this close to Christmas. Having said that, chocolate is always acceptable.

...is timing.

Just when I decided that I don't really want a birthday party for my 40th, my family have decided to throw a big joint bash for me and my bro'.

Too tired today to consider it. I realise that makes me sound ungrateful.

I have come down with a cold, result of one of my students sneezing full in my face and spraying me on Thursday.

( in other health news )

I am at home reading the Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn, about a late-night DJ who is also a werewolf. Good fun stuff.