I woke this morning deciding to make immediate progress - the computer went straight on. I was rather disappointed to find that my internet wasn't working and after some careful thinking (required in order to operate correctly at this time of the morning) I realised the root of the problem was the vacuum sound from downstairs. The man who had come to shampoo the sofa had unplugged everything in order to plug in his industrial washing kit. I explained the situation managed to coax him into switching sockets before being pinned between the standard lamp, his vacuum and my route of escape as he managed to fix me in a conversation (talking at me not with me) about how his son was very good on computers, but he wasn't. I don't know if it's just me, but I always seem to get hit with the same approach from anyone over the age of thirty five with that particular statement. If they don't exactly understand what I said the first time (and I try to be simple) they will often tell me about one of their young relations who does know about 'That sort of thing'. I am not entirely sure what they are expecting me to do; maybe to phone them up so I can discuss it, or thinking that because they own a computer too I might know them.

As soon as I was back up on the net I dealt with the frighteningly little amount of correspondence in my inbox - this broods badly. Does this mean I'm in for a whopping great pile of stuff the day before I fly? I hope not.

I worked on DDS and my website, and I'm quite pleased. I'm not going to put a link up yet, DDS hasn't seen it yet, but as soon as there is some progress and our order from the States comes though I will be a little less vague about the whole thing.

I've still got to come up with a watertight idea for a major project yet. This is getting critical.

I also spoke to cousin Nick today. Nick is my youngest Canadian cousin; he's 30 next week, and is still living in Taiwan where James and I visited him last year. Some days I pine to be back out there. I can't believe it has been a whole year. Mountains and beaches at sunrise (see the photo at the top of the page), Chinese food for every meal, Mandarin, fantastic technology and just shear beauty in a mystical country. Anything to go back one day.