I phoned the Apple Store yesterday to enquire as to the status of my Macbook and was quickly transferred to a very apologetic technician who explained that someone should have told me that "when [they] took the case apart [they] found that the back of the unit was also faulty and needed replacing." So despite thinking/being told it would be ready by last Monday, they are now "waiting on parts", so it looks like it will be next Monday. Not ideal, but thankfully I am in no rush until Monday.

Multipack is meeting on Broad Street in Birmingham this weekend. I will be doing some precision travelling starting on Friday in order to get from The 'Bridge to Mike's in Lufbra, then the next morning into central Brum. Swan is being rubbish and mopey but he will be attending Mike's, whatever he says.

I went to see History Boys last night, maybe the beginning of a marathon movie run what with Casino Royale, Borat and a couple of others that look like worth seeing in the next couple of weeks. It wasn't quite what I had expected, and I definitely don't think the audience is a mainstream one. Funnily, it doesn't lose the sense that it was originally a play and on the whole the performances were strong, but I wouldn't necessarily bill it as an outright comedy film which is sort of the impression I had got from the TV build up.

Not that US policy making is my favourite topic, but I'm glad to see the back of Rumsfeld and that both houses are now Democrat. I think this maybe one of the most productive/balanced phases of power for a long time; holding Bush on a leash and before the Democrats have a chance to embroil themselves in their own political messes before and if they get elected in 2008.