Monday 16.2.09

First day of half term. As the years go on, the school holidays have less impact. First the need for childcare disappeared, and now, there's no need to make plans for fun activities as H takes care of herself. I miss the old times, but not as much as I hear other people say they do. All of the theme parks and activity centres were a slog. The good times were when feeding the ducks was a grand day out.

I thought it would be nice to go for one good day out, so we're thinking about a day in London to look at photography exhibitions. H was positive about it but in an aloof way. Her life is filled with her friends, her camera, and her on-line activities. Maybe the trip would be more for her than me. Nina was instantly jealous, she would love a day in London but has to work. I managed not to tease her that if she had carried on with A'levels she could have come. Nick reluctantly checked his diary but has to work, as expected, and I don't resent him for that. Having offered to go, I'm a bit nervous. Anyway, perhaps we can do a bit of planning tomorrow.

Read some more Frank Skinner today, thinking about the difference that the ten year difference between autobiographies made. Spent some time working on Wayne and Rosie. Got up in time to make tea, but Nick wanted to cook. I think I might be turning into my mother who any time she was at home was in bed. This went on all through the 70's and 80's, oddly, she doesn't do it any more.

Evening chatting with the children and watching Morrissey on The One Show, he cut an awkward figure but many celebs do when they hit that programme. Its the having to sit there talking about the other features that does it. There was a piece about jobcentres and white collar workers. Morrissey was invited to comment and could only say that when he last used a jobcentre, he wanted to be unemployed. He also said he didn't see why he should feel sorry for unemployed financiers. All fair enough, but not the expected patter (which would have been to offer sympathy and say how wonderful the jobcentres are). Oh how the presenters squirmed. I suspect the great man liked it.