One of those gorgeous spring-like winter days that makes your spirits soar. I almost wrote 'sore' which was Freudian? Of course not - what sort of sad, old whinger could not feel better on a day like today - turquoise skys, vivid greens, warm sun and the tips of spring flowers breaking the flower beds. Well someone like me I suppose, but actually I'm feeling pretty good at the moment.

I have decided, for no particularly good reason, that this is the year when things are going to go right for me - my talents as a writer will be recognised and rewarded, I will get a job that I enjoy and that contributes to the household income, I will get fit and slim and I willl RULE THE WORLD....... ok, maybe not the last and almost certainly not the penultimate aim (who wants to be bothered with dieting once you are past the age when it matters anyway - who actually cares that I am a size 14/16 rahter than a lissome size 12, other than me and I don't care enough to give up burgers). I am hoping that a positive mental attitude is what it takes to make a success rather than all those conventional things like qualifications and work experience and a network of folk that are keen to offer you a job. If it isn't just a positive mental attitude and all the other things matter, then I am fucked.

I have got some stuff lined up that might help - the ECDL which should prove that I can make computers work and an Internet Journalism course that should prove that I can write. Merely asserting that I can write with a computer doesn't cut it I find. I could also do with some sort of "thing' that takes 10 years off my age and fills in that great big gap in my CV where the last ten years work should be. HO hum. I'm sure that something will turn up.

Interesting article in the Grauniad this week - blokes blog before and after surgery for the removal of large brain tumour - it seems to be the case that some sort of record of serious illness/ bereavement/ death in the family is one way to get your name in print. Morbid curiostiy on the part of commisioning editors? Or have thay found that the readers just love to hear about bad stuff in order to feel good about their own miserable existances? Or what? It would be nice if you didn't have to nearly die (or actually die) to get your name in print.

I am trying out a new green layout - very fashionable green - or at least it was......I think....