Spudtater's Journal

Monday's word-of-the-day calendar informed me about Nellie Bly, 19^th century investigative journalist extraordinaire.

( Wiki extracts )

Why have I not heard of this awesomeness before?

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This morning's news included the story of a report on the question: "should people in troubled relationships stay together for the sake of the children?". To which the answer turned out to be: "No". Or, more specifically, "unhappiness in children is more likely to be influenced by conflict in their family than the family's structure"

Thank you. You'd have thought that would be bleedin' obvious, but apparently not, as they then interviewed some fucking Tory who went on to explain how this survey, comprehensive and unbiased though it might be, contradicted the beliefs and policies of the Conservative party and was therefore, obviously, wrong.

I may be paraphrasing there. But only a little.

My personal feelings are that the increase in divorce levels are consequences of nothing more complex than the fact that more women are able to support themselves, giving them an increased chance of being able to escape unhappy or abusive relationships. But this would contradict that rose-tinted image of 1950's household nirvana that is so bloody pervasive in this country, wouldn't it?

1. At the end of the day
2. Fairly unique
3. I personally
4. At this moment in time
5. With all due respect
6. Absolutely
7. It's a nightmare
8. Shouldn't of
9. 24/7
10. It's not rocket science

Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases — The Telegraph, 8 Nov 2008

What phrases have annoy you past any reason? I hate "going forwards", which has been going round the office for far too long. The americanism "most everything" is also a classic pet hate.

Just finished watching Cold Mountain. Wish I hadn't. For some reason, instead of making me sad, it just made me coldly, infuriatingly angry. It's something that's only happened once before, and that was when I watched Million Dollar Baby. For both films, I think something about the plot — so much effort, so much staked on a long, arduous task... only to have things dashed at the end by some random event. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I know that's what life is really like; I'll even admit that not being able to deal with that may be a sign of emotional immaturity. But still. Jesus. I just don't react well at all to a plot like that.

And please, don't suggest that "you're actually upset with yourself because you don't want to cry". I'm not that ridiculous cliché of the bottled-up, bravado-and-stiff-upper-lip male twat. When I find a film sad, I cry at it. Sometimes I get embarassed about crying, but that's an entirely different kettle of emotions.

Men: do any of you know what I'm talking about? Ever watched a "sad movie" and found yourself shaking not with sobs, but with impotent rage? (I say 'men' because this feels to me like an extremely male emotional response. I'll accept that I may be wrong in this, though!) Please comment, as I'd like to know that I'm not alone! (Or, alternatively, that in fact I am a freak...)

Right. My emotions may have cooled down to a point where I'm able to get to sleep now. 'Night all.

P.S. Zoo pictures coming soon. Tomorrow, hopefully. Yay zoo!

Another hectic day at work, involving three different people trying to get my help at the same time, followed by the entire internet going down. (Or the router, which is almost the same thing). After a frenzied phone call to Telewest, it all miraculously started working again. Typical.

( Virus scans, football supporters & memory issues )

And that's quite enough of that. How are you today?