So, Ollie has begun to spring-clean Dayorama, in the middle of a mildly content winter. Nothing surprises me about that boy. I managed to post on Christmas day, nothing short of a miracle. I suppose it is indicative of the fact that for the first time in months I am having four consecutive days off work. Of course, the blackberry keeps flashing, but at least it can be ignored for a while, just this once. As if people hadn't already found out, I'm off to Mumbai tomorrow. I'll be away until the 1st January, so New Year will be celebrated 5 1/2hrs ahead and in an utterly different culture. It should be pretty interesting. Oh it is also 33'C out there too at the moment. It beats the wonderful slogan on the bbc.co.uk/weather site this morning: "another dull and wet day". Wonderful. I've just packed. Certainly marrows and library books. Or was it umbrellas? Anyway.

We've had a lovely Christmas this year: there was no spam, not trip to the frozen North, and my Father hadn't just come out of hospital (last year). Also, since I am working, I suppose it was the first Christmas I hadn't ever really "wanted" anything. Not that to "want" is particularly pleasant, but there was nothing, or at least nothing I thought, that I would really like. It turns out I do actually hint to the people around me and I tended to receive little "extra" things: pressies that just make life a little pleasanter, or lighter, or easier. Such a fortunate way to be, but also rather humbling in a way. We (mes parents) had a jolly trip to the Royal Albert Hall on the 23rd to their Carols by Candlelight, which is a slightly cheesy, but wonderful event and certainly gets you in the mood for Christmas. I then rushed off to see "A Moon For The Misbegotten" - a fantastic, clever, play with Kevin Spacey - a trip which was part of a colleague and I's attempt to do "at least two cultural things per month...". I've also managed to see close friends and speak to family. Not bad for four days off. Do I ever stop? And now I'm back in London ready for work. I've just finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean, *again*, but it doesn't count when it is actually being shown on TV, does it...

On that note, Happy New Year to one and all. I haven't thought of my resolutions yet...