Ruzz

no mention of A La Mexicana - a distinct Fail.

Some things never change. Except for me it was a boys boarding school and the 1970s. The incident happened a number of times and the anonymous culprit was known as The Phantom.

You are in good company. The late David Foster Wallace seems to have been a huge fan of post structuralist critical works and wrote some excellent short pieces unpicking them - and doing it so well that not only were the essays readable but I briefly thought I understood the theory.

When at uni I bought a second hand copy of Keats' poetry, which had been previously owned and copiously annotated by a student who was now a famous professor and leading left-wing commentator. I just got depressed by how much cleverer than me he was and gave up on Keats.

What did Lewis do?

Just walked through a couple of the great parks in Birmingham. Kids on bikes. Dogs. A raptor of some kind circling high overhead. Bliss. Almost worth the 40 days of rain.

Why did the UK government nationalise this pub? YouTube video by Chris Spargo

I was amazed by this. See also here. youtu.be/pyijHCkW3xc?...

East West too. (I have a good sense of direction but always have to think twice with the labels. )

Wonderful record - and great to hear it referenced. Up there with their "The Moon is Blue".

Or looking for batteries

But which Central Europe. Lady's Law beckons

Let me put it this way: I have a job interview tomorrow and a long train journey today when I could do some prep but I also have your book …. I may be in trouble.

Thanks. Don't know how I missed this but delighted to have a new book from you.

CARDBOARD TUBE SAMURAI YouTube video by Fatkat

Or for those who prefer video www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUI...

Cardboard and Steel, Part 1 - Penny Arcade Videogaming-related online strip by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins. Includes news and commentary.

The saga starts here .... www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2003/0...

I’m sure Tom Stoppard would have flourished anyway, but a particular and belated thank you to the critic Ronald Bryson for spotting the genius of Rosencrantz way back then: “erudite comedy, punning, far-fetched, leaping from depth to dizziness”

I should add that judges will generally know (or have an informed guess) what is going on behind the scenes - things kept out of the view of the jury. So it would massively change the dynamic of a trial.

I practised as a criminal defence lawyer and then taught the subject for many years. Absolutely committed to juries. Then called to be a juror this year (not panelled) and now less certain. But judge alone is scary as the quality of judges can be .... erratic.

Is it Mass Effect 2 where your comms device slowly fills up with inter-species spam amid the actual
Missions?

Little did the poster know what was about to happen later that month ...

The Most Wonderfully Absurd Coffee Brewer Ever Made YouTube video by James Hoffmann

The man who brought us ... the Bripe youtu.be/tltBHjmIUJ0?...

I got the shock of my life hearing my parents' voices when going through my dad's last camera. Just short video clips where my mother had tried to take a photo but had got video instead, and the two of them trying to work it out. Both long dead now, but their voices remain. Priceless.

In a similar vein check out Norton AV who's one year cost is £12 and two year is £34.

Many congratulations. Hopefully a forthcoming video on how far you can get from x to y on public transport with a limited number of nappies. To be followed (in due course) by a how far can you get with a bored toddler version.

Adventures in Washi - Episode Three YouTube video by David Bull

For anyone needing a temporary break from the ongoing madness here’s a very welcome new video from printmaker Dave Bull in Japan working with paper makers to preserve a unique craft. youtu.be/nrIFpx0r5lA?...

Must be a border collie

Sad but 40 years on I still miss his NFL analysis from the Channel 4 days.

Every fair from fair sometime declines

Currently wasting two weeks in a jury pool waiting area. Not called for first three days, then released for two. Now back to twiddle thumbs. Staff do their best. Having been an advocate I understand the complexities but it does feel as if jurors are forgotten. A dispiriting waste of time.

And a prosperous New Year to you, Madam.