Teetotal Tuesday

I like a bit of alliteration, but it is not a problem. I can take it or leave it. Not only is it teetotal Tuesday, but thus far every day this year has been one of sustained abstinence from alcohol - and all for such a good cause. I make no apologies for reminding regular followers of my blog that I am trying to raise money for Cancer Research UK in their sponsored Dryathlon.

However, I try to keep this entertaining and educational. I have built my blog on the Reithian principles underlying the BBC, although this fine institution has lost some of its shine in recent weeks. My blog will not become tarnished - it will be a beacon, a flame, a testimony to the human spirit. At least 365 posts ranging from the mundane to the slightly interesting, from the absurd to the slightly less absurd - a breadth and depth other writers can only dream of! Oh how you will welcome New Year's Eve if you stay the course.

I observed two things today.

• A lot of seagulls swooping low over the River Great Ouse in Bedford. I imagine they came up on the morning train from Brighton, a bit of a day out, a chance to do some inland shopping.

Seagull Waiting for Train to Bedford

• A sign on a door which said "For the memory clinic, please ring the bell". If it rang a bell for me, then I probably wouldn't need the memory clinic.

Alcohol Info Shots #4

Staropramen is Czech for "Old Spring".

Just the ticket to give you a bit of bounce.

Mundane Monday

The title says it all. An unexciting and uninspiring day at the office, with the bonus of a trip to Luton. The good news is that I made a bit of progress with feeding the beast which is the work-based Daily Diary data devouring machine. The backlog of data is slowly shrinking, probably in direct proportion to the rate my interest is also shrinking. I think data improves with age, like a good wine - [Don't mention the wine! Remember, we are dealing with a dedicated Dryathlete here, have some consideration] - or cheese. My advice is to put it in a corner away from direct sunlight and cover it with a miscellany of old newspapers and corporate propaganda. When anyone asks for it, feign confusion and befuddlement, muttering something along the lines of "I'm sure I saw it the other day".

Alcohol Info Shots #3
It is widely believed that the shape of Champagne glasses was taken from moulds of Marie Antionette's breasts.

This gave rise to her most infamous and often misquoted quote -  "Let them eat cup cakes".

If you are even mildly amused or edified by the above, why not support Del's valiant adventures in abstinence?