Deena, how have you been feeling?

Achy and tired. I can't wait for the heat to subside. I'm hoping that's the cause, anyway, since I can see an end to it.

Hil, wishing you reduced pain. (Yup, progesterone not so good with hypermobility. I can't take the pill because of joints falling out of their sockets all over the place.)

Shir, good luck with the paper. And we knew you were good. (Did I mention my result for the paper you gave me advice on? A good distinction. Highest mark I've ever had. So, thanks - and *please* study sociology at a higher level, for you are awesome at it.)

I'm in the UK, where guns are anathema, so I won't try to contribute to the gun debate. But it's interesting to read!

In terms of the healthcare debate, we have right-wing politicians currently arguing for a US-style healthcare system, saying that the NHS has failed. Every time they say this, I shout at the TV about how I'd probably be dead without the NHS, along with many other people with chronic illness I know, who all get pretty good treatment regardless of their ability to pay (it's not a perfect system, but at least we're all, well, not dead). And I point out to them, in this ineffectual shouting-at-the-TV manner, that current popular support for the NHS is really high because of politicians saying things like this about it. Idiots...

If they do disband the NHS, I'm moving to somewhere in Scandanavia. Pronto.

I have a screwdriver

Yeah, but is it sonic?

{{Hil}} {{Deena}} {{Barb}} {{sj}} and I hope I didn't leave anyone. Between mothers and pains, this is... my ~ma to you, ladies.

Now, the gun thing.

You all know where I'm from, and it's not the most peaceful country in the history of ever. However, a very low percent of Israelis have a gun of their own. We also enjoy relatively low crime percent. When I shot M-16 in the army, I didn't think "oh, that's cool, I want one!". I don't feel much towards guns. If not for hunting or army/police, I don't even understand why to have them in first place. I think it's because you can't rely on your state to protect you: just look how we moved from the health care topic to the gun topic: I can't help but thinking that there's this thread that's connecting them, and that thread is that you can't trust your country to protect you so much. Strange to me that more people choose to become gun owners and not, say, doctors.

And oh, Seska - I'm really glad I could help there, but given that my advice was so small, I'm sure you're responsible to much of the awesomeness of it, and hence, the grade.

The thing I'm excited about in my paper, is that if it will work the way I think it will - it's gonna show why any photograph that's attached to an article in the newspaper, or just being used in the public sphere will never ever "prove" us something we didn't "know" is there to begin with. Never. Ever. Not even tabloids. And I'm gonna show why, in 12 pages or less, and why the Victorians are the ones to blame (I have a meter of books piling on my bed, floor and desk, from rationality studies to modernity studies and philosophy of photography and the making of public space to support me. I hope) - and I think it can be a huge deal. At least, for me. I hope I didn't just jinx it - I'm pretty much working on this theory for the past 9 months, and I'm kind of sure there are bazillion ways to say "you have a mistake here and there and there and there" - because I'm no expert on any of the fields I'm combining to my argument. They all just seem somehow connected, almost perfectly.

And I'm gonna show why, in 12 pages or less, and why the Victorians are the ones to blame

Speaking as a Victorian myself, may I say, hey!

Speaking as a Victorian myself, may I say, hey!

19th century Victorians, mostly in Europe. You just keep taking pictures of Ryan and let none of my theories affect you, OK?

19th century Victorians, mostly in Europe. You just keep taking pictures of Ryan and let none of my theories affect you, OK?

See, this is what we've come to. "Just keep sending the pictures of baby cuteness and no one gets hurt." Not that these pictures will prove anything you didn't know to begin with, of course.

If only the world would have understand me like you do, billytea.

:: Evil laugh ::

Debating whether to get train to Leeds or drive. Train is two hours, but involves the logistical issues of getting to/from stations and asking PA to help. (PA is afraid of swine flu. I told her she didn't have to work, and also that I'm out of quarantine, but then she became all martyr-y. *roll eyes*) Driving is at least four hours, often more with traffic, and I'm tired - but it is door-to-door. I do not need car in Leeds because The Girl is coming with van to help me move back home (whee! no more living in one room for me). OK, I think I just decided on train. Nothing to see here, move along please.

I'd to with the train option, Seska. Especially if you're tired.

oops. See what happens when you stay up too late. I just ordered the Beatles Rock Band, deluxe edition! But I used the Buffista Affiliate link, so it's ok!

t really shouldn't be spending money, but saving

crap, why won't that tag close??!!??

G'night everyone! MWah!