Tuesday

Ah - autumn, what a relief - real change in the air and a lovely walk through the woods with the dogs, golden and red leaves - cool breeze, very nice.

I have to go to a meeting at lunchtime to discuss a work project I'm really not sure about - I have a feeling I should trust my instincts on this one.

My proudest moment yesterday was telling the woman who runs the theatre studies course how much I loathe musical theatre, I'm determined to make her cry eventually - revenge for so many crimes against humanty ( you know what I mean... ).

One of my staff owed me a favour and took me to a greasy spoon for lunch - I had fried bread, it was divine, I could have wept. I've not had fried bread for 30 years, at least. I may go back for more. The woman who worked there was about 50 and had obviously been a punk back in the day - and kept the faith - she was lovely, one of the funniest, friendliest people I've met in years - typical Hastings. One of the customers who was just leaving was an old man of about 80 - he was wearing blue slacks, white shoes, a white shirt and had a large, Versace style classical print silk scarf draped around his shoulders, huge bouffant blonde hair and a Peter Wynguard style moustache - he look fantastic.

Woke at 5am with the Knox Verdict on the radio. I've avoided this one. In truth - I just don't like her - it's very difficult to admit that I think someone is guilty because I don't like the look of her - but it's a case of 'her eyes are too close together'. It's actually very hard to understand the case the way it's been presented - no disrespect to the Italian Legal System - but it's too vague and complex for me - and as someone said on a newspaper message board yesterday - "no attractive, white, middle class, American who makes a point of saying their prayers is ever guilty of a crime abroad". She may or may not be guilty of murder - but she is guilty of being a nasty little bitch. It will be interesting to see what she does next - and how well 'advised' she is.

Depressing article in the paper earlier about student fees, and how increasing numbers of H.E. students are expressing the belief that their education is not worth £9k per anum. The government will blame the universities for not delivering - but in truth - £9k  is obscene - it's cheaper to go for private tuition and keep working. If I was a student now - that's exactly what I would do. Research the degree I wanted - work out the best path into industry and do part time and evening classes along with working - get some private tuition and do unpaid internships. Come out the other end with experience and no debts... and probably a career. Competition between Universities and private education should be based on academic competition - not fiscal. I'm really not sure that I want to play any part in it.