I am truely sorry that my hamster love has not been expressed to you all during the festive season. I can explain - firstly, work seems to be taking over my life. I'm still used to 2 weeks off for Christmas, not 2 days, and it comes as rather a shock to know that people have to work between Christmas and New Year (that's what it's for Lee - more spirit crushing than your mum feeding you up with Christmas dinner and then telling you you've put on weight).

Secondly (how organised am I? I hope there's a thirdly too), I don't have much to report. Both Christmas and New Year were spent here in Swansea with Dibbie. It was a family free zone for the first time in my life, an adult Chritmas spent with the man I love (fnar fnar). It was great to kick back and relax and not have to worry about getting the train home. Plus, me and Dibs are going to visit parents this week, so we get to do Christmas over again and brighten the dull grey month of January.

Thirdly, my little hamster Frank died Boxing Day night. We think he was either ill or trying to hibernate or both. We spent a desperate two and a half hours trying to revive him and keep him warm but all he wanted to do was sleep. Just as it seemed he was getting better he curled up in my lap and died. I am heartbroken because I thought we had at least another year with him since he was only 1 year old. He might have been 'only' a hamster, but he's left a big hole in our lives and we miss him... There's nothing like a death in the family to put you right off Christmas feelings of good will. And then the disaster in Asia all over the news and these desperate people in mourning or still searching for loved ones having to go through the enforced jolity of New Year. They toned down the celebrations in London, which I think is fair enough really. The fireworks at midnight were spectacular but London couldn't hold a candle to Swansea. Because we live on a hill with a magnificent view over the valleys we were treated to a totally free firework display that knocked my socks off, all from the comfort of our front room. I wish you all could have seen it becuase it was magical, a lovely celebration of hope for the new year. You would have loved it Lee - we should have videoed it for you. It was one of the best bits of the whole two weeks.

Anyway, this was meant to be a short update, but you never know when the urge to blog will strike. Hope you all had a fun Christmas and New Year and you stayed wrapped up nice and warm. Love and best wishes for an ace 2005 to everyone.

I couldn't help but wonder at the dirty tricks of politicians when I saw today that Viktor Yushchenko the leader of the opposition in the Ukraine was poisoned in the run-up to the presidential election. He's always claimed this was so, but now there is scientific proof. He says he was poisoned by his opponents - the political establishment. It's crazy stuff, but people do the most god-awful things in the name of politics.

What made me think the most though was that this poison dioxin didn't cause lasting damage to his internal organs but has disfigured his face. He looks like he has dreadful acne scars, but if you see a before and after picture you can see his face changed almost overnight. I know having your health is much more important that what your skin looks like but having battled with acne for most of my life I feel so sorry for the man, especially because he's in a business where looks are so important. It's a skewed view, but dioxin seems more frightening to me than arsenic.

For more info and a picture that shows just how much it disfigured his face click here.

Be careful what you do in life. Your past may come back to haunt you in so many interesting and disturbing ways...

Searching google for my name (yes, I know it's not cool to admit to it, but I know you've done it before) I came across a site which mentions this blog under the auspicious title of camwhore. I just haven't got the heart to tell them I've moved on and don't do that any more.

I think I should end this short but sorry tale with a quote which sums things up nicely (or at least makes me sound thoughtful and well-read) from Ralph Waldo Emerson "Fame is proof that the people are gullible."

just a mini update to let you know that on further watching of Mr Gorman's stand-up routine we find copious amounts of Dibbie present and correct (and really very cute looking) in the audience, so he can stop being jealous now and all is right with the world.

moff to Dublin for a girls weekend on friday so i shall see you laters.