Aged relatives; Embarrassing Bodies; pies

Took the afternoon off last Friday to accompany Ruth to her grandmother’s 103^rd birthday tea party. Mrs Box has been resident at Aldbourne Nursing Home for the last 10 years or so and celebrated her 100th there in 2008. The home seemed fairly pleasant as these places go and Aldbourne is certainly a civilised setting. The tea party was attended by various family members including Mrs Box' three children (Ruth's mother, aunt and uncle). Ate some egg sandwiches, as one does at these things, and a big slice of cake.

As we are having a socially quiet couple of months, Ruth and I have been enjoying the latest series of Embarrassing Bodies. This week, was mildly irritated by the girl who’d had surgery on her nether regions and then decided she didn’t like the result (henceforth Stupid Labia Girl) and the woman who was paranoid about an inverted nipple, as any lover would probably have been distracted from it by the fact that about 20% of her body was tattooed. One hopes that they watched the show and felt suitably guilty next to the poor chap with neurofibromatosis. Given a choice between an inverted nipple and massive tumours sticking out the back of my head, I’m fairly sure which I’d pick.

Duly ferried the chocolate orange back to the house last Friday and sneaked it into Ruth’s cornflakes packet. Received a text message on Monday morning saying simply ‘Cow’. A minor triumph.

We had a team lunch at Sweeney & Todd on Monday to celebrate little Emma's passing her NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration. It isn't my favourite place, but OK for the occasional meal. In fairness the pies are pretty nice, and it is, after all, a Reading institution. In view of imminent fasting (see next paragraph), I filled up on a chicken and ham pie, plus salad and a buttered roll.

Fasted from 4.30pm on Monday in preparation for a blood test first thing on Tuesday morning. In spirit of New Year paying more attention to health, etc, had requested a cholesterol test in view of vague family history. Spent Monday evening doing various bits of paperwork in an effort to distract myself. Duly went for the test, then crashed irritably into office to brew a pot of coffee and eat a bacon roll. All was made not at all worthwhile when the surgery telephoned me that evening to say there'd been a 'mix up' at the path lab and I'd have to have it done again. When I tried to find out exactly what had happened, was told "I'm not sure, just a mix up". That's all right then. Do they imagine I enjoy going without food? Intend to spend next week consuming nothing but lard just to ensure that I get an exciting result.

Mildly perturbed this week to note that a 1960s bungalow opposite the Earley Gate entrance to the campus, whose design I’ve always admired, is up for sale. It’s being advertised by Sara Batting as a ‘Californian-style’ individual detached residence. What are the chances of it being bought by somebody sympathetic who wants to treasure its design features? I sincerely hope so, but have a nasty feeling that the more likely outcome will be that the site will be bought by a developer, the bungalow will be flattened and 762 tiny little faux-classical boxes with fake carriage lanterns outside will be crammed into its place. Sometimes I could JUST GET DEPRESSED.

Tickled this week by news of a new iPhone app which guides worshippers through confession, and has apparently been approved by the Catholic church. Apparently it can't actually give you absolution - you still have to visit your priest for that. However, it does help you keep track of your sins and to examine your conscience, based on personalised factors (so presumably 'Slept with man', if you've already entered that you a) are married and b) are a man, is REALLY REALLY BAD, as opposed to just not recommended).

While I probably wouldn't buy this particular app, am a bit narked at all the cool accessories you can get for iPhones, which you can't seem to for other smartphones - e.g. the TimeCube. My decision not to get an iPhone was due in part to irritation over the years with evangelical Mac users, which has led me to boycott Apple products, pretty though they are. Perhaps that’s simply misguided though.