Liadnan

( This is entirely blatant cat-blogging. You have fair warning. )

I had vaguely intended to return to writing stuff here, but once the tax return was complete and in, the computer decided to finally fall over and die. Not unexpected: the day I filed the return online I was feverishly praying that she would cling to life at least just long enough to submit. Which she did, just. RIP Theodora II, tolerably good and faithful servant.

I'm about to start prep for trial in a fairly significant case, so it will probably be a while before I'm properly back. However, it seems right to record that in addition to the new machine on which I am writing now (presently named "[pashazade]-laptop" in a startling fit of originality) and Theodora III and Justinian I, two Ubuntu Dell desktop machines that will be arriving in the near future, there are two rather shy new additions to this household: Campion (after Edmund, but Margery Allingham fans have liberty to believe otherwise) and his mother Gertrude . At least I think that's Gertrude but it's difficult to tell as she presently spends most of her time hiding behind things, in particular the monitor in the photograph (Campion meanwhile seems to be emulating his namesake* and building a priest's hole in the attic, possibly also a printing press judging from the noises). They were warming to us but we took them to the vet for a check on Saturday and we were promptly put back into disgrace...

*Though I don't think Blessed Edmund actually built any priest's holes himself, Nicholas Owen did most of that.

One of the hazards of living in the Green is Basil. Nominally G., who lives at the other end of the Green, is responsible for his wellbeing. So far as Basil is concerned the Green belongs to him and he wanders in and out at will: as I often leave my front door ajar when I'm at home he's a frequent visitor (and to be fair has so far resisted the temptation to mutilate my prized carpets though he does like depositing himself on the wig and gown). These days it's my window he tends to yowl outside when he's found himself locked out past midnight and it's raining, knowing that I stay up late and am soft-hearted. When he's not on his travels of course: on several occasions he has vanished for weeks on end and, just as all have given up hope, re-emerged. Or on occasion been discovered: once in Hackney, once having moved himself into a City bank.

I did a fair amount of tidying up yesterday: by the end of it I had various piles of paperwork to go upstairs. Where I discovered this. I had no idea whatosoever he was there. When moved he complained, vociferously, though he is far too bone-idle to actually struggle much. He can complain like my mother's Siamese, Basil can. (And he is equally fascinated by spiders.)

(Yes, ok, I admit it, in the depths of missing inspiration I have succumbed to cat-blogging.)

The Today presenters seemed to have difficulty avoiding cracking up when covering this story this morning. Particularly given the introduction by a sample of regional "moos".

As I write Basil the Cat is looking sceptically at me from across the room, where he has taken up residence on my wig and gown. I only let him in out of the kindness of my heart, given it was pissing with rain. I forgot this was the same Basil who occasionally disappears for weeks on end and, once all hope seems lost, turns up having a luxurious break in some City office and saunters back into the Green.

Rob and Steph's kitten has decided my laptop is an enemy and must be killed. It is making typing very difficult. He is *tiny*.

Fun lunch (after a spectacularly efficient DJ dealt with my case in less than the five minutes allotted, rather than the 15 or so more than allotted that is usual) with Ailbhe, who took me all round Reading including to the abbey. Reading is indeed a far more pleasant place than I was previously aware.

Now sitting in my office listening to Belle and Sebastian (Fold your hands child) very very quietly in case someone comes in to complain from next door. As a result I'm trying to work out if Legal Man is on any of the albums and if, as I suspect, not, why I think I own a copy.

I'm also vaguely wondering why XP frequently forgets I have a DVD/CD player in this machine, and I have to spend ages convincing it otherwise. Linux doesn't, but I never use that and only have it on for show and in the ambition that one day I might get around to doing something with it.

I have decided I want a cat. Siamese for choice: it's a family thing, we used to breed them, but they cost a fortune.

Proms guide is out. Trying to decide whether I can afford a season ticket this year. The answer is almost certainly "no, but hey...". I so badly need someone to take control of my money from me.