Scottish weather. Rain and hail, followed by a glorious sunshine. Nothing new there.

And then to the cinema…

13 Assassins. A well shot samurai drama, with all the usual elements. If you are looking for something to do, you could do much worse than this. It’s rated 15, so I couldn’t blip it. So I blipped the weather instead!

Worked past midnight every night this week. Until tonight. I needed a break. Escapism. Doctor Who. Ecclestone. Fun!

But unlike the good Doctor, I am not the master of time. Seems that Karma and Cnut are making a comeback. I cashed too many chips this week. And so to sleep. Good night.

There’s an informal group called Purpos/ed that are currently debating the purpose of education. They are just one aspect of a growing global debate on this topic.

In Scotland it is now well and truly exam season. For many schools the Purpos/ed debated is probably an irrelevance, as since the very first marked assessment the purpose of education has been clear to them: to rubber stamp individuals through a vetting process for continued access to the education system.

Perhaps tomorrow it will be something more.

Ten years ago today, Douglas Adams discovered exactly what the Universe was for, and why it was here. And thus for him it utterly disappeared.

If you have not read his books and articles, I urge you to. He was an insightful and intelligent writer, passionate about the planet and technology.

A whole night’s work down the swanny…

My virtual machine virtually bit me. Virtually hard. Ouch.

Today was going so well. Busy, but good. So I guess the Karma chips had to be cashed. Looking forward to doing all that work again tomorrow night! Hurrah!

… in your DNA!

Had a productive day, fighting the tide of too many things to do but just like Cnut, twice a day I appear to make progress…

And a lunchtime visit to the DVLA and Tesco. Not a combination that would ordinarily spark the emotions, but I guess it’s all about the company!

Walked the dogs today. Often pass this park, with chute and swings. Layered with blossom, in the evening sun after a day of rain, it looked peaceful. Reminded me of days gone by, as a kid playing in similar parks around my home.

And then I thought… how rare it is that I actually see kids playing here. Teenagers sometimes sit and chat, and the odd grandparent takes their offspring’s offspring. But parks used to always be busy. Kids at play.

Is this the effect of our information age? Or perhaps society’s fear by proxy? Whatever it is, this peaceful park feels a little melancholy because of it.

A new car, named Leon, apparently. It was almost a sensible diesel but it became a fun, sporty hatchback… Funny how that happens.

Guilt and envy share a hue!

The familial decision is that it’s more comfortable, more gadget-filled, quieter, and faster than it’s predecessor. Oh, and for now, it appears to be fully operational.

Historic they call it. This day.

The Scottish National Party certainly deserve praise for winning an overall majority in a parliamentary system designed to make such a victory a most unlikely event.

I was quite liking the minority government approach, the consensus politics, a kinda sensible attitude towards government.

I just hope Alex and his minions appreciate that consensus is still a good thing when you make policies! Even with a majority!

And towards the precipice of independence our nation inches. The peak over the edge will be scary. If we take the plunge, I am sure the ride will be thrilling. But what’s at the bottom?

I love the fact that we get to vote!

But in sleepy Angus, where the perennial choice is between the SNP and Conservatives, I would think that AV would be an appealing prospect for all those wasted voters… I wonder if we will get results broken down by consistency?

I hope everyone exercised their right to vote, if only to add weight to their right to complain afterwards…

I have managed to miss this entire election campaign. And tomorrow I must vote. Anyone has any suggestions?

I am dismayed by politicians who negatively campaign. And more dismayed by those accusing their opponents of negative campaigning… err, don’t they see the irony?

I am appalled by the No to AV campaign insinuating that I am too stupid to understand AV, and disappointed that they use vacuous arguments about fairness that only seek to cast FUD into the minds of voters.

Sometimes I feel like an alien in my own nation, or is it the other way around? Are we alone? Sadly not.

Sometimes all journeys lead to unknowns. And the unknown stops us travelling. But… the adventure comes from the journey, not the arrival.

Don’t be discouraged by how things look, or what you cannot foresee. Relish in the adventure.

Holiday Monday. Been such a disjointed long weekend, half of today was spent reeling…

Half of the other half spent working…

Half of the remaining time having coffee…

And the left overtime was half spent wondering why I didn’t blip a coffee cup, and otherwise spent revising fractions!

…as we know it.

Yesterday (back blipped, never had time to process and post) we hung up the keys to the old ZS. It’s still is great condition, apart the head gasket - which is dead… again. Oh well.

We went car buying to relieve the pain…

Last day with Clodagh. She demonstrates some ninja warrior moves then she’s off home… and relax!

Some virtual car hunting today. Might do some actual car hunting tomorrow. Always fun. Just gotta find that balance between fun and practical. Tricky. Tips welcomed.

I almost blipped some bunting! There was one length of the stuff in our street, and never a sign anyplace else in the town.

But no. We have a house guest. And I fitted her out for a new bike, before taking her someplace quiet to get used to it. She’s a natural…

Yup, it’s the return of the Clodagh! She’s a cutie that we loved having over, but boy am I glad she has a home to go to! :)

Apologies for the spate of car related blips, but the fates had it that way…

This evening the sun shone, the trees deposited their droppings on my new repaired and polished motor, and the double long weekend began. Peachy!

Had to be blipped. Will aim for more environmental content tomorrow!

Today felt like my birthday. Okay it was actually my daughter’s birthday - but you can no doubt read all about that on Bookface, so no need to mention it here! It felt like my birthday!

Yup. The car’s back! See how happy it looks?

They even gave it a full valet, and touched up a few stone chips and stuff. Lovely.

Tomorrow’s commute will be much more fun…

(This better news than of my dear wife’s car which is, and I quote our mechanic quite precisely here, “pooped”!)

Why is it that two weeks off is less routine busting than a holiday Monday?

Spent the evening looking at cars, and we are undecided what to buy. But we know that not calling the garage is just putting off news of the ZS’s condemned state.

Anyways. I stored up loads of work for tomorrow night. Hooray.

Tonight’s blip reminds me of Call of Duty.

Thanks to Paul Anka for help with today’s motoring related blip…

And now the end is near And so I face the final curtain My friend I’ll say it clear I’ll state my case of which I’m certain

I’ve lived a life that’s full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this I did it my way

An afternoon in Perth, with lovely weather, and an unexpected exploration of local sights. There’s an island, with a golf course and some allotments, arrived at by walking along a railway bridge. That was exciting!

Unexpected was today, forced by our trusty old motor giving up on us a set of traffic lights! Multiple hours later, and we are still stuck in Perth!

I must say, my wife is most stoic about her loss! Hoping for a new car perhaps? :-)