February

Having enjoyed watching the History of Scotland on BBC2 recently I've decided to explore the history of the island of my birth. So I'm now reading A New History of Ireland by Christine Kinealy. Its not a happy tale, there is abundant prejudice, neglect and ethnic cleansing, with Ireland the pawn of the Kings, Queens and governments of England.

A Clergyman's Daughter by George Orwell. I really wanted 1984 but they were all checked out at the library. Revealing if not a happy book, I kept confusing the book's period setting of the 1930s with the Victorian age due to the callous treatment of the poor and destitute. George Orwell wrote from his own personal experience, in many respects the poor are still treated as badly today.

In 2007 I was taken by a cover version of Numb by Jamelia when Radio 1 celebrated their 40 years of broadcasting. I checked out the original from Linkin Park and then bought Meteora from Zavvi a few weeks before they closed for business. At about 38 minutes its not the longest album, but the quality of the songs are great.

And just when you think winter was waning, more snow.