I do so miss Charlie (my recently deceased tabby). She was like a dog, followed me everywhere. She was mute until 2 years ago, but after the Vet cured a problem she had with her ears, she became extraordinarily vocal. Almost like a 2 year old child who has learned to speak, she howled and miawed and cried and purred and chirped non-stop. She came to bed with me, slept alongside me all night, got up with me, sat by - or on - the computer all day with me. I love Angell too, but he's more independent, he does not want love or attention, just some company now & then, and his belly rubbed. Bertie was chirping well this morning too. Gotta love birds and animals, and yet I eat meat without batting an eyelid. How the human mind works is a mystery to me. Can't decide whether to get another cat, but after chatting to Tom about it, decided to leave it a while. I'd really like a dog, but I'll have to retire from Poker if I get one, it just won't work otherwise.
Have started reading again, no time last year, and I miss it very much. Am re-reading Alan Clark's Diaries, what an extraordinary man. 'Old money' sums it up. Owned Saltwood Castle, a chalet in Switzerland, has a spread in Eriboll (Scotland), and the most amazing collection of cars. These include a modern Rolls-Royce, a 1923 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, 3 Jags - a SS100, C-Type, and an XK. The XK must be the finest car ever built if it's style you want, the vintage Roller the best piece of British craftsmanship ever built. Had to be hand-cranked to start it, the final one of 23 different things needed to fire her up. but she always started on the first compression, even after laying unused for 6 months. AC reckons that, Magneto apart, it's because it had no electrics whatsoever. AC eventually died an awful death, and his long-suffering wife - Jane - suffered with him until his last breath after a protracted and dreadful decline. Pray God I go quickly.
Also re-reading Fermat's Last Theorom, which is awesomely fascinating, and is by Simon Singh whom, I believe, wrote another tome which was well-reviewed. I no longer read newspapers, except on the train, where they give you a freebie copy of The Times, and I catch my share prices now and then in the good old FT.
After some fiffing and faffing, agreed a contract with Poker Zone today to appear on TV's Poker Night Live, 1 night a week, from May onwards. Not entirely sure if it will suit my 'style', but hell, I'll give it a bash, and I'm sure I can coax the blondeites to send in lots of nice questions to test my mettle. 4 hours on air is some going, and I agreed to do it on a Wednesday, so I can go straight from the 425 Studios to do the PNL gig, so utilising the day in London efficiently. Wednesdays are about to get even more interesting for the 'ol fella! I'm a bit in 2 minds about doing this, is it really 'me'?, but I am determined to do it well.
End the day in style, scooping just under $4,000 on Blue Square & Laddies with two top three finishes in MTT's, but it takes until 0400, and I get to bed wrecked.