Celebrity Big Brother

Firstly, I should start out by saying that I don't watch Celebrity Big Brother, and haven't watched the bits I'm about to comment on. I'm following Steve Martin's advice to "criticise things you don't know about."

The world has watched as America has sworn in our first black president. This is such a wonderful and historic moment. Wonderful that he won the election on his merits and policies, without ever saying "vote for me BECAUSE I'm black." Wonderful that, as he said in his inauguration speech, sixty years ago, his father would not be served at many restaurants, and now he is taking the office.

What a wonderful day on so many levels. Finally, the dark years of the Bush administration are behind us. Almost anyone being sworn in today would be met with relief, but how much prouder we all are to know that on this day we are also presented with such a tangible and powerful proof that we can defeat racism, and we are defeating it.

So...how did the UK's Celebrity Big Brother celebrate this momentous occasion? This wonderful day of America showing to the world that we are rising above racism?

Why, by having the contestants play out racist American stereotypes.

Well done, ITV. Well done.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/celebbigbrother/article-1124783/Ulrika-piles-FOUR-stone-eating-pies--days-work-Big-Brother.html

I may never get to eat a Mini Babybel again

As most people know, dogs love cheese. So a while back, I purchased some Mini Babybel cheeses. Although I had purchased them for myself, I figured, hey, these are probably just the perfect size for pooch snacks, as obviously one doesn't want to feed pooches too MUCH cheese.

Certain pooches find themselves to be generally in favor of Mini Babybels.

So the other day, I was watching television, and decided to go get a couple of these cheeses. I returned to the couch and started unwrapping one. Suddenly, the pooch was at my feet, looking at me with the most HURT and BETRAYED expression. "But...but...those are POOCHES' CHEESE." I thought she was going to cry.

I am serious. I know that, technically, dogs can't talk, but even Mike acknowledged that this was quite clearly being said.

So, what now? Does this mean I'm never supposed to be allowed to eat another Mini Babybel as long as I live?

LONG TIME NO POST

Yes, I know, I'm rubbish about keeping this updated. So here we go.

The pooch arrived. Her name is Jabba, and we have completely lucked out dog-wise. She is well-trained and lovely. She gets terribly excited when it's time for walkies, but is also perfectly happy to spend most of the day snoring (yes, I do mean snoring) on the couch. I didn't think it was possible to love a dog this much.

Other news...over the weekend, I found several ladybugs in the garden, and this morning, the first snowdrop.

Whee!