So tell me, ma, what’s it gonna be ...

Would you believe it! You wait for ages, and then two come along at once. Job offers, that is - in this case.

Yes! The cat's out of the bag. Now that everyone knows, I can heave a sigh of relief - and perhaps start the process of getting my sanity back.

So, now: which to choose - and where to live? Right now, I'm stuffed if I know. I'm just trusting that it'll all become clear in good time to do something about it. Do I go here, or here? Answers on a postcard ...

Will you still need me, will you still feed me ...

.. perhaps not.

It appears that age discrimination is rife in the IT industry. The Register reports there are new regulations afoot to combat enforced early retirement - but perhaps that's not the whole story. According to Computer Weekly, the kids don't get an easy ride either. S'ard life, eh?

Don't ask me why this issue has been worrying me lately - just make sure you're not being patronised.

Turn, turn, turn

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal ...
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to lose and a time to seek;
a time to rend and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.
ecclesiastes 3:1-8

.. and a time to move on.

A, B, C, D, ...

... can I have my friend to tea?

I just got doorstepped by a young chap selling educational books. A fine summer job indeed! We haven't yet decided - but as we home educate (which I believe I've said before) - we might just make his day. The last one, I gather, before starting back at Uni. I don't normally go in for inviting salesmen into my humble abode - but hey, what goes around comes around, Right?

But the money's no good ...

... just get a grip on yourself

No. That's not at all relevent to this post - but hey, it's a great track. The Stranglers. OK, I'm probably showing my age here - but what a great band. Good enough for Keith Floyd; good enough for me. Cooking and drinking wine to the strains of "Peaches". Life doesn't get much better than that.

I had a "small world" moment the other day. Working away, chatting about an ex-colleague who left to roam the world and reading his blog. Glanced at the ol' Instant Messenger window (GAIM, if you must know - none of that M$ rubbish), and lo! There he was - online. Said "Hi!", had a quick chat - and got reminded that it was 2 a.m. in 'Frisco. Oops. Never will get the hang of that timezone stuff. Still: good to keep in touch with old friends on the other side of the planet.

Time for food and beer.