And you're back in the room.

It's once again that time of year when I get to gloat and lord it over those in real jobs (by which I include education that isn't limited to the over 16 sphere) as my lessons dry up and I look forward to a few months of thumb-twiddling. And, of course, the chance to finally spruce up this jaded looking blog.

Don't be alarmed by the picture above; Olivia hasn't contracted some terrifyng disease, nor has Daddy got a bit slack about checking the temperature of the bath-water. No, this is Olivia's rudimentary attempt at applying her make-up. I have talked to her about this. I've urged her not to fall headlong into the grip of a repressive ideology that tells women they must wear make-up to hide their ugliness. I've quoted Greer, De Bouvoir, Dworkin, and Aguilera, but to no avail. The girl wants to apply her slap.