Basket.

Sometimes, I honestly detest technology. Like when the fucking office computer (which by the way is bloody ancient) refuses to start properly, when the photocopier records phantom paper jams or now (ie a few days ago), when the goddamn fluorescent light in my computer room decides to suddenly start flickering. Non-stop.

Technically I can still use it, but because I have watched a few too many horror movies which use this cheap device, I don't think that's advisable, especially since I tend to work into the small hours. And it's hell on the eyes anyway.

As such, I am stuck with my faithful egg-shaped lamp, which not being fluorescent, is a lot more wasteful and energy-consuming. It also gives me the feeling that I'm typing by candlelight. Somewhat romantic. Or maybe I can pretend I'm part of the Blitz. Hm.

Anyway, I think or people talk about "next month", and I realise that "next month" is... what, December. December 2005. It seems a little unreal, but today is November 5. Somehow, when I was still schooling I had less trouble accepting that time had slipped by so quickly. Maybe it was because of routine. Every year was basically the same. You went to school on either Jan 2nd, 3rd or 4th, the holidays came at more or less the same few dates and the school year ended with final exams. Routine just gets ground into you and sometimes you can forget momentarily what year it is.

That's not to say I'm unhappy this year is finally ending. It means half my service term will soon be over, and that is terribly encouraging. It's even time to think beyond it.