Free schools

It's a clever title, a Free School.  Free from LEA interference (and resources), free from the need to send children home at the end of the day, free from holidays and all manner of other hindrances to progress.  And now they can allow parents to work every hour God sends, the childcare will be easily and cheaply available.  Then the children can all grow up into uniform subservient little worker drones.  And the lucky ones will be allowed out occasionally to get to know who their parents are.
And who will run all of these wonderful free schools?

The Kindle

Well, I resisted e-readers for ages.  I remember having discussions with friends way back in the 80's about the concept of reading on a computer-we all thought (even the computer genius in the group) that books couldn't be replaced.
Fast forward to 2011 and I have an Amazon Kindle ( a birthday gift). I've read 2 books in the last week, and I'm hooked.  It's easy to use, comfortable to read and neat to carry around.  I didn't think anything would replace books, but this certanly comes close for me.
I love having a variety of books in one place.

Amy Winehouse

I'm not really a fan of Amy. At least I don't really know as I've managed to avoid hearing any of her music. However I have managed to see the tragic footage of her performing, and it really is sad to watch. It's easy to say that she had it all and threw it away, but I guess most of us have been one bad decision away from a train wreck at some point. And then there's some sections of the media which glory in seeing people destroy themselves-she's on a hiding to nothing.

So for my part I hope she gets sorted out and produces some good music-there's plenty of people who would be happy for that to happen.

Until then she really needs to be left alone.

A few years ago (well actually quite a lot of years ago) Glenn Hughes was part of Deep Purple and in the middle of his own drug-induced train wreck. He's now part of Black Country Communion, who have just released their second album-what I've heard so far is evidence that you really can turn things around in a big way.