Thinking of Monday

So, a week off for half term and I still didn't find time to take any pictures and Blip.

To be honest, been stuck in the land of assessment from Monday to Thursday as I try to get my head into Mr Gove's new curriculum and his abandonment of levels and the implications of this for assessing progress and what those lovely people from Ofsted will want to see. So much of a sign that Gove has rushed all this through before being ready as the official advice seems to boil down to: "we have no idea, we'll let schools come up with something and then let you know what works after a couple of years". In one way, great, at least they are leaving it to the professionals ;) However, it's a project and a half. Private companies are scrabbling around schools trying to cash in on this shortfall of departmental provision and need for teachers to find something before September. Can't believe Mr Gove would be happy with such a mercenary approach to making a quick buck, oh, hold on.....I see.

Anyhoo - today I kept away from Excel and numerous PDF's to go and see Matt, a great friend who turned 50 this week. Love him. Also, the lighting in his dining room is wonderfully atmospheric and the paint a lovely colour for this portrait.

I then went to see the new Robocop film - not half as bad as critics are making out, I liked it a lot.

Also bought tickets for a load of gigs: the last ever Carter USM gig in London in Nov, Emma Stevens in Sheffield, Miles Hunt/Erica Nockalls in Sheffield, PWEI in Sheff and am thinking about getting one for an Indie all-dayer in Manchester in May with a headline of Neds. Next week we are all off to see Robert Vincent, the girls' first gig!!!!

Oh, and luckily the suspected-knackered engine in the car turned out to be a recoverable alternator that had been flooded with diesel due to a fuel leak - just £100 to sort, HUGE sigh of relief.

With a pleasing Sheffield United win in the FA Cup too in the mix, it's been quite a week all in all.

Better get on with some planning before Monday....after one more visit to the Lane tomorrow of course ;)