It's been nearly a week since my last post, but what a very long week it's been.  Why?  Well, that's really none of your business, suffice to say the crutches (yes, the crutches) are temporary and - all things being well - my poor shin should heal up just fine.  Fingers crossed.

On the bright side, Japanese class was great!  Hajime mashte?  Patrick-dess.  Dozo Yoroshiku!  I'd write them in Japanese characters except 1) I haven't learned them yet (even in hiragana there are more than 70) and 2) my wee little web programme can't handle them.  Fun stuff, though.

I reviewed Kenneth Oppel's Half Brother in the Guardian today, along with Jason Wallace's Out of Shadows last week.  Two books you should definitely check out.  I've also just read an early copy of Mal Peet's Life: An Exploded Diagram, which is out in June and bloody brilliant.

In closing, welcome to all the new commenters, and for your kind attentions, I can only say, Arigato gozaimas.  Sayanora (which isn't quite pronounced the way we've all been taught...)