I was out ill for two days last week, and was actually tired of being housebound, particularly as it came on the heels of the four-day Easter holiday weekend. Still, I managed to get some light chores done, including my taxes which weren't as much of a headache as last year. I only noticed last week that when you queue at the post office and the next counter service rep becomes available, the canned voice that announces the counter number--"Go to Number 7, please"--matches the sex of the rep. After work Friday I took the NightRider bus (only �7 return to London, leave after 3pm, return any time by midnight the next day) for the first time. What a bargain, particularly as it's a nice, luxury double-decker coach and not some 1940s Roadmaster. Speaking of charges, that evening's papers indicated the Congestion Charge, put in force two years ago, will be going up 60% in July: any vehicles entering the centre of London weekdays during business hours will have to pre- or post-pay �8 (about $15) for the privilege. That doesn't cover parking. The mayor Ken Livingstone wants to follow up on the already significant decreases in congestion and pollution in the capital. I wanted to check out the new Apple Store on Regent Street, the first to open in Europe and one of the Apple's largest. It is just beautiful - an amazing blend of new and old architecture, with two stories joined by a wide, glass staircase. They have a huge Genius Bar, to which anyone can bring in their mac and ask for help, on any Mac subject, for free. After, I met up with a friend of mine in Piccadilly and we had a bite and a few pints and a chat. A nice evening out, particularly as it warmed up last weekend, and I was on the bus, back home, by 2am.
4:09:00 PM

What?! PARDON?! Wot?

Revellers at this year's Glastonbury [music] Festival will be able to party through the night to music as loud as they want - without disturbing the neighbours. The festival will host a "silent disco" in an effort by organisers to adhere to imposed noise restrictions. After the noise curfew comes into force, music will be pumped into headphones given to clubbers, instead of speakers. Festival-goers at the dance tent will be given a free set of headphones complete with bass, volume and treble controls, meaning they can have the music as loud as they like.

3:59:00 PM

Maybe God is Tryin' to Tell You Somethin'

Poor Chuck, he's had a string of mishaps in planning his wedding: it's just been announced he's had to move the date to make way for the Pope's funeral. This, after:

• his mum and dad refused to attend the civil ceremony,
• which had to be moved from Windsor Castle to the Guild Hall across the road when reminded that, by law, his mum would have to open up her home to any old Duncan and Bev who wanted to marry for the next three years,
• and which, contrary to what may have been their wishes, by law will make Camilla Queen--not Princess Consort--upon his being crowned King, much to the public's general disgust.

I still haven't received my invite in the post, but there's a day's grace now.
3:47:00 PM