So I went and asked my friend the doctor, "What is it I've got this time?"

• The computer has been drinking.

• MP3s of songs played by John Peel.

• So if you're wondering what to get me for Christmas ... (possibly not worksafe)

Great news: redcountess has fibromyalgia! Most people wouldn't call that "great news," but she's spent three years desperately casting about for a firm diagnosis. And that means we can now apply something like planning to our life together.

arkady is off to Wales this weekend, to Whitby it up at a Hallowe'en ball in her finest tradgoth velvet dress and makeup. With matching children. We will be looking after tom_pusscat.

On-call is a fucking grind and without it I'd be out at a meal with narnee, who is swinging through town this week. I spoke to her for the first time in ages this afternoon. Wonderful to hear her voice again. glitchdrei, please wake her in time to visit me for lunch!

I'm exhausted, but quite pleased with life.