Aaargh, these be the End Times, I tell ee.

Is it me, or are there suddenly (in the last few weeks) lots and lots of adverts on TV for people who want to buy "unwanted" gold jewellery?

If, as they say in these adverts, the price of gold is at an all-time high, isn't it rather poor business sense on their part to be buying right now?

Is it not more likely, perhaps, that they are trying desperately to amass stocks of gold because everything else is about to go through the floor and/or down the plughole?

Not that it affects me--I have one count it one item of gold jewellery, and they'd have to cut my finger off to get it--but if more proof were needed that things are going to get much, much worse before they even think about starting to explore the possibility of setting up a committee to discuss issues around maybe getting a little bit better...then I can't think of a more likely piece of evidence than anonymous bods trying to corner all the precious metal they can get their hands on.

Time to lose myself in a good book. Or a fast smallship. Or something.

I have my eyes back!

The opticians have repaired my glasses and I can see again. Suddenly everything--thinking, moving, reading this screen, watching telly, motivating myself to do things--is about ten times easier. I still have the headache and probably will till my eyes readjust, but that's a minor thing.

I remember with amazement and horror that when I was young and stupid I often left off my glasses because I didn't like the way they felt on my face, or possibly even the way I looked with them on (standard NHS frames, so yes, fairly ugly, but still, what monstrous vanity). Back then I only had a little blurring in one eye, so hey, it couldn't make any difference, could it?

In a couple of weeks I shall have a new pair, and then these will be a valued backup. I shall do my best never to be without such a thing again.

Message of the day; if you need artificial aids for anything, anything at all, always (where possible) have a spare, and never try to do without them unless you know for a fact that it will either improve, or at least not worsen, your condition. And never, ever for the sake of vanity.

And once I have paid for my glasses, I must steel myself and see about getting on to a dentist's list.