The Speaker

There are no clear favourites. It could be interesting. Richard Shepherd looks an interesting choice, but Bercow has relative youth on his side. Most likely - Sir George Young, as a bit of stop gap.

But first we have the by-election. I still think Labour "hold" it. I think the SNP are has beens. Glenrothes - I was right.

Yawn yawn yawn - expenses

OK - after a week I am finally bored of this "scandal". Yes, I will grant you, some have pushed the expenses to the limit, and several deserve investigation. But the public have swallowed it as if they are all criminals.

I don't suppose anybody watched Question Time yesterday. It was full of very angry, very ill-informed people. All looking for a reason to vote BNP or UKIP. And glad they have found one,

Of course the need to change it is huge. But how big a problem is it all? If every MP took the maximum £24,000 a year - and they don't - it would still cost less at £16,000,000. However many Gulf Wars could we have funded with that?

Yes, the expenses - a bit of fun, and a few rotten eggs - but can we return to politics? I mean - finance, education, NHS, Sri Lanka, Pakistan...

LD just about getting away with it

So we have the latest on the expenses of MPs. This time it is the shocking details of the Liberal Democrats. Well, there is not a lot of substance there - although Ming has looked a bit profligate.

Yes, there is the fact that there are fewer LD MPs, so fewer stories. And who will have heard of them? But there is also the fact that traditionally LDs are normally “local candidates for local people” - so less likely to milk the system. Of course things may be different with Clegg and Huhne parachuted into seats - others will surely follow.

Happiness

Forgive me if this posting seeks a little self-indulgent. Also excuse any errors. I come off chemo today, and am not firing on 100% yet.

On September 11th 2008, when I was diagnosed with this brain tumour, my life changed utterly. I was extremely happy with life and "my lot" up to this point. But then on, I realised I would have to be "happy" with a lot less. The "happy" benchmark is a lot lower than it was eight months ago. Nevertheless, there are enough happy moments.

I do make myself get out and do things even though I feel like staying in bed. Thank God I made us go to the pub yesterday lunchtime - a real effort. The Beer Festival was an effort; the Rare Breeds Farm ditto. But if I do not, then the "happy" benchmark will not be reached! There is no point in being home and miserable all the time.

The other upshot of the tumour is stress. Up till then, I was stressed out with my first of year teaching. I know from those who were on the same course as I was how incredibly stressful this is. Well, my stress just went. I realised pretty soon that I would not be teaching for months, years, or even ever. And yes, this was a relief. Despite my health problems, I suffer little stress. Those around me, however, suffer much greater stress. Pity them.

One of the most frustrating this about the tumour is that it affects the brain. I think my brain functions at about 90%, but it can't get things across all the time. I just lose vocabularly when tired. Words like "doctor", "animal", "bulb" etc. It makes me come across as an idiot. That I hate. I am not stupid, or drunk - I just sometimes have trouble speaking when tired. At least this seems to be getting better, as for a while I could not remember the words "operation" or "tumour", which made it a bit hard explaining what I had been through.

I would like to be doing serious writing, but this is not possible. There is not enough of my brain functioning. So the blog will have to do.

Anyway, enough of this ramble.

Joanna Lumley... where art thou?

It is funny that she was top of the bill as regards news yesterday, yet has vanished without trace today.

Today's Telegraph story about expenses seems very tiresome, but the Beeb seems hooked up on this.

Nice to see Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne get plenty of coverage, though. With Vince Cable, the LDs will show they are more than a one-man band; better than having CK as the sole figure (when he could manage it), as in 2005 GE. Christ that was grim!

Mission accomplished...

A very pleasant Beer Festival, and the Sarah Hughes duly found. First time I had had it in 15 years.

My chemo started on Friday, so thank goodness I went to the went festival on Thursday. I could not have stomached them together - chemo and real ale - but I would not let it curtail enjoyment of my weekend, and we went to to stay with some very hospitable and kind hosts on the south coast. Thank you!

However, the chemo does seem rather harsh, so I expect the coming days will provide me with plenty of sleep. Since the news appears to be about Gordon Brown (will he / won't he stay?) and swine fever (tabloid heaven), I will not be missing out on much.

Beer Festival

Although I am ill, I think I will be attending the Reading Reer Festval today. After all, why shouldn't I? I have, I repeatedly have said, determined to enjoy myself. My "new" chemotherapy starts tomorrow, and I think there is nothing in terms of bans alcohol - in moderation - in the afternoon before.

CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) organise a fantastic festival each year, but it is the first year when I will have been on the Thursday. I am told all the best beers are there then. I am in search of Sarah Hughes Original Dary Ruby Mild, which does not last long. I think it being the cheapest entry day, it will be full of students.