I've just seen on the BBC website that the Cutty Sark has been ravaged by fire. When I was 17, I was a member of the John Paul College Chamber Choir. Our conductor, Peter Ingram, taught us so much about how to sing well individually and together. In 1994, our choir sang the world premier performance of Cutty Sark, a choral piece composed by Stephen Leek. It's a beautiful piece, evocative of a clipper ship racing over the ocean, dolphins swimming alongside. Since then, I've been to see the real Cutty Sark in dry dock at Greenwich, London. It sent a thrill right through me to see the ship we'd sung about years earlier, knowing how historically significant it was. I've had a little cry today.

Claire, honey - I'm sorry for being so horribly crap at updating you on my adventures. Quick update for you and and other SnBers who want to know what the goss is:

• Am seriously loved up and all gooshy with how great things are with B. Isn't it weird how you don't realise how crap things were before until you experience greatness? Seriously, he's amazing. (Will stop raving now, lest he vanish in a puff of smoke and leave me brokenhearted and shamefaced.)
• Work is fascinating, exhausting and affecting every aspect of my life right now. Evil shiftwork! Am proud to report I have passed my first competency.
• I'm *this close* to being able to buy a car - this is a Good Thing  for many reasons, not least being I won't have to get up at 0400hrs for an early shift anymore.
• My nephew Eamonn and I have developed a special bond and he's always as happy to see me as I am to see him. I missed out on this stage with Corbin, so it's even more special to have it with young Emily Porker.
• Have started taking active measures to sort out some of the problems related to my polycystic ovaries - will update if anything appears to be working.

SnB girls, I love y'all and I miss you. Yahoo is still playing games with me and I can't seem to post anything. I'll keep trying. *smooches to everyone*