A Package from SA... Yes it is far, far away (and thanks Mom)

(And yes - those are stamps all around the edge - no idea how she managed to do it!)

Some Gardening Clippings from the Evening Standard

Tonight an interesting mini-series about urban gardening. I am sure I can link to the articles online, but this looks so much better! Enjoy

Cool idea for a nursery reception?

Have a look at this place. It is a great idea to take an old 20ft shipping container and paint it green and clad it in wood.

Would love to have this house

Have a look at this house in London. I just love the way it manages to be small and big at the same time. The best part is the staircase.

And the kitchen is small and functional, yet very modern.

More about bipolar disorder

Two weeks ago the Psychiatrist phoned me and told me that he thinks that I may have bipolar disorder. I have major depression - I have known that for a long time. Ever since that call, I started thinking about this and doing some research.
One thing that I always found strange and inexplicable is that I work better the day after a night in which I couldn't sleep. Today is a good example. I woke at 2:00 this morning and didn't sleep again. I managed to write a large number of pages in my document I am working on, design a complex database schema and study a bunch of strange ideas. In truth, I should have been bone tired.
An hour ago I found these:

One of the most signature symptoms of mania (and to a lesser extent, hypomania) is what many have described as racing thoughts. These are usually instances in which the manic person is excessively distracted by objectively unimportant stimuli. This experience creates an absentmindedness where the manic individual's thoughts totally preoccupy him or her, making him or her unable to keep track of time, or be aware of anything besides the flow of thoughts. Racing thoughts also interfere with the ability to fall asleep. This rapid succession of thought that is difficult to follow is known as "flight of ideas".

...the primary trigger for (and the primary symptom of) acute mania is sleep deprivation.

I can also 'work', when I haul myself out of bed at 4:00 and immediately start working.
What frustrates me, is that I have not realised this. For a long time, I experienced these periods I called "Hyperfocus", during which I am able to build incredible stuff and write articles and am generally creative. I have used Ritalin and Concerta for a long time and tonight I found this clause:

Some medications may cause symptoms that mimic mania. Some medications may trigger a manic episode through hyperarousal of the limbic system and subsequent sleep deprivation. These may include: amphetamines and other stimulants (Provigil, Nuvigil, Adipex), caffeine (caffeine/taurine energy drinks)

This matches my experience almost exactly. Then there are times when it doesn't work. Specifically when I feel I am depressed, but also "focused", but I cannot do anything. (Called "Mixed affective episode"). I never understood how I can simultaneously feel horrible and at the same time "Racing thoughts" occur. The meds do not help at all then.

Census 2011 - They are going to 'enforce' it

[photo: GETTY]
Three weeks ago I received my census forms in the mail. In the cover letter they said that it is mandatory to complete the survey and return the forms. I told Jacques that I am pretty sure that they will enforce it if we don't complete the census. Now I have confirmation.

Anyone who repeatedly refuses to take part in the once-in-a-decade population count will face criminal prosecution and a £1,000 fine as the Office for National Statistics steps up efforts to catch census evaders.

I guess the emphasis is on repeated. This is typical of Britain. If you don't pay, you are fined. If you don't complete the census you are fined. Ask Jacques - he didn't pay a £1-00 parking fee and he got fined £90-00. That is why they have cameras everywhere. To collect the fines.

Degu - A new and very cute animal

Look at what I found in a pet store in East London today:



They are called "Degus" - the cutest rats I have ever seen.

Wikipedia article