Not only can you find friends and lovers on the internet, it’s also possible to learn how to tie a tie. The lesson comes from www.tie-a-tie.net, as shown in this illustration taken from their website.

The idea was that I would present myself to today’s interview as a high-flying consultant, who knows how to tie a tie in an appropriate and distinguished manner. Having dusted the old suit and assorted shoes, I picked a pink shirt and red tie (yes, they worked together, just trust me on that one) and proceeded to tie a Windsor knot. Neat!

This image thing helped me resolve another long-standing dilemma: if I had to spend a lump sum in September, should I use it towards a bicycle or renewing my gym subscription? On the one hand, either will contribute to my fitness (while clearly the bike gets me around at no extra cost), on the other hand, it is likely I will stop using both after the initial enthusiasm has faded (which causes an additional transport problem). That dilemma was solved shortly after my interview when I bought three proper, consultant-grade shirts for the price of a small bicycle.

I get to say this less and less often and maybe it's a bad sign if I start to say it more and more: I'm the youngest of the group.

College registration took place this morning. I hung around the main doors fifteen minutes before they opened, slightly intimidated by the over-made up girlies in their pink sweaters and their rare male counterparts. Oh they are so young, I thought. Let's walk and look cool. I'm checking out the noticeboards. I'm cool. I'm like you guys. Then I ran away to the nearest bookshop for the remaining twelve minutes.

I come back to find that all the youngsters are now amassed inside the building. I walk just as cool as ever, nobody can detect that right under this cool exterior I haven't a clue where I have to go. Room 8. It's very hard to find room 8, I realise, when everybody around you is half your age. I'm not sure if this is a fast rule but works in my case.

Finally I find room 8. Another mature student is at the door, she hesitates. We turn the handle. Fifteen mature and four in-between-aged faces stare at us. I run up the stairs to the back of the class and take a seat beside an older gentleman and look around. Yes, I'm a baby. My classmates look like they all possibly have a few grandchildren already (bar one or two). Out of all of us, most are female too. Friendly.

Exams on June 12th and 13th. Until then... bye.

I know. The title suggests a story about me but it's really only the dish I made yesterday.

Donate to save Diane Fleming.

If you eat or drink anything 'diet', diet sodas, ready made meals, beware. Aspartame kills and causes poisoning of the body. Watch the trailer for Sweet Misery or the entire documentary.

Also this guy gives a good summary of how aspartame will kill you.