I hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's April Fool's jest. Rest assured my feelings towards the Shuffle have not changed and, to quote Jeeves, certain specific and scarcely to be expected meteorological changes would have to occur in the infernal regions before I purchase one. As for the Macs, there's not really any reason to be overly negative. Despite a flood of obligatory pranks and falsehoods the internet generally seemed a lot less funny than last year. Top marks go to ThinkGeek's WiiHelm since they went the extra mile and actually made a prototype. Which sort of makes it less of a joke and more a wiiality (sorry).

As promised you can see photos from Majella's birthday do on Saturday. After yesterday's post I ought to point out that Sebastian is not in fact 50. He was more than happy to blow out his father's birthday candles but somewhat perplexed by their insistence upon relighting themselves. Having him deal with it seemed unsporting at best. The 50-year-old twins then cut the cake together. The whole evening was good fun with a chance to see Gerard and his family after quite a while. His work for Sun (of the Microsystems ilk, not the D-grade journalism variety) also provided an interesting brain to pick on IP issues which he discussed at length. In fact he's been working there so long that he sports one of those hallowed single name email addresses that impresses more than any business card — mostly because he doesn't really need one as a result.

Meanwhile conversation with Kirsty and her friend/Imperial medic cohort was more convivial on the topic of our newly rediscovered love for sketch show Big Train. The mood was somewhat sullied by flat-hunting advice that was not altogether inspiring, though I have few delusions as to how pleasant an experience it will be. Kirsty explained that her appreciation for Hammersmith had been gradually lowered by frequent doorstep urinations. Not by her, I hasten to add. They also reiterated the warning against Foxtons that I've heard from pretty much everyone. Does anyone actually like those guys?