The Shins were really good last night. They played a mix of stuff. Raine and I are loving their latest album: "Wincing The Night Away." The crowd near us sucked - there was a very drunk group, talking loudly and spilling beer. I would've said something, but the crowd's ring leader had a scar on his face that was bigger than mine. Still, we moved away (several times - they were attracted to us) and got into the music...they're worth catching, if they come to a town near you.

We got Austin back (Mr. mini man (as he is now forever known) fixed her all up for £60 - we love him!) and headed off for Manchester early afternoon. Had a look round the shops. Went to one of our favourite restuarants: Rice (http://www.ricemanchester.com/page.php?18). They cook amazingly tasty rice and noodle dishes in minutes.

I picked up a form to renew my passport yesterday, nearly fainted when I found out how much it'll cost: £72. £72 for the right to leave the country! Tomorrow, when I go to hand over my money, the person at the Post Office is going to have to wrestle my debit card from me. I have to do it, though, we will go away at Christmas.

Going home to Blackpool tonight. Haven't stayed there for a couple of months, so we're due a visit. My mum's making us a meal tonight. We're having days with our respective mothers tomorrow, then seeing Dan in the evening. Lunch with my Grandparents on Sunday. I want to fit in a visit with my Uncle, who's in a Nursing Home with my Aunty. He's a great guy - amazing. He gets stir crazy in the Nursing Home. He was part of the Dunkirk Landing, rode a motorbike off a landing craft, being fired at by Germans. He waterproofed tanks ready for the landing, drove one through a lake at his base to test the waterproofing out. He's written a book on his war time experiences: "From Lorry Wheels to Tank Tracks" it's called, I think. It's important I visit him this weekend: it's Armistice Day on Sunday. Armistice Day resonates particuarly nastily these past few years, the years of Iraq and Afganistan. Those two minutes silence always bring tears to my eyes.

'The Squid and The Whale' was pretty good. If you like films in the vein of 'Thumbsucker' and 'Me and You and Everyone We Know' it's worth checking out.

Off to work in a minute. After I've kicked the moron who is talking on his mobile in the library - ARGH!