After holidaying in the south of France and the attempts to further one's French studies that inevitably went with it, it got me thinking about the English language, and since reading a few books I have picked up on a few words that I have decided I must use more if I can. I've also included a list that I feel the opposite way about.

4 Words that sound cool:
Compelling
Syndication
Disenfranchised (this one I am proud to say I have used before!)
Broadcasting

4 Words that make you feel dirty when you say them:
Corporation
Magnanimous
Sellotape
Affluent

Something I also learned recently is that the Chinese words for 'problem' and 'opportunity' are the same. No wonder they're so optimistic and productive.

You know when you're not as young as you were when you start enjoying certain things more than you know you should if you want to stay cool. I found myself tightening up the hinges on all my kitchen cupboard doors last night and could not get enough. I also bought a Carafe during my time away and eagerly await using it at the dinner table. These are sad stories but ones that I promise are true.

A few other facts/bits:
- In lighter news, David Cameron did a fantastic job of alienating Pakistan. SPECIAL THUMBS UP for Dave!!! (at some point I must take a picture of myself or someone else doing the 'special thumbs up' so people are on the same page with this).

- The 'American Anthems' compilation album is dominated by male singers, at least the first CD is. We'll see if the trend continues.

- Every time I hear my email client do its 'you've got a message mate!' sound I get excited. Unfortunately most of the time it's spam going into the 'Mark Holland Music Mailing List' junk box. The 'ding' goes once the email has been received JUST before it's put into the junk box. Frustration 2.0.

Emotional quote of the decade/century: 'we will always be with each other through the eyes of our children' - Chris Evan's father to his wife upon hearing he had terminal cancer. What an awesome man.

That stupid email 'ding' just went again, armed with its trademark false hopes!!! Does anybody know if I can do anything about this? I still want the sound. I guess I want to have my cake and eat it.

'Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window' - Steve Wozniak.