DIY

I bought my first power tool today. Not a very exciting one, I have to admit - a drill to put some extra window locks in - but still, it felt kind of weird. Normally, I borrow that stuff from my parents or something. I have though, ever since I've been living in Union St on my own, been amassing a gradually growing pile of useful DIY equipment. Hammers, screwdrivers, saws, that sort of thing. It's all part of my "I'm a grown-up, I have to be competent" drive. I have to remove spiders from the bathroom myself, even though I'm a bit spooked by them, rather than getting Alex to do it. If it's not major engineering I should make an effort to fix things in the house like my kitchen drawers myself rather than drag the landlord out for every little thing. Yes, I can Do It mYself.

Obituary

RIP Lord Jenkins of Hillhead. An Oxford man (both student and, later, Chancellor), and an ardent liberal. As Labour home secretary he legalised abortion and homosexuality as well as making divorce easier and reducing censorship. A leading Europhile he was president of the European commission before returning to UK politics and splitting from the Labour party after their lurch to the left as one of the Gang of Four, forming the SDP which eventually merged with the Liberals to form todays Lib Dems. Honest man, libertarian, historian, he will be missed.