Ben

Wow.. um. Janet, I've been really busy in recent weeks.. I hardly even post on here that much. It really isn't anything personal. I did read the essay, and I enjoyed it.. I just never remembered to take the time to give you some proper thoughts. I appreciate you sending it to me, please don't take any offence..

I've got a bad feeling.. I'm too anxious of the fact Tiger is sniffing around still.

Probably a decent investment..

Oh god.. I knew there was something I'd forgotten. I read it and completely forgot to comment and send an email back. I thought it was really good - very interesting read. I'll email you some proper thoughts tomorrow - sorry about that.

That too.

God bless Jimmy Anderson.

I've never been before but I live near Headingley in Leeds and I'm going to watch England v. Australia in September. Safe to say I'm rather excited. I can't believe I haven't managed to get down there before though. I'm a massive fan of cricket and Headingley's a top cricketing ground, so I really don't know why I haven't made the (very minimal) effort before. Ah well, I'm going soon!

She's a crafty 'un.. I'd forgotten all about her want to do this. Assumed she had changed her mind.

I'd say this was in the bag.. but Agar the Terrible is still there.

Oh well. I think we should all just be delighted that we've batted strongly and are now in a strong position for the last couple of days.

Well, I mean, in fairness if it wasn't for bad decisions he wouldn't have had the chance to get them runs - but get them he did and fair play to him for that. Definitely not a No. 11, some sublime batting. I felt so uncomfortable wanting an Australian batsman to get his century.. Respect to Swann after he caught him out, too. Supposedly congratulated him on a great innings. I think this Test hinges on how well KP and Cook can settle into the crease now. They've made a good start but with the twists and turns in this one so far pretty much anything could happen from here. Bloody great start to The Ashes, mind..

Nah that was Gary Richardson, another twit.

I think they meant in general muggles.. it's been happening a lot online and in the media. Personally I also didn't think it of you because Raven's Sports Personality of the Year comment is an entirely different competition that we have over here (he was talking about that.. not winning Wimbledon). But honestly, I don't think you should think people were accusing you of being disrespectful at all - mainly those on Twitter and the like.

Fergie. Pretty much nailed on with him being a 'key part' (Daily Mail) in Murray's quarter final win..

So, are we all ready for another year of Wimbledon disappointment tomorrow?

Good grief I don't even think I can watch his semi-final - watching Murray isn't good for blood pressure.

Brilliant. So Murray's lost the first set against Verdasco (and his first of the tournament) but a break up 3-1 in the second. That's better..

Yes poppyshake! So glad you're reading Of Mice and Men during the read-a-thon.. what a wonderful book. Haven't decided what I'm going to go for yet, but I've got du Maurier's The Rendezvous and Other Stories waiting so that could be an option.

Aw, that's a shame. I made a start on Orlando for class last year but in the end never got going with it. I think that was partly because I was overwhelmed by my university reading and we could leave one book off the list, so I chose Woolf's. It must have been.. because I remember thinking that story really could be quite enjoyable if I got stuck into it properly. I'll see if I get on better with The Waves. I can't wait to get to the du Maurier short stories - I'm sure it'll be sooner rather than later. Thanks for the well wishes, the list has some great potential and I'm actually quite excited to get started (well, with reading them.. not quite ready to start my last year properly just yet).

Decided to start Carol Shields' Dressing Up for the Carnival. I've a few books on the go at the moment, dotted around, but none seem to be holding my attention (I've been lacking a lot of focus in the past few days) so I'm thinking maybe a short story collection would sort me out. Du Maurier's The Rendezvous and Other Stories has arrived and I'm sure I'll get to it soon (I adore Rebecca and I'm eager to start this) but I'm going to try Shields first and see what I think..

So Amazon is staggering my delivery of my new books. I thought this would be great as my to-be-read pile wouldn't shoot back up instantly in one fell swoop. However, I received the first seven this morning and I'm convinced it's an exercise in torture on their part. With their arrival my to-be-read pile creeps back up to 201. 201. Teasingly back over the edge. Ah well, it was to be expected.. Suppose I should go set to work on the hopeless attempt to get it back down.

Anyone watch the first episode of season eight? I thought it was great. That neuropsychiatrist Evelyn Vogel is sure something eh? I'm fascinated to see where that angle goes. Well, in fairness where the whole season goes.. I have a funny feeling they're not going to disappoint with this final season and I thought the opener was a solid episode.

Not sure how he took that second set but once he had it the game was all over. Good win in the end, but not still not shifting out of second or third gear for me. Whisper it, but Djokovic looks in better form to me.. though that won't count for much when the (probable) final rolls around. Delighted for Sabine, never thought she could challenge that much but really hope she goes on and wins it. Would be a shame if she's one of those giant-killers that topples out next round as we've seen quite often this year. So unhappy that Laura has lost, but she's had a great tournament and has shown her true potential. Definitely onwards and upwards for her. Looking forward to the rest of the tournament, it's been great so far..