I've spent the past couple of weeks coming to terms with a(nother) friend's death this winter. Even though I knew this one was coming it's still been a shock. But I'm fine. I've got a stinking cold, I'm just about recovered from a stomach bug, but I'm fine. Thank you for the sweet messages, friends. Friends you truly are.

I'm not going to start on about my past fortnight's lollop through the great mystery of life while wandering round the house ankle deep in tissues because, frankly, it's Christmas. Season of consumerist madness. Death has no business here. So away death, hello tinsel.

I've had my hair snipped into an elfine crop that's going to send my mother crackers, I've bought two new frocks for sundry parties (and only one of them is black!) and I finish work on Friday. Yes, I'll be raising a glass to absent friends on New Year's Eve but no one's going to thank me for running at life half-heartedly. Alive or dead.

Let's rock and roll, Christmas. Come on!

PS - Yes, this cold... I do have a slight fever!!