Whispers around the office of late that things have been quiet. They have, really, ever since the madness of the Royal Wedding and then the election. A lot of the time now I just immerse myself in the big news websites, trawling for things of interest - news stories to pass the time, to show me what's going on in the world, things that I may be able to put a local spin on.

There's something coming up soon that might be interesting: a national teachers' strike that's set to affect the whole country. The NUT should be agreeing to strike after the Government cut 25% from public sector pensions - and with it being a nationwide thing, there's no doubt in my mind that our local area will be affected.

The problem is the story is like a fish in deep water. You catch glimpses of it flitting about and it vanishes without a trace; still there but invisible. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for bits and bobs regarding this story but since the original article there's been bugger all. I know the strike hasn't happened yet - it would have most certainly been reported on, and the original story said it was due to happen in summer.

Well, we'll see. All I can do for now is keep checking the Education News sections of all the websites in case there are developments.

I've managed to cross off another story on the to-do list. I gave up trying to contact the youth club in the end and tweaked the story so those details wouldn't be required. I'm still waiting on a fellow to get back to me so we can set up an interview and photo; with any luck he'll get back to me today.

Today's going so quickly! Maybe it's because I'm not waiting for Jason. Yesterday, particularly as the day aged, time seemed to get slower and slower, a gradual decline towards not-quite-stillness. I contracted that horrible look-at-the-clock compulsion within the last two hours and every time I saw a different two digits blinking at me from the minute half my heart would do a little jig in the pit of my chest. Delightful!

( Yesterday... )

It's been another quiet day. I've managed to do the odd article, but a lot of today's 'work' has again depended on people getting back to me.

Slowly but surely my brain is shutting off. I had a really dumb moment before where someone phoned for one of the editors - I asked who it was and what it was regarding, put the guy on hold to see if said editor was available... and then totally forgot who had called and why.

I've been feeling a little fuzzy all day, really. I blame my lack of mental clarity on a combined lack of food (I've had sweet bugger all to eat today; breakfast and that's it), lack of sleep (I was dozing on and off all last night) and the fact that I've spent sections of the day distracted by thoughts about time spent at Jason's yesterday. What happened, what could have happened, etc.

Thankfully, only 50 minutes to go until home time. Tomorrow I'll bring in something substantial to eat - sandwiches, probably - cheaper than buying food around town! I'll have a few cups of tea as well; that's one thing today has been sorely lacking!

Now I'm just waiting on someone to e-mail me with details for another one of the stories from my to-do list. I hope she does so soon and gives me something to do. I think my brain is 90% dormant right now.