Extreme Sleep Deprivation!

I have no idea what's wrong with me. I swear I never slept at all last night, and the most peculiar thing is, that I just didn't feel tired. That's like 4 nights in a row with very little sleep whatsoever. I don't feel stressed, although I have a lot on. I wasn't thinking about anything. I cleared my mind and felt relaxed, but I just couldn't fall asleep. I've had times before when I haven't slept much, but I usually get "some" sleep. This was different, I'm convinced I never slept at all. Maybe I should count sheep, I haven't tried that, but desperate times call for desperate measures!

I'm going to be building some computers this week, hurrah, or not, we'll see it how it goes. I will probably be there more in a supervisory role really. It couldn't come at a better time, because the old network gremlins have chosen this occasion to reduce the network to a nervous wreck, and I got caught out with no Plan B. So I had to wing it for 2 hours and 40 minutes, and it was pretty horrendous. I pleaded with the network guy to restore normal service, but it couldn't be done in time. I seriously hope it's back to normal tomorrow.

I read today that some First World War soldier's letters are being published on a blog 90 years to the day he wrote them. That's pretty neat, I should check that out. I hope he wrote quite freqently though, otherwise it might be disappointing... 2 letters about rain and mud, then it's all over!

Lest We Ever Forget!

Remembrance Sunday again! I suppose the main thing to consider today is that somewhere (probably dry and dusty) young men are still giving their lives needlessly. I know that it's a day which is supposed to represent the loss of men and indeed women in all conflicts, but in my own mind, I just can't see past the First World War!

I have an attachment to it in many ways because my paternal Great Grandfather (who actually raised my father) was at Flanders, and took part in that last Great Cavalry Charge at Ypes, ordered by none other than Douglas Haig. My Gt Grandfather charged the German machine-guns on horseback, armed with (wait for it), a lance. Yes, you read right, he was armed with a lance. How he survived we'll never know, because he never told the tale. His reward for serving his country, well like most other sevicemen, I believe he found that there was no hero's welcome. He was never able to retain the position he had beforehand, and ended up doing labouring work.

This is my beef with the Earl Haig fund, the poppies they sell in the memory of fallen soldiers. The fact that Earl Haig was responsible for so many of their deaths. The phrase "Lions led by donkeys" was never more apt that when applied to him. Perhaps if he had gotten the opportunity to redeem himself like Monty did (you want to know what Monty did before he led the Desert Rats, then do some research yourself. It should be easy enough), then my image of him would be somewhat different, but I just can't abide the man's name being associated with the First World War in a charitable way, as though he never had all that blood on his hands.