Out in the cold but bouncing back

Like a lot of other people I know I've been incapacitated (i.e. floored) by a really irritating cough and cold for the last ten days or so. I don't want to be over-dramatic here, but it's certainly affected the energy levels and it's really frustrating to feel so listless when there is so much to be done.

As a rule I keep fairly good health - helped I suppose by a daily regime of a twelve mile run followed by a cold shower - so I shouldn't really complain about getting the odd cold, but I'll be glad when it's over. The sore throat is affecting my enjoyment of my Embassy Regal and I don't suit the red moustache that accompanies the runny nose!

Anyway, what's been happening outside my own sad wee world. Well, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir (what's the knighthood for?) Ian Blair doggedly refuses to resign over the shooting of an innocent man - and the subsequent attempted obstruction of an inquiry. No real surprise there, sadly - Blair seems to be very much your modern 'public servant'; very media-savvy, well up on diversity and equalities but not quite so well versed in accountability, taking responsibility or doing what he's actually paid to do. The more soundbytes and polished presentations I hear from Blair the less I trust the man, and on the available evidence his position is untenable. Strangely though he appears to enjoy the support of the government - I'm not too sure why. If he refuses to go - and he's clinging on like grim death - he should be gently pushed. No doubt there's a sparkling media career just around the corner, and a bumper book deal too I would wager - we won't have heard the last of 'Sir' Ian, and perhaps that's what the government is afraid of.

Glasgow, as expected, won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games amid great national rejoicing (well, there was if you believe BBC Scotland - saturation coverage and even an overseas appearance from the ubiquitous Jackie Bird to help the celebrations go with a swing). The Commonwealth Games didn't have a lasting impact on the quality of life in Edinburgh when we hosted them - Cap'n Bob Maxwell even had to bail us out last time) - but I sincerely hope for the poor communities in Glasgow's East End that there is a better result for them through regeneration. I still feel though that the Games should have gone to Africa, though - it's criminal that no African nation has hosted the Games since they were introduced in the 1930s.

So sorry about the recent silence from this blog site - normal service has hopefully been resumed. I know you'll feel a lot better having heard that ...