Time-Out: Birthday Blog

This blog has been running for over a year now. I suppose I should reflect on its uses. Well, it's a practise area for my writing at times. If you do read it regularly, you will know that there are quite a few entries which consist of me splurging out writing which contain ideas for inclusion in books and papers. Indeed, I have used sections of this writing in chapters and papers that have gone on to be published.

I know I have 'followers' - there are those who regularly read what I have been blogging about. Not sure in what ways they gain from this - perhaps just to satisfy their curiosity. I tend to assume that those who read this blog are mainly students I have taught or am teaching and they have an interest in the subject - so there is an affinity. Although, I also wonder who else does read it. Perhaps people I have known in the past and have Googled my name also out of curiosity. There are also friends and family who read the entries. So, thanks to all of you.

Given my interest in education, literacy and politics the blog has also been a way to express my feelings over newspaper articles, T.V and books I have seen and read. I'm sure its obvious to all what my own political views are, but I must say, I do try and NOT explicitly express my own opinion over matters to do with politics..why's that?

Enjoy the clip from the Chabrier opera L'Etoile. A birthday present to the blog must be my new ability to embed video clips. Hurrah! Things could get a little more interesting from now on.. Anyway, allow me some indulgence on this, my blog's first birthday and gaze into the night sky and wonder what is to come.