the silence, which is not that of profitable (or even plain conscientious) industry, nor that of sullen, granite unhappiness, is simply explained: my laptop is knackered, and has been through the long weekend, and continues so. repair is in sight, so i do not despair, yet saturday is a long time away, and till then i am computerless at home. without the sounds of the bbc (who is winning on just a minute these days? which crimes are going unsolved by rumpole, temple and poirot?) and without word from the rest of the world, i feel lonely and isolated. without notetaking instrument, without access to ideas previously saved away, i find it difficult to study. and without reference to the outside world- for we look everything up on the web these days - bus routes, opening hours, maps, the weather - i feel isolated and ignorant. the science center computer labs are open all night, but these old bones cannot sit up all night in public labs, or to sleep uncomfortably, head on folded arms, in an empty classroom in the department. (there is, i remember, a couch in the department lounge, but the ignominy of being found in the morning, were someone to come in!