The end of the holidays is particularly joyful for me.  I think I’m making my deadlines, can get back to my doctoral students at last, and have finally washed some floors.  Three days babysitting a puppy has left me delighted with my empty home and the silence.  And from tomorrow, it’s all fun and games.  At least until the weekend.  

As soon as I said that I knew I was all wrong – that I’m living in a political environ,ent and there is no way to avoid my responsibility.