This one will be a moan. I really am pissed off over something that occurred at lunchtime: I got the ‘it’s such a shame’ treatment from one of the kitchen staff. Basically he told Esther that it was a pity about me and apparently ‘he’s very clever’. He then proceeded to try to wipe my mouth without my permission. This, of course, was in full view of most of my friends (who mercifully paid no attention). It was nevertheless embarrassing. Do I look like I am 5? I came within a hare’s breath of losing my rag and attempting to decapitate this sod. It’s just so humiliating. People assume I’m stupid.

But, as Margaret Atwood wrote, ‘Context is all’. I read this morning of how medical experiments done to disabled kids in institutions. See this, for instance. The poor kid must have been in agony. While I must admit I am pro animal testing, opening me up to accusations of hypocrisy, I believe this must, if at all possible, be replaced with other means, and experiments such as those described in this article should never be carried out. So, wile I maintain it is my right to be deeply affronted by this guy, I must remind myself that there are far far darker things.