Archive for December, 2005

Happy New Year! What are you going to do with YOUR extra second?


I’m getting ready for a party tonight, same as many people. It’s not only a new year party, though; it’s also my friend Carl’s 40th birthday celebration. I’ve known him since he was 16 and it’s odd to ponder over how much time has gone by. Where did it go? What did we all do with it?

Of course, the new year celebrations are also about time. We often see the old year represented as an old man, looking similar to the traditional Western Christianity interpretation of Jehovah fused with Death – white, long beard, flowing robes, sickle – while the new year is shown as a baby in a nappy. The metaphors of these images are obvious enough. I think it’s no wonder that at the end of 2005 the old man is looking particularly worn out. I am not entirely optimistic about the baby’s chances but the fact that the new year has yet to be imprinted with anything at all is cause for hope that we might see more good than bad, more joy than suffering in 2006.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2005

Adoption changes come into force today


The BBC News website today reports that unmarried and same-sex couples can now adopt together for the first time, as part of the biggest overhaul of adoption laws for 30 years.

Unmarried people in England and Wales could previously adopt children only individually, and their partner was not allowed the same parental rights. The Adoption and Children Act also gives new rights to foster parents and those tracing children they gave up.

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Friday, December 30th, 2005