The Popular Front is away

Instead of being at his desk, The Popular Front has been hit by some strange tropical disease (or flu). Haven't achieved much other than the following:
1: paranoia that the chicken I teased at the Balkanology party last Friday gave me bird flu
2: the completion of the biography of the late John Peel (RIP)
3: the realisation that the Travel and Food channels can lose their appeal
4: the contemplation that the the History channel is strangely fascinating at times
5: the finishing of assorted magazines (including classic GQ article about how Myspace will help you get laid more often.. pfffhh this is why i read Marie Claire instead!)
6: a curious observation that my doctor has a manuscript for a novel on his desk. Couldn't read more than the name Betsy, somewhere in the first couple of lines... intriguing

No doubt this is of no interest to you whatsoever.