I need a break. I’ve been working like crazy, weekends too. So, for the next few days I’m having a break. As I’m not able to go away, a “staycation” is called for. I can’t go away partly because of another looming deadline, and even more partly because of the two feline parasites who have recently taken over our household. (I could meet the deadline from anywhere in the world, but it's too soon to leave the cats in somebody else's hands.) As a techno-addict I’ll be using a computer of some description or other to provide some entertainment. Here’s what I have lined up:

Good reading

I’m very much enjoying using Zite on my iPad. Zite is one of those apps that collate news items from various sources of your choice. I’ve tried FlipBoard and one or two others, but Zite is the best so far. It seems to give me the stuff I find most interesting, and I quite like the interface. I also like the fact that you can share posts on social media although, unfortunately, Diigo isn’t one of the options, whilst Delicious is. A pity: Diigo is far superior in my opinion.

The two ingrates who won't allow me to have a holidayI’m also reading a few books, starting with Problogger’s Guide to Blogging for your Business, published by Darren Rowse. Look out for a review of that, probably in Computers in Classrooms first of all. Then I’ll be reading Shelly Terrell’s Effective Mobile Learning, which she tells me should be available in October.

Oh, and in case you think I’m an incredibly sad person for relying so much on technology, even to relax, you may be relieved to learn that I am also working my way though a book of French short stories (in English, I hasten to add).

Good listening

I felt I needed a bit of a change from my usual iPod fare. I trawled around and discovered Spark London. This is absolutely marvellous. It consists of people getting up on stage and telling their story within a particular theme. Many are humorous, some are moving, and a few are both. Definitely worth investigating. I’m hoping to get along to the live event one of these days.

That’s it for now – I have some serious relaxing to do.

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