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The peril of working in a hospital means that one is always bloody ill. This week, I am mostly suffering a burning throat and a horrid cough. Urgh.

Despite all this, I had a great time last night. Chris and I drove up to see an old friend from university, Pete, who cooked us a Japanese-style meal-- it made a welcome break from the curry and chips I had been planning on. Have also realised that I've finally mastered chopsticks. Huzzah! Rice, you are no longer my enemy.

We went to FACT, some arty place to see Howl's Moving Castle. The best thing about this relaxed gallery-cum-cinema is the excellence of drinking Hoegaarden whilst watching an out-there anime film.

The film itself I really enjoyed; it was dark, funny, touching... the wizard Howl was absolutely flaming as a character, and I know I'll have a nightmare in the future about that scarecrow, but who cares? It was a great film, even if the ending was cheesier than a big round of Stinking Bishop.

We rounded out the night by paying a visit to the church of Alma de Cuba. Erm, well, it was once a church. It's now a bar filled with huge candles, great Gothic tables where the altar should be, and a television where the vestibule was. I wasn't sure whether to be offended as a Catholic, or amazed as a hedonist. That said, I think we were sold when we saw the Cuban menu... we're definitely paying a visit to it soon for a good meal.

I dunno. Last night was simple and good; we didn't get drunk, we didn't really have a schedule (well, apart from the film) and I was so damned happy to be back in the company of old friends. I've been feeling worn down by the constant meetings, the commuting to work and the horrible reality of the oncology department. I've been feeling less myself lately and more worker drone. It's easiest to let yourself go in company that's bitched about university lecturers; you don't have to worry about disgracing yourself in front of someone who has already seen what vodka, pasta and Lambrini can do to you. And your sink, your wall, your hair.

My work colleagues are fun and they're new in my life, but debating the meaning of Latin phrases with a couple of sciencey people, trying not to be put off my drink by religious frescoes, is most assuredly my kind of thing.