I'm working myway through a Russian State Television series called The Brigade. The Brigade is a Russian Mafia programme that has the most awful English subtitles I've ever seen and whilst the storyline is not as good as it might be, here are the reasons why it's worth watching it doesn't glamourise gangsterism the life of organised crime is brutal shameless ruthless gangsters are always looking over their shoulders the families of gangsters are, whether they like it or not, part of the gang This series has acquired cult status in the Russian speaking world as far as I can tell and I know of head teachers who have had to go round every class in their school and ask "Is there is Brigade in this room?" in an attempt to quell the quasi gangsterism that early teens can dream up. Thought I'd tell you that. I don't know if it's available in the UK but I'm told that it's going down a wow in the USA. DW

What is Game Theory? That was a question that appeared on a discussion list that I subscribe to. Here is what I replied: There’s a page here that gives a decent review of game theory and it provides links to various other sites around the web. Good for you but will need editing for students. If you’re looking for examples, case studies, relating to the various aspects of Game Theory that students might enjoy, why not take a look at this page that has a series of examples taken from films and television programmes: mostly American but some British and all excellent. The language is definitely undergrad but some editing would sort it out I think. There are online tests and some film and television clips too although I haven’t looked at any of them. DW

Ever heard of the Nebra Disc? Neither had I until I watched last night's Horizon programme on the BBC. This is what it looks like this is an astronomical interpretation of it, albeit still encoded and here is the BBC's page that summarises the issue Follow the links on that BBC page and search www.google.co.uk for other references to the world's oldest known observatory record. DW

I made the weather sit up and think, then. Last night the snow came heaving down in a way not seen in these parts for a while. All you need to do is moan a bit! There was an immediate but brief thaw and then a refreeze so that made driving and walking a bit tricky! Last night Mrs W openly suggested that I should be ready to give young Master W a lift to school (10 minutes from home on the hoof!) and I suggested it wouldn't be needed. This morning guess who chanced his arm by lolling in bed until 7:50 when he needs to be up and about by 7:30? Well for me the walk would have been OK but he sauntered in to the office straight from his bed and asked for a lift I said it wasn't needed. He came back later when dressed and asked again so I referred him to his mother: she said I could take him. I harumphed a bit and then the roof fell in. Suffice it to say that no one drove anywhere and someone has taken up residence in the house in which a dog normally resides! A clue: it isn't Mrs W or Master W who is sharing the canine quadruped's humble abode. I'm off to the library now. Anyone care to join me? Such is life! I haven't exactly been flooded with offers of work from you lot so where are you? The donation begging bowl is till out, too, so get rid of your loose change by throwing it in my direction. DW

Winter's arrived in some parts of the UK. The weather men have been forecasting howling gales and lashing seas for a while. So far, I can still go outside in my flip flops and cardie! There are pictures coming down from the North showing solid white rain (that's snow!) and slithering vehicles but here in outstanding Oxfordshire we are immune. Mrs W went for a hospital appointment on Monday and you can read the update to my file that has kept a record of her saga here. Want to see my name in other peoples' lights, again? Have a look here then! DW