My dad is fond of saying: "When I was your age..." Which is a cue for him to jump on his latest hobby horse. At the moment it's the number of computer terminals we have in our house. Is four excessive? I don't think so, when you think that we're all engaged in different activities, like working, shopping, talking, doing homework etc. He thinks I should be doing something "healthy" like playing sport or searching for extra terrestrial life rather than sitting glued to my screen for hours on end having long conversations with various cyber friends.

But ho-hum, here I am again, and while I'm on the subject, it's beginning to dawn on me how much you know about me and how little I know about you. So tell me: Who are you? I'd love to know your thoughts on the future and I'll report back and tell you if it's happened yet.

I'm writing this week after school, we work a shorter day than you do, so from 2pm onwards, our time is our own, and yes, we'd love to spend all of it down at the Organic Planet Cafe, but unfortunately there are the on line tutorials (yawn) and the compulsory logging on to the local net at 3pm sharp. If I don't log on two days in a row the school is notified and I'm in big trouble.

Still, it's not so bad. Tonight I have a half hour session with the Earth Lab which I really enjoy. It's an interactive computer programme which teaches us how we can look after the planet better. I have a screen cybermate who sorts out any tricky problems. One question he's failed to answer is: Can we reverse all the damage we've already done? I think our generation is going to have a bit of a job on it's hands don't you?

Lots of love
Phoebe
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