Random Thoughts On A Monday Morning

The ultimate oneupmanship: A friend of Nathalie's was coming over for the day on Friday, she was due at 9, at just after 9 she phoned to say she'd be late, there had been a power cut and the electric gates at the end of the driveway wouldn't open!

Is This Right? Spent half an hour in the company of a client who I have known for more than twenty years now who told me about his grandson. The grandson took all the tests and exams for becoming a Fireman, he got the top marks, more than was actually required and was asked to attend a final interview. At the interview he was told that 2,000 people had applied for the vacancies, of which there were 6, and of those applying only 10 had all the qualifying marks, both in terms of passing written tests and the physical tests. Of the 6 vacancies, two had to be reserved for any ethnic minorities and women who might apply - there weren't any. Still following? That means 10 people going for 4 jobs - his name didn't come out of the hat but he's been told that once next years budgets are known he will be put forward without having to take the tests again. Of course it could be that during the waiting period the Fire Service still won't attract any ethnic minorities or women applicants but I don't suppose for a minute those two jobs can be allocated to one of the 6 people who have done everything possible, except be born non-white and in possession of ovaries!

The Devil is in the detail: Well done Diablo Cody.

Jermaine Jenas isn't that bad shock: A few weeks ago on Talksport Adrian Durham asked the question, "Is Jermaine Jenas good enough to be a Premiership footballer?" Well after games against Arsenal and Chelsea in the Carling Cup he's proved to be quite a good Cup tie player, the jury is still out on him being better than average for more than half a season though.

Pricasso: Well done to Tim Patch for proving that Puppetry of the Penis weren't an Australian one-off and that art involving your male genitalia can win friends in high places. Tim, who describes himself as 'the world's greatest penile artist' first learned of his 'talent' when he got the old fella out at a party and began painting with it. Tim is taking part in one of Australia's leading portraiture contests where he's bound to face stiff competition. Now I've been to some strange parties but not once have I offered to liven things up by rubbing my bits up and down on some canvas in the hope that the result would look like anything more than a weird sexual fetish.