Yesterday young miss T leaned over my shoulder and chatted away in her usual jovial manner as I attempted to stay focused on my jobsearch. Of course I failed. No man is capable of multitasking, young pretty blondes demand attention, and the male instinct to flirt is impossible to resist. It also happens we have compatible personalities, which is a bit worrying, because she's somewhat less than studious nor a law-abiding character at all.

"I've had enough of this." She announced in her usual direct manner, "I'm going for cigarette then I'm effing off."

You'll get into trouble, you naughty girl. She merely shrugged "They won't notice".

She was right. They didn't. However, later that afternoon our Work Experience Advisor noticed a couple of lads strolling in refreshed from inhaling cancerous smoke and took a dim view of it. With a tongue lashing about to rip flesh from their bones, one youngster complained that the blonde girl was allowed to go whenever she liked. Ooops.

It also happens that young miss T was having a party last night (she does like showing off about her social popularity, as if I mind) and sure enough didn't turn up for work today. I see. Then again the old guy I work with never turned up either. Hmmm... Maybe I need to change my shirt? One of my work experience mates, KS, attracted my attention after break and asked "Have you seen Wayne?"

Erm... Come to mention it.... No, I haven't. Where's he gone? Is he downstairs help J unload lorries? Not according to J, who promptly realised that 'Wayne' had done a runner. So its only me and KS left, although on the plus side the ladies in the storeroom are starting to talk to us now.

Joining Forces

I see in a newspaper report that Britain can't afford its military commitments (no suprise there, having borrowed more money in this last adminstration than all the previous ones since World War Two combined). So concerned are they that within the next ten years the prestigious and well-respected Royal Air Force might be amalgamated into Army and Navy units to cut costs. That's a sad end for such a historical institution. But it might get sadder.

There's also a plan to amalgamate our armed services with those of France, for the same reason. I knew it! I knew those Frenchies were up to no good! I suppose we have to accept that times they are a-changing, but apart from making the French Foreign Legion an awful lot bigger, will Britain really remain in charge of it's own defence? Or is this another part of the European Empire in the making? Just a small step toward the European Army the Treaty of Lisbon was going to foist on us anyway?

You just know what's going to follow, no matter what the European Apologists tell us.