Yesterday channel is rather like Discovery, except they avpoid 'shark week' and instead show programs about Nazi's. Sometimes though you do get a decent documentary. I remember seeing one on the Flying Tigers in China that was something I didn't know much about (That's a group of american aviators in World War Two, not some rare breed of aerial carnivore, in case you wondered the Chinese were sniffing suspicious substances).

On the bright side, Yesterday is showing the Colditz series. I remember watchin g that back when it came out in the seventies. It's all about the POW's and their attempts to escape the old castle from under the noses of their German guards. It's a darker tale than I remember it, maybe because I'm older and understand the subtleties more, and despite the occaisional inconsistency it's still nonetheless an excellent portrayal.

The nostalgia of watching an old favourite from my formative years is one thing, and let's be honest, what blue blooded Englishman can resist a tale about daring-do in the Second World War? We base our entire culture on victory over the Hun. There is a curious analogy to my Wednesday mornings however.

You see, every Wednesday morning I go down to the Job Centre as I should on every other day. Wednesdays are Staff Meeting Days, so the throng of impatient claimants gather in the foyer to wait for the sharp-suited security guards to stop trying to get a response from the other floors on their walkie-talkies, and darn well let us in. I mean, what's the point of having a 9:00 slot when they don't let you in for another hour?

Occaisionally a brave soul enquires at the desk whether they can go through and obtain a comfy seat. The ladies at the helpdesk quickly destroy that initiative. Sometimes a braver soul attempts to sneak past the guards, or even attempt to bluff their way in. It's all rather like Stalag Luft Job Centre, but in reverse. We sneak, leap, and tunnel our way in every Wednesdays to sign on and get our money.

The way the government are talking, barbed wire, searchlight, and machinegun posts will be fitted as soon as they can find the money to buy them. They are bailing out Irelands ailing economy too, you know. Funny that. One moment the country hasn't got any money and savings must be made, the next we're paying Ireland because they've run out too.

Closed For Business

I saw the temporary road sign a few days ago, but a letter was posted through my door telling me that my street is to be closed. Huh? Not profitable enough? No, apparently the sewer is blocked and it's causing all sorts of problems, like subsidence, roadworks, and diversions.

Naturally this problem needs to be fixed. But quite how the drunken population of late night revellers are going to cope with lines of bollards, signs, and gaping holes is anyones guess. I look forward to seeing some of their work.