Overt flirting

I can't believe the way that kids these days are so openly flirty with each other, it's a shame really as the whole mystique of courtship seems to have gone out of the window.

The moments you feel tongue tied, weak kneed and desperate just to catch a glimpse of your dream bird seem to have gone for a burton. What a shame.

I found a questionnaire on Christian's (my 15 year old son) myspace page. It's obviously generic, but some of the questions are a bit close to the knuckle and overtly sexual. Kids just don't seem to blink at these and think it's normal. Is it?

Anyway, I answered the questionnaire and sent it to Chris:


what would you do if I?

1. I made a move on you? I'd say stop that Chris, I'm your Dad
2. I kissed you? I'd brush my teeth as your breath stinks
3. I lived next door to you? I'd think, oh no, I've been waiting ages for him to go and now he moves next door
4. I started smoking? I'd put you out with a bucket of water
5. I asked you on a date? I'd say, ok, you're paying.
6. I was hospitalized? I'd use your room for my own use - now there's a thought.........
7. I got into a fight and you weren't there? I did, I went out hunting for the blokes
8. I asked you out? I'd say, Chris mate, I need to explain a few things to you..

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MY::
9. Personality: well, nice and sometimes weird.
10. Eyes: young eyes
11. Hair: hairy
12. Body: young boy

WOULD YOU::
13. Be my friend? errr...in a friendly way, yeeeees
14. Keep a secret if I told you one? yes, go on
15. Hold my hand? noooo... you're 15 Chris
16. Go on a date with me? errr, didn't you ask me that above?
17. Keep in touch? yes
18. Try and solve my problems? yes
19. Love me? as your Dad, yes
20. Date me? Again? Second thoughts, no. That would be incest

HAVE YOU EVER::

21. Lied to make me feel better? probably, I have to break it to you now, but you know Father Christmas, right?
22. Wanted to kiss me? I did when you were a baby
23. Wanted to kill me? constantly.......
24. Broke my heart? no
25. Kept something important from me? probably
26. Wanted to do me? err, what?!?

AND MORE::

27. Who are you? (In Darth Vader voice) I am your father Luke
28. Are we friends? hope so
29. When and how did we meet? you were coming out of a pretty horrible place in your mum at the time at hospital....
30. Describe me in one word: son
31. What was your first impression? uuurgh blood...
32. Do you still think that way about me now? yes
33. What reminds you of me? blood
34. If you could give me anything what would it be? sense of humour like me
35. How well do you know me? better than you know
36. When's the last time you saw me? this morning
37. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't? probably
38. Are you gonna put this on yours to see what I say about you? on my what?

Positive Racism...

I answered an email to my university today. Political correctness is something that really gets my goat, that and beaurocracy gone mad.

this was the mail that came through - I've had loads of these previously:


Are You an Ethnic Minority Student?

If so, then Xperience Works@XXXXXXX could change your life or at least your career choices

A series of workshops designed to help you prepare for, find and apply for SUCCESSFUL work experience placements.

Attend the ® Required Workshops and we’ll arrange a Mock-Interview with your DREAM Organisation Starting TUESDAY April 24th Employer Services Team—Careers Service 1st Floor XXXX Building Student Services Meeting Room XXXXX Campus 5:00 pm to 6:00 24 April

Workshop Registration

® 01 May Take A Look @ Yourself
® 08 May What Do Employers Want
® 15 May Research Prospective Employers
® 22 May Organise Your Winning Network
® 29 May Prepare a Winning CV
® 05 June Navigate & Practice Interview Q&As
® 12 June The Interview & Follow Up

19 June Reach Your Full Career Potential To register and reserve a place you MUST Contact XXXX XXXX Employer Services Team—Careers Service E-mail: employerteam@XXX.ac.uk
XXXXXXXX Ethnic Minority Schemes Co-ordinator
XXXXX Student Services


I got a bit fed up with getting lots of these sort of emails and decided to write back, I even checked with one of my good friends and classmates, a black female lawyer who said she got fed up with the emails too! We talked about the fact that the mail could even read: not white? Never mind, lets see if we can help you out.....

Anyway, I wrote back:


Is there an equal opportunity available for some of my white student friends? I'm not being provocative, I am however really cheesed off with seeing so much on offer for people simply because of race, colour and creed.

What is the University's thinking behind offering such overt 'positive' racism? Why should some of my classmates be denied the opportunities afforded to their equally able friends simply because of a difference in skin colour?

As mentioned previously, I never ever see colour in my classmates and colleagues, but I do on these email messages and on the noticeboards. I looked with interest the other week to see if there were any Christian meetings - there aren't. I am pretty sure I could attend a meeting and publicise it if I were a zen buddhist, muslim, practising Jew or Jedi Knight, yet there is nothing for Christians, Black, Asian, White or otherwise. Here there seems to be a positive discrimination on religious grounds, irrespective, ironically of race.

If there is somewhere where my query could be forwarded, I'd very much like to be heard on both issues. I seriously believe that the political correctness should be addressed practically and properly.

I feel quite strongly about this and will be very happy to attend any meeting offered.

I'm delighted with XXXXXX, but I'm left bewildered about the inequalities through over the top policies that very clearly leave some sections of the campus out in the cold.

The only time I ever think about differences in race, creed and religion is at the University, because the differences are thrust upon us there by messages like the one I'm replying too. I believe that the University could well be presenting a very damaging message to people, some are very young and impressionable.

When replying, peraps you might address what mix of students is an ethnic minority expressed as a percentage of the campus, including the part time students. I think you may well find there is parity, or even an ethnic majority, which seems to further add weight to my bewilderment. If you found, for instance that less white folks attended XXXX than those described as 'minority' students, would the emails be sent out to white students instead of our non-white colleagues? I don't think so, and I wouldn't want that to happen either, as I would be concerned that I'd be receiving a benefit not open to all.

The very diverse mix of students and folks attending the University is wonderful and should be celebrated, not marginalised. I've made some friends at XXXX that I believe will be lifelong; asian, black, white and other heritages.

I am certain that right thinking people must think the same as me, you may even find that some non-white students feel the same way. Most probably pass off the ott pc with a roll of the eyes and shrug of the shoulders. I'd like this properly addressed though please, as I'm beginning to find these matters tiresome and disconcerting.

I look forward to hearing from you and would be grateul if you could confirm to whom my mail will be directed.

Regards


Paul Nicholls

podcast 154. Mugging, weird weekend and Shane Lynch.

Download podcast 154 direct from here in MP3

Split lips, weird weekends and Shane Lynch. What on earth have I been up to?

Podcast 154 frompaul Nicholls; www.podcastpaul.com right here....

music from

Urbanspace
Lato
Olwen Ringrose

All from PMN, and all from the UK!

send a mail with your feedback to: paul@podcastpaul.com

;-)

A strange weekend

Well, it really has been a mixed weekend.



My 15 year old son and his two friends were beaten up quite badly and robbed on Friday evening. Christian and his mates are three good, quiet kids who are into their music, girls and not even in their last year at school.



On Friday evening, three low-life scum in their twenties, set about punching Chris's mate in the face - then proceeding to kick him to the face and head while unconcious. The more sickening element to the story is that Chris's mate is a young, small, thin lad who barely looks thirteen.



Chris went in to stop the lads from killing his mate only to be turned on himself.



I've been hunting these vermin for the past few days, and in one respect I'm glad I haven't found them. Chris tells me that while the violent attack happened, people were looking out of their windows. No-one came to help. What a sad indictment on our society.



Then, last night, by way of complete contrast, Shane Lynch (formerly Boyzone) came to my Church. I was really taken back by this bloke. Outwardly, he looks like a right menance, tattooed up and down his arms and neck, shaved head - but inwardly, a really sound, humble guy. He didn't want to sit at the front. In fact, he sat at the back until his 'spot'.



Afterwards, Shane stopped around for a good half an hour, chatting to all the kids, having photo's taken, signing autographs and even chatting to a small crowd of women from the Boyzone fan club. When I say women, I don't mean girls, I really do mean, women - women in their thirties, that made me snigger a bit to be honest.



What did make me laugh was this photo of Jack and the wording on his T-Shirt. I know Boyzone split up ages ago, but this seemed to be rubbing salt into the wounds...

Red Nose Day

Here in the UK we have a day of comedy on BBC and raise a lot of cash for kids. 60% goes to Africa, 40% goes to kids in the UK.



Tonight, I've been seriously moved by the plight of kids across the world, and the dreadful lives that some of our own kids have here in the UK.



It really just isn't fair is it? It really is a lottery as to where kids are born, even here in the UK. The plight of Malaria, AIDS and poverty touches young lives on a daily basis. Poverty, disablement and other problems affect our kids here in the UK.



Thank God that you, me, our kids aren't subject to the terrible problems that so many kids experience. It's so easy to get on with our busy lives, and this itself isn't a bad thing, it's just good to pause sometimes and take stock.



In Africa, for instance, a child does every 30 seconds from malaria. Even more shocking is the fact that the disease is curable. A simple net can protect a child for £2.50 (about $5).



Please, give up a bottle of wine, or a takeaway that you might order over the weekend and give the money to help this absolutely awesome, amazing and brilliant cause.



Red nose day



.......and thanks for reading this.

After I typed this I just sat and cuddled Harry until he slept.

podcast no 153

Download the MP3 right here

Podcast Paul podcast 153

- Quiet Brothers - half past, they remind me of Scritti Politti!
- I'm sure they're mental, but they're great! Phil Murray and The Boys from Bury - Shurrup me dads in bed
- The Jam crossed with the pogues and Alexi Sayle?
- Czeduce - Smashed
The troubles in Zimbabwe and the current political climate, Morgan Tsvangirai
Great Big Sea - widow in the window

all music from PMN

send me a mail

Musings

Last night I went to the Barfly in the centre of Birmingham to watch Christian's band play: 'The Day We Caught The Train'. Yes, I know, it's a dreadful name.

I've four lads and none of them have been particularly sporty. I haven't had cause to stand around watching a rugby or football match in the driving rain in the hope of catching one of my lads kicking a ball or involved in general play. It's something I really feel that I've missed out on, but my lads just aren't really that interested in sport. I can't blame them, I'm not either particularly. I watch England play Rugby with vigour, but that's about the extent. I can't be bothered to watch golf, cricket or football - in fact I can't think of anything more tedious.

So, stood in the middle of a real dive in the centre of Birmingham, watching my lad and his band play in the Irish quarter of Birmingham was a real treat.

Getting to the gig was a little arduous. The roads had been closed for some time for early St Patrick's day celebrations. As a pedestrian, I negotiated the crowd of partying Brummies that were singing the words to songs I'd long forgotten. Girls in their late teens sung about 'Sweet Molly Molone'. These girls were so young, they would consider the Spice Girls as classic rock. It was like me sniggering at the '90's Club Classics' advertised liberally on the television as 'Old Skool'. These girls obviously didn't know the words, and seeing these youngsters singing the old classic was grating and somehow wrong. It was about as right as seeing the Queen with a mohican headbanging to Motorhead's Ace of Spades with Prince Philip hugging the Armitage Shanks.

What on earth was this all about?. Why St Patrick's a week early? I'm sure I am more Latvian / Fijian than some of the drunkards were Irish. The place was awash with Green shirts and Guiness top hats.

I've long thought that we here in the UK are suckers for trendy calendar events. Why do we celebrate Halloween for goodness sake? Why is Valentine's day such a big thing? We'll be celebrating 'Thanksgiving' whatever that is next. Oh well.

Back to the matter in hand, I hoped to goodness that the wheels would remain on my car, parked in a long line of illegally parked vehicles on the faded double yellow lines, probably from long historical illegal parking.

I held my nose in a vain attempt to staunch the smoky acidic smell of urine that was freshly staining the yellowing wall just ahead of me. One of the Urinors nodded a shaky hello at me as I stepped over someone not so cogniscent or vertical, lying as horizontally as a prone man can, on the pavement.

Inside the gig venue was little better, sticky floors & broken glass. But there was a really great atmosphere, and my lad was playing with his mates at a proper gig venue, and I have to say, they were playing really, really well. I was ever so proud of Christian. The sticky floors and over priced drinks were a pretty good trade for driving rain, cold fingers and my watching a muddy, tedious game of footie.

So this is what it's like having sporty kids eh?

podcastpaul podcast152

Download MP3 here
Podcast Paul podcast 152
Warning! All the music featured in today's show will have you smiling, tapping your feet and rummaging around in your loft.
All music from PMN
Fire Apes
Buck Brothers
Fidget
Beau Hall
Enjoy!

podcast151 three blokes called Paul, one tandem and four great tracks

Download Podcast 151 here

Podcast 151, three blokes called Paul, a tandem and fout great tracks.

Paul chews the fat with Paul O & Paul H about MND.

Four great tracks from:

Laurence Elder &

Simon Apple

podcastpaul podcast 150

podcast150 download the MP3 direct from here

Footloose - the musical
Dancing - men are generally terrible - women are great
For a drummer I am a terrible dancer!
Walk around slowly and clinging dance & Dad dancing
Hate family parties when they dance - embarassed
Poor dancing makes by bum go funny - know what I mean?
Great dancing is the province of the young and beautfiul, or graceful
Big Tax Bill
TV - 24 / Heroes
Listening habits
Amstertandem at Vipodcasting.libsyn.com
Paul Hopkins and Paul Obrey raising money for MND
Really getting bored with the internet - and tech stuff generally
No real substitute for pen and paper / phone with outlook is a great asset though
Finding music up to the grade scarce these days
Paul Rose: The Coil

Lawyers I like

Hi there,

I'm working on a brand new site for professional / legal recommendations. The best way to get a plumber / lawyer / mechanic is by recommendation. I've put my tuppence worth in by building a site to recommend some great unsung heroes at www.lawyersilike.com

Hopefully a client or fellow professional or even prospective employer will look at the site, and one of the guys recommended will benefit. Everyone seems to market themselves. I'd far rather take the word of someone else.

Hopefully the site will grow and get some good useage in time. Let's wait and see....

I like this one.......

This really made me smile.

A similar thing happened when Jack was a baby. I remember being woken from a Sunday afternoon snooze by Sue's screams. I'd been napping on the sofa in the living room at the time. Jack had manged to open a huge tin of red paint, hook it around his foot and navigate a small grand prix circuit crawl through the living room, into the hall around into the kitchen and back into the living room again.

I seem to remember there was paint everywhere, all over the carpet, sofa, table, hall, kitchen floor and just about everywhere else. It was horrific at the time, but I smile now.

I love two things about this picture:

1. The cheeky grin on the lad standing in front of the TV, he knows he's done wrong, but seems very proud of his handiwork. I've no doubt he's the culprit.

2. The body language of his young sibling - and the stripes on his head.

podcastpaul podcast149 from the Dominican Republic

Download the MP3 of Podcast 149 here

Doh!

More haste less speed! The feed was entered sightly incorrectly, accordingly it wouldn't load. What a nuisance.

Anyway, here we go, from the Dominican Republic, podcast 149, take it away boys...

podcastpaul podcast149

Download podcast 149 here


Podcastpaul 149
Jamaican Intro: hello!
Music from : Benet McLean, Slashed Seat Affair and Up 4 the Downstroke
We talk from and about the Dominican Republic whilst on holiday, French Speaking Canadians and New Yorkers, Sunbeds, bumping into Caroline & Luke from Canada, Luke's fancy footwork, feeling patriotic and loads of other stuff.
Send an email: paul@podcastpaul.com
speak soon!

hola from the Dominican Republic

Hello all,

I'm here in the Dominican Republic in 85 degrees blazing heat, leaving behind the sub zero temperatures of good old blighty.

The journey across was appalling. A six hour wait greeted us (that after an epic six or seven hour drive to Manchester in foul, freezing, snowbound conditions). We were kept waiting for an age and then told the journey over would be an extra hour or so because of 'headwinds'. Great. Ten and a half hours later and all would be well, surely?

Well, no, not really. We were led to a room on a beautiful complex that can only be described as a bombsite. Wires hanging from the wall where the damp patches weren't, no bedsheets, no cushions on the furniture - wires hanging from the phone.... massive, ugly insects on the balcony feeding from some horrible grainy rubble on the floor. Thank goodness they'd led us to the wrong room - we were ushered to a lovely room, everything working and in order.

The days here are hot and humid, the complex is a beautiful, massive site with all sorts of restaurants and entertainment. Folks seem to abound here from the US and Canada (both French and English speaking). There appears to be the odd sprinkling of South American here too.

There are a couple of Brits I've bumped into, but, the friendliest folks seem to come from New York - a great big bunch of them, mostly middle aged who seem to have a ball, all of the time.

We're off to see the place where Jurassic Park was filmed if we can book it, led out to the site 'James Bond' style in a speedboat.

I've only just found out that there's a Wifi spot, so I'll be posting pictures and audio - and maybe even a show in the next few days.

It's so relaxing here - I've almost finished a wonderful book 'The pursuit of HappYness' (yes, I have spelt it correctly), I've started a massive 1000 page epic, 'MAO' - the untold story and partly through an autobigraphy 'Semi-Detached' by Griff Rhys-Jones. Trust me to read three books at once!

I'll be logging on again very soon.

Bye for now.

Podcastpaul podcast148 - memories, music and mania

Download the MP3 Podcast 148 direct from here

Podcastpaul 148
Jamaican Intro: hello!
music: Plastic Soul Band - Tokyo, PMN- Chairman Mao crossed with the Commitments?! Great raw sound - love 'em!
Music is such an individual thing tailored to memories.
Michael now influenced by modern dance music - awful
Rachel - "Old Skool" - hardly! Awful plastic drumm and bass or drag and drop music - no brain required
I'm into the skill of a musician & musical integrity
I do realise that my memories are coloured by songs from my past. Ghost town by the Specials, the first album by Van Halen, Sweet Dreams, Eurythmics, the list goes on. Tonight I souded like my dad, and he even commented that I sounded like that. I still love the idea of creating a soundtrack to your life - the movie track of Paul Nicholls.
Andy Baker - Best man! bril!
Katie Davis - Movie. PMN
Really sad news from Swaziland - Swaeli has been seriously injured, fractured skull, smashed up leg. Mercifully the 10 kids in his van were spared. Swaeli was airlifted to South Africa and treated - at huge cost.
Wonderful win at court recently. The job is certainly telling though - I'm dead tired.
Looking forward to a good break away, the weather here has been vile
bonus surprise track: see if you know it ;-)
Tomorrow I graduate (again!) Quite looking forward to that.
Further terrorism nonsense here in Birmingham. 9 muslims were arrested for the alleged plot and planned murder of a muslim soldier. The local muslim community has suggested racism. I find this astonishing,
Sky Like Static - Nervous Energy PMN
Send an email: paul@podcastpaul.com
speak soon!

I'm dreaming of a.........

..... no, not a white Christmas, I'm dreaming of a beach in the Dominican Republic that I'll be frequenting on Saturday.


This is the view from my car windscreen at 7.45 this morning, roll on Saturday!

Podcast soon - I promise!

Wow, it really has been busy - unbelievably so. It's been 'nice busy' though if you know what I mean, where everything seems to come together and you get results.

I'm off to the Dominican Republic on Saturday, and looking forward to the rest. I can't believe just how busy it's been since Christmas. Having a relaxed attitude to busy pays off though - I just look at the task, shrug my shoulders and get on with it, rather than stress and run around like a headless chicken.

I started a podcast yesterday, but pulled it as it didn't feel right, I was using a different set up and wasn't too happy about the levels. I'll definitely be getting a podcast (or two) out in the week.

Speak to you all soon.

Kenilworth

I work in the beautiful, leafy suburb of Kenilworth. It's often the case that you can rush around and not observe things around you, or, more likely that you take them for granted.

I took my camera out yesterday at lunch time and decided to de-stress, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings that were just a few hundred yards up the road.

It's great to take stock and just take a moment to look at what others wouldn't neccesarily take for granted.

Click on the picture to get a larger image. Copy them if you like them, they're not great, but the subject matter is lovely. It was a cold day yesterday and the camera seems to have picked that up with the vivid colours.

Together

This is incredible.

Every woman every man, join the caravan of love

I was mooching about today and decided to have a peek in my caravan. I love it, and can't wait to use it so I can explore bits of Britain over the weekends when they're less arctic.

Looking from the back to the front of the van

Half way into the van

the shower

the loo

the cooker, fridge and washbasin

Looking into the shower room (loo and shower on left)

A great day for British Justice

We won, it was a long hard, bitter struggle with a great emotive finish.

I'll have to speak to the clients to see if they'd be willing to share their experience. This was, without question one of the highlights of my career.

I'm drained now, yet another 14 hour day.

I'm clammering for the weekend. I feel so drained.

Craving the weekend

The ludicrous 15 and 16 hour days continue. I'm going to meet myself coming back I'm so busy.

Incredibly, some law firms are laying people off, these, most notably are the big corporates that seek to dub themselves as the creme de la creme as they're losing the work.

Today I spent the day at trial with my very good mate, a QC who I've briefed on a really interesting trial. Because the trial has finished its first day, I can talk about it - it was held after all in open court so is now in the public domain.

My client - a relative of mine, is registered blind. The client attended a hotel specifically for the blind and fell down a 10 foot sheer drop within the grounds. The insurer admitted liability then reneged on it (you can these days, unfortunately).

The way that the insurer has dealt with the matter is just...breathtaking really. Today we had a surprise witness sprung on us - this after years of litigation. The day at court would be a best seller, there being so many twists and turns.

Waking up sweating at 4 in the morning is the normal fayre with these sorts of matters. If there's any justice in the world, we'll nail this shut. Watch out with insurers, they're quick enough to take the money off you, when it comes to paying out, they're pretty shy.

Tomorrow should see an end to it, I'm hoping to post a well deserved win.

I started at 8 this morning and finished at 9.45 pm this evening. Tomorrow looks the same. I crave the weekend.

Jade Goody in new diplomatic row.

Bless her, she's not the sharpest button in the box is she?

This girl appears to have been just slightly undiplomatic recently.

podcast no 147 Podcastpaul

Download the MP3 here
Podcastpaul 147
music from the podsafe music network:
The Reverse Engineers - Mercury in Retrograde
Mike Del Ferro - Swaziland Traditional Song
The Blue Alarm - When Mothers Conspire
Peopod - Music You live on Summertime
I talk about
Work - very busy
Wind & rain
Jade Goody - Shilpa Shethi
Tomorrow evening
The soundtrack of your life
mailto:paul@podcastpaul.com

What is the soundtrack to your life?

I was looking at a forum thread earlier. I got the gist completely wrong, but never mind. I thought the thred was asking what would be the sound track to your life? If you could choose any songs to the below pre-determined headings, wwhat would they be?

I have to say, I loved wasting 20 or 30 minutes on this.




Opening Credits: For those about to rock - we salute you - ACDC

First Day At School: Ghost Town - Specials

Falling In Love: Kiss Me - Tin Tin

Breaking Up: Cold As Ice - Foreigner

Prom/disco: Human League - Don't You want me baby

Mental Breakdown: The Lunatics have taken over the Assylum - Fun Boy 3

Flashbacks: Paranoid - Black Sabbath

Getting Back Together: (All I want to do is) See You - Depeche Mode

Wedding Scene: White Wedding - Billy Idol (Live)

Final Battle: Eruption - Van Halen

Death Scene: All of my Life - Magnum

Funeral Song: The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Sir John Rutter, sung by the Cambridge Singers)

End Credits: As - George Michael & Mary J Blige

Finale: Moving - Supergrass into....Planet Earth, Duran Duran.

All fixed now...again...

Phew... I lost the domain www.podcastpaul.com for a few days. My domain hosting company had changed names and had simply forgotten to mail me to remind me to continue the hosting. Even more annoying is the fact I couldn't trace 'em. Still - all fixed now thank goodness.

I said at the start of the year I wasn't going to get stressed. I'm trying the best I can to stay calm and focused, but it's very hard.

Work is incredibly demanding. You pay your money and you take your choice I suppose. I'm not working in terrible factory conditions, or couped up in some terrible call centre/ I work with people I like and do a job that is very rewarding, but it doesn't half take its toll.

Today I got up at 4.3o, started work downstairs on some files I had with me at 5.00am and then went into work via a conference in Birmingham.

I worked up to 4.30pm - 11 1/2 straight hours and then went into Uni, 6 - 9. I arrived 3/4 hour early so I could do a bit of prep. I got back at 9.20pm. I'd been on the go, constantly for nearly 161/2 hours. I thoght we lawyers were supposed to have it cushy.

Litigation is a job that also takes it toll. You are paid to professionally argue all day every day. Do it for 23 years and it gets tiresome. Change the rules of the game and get a busy caseload and it adds to the nightmare. In this job, you miss a deadline, you get struck out, you lose the case... you get the sack. You don't miss a deadline - you just wake at 1.30 am covered in sweat, convinced you've missed it.

The job has changed hugely, ask any litigator who has trodden the court carpet. Kids who enter the profession do so now with a huge arrogance, the firms are more corporate and costs concious, the character of the job, and the characters within the profession are all disappearing.

Maybe it's just tiredness - or the massive list of urgent jobs, needless admin, and plate spinning I have to manage every single day.

Swaziland and those wonderful kids permeate my every thought. I long to be back there. However, when I count my blessings and look at my healthy kids, I have so little to moan about and so much to be thankful for.

podcast146 - TPN Rock

Download MP3 Podcastpaul146/TPN Rock here



Tonight, I host TPN Rock - Ewn Spence's usual haunt.



It was great to play Tommy Vance for a night, I love playing great rock music - and this was a great excuse.



I play:



Stingray - Last Night

Observation by Agency

Weight of the World - Simon Apple

Demons - Paul Rose

Life in the Stars - Berman

Forget the Girl - Hollow Horse.

some random thoughts on wonderful Friday

I am beginning to love Fridays. I love being with my wonderful kids. Tonight I spent just half an hour with Harry doing a Doctor Who word search - and we both loved it. Something so simple, costs nothing and something that was a lovely shared experience.

Earlier in the week, I spent some quality time with Christian, sat at the drum kit going through riffs and enjoyed that tremendously too. Work is something I used to live for - not anymore and I certainly am not going to live to work.

I actually quite like Beckham, he's a reasonable sort of bloke and doesn't seem to have the ego that most celebrities do. But paying this bloke half a million quid a week to kick a bag of air around a grass strip for 90 minutes troubles me.

I get paid well for what I do, and I work hard. My mum works much harder, she's nearly 60 and looks after and cares for the elderly at 5 pounds an hour.

What's the most important job of the three of us? David showing his athletic prowess for an hour an half, me professionally arguing for folks - some deserving, some not, or my mum, looking after and caring for the elderly, trying to give them some dignity in the last days of their lives.

My mum's treated like dirt at her job, but she does it as she sees it as a privilege to help the elderly folk. They love her, and she loves them. She sees her job as a vocation and does it without any thanks, any reward or anyone really noticing - apart from those she cares for. David is adored everywher he goes and treated like a star. Screwed up isn't it?

I REALLY want one of these...

Wow! This comes out in the summer and may retail around the £100 mark. I definitely want one...


Apparently you can record DIRECTLY onto your ipod. How cool is that?

Apple continue to innovate.

This was apparently unleashed on the world today.

My phone is WIFI, has browser capability and Windows Media Player together with a sync to my calendar.

This looks great.... but it has a tie in to the world's most irritating musc directory.

If Carling could make the world's most irritating directory, they'd probably make Itunes.... I DON'T really want one of these.