Thursday, 8 May 2008

Goodbye, Jennifers!

Last night's Apprentice was great. The boardroom was especially brilliant, with plenty of backstabbing and bitching – until Sir Alan lost patience and fired first Jenny redhead, who is simply awful and a great buck-passer, and then the screeching Jenny ice-maiden, who is a charmless individual. Wonderful.

The funniest part was Michael defending why he called himself a 'good Jewish boy' on his CV but failed to grasp the difference between kosher and halal. He claimed to be half Jewish, which is not possible, and didn't know what to say when Sir Alan sarcastically suggested that Michael pulled his trousers down so he could make sure.

It was good to see Lucinda and Sara, who have been bullied by the rest of the women and some of the men, being praised for their efforts on the task. I think the BBC is very keen to avoid the accusations of bullying that affected Celebrity Big Brother.

I'm not sure who I want to win, but it isn't Helene, Claire, Lee or Alex.

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

No agenda

Am not entirely sure what to do today. And that is a good thing.

I've worked and worked and worked and worked over the past few months. Oh, and been ill (probably as a consequence of aforementioned work).

I could go on a guided walk in the City, have tea at the National Gallery, or at the top of Waterstone's in Piccadilly, go to London Zoo, take a book to one of the parks, watch a film, go to a matinée, potter around Covent Garden, sit in my back garden, or several of the above.

I like having no agenda – for a change. There is a chance that I may receive work phone calls, but they can wait for an answer.

Monday, 5 May 2008

Warm rabbit

My rabbit, M, is lying on the floor. She's stretching with her legs elongated behind her. Her brown eyes are closed. The sun is shining on her back. A happy bunny.

M has become very friendly of late. She comes when called, sits by me and S on the sofa and puts her head next to the nearest leg, hoping to be stroked. It's very sweet.

Sunday, 4 May 2008

Get on yer bike!

I've had a bicycle, a proper adult bike I mean, for two years. I remember buying it, all shiny, and riding it a bit. The saddle was uncomfortable and after riding it about five times, I locked it up, with S's bike. And then we lost the key.

I occasionally guiltily looked at the bike, as it gathered rust and dirt from being left outside, but I didn't have any strong desire to free it. And, anyway, it was trapped, locked by a seriously hardcore chain, until S's dad came along with a chainsaw.

Eventually, this week, I took the bike to a large bike store and had it serviced. I spent a fair bit on a helmet, lock, lights, new grips and a comfortable saddle. S sprayed some WD40 on the chains of his bicycle. We went for what must have been a seven-mile cycle ride along the riverbank today. It was warm outside – the forecast is for good weather all week – but wasn't too sunny, which is good when you get sunburned as easily as I do.

The Thames was low when we set out and was lapping over the top of the bank as we rode back (having stopped in a pub for a very tasty lunch). All in all, we were out for about four-and-a-half hours. It was a relaxed day but energising and tiring, too. My legs ache. But in a good way. I've been told to strengthen my legs, and this seems to be a good way to do it.

Thursday, 1 May 2008

Al gets it right

Kevin really had to go on last night's Apprentice. His famous last words "I have never lost a pitch" were surely a sign of things to come. Too cocky, by far, though he came across OK on the You're Fired show.

So, that was good.

But I am eagerly awaiting next week's Morocco challenge, when, apparently, two people are fired for almost coming to blows. I wonder if it will have anything to do with the bullying of poor Sara. I couldn't believe the reception she got from the others when she went back to the house after the boardroom. They were awful. Good for Raef for sticking up for Sara. She looked like a deer caught in headlights – she needs to stand up for herself but I think she was just shocked at being bullied so badly by some of those people.

Hmm.