Just got back from Normandy; it was very hot indeed.

These are unhired and thus still furled umbrellas on Deauville beach.

And I’m sure Blogbridge requires our own Michael Jackson tribute; here it is.

Admittedly, the recruitment marketplace is a little barren right now. But you have to hand it to the DWP. Making up job applications to test diversity agendae is priceless. Underhand? Perhaps. An amusing use of public funds. Maybe. But at least it shows initiative, eh?

http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2009/07/01/51244/dwp-sends-out-bogus-job-applications-to-test-for-discrimination.html

Sunny evening - check.
Bottle of Touraine - check.
Barbecue - check.
Lavish quantity of seafood - check.

It gets no better. Mr Andrews and I have been discussing BBQs at length recently (in particular, the charcoal/gas question, which I fear is becoming somewhat divisive and could well lead to blows at some stage) so I’m considering using Blogbridge as the battleground for this dispute, as opposed to Great Sutton Street…

On Saturday night, my neighbour Joe projected the film Jaws onto the wall of the Sainsbury’s on the other side of the canal. Quite literally, amazing scenes.

Sorry for the rather poor photos, should give a general idea of how amazing it was. Two huge PA speakers on his boat, not included. Finding Nemo next I hear…

If you step up to the plate and offer your iPod up to the ears of others, prepare to face either congratulatory eyebrow-raising for that surprisingly entertaining Korean electro-Jazz or (far more likely) complete derision for daring to muddy air of your place of business with your ‘maudlin Americana’. (Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows has no business in dreadlocks. No business.)

So what’s the best strategy? Your best bet is to not offer up your music at all - what could be more personal, more soul baring, than sharing with others your “Cool Choons 4 Chillin” playlist? Better yet, combine this tactic with miserly disdain for your colleagues’ choices, steadfastly refusing to offer up any viable alternatives.

Then, when their patience with your refusal to “put up or shut up” has reached breaking point, slap on a general crowd pleaser - maybe a bit of Jimi Hendrix, or some Kraftwerk - and office relations are once again restored.