July 28th, 2007

After an evening that started uncommonly poorly, it was quite nice to sit down and compose this week’s shortlist. Hope you all enjoy!

The next Post Of The Week will be announced on Sunday evening.

Please note that nominations for next week cannot be accepted until then.

1. Big Blogger 2007: Penfold’s “In the Quarter After Dark”

The jukebox, a rattling old Wurlitzer is scratching through some pearls of New Orleans - Lowell Fulson is asking me to ‘Reconsider Baby’ just one more time before I stagger two doors down to my tiny third floor room. I should have gone back with Louise but I’d crossed the threshold and was on a mission…

2. No, We Don’t Have Kids Yet: My Own Private Ida

“Would you mind terribly holding her while I collapse the pram?” she says, smiling thinly and pointing at her child with her index finger.

Before I can answer, she crouches down, hauls it by the oxters from the three-wheeler pram and passes it to me.

3. The Overnight Editor: The Peoplehack

“Do you know a secret?”

[PLEASE just go away. Train in 3 minutes]

“If you tell me a secret, I’ll tell you mine.”

Fuck it. OK, I sigh. I will. You see this, all this around you. That’s it. That’s all there is. There’s no God. It’s the best news ever. It means no-one’s watching.

He catches his breath.

“Yeah… actually, yeah that IS a good secret.”

4. The QC Report: Disciplinary measures.

My family went to a swimming and grilling party at a friends’ house. We were told there would be other children. Daughter was pleased but, frankly, after hearing the words “Swimming pool”, we could have said “There will be little-girl-eating tigers! And vaccination needles!”, and she still would have been in a glorious haze of chlorine lust.

5. Real E Fun: Care Homes: Post Four-Edward

His stick tapped on the sand-coloured flooring as we walked. Halfway along the hall, he gestured to a door. ‘My wife’s room. She’s had a massive stroke, you know. Doesn’t recognise me at all.’

‘That must be very difficult for you.’

‘Bit tricky,’ he said. ‘Especially at first. I’ve got used to it now. I visit her every day.’

6. Status Anxiety: I blame Facebook

You start to wonder what happened to [so and so] and [what’s his name] and so you search for them on Facebook. If this doesn’t yield any results, now overcome with curiosity, you may try to Google them.

This, I did. On my old friend and partner in crime, G.

7. Tired Dad: Millionaires Have No Manners

So today we have made a pact. I will wear my best suit. She will actually trouble herself with make-up and nail polish. And we will Behave. We both have university educations and know how to conduct ourselves. This is an important client to my sister. This is an opportunity to acquire many more. We have made a pact.

8. Uffish Thoughts: A tale of two titties

When you enter, the first thing you notice is that nothing is on display — the whole shop is just shelves stacked with boxes upon boxes of bras, girdles, and other more traditional lady underpinnings. A hefty man with a beatific smile was wedged behind the single counter with his yarmulke askew. He handles the cash register and phone orders, but not your ladybags — a younger woman does the bra fittings.