I got a 'once in a life-time' tip on a horse over the weekend. Can't miss.

So I do an each-way bet (to hedge), and it comes in last of 16 runners. Just goes to prove that you should always look a gift-horse in the mouth, coz there ain't no such thing!

My 10-year-old daughter needed 2 pairs of jeans, so it was off to TK Maxx on Sunday. We quickly found the designs we wanted, but neither fit. I was disappointed as, at £28 each, I thought we'd bagged a steal. Off to Marks & Spencer. Nothing. Then I remember Primark (or Penneys as it is also known). Again we quickly find 2 pairs of jeans - and they fit. We then go to pay - there is a queue of almost 60 people! Further proof, if further proof were needed, that there is a recession on. 'Stuff this', I say, 'Let's see if the queue downstairs is smaller'. It is. Around 30 people.

'First time I've come here', I say loudly to no-one in particular, as I queue up with the rest. 'And the last. I don't want to spend all my Sunday queuing in this place'. They must hear me (everybody else does), as they open another till. Our turn came, and the cashier rung through the jeans. 'That's £6, sir'. I hadn't even looked at the price. £3 quid for a pair of jeans! All of a sudden, I'm a big fan of Primark!!!

Am I the only one who is fed-up having to put a code in to watch feature films on Virgin Media cable after the watershed ? I ring up and say that I want the feature removed.

'You can't have it removed, sir. It's mandatory. It's a protection thing', comes the reply.

'You are treating me like a child', I insist. 'I should be able to decide whether I want something protected. I'm a grown-up, you know!'.

'It's there to protect the children, sir'.

'But the children are the only ones who know how to put the bloody code in!', I reply.

And while on the subject of TV, I want to just mention the TV licence. Why should I pay £139.50-a-year to the BBC, when I never watch the damn channel. 'It's to ensure that quality programmes are getting produced', says a mate in the pub.

'Like Strictly Come Dancing ?', I reply. The TV licence fee is just another bloody stealth tax. And I resent having to pay it in order to not watch rubbish!

And finally, The Evening Standard. For years now, I've happily paid the cover price and taken my daily dose of the Standard. But it's free now, and I can't get it at the local newsagent. It's available (apparently) at train stations and the like.

'I miss it', I say at a dinner last week, 'Although I guess I'm saving £120-a-year'. I'm not a typical reader, as I don't travel to work each day. I guess they won't miss me.

'I miss it too', said one of my guests. 'I never get to see it anymore either.'

'Me too', said the third member at the table. All three of us were regular readers, and all three of us now miss out on the Standard. I hope they know what they are doing over there, restricting its availability and making it free.

Please use the 'E-Mail' button immediately under the article title to send this item to a friend.

Press here to comment on this story >>

Today in Life: Can a City Girl Become a Country Girl? >>

TODAY

• Bank Tells Staff To Knock Off Early To Make Babies
• Meet Goldman Sachs' Newest Managing Directors
• Best Place To Work Update

THIS WEEK

• Best Place To Work 2010 Latest
• Top Firm Told To Give Up Bonuses
• 'Sorry - But Christmas Is Cancelled'