Meenzer

Be fair, that's a long word.

Not really - there's a hole in the system when it comes to people who are self-employed/freelance, for a start. Statutory health insurance membership is based on regular payments and hence requires regular income, which doesn't always tally with the pattern of self-employed work, hence lots of people opt out of the system rather than be faced with another monthly bill they can't meet simply because their work is heavily geared towards one season or one part of the economic cycle. Which means massive one-off bills if they do become ill (I can testify to a €500 charge just to see a specialist for five minutes, for example). An NHS-style system funded by taxation on income as and when it occurs is obviously far more favourable to the non-9-to-5-ers out there.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19493510 This has made my day like. Such a lovely guy and pretty unlucky in his F1 days, but excelling in two different fields after the challenges he's faced - respect.

Bought you a pressie.

They're trying that out in Tallinn, I heard. For residents only, though. Mind you, the trains in cities like Hamburg and Berlin might as well be free for how often you get checked.

Ah knaa man. Curious to know too, actually.

Nah, it's just because "fin-" and "clean-" sound similar (except they don't really, which is why the joke is so great).

Jonathan Edwards?

Eating cheese, mainly. We've had a friend visiting since Saturday, so although I've managed to get to the gym twice in that time, I've also eaten and drunk my body weight in unhealthy things. And that on the back of consecutive nights of drinking with the Fish. If anyone sees a spare liver on eBay, let me know.

Sated. Finished off dinner tonight with an unreasonably good cheeseboard, including a supermarket cheddar that knocked the pants off the far posher stuff. Crumbly and absolutely bloody irresistible. If I sleep tonight I'll be doing well.

You mean you're not a Belieber?

All these blokes with their so-called "man hands". The name says it all. A real man would make do with stumps.

That's a magnificent call

I suppose it's less of an issue if your workplace comes with a glove compartment and a boot. (That's not a dig like, I'm currently working from the comfort of my bed. )

What an odd thing to get so wound up about...

Two out of three ain't bad!

Having seen it the other night, you really mean in the garden, too...

Been a lovely day here too and all. Sat outside working all day, with the occasional break for watering the plants, having a snooze in the sun and planespotting on flightradar24.com. Being paid to top up my freckle count = win.

Congratulations/commiserations

'twas merely a jest, I doubt anyone here is surprised to learn that you get off on pain.