Sat here at my computer - working, not playing - I did a google search for HIPS. And the computer said yes and came up with an incredibly useful number of links about Home Information Packs.

However, my WorkEthic and ConcentrationOnImportantMatters decide to go awol, leaving TimeWaster supervised by Procrastinator in charge of the office. So when, hidden amongst the Home bits, I spotted a link to the 'petite anglaise' blog, it was inevitable that tools would be downed in favour of catching up on PAs problem with second hips and saddlebags on her big night out to a vagina-themed party.

And it went all downhill from there. (My attention, not her hips.) Because I got absorbed in reading all the various press articles about her dismissal for blogging, her true identity being tracked down as a result and her subsequent unfair dismissal tribunal win.

Two things stood out for me. The first was the implications of 'internet footprints' left by bloggers. More and more future employers are apparently scanning entries for Facebook, Myspace, blogs etc. to help assess suitability for employment. Which sadly means that if anyone has taken this blog into account, my future plans for a career as a top chef have literally gone up in smoke. And my appearance at Crufts with a dancing collie are clearly now a no-no. As is the faint hope of appearing as a presenter on Gardener's World and showing people how to grow vegetable.

But, even more disheartening than the future jobs that are now barred to me, is the fact that even before she was famous, PA was getting up to 3,000 visitors a day to her blog. That's 2,950ish more a day than I usually get. And more in a day than I get in a month.

Which means that as I clearly have to kiss goodbye to a book deal for my memoirs , I am now going to scrabble in the bottom of my handbag for my lottery ticket that I bought last year. Anyone got a torch?