The idiot tax

Not so far from the truth these days, although having been to Vegas and gambled (and lost) my entire $5 stake, I'm not sure I have the right temperament for gambling.  I once bought a lottery ticket in the days when our village shop was still open.  I didn't win.  The following week I decided to try again but decided en route to the village shop to put my £1 towards buying a pint of beer in the pub next door.  At least that way I would get something for my money.  Several friends argue that a few pounds a week for the price of a dream is worth the price of a ticket, especially since at least some of the cash goes to 'good causes' (which is questionable in itself).  I prefer an earlier comment by Alan Coren that the National Lottery is in fact 'an idiot tax', a comment that sounds as if it might have come from his daughter Victoria, doyen of Only Connect my new favourite tv quiz show on BBC2 (second only to Judge Judy, ITV2).  These are both good examples of tv shows that depend entirely on their hostess for their success. Victoria Coren has a waspish comic touch that is quietly hilarious.  Highly recommended. As for my retirement plans, which are no longer a distant prospect, perhaps I should consider going part-time, say three days a week.  Strangely I have always fancied working in Tesco as a complete change after retiring professionally but the employees I encounter there are seldom happy with their lot.  But then who is these days?  Living in the south of Spain would be my preferred option - if only I won the lottery.  Therein lies my quandary: I will not buy a ticket and contribute to 'the idiot tax'.  A perfect example of wanting to eat my cake without paying for the ingredients necessary to make it in the first place.