Smoko: pre-emptively striking Simon Crean - before the housing crash?

Moving away from politics, our three gunslingers are very concerned about the impending crash in housing prices.

"Mate, my brother just bought a place for $300,000, and if something goes wrong, he's stuffed" said Angel Eyes. Tuco agreed, complaining about the bullying tactics the banks put on him to borrow more than he could afford.

"It is so easy to get trapped in a mortgage if interest rates rise, or values drop and you lose your equity." Blondie seemed depressed by this conversation. "I've tried all my life to do the right thing and not accumulate debt, but now I see my mates living a better lifestyle than me. Better houses, cars, and boats."

On a lighter note, Blondie and Angel Eyes could not believe the Sunday Mail report about supermarkets being pick-up joints.

"I never see any women when I go shopping" they cried in unison. (I assume they were referring to eligible single women). Tuco begged to differ. "That's because you both hate shopping. You go in, get what you want and get out as quick as you can, don't you?" Blondie and Angel Eyes agreed: "Yeah! Bloody hate supermarkets." Tuco told them: "next time you go, take your blinkers off. There are hot and cold running women everywhere!"

Time to go back to work. The guys have just realised that the radio has been off, and they have missed another tragic English batting collapse. Merry Christmas from the workshop, and spare a thought for those mechanics who keep Australia's transport industry rolling.