The last post

My my my, I never imagined the storm in a tea cup my last post might have created.

Lets look at it from a bookies point of view:

Front runners for the christmas letter (this is naturally aside from JP who will make the front page, the first paragraph the last paragraph and feature in all the photographs. what I believe in the betting world is called a 'Sure Thing' - lets face it in sport we like competition and so the real interest in this particular event is the 'also rans'):

First up Gels and Dave - Going to get a lot of points for a wedding this year, minus some points for having it in the first part of the year (what we like to call 'peaking to soon'). More interestingly is the adoption of a dog (one occy - not oscar Alec). This was an extremely tactical move on the part of the williams', and I think you will join me in taking my/your hat off to them for ingenuity. Not only is the product faster to obtain than your own child, the cost is marginally lower (overall) and 'christmas letter impact' (or CLI) higher (lets face it, occy is the closest thing to jp in the family at the moment). However, the jury is still out on whether this is legal tactics. Is Occy regarded as his own entity or does reference to him count towards Gels and Dave? I, for one am in favour of occy standing as a single entity. Jules this may be a matter which you could resolve. I also note 2 independant trips to visit mom by Gels, and in the latter part of the year. Good CLI points and well timed. I must admit the williams duo are my 'front runners' for this year.

Second is me and Agnes. With a traditional strong showing on the christmas letter front, dominance in the event is due to expire, and moving such a great distance could prove the ultimate downfall. Having said that, it could prove to be worth at least a mention and depending on structure and layout of the christmas letter, i might just pass the line before reference to afore mentioned wedding or occy. Also Agnes added mom as a contact on skype which I think might add some weight to the over all CLI. Also my strong relationship with jp always scores CLI. could be worth a flutter if its time of mention not total showing. Evens

Turners. Looks like an uphill battle, once again, for the Turners. No wedding, child or emigration for value - my money isnt on the Turners. Unlucky not to win the title some years back after the birth of 3rd child Dan (a classic example of 'peaking too soon' - plan your conceptions people, just a little planning) its fair to say that the Turners have been apathetic contenders since. having said that there has been an increased 'mom time' for the Turner family this year, and Alec and Jules continue to do well on the domestic and work front. Is this enough to grab glory though? my punting says no, and puts them as 'rank outsiders'. Sorry guys

Jordans. Perpetual underperformers, you would think that the Jordans could make better use of their geographical advantage to make big CLI, but year on year the opportunity seems to be cast aside. However some crafty home improvements such as a hot tub, raised garden beds and the thriving poultry business are bound to up their CLI this year. Lets not forget that chickens interest jp - critically though mom already has her own fowl, and one cant help thinking they should have got giraffes instead. Nevertheless I put them in as 'dark horses'