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was like they were on to something really quite big and that despite the injuries of which they were complaining, they also seemed to be treating it as the start of some great adventure. Perhaps it was the sort of adventure they wished they’d embarked upon years before. It just got me thinking. Because when I look around chambers there are so many people who have had all sense of adventure sucked out of them. It’s as if the law has turned their lives to black and white. Erased the poetry.
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    Wednesday 14 November 2007
    Year 2 (week 7): Memento mori
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    I talked through my thoughts on TheMoldies with OldRuin today.
    â€˜ Memento mori , BabyB.’
    I looked at him a little lost and his kindly smile appeared, as if he was actually pleased that my ignorance gave him the opportunity to pass something on.
    â€˜Reminders of our own mortality. It’s what we’re all running from. Sometimes so fast that we forget we are even alive.’
    He paused and looked pensive. ‘It’s what they’re doing, BabyB. Reminding us to live.’
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    Thursday 15 November 2007
    Year 2 (week 7): A chilly ’un
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    OldSmoothie walked into chambers tea today on a post-court high with his ‘I love myself’ look even more prominent than usual. In order to collect his tea he had to pass in-between UpTights and TheVamp who were deep in conversation. As he approached, UpTights said to TheVamp, ‘Do you have a Brazilian?’
    To which TheVamp replied, ‘A Chilean.’
    â€˜Well, I should think it would be a chilly ’un if you’ve got a Brazilian,’ said OldSmoothie, looking very pleased with himself.
    â€˜Sorry?’ said UpTights. ‘What on earth are you talking about?’
    Doubt suddenly flashed across OldSmoothie’s face and he stumbled back with, ‘Oh, er, er, what were you talking about?’
    â€˜Our cleaners, you stupid old fool.’
    Oh.
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    Friday 16 November 2007
    Year 2 (week 7): The joys of being self-employed
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    I haven’t seen BusyBody for a few weeks but today she was spotted in chambers by TheVamp. I asked if her due date was fast approaching.
    TheVamp replied with, ‘Well, let’s put it like this. She’s on a donkey and heading to Nazareth.’ Then she added, ‘By the way, have you heard that HeadofChambers has now indicated that he expects her to be given a tenancy once her maternity leave and third six come to an end?’
    â€˜I hadn’t heard that,’ I said, reflecting on my own journey to tenancy. ‘Funny how it works out.’        
    Later that day, I spotted BusyBody on the other side of the room as I entered chambers tea and heard UpTights muse, ‘If we were lawyers, in most parts of the world we’d be working for some terrible firm of solicitors.’
    â€˜Can’t think of anything worse,’ said OldSmoothie.
    â€˜But you already are,’ said TheBusker, breaking it to them gently.
    â€˜Oh, hmm, well, maybe so technically,’ said UpTights. ‘But we don’t actually “work” work. We’re self-employed and so we, er, deign to give them a little of our valuable time.’
    â€˜In return for cash,’ said TheBusker, again looking sympathetic.
    â€˜But that’s not the same as working,’ said OldSmoothie. ‘You know, like being employed.’
    â€˜You’re right there,’ said TheVamp. ‘I love waiting two or three years for payment. I mean who’d want a regular pay cheque when bank loans will fill the hole?’
    â€˜And I just can’t get over how good that cold, empty frightened feeling is in your stomach when your diary becomes clear, your paperwork dries up and you still have a mortgage to pay. It’s the kind of thing that makes me just skip to work,’ said BusyBody.
    â€˜Then there’s the sick pay, company cars and pensions that we definitely