About 60 days ago I got a delightful phone call from one of the silliest people I've ever spoken with - she asked me "How do you feel about a rent increase?" and seemed taken aback by my response - "well, I'm sorry but how do you think I feel?" I reminded her that the choice was between a weekly cost rise I can't afford, and moving house which I can't afford, I asked her which she'd prefer. I didn't tell her I wasn't physically nor psychologically capable of moving my family yet again, for the sake of some pathetic loser like herself and the fetid grub she represents. I wanted to tell her how much it cost last time, how it absolutely broke me and talk about how each of these moves she pushes onto people are as traumatic as the loss of a loved one. But I didn't, I said send through the lease, because I'm broken and I can't fight any more.

Fast forward to today, a (now ex) neighbour dropped by to tell me he spoke with the landlord who has just lost two tenants due to the raise in rent we've all been handed. The landlord is a tolerable chap, for a landlord anyway. Well, turns out Old Mate was upset that he lost two tenants in quick succession, asked ex-neighbour about it and is rather angry that his tenants had been hit with a rent increase.

I want to wander over to where the landlord is doing some work in one of the suddenly vacated houses and ask if the rumours are true, and tell him I've been cursing his name for the last 60 days, blaming for the excellent Christmas present of twice weekly pancakes for dinner.

I'm angry, but I guess I have to wait to see how it plays out. I can write a mean letter, but will vomit in face-to-face confrontation so I won't wander over there, I'll chill at home and make bets on how long this PM will last after this. Last time we were given notice of an increase it didn't happen, and the PM vanished, the odds are good that this one won't have a job in the new year.