NO ESCAPING IT.

There really is just no getting away from it. Sad to say that not even Pen and Paper is a safe refuge. To what do I refer? The WORLD CUP of course. Thankfully Husband dearest is more of a rugby man and so I haven't been too bothered by it at home but for those who have ........

"A building society estimates that seven million men have a 'hubbyhole' - a men-only-zone where chaps can escape from the relentless feminisation of modern life - and that another million are planning to join that number during the world cup." - Tom Sykes, The Daily Telegraph.

Hmm, a hubbyhole - best place for them if they are planning on watching football at every given opportunity.

Mind you, on a much more serious note, research also shows that divorce rates also go up at this time, which brings me to my next (not so serious) article.

Standing side by side, dressed in their 'Sunday best' "Saori did not slip the ring lovingly on to her left hand before sealing their union with a kiss.

Instead, the pair were handed a hammer - and proceeded to smash the ring to symbolise the end of their five-year marriage.

The bizarre ritual is becoming increasingly popular among Japanese couples who choose to end their marriages with the same pomp ad ceremony with which they began them."  - Danielle Demetriou, The Telegraph (FULL STORY.)

To divorce him for watching a bit to much footie - a bit drastic, don't you think? Nothing wrong in letting him know who is boss though, a little henpecking (husbands plagued or overwhelmed by a nagging or overbearing wife as Wikitionary explains it) and research proves it.

"Being a henpecked husband (yet more research shows that the average wife spends nearly 8,000 minutes a year nagging her husbasnd*) could be the secret of a long marriage.

Researchers have found that if the man of the house is less happy than his wife, the risk of divorce is reduced. But if the husband is much happier than his partner, she is more likely to leave him.

A team of economists examined data from tens of thousands of marriages in three countries and identified what they call 'the happiness gap'.

The report titled 'You Can't Be Happier Than Your Wife. Happiness Gaps And Divorce was published in Germany." (VIEW REPORT) - Richard Alleyne The Telegraph.

So, he doesn't have a hubbyhole and you don't really want a divorce. How about taking up a sport of your own? Might I suggest .......

Pie throwing? Yes, The BUREAU OF SILLY IDEAS (Bosi) is calling for pie throwing to be made an official Olympic sport.

No, don't fancy that, how about table tennis?

"The metamorphosis has happened with dizzying speed. Table tennis, a sport that has traditionally suffered from an image of downright 'geekiness' is, for the moment at least, the sexiest sport on the planet.

The revolution started in central Manhattan (USA) last summer with the opening of the world's first ping-pong nightclub.

SPiN, as it is aptly called, is cool and swanky, the dance floor taken up with ping-pong tables. The idea is to hold a fizzing BELLINI in one hand and to whack a ball with the other." - MATTHEW SYED, The Times.

* There is no need for you, Husband dearest (or anyone else for that matter) to comment on this - we all know I DO NOT NAG.