A colleague's computer has crashed, losing weeks of work and putting a major project he is working on in limbo. It's a big deal and not surprisingly upsetting for a bloke who is proud of his attention to detail.

But he's lucky.

I consoled him with my own tragic tale.

At the weekend my kids watched TV on Sunday morning while my wife dozed in bed and I went for a walk.

When I returned the TV went off and we had breakfast.

The kids played with their dolls and later we went out.

It was a calm day in the Parnell household.

Then we returned from our walk and it was only at that point that the horrific realisation of what had happened struck home.

The TV remote was missing.

We looked everywhere (well we couldn't have looked EVERYWHERE because we still haven't found it).

Now I have to use the video controls to change channel and to alter the sound I have to get out of my seat and push a button on the side of the set.

It's a disaster.

Never mind losing all your work for the year because of a hard disk crash, I have to get off my seat to turn down the shouting adverts AND I can't use teletext anymore.

Two days later and the whole house has been turned over, but no sign yet.

I don't know if Dorset folk have the superstition of "Pinning the Devil" when something is lost.

My old nan from Norfolk claimed that if you stick a pin in a chair and utter the words "I pin the devil" then something that is lost shall be found. I've pinned the devil, but so far no remote.

I did at least find some loose change down the back of the sofa and I'm launching a "new remote" appeal!

Brother beats me in a novel way to success

When you've got no practical skills (can't rewire the house, don't understand plumbing, can't tile the floor) and no business skill (couldn't run a shop, once bought shares in a US company just months before it folded, can barely manage my monthly overdraft) you're left with the dream of writing a best-selling novel.

I've been not writing this great novel for years now and it hasn't got past the first few chapters yet. They are great, but that's where the inspiration ends.

Trouble is, it seems to me, I sit at a computer screen for eight hours a day at work and when I get home I don't want to sit for another two hours writing. (Although I can happily surf the internet and play Jetman on Facebook, so I need a better excuse).

However my brother, who is younger, cleverer and fatter than me, has done the previously unthinkable and written his first novel. And it is great too.

At least I think so. I can see all the autobiogra-phical bits to the story, but fortunately I can't see myself there. He's searching for an agent and has taken a year off work in the hope of getting published. Because of a clash of names with a scruffy long-haired comedian he's having to use his full name of Edward Parnell rather than just Ed.

I've warned him that it will take longer to sign his autograph, but actually I've got my fingers crossed for him. I'm looking forward to seeing him on Richard and Judy's show and even better than that I'm looking forward to selling his signed first editions on ebay - bet that's what JK Rowling's family do all the time.

I'll keep you informed of Edward's success.