Assuming the idea will go through, and I am 95% sure, I think I should start preparing for my act right now. I’ve never actually written down all my jokes or routines after using them in day to day conversation. Must start immediately noting them down. And work all of that into my material.

3.24 p.m.

Classic! Hassan asked Kurt for his opinion on commodities trading. And Kurt gave a really short and emotionless answer. Instantly I asked Kurt if he was always like this because he was trying to live up to his name!!! There was an explosion of laughter.

Noted it down on my phone. I will buy a Comedy Notebook this evening from Ryman.

4.12 p.m.

Response emails are beginning to come in. No one has trashed the idea. Everyone thinks it is very clever. But they are doubtful if there is enough talent in house. I am sure. But I don’t want to commit to a perspective till Tom responds.

4.55 p.m.

My sense of humour is on FIRE Diary.

Carlos, Hassan, Kurt and I were all sitting in the conference room running through some intermediate decks when James Mair ran into the room gasping for breath. He looked very upset. And he asked if ‘anyone had seen his external hard drive’.

I waited for a second and then said: ‘Yes James. I saw it last week. I liked the book better!’

Carlos laughed so hard that he almost fell off his swivel chair. Hassan snorted as usual. Kurt smiled. James left after giving me the finger.

Immediately saved it on my phone.

At this rate I will have enough jokes for all the Lederman comics!

(Not even putting effort. Just happening spontaneously.)

6.10 p.m.

Spent an hour watching online stand-up comedy videos in the innovation conference room. Saw some hilarious ‘Your Momma’ jokes and decided to try one on somebody.

When I went to get coffee saw ‘Scottish-Irish terrorist comedy god’ Simon Dougal from Group A near the machine. I asked him where his mother lived. He said Edinburgh. Immediately I said that his momma was so fat I could see her from here in London. Both of us laughed so much.

And then he said that my momma is so fat, all the other mommas orbit around her like satellites. He laughed a lot.

But I was not very impressed.

In any case the audience will not be tasteless people like Simon. I don’t need to impress him. I need to impress the audience.

In any case I have noted both our momma jokes on my phone.

29 June 2007

2.17 p.m.

Still no reply from Tom on Summersault. Why is he wasting time like this? If he approves then I’ll have to sit for days writing jokes for all the Lederman assholes.

I think I should send him a reminder.

2.56 p.m.

Sent him a reminder.

Got a response immediately. From Sugandh. He has promised to revert after discussing it with Tom.