So I heard a man singing something in a language I didn't understand. I was curious if it was a religious day for one of the many cultures on my street. So I googled around and turns out it's Ramadan. I'm not sure what the appropriate well-wishing is for our muslim comrades from someone not of the same faith. I'll go with this and hope it's OK: may your faith, family, and friends bring you comfort.

But it's not about Ramadan that I wish to speak. On the same page I found were entries for Commonwealth Day ( ), something called Maslenitsa that's apparently like a Russian equivalent of Mardi Gras, and World Plumbing Day.

This is where I argue that plumbers do more than anyone else in advancing socialism - whether they know it or not. Here's the logic.

1. Water/sewage systems go in.

2. Health improves. Workers live better and longer.

3. The average worker is now much more skilled and reliable.

4. The labour theory of value kicks in, and we all know the rest of that story.

So the next time you see a plumber, do whatever figurative hat-tipping is appropriate to the situation. Their work hastens the contradictions in capitalism. Every toilet, every showerhead, every sink faucet is a tap against the castle walls of the bourgeoisie. No one tap will bring down the walls - but billions will.

Postscript: I am extremely high right now, and quite sleep deprived in addition. I am broadcasting this to you from what I believe is Halley's comet.