Pig lingo

More BBC jargon:

"Boarding" - doing interviews (I assume for employment, although the distinction was not made)

"Doughnut" - a voicer with an interview (this is pretty widely used outside the Beeb)

"Quality" - referring to an ISDN or satellite connection from a special phone or from a studio abroad that provides a much better audio standard than a normal phone line.

"Bureau" a studio abroad.

"Discussion programme" - NOT a talkshow, thanks.

"Disco" - not sure about this one yet but no dry ice or Wham! tracks are involved.

I'm going to write a mini-handbook for the next Westminster student, including directions to the canteen, how to use the beast that is ENPS, what they want from you when they say 'ps the texts to me and approve the blog comments', where not to sit and what exits NOT to use after 6pm leading to entrapment in a large glass room for half an hour and severe embarrassment. None of this is covered in the glossy health and safety bible they send you. Which I haven't opened.

However, I am getting better. I can even resist the temptation to correct spelling and grammar mistakes in texts to keep the 'local flavour'. I've plucked up the courage to ask to do some vox pops this week and I saw the studio for the first time today albeit only to guide a guest there. Plus I didn't get my suggestion biffed (rejected at the morning meeting) today. One of our callers proceeded to try and flirt with me by email. I was logged in as someone else so they read all his blunt overtures. Very embarrassing.

I didn't blog today as I asked to be in the studio but unfortunately was put on the phones at the last minute to soak up the flow of African callers. If it wasn't for the African man, the show would be very dull. You have a subject that you're sure is pretty straightforwardly answered (and therefore bad for a 'discussion programme') like female circumcision (bad) or homosexuality (acceptable) but then the phone lines start buzzing with Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea and it's all turned on its head with usually a 50-50 split between them for and against. Bless them.

Today we were talking about Hilary Clinton, can she make it as president. One caller from Nigeria said 'We do not need a woman president, the world has enough troubles already' - I thought this was great, he was so eloquent and well grounded - lit up the whole topic.

I'm excited to see Sorious Samura at the Frontline club on Thursday. He was a guest last week and damn good he was too. He is the director of the phenomenal Cry Freetown about the civil war in Sierra Leone.