The ol' day job has been extra busy this week. Can you guess why? Here's a hint.

History shows that since 1875, at last count, 2,671 people have swum the English Channel. In that same time, only one dedicated Shopping Channel has ever been launched in New Zealand.

That's pretty ambitious. "Titanium balls" is the phrase that's been used to describe what was needed to get it off the ground.

Love it or hate it, The Shopping Channel is here, and it's certainly been fun to be involved in its launch. Hence the cartoon.

And who knows? In 50 years' time, you may be able to purchase 'The Collected Works of Jim' in a massive hardcover coffee table book format from the Shopping Channel.

That's my ambition anyhow.