It's a tricky question for those [mostly] men who have to be prompted [or shall we say, prodded] into displays of affection to their wives, girlfriends and or partners.

Certainly a random display of affection can catch most partners off guard but a few show signs of annoyance when the move is made in the checkout line or in any other blatantly public space.

In effect the words time and a place ring true.

In today's fast moving society, taking a moment to show genuine appreciation for someone's efforts can be great tonic.

We should not need a commercial celebration like Valentine's Day to prompt us into action. But hey, we take what we can get; so enjoy the moment and bookmark a date in a week or three to do it again. It counts so much more when something comes as a surprise.

o o o

ON THE topic of surprises - the commission of inquiry into the allegations of dirty deeds by former NSW Ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald and their mates and families continues to take the cake.

The amounts of money are staggering as are the expectation from the witness who says these allegations levelled against him are purely coincidence.

Some might criticise politicians for their manners but these two former Ministers confound at almost every turn with their claims they either did not know, did not remember or just happened to be in the right place at the right time.