So I have decided that I am out of shape.  In my quest to reform myself, I was thinking I could follow the example of many here in America and start dieting.  The only problem is that I will quit as most of my fellow Americans who made it their New Year's Resolutions.  I decided that I am going to train for a short triathlon this year which means a focus on exercise instead of diet.  I will keep you abreast of developments  there.

In my next installment of bad jobs, I found the class -- whipping boy.  This job is from the Tudor period (from 1485 through 1603).  It may not be the worst job but I still found it extremely interesting and decided to include it.  Author's right.

Whipping Boy -- As we all know, the monarch rules by divine right. For those of you without education, let me inform: the king or queen is chosen by God to rule, and therefore any heir to the throne who will later become a king or queen must also be divine. Of course, this means that it would be highly illegal, not to say most undesirable, to chastise, clip, whack or slipper a young prince or princess for any infraction of the rules.

Here's your opening: a post is available as royal whipping boy. You will be fed, housed and clothed by the royal court - all you have to do is make yourself available to touch your toes whenever the sweet prince or princess does anything bad. By taking the punishment of a royal caning on behalf of the heir, you can console yourself by knowing that you are protecting the royal backside. The secreting of a wad of parchment down the trousers whenever you hear the order 'Get me the whipping boy!' is not permitted.