Tuesday's opening of Parliament was much-watch TV — even for those seething with envy — from the wild exuberance of the school children to the understated gusto of politicos like Bobby Pickersgill, who, unfazed by it all, absentmindedly righted the collar of a hapless interviewer. And then there was the glee of the initiates, assuredly awaiting the arrival of Mama P, thrilled to be standing on the right side of Duke Street that morning.

Among the throng, the artful eye would have spotted 'The Ins'. You know them, the sympathisers, supporters and fixers whose invisible hands in numerous ways worked to execute the flip of seats in Parliament. Two go by in matching suits and fascinators. Another strolls up and down the street, daughter in tow, offering a guiding hand to an arriving guest, making bit of a chat with others, all the while showing that her time had come.

And then it struck, us: what about 'The Outs?' What happens now? Quelle horreur! How will they stay, well...relevant? How does one fill one's life for the next four years - at least?!

Here's some advice:

* Be steeled by the words of your long-passed granny, or long- forgotten nanny: Every dog have him day; every puss, him four o'clock.

* Like a hound searching for truffles, dig up your connections to The Ins, however remote. In short shrift we were able to spot two schoolmates and three past business associates. Recollect if you were unduly mean to them at any time. If yes, go to step 3; if not give them a call, invite them for lunch to shoot the breeze. Let them know they can count on you "for the good of Jamaicahh" with requisite lengthening of the ending vowel.

* Let the healing begin by accepting your part in the landslide. We're afraid that many have used undue haste to distance themselves from the loss with unabashed claims of "I told them..." Forget that! The first step on any journey of redemption is accepting that YOU erred. Perhaps it was by not being enumerated despite the many fund-raisers you attended and hosted. Perhaps it was by not showing your "housekeeper" the kind of respect that Mama P demonstrated to hers, thus making yours a sure vote for the other side. Whatever it was, embrace your error and move on with honour. As Shaw (George Bernard, not Audley) wrote: Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time.

* Focus on good works. You will no longer be too busy to volunteer at a children's home (no, really work, not just show up), start a book drive for an under-performing school or mentor a promising talent. Here you will be building a new base. It will come in handy in a few years. And by gosh, you'll feel good about yourself.

* As Q told Bond in The World is Not Enough: "Never let them see you bleed." Faces have been rather long, lately. Shall we say, dour? Quite the opposite of the bouncy optimism of the gum-popping, BlackBerry-checking flippancy of the young women who sat front-row during one party meeting in December. For sooth, we can't go from that to the sourness that prevails these days. Be upbeat, look positive and always be ready for a welcome photo-op.

* Get literary. Recommended reading is Vanity Fair. No, silly, not the one with GaGa sprawled on the cover. William Makepeace Thackery's satirical study of 19th-century Britain. We will give no clues here. You must schlep through all 768 pages. The learning will come to you.

* Sign up for a course at UTech or UWI. Better yet ask Don Anderson to share insights into the art of polling.

* Now is the time to ensure your friends and yes, frenemies, too, are enumerated.

* "Bad Mind, and these are my friends!" Alas, you'll be saying that a lot in weeks and months to come as the calls get fewer and fewer.

* It's going to be a tad challenging getting used to handling things yourself: no PA; no bearer; no driver; reduced allowance and yes, we've already noticed — and the packers at the supermarket — the drastic reduction of items in the shopping cart.

* Be blasé about it all, and keep smiling.

* Use the kids. Whether they're 'rugrats' or teens, each offspring has network value. Perhaps you never noticed them before as you barrelled the 4WD through the school parking lot, but 'The Ins' are parents, too. Mine the kindergarten class list and the Facebook page of the older ones for any recognisable names. You'll be surprised that your kid is perhaps now more connected than you are. Never just drop off at a birthday party; go inside. You may walk into a kitchen cabinet meeting. Play dates and study groups must follow, all at your house so that you can add a whole new list of contacts, with a good excuse to call too. "Hi Belinda, this is Ashleigh's mom. You do know that the kids have a Geography project, right! Let's do it at my house. I have all the supplies."

SO take heart! Hug it Up! Stop the venom! Cancel the pity parties. It's over/done/finito/Andrew never 'crass' it.

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