annaj

Congratulations buggie - I'll PM you :)) My highlights are easy. Getting married and my sister being told she didn't have lymphoma any more. It's been a very good year.

Fortunately, I work in a hospital several miles away, but I know the good people at Kings and they certainly don't deserve that. I'll be passing the Plough on my way home about half past midnight, so I'll look out for you stumbling onto the road.

It's a dirty job, as they say, but someone's got to do it. Just do me a favour and make sure no forumites end up in the Emergency Department tonight ;-)

I wish I could be there, but sadly I'll be working. Have fun everyone and Merry Christmas! Anna

cdonline Thank you for sharing your story and your thoughts and reminding us all that HIV and AIDS are not far away and irrelevant problems that other people deal with. I'm so sorry that you still feel stigmatised and unable to share the burden of your illness with your family. I hope that, in response to you post, the forum will show the best of itself and that here you will feel supported. In response to Louisa's original questions: No, not enough is being done for the developing world. No, children are not getting enough factual, timely, clear information about safe sex or any other aspect of sexual health and relationships. And yes, there is still a stigma and it is at least in part perpetuated by the medical profession. I am constantly frustrated by the way that the diagnosis and treatment of HIV is handled completely differently than any other serious or life limiting illness. As medical professional I feel we have a duty to lead by example and demystify this disease and deal with it as we would any other. Why would a person living with HIV feel able to talk openly about it when doctors surround it with secrecy and euphemism? Finally, a cure? Maybe, or at least a vaccination is a realistic possibility. Until it is a reality though, as Lousia and cdoline have already said, we have to keep fighting for awareness in whatever way we can.

Aahhh.. 'Now At Last The 1948 Show' My dad had an album of their sketches. I grew up listening to that and 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again'.

Asset, you're right. It was a typo - I've changed it. Cocaine is very habit forming, but there are not physical withdrawal signs.

Dave, I think you're right there has been a lot of opinion and some misinformation on this thread. Don't want to sound like forum mum, but thought some objective information might be useful. This is a summary and doesn't include every possible effect of every drug. Obviously, people react differently to drugs depending on their frequency of use, other drugs and alcohol used and their state of mind before they use, but this information is a general guide. Cannabis - Class C durg. Not physically addictive, but psycholgically habit forming. Effects range from a mild buzz and giggles to feelings of detachment from reality and hallucinogenic effects. Risks - Mouth and lung cancer (in part because of tobacco smoked with it), reduced fertility in men and women, reduced ability to concentrate and learn new information. In the last few years more evidence has emerged suggesting a link between cannabis use and mental illness, in particular schizophrenia and depression. The exact nature of the link is not yet clear, it may be that cannabis triggers mental illness in people who have a predisposition anyway, or it may be that when people start to have symptoms of schizophrenia or depression they try to cope by using cannabis. Speed - Class B drug Unless prepared for infection then class A. Highly physically addictive. Effects increased energy and feeling awake and chatty. Risks - prolonged periods of sleep deprevation, come-down feelings, high blood pressure - potentially leading to heart problems. Over longer periods of use paranoia, depression and psychosis. Can cause death. Ecstacy - Class A. Not physically addictive. Effects feeling happy and relaxed. Enhanced appreciation of colour and sounds. Feeling 'loved up'. Risks - Ecstacy is unpredictable and often cut with other drugs, some people die suddenly after taking only small amounts. People forget to drink causing dehydration, but also ecstacy interfers with the way the body stores and excretes water, so it can also cause overhydration and dangerously low salt levels. This can lead to collapse and fits. Can prevent the body from regualting temperature and cause overheating. Can provoke heart problems and asthma. Can cause death. Cocaine - Class A. Highly psychologically addictive. Effects feeling a rush, feeling confident and powerful, increased energy. Risks - incresed temperature and pulse rate. Fits and breathing difficulties particularly if used with alcohol. Increased blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks even in young, healthy people, but more likely in anyone with a pre-existing heart condition. Can cause death. Heroin - Class A. Highly physically addictive. Effects a buzz followed by feeling relaxed and calm. Reduces phsyical and psychological pain and suffering. Risks - supresses rate and depth of breathing and can stop breathing completely. Can cause vomiting whilst also relaxing the muscles of the throat and reducing gag reflex so vomit can be inhaled into the lungs. Injecting heroin can cause local infection to the skin and veins, which can lead to infection of the blood stream and heart valves. Blood clots on the deep veins - DVT. Sharing needles and other equipment can lead to transmission of blood borne viruses - HIV and hepatitis. Can cause death. If you want to know any more have a look at http://talktofrank.com it's a good site, not just for kids. Amanda, your honesty and determination to change your life are admirable. You should be judged on your policies and actions now and not your past. Good luck. Edited because assest pointed out an error - thanks

Oh, Bucks Fizz! I forgot them. I saw them at the Cornwall Coliseum in 1983. Classic 80s holiday. Got up in the early hours to leave for Cornwall - you know, because it's sooo far away. Slept in the back of the Volvo estate with the seats folded down. Woken on the M4 by the suitcases falling of the roof rack. Nagged our parents all week to take us to see Bucks Fizz and were told no, then dad suprised us on the last night of the holiday. Happy memories :)) Peckhamgatecrasher - do you mean Steeleye Span? Cool!

Reading Rock Festival 1975 - as a baby. Jesus Jones. The Bierkeller in Bristol. 1989.

*Bob* Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It would be a bit dull if people were only ever > 'pregnant', 'dead' or 'having their period' > though. That's true *Bob*. MrJ occasionally refers to me 'surfing the crimson wave' and I have to admit it makes me smile. Like so many things, I think it's all about context. Whilst I personally find 'passed away' or 'moved on' a bit twee, I can entirely see how someone might find it hard to say 'dead' or 'died' when talking about someone they knew or loved. As for what you might call comedy euphemisms, I think they can be very funny with the right timing and the right audience. Like most humour however, moderation is the key. Announcing to the whole room that you're 'off to drop the kids off at the pool' every time you go for a poo, stops being funny pretty fast. char1ie - Giant cake poo - brilliant. One to store up for his 18th birthday speech surely?

My mum is very fond of old sayings and euphemsims, the one that springs to mind is "Jack's dead" to tell someone their petticoat is showing. But, interestingly, she explained sex and answered all our questions (and he will ask char1ie, probably loudly and in a public place) in simple, honest terms (penis / vagina - the only real problem with vagina is that it's hard for a child to say) as soon as we were old enough to start asking them. She also made it very clear to us it was ok to ask questions and that we could talk to her about anything. The honest and open approach worked for us through childhood, adolescence and into adult life, I can still talk to her about anything, and it seems to be working for my sister and her 6 year-old. Back to euphemisims though, I agree completely about restroom. It's a loo.

As a nervous first timer, I'd just like to say thank you everyone for being so nice! I had a lovely time and was only sorry not to be able to stay longer, but when it came to being up and out at 7am on Saturday for work, I was glad I left when I did. With my forum-fear conquered I was looking forward to the Christmas bash, but I'm working that night 'til midnight (booo) so I'll see you all in January. Anna

SeanMacGabhann Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Come on recent arrivals or long-time lurkers - > let's be 'avin you Hhmmm, I'd almost worked up the courage this month (after only six months or so of very occasional posting), but I'm working nights this week. Sorry, maybe next month.

Edited - because in the cold light of day, it didn't seem worth getting involved.

Ooo me too. They did lovely lunches. Big, fat, fluffy jackets. Only been in G&B once and the man rolled his eyes and sighed when we asked him to explain a bit more about the wines on the board. Might try again since it seems really popular on here.

Bit of an essay I'm afraid, but I happen to have views on your top two... We sold a few years ago through Bushells and weren't very impressed. They were very positive and upbeat when we went in to sign up, but then it all went a bit wrong when we got to viewings. The flat was empty, as we'd already had to move, so we relied on them completely to do viewings. At first, despite quoting lots of great figures and telling us how many people they had on their books waiting for a flat like ours, absolutely nothing happened. When they did start showing people round the agent, apparently working for us and certainly paid by us, kept pointing out a non-existent "funny smell" to people and warning them about damp in victorian flats - we had provided a recent damp survey showing no damp. When we eventually got a offer, a lot lower than the asking price and we weren't being greedy I promise, they acted like we should be really grateful for anything. Oh and if I remember rightly the buyer was a friend of one of the agents - what a lucky coincidence. Throughout the whole process I had to ring them constantly to get updates and never got call backs when requested. I felt the whole time like they were working for the buyers not us. When we bought our current flat it was through Ludlow Thompson and we were really happy with them. We had the same named contact throughout and he was friendly, straight forward and always rang when he said he would. Towards the end things got a bit sticky, because our solicitor was advising us to hold out on a couple of legal things. The agent obviously had a duty to chase us a bit, but was never less than totally professional and polite. Just recently, over a year later, I had to ring them about a sale board still on our building. By chance I got the same guy on the phone. He recognised my voice, remembered my name, a few details about us and where we lived. He got the board down the same day and called back two days later, without needing to take my number again, just to check it had come down. Very happy with them. So, my two pence worth is Ludlow Thompson - hope it helps.

Hetty Pegler's Tump, between Nymphsfield and Uley in South Gloucestershire.

Charlotte Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Fantastic italian in Sydenham worth getting in the > car for! I don't want to start a forum fight or offend anyone, I'm really mostly a lurker and find it all a bit scary, but this just seems a bit odd to me. The forum is littered with posts about recycling and plastic bags, but noone so much as raises an eyebrow when someone suggests driving to Forest Hill. Isn't that missing the point a bit? We can all feel smug about turning down bags in the boutiques of Lordship Lane, but is it really going to make that much difference if we're still using our cars to go ten minutes up the road? Kirkdale is only about ten minutes, 15 at most, from ED by bus and the 176 runs all night. Anyway, thanks for the recommendation Charlotte, always good to know a nice local Italian.

Buggie, I've just sent you a PM about this. Have a lovely day :))

ps It does seem Melissa has lost the plot a bit these days (pun intended) http://www.madeinheavenbymissy.com/

LostThePlot, I last saw them about 4 or 5 years ago supporting The Wonderstuff and they were still great. I have two signed t-shirts one from that gig and one from the Reading Festival (1988 I think). :))

Thanks F'nB! Robin the hooded man. Excellent. Sean, did you ever see Bill Hicks live? I've only seen video. Also, did you see Eddie Izzard playing Lenny Bruce in the stage show about his life a few years back? It was brilliant. Eddie was equally good at the funny bits, recreating his stand-up, and the tragic bits.

Well, there has to be one upside to shift work :)

Top Ten Top Tens Well, there are the obvious - films, songs, books - but i like to be more specific. 1. Break-up songs - surprisingly funny. 2. Quotes or soundbites 3. TV ads 4. 80s outfits 5. Meals - real or imagined 6. Dance sequences in films - very girly but you'd be surprised how quickly the blokes join in 7. Film endings 8. Most embarassing moments - best saved for people you know really well 9. Songs by catagory - best driving, best angry, best romantic etc 10. top 10 top 10s! ;-) Also, on novels I forgot After You'd Gone Maggie O'Farrell - brilliantly ambiguous ending Atonement Ian McEwan The Alchemist Paul Coelho