bignumber5

I'm not in it to "play the market", but I don't think it's as simple as just keeping the rain off. I'd rather not end up with 6 figures of negative equity.

49. Gyms that are cheap are falling apart: nice gyms with good kit cost a lot. It makes no sense... I want cheap AND good ;-)

Any sign of them guys? (bump)

I reckon it's a simple fact of communication online - if you storm off from an in-person arguement, you can't hear anymore and the situation fizzles out. If you sat outside the room while the arguement was continued, able to hear every point that followed, you may well re-enter. I blame broadband.

I've discovered this thread late in the debate, as is my gift, and I can't help thinking that lozzyloz's original query might be exactly the type of open discussion that helps to develop understanding of cultural groups that feel misrepresented or poorly understood, and opportunities like that should be seized enthusiastically by members of the group in question. To assume that the question comes from a judgemental standpoint and to become defensive is not an unexpected reaction, but nor is it necessarily justified. Could those who are doing the judgemental name-calling (which is anyone who has called anyone else a homophobe on this thread, as that is the only judgement that I can see) please participate in the following home exercise: IMAGINE: that lozzyloz worked for Southwark Council, and had an instrumental role in the development of parenting support services for the borough. Now read his post way back on page 1 of the thread and ask yourself if, with that context, the question that he asks seems "homophobic" or if it is about attempting to identify a need within the local community? Seems like a reasonable question to ask given the situation, and it seems to be asked politely and with due consideration to it's target audience, I should say. Top bit of market research. Now back to the world where loz isn't in such a position (unless that is what you do, loz!). Isn't the question still about raising awareness? That members of the community are trying to help accomodate eachother, by identifying what about existing parent groups doesn't work for you and trying to see if it could be changed? There may be a number of same-sex parents who do not have the courage to ask for the help that they need and feel excluded from parenting support, in a way that could be rectified by someone in the same position taking the time to raise awareness within their local community on a local forum. Name callers, I think you're missing a great opportunity to educate here. But you haven't missed it... yet - we're all still here, all with the same latent interest in how we can make daily life easier for eachother. I think to call us "homophobic" for that and accuse us of being prejudiced is bitterly ironic. I can only speak for myself on this one, but to be unfairly accused of a prejudice is one of the most deeply offensive and saddening things that another person can do to me. I'm not suprised that some of the forumites that are embroiled in this are feeling more than a little hurt.

it's the Q&A at the end that made me giggle - particularly the "when was she last serviced" stuff! This is the digital age equivalent of cutting sleeves off suits and throwing suitcases out of windows - not pretty to be done in public but all's fair...

atila the gooner Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You always know somebody is about to make a > disparaging comment when they preface it by saying > "I don't mean to be rude but" which means that > they are about to be rude. And then when you show any displeasure, following up with "I'm just saying..." Well don't just f*cking say. Clearly, based on my reaction, it was either annoying or offensive the first time round. Now they are using this shitty little prefix to justify saying it again. Grr.

surreal for things that are not surreal, just strange or unexpected. I thought I was alone on finding it annoying until I saw this, courtesy of buggie, by Adam Hills The same goes for literally followed by something metaphorical or otherwise non-literal. (Edit for typos)

James Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Boris taking up Ken's baton? Sounds like a > political sex scandal. as long as it's not one that has the subheading "exclusive photos inside" *shudders a la side-show bob*

the guns n roses cover of "live and let die" ... and i have no idea why.

good point, f.onion - i always make a point of asking for id but i have no idea what i'm looking for - as long as the photo looks vaguely like them and there's an energy company logo that i recognise, they're in: that just means they know how to use a photo booth and have a colour printer... (?)

12 to lambeth north then Bakerloo all the way to paddington. We've done this a few times to get to heathrow express and it's always been fine. The key was l.north. much less stressful than a change at E&C, which is always busy and a bit of a maze - l.north is only on the bakerloo so the station is small and not many people use it, plus it doesn't have the subway rabbit warren of E&C.

surely prices drop, prices level off, prices rise again. waiting until prices rise again ever so slightly is the best indication that they have got as low as they are going to, no? I think this is what macroban is saying, so apologies if I'm parroting. As stated above, low compared to last year tho prices may be, if they drop even more next year then a purchase this year will seem like a bad idea, retrospectively. if they go back up a tiny bit and you buy, you've still bought at roughly the right time and it's only cost you one price-rise to be sure of that. that sounds like a long term plan. edited as realised i was repeating what macroban was saying...

The same as people with any other/ no degree from anywhere else/ nowhere - Whatever fulfills you and you want to do. This wasn't meant to turn into a witch hunt, nor attack your life choices, seanmlow. I'll make you a deal - I wont bring up Oxford Education if you don't ;-) Back on topic, following lozzyloz above, I've always been intimidated of the idea of "playing" the housing market as a source of income, mostly because of the risk involved if the market were to fall on its arse. And I've always felt rather jealous of those who do well from it. It's scary enough that I could potentially end up in negative equity on one property. Are there any forumites who have a property portfolio who are willing to share insights on this with current price trends?

diary looks clear - will actually socialise a bit this time! :)-D

*reaches for the tippex* boris 0, ken-even-when-no-longer-in-office 1 ;-)

walking in memphis - marc cohn

actually, nothing against estate agents - i bought my house through one ;-)

seanmlow Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I just take offence with comments like that from > annaj. It is not really fair or kind is it? In fairness, seanmlow, you bang on about your Oxford education given any possible opening to do so, but you're an estate agent who (based on comments on this thread) doesn't seem to understand the housing market. It invites questions. As for Oxford being THE BEST, that sort of depends on what you were studying and what you intended to do with that afterwards - otherwise it is surely just institution elitism and education for educations sake. I didn't go to Oxford, but I was well educated to do the job that I now do, and I do it well. I've worked with Oxford graduates and the same spectrum of competence (and lack of) is present as with everywhere else. Don't get me wrong, the historic site must be fascinating, as must the long and prestigious culture associated with the institution. But to assume that you are better than someone else because you went to Oxford is extremely narrow-minded, and it demonstrates a level of arrogance that you are not willing to accept the possibility of being wrong just because of your 2.1. Preach about fairness and kindness when you feel able to show either.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7395741.stm Oyster on actual trains! Got to say I put this as the first mark in the Boris-Achievements column (assuming it actually happens)

in a tight fitting shirt

Beautiful Day - U2

exactly 1 mile around carriage drive in the park - laps are fairly dull but allow for pace checking.

There isn't a wiki page for the 12: it's just not fair...

Eeek Was only playing, sorry!