Keef

I haven't rang this year, because I did last year, and just came off the phone in a bigger rage. They basically just say "we write to you informing you, so tough". Funnily enough, after writing this yesterday, Mrs Keef said she'd just seen a survay / report in "Which", suggesting the worse and best banks for charges. Think I'll be having a look at that and swapping. The above story wasn't about A&L, although I wasn't surprised to hear they'd come out as one of the worst for charges. I have an account with them, which is kept well in order, but a couple of months back, I slipped in to an overdraft by about ?2, because a payment went out that I hadn't noticed. Anyway, it was about 13 days before I did realise (I don't use the account that much), and they slapped me with a ?65 charge, ?5 a day, even though the amount we were talking about was less than that!!!! C**ts, the lot of them!

That pretty much sums up every parents evening at school, and every meeting with personal tutors at uni, that I ever had. Bright but lazy, that's me :)-D

I'm pretty sure he already knows the story, and they didn't even put in a convincing love story subplot like in Titanic :-S

BBW, fair enough, but I'd still give part 2 a go, and see what I think then. Understand what you mean about "a mess", but think it has it's good points.

It wasn't edge of the seat stuff, and it kept skipping back and forth from jungle warfare, to a state visit to the US some years later, where he made a speech at a conference of leaders. Not sure it flowed that well, but it had plenty of good points, not least the portrayal of the lead. There are voice overs of Che being interviewed in English, and I think this was to keep you abreast of the story if you got lazy with the subtitles (or didn't speak the language obviously). It would have been far too long to do as a single film, but I feel like I've stopped half way through, so will be able to give a more full opinion once I've watched part 2, which hopefully will be winging it's way from LOVEFILM shortly...

Watched "Che, part 1" last night. Thought it was very good, doesn't paint him as a flawless saint, and shows quite convincingly, what it must have been like being a Cuban peasant caught up with the whole resistance at that time.

Lets be honest, lots of 18 year olds go to uni for a laugh, because it's ahalfway house between living at home, and living in the real world. I suspect lots of them really don't give the debt much thought, it doesn't seem real. I'm not saying that in a patronising way, I am saying that, because that was me. I shouldn't have gone to uni, I never worked hard in school, and I never did any work at uni, then I dropped out at the end of my final year, one module before finishing my gegree, because I just didn't care. (a regret, but nothing that would have been life changing). It wasn't until I'd worked for a couple of years in the "real world", that I decided to sort it out, go back to school, and get a career. Basically, a degree in Music & Psychology was never going to do much for me, BUT, I learnt a lot about life, and it shaped who I am (for better or worse), and for that reason, I don't totally regret it. I see some students who seem driven, and who belong at uni (TillieTrotter's daughter springs to mind), but I am certain that there are plenty out there who are like I was 13 years ago (OMG!). The problem is, I didn't see any options open to me at 18, other than working in Sainsbury's. Nothing wrong in that, but not how I wanted to spend my life.

In my experience, all public sector agencies are doing what you describe about the NHS, and really tightening up on sickness. This has been going on for the last 4 years or so. I have certainly never felt that I have a quota of pick days to use up!

They don't get marked down for spelling and grammar? Do they still sit English Language, as well as Lit?

No I wouldn't like him at pool, because I just don't really like him, hence the name that a friend of mine gave him. He is a good strikes though, and looks very hungry.

I don't think it is at all fair to put some NHS admin staff in to the same category as the banks Tony, come on now!

Have just realised I'm talking about the wrong jabs, as MMR is when they're a bit older, I'm just talking about the early jabs. I'll still stick to the all in one for the above reason though.

Okay, I'll stop posting on this thread I think. Bloody saffas! ;-)

More exciting transfer news for Liverpool I see :-S

Thank God Flintoff is retiring! Basically he's a bowler these days, not an all rounder. And he's a bowler who can rarely bowl a days worth of overs. Hopefully he can have a good farewell test when he gets his hands on the ball tomorrow... Trott obviously hasn't let the occasion overwhealm him, and seems steady at the moment. Guess that'll be his Saffa arrogance, why be nervous, I'm great! *Hides from Brenda*

Because they want to bleed every dishonest penny they can out of people whilst the law still allows it. Yes red_devil, I think the cases are still going on. I actually got about ?2k back a couple of years ago, before they froze it, but if the banks lose, I'll be on to them again, as it just makes me so angry. I wouldn't mind so much if they charged you a fiver, or even a tenner, it's just the amoun ts they charge you that get me. Tony, not quite sure why you've basically quoted my question from the drawing room, as this is a very different scenario, and nothing to do with that.

Exactly right!!! Totally up to individuals, and no one should be judged, but personally, I want to put her through that is few times as possible. And to be honest, I probably want to put myself / my wife through it as few times as possible, because I found it absolutely heart breaking!

Having just checked ours, it's a Tomy, I think it's something like a walkabout platinum or something. Not sure about battery life (as mentioned above), as we basically just keep it in it's charging port. It has vibrating alert (which is why my old work had it - equipment for Deaf people, that was going to be thrown out brand new, to make room in their cupboard!!!!), night light, which is good. Best thing is that you can talk back from the parent unit, leading to lots of "Come in bedroom, this is living room, over". (I am such a child!!!).

Right, I can hold my hands up, and say that if I go over my overdraft limit, then they can charge me (even though I think it's balls). However, I have just opened a letter (I got one last year, and probably ranted then too) saying that they have reviewed my overdraft, and are pleased to offer me exactly the same thing for another year, and will be charging me ?25 for the service! WTF!?!?!?!?!? I never asked them to review it, they haven't changed it, and I am being charged for it. They are fecking thieves, plain and simple!

I like the feel of SGs. Les Pauls are very heavy!

Clare, there is so much paranoia to deal with as it is, please don't put more on yourself! Can't remember the one we have, I stole it from my old job (long story), but it retails at about 80 quid, and is more than sufficient. Just remember, it is in their interests to play on your paranoia, it makes them more money!

I never said it was fun, but it is a forum.

I get well p!ssed off if people don't pronounce the th properly when saying my name in the real world!

Tony, it is obvious. The much much more important thing to be asking here, is why do people do it? Please don't just say "because public sector is soft", as that is a simplistic soundbite of an answer.

Perhaps the administrators, often very highly skilled people, should actually be paid a fairer rate, and they may feel more inclined not to take the p!ss a bit.