Marmora Man

There's a new incontinent with an inconsiderate owner that's recently moved into Marmora Rd. It's only in the last four weeks or so - I'm assuming someone has just moved in or bought a dog. I've spoken to the Southwark Community Wardens but will try Nero's number as well.

Exam Questions: 1. Can a nationalised bank work? 2. Can Alastair Darling run a whelk stall?

I have just driven to Dover and back. On the return journey, feeling a little tired I stopped for a coffee and break at the MOTO service station. It has to be the worst I have encountered on Britain's motorways. The coffee was initially too hot - just off boiling. Once it had cooled to a drinkable temperature it tasted of boiled water only. On complaining the server stated "that's what the machine makes" - the manager was unavailable. Food choice was between Little Chef and Burger King. Seating was scruffy, uncomfortable and poorly lit. Most of the staff were bored and / or apathetic. As an example of the hell that a monopoly concession creates - this takes some beating.

cdonline Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think it's not that bad an idea. > > If the problem is discouraging kids from smoking > and that cigarettes are widely available to those > under age, it is quite a neat idea. > > I haven't heard any other solutions that might > work. Legislation / licensing doesn't change anything - unless it is rigorously enforced. Who would enforce this daft proposal and how many of us want this level of intrusive enforcement?

fish Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The proposal by Professor Julian Le Grand, forcing > smokers to apply for a ?10 "permit" to buy > cigarettes, which could help people to quit,if > they had to apply for an annual permit to "opt > in". Apparently, this proposal is one of the > Health England group's suggestions to be sent to > Lord Darzi, the health minister. Prof Le Grand describes his ideas as "Libertarian Paternalism" - which would make my truly libertarian friends cringe. Another proposal is to give school children a "healthy food" swipe card to encourage them to eat apples rather than Big Macs. I think it's an example of a government in terminal decline. Th "Cones Hot LIne" was a John Major government equivalent. "Less government interference - more individual liberty" that's my cry - say boo to the nanny state.

benjaminty Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > where does the 63 stop n go? Starts Forest Hill Tavern - ends at King X via Peckham, Elephant & Castle, Blackfriars and Farringdon St.

Planning to persevere - enjoyed episode 2 more than 1. Agree historical nuances are mostly inaccurate - tho' the whole Charles & Di thing was pretty spot on. I remember running away and hiding in a tent on the Pennine Way to avoid the hysteria. I remember London as being pretty shabby, life being being somewhat unrewarding with money tight and fun elusive.

I use the 63 regularly - not seen any evidence of problems, at 6'5" and large build I tend not to be harassed. However, should anyone need an escort - then the tall, bald & silver bearded chap is me - usually in a suit and grey overcoat. Would be happy to help - and to report or act as witness to such problems.

Who received "LOver's Marmite" today as Valentine present? I did.

Where does your boss stand in the company pecking order. If she's the CEO - your best bet is to find another job. Anything less and you have an avenue for redress. Not sure tackling her head on - which while it might seem strong, positive and self affirming could also end up with you finding again that her manipulative and scheming political skills put you in the (apparent) wrong. If she's as bad as you say she'll have learnt to defend her behaviour by doing down others. Keep a diary, record everything and once you have a decent dossier - make your case to HR, to her line manager or someone who will give you a fair hearing. You could even consider a tribunal, though that's a tough route to follow. If your company has a decent Occcupational Health scheme you might advise colleagues suffering under her to contact Occy Health reporting the stress they are experiencing under her management. While Occy Health usually has to maintain confidences they can, if there is enough evidence of stress, indicate to senior management that there is a problem in a department that appears to be caused by a particular manager. This happened to me when Occy Health reported a stress and morale problem in a department - without actually fingering any particular manager. On interviewing all members of the department to investigate I discovered a middle manager defrauding the company and bullying staff to keep the fraud under cover.

I'll arrange for some flowers to be delivered (despite having to pay twice what I usually do for roses), stay at home and cook my wife a good dinner accompanied by a good bottle of wine. Afterwards - maybe a decent movie with coffee and chocs. A little quiet perhaps, but it's what we've done for 19 years. Routine and romance can go hand in hand (pun deliberate).

Two pieces of advice: 1. Listen but don't necessarily act on advice given - make up your own mind. From my father. 2. Try everything - except incest and Morris Dancing. By anonymous - unless someone can authenticate an author?

Like many I have read John Grisham's books, usually buying them in airports and train stations to while away time. I recently bought his first non fiction book - The Innocent Man. It was excellent, not necessarily for the quality of the writing but for the damning story of how a small town police force and courts system ignored almost every principle of justice and investigation to send an innocent man to jail. It was a book that made me angry - it all took place less than 20 years ago and could happen again. I visit the US often and like the people I meet and work with. This book illustrated some of the underbelly of life in small town America. Not a masterpiece but very worth reading if you see it on a shelf.

barrymarshall Wrote: Still I don't like the way that a marginalised group in society constantly gets picked on by people who should know better. Agree - is there a suitable collective noun for such people? Supercilious huffy intolerant twitterers

Before bollards I'd prefer the council to invest in improved road surfaces and renew the paving on LL and elsewhere. Marmora Road is a patchwork of uneven tarmac fill ins and potholes - while the pavements are a nightmare to anyone pushing a buggy or a wheelchair, lumps bumps, potholes and worse. Broadly that situation pertains across all of East Dulwich.

snorky Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I would buy it myself, but I dont have a clue > abour running a bra can you undo one single handed?

KalamityKel Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Plenty of propertys on the move... is there > something going on? A recession perhaps? cash in quickly while enough people prepared to still take a chance. if that is the case - which of ED's businesses will be most vulnerable to a recession? High end baby clothes? Smart cooking equipment? Or are the many eateries at risk?

-- moved topic --

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So, does Mamoraman own his copy, or did he borrow > it from the library? My own, paperback copy - bought about 20 years ago.

Timothy Spall while walking to Honor Oak Station - I resisted the urge to tell how good he was in Sweeney Todd, didn't want to be thought a stalker.

dulwichmum Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I want to be on your special picture... but I am > IT illiterate! I think that my circle would be > baby blue (my fav colour), and it would be studded > with The Cheese Block, Hope and Greenwood, Dr Boo, > Stella B and Ed. Also in there would be - annual > bonus greater than the GDP of an average South > American Country, selection of un-environmentally > friendly vehicles, children at independent > schools, violin lessons and home the size of Tate > Modern in WEST DULWICH. Clearly it would hover > above all of the other circles...(sigh) This picture could become so big we could only show it on one of DM's walls.

blinder999 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > too much time on my hands today: > http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/file.php?5 > ,file=610 Neat analysis - not sure why Little Dorrit is poncey? By the way am decorating bathroom today and am covered in paint - is that green, brown or in the middle?

jim_the_chin Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > you seem to have 2 children AND have an active > social life. tell me, what is your secret master? The children are teenagers and we either leave them at home (theatre trips & pubs) or they join us at cinema & eating out.

I've noticed a tendency for some contributors to criticise "poncy shops", gastro pubs, nick knack shops and those that frequent them as not being part of the earthy, real life that East Dulwich people should live. So I pose a question: "What is normal" and a supplementary - "What is normal for East Dulwich"? Normal for me is: Married - happily 2 children Large mortgage - house still a renovation project after 4 years I work full time, wife works part time. Enjoy - cinema (most recent I am Legend & Sweeney Todd), theatre (most recent Mikado, History Boys, The Country Wife), cricket, walking, skiing, cooking and food. Currently reading - "Little Dorrit" (New Year's resolution to read more Dickens), An Innocent Man (John Grisham), just read "No country for old men" - going to see the film Saturday. Drink at: The Herne, Palmerston, The Bishop and EDT. Eat at: Si Mangia, The Herne, Palmerston, The Bishop, Le Chandelier, Omrith, Thai Corner, Shop at: Pretty Traditional, William Rose, Moxons, SMBS, Somerfields, Sainsbury's, Cheese Block, EDD, Dulwich DIY, Ralon, Green & Blue,

In the days when a brand retained its identity for years, companies used to paint sides of houses with adverts. There's one in Camberwell as you approach the Green from Denmark hill - "Don't be vague - ask for Haig". Are there any other examples out there?