Marmora Man

I have just upgraded my office at home IT set up. As a consequence I have a 6 year Apple iMac and an HP Wireless printer (with approx ?100 worth of cartridges) extra to requirement. Questions: a. Is there any real value in either item b. Is there any organisation that would value them - school, charity, etc? Advice welcome. Ian

Outage in SE4, SE15 & SE22

Will be interesting to see what develops after 6.00pm tonight - the deadline given to the campers by which time they should have moved on. I hope they do move on, or get moved on.

It's also so bloody unsightly. I find myself in agreement with the view that everyone has an absolute right to protest but that the protest should be conducted standing up and not involve camping out. The message, whatever it is, is not reinforced by establishing a tent city in prime London sites. I include the apparently permanent Westminster camp in this - despoiling what should be a public space for all to enjoy, but where the green square has to be fenced off to prevent further squatting protesters.

Surely it's the emperor's new clothes that we shouldn't mention?

One reading of the European "experiment", conceived after WWII, was to end the warring between nation states of Europe by binding them ever closer. This can be seen as an ideological exercise with an impeccable and irreproachable aim but dogged, as almost all ideological social experiments are, by theory coming into collision with the harsh reality of expectations, actions and beliefs of individual people and international economics. The end point remains desirable,but the speed and processes of the European journey appear to be unpalatable / unachievable. Soviet Communism failed, Chinese Communism is tempered by reality and will transmute into a form of capitalism light years from Mao's intentions, Pol Pot failed, fascism failed and so on. I do not equate the European experiment with the unacceptable aspects of these failed regimes. Dictatorship, military / political repression and ethnic cleansing have not, thank goodness, been an element of the European experiment. Nevertheless, it has overreached itself, moving faster than its members can or wish to cope with. However, the experiment shares the repeatable lesson that "perfect" social systems with high aims tend to fail. On the other hand messy, pragmatic, historical arrangements that evolve from real experiences based on shared cultures, lifestyles and systems tend to work - viz the British Constitution, the Commonwealth, the US constitution (which started as a noble ideal but, sensibly, allowed itself to be modified by series of amendments to reflect reality).

Semantic or pedantics - National Service refers to conscripted military personnel. Every British serviceman in Afghanistan is a volunteer, which adds a further dimension to the sadness of their deaths and suffering.

I have always found the staff at EDD to be courteous and helpful. I take an interest in food and usually discuss the goods with the staff - there and at the other food retailers - where again I usually find pleasant and courteous responses - SMBS, Pretty Vintage, Cheese Block, W Rose, Moxons, Blackbird Bakery etc. I know from experience that some customers (not, I'm sure EDF readers and posters) can be truly "up themselves" and unreasonably demanding - or just plain unreasonable - leading to less than perfect service from retailers. The lady in EDD who allowed her children to pick out olives by hand from the bowls in the chiller, eat the olives and either throw the pips back in the bowl or on the floor is an example.

A significant number of Irishmen died in WWI and a lesser number, but still significant. Umber served in UK armed forces in WWII fighting the Nazi and Japanese Axis powers - an action that brought them little but condemnation in Eire, including discrimination for jobs, children's schooling and social benefits. A number of veterans were buried in unmarked graves. This situation is now being resolved but is a sad example of prejudice.

Questions: 1. Why young people - why not all people? 2. Is there a disparity - it is entirely possible to be wearing a poppy in remembrance of the pain, suffering and agony of war, but still engage in a war. Of itself that is not illogical and certainly not hypocritical. 3. Which unnecessary wars are you referring to? Iraq - the original war aim of ousting Saddam Hussein was, on balance, right - tho' the machinations of Bush & Blair in trying to make WMD the reason was not and the subsequent mismanagement of the post conflict period was abysmal. Afghanistan - again the initial action had a moral imperative that has been lost in pride, stubborness and poor strategy. Libya - on the whole a good call by Cameron & Sarkozy and well managed by NATO - the trick now is to stay out of it and let Libyans manage Libya. 4. I think you are trying to tie a simple question about poppies into a wider debate

Wear a poppy, don't wear a poppy - everybody's choice and should never be forced. What I, personally, dislike is the habit of wearing white poppies as representing a protest against the red poppy's "glorification of war". This is a total misunderstanding - the red poppy is a symbol of remembrance to acknowledge the suffering and pain of war.

Meat is meat - you're not going to persude me to stop eating it. I don't try to persuade you to eat it. Live and let live - or in this case "Live and Let Die"

The Brockwell Park display was excellent - and free.

The police helicopter was in the air well before the incident - perhaps an indication that some of those attending the funeral were under surveillance.

Several recommendations as I sit here sipping a Talisker from Skye, spicy @ woody with some vanilla notes. Highland Park is always a good bet - and if you can lay hands on some 30 year old is superb. More unusually a Glenfiddich matured in. Urban rum barrels is a unique and "not quite whisky" whisky. The Singleton is always a safe bet. Dalwhinnie, Glenmorangie and Macallan are always reliable. Joining the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a good place to start exploring - over 300 different malts (different years, maturation lengths and styles) available by the dram in their London & Leith clubhouses.

RSJused to be good but not open on Sundays, I've enjoyed meals at Baltic on Blackfriars Road (just south of Southwark Tube Station)

A number - but the Official Secrets ACt means I can't tell you.

An alternative to the incredibly hot pan method is a version of sous vide cooking. Buy a middle cut fillet (or sirloin) enough for guests. Sear the outside quickly. Immediately double wrap in cling film - can then be kept cool / cold in fridge until ready to cook. Bring to room temperature. Place on shelf in an oven set at 65C (needs to be an accurate temperature) for 30 - 40 mins. This will bring the whole steak to medium rare temperature - you could use a thermometer to check core temperature. Remove, slice into portions, season and brown all sides in lots of unsalted butter. No need for it to rest - works a treat with fillet - trickier with sirloin. You get a beautifully moist, rare steak that's full of flavour. If you're really nerdy about cooking JOhn Lewis sell a home sous vide machine which will give the accurate temperature.

Brendan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- Is it not fair to say that all this shit would have happended anyway even if there was no Eurozone? It just would have only happened to some people. Not quite correct - the countries in the deepest shit were only able to get that deep in it because the Eurozone as a whole was seen as a good risk. Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy all piled in and took the cheap money that the German and, to a lesser extent, French economies made possible. A bit like lending to people with very rich relatives - expecting the eventual inheritance to repay the loan.

Lake Country House Hotel is fantastic - not anywhere near cheap but every element is high quality. When we last stayed there was even a dog or two that would accompany guests on walks. It's in Wales with plenty of good walking - also horse riding and golf nearby. Tho' it's very easy just to chill out in the hotel - we did look at spending a family Christmas there one year - but total cost a tad prohibitive, but the experience woukd be fantastic, as in literally a fantasy world of "olde English / Downton Abbey" style of living. The afternoon tea is just heavenly.

What the hell does this mean?

A simple test for the protesters would be to ask them what specific and defined action, or actions, by Government would persuade them to give up the protest and occupation. If they are unable to articulate this then the protest is nothing more than a childish tantrum - of the "I don't like this, I will scweam and scweam until I'm sick" kind. My firm conviction is that it is an unfocussed, childish demo with the "usual anarcho / anti capitalist suspects" at its core which will achieve nothing except to blight another part of London with a tented city. Along with the growing and similar excrescence at Westminster it should be removed ASAP.

DJKQ - I agree totally.

I ran a long established personal Spotify playlist this evening - only to find that in between tracks I remember and like I was also listening to Eminem tracks. Nobody in the house has ever downloaded Eminem, the playlist did not have Eminem listed and nor does my iTunes account. How could this happen - has it happened to anyone else? Is there anything I can do / should do to prevent further occurences? Advice welcomed. Thanks

Barack Obama has not lived up to expectations (who could have) but has also failed to stimulate or really lead his country as President. The Republican contenders are all weak - Mitt Romney is probably the "inevitable nominee" but doesn't have strong support, Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann are all Tea Party "lite" candidates and only, marginally, less acceptable than Sarah Palin. So what to do - and old ex-pat SCottish friend who has lived in the US for over 25 years has suggested repealing the 1776 Declaration of Independence, as follows: To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II In light of your immediate failure to financially manage yourselves and also in recent years your tendency to elect incompetent Presidents of the USA and therefore not able to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. (You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.) Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy). Your new Prime Minister, David Cameron, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated sometime next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect: 1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise.' Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary'). 2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ''like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter 'u'' and the elimination of '-ize.' 3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday. 4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not ready to shoot grouse. 5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public. 6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour. 7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it. 8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar. 9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion. 10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater. 11. You will cease playing American football. There are only two kinds of proper football; one you call soccer, and rugby. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies). 12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and once you've managed to beat Zimbabwe, you can start to play Test cricket which is an international sport. 13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad. 14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776). 15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season. God Save the Queen!