tog_in_sox

I'd like to know if any of the Unite bosses flies BA. Who IS David Carnell? Re: the 75% my guess is that those on the lower rates will be less likely to be under threat as they are the cheapest labour to retain and maintain. Job losses will be targeted at the expensive staff on ?50k to not serve a drink. Even those on the lower salaries are still better off than their counterparts on other airlines because they have a better perks package. A Single tube driver is responsible for a whole train that can easily be carrying more than any but the largest planes. (S)He may not have to suffer the ungrateful grunts of the passengers but he gets to spend a whole shift in the tunnels you get sooty nostrils from on a single trip! (S)He gets to see the idiots throwing themselves under the train and a whole lot more unenviable stuff that aircrew will never have to contend with on a daily basis. They get cheap travel to exotic locations (s)he gets a free TfL travelcard! All said and done this strike is a suicidal act by a bunch of relatively over-compensated people who appear to have no real interest in remaining employed. I hope Walsh wins and can piece together a competitive airline whatever profile he is pursuing but if things go South then it better be allowed to go all the way because no other operator will want to inherit the crazy staffing costs and pension deficit. IF Brown jumps in to save the day under the deluded impression that is will save his political skin then you can all kiss a whole bunch more of your earnings goodbye.

Seconded, you lovable vache. Kiss-chase anyone?

Reluctantly *ahem* I volunteer

Cheers MP. Will give ARMA 2 a try. Might give COD6 a go when I can find a PC version for a knockdown price.

Hi MP, it's the 9v9 limitation, no private servers, no modding. Have they nerfed the ability for clans to meet up and arrange events? Owing to the crapiness of my connection and reflexes I never had much joy with competitive multiplayer, always got fragged repeatedly which wasn't fun. If you can't arrange matches between players of a similar ability then it all gets very tiresome.

I do regret not doing the gliding thing down near the glaciers... Damn! Gone all misty-eyed. Someone stop the bus I wanna get off!

Oh dear, what a ding-dong I missed! I've indeed dipped in and out of this forum over the past few years but always seem to forget that there are a select few who like to throw their toys about with unappealing fervour. It would appear that the frenchman has taken ire with my contribution through either misinterpretation, delusion or deeper thinking than I. Alas I believe he may have spent too much time in country with Charlie in the darkness, I hope he beats his demons soon on his path to a more peacful mind. I thank you for one thing in that I looked up "hypocritical" thinking perhaps all these years I'd misunderstood it and instead learnt a new word "Pecksniffian". How cool! HAL, thanks for earlier in my absence. Mick Mac, ????s, I concur. MP, glad to see your calm restored. It's funny but with all this emotional kerfuffle do I hear the ladies having a quiet laugh and shake of the head? Peace and goodwill to all! Merry Xmas!

Huguenot I obviously don't write the same English as you do nor take the same meaning from it. At no time do I imply that his handicap is a character flaw. I imply that how he caters for it at least on this occasion was suspect. Don't know what spirits you've been imbibing but have no idea how you associated my words with some anti-Tory rant. And then you stumble on about Idi Amin! Whatever you're on mate, quit. I strongly suggest you read up on what's happened around the PFIs and PPPs. I know about the LU matter and the embezzlement was by the participating private companies. I said nothing about government, Labour or otherwise. Thanks all for the spell check.

Yup I was definitely played for a sucker on the Auckland trivia :-$ The view from the Sky Tower restaurant at night is rather goodand the food not too bad either, forgot the lovely evening I spent there in gorgeous company. If your route takes you through Mangonui then save your appetite for the Fish'n'Chips there cause it was great. I had scallops in batter then calamari and I forget the name of the tasty fish I had for afters. Batter and chips both perfectly done. The hostel network is great there and you can either use the YHA associated handbook or try http://www.bbh.co.nz

Just read up on what is or rather isn't featured in this latest evolution and will not be purchasing a copy until the price for the PC version drops significantly. Think I'll be taking a look at Dragon Age instead and hopefully Mass Effect 2 in the New Year.

Brendan, thanks for sharing your past to qualify your standpoint. The best hope we have is to re-engage in the political process and find representatives who will engage us to shape a more moral and collaborative society. That's not to say we shouldn't be prepared to defend ourselves with utmost might or indeed seek to defend those who cannot defend themselves. It's the folly and the grandstanding that we should forsake. Santerme, again well said. We mostly held our silence at work today although I was tempted to tell one chattering colleague to belt up, she was old enough to know better. My heart sinks in the knowledge that we will see more fallen returned in the days ahead, I just hope that their sacrifice and that of those who return less than whole will bring a revival of the electorate and we will take back our Parliament from all the sitting tenants.

LegalEagle-ish Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I should also add: > > - will help me dig my garden - Do you really mean "dig" and "garden" or are we talking "plow" and "furrow"? > - happy to pool resources (when I finally have > some) to buy a piece of land and start an > eco-farm - Would rather build an eco-house > - is handy round the house (I'll help if I have > to) - very handy, skill level subjective. > - thinks growing fruit and veg in a small London > garden is good not wierd - always good to include your heavy metal intake in tastier fare > - likes execise - vertical, horizontal, downhill or in the sportshall > > Not sure why I'm still single! > > > Edited cos I couldn't see the spelling mistakes on > my phone!

There are no Saints, heroes or champions except dead ones in this tawdry affair. The Sun really has pinned it's true colours to the mast and with luck the millions of its readers will begin to see sense and seek their truth elsewhere. For once we may gain an electorate with some personal investment in the country's future. The mother is grieving and as much as some might say that GB can sympathise, he lost a child hardly known, she raised a man with years of self-determined actions that may well have made her and others repeatedly proud, so I think she is wholly entitled to grieve and demand answers. The warped tone that has been reported I trust has come in the telling by others with a different paymaster. Both MPs points about the procurement and PPP are very valid. The fiasco of Metronet (and Tubelines to come) has been quietly subsumed, where is the PPP there now that LU have been granted responsibility of what was once meant to be out to private tender? The money wasted and imbezzeled at all levels has been astonishing. And all under the watch of the one failing-eyed man whom others would have us believe has been our financial guardian. Look to the reports of the huge wastage within the Procurement executive for the Armed Forces and they before many should be ashamed of the lethal quandaries they have bequeathed to the fighting men. Brown may be handicapped but there are many handicapped persons (returned soldiers included) out there who day by day can demonstrate skill in writing and judgement. I don't doubt his sincere intent BUT as a national leader who stands by proclamations of education for all, that we are amongst the best and we shall always support our troops, what little extra effort was needed for him to get his letter proof-read? There are those that give him credit for being human and fallible BUT are we seeing stubborn pride or mania that he will not acknowledge his own handicap and ensure that what difficulties it may cause him are countered by a pragmatic process that delivers his message correctly? I give him no credit for taking the time to write because it is his duty to acknowledge the fallen and express the sorrow and gratitude of the Nation to their kin. The Queen as figurehead may be rolled out to add pomp to the parliamentarians grandstanding but she is not the one who sent the men and women into harm's way though they pledge their allegiance to her. I'd confidently wager that she or another Royal closely associated with the man's regiment will have conveyed their condolences privately, with dignity, humility and correct spelling. We as a society are partly measured by how we honour those who sacrifice something or everything of themselves in the service of our nation's interests and thanks to the most vocal media we do not do ourselves proud this week. Why is it that one tiny hamlet is the only acknowledged exemplar of our best behaviour? There is much that needs to be changed in this Albion Isle but we will not achieve it without demanding better of ourselves and those that govern at all levels and in all organisations, public or private. Sorry to sway so much around topic but this touches on so many things.

Anyone know if they're selling the PC version in Sainsburys or are PC users not in on the ?26 deal? Lord help me if I have to get a PS3!

LegalEagle-ish Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Ok, Tog, you look like a bit of an action man, and > not bad looking either, so please complete the > following checklist: > > - can hold down a job - alas only one at a time, at least until I can afford to roam the World again with wonderful woman by my side > - isn't addicted to any chemical substances - hmmm, do Sainsbury's cheese balls count? > - knows how to cook - can indeed cook although not to everyone's taste, still trying to live down the chicken and strawberry yoghurt incident > - isn't a woman beater - can never beat a woman cause I love watching their xxxxx sway in front of me! > - Hasn't got a gambling problem - Never had, never will, it cuts back on the amount of talian icecream I can buy down the hill (or in Tunbridge Wells if you happen to be that way > - own hair and teeth - yup, still got those, just waiting for the white stuff to grow through in that distinguished fashion my lady friends reassure me will happen. P.S. Actually I'm about as tall as an Action Man, though handier, my fingers don't break off with too much fiddling and I can do the eagle-eye thing but it can make me dizzy. Just need a lovely seamstress to make me some uniforms and off we go!

Gilbert is an underage small person who cannot be identified for legal reasons (picked up by accident when a lost school bus stopped at Eglin Airbase for directions) and the one in blue is prettier than me so I felt compelled.

I was being surprisingly sincere PG. Not at all deriding but hey that's the dodgy territory of words. Brendan, no ill intent meant mate.

If you like mountain views whilst taking your vows at the altar then there a tiny church at the head of ake Tekapo on South island that has a window behind the altar that looks over the lake to Mt Cook. Lovely! Made me want to get married, alas the gorgeous American lass I was travelling with was confused about another :( If you've just a week in North island then I wouldn't hang about in Aukland as it's mostly urban sprawl (one of the largest in the World I was told but that could've been local boasting), head North to the Bay of Islands/Coromandel for 3-4 days (doable but a bit rushed) and then head South for Wellington if you're going to take the Ferry to South Island. Napier/Hawkes Bay is worth a swing by if you like Art-deco and wine as the Northern wine-region is around there, also a chocolate maker if I recall. Admitedly with only a week you'd be pushed to get there on the Eastern coast and on to Wellington via any other sights. If you must do your sky-dive then Lake Taupo was where I did mine on North Island and it was truly awesome but if your budget can stretch then perhaps try when you get to South Island and do it over Abel Tasman National Park that's a little way's West and North of Picton where the ferry drops you. Friends' photos from there were even more awesome! Abel Tasman might also offer you some secluded lodging although you could also try around Picton and Queen Charlotte's Sound. You have to get down to Fiordland for the sounds and the glaciers and if you're into your wildlife then the length of the East coast gives you penguins, seals, whales, dolphins, albatross and sheep amongst others. Swimming with dolphins can get a little chilly so either bring a thick wetsuit or something for hypothermia. If it's wine you're after then head to Blenheim just South of Picton to taste your fill. Never fancied wine but the dessert wines were lustworthy. You're on a whirlwind tour with just 2 weeks there so decide whether you want slow and romantic or wild and hell-for-leather. Just be prepared for all the possum roadkill and watch out for reckless driving on the narrower roads. We never had an incident in 6 weeks but they did have a problem over there with youths rushing about. Have a fantastic trip and congratulations! Your alternative is to follow hubby to the Falklands and try to get to the penguins etc on St Georges.

SteveT, I had to question my Freudian dyslexia and re-read your last word for I could've sworn it said "coverage" which sets a whole different colour to your remark! Here's me on release from Guantanamo, obviously the authorities' racial profiling policy had gone a little awry. They are "terribly" sorry and flew me home by way of compensation (granted they dropped me off at the other end without landing).

Santerme, your sombre, measured, heartfelt words are very well said and I thank you for standing up more than perhaps I ever could. Brendan, you're obviously the open wound of grief here on this thread but perhaps your feelings would be better directed at your local MP and registered at the next election rather than preaching to a choir who perhaps are a little more humbled by the occasion and will likely register their similar opinion when they vote. If you truly wanted to honour the sacrifice and champion peace then perhaps your passion could be harnessed in the establishment of an alternative political party that would do more than pay lip service to those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. I have to say that in the past week I have been very disappointed to see the lack of poppies worn in public. For every poppied lapel I saw dozens going unaddorned. It's one thing to ignore the spotty, bedraggled youth campaigner/canvasser in the street but to walk by a medalled or bereted veteran of older years manning a tin or bucket for your pennies is contemptible.

I'm sure BBW gets out a lot I'm just not convinced that LBW sees anything but the four walls of his loo. I thought every day is Dick Day for the ladies as we gents can do nothing but be exemplars of such crass ideals almost every other second (so we're told). P.S. Only got 2 pair today and so much prefer ending the day with a full house. P.P.S. BBW, try jogging, you'll be so much happier watching the lady runners.

?90+ million on expenses last year ?37000 to "make flat habitable" only to sell it for a profit later and under no obligation to pay back the ?37k ?800+ for a new TV in yet another new residence. How many of you have ?37k available to tart up your house? How many can afford the ?800 (second or third) TV rather than the ?400 no-brand in Dixons? Plenty of reason to be outraged. Move on? We'd certainly love to as soon as we can "move on" these free-loaders (from any and all sides). Keep them from spending time scrutinising their expense claims so they can get on with "good" Government? Wouldn't dream of it. Keep them from "p!$$ p00r" Government? Love to. I'd say it's rather telling about their characters if they can't exert some personal fiscal prudence whilst sermonising about the "current economic climate" preventing all their good ideas from coming to fruition. ?90m may not be a lot cf ??? billions to bail out whichever industry BUT when individual schemes to regenerate areas, keep hospitals open, improve care, etc are budgeted in the ?x m range there's still plenty good that could be done with this little money. Anyone know what the entire expenses budget is against the public purse for all national and local government? There'd be a figure to learn about.

I have heard tell that there might be certain entertaining ladies to be occassionally found down by the roundabout in the EDT. Some may be harder conquests than others though it would seem that a late snatch might be your best ploy as their resolve may well have weakened. (Parents take note on your duty to advise your wee apples as to the pitfalls of public intoxication.) Alternatives are hosting a back to back viewing of "Sex in the City - Season 6" at the ED Warehouse or if you're more callous dressing up as Barny and loitering outside JoJo Maman Bebe. Good luck, if you do succeed you may well be able to make a packet by marketing your methods to the legions of singletons struggling to lead a carefree existence in the stroller-jammed by-ways of ED. Should you fail you might find richer pickings in Hastings.

Whilst I'm all in favour of everyone enjoying the locale in the daytime it does peeve when trying to have some quality adult time in the evening one is prevented from doing so by the uncontrolled presence of babies, toddlers and under 10s, and their inconsiderate parents. Granted there may be many parents on this board who are raising wonderful, well-mannered children but you are sadly outnumbered by those without your good fortune and skill. Was out at gbk last night with a couple of friends for a quiet meal and conversation. Come 8:45pm (that's 20:45 as in quite late in the day really!) a family piles in with 2 children who promptly begin to wail, bang and misbehave. Mothers, no doubt p'd off because they couldn't get childcare, then proceeded to swear, smack children and otherwise ignore the disruption they were causing. Yummy or not, educated or not, wealthy or not there are far too many parents who now have no ability to establish proper boundaries for their childrens' behaviour or indeed for themselves. This society is far too selfish now to support anything but the kind of slanging match that flared up on this topic. By the by, I haven't seen any yummies around ED, then again, guess I'm spoilt by all the lovelies and their nannies in SW London. Perhaps you ladies shoud try harder! Better still whip your daddies for more cash to up your bling factor, gym memberships and salon treatments ;P Any mums caring to prove how yummy they are, perhaps in the absence of dad AND kiddies (photo proof is sufficient), please feel free to set up an evening of glamour we can all attend to carouse in adult fashion. Peace (-out? innit?)

Ahem... As some of you readjust your askew rose-tinted spectacles and perhaps others resume the positive/funereal music playing through your media players I'd like to suggest that were this thread to be referred to an arbiter that we might just see a verdict of "cyber-bullying" going on here. Perhaps it was the full moon this weekend, it certainly played havoc with my days, not least of which getting mauled by my lady's cat. Can we put aside all the name calling and derogatory words and simply have it registered with "ayes" and "nays" as to the support or success of the Warehouse? This is a "forum" for the advancement of all views barring those that infringe the rules of the board or common decency but to resort to digs and slants simply does the participants no credit and demeans their value as informative contributors. I joined this board in the early belief that it was a useful networking device for people in the environs but it seems that it is showing a partisan underbelly that makes it less welcoming and unsavoury. Too much time and perhaps a few with some history? Good wishes to all and let's all talk about taxpayers' money being spent on bonds for banks...