Scribe

Blimey, *Bob*. I wish I was as care-free as you are. In fact, if I were to use your geometry, I might just stop bouncing off of the underside of the earth's atmosphere for once and actually get somewhere. Honestly, it's refreshing to be amongst professionals, at last!

Wow, *Bob*. I never knew I had a fellow astronaut in my midst. But tell me, considering we're 'colleagues' in the field of inter-planetary travel, what's your preferred angle of ascent?

Stalking is a requirement when hunting a large animal that is capable of rapidly evading the hunter. I don't, contrary to what you're surreptitiously implying, follow and harrass women over a sustained period of time. But tell me, cincinatti kid. Do you have anything of any relevance to add, other than childish distractions?

The tracking of an animal is assertaining where it's been and estimating, through observing footprints and other natural indicators, how far away it is, and what direction it's headed. That's the real challenge. Stalking is shadowing your prey once it's within visual range. You then move gradually closer to get a clear shot at your target. And when hunting with a bow, you have to get a lot closer to your prey than you would with a full-bore rifle. I also feel obliged to mention that most of the hunting trips I go on abroad are usually within the confines of an established hunting estate. But the animal is not drugged in any way and has an equal chance of escaping the hunter, and in my case has, on many occasions.

It does, actually. But only if you ommit the supposition that you've continued with in the latter half of your post. Killing is an undeniable aspect of hunting, that's a fact I can agree on, but you're assuming, although you're not alone in doing so, that I hunt for "pure fun". I don't. My sole motive when hunting game with a bow, or an air rifle, is the harvesting of edible meat, as I've continuously maintained throughout this thread. If I was hunting for "pure fun", I'd shoot the animal, leave it for the carrion birds or have its head mounted above my mantlepiece, which I don't, aswell as vehemently opposing, as I've (yet again) continuously maintained throughout this thread. The bottom line - which I've (yet again) maintained throughout this thread - is that, although I enjoy the tracking, I don't hunt purely for fun. Again, applying your reasoning, people used to make music because they had to if they wanted to enjoy it privately. But "that is not the case here and now".

I can understand why you think people that hunt, for whatever reason, are a bit wierd in the sense that food can be quite easily sourced from a supermarket, but is it so wierd that I choose not to because I prefer to use a skill that I've honed through experience to take meat from its primary source, the animal itself? In today's convenience reliant society, perhaps. But I don't really care what other people think, or do to condemn what I see as a perfectly natural thing to do. I've also learned from another thread that you're something of a musician, Keef. But if I was to apply your reasoning, I could dismiss an interest of yours with equal measure by opining that people who write and perform their own music are a "bit weird", seeing as there's plenty of music available on the radio, online or in the shops. And that making your own music is just attention-seeking nonsense. By saying/writing that, I'm not trying to provoke an argument or insult you personally. I'm just trying to get my point across within a parameter you've set-out.

Making light fun, or in this case, parodying a religion, isn't in any way "racist". Although Rastafarianism is often associated with black, dreadlocked and usually stoned men, it isn't exclusive to black men and women.

Do any more of the white, briefly rebellious IT consultants and new media bods of East Dulwich have any further generic patois verbs they wish to embarrass themselves with? If you do, then please, fill yer beanie hats.

Agreed. Murdoch is Satan's agent on earth. He - or 'it' - is best avoided.

Why would you take flak for stating the bleedin' obvious? Rastafarianism is a made-up religion, that's used as an excuse to get stoned all day.

Gina, forgive me if I'm wrong, but what happened to your brother-in-law seems like a case of double-billing by Sky. In my case, they kept gradually increasing the cost by a fraction. They did notify me of the increase by post, but although it was by what seemed like a marginal increase, their reasoning was progressively vague i.e - to cover increasing customer demand. At the time I wasn't really fussed, and I didn't want to miss the re-runs of ITV's The Knock on UKTV Gold (sad, I know). But when I think about it now, I can't help feeling like a complete walkover. Although I'd be lying if I said/wrote that I haven't considered re-submitting myself to Murdoch's consumer cult.

Still can't get over being pulled-up on your evasive deflections, can you, *Bob*.

Why? It seemed quite reasonable, given the evasive nature of aquarius moon's proclaimation. The reason being is that unlike you, they've realised it's not a wind-up. But please, instead of bleating repetitive supposition feel free to provide some actual evidence that proves otherwise. As long as you're catching the fish so that you can eat it, then I can't see a problem with it; but others will no-doubt be deeply, deeply offended by it. Although I must admit, I don't really have the patience for fresh or salt water fishing.

I don't know if the OFT have cracked-down on it, but when I was a Sky customer, the price I signed-up with (?19.99 a month in 2000) kept gradually increasing without any reasonable justification from Sky's customer support desk, until I finally had enough and cancelled my contract in 2005. It's something I'd advise you to look into, but I agree with fyvum, in that you'll be hard-pressed not to find something on that'll interest you on Sky's many channels.

Accusing Annette Curtain of being a troll is a bit harsh, not to mention libelous, nashoi. Admittedly she comes across as a bit scatty, but she seems harmless enough. What makes you think otherwise?

Because those in power are often terrified of offending ethnic and religious minorities. This is mainly down to a libel culture that's infected our legal system, and has remained unchecked to the extent that it's encouraged by solicitors who'll often take-on a case so they can make a lot of money through astronomical legal fees. It's now used almost as a weapon against anyone who dares to criticize what is blatantly wrong or illegal, on the grounds that it's 'offensive' or breeds 'hatred'.

I'm not sure, fyvum. Something tells me it would be a close finish. But I'd be more than happy to thump you in the dick swinging contest, that is if you're man enough to step-up and challenge me, and 'him'.

I'd be willing to participate in a televised pissing contest with *Bob*, if such an event/spectacle could be arranged.

As I've quite clearly stated already, aquarius moon, I was replying in kind. Please feel free to produce evidence that proves otherwise.

Calm down. We're not discussing cottaging on this thread, you know.

One more feather to my cap, surely?

*Bob*, you're yet again being very childish. I'd us a grenade, obviously!

*Bob*, it seems that we've arrived at some resemblance of civilized discourse, except for a faint wiff of yet more baseless supposition on your behalf that you consistently fail or object to backing-up. I don't "get off" on hunting in the erotic sense that you've childishly, not to mention evasively (yet again), implied. I won't deny that I enjoy the tracking aspect, but I don't spunk in my underwear once the animal I've shot/skewered draws its last breath. Nor do I hunt to such a dramatic soundtrack as Ride of the Valkyries on full blast on an ipod whilst I "creep around in the woods", I don't own one, and to do so would render the hunt futile, as I'm sure you already know. Or are you so dangerously naive that you didn't?

Yes, I understand that animals don't have the luxury of a fallout shelter, and thus wouldn't be around to hunt. But I was just trying to make a point, albeit a laughable one, I admit. But please, fell free to continue in your reptitive, evasive exercise in distraction.