Michael Palaeologus

The Labour Party have run out of ideas, its the same old faces, trotting out the same old phrases.

I worked in in Jobcentres in the late 80s and worked with the LTU (long term unemployed). I had a conversation with a colleague who had a similar history. Some people have had genuine problems historically, they become demotivated and do not believe that they will ever be able to work, so they dont try. These people need support to build their motivation, their job search skills and get them used to working again. With guidance they can find work - but sometimes they do need to a firm push to do it. They are not work shy but are out the habit of work. Some people are work-shy and have got used to living on a low income for little effort. These people need to be forced back into work. This is the harsh reality that you dont read about in The Guardian, but do see if working with the long term unemployed.

It is odd how some sear words take on a life all of their own. Thus "Tw*t" is concidered rather mild, whereas "C*nt" is concidered beyond the pale; yet both words refer to a lady's front bottom. The male genitalia seem fair game, indeed "Cock" has been popularised by James May on Top-Gear (a lifestyle programme specialising in Green issues and alternative forms of transport - for those who do not have TVs and indeed a statement which could be described as "Cock" in this context). I quite like "Cock" but dont like "C*nt" and yet feel drawn to the fairer sex, I am so confused. P.S. Interestingly I now discover that bh "Tw*t" and "C*nt" require an asterix to be show on the Forum, whereas "Cock" does not. Sexist!!

Sean's " .... after that it could go either way" made me hoot. Sitting on the fence as usual!!

'ank you Georgia. I can now put my comfort blanket away, but in a convenient spot, just in case.

It should be a little quieter than normal because the summer hols will have started, just how quiet however, is another question!

Um, well, I cant do Thursday 21/8 - I can do any of that weeks nights before then! But, you know, you could all go along without me, no, no, enjoy yourselves.... How about 19 or 20 August? Coriander I think was the next on the to do list and then the Mirash - and then I think we will have done them all - EXCEPT that is, if somebody knows otherwise!

I saw some UFOs last night, but I didnt have my special extra-shakey Camera with me so was unable to provide evidence. Tsk!

Ooh - this Sunday perhaps? Anybody?

... which is almost the cost of a Prostitute in Prague - for a week. Apparently.

Since Lloyds took over they have become much more efficient in organising my repeat prescription. Prior to that every visit was like Ground-Hog Day "Yes I did telephone it in 5 days go, yes my repeat presciption is with you - perhaps it is in that random pile of prescriptions over there?, no I am with The Gardens as I told you 5 minutes ago, no I cant come back, well go and find it then, well done it was out the back - like it always is" Perhaps the previous lot had to sell up because their prices were too low?

I am distrubed that you and are clearly the only two old fogies left around here. All the others have died, apart from that Dulwichmum who us only allowed to write with crayons.

Hic Hic Hooray!

It is Dulwichmum delivering her latest Teegraph Blog entry.

I went 10 years or more without being subject to criminality and then had 2 wallets stolen within 6 months; once in Tallinn and once in Victoria.

He's raving again. Living in a world of his own. Its all fantasy. My Granny thinks he is barking mad, we spent the whole afternoon talking about it. She say's that the King will visit us soon and will heal everybody with rickets simply by touching them. Whats that box in the corner? Its talking to me.

HonaloochieB, you are talking to yourself again you daft old bastard. You have stopped taking your medication havent you? The Mighty Boosh is the thing they stick up your arse to help you go, thats exactly what it does. I had a lovely Philipino nurse do it for me; mind you that was 40 years ago in Manila when I didnt need any help going.

Keef - you can probably buy seedlings at the Country Fair, or would that be tomatoes?

Reminds me of a line from Portnoys Complaint - which, as I was typing it, I decided was too gross for a public forum - buy the book!

Well that was fun. In attendance: Mr and Mrs Sean McG, Georgia and Mr Georgia, The Cat-Onions, Hibbs, Mrs Citizen ED and me. The Dulwich Tandoori has been around for years and the signage and decor are of the good old fashioned curry house type, well maintained and rather comforting. Service was very good, we were looked after well by the Head-waiter. I cannot remember his name as Hibbs dubbed him "Poppet" and that has rather lodged in my brain. He said that he was, within reason, willing to respond to any name. Food was largely good. I had Prawn on Puri and some of an onion bhaji and both were tasty and of a good size. The Tandoori Chilli Ginger Garlic Chicken was very tasty and the Aubergine Bhaji was also good. The rice was .. rice although I found the nan bread rather stodgy. A chicken madras dish was not brilliant, the sauce was rather bland and the chicken tasted as if it had been cooked separately and the dropped into the sauce immediatly before it came out of the kitchen, not coked in the sauce. This was described to Poppet who was mortified and organised a second portion as a freebie take-away and asked for feedback to be telephoned in at a conveient time. We had some wine and beers although the draft Carlsberg was at the end of the barrel and tasted rather metallic, when this was pointed out it was replaced with bottled beer at no extra cost. We finished with a round free digestifs courtesy of Poppet. The bill came to ?20 each - no bad at all.

Move over DM, feeling a little windy after the curry club last night, why werent you there? You said you were coming. We had a deal with "Hello" organised photos and everything.

No need to cook tonight, come and meet us for a curry! 7.30 at the EDT 8.30 at the Dulwich Tandoori

Its a bah-faced lie!

"Smelling salts for Dulwichmum"

New Zealand must be the only country to have a national Van (which they can all get in) and celebrate that fact in their national anthem Why doesnt the Oz anthem have an equivalent in Aboriginal? Perhaps the Aboriginals see nothing to celebrate in the advancing of the Australians...