SeanMacGabhann

I've pretty much stopped sending most cards on sanctioned events - people are far more likely to get random gifts and cards at unexpected times of the year from me. To my mind that shows they are genuinely being thought of rather than being on an annual mailing list I wouldn't NOT send cards on "wasteful" grounds - there comes a point when you think "oh for the LOVE of GAAAWD, the planet can cope with some Christmas cardboard wastage" - but in recent years the poncification of cards has gotten out of hand PS PeckhamRose - I think you are spot on about Maurice.. but shhhh I never said that

hey amigo - we are shoulder to shoulder on this one...

Don't worry David Maurice will be along in a mo to explain why the privatised companies are doing such a splendid job, unlike the wasteful state

* ahem* Carefully seasoned and cured congealed blood and fat I think you'll find Mrs MacGabhann doesn't care for it either but there you go. Nowt wrong with blood (steak anyone?) Having somewhere that sold half decent meat (a bit of steak mince for a bol, say) in the evenings would be useful - but even Somerfield does that now (juuuust about getting back on topic) if I'm stuck

;-) I know it sounds like I'm being facetious every time I bring it up but I genuinely don't mean to be Do I ever use cook-in sauces? Once in a blue moon I will get on to see if they are as bad as I remember. They are usually worse, so yeah I either make it from scratch. The taste from any jar is always so artifical I feel genuinely gross afterwards so it's never an option. It's not a health thing.. that doesn't bother me (obviously!) - it's the knowledge that it's vile tasting If laziness overcomes then the options foe me are a) light snackage (black pudding on toast or summat) b) eat out or takeaway Obviously getting takeaway flies in the face of most "good food" chatter I spout, but a decent curry from a decent place is at least something that's cooked properly. Or I don't pretend that I'm really eating "not JUST ANY chicken, but..." etc etc

Not in ED but I notice the new development by Bermondsey Market is to include an "arthouse cinema" Now it takes me no longer than 30 mins to get from Plough to that spot every day so will be reasonably convenient for Eddites when it opens

Jeremy I guess that is partly true although many people love to buy meat from M&S, spuds etc - all genuinely overpriced (as opposed to a perception of being overpriced) But if people are genuinely clamouring for M&S ready-meals then that is another problem :(

His usual gripes about investment etc aside, Maurice (and Nero's follow-up) are pretty on the money with regard to LL's appearance I think it was Keef some months back who raised the point initially - ED generally can't hold an architectural candle to many surrounding areas. But that's as much to do with history as anything else and the question would be - "given where we are what can we do about it if anything" As an example, many people find the flast above the Budgens-Co-Op block pretty grim visually but as a resident of one of them came on to point out - those are people's homes, much loved and would put up a hell of a fight should anyone try and "change" them Now I think the building is rank and would love to change it but a) the resident has a more impressive and important point than me b) modern architecture ain't so great anyway So yes I wish the form was much better, but the content is stil the winner for me - I'm not moving anywhere

think I got it for about ?32 - can't remember where from tho... Obviously I'll lend it after Christmas if you prefer waiting

Peckhamgatecrasher No worries - and I hear what you are saying. I'm not claiming they are cheap or even always value-for-money That said I didn't see any salts for ?30. I got some good aftershave for less than that so.... if some people choose to buy them there salts, that's up to them. Plenty of other places selling them cheaper so no harm done My point was more about how good the service was and (bathsalts notwithstanding) how good some of the product was Pricing generally as an issue... doesn't really bother me. If I can't afford something I can't afford it - but that doesn't necessarily (note the qualification!) mark a place down By the way Monkey - show a lady some respect ;-)

I assumed it was just new-to-Ed types, pluralised

so... season 4. Several episodes in and what a surprise it excellent The theme this series is edumacation Aidan Quinn as Tommy Vercetti is so good, hell I'd vote for him

Obviously, if you're not in their target market, you could care less about the sort of shop it is but having been in their twice in recent weeks (after being in there all of once before since it's opening) I wanted to big this place up too (see Franklin's thread for other shout out) Very friendly staff, a small but select range of products (not me buying for the most part, was with someone who works in the beauty trade who was suitably impressed). So, as with the Franklin's thread it sounds like I'm arbitrarily picking out a business for over-praise but, putting my money where my mouth is it's local businesses like these that make the area worthwhile - It could be a (rhymes with Hush) for cryin out loud..

One of 2 threads I'm starting about a couple of individual businesses in the area - I had a look and couldn't find one for Franklin's in existence despite a few mentions in other threads, so.... I've eaten there many a time and always been impressed but taking some friends there on Sat night, we were treated to one of the best meals I have ever had - and just wanted to give them a shout The food was start-to-finish top-notch, and the service was exemplary and we ended up leaving the biggest tip I've ever left... That is all. I', sure someone will chime in with a bad experience they had there but just had to give credit where it's due (obviously I've been on here long enough for people to know I have no connections with the place whatsoever, in case anyone is wondering)

after all of that, all I can say is....phew I thought the ref in the Liverpool Man U game was pretty impressive. Less so in the case of Wile for the Arsenal Chelsea game Neither game was much cop but that wasn't too much of a surprise as these things are inevitably close. I thought both could have been draws without too many complaints from any fans so commiserations to Liverpool/Chelsea fans (all that said John Terry is the most enormous pain in the hole and should have been off the pitch long before that injury)

I'm all for Iceland instead of M&S food for two reasons 1) The cost means that not just well-to-do have a place to shop 2) Nothing M&S sells can't be bought elsewhere on the lane (and better too) (and cheaper as well)

did I miss a meeting? Why is that the only alternative to a chain? I was under the impression lots of non-chains have been happily in business for many years in the area?

you think they look bad?? ~I think people look pretty good...

I wondered if anybody would bump into Annaj on the way home.. Bren you were grand - obviously full of the good stuff but no embarrassments I am sooooo glad I said no to Liqourice tho - today would have been a write-off. But yeah 12 o clock orders seems wrong these days Cheers to Paul for doing the decks, Keef for a bit of the ole Piano. Good to meet monica and the others as well and a big shout (see, still down with the kids) to Joe for making a special effort to get down to the drinks as well And didn't all you ladies look FINE last night? If Polly is reading, say thanks to her husband as well. He took a weight off my mind at the end of the evening ;-) Cheers Matt Sorry you holiday is coming to an end Piers but we've missed you so come back lad and lad-een

Sorry to hear that keef. Would have made for a cracking start to weekend but like you say. . . Time for drinks!

Good point spadetown boy - especially as Nisha up the road has stopped stocking it. Tanora also important, especially at this time of year

And all those years I was told that men were more shallow than women... I knew that was a lie of course If I have to have multi-millionaire-but-still-endorse-any-old-shite brands as footballers, then Becks actually comes across as one of the better ones. He is old-fashionedly sweet enough to think love would conquer all with Victoria but his face (and actions) suggest he knows he made the wrong decision. But such is ther co-dependant relationship with each other and the tabloids they are stuck with it And yes the voice does him no favours but through the bland-isms you do get the ocassional nuggest of sense

I thought it was a reformatted Living South when I had a look - that's not far wrong is it. Obviously the Black Book has better editorial content but....

If memory serves there mightbe some strange clothing items as well... can that be right? Anyway, let us know how you get on

lozzyloz and Mark Stay on topic please! ;-)