SeanMacGabhann

Mark I don't have the N95 - I have (like half the people I see these days apparantly)got an N73. Like you I have flirted with non Nokia phones and been horrified. Although the N95 and N73 both use the Symbian graphical interface which is definitely slow when you are used to the old text menus. However after living with it for 6 months now I wouldn't go back. It doesn't have wi-fi but with TMobile it does have web'n'walk which has allowed me access to t'internet in far more places than wifi would allow (I'll come clean now - of COURSE I browsed the forum at Glastonbury - from the comfort of my tent when I'd wake up in the morning. You couldn't do that with wi-fi.) Unlimited browsing for ?7 odd quid a month. All of which applies to the N95 as well I have a PSP which has proper wifi and a bigger screen and I will state categorically that I prefer browsing on the phone - against my expectations Blackberry - I have been offered one by work but have refused on th egrounds that everyone I know, my boss included, has lost any self-control and are slaves to the things. Not sure about web capabilities mind you.

Of course all you O2ers will be celebrating being able to have an iPhone after todays news of course, if this were a thread asking about the latest mast erection , signal strength wouldn't be the issue

The EFFORT tonight, people, is immense - don't be so hard on yourselves Can we start a new one with: "They all arrived at Hooper's...

Paul - long time no hear Join us in Creating Excellence, indeed (I may be only one of 2 people on this planet who has seen that film more than twice) I shall include this site, not because it's the BEST but I visit it regularly, Ron & Emma are wonderful people and more people should go http://www.edcomedy.com/listings.html

Well, Asset, to be fair, how you ingest said crack is what will tip the balance of my opinion To be more serious (and to let Tillie know I'm only teasing - partly) I guess a lot of the anti-anti-smoking comments have, to my ears, lacked a wider context. I know many courteous smokers who have never, ever been a problem. And I feel for them But this isn't Britain being a nanny-state. This legislation has come into force in countries which I NEVER would have thought would have even considered it. Ireland especially. But there it is... the world has changed. As it always does. And in this instance it is not popular opinion being disregarded, but the wish of the many However, should any of you smokers ever cross my threshold I'm sure I could find an ashtray... PS - I may even share a smoke with the smokers tomorrow night as a very poor form of solidarity?

well, if you're going to BEG!!!

because "we" is never ALL of us... C'maaahhn - you smokers have had your time - be happy for us. You're even trying to quit so you know we are right.... :)-D

Tillie, sweetie, darling (etc) "They" haven't banned anything - "we" have. ;-)

Top end of Friern Rd may not be as high but I think I'm good for a while yet - If the lowlands go under I will still have The Library, The Plough and Val's

I agree with the FHT being a prime contender post Plough but Page 2 is actually a splendid idea as well I would not say no to The Rue or Bar Story either come to think of it

And the previous venues gave been SE22 as well (other than The Gowlett )

surely the best expression yet posted by anyone of "the fear" of attending a drink up for first time? First-up MW74 I would say you have safety in numbers - I think quite a few newcomers are coming along on Friday. Secondly, as has been mentioned in many a thread, we've all been there and been bowled over by how friendly everyone is in the flesh It's not what we do to you you need to be worried about. It's what you do to yourself. Come Saturday morning you will wonder what hit you....

Funnily enough the 2 times I have been to Zizzi's the people I was with insisted the same thing! What is with people!?

Jah - not sure of the details but a friend of mine in Devon says he and his wife already use portable ashtrays - don't know how exclusive a market would be As for the butt problem outside pubs - aren't there litter laws already in place to deal with people who do this? Not that all smokers are litter bugs of course

not on Sunday's no (the food being any good that is - not the heaters) Haven't been for a while during the week but was "fine" last time I tried Dulwich Village is a shocking place to find any kind of good food to eat it has to be said.... Never ever ever, no matter how many "under new management" signs you see go to the restaurant next door (shudders)

this is sooo heading for The Lounge I would say that the Dog in the village isn't a bad outdoor area for a smoke. And what about the tables outside The Green Room bar?

80.713 - but it has taken me how many days?? There was one effort which clipped the TOP of the windowsill which, had that made it through would still be flying..

The scotch bonnets, the tiny finger chilis and the more common or garden variety can usually be found around the LL outlets (Turkish shop, Val's, SMB etc) - I have yet to do a scout around Peckham for more exotic breeds...

ah yes, the old "I'll-say-it-will-never-happen-to-me" which means now it just might trick - to be fair Mockney you have had your work published which is more than most of us. In fact I'm sure I have seen you in the Bishop, downing double-rums like a proper star.... As for Jimmy - poor lad. I haven't seen so much of him since he moved but he was always happy to chat in the pubs watching football.

I notice the sign above John Alan Florists at the bottom of Lordship Lane also says "Restaurant & Hotel" It is quite a big building at rear and wondered if anyone remembers when it was a hotel and did anyone stay there?

Jerk sauce (by request of Fear'n'Boozin) grind about a tablespoon each of allspice & black pepper add to a teaspoon of ground nutmeg and cinnamon, 2 tbsbs of salt, 2 tbsps dried thyme, 1 of cayenne pepper, 1 of dried sage, 1 of sugar 6 garclic cloves (peeled), 1 inch cube of ginger, fistfull of fresh coriander leaves only, a few dashes of soy sauce, juice of a lime, 100 ml peanut oil and a big bunch of chopped spring onions Lastly 3 or 4 chilis - I go with the the wrinkly scotch bonnets that look like mini-peppers or some habeneros from chiliPete http://www.chillipepperpete.com/ Stick the lot in a blender and blitz until smooth Marinade the chicken (or pork) for at least 12 hours. I wish I had a coal grill but I don't so I bake at a low oven temp for 20-30 mins and then but on a hot griddle ban to get the charring of the skin...

Not a Rat & Parrot either, anymore anyway - it changes to a (spit) Zizzi pizza joint a couple of years back When it was the Rat & Parrot I met George Underwood there - he was the guy who punched Bowie and caused the operation at Kings College hospital which led to the permanently dilated pupil. He did the cover to Hunky Dory too

The Castle has a pretty darn nice outside area created on the back of the legislation - nicer than the inside some would say

Louisa I think you may be absolutely correct. Not sure about there being no fights "in the olden days" but the idiots we see out of their skulls on Smirnoff Ice et al are indeed "trouble makers" of all classes. Or no class as the case may be The Plough in it's new guise doesn't have anything in the way of these promotions so we'll see how the situation develops. I did notice the lairy element in there last night but thought the surroundings helped nullify the atmosphere.

Is it too small to be an independant cinema? Most banks tend to be converted to bars but even I am sated with them now