Moos

Then, Steve, you are immune from all pinching and punching and generally Topp. But some grate gorila is bound to pinch and punch you anyway chiz chiz

HonaloochieB is uterly wet and a weed.

Ooh, sly, Sean.

you have to say 'black hares' on the last day of the month for 'white rabbits' to apply

Yeah, go *Bob*. We're struggling! But still hope to get there... I know this is really incendiary, and I'm honestly not saying it to offend, but I'm not sure about the term 'child-free' as distinct from 'child-less'. It just seems to me that in every other context one uses 'free' to suggest that the thing absent is undesirable (fat-free, disease-free..) while 'less' just means not there (strapless). However, I'll happily accept 'child-free' if you can think of an equivalent, non-pejorative 'free' term, perhaps I'm just being unimaginative. (did I make any sense there?)

Happy birthday, lovely Belle. I see the sun has come out in your honour.

In the early days it seems that a father's (or partner's) job is to support the mother, who really, really needs it. So they're essential there. Later on, as the child grows, they come into their own. I take my hat off to single mothers, I really don't know how they do it.

Tillie, you look JUST like your very beautiful sister! It was very cool to see on Friday. (off topic, hope the trek to uni went well) Steve, I don't think you look like Olly Reed or Phil Mitchell. Ask for another one! I've been told quite a few times that I look like Helen Hunt.

Only if you make the right choice, m'sieur.

I was just about to type something that (as I scrolled down) was pretty much identical to what Keef put. I once heard the Sainsbury's van turn up (about an hour late) and was waiting in the doorway with my arms folded by the time the guy rolled up with the trolley loaded. He looked at me and before I spoke a word said apologetically 'I can tell you're not happy' - I had to very quickly unfold my arms and readjust my attitude! Poor bastard. It was about 10pm, and he'd probably had a faceful from customer after customer. He was nice as pie, it's not the drivers' fault if the loaders are late, or the delivery slots are overbooked.

Definitely noticed the flights back over the weekend - one quite low and right over my (Peckham) house every five minutes or so, plus fillers-in higher up and a bit further north every minute or two, all heading resolutely westward. Bless them.

We've just given up on Sainsburys, as they messed up more orders than they got right, and more than once we were hanging around until midnight waiting for a late order that just got later and later, and then never arrived. We generally used them for household items and store-cupboard stuff, but on those rushed days when we also got our veggies from them, they had clearly taken care to choose the oldest and most manky which no sane bricks-and-mortar shopper would pick up. Poor show. We've switched to Ocado (very against the prevailing climate!) and so far they've provided a faultless service but have had to take a lot more care over our orders to avoid a huge increase in our bill. They don't do as much own-brand stuff as Sainsbury's, so are inevitably more expensive. It's good that they recycle the bags (Sains does too) but I don't understand why they can't offer crate-only delivery as Tesco does. I've emailed them to push it, suggest other customers do too! I think the cost of delivery is reasonable if you save up and only order so often so you can send in a big bill.

I think you're right, ruffers. But aren't we all stern when we're in the mood? :)

There's a Pytchley Road too, just next to Quorn. And I'm with Michael and Horsebox on the bus burning.

I went past too late to sample the coffee, but very cute van.

How very shocking, DM. Do tell us more.

sniggers at the concept of it being an 'evolutionary thing'. Evolution works over thousands of years. You just have a phobia.

Rampant, rampant? How dare you employ that sexist terminology.

I've done it now. All those months of carefully cultivating the nice-old-Moos persona, and one careless post reveals the bitch beneath.

Is it true that if you step in swan poo, your shoes automatically belong to the Queen? I'm sure I read that somewhere.

You've got that wrong, Snorky, I think most people love you.

Yeah, Brendan, you MUST be a loser... all those advantages, and you're not ruling the world yet? What have you been doing? Edited to say - arargh, now I'm worried Brendan is offended...please reply!

*giggles inanely*

Heartfelt congratulations, Tillie. Sounds like you have a lot to be proud of. Don't cry too much tomorrow!

Er, TLS, that's pretty much exactly what people have been saying. Basically, what it comes down to is that in 'real life' women and people from perceived 'other' groups get more of a hard time than white heterosexual middle-class men. On TV and in the liberal media it's generally the other way around, which is unfair. But then all that money and power must be something of a compensation?