*Bob*

I've been offered many things down the pub, but - to date - never wing mirrors.

I think at least 55% of the answers you're looking for can be found within the lyrics of Pulp's 'Common People'.

Watch out though, Steele - prices at The vale are on the rise. The excellent carvery was only ?7.95 last time you plugged it a few weeks back - in your only other post.

An anecdotal point: One of my friends is an ex-miner from a town decimated by the demise of the industry (one of those so quaintly described as "in The North" - a mythical area which for half of Londoners seems to mean anything above Watford.. or in Cornwall, or Wales) His thoughts on the matter were "what do you expect when some bright spark decides to build a whole town around an industry with a limited lifespan and allow it to be managed by idealogues who absolutely refuse to face the facts?" To this, he added "I get so f***ing sick of hearing people who've never had to do it spouting off about the nobility of heavy industry. If you think I'd still prefer to be down a dangerous mine, breathing in coal dust for the rest of my life rather than a nice clean office, you must be mad".

Too true, Tillie. This utterly ludicrous thread is a fine example of how poor presentation and follow-up (on the part of Seanmlow) can slowly but surely generate a pompous, holier-than-thou and totally out-of-proportion response. And naturally I'm loving every word of it.

At the height of the Thatcher years I was marching with the best of 'em, shouting slogans - yet knowing nothing. These days I feel I've gained a little more perspective (much of it from the Marmora Mans of this world) - and no longer feel the need to define The Thatcher Years as I once did: entirely by way of an episode of 'The Young Ones' circa 1982.

Easy to say from the leafy and prosperoud environs of SE22 in 2008

Well comrades, ding-dong, the witch is.. unwell. But whether you like it or not (and millions didn't) she grabbed good old blighty by the balls and dragged it kicking and screaming out of a huge sack of shit, at a time when no-one else had the bottle to say boo to a union.

david_carnell Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Pretty much, yes. And darts. And pipes. Tobacco.. or crack?

The first rule of the Peckham Liberal Club.. is that no-one seems to know anything about the Peckham Liberal Club. What do you know, David? Are pressing liberal matters of the day discussed liberally in a liberal atmosphere? Or is it just about the cheap booze?

I'd like to go a swim session where I don't have to listen to women banging-on about how fast they can swim, please.

No, it's perfectly fine to say you're white and proud. If you want to. It doesn't make you an evil BNP flag-waver at all. Personally, I can't think of why being white would make me proud - which doesn't mean I'm ashamed of being white of nuffink that that - I just honestly can't think of any reasons why it would.

The reasons why you hear people being upfront about being 'black and proud' can be traced back to when they were 'black and f**ked over'. Not that long ago. Personally I wince at 'apologies for slavery' and the like, but I think it would take a very stubborn person not to take into account the days of slavery and empire - in some way or another.

Oh, I see. A flat fee, every month, in perpetuity. I love accountants.

McR, Did your accountant disclose how much said flat fee might be? Or would that depend upon how unsound a basis your hypothetical buy-to-let activities rested?

On second read I think that's the best 'Mash' for quite a long time.

The Mash wins. End of debate? Here's hoping.

I've had a similar offer from an Estate Agent. They too (to quote Sue) 'looked at each property on its own merits' and agreed a percentage. In reality, what this meant was that if you had a really nice place which they knew they could shift in a week, they'd give you a really good rate, but they'd ask you not to spread it around, because naturally they didn't want all the people with the crappy places to sell lining-up to quote the same percentage.

A fine choice.

Perhap I didn't make myself clear. I 'drive' Wrigley's Extra Blue, which (after road-testing many other brands) I feel gives me the best chew.

That depends, Honaloochie. What do you 'drive'?

Can't you read, Lozzy? She's BUSY.

It's like Peroni, only it gets you pissed quicker.

Fear not, people! I'm sure there will be some beer. If I had to guess, I'd say that the drinks menu will be something like (or even identical to) this: DRINKS MENU COCKTAILS Bellini The classic from Harry?s Bar in Venice. Peach puree topped with Prosecco Peach Gin Fizz A refreshing blend of peach puree, Tanqueray Gin and peach liqueur topped with soda Mojito Fresh mint muddled with Appletons Gold Rum with a splash of soda Gin Giardino Elderflower and Hendrick's Gin muddled with cucumber Italian Martini The Italian Job. Ketel One Vodka infused with Galliano, Chambord and pineapple juice Caipirinha A modern classic from Brazil. Fresh limes crushed with brown cane sugar flooded with cachaca rum and crushed ice Cosmopolitan Made to the original recipe, Ketel One Vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice and egg white, shaken Sex In The City style Classic Champagne Cocktail A sugar cube steeped in Angostura, slacked with cognac and topped with champagne Aperol Cooler A blend of Aperol, Lemoncello and gin with grapefruit and orange juice Espresso Martini A great pick-me-up! With fresh espresso, Kahlua and vodka Berry Bellini A fruity play on the classic with a choice of blackberry or morello cherry Bramble Tanqueray Gin spiked with lemon and laced with mure, served frappe Tutti Fruitti A fresh mix of strawberries, passion fruit and apple juice with a kick of Pisco served over crushed ice Amaretto Sour An Italian twist on a classic theme Amaretto and lemon juice shaken with sugar and egg white Margarita Tequilla and Grand Marnier infused with fresh lime and lemon served straight up with a salt rim Negroni A bitter sweet blend of Campari, Martini Rosso and Bombay Gin Vavavoom Cointreau sharpened with lemon and sugar syrup charged with Prosecco 43 Martini Hendrick's Gin shaken with Liqueur 43 and cranberry juice a dry alternative to the Cosmo La Grand Pasione Grand Marnier with fresh passion fruit Amaretto Sour An Italian twist on a classic theme Amaretto and lemon juice shaken with sugar and egg white Tiramasu Martini With white and dark chocolate liqueur, Patron coffee liqueur swirled with mascarpone cream BEER Peroni Nasto Azzuro 5.1% abv Moretti 4.6% abv Peroni Gran Reserva 6.6% abv

If there's one thing more repulsive than gum-chewers, it's mint-suckers. Especially Polo-suckers who pucker-up with a Polo and then whistle through it.