RosieH

Ok, so I'm asking for your help again, but this time it's not all about my outright idleness. A good friend is leaving these shores to return to his native Seattle, and as part of his going away gift, I'd like to make him a compilation of songs about Britain / England / London. Have some ideas, but was wondering if any of you arbiters of musical taste had any genius thoughts you'd care to add to the mix...

hahaha, busted - BUT THAT WAS 3 DAYS AGO - oh man...

???? - you make a good point - yes it's for him and he's clearly stinky so won't care gigi - I know, I know, but I'm poorly and I'm not dressed. Ah sod it, sure I've got something clean somewhere...

I have just discovered that I don't have any washing powder. I can't be bothered to get dressed and go out to buy some, yet I must have clean clothes for when I go to see Jarvis tomorrow and make him fall in love with me. Is there anything else I can use instead? I mean, for instance, just how bad would it be if I used shower gel or shampoo? Don't judge me.

HonaB, mine were lifted straight out of a woman's weekly (chat, that's life, take the lift up - that sort of thing). They bring me untold pleasure. Although I can confess that gift wrapping the soap powder box was an artistic flourish all my own. Actually, credit crunch tip: make up ever more bonkers ideas like the soap box magazine rack, submit to a woman's weekly with a photo - two hundred quid could be yours...

Ha, no beef about the dinner (did I really just type "beef"??? No beef, Keef) I know you weren't being mean Keef. But yes, being lied to sucks - especially when I know her wealthy boyfriend will have paid her bill anyway Iain, so no, I won't be palming over the cash. I happen to think a little embarassment is due for someone trying to lie their way to cash from friends, especially when they know that money's tight.

dulwichmum Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > OH.MY.GOD! > > I find an unreserved apology, so incredibly > manly... > > Prrr You are just hitting the nail on the head all over the place this evening madame.

Ooh, Petrus when it reopens in January - you're definitely on DM. Don't have a man, so I shall find one there... Thanks all for very wise words - have found out is definitely a lie and feel a bit gutted. As for dinner for 20 - I've never had dinner for 20 before, but 16 or so for sure and found it perfectly charming.

It's only ?30 but things are pretty tight this month and it's more the principle of the thing. It should be a no-brainer but can't decide quite what approach to take to make things as unawkward as possible. Any thoughts on my very minor tale of woe most welcome. I was supposed to be going out for dinner with my friend (and about 20 others) for her birthday on Saturday night but was ill and couldn't make it (offering to take her out for a night this week to make it up to her) She mentioned she was worried the restaurant might charge per head meant to be there, so I told her that I'd transfer the money into her bank if they did. Then I sat there feeling bad (having read her arsey comments on twitter) so called the restaurant to pay over the phone if necessary, so that she wouldn't be out of pocket even for the day or so til I made a transfer. They told me they weren't going to charge, there was no minimum, but even if there had been, everyone was drinking more than enough wine to cover it. All great, until I got an email from her today asking for the bank transfer saying that the restaurant had bought food in specially and had to cover their costs. Even as I read this, it sounds daft, and know I should just set her straight. But she's always been a bit of a tall story teller, in a way it's part of her charm - but I'm disappointed she'd do it to get money out of a friend - am also pretty sure that when I reply, she'll make something up to say the restaurant changed their mind. Do I just need to get a backbone?

SeanMacGabhann Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I get the bus (any which goes to E&C) - takes 20 > minutes early morning and walk the rest to > Blackfriars - another 20. But if you are going to > Southwark, call it a 10-15 minute walk > > So 30 mins easily doable What sort of made up time in the morning is that Sean? Half an hour to Elephant unless you're going at dawn o'clock...

Entirely believable - Cowell securing the media coverage, talkability and consequent viewing figures...

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > No it won't. Where will I get the strawberry laces > which I festoon my tree with? Not to mention the > bag of gold coins. From Woolworths (although harder to nick anything)

Mick Mac Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I understood that point rosie. I was commenting on > your other point about people hijacking threads. > You are in a very superior mood today btw. Am I indeed? Not sure that it's only today - I rather suspect I just AM superior.

Mick, you're missing the point of my post. I don't think the lounge is weaker without them, but I think like anything, it may require a period of adjustment to fall back into its natural rhythm.

If Honor Oak side isn't too far for you, jump on the 63 direct to Southwark Station - probably about 45mins (faster on a good day)

Oh pish and tish Mick - post hoc ergo procter hoc? I don't think so. The forum was plenty lively and witty and amusing before the advent of TLS and BBW. But someone addressed earlier the fact that their rampant hijacking of threads caused other posters to drift away. Maybe give them some time to come back before you jump to overly-simplistic conclusions. I don't know the full extent of BBW's offensive postings but I've seen a few and sadly I think a ban was in order. Just because you two enjoyed a shared bit of banter doesn't mean he gets to talk about how someone's dad should be gang raped. On Tony, I'm not sure of the reasons for the ban so can't comment.

karter, I seriously doubt anyone is forgetting the deaths of our soldiers currently in Afghanistan. Just listened to a father reciting a poem he wrote about his son's death over there - utterly heartbreaking but he's so proud of his son. "slaughtered" is a very emotive word. I'm not sure that it's one I'd choose but I appreciate the sentiment. Not to be glib or trite or unquestioning or accepting, but aren't deaths an inevitable consequence of war? The Politics Show is now coming from Afghanistan - these soldiers are not forgotten.

Was actually just about to post on the very subject. Yes. Incredibly moving.

Hurrah for Chener, although I will miss the old sign. I do kinda like it.

Golly, I'd completely forgotten it was bonfire night - I figured East Dulwich was getting shot up big style.

WHAT WHAT? Richard Armitage lives near here? Man alive, the cold showers I had to have after watching him in North and South... I will now make an effort every time I leave the house, just in case. Ruth is ace, am very very pleased she's back. Although Mockney, callous of you to celebrate her singledom if I may say so. It's a ludicrously good looking bunch of spies though eh? Maybe MI5 are hotties, but I used to work next door to MI6 and never a hot one did I see.

I have a credit crunch tip. It won't save you as much money as PGC's, but every little helps... A glass jar* in the bathroom is the very thing to store all those sample sachets of perfume and shampoo and moisturiser that you get out of magazines. That way when people come to stay at your house, the greedy feckers don't have to use all your nice expensive products. On another festive season tip, a family sized washing powder box with the top cut off and covered in left-over wrapping paper makes an excellent magazine rack. You'll never have to hunt high and low for your Readers Digest again. *or, as festive season is upon us, the excellent sturdy plastic box that Ferrero Rocher come in

Bah, missed it - celebrating my little bro's 30th - seemingly all done and dusted by midnight. Is that the way we roll now? (I say this, languishing as I am, all full of mucus and self-pity on the sofa, with nary a thought of socialising ever again)

the twat on the "what would you do with unlimited texts" adverts who says he would form a superband - and his inane gormless smackable face on the side of every single bloody bus that passes me at the bus stop and that irritant renaissance twat who can play rugby and dance and cook (but seemingly is defeated by normal common or garden speech) on the youngs fish advert

dalajlama, thanks for the sound advice - thank god for you - I'd never have thought of google! on a less flippant note, of course I googled it and got a pile of crap, and knowing there to be some very lovely and literate people on here, I thought I would ask for recommendations