RosieH

You complained? Hilarious. Oh to be a curmudgeon now that summer's here...

*swoons*

I reckon that what emc's not saying is that s/he's on the look-out for fitties: fabby daddies (is that what we're calling them?) Also, assume s/he's taking into account the age of said glossy magazine's readership, so for instance an Easy Living reader might be happy ogling a dad in his 30s and 40s, whereas a dad in his 50s and 60s is more Saga fodder, and beyond that, we're really talking about People's Friend, and no one wants to go there. They don't photograph you, so much as call in a courtroom sketch artist. Also I don't think you really count as a single dad when your progeny's a fully-formed adult themselves. Unless you're John Humphries, that rules out a lot of pensioners. Although Sean Connery, topless, with a baby / kitten - yeah, I'd probably have a gander.

Mine is. Perhaps you need a shampoo and set e-dealer?

Cos they're not with it, daddy-o.

Oh yeah, I had one of those once. I wasted an awful lot of money in Selfridges lingerie department before he came out. But where does the shag dodging come into it? Is Real Morris the shag dodger because he won't ask her out and prefers the thrill of the virtual chase? Or is New Neighbour the shag dodger because she hasn't jumped his bones yet? I'm very confused.

I don't know. Who IS a shag dodger? What is this, some kind of a joke?

I think this is a take on it that's worth reading (though I'm sure it will elicit a chorus of "they would say that"s). I'm with Chippy and Pibe on this. I don't think it crossed a line. Unlike the Countryside Alliance protest referred to in the article, it involved no intimidation. I find myself breathing a sigh of relief (and the giving up of the occasional skip of joy) that at long, long last, it feels like people (some, not enough) are engaging in the political process once more. If there had been trespass or intimidation, I would have felt differently about this protest - and indeed, I've walked away from protests where I feel a line has been crossed - but I would have felt perfectly comfortable being a part of this. If anything, I find it a rather witty response to a terrible situation (no money, no job? don't worry, have a fucking party for the jubilee! or the olympics! that'll make everything just tickitty boo, and you might get pissed enough to forget about your perilous state). Qu'ils mangent de la brioche, indeed. Annoying someone is quite different from harrassing them. Better to offer them a slice of cake than to cut off their heads, no?

mikeb, do you get respect? (am so sorry, I know this is not the Lounge, but it made me laugh)

You could also add to that a cheery "thank you, driver" as you get off the bus. Nothing adds to a mutterer's fury more than being proved wrong.

Really unnecessary computedshorty - a quick look at your second-to-last post shows at least two grammar mistakes. People in glass houses...

Seconded the Windmill.

And don't forget your pitchforks.

I'd be rather more worried that she'd miss the crow and hit the cat. I mean, I say worried...

That's never acceptable on a shopping street. Especially one where you might have to brush past someone. You have to keep your shirt on Quids - if you didn't there'd be an epidemic of swooning on the Lane, and then what would the prams do..?! Mayhem.

St Ives is a nice idea. I do like fish and chips. And the seaside! And the light! And the art! And Ladygooner, I know what you're saying, and I'm inclined to agree. Just causes anxieties because money's very tight for me, and not at all for her. And while she sort of gets that, she only sort-of does, so in the recent past I've been committed to stuff I could ill afford when she did the planning. That's why I was hoping I could find something brilliant that she'd love, that I'd enjoy too, but I could control the budget. Might be asking the impossible.

Nope. You smell of stale sweat.

Quids, are all pregnant women not like this then?

Cats kill birds. Fact.

Hurrah for the new Pibeling! What joy! She's normally quite sensible in these matters, but I'm feeling like I might just give up and do whatever I'm told.

There are some people on here for whom I would suggest . (Ah yes - the man who sees both sides of both sides...) Used to be me, but now I rant with abandon. So I'm gonna go with this little corker...

Ooh, please do. Yes she's my best friend, and I love her dearly, but she's awfully hard to please. She's already told me that she can't eat most cheeses. And shellfish. And cured meats. So stuffing our faces in France is out. And can't go in the sauna or hot tub, so a spa's not ideal. And wants it to be relaxing, so doesn't really want to fly out Friday night and back Sunday, because then it's too hurried and stressful. And wants it to be hot, because then it feels like we've "been away". Ye gads.

Mighty purty feathers on a crow. Incidentally, I'm looking for a stuffed one if anyone's a taxidermist...

You mean... Center Parcs? Are pregnant women allowed in hot tubs?

Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome! DC and AC, up a tree-ee...