RosieH

Tarot, c'mere while I kiss you.

Ahem, katie, I don't like to boast, but I have been using it for a couple of years now, I think even before you arrived honeypie :)) ;-) And Tarot, you too are a honey :)-D I've gone punctuation face crazy because I'm listening to all my happy Christmas songs and about to go and get my tree, yayyyyyyy (tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu):)-D(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)

Hey ruffers, you're stealing my material!

I have suggested a forum sandpit before now, for the playing in. Malumbu, perhaps you could run it, like that girl in School of Rock who asks for more tests and homework..?

Let me just google that for you. ;-)

Wow DICKENSMAN, you're a bit bossy. I like it. But I'm not doing nothing, just trying to work out which of three opportunities is my particular golden ticket. Gut reaction hasn't kicked in, so I thought I'd try to be a grown-up about it.

Or you could just ... If that doesn't make you feel festive, and forget the adverse weather conditions, then you're dead inside.

Yeah, think I'm not expressing myself clearly. I don't expect him to give a toss. What I can't work out is whether I think it's worse that he doesn't even have the respect for people's irritation / pain / opinion of him to pretend.

That's very sweet HAL - wasn't on my list, but it might be now. And PGC, yes, that's the sort of thing I was thinking of - those high falluting life coach cum careers counsellors who charge a fortune for mentoring you through the process. But I don't know if it's just emperor's new clothes.

Yeah, but did it bother you? Would you rather he came across as though he cared, even though you strongly suspect that he didn't. I think what I'm struggling with is the idea that he gives so little of a toss, he can't even be bothered to pretend. And that would seem to show utter contempt for people who are struggling.

WMPROFLMAO

Thanks womanofdulwich - it's less about training. It's that I find myself in the (very fortunate) position of needing to choose one of three potential paths for my career - each has its own merits, and I'm struggling to decide which is the best choice for me. In order to remain professional, I'm going to need to commit, probably in a couple of weeks' time. I know that it's unlikely that careers counselling would give me an immediate answer, but might help me think about the question more constructively.

Just saw Philip Hammond on the C4 news talking about snow-related travel chaos. Arguably the problems aren't the government's fault, although he failed spectacularly to address the issue of why the Cobra emergency committee shouldn't be convened. What really bothered me was that he didn't appear to give a toss. It was "regrettable" that people were trapped in cars and trains, but that was it. No human response at all. And then I couldn't work out if I'd rather he pretended to be bothered, instead of just being completely stony faced, making it clear he didn't think it that big a deal. I don't like being lied to, but shouldn't our politicians at least be paying lip service to our concerns? Or is that just asking to be lied to? I'm confused with myself.

Not saying I would choose self-employment Karter, although that is one of my options. I was saying that that is what I chose to do in my current situation, and that my answer, like mockney's, would possibly also be "nothing".

Yeah, that would probably be mine too. Self-employed, snowy weather, choice to get off my arse and go in with some degree of effort, or potentially lose a day's pay. Guess which I chose?

Has anyone ever had experience of careers counselling? I find myself at something of a crossroads, and I'm absolutely fecked if I know what I should be doing next. I thought it might be useful, but the people I've spoken to who've had fairly basic counselling (provided say, when being made redundant) have found it absolute pish. And on the other hand, a great company I know actually charges about a grand for it, and I don't know if it's worth stumping up for. Would be great if anyone who's had any experience could share.

Putin's probably busy putting a horse's head in Julian Assange's bed.

Thanks DJKQ. I was aware even when I first posted on this thread that it might get out of hand (and anyone who's ever been down the pub with Impetuous knows it's likely to take a filthily funny turn), but I hadn't anticipated this turn of events. If I can say so DJ, I think you have jumped the shark with your last post. I really really don't think Huguenot's remotely guilty of what he's being accused of. And I think the tosser comment comes across as a bit spiteful - it's not very sportsmanlike to reference whatever those conversations were. There are lots of people who think lots of things about lots of other people on here, but I'm not sure it helps to voice the opinion (or rather, to voice other people's opinions for them).

Well then sonny, I could tell you a thing or two about camera phone usage, having worked on a campaign for Sony Cybershot phones a couple of years ago. Only it wasn't very interesting and I've forgotten it all. Basically, loads of people use them. I use mine quite a lot. I don't take my camera out with me on a daily basis, and when I see something interesting, I like to capture it (although, given what's going on on another thread, I suspect you wouldn't have been interested in my "interesting"-shaped ice pattern). I'm more about the weird signs, broken Rubik's Cubes and stray pink gloves than I am about bands at a gig. I prefer memories to pictures that prove I was there.

Yes to what Sean said, and I acknowledge my own culpability in lowering the tone. In my defence my dander was up at what I perceived to be a facile, and woman-unfriendly comment. However, it's no excuse. I'm sure this isn't the place, and there are lots of places where this stuff can be discussed freely without causing offence. I was going to defend Huguenot - I don't think he was being remotely misogynist at any point - but with this little beauty: he was fairly spectacularly patronising. And he doesn't need me to anyway. But I don't think he's anti-women in any way. Long and short of it is, women love talking about sex. It's interesting for us often to find out what other women do, and get their recommendations on things. We never got our education from Razzle as teenagers. But yes, it generally does turn raucous, and perhaps among your close friends is the best place, rather than on a forum of thousands of very diverse strangers.

All have their issues I think. Like DM, I need a blackberry for emailing purposes. I like that the Torch has a touchscreen, a much bigger screen, better web capabilities, good maps and a better camera than previous berries (although none is my main reason for choosing it). I like that it still has a type pad. But boy oh boy, it's a chunky monkey, and I reckon about twice as heavy as other phones.

Was it that brilliant programme where they battle an IRA member against a ninja, or a centurion against the taliban?

Heh, sorry Jah, was having a bad day. Unlike some people, I actually managed to haul my ass into work today, and it all went a bit downhill from there. But your argument about Sky is a little spurious. Are you football-heads really saying that the only games you watch down the pub are the ones you can't get on terrestrial? Watching football down the pub is some kind of male bonding ritual that I don't get but respect your right to enjoy (and some of you know I speak the truth). So why not afford the singing and dancing fans the same pleasure? They can get all high-fivey when Matt hits top C, and shout for the ref when Cheryl refuses to vote. It's all good, it's all nice. No need for ire.

To be honest, I've no interest in watching any telly in the pub. But I take massive issue with the idea that it's alright for football but not for something else. Just because you don't like a thing, doesn't mean that others who do shouldn't enjoy it. And anyone who disagrees with me, can, frankly, shove it up their arse.

Ooh, ooh, I hope they'll show the Wedding. Everyone'll pile down for that one.