Bellenden Belle

will dex Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, > having gone to university in 1998 was one of the > first to pay fee's- former generations paid no > fee's and got a free non-repayable grant....Maybe the generation above me > have had it slightly too good and run us dry. > I had a really interesting conversation with a social analyst the other day. His take was that it is the people in their 30s who are really in a financial crisis nowadays - we had no university fees and so thought the world was our oyster... and once we started working many of us thought nothing of running up credit cards and saddling ourselves with mortgages that stretched us to our limit. In comparison those in their 20s appear more prudent, more financial savvy since debt has been a part of their lives since they left home - and they don't have a limitless supply of credit. It sounds old-fashioned but perhaps this crunch will make us value things a wee bit more - I think of my parent's generation in comparison to mine and blush at my extravagance (or as my mother would have said, the way I squander money .... squander is such a great word). Am I better off? Yes but again it's more about where I am in my life. But if we look at the minimum wage, things like Sure Start, the money that has gone into social care and regeneration then I think improvements have been made. And I think London has improved considerably under the Labour government and thanks in part to the mayoral office. I remember the South Bank when it was a desolate place - now I feel absolute joy when I'm there.

Nun's Head - definitely the best old-skool roast around...nice atmosphere too. The Rye - great food, but they do sometimes do variations on their veggies which I really like but couldn't be regarded as traditional. And their service can be hit and miss on a Sunday depending how busy they are. They actually physically moved our table and chairs in the middle of a meal once.And without much grace either. edited because my predictive text on my web'n'walk just shames me.

How absolutely ridiculous! But not quite as ridiculous as power walking itself. I once worked with a fervent power walker ... and with bum cheeks going up and down, midst tiny pigeon steps, he and his girlfriend both looked desperately in need of a pee, and as if they were quickly making their way to the nearest convenience.

Moos my love, I sent you a text but in case it didn't reach you - A Very Happy Birthday. And to Buggie for tomorrow.... looking forward to seeing you on Friday.

A big Happy Birthday to Keef! (if Facebook does not tell a lie!)

woodie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > theres a renowned eel and pie in peckham high > street no? olde looking place. > not a fan so dont know if its "the best" or not. It's shut down.... the whole family business shut down despite some serious offers of help - I think it was a generation thing. I'd rather like a really good Caribbean place - like The Mango Rooms in Camden.

I think Hannah was standing on a chair at one point.... she might have been taking pictures!

I had a lovely time last night.... well done to Brendan for leading the crusade! So nice to catch up with people again - and well done to Indiepanda for leaving the boxes behind and venturing out - hope you will be out at the next forum drinks! I think the group managed George Canning, Hoopers (who opened up just for them), the Gowlett where I joined, The EDT, the CPT and then a return to the EDT.... a noble effort, but plenty of opportunity for a second attempt!

WTF? In my opinions sometimes a well-placed swear word can be a beautiful thing...

Wow! Reading through this thread makes you realise how things have fallen. Back in February Alan Dale was quoting ?500,000 for houses in this street (see page one). And now - finally - I am ready to put my house on the market and it is a good 10% below that - details in the property section. It remains a lovely place to live....

louisiana Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Bellenden Belle Wrote > > The thing I don't get is that this is supposed > to > > be a "community initiative", but really a shop > > selling records for profit is a commercial > > enterprise. > And this is not a > record shop in the ordinary meaning of the words. > Enterprise yes, but commercial? I don't think so. Excuse my ignorance but what makes this shop "extraordinary", if it is not ordinary. I am intrigued. I totally accept there's no money in record shops - what I was trying to suggest in my post were ways forward as a social enterprise. If this is a "community initiative" I would be fascinated to know the demographic breakdown of its beneficiaries. I wish the shop well - I really do - but what's next? A charity collection for the cookwank shop? A sponsored swim for a sushi bar?

The thing I don't get is that this is supposed to be a "community initiative", but really a shop selling records for profit is a commercial enterprise. Now if we were talking about a social enterprise it would be a different matter. For example a music shop in the community where all profits went towards putting on gigs for the under eighteens. Or where employment was offered to young people who might be NEET (not in employment, education or training) Then you have a goer....and yes, you can draw a salary as its director but lying at the heart of its mission is charitable activity. And by the way there is a ton of money being thrown at social enterprises currently. (I used to work for an arts charity that had several successful commercial schemes). But I am not getting the sense of that from your posts. You need a proper proposal.

VeryBerryCherry Wrote: > > Indiepanda, that's half the fun! Scaring locals > and drunks >:D< I thought we were the locals and drunks!

Chav - my fantasy of you is that you're a real life Erin Brockovich - fighting for the underdog, sassy, vulgar in all the right ways and hugely intelligent. Women love her and men are attracted and terrified of her in equal measures.

mockney piers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If it's any consolation (and it most certainly may > not be) I did have rather a thing for Balckadder's > Queenie ;) What's rather worrying is that I rather like the comparison.... and more frightening my dear ex thought it was entirely accurate!

Today I'd like to be Pippi Longstocking, but I'd like to be Shakespeare's Cleopatra when I grow up. Mockney has me down as Blackadder's Queenie though ....

My vote is for the 10th if possible.

NatashaD Wrote: The portions are large and I > have a huge appetite. But size isn't everything Natasha... I was once brought a single silver spoon of mashed potato at a certain famous restaurant (I shan't name drop) which I tasted from the waiter's outstretched hand.... a surreal but thoroughly satisfying experience. Us Catholic girls must find our sensual experiences somewhere Natasha... And to stay on topic - if we must have a chain, how about canteen - as in Spitalfields and the South Bank. Though chains always depress me.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of commission deal can currently be struck with estate agents in East Dulwich when selling houses ? An advisor on the radio last night was suggesting people should negotiate for 0.5% of selling price! Can this really be so? About 1 per cent feels about right to me. What do others think?

Sushi, sashimi, bento boxes, one bowl noodle soups - something like Taro in Old Compton Street or Sushi Bar Gen in West Hampstead- not jaw-droppingly expensive but NOT Yo Sushi thank you very much. That would make me very happy indeed.

Oh god yes Andrew- that is so true.... I was teaching earlier this year and it completely stumped me the whole time. My friend "would say he's year 11" and my brain would automatcally go "wow, twenty-one years old and he still can't fathom a pronoun". I am so stuck in my ways.

I only ever think of my weight in terms of stones (too many to mention) but the few times I go to the gym the equipment demands kgs - I always punch any old number in - so sometimes I do a programme for someone sixteen stone; sometimes closer to five stone. Doesn't make much difference... whatever the programme I'm beetroot within five minutes and collapsed within twenty. Of course when it's cold I think in minus figures and when it's warm fahrenheit. So I'm fickle - it's a woman's prerogative, right?

Mmmmm, surely the owners of Le Chandelier would be better off sorting out their current venture before launching into something new? (judging by many comments read on here and my own less-than-fantastic experience.) I dread to think what the offering will be - for girly I'm afraid I read snotty. This comment is no reflection on Grace and Favour. But surely somewhere that large really needs solid experience and a strong track record to succeed... particularly in the current climate? albert Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Think you might be right. G and F woman joining > up with woman who runs Le Chandelier. Apparently > they want to make it girly! Would rather have the > Mag circa 1970 back.

Brendan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Can?t say I have James but if it elicited the same > reaction in teenage girls as two girls kissing > does in teenage boys I I probably would have given > it a go. I think us girls are just a little too coy to admit it... but I think you may find it does indeed have the same effect...

Is Carmac a brand of lip balm? Really, I don't know, I can't read a single sentence nowadays without the need for a google.