Bellenden Belle

Yep Raef is definitely the new Tre! I'm really intrigued by the girl who dresses as if off to Ascot or a wedding - and who wears matching berets on all occasions... You're Fired on BBC2 (immediately following The Apprentice) is very funny viewing as well ....

Actually I agree with you Keef - Alex started looking for his scapegoats before they were even halfway through the task - his dressing down of Nicholas was simply a lesson in public humiliation - very poor show. Which is why Nicholas would have survived if he had actually performed well in the boardroom - instead of resorting to schoolboy arguments of "he doesn't like me". The Apprentice is one of the only things worth watching on telly nowadays. I love it!

Oh I agree - I thought Nicholas was an absolute prat - he could have survived so easily if he hadn't brought up his culture and art versus football debate.... he just struck me as a boy, really. And Alan Sugar let's face it, is all man! As for Raef - I think his hair alone gives him a place in the final ....

(you missed it...)

> Someone once said 'you have your own business?' > I replied with all honesty 'no, it has me' because > one is locked in together, almost like a > commitment to a living being. Fantastic post SteveT - I really appreciate your honesty. Are you still in business? Also - does anyone know how the outlets in the East Dulwich Warehouse are getting on - with my outsider's eye I am thinking that looks like a tough nut to crack.... do the North Cross road stalls do well?

I really appreciate both your responses... Macroban, this is going to seem a really basic question - but in your experience what are the particular indicators to be looking for and questions to be asking... I'm sure it's not just gut instinct? And anyone out there - what's a sensible backup fund? Enough to keep you going for a year? Three years? And Sean - thanks for your response - yes, he's got lots of trade connections - he's worked at senior management level for a number of high street names.

Okay guys help me out here... I know there are lots of knowledgeable people out there.... I have a dear friend (no it's not me) who is thinking a starting up a business - selling homewares - we're talking Mrs Robinson territory - in the next six months. Hugely experienced, I think he would be fab at it, and recognise this is a long-term dream of his.... but is this the right time to be setting up as a small independent shop? We're not necessarily talking East Dulwich here...so please don't get too upset about the proliferation of those kind of shops along Lordship Lane.

Okay, deep breath,and I do realise this is where I should be screeching and screaming, instead of yearning and writhing... but AnnaJ, I must respond. Russell Brand is one of the most fabulous, metrosexual males I have ever come across. Reading interviews with him (and actually I think the interviews have been key) I will unleash the following observations: Deep breath.... he is intelligent, questioning, curious, challenging, sensitive, vulnerable, both engaging and interested in being engaged; literary (I like the fact he goes away and reads and is interested in learning more), as comfortable hosting BBC4 programmes as Channel 4 rubbish; irritating, yobbish, opinionated, detestable, lovable, surprising, - but above all honest. And all those things makes him terribly attractive. Seriously .... I've given this some thought. (Three showers in a day... this is ridiculous!)

HonaloochieB..... having just stepped out of the shower, I may need to return at the mention of the delectable Brand's name. Whenever I see him, and excuse me here, I may shock..... the word writhing comes to mind. In a rather exquisite way. It's at times like these I am grateful Mr BB doesn't read these boards...

Greetings Marsattack! I love it when people introduce themselves... don't forget about our forum drinks - now we know you're a gambler, the next important question is are you a drinker? And if you're not - that's fine too - I have enjoyed very civilised cups of tea with fellow forumites. Glad to have you here x

onion

Got to be honest and say I wouldn't want to shop somewhere that allowed cosmetics to be returned - unless the packaging was intact? As in plastic? Otherwise - nope. But I must say I really don't like the shop. I've been in there twice looking for clothes and have been made to feel like a pauper - literally ignored, and then a very unhelpful exchange with the assistant. Mmmm, more fool them - experience in retail (not to mention life) has taught me never to judge a book by its cover... (edited to point out that I am a bit of a pauper... but do spend lots on "significant purchases" - ie my winter coat)

Big hugs going out to you PGC -it's a really awful to lose a pet. Take Care BBx

HI Wee Quinnie, Gorgeous gorgeous dress - I love Coast, always my first choice. Glad to hear you're returning the shoes - good luck in your search. I had a similar problem when I was a bridesmaid - I simply hate wearing heels (come May I will return to wearing Birkenstocks for the next six months). But I did find some small silver heels in Dorothy Perkins (of all places!). Love the necklace - you haven't mentioned what you are doing with your hair, but I have discovered that a fascinator adds a certain je ne sais quoi to a wedding outfit! I am loving this thread Wee Quinnie - I definitley might post outfits in the future ....

Tissue

I apologised to someone today.... and really meant it.

I have just had homemade fajitas (chicken with peppers and red onion) - served with homemade guacomale - all ingredients bought at Sainsbury's (yes, shoot me, shoot me now) ... and very yummy indeed. The one redeeming feature is that aside from the tortilla wraps, all ingredients were organic. Twas almost as good as last night's meatloaf with organic streaky bacon wrapped round it - a recipe from Mama Cherri's Soul Food cookbook. Oooooh it was lovely - and I convinced myself that with celery, peppers, garlic and onions all included it Wasn't That Unhealthy Really. And can I just add... I was in the queue at Sainsbury's last night with Other Forumers. I shall reveal no more....

I thoroughly disagree with post 1.

Oooooh - Azul my lovely - your post makes me smile lots - BUT I personally wouldn't recommend CBT - not my bag at all - I do have a fantastic therapist though (based in East Dulwich) who works from a humanist viewpoint - which looks at a person as a whole. But I agree Chav - don't change, you're great!

Oh Marmora Man - my apologies - I hope to meet you at the next one. :)

I have managed to achieve having my name as the "last post posted" far too many times today.Including now for this thread. I have achieved procrastination to the highest order. I think admin should take full responsibility for my inability to get on with my huge long list of things that need doing, and should bar me until I have demonstrated I am mature enough to handle myself appropriately.

Definitely a good thing. I used to busk as a tap dancer in Leicester Square. I had quite a following amongst the local homeless - probably cause I was a weird little wild thing who did the splits and high kicks. We had a good mutual relationship - they looked out for the old bill and would let me know when they were on their way so I could gather my things and quietly sneak away (try doing that wearing tap shoes) and in return I bought them bottles of cider. Contentment all round.

Marmora Man Come to the next gathering! Then you will know exactly what we look like! We are, of course, all very beautiful...

Ah Chav, glad you found some useful stuff in my post. I think the physical stuff is amazing - I've only discovered it through therapists so can't recommend a book - but for me I just find I can go round and round in circles in my head with stuff, whereas if I actually look at my body and what it's doing I can actually start to break the cycle. And Peckhamrose - I really liked your post. It was thoughtful, sincere, and I really thought you were expressing how it's possible to change and move on... which is a really good thing to share. I'm loving this thread too .... definitely up for that group hug!

Absolutely! Echoing other posts here - I feel a real sense of community, a real connection with new people and a far more positive attitude. I used to be quite suspicious of meeting new people - always fearing that I would come across badly. I also think this forum has helped me realise that I can say quite serious stuff and be taken seriously - before I always thought I came across a bit fluffy. And I now use a mooncup! Which was seriously life-changing! Hoorah for CWALD for sharing that advice last year.