citizenED

Asset, just to check; do you usually spell minutes, s-e-c-o-n-d-s. still looking... citizen (don't fret, I have seen Jim's post (sic)

Take your own advice Brendan, a half in the CPT, a ciggie on the way up to the Castle and another half o stout in there. Go home a happy man. citizen

In a car parked outside 67 Overhill Road, according to this site www.crabsodyinblue.com citizen

OK, so as it stands this little beano is set for Sunday 29th July in Dulwich Park from 3pm. We'll be somewhere on the grass area in front of the Pavilion Cafe, hopefully near the line of trees and shrubs. There will be me, Mrs C and our little two-year old. all welcome, see you there... citizen

for anyone who can't make the 10th, there is now a forum picnic planned for Sunday 29th July in Dulwich Park. See thread in the LOUNGE. citizen

*just think it is Jah's theme night, so am playing along* *shut your eyes and dream carribean*

Buggie, there are loads of good spots for a picnic in Dul Park. One of my favourites is in the American Garden which is on the path leading from the swings towards Firemans Alley it's a quieter spot and very lovely, but if you or your friends don't know the park well it can be tough to find. I'd probably suggest somewhere on the grass area in front of the Pavilion cafe for the Forum picnic simply because it's so central and easy to find. Can be busy and somewhat exposed but there is some shade available if we pitch up by the trees and bushes. There is also plenty of space for games. The area Sean suggests, under the trees far side of pond has the advavtage of a few picnic tables. citizen Sean, I thought you were away on the weekend of the 4/5th Aug which is one reason the drinks were moved from the 3rd to the 10th so hope you are around on the 29th July.

Didn' get through it all, but truly chilling. Citizen

*sparks up a Havana - rolled on Cuban thighs I trust, Keef* *gets some roots vibe going on the steel pans* *pours an Appleton Rum* *sidles over to the hot buffet - a snapper to go with the rice'n'peas please, Jah* *Irie...*

As much as I approve of the fact that people going to pubs do not now come back reeking of fags - have to admit that the social split now in evidence tells you something that the health fascists don't want to admit - that smoking is cool. That's why all the pop stars do it and all the kids want to do it. That's why everyone wants to stand al-fresco with the puffers. citizen

Sean, it is summer, which means people will be away various weekends, but that just happens to be weekend i am around. Happy to consider other dates though not around on Sunday 12th Aug (or, sadly on the 10th for forum drinks - part of reason for this suggestion) Jah - non-competitive was ironic. Show me a football, or a frisbee, or a finishing line and i'm well up for it. citizen

Inside 72 is a bit of a gem - the Drum a pleasant oddity, a bar that moonlights as a cafe: i went in there once for a coffe and croissant - they made the coffee, the waitress put on her jacker, skipped out the door and came back ten mins later with a plastic carrier from Somerfield. then I got my croissant. laid back. I'd concur with the general view regarding CPT being a damn fine place. citizen

I've walked past umpteen times -never been in, never seen anyone braving it. citizen

Anyone up for a forum picnic in dulwich park? food, drink, sunshine, (are you sure? Admin.) and non-competitive sports and the Plough is just up the road for later. I'm going to bring a bottle of champagne and a fruit salad. I'm going suggest 3 pm, Sunday 29th July... citizen

alex, there is a development of some shop units up by the Plough. For a while an old stone cut sign for the Co-op was revealed. They have bricked it over now so alas you have missed it. citizen

Sean, if seeing the ninja was your scariest ever moment, you obviously haven't been watching Dr. Who... Like the idea of the planned walk to the Dulwich Woodhouse. I'll get my wellie boots. citizen

My work one blocked them too, Sean. Home, sweet home. Jah, you sure you been going in the EDT for nigh on 25 years - you must have started very young. citizen

*Gee, time is slow in these parts* *threw the doors open on Saturdee and still waiting for party to get going* *tumbleweed already?*

When the forum made up anagrams...

Jah, you're a bit forward tonight, sir, you been at the juice? The whole thing was tantalising whilst it was not spelt out (thought Sean sailed as close as need be)and now... citizen

When we was little my ma and pa got very worried about my older brother because they kept seeing him flat on his back in the garden. It transpired that he was simply laying down to get a more stable view through his binolulars of the planes flying overhead. (we used to live under the Luton Flightpath) citizen

There are a couple of previous threads on this and on balance the place does not come out very well, and i have to admit that I'm not a fan - however it seems busy whenever I go past so they must be doing something right. citizen

this one was left hanging....(courtesy of Asset) Any takers? The pubs are now completely smoke-free Although the smokes gone you can now smell the wee You might gag on your pint but p'raps you mighnt

CWALD, a sports event is, I agree, the best place for competition to reveal itself. Much better there than in any other sphere of life. Post-Thatcher society has been sadly sullied by the fact that competition is promoted above co-operation, or even simply experience or enjoyment, in many areas of our culture. You can have competition when there is a degree of objectivity, as in when Kelly Holmes gets to the finish line first and wins gold - no arguement, and you can retain the illusion of competition in complex, skill-based sports like football (even when you get the situations where the Mighty Arsenal put on a masterclass in passing, dribbling, control but neglect to put the ball in the back of the net only for sorry, plodding Bolton to score a scappy winner (ahem) in the 89th minute). I also think that educational policy over the past 20 years or so has moved away from competition in exams to a more inclusive view of academic achievement. For example, the erosion of the 11+, merging of GCSE's and O-levels, introduction of GNVQ and the development of the AS level. All these have been introduced to ensure that children of all abilities come out of school with a record of what they have achieved. I'm not saying I agree with these things but it seems unfair to suggest that schools simply favour the academically minded. So the question is to the nature of a Primary school "Sports" Day. Is it a place of fierce competition where matched athletes compete against each other, or, as you call it yourself, a "Fun" day for all the merry little ones to partake in and enjoy? No doubt, in PE, the school will have judged the kids sporting abilities over the course of the year. Your child probably knows already whereabouts they stand so they don't lose out by beating someone they already know they can beat in front of a bunch of parents. Someone suggested you take them to a sports club. They will be challenged by people better than them. They will improve. Proper competition in a valid competitive environment. citizen

Funny - since initiating the "say hello in East Dulwich" thread, i have continued to be as upbeat as usual on the street, greeting most people i pass and with a similar 70/30 sort of response as reported in that first post. But i got my come-uppance good and proper recently, and that was at a bus-stop. I was the second person to get to this particular stop - as i approached i slowed down and the woman sitting there briefly glanced up at me so i said good morning to her....big mistake: not because she was violtile in her response but because she swiftly looked straight back down again and i became completely paranoid that she thought i was a weirdo/stalker/maniac. So I had to sit there until the bus came trying not to look at her, self-consciously reading my book, oh so quietly, to demonstrate that i was actually a perfectly harmless guy, but fully aware that she was aware of me. And it continued, in my mind at least, but hopefully not in hers, until she alighted from the bus and i thanked God that I was not getting off at the same stop as her. (to that woman I offer my sincere apologies for any distress i may have inadvertantly caused) Something about bus-stops dulwichflower? citizen