citizenED

Hmmm. Yes, Sychronised Swimming - they should only have events that I can spell.

Tony, just a suggestion: why not look at similarities between people, not differences. That might get us somewhere.

Sounds promising. Looking forward to it.

But enough of that, what should be in/what should be out malarky, did anyone see that amazing 10K open water swim where the two brits got silver and bronze. So close after that distance. Incredible.

Just to cheer everyone up heres some uplifting ditty from Sparklehorse

Or Morris Dancing?

Is Tony talking about Ballroom Dancing?

Congrats to Jaws. Always uplifting to achieve something. CamberwellOz - congratulations on no.2. We did a home birth for No.2 after having the first in St. Thomas'. Good experience. Hope yours is too. citizen

Still not on board the Wire bandwagon, How much commission are you guys on?

Agree with your post espelli. Glad you spent the time composing it.

As a father of two little boys who frequent the parks and playgrounds around here, I've been very interested in the debate on here and despite the polarised views and of some and the unnecessarily dismissive tone of others I think it has been a generally fair and balanced discussion of what is a tricky issue. Life is always about relationships. It's a shame that people are fearful of talking to other people. It's not a case of confronting somebody - it's a case of talking to them. You know the simple pass-the-time-of-day chit-chat that may lead you to find out that he is taking photos of a friend's kids as they play....or elsewise. If they had no business there then it's time for action. As a dad, I can stand in a playground and snap away at my kids and others kids without fear of false accusation. The fear of the loner is a sad phenomenon. It completely skews normal relationships between people. It would be polite for a photographer to ask permission to take photos at the playground - but its also impractical, he couldn't physically get round to all the parents and more than likely he would be refused by someone so...no point. The balance is between the harm done to society by perpetrating distrust and the risk that a photograph might be used for some horrible purpose.

And I would add "About a Boy" - and "High Fidelity" (if only that film had been set in North London and the book was.)

God I hate Smart-Alecs who have good memories and can do that internet linking gubbins thing.

he felt so exposed

Mine seem to come from a different part of the literary canon; London Fields - Martin Amis The Information - Martin Amis The Corrections - Jonathan Franzen Charlie Hot Potatoes - Phil Robinson The Secret History - Donna Tarrt (sorry Sean)

Hey, Loz you realise I am not talking about the Oliver Reed "Castaway" but the Tom Hanks "Cast Away" - yep, I know, stodgy Tom doing his thing, stodgily - but he did win a Golden Globe for Best Actor for it. Has it's flaws but a great film. The fact that no-one else has included "The Pianist" in their list makes me think that people are missing out on this gem.

Gosh film buffs, never realised we had to defend our lists, but since the runes are telling me that "Crash" is not in the big league - I'm substituting it with "Amores Perros", and challenging anyone to snipe at that particular masterpiece.

Well done, lass.

I'd certainly be up for a future one - just couldn't get out on Monday night - was washing my ego.

*Bob*, Lozzy and me - we are talking about the Paul Haggis "Crash" not the Cronenburg "Crash"?

Nice to see you post with such honesty, *Bob*. I share your family's pain. This was compiled rather on the hoof, so would not be surprised to be potential alternatives in other lists: The Tin Drum American Beauty Land and Freedom Secrets and Lies The Pianist Cast Away Blue Velvet Pan's Labyrinth Crash Gladiator

Dear Admin - time for a new section, "My Parking Gripe"

Don't mind the one on DKH myself - or Altima Court - I'd nominate the nondescript block that's just gone up by the CPT.

Murray out in the Tennis. Had to laugh.

Same here MP; saw Invasion... around that age when I was in on holiday with a friend and his family in a creepy old farmhouse in Cornwall. Real cushion-in-front-of-face stuff, after which I had to climb rickety stairs up to a strange cold bedroom with creakng floorboards and ill-fitting windows. Was petrified.