david_carnell

I can recommend their mending service - first class. I've never been able to afford a pair of bespoke shoes there (although they'll be a darn sight cheaper than any of the St James lot) but the guy who runs it knows his onions. I had a long conversation on the merits of blakeys. I'm also available for fascinating conversations at parties on subjects such as neo-endogenous growth theory and fighter aircraft of WWI.

And it looks like he's having one (fingers crossed).... ...his 50 is chalked up.

Except that I would dispute that we want exam results to show, or be representative of, "equality". Exams are not designed to measure improving standards (or at least they shouldn't be) - they should be used to distinguish ability relative to your fellow pupils. All any prospective employer needs to know is how you compare to your peers. If you get a mark in the top 10% you should receive an a-grade. End of. We now find ourselves in the ludicrous situation where too many people are getting top marks and universities are having trouble distinguishing between them. It's rather simple. Mark everyone's paper, and THEN apply grading using percentiles. Equality in society is not achieved by everyone getting A-grades.

Many hands make light work Too many cooks spoil the broth. :-S

Well, I have filled in the forms, been for a test ride and placed an order. In a few short weeks (once the damned thing arrives) I shall join your fraternity of bicyclists. Wish me luck. Tring-tring.

*sigh* http://alexbeecroft.com/website/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/brideshead4601.jpg

Does he now specialise in charcoal drawings?

I have an on-going bet with Sean McG, for an ipad, that I could beat a caged lynx (european NOT north american) in a fight to the death. I'm allowed those cage-fighter gloves but no other protection. Bring it on.

Jerk Festival on Sunday in Brockwell Pk if the rain holds off. Trying out a new takeaway tonight....the Obalende Suya Express. Mmmm....

I have a Siamese fighting fish I use to win money off the Chinese guy that runs Wing Tai. Is that ok?

Notify the police on the non-emergency number and/or contact your SNT.

And it's not just women who like a nice pair of shoes. *ahem*

karter Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > cate, an Italian restaurant actually on LL would > be great though. One of the Indian restuarants had > an offer from an Italian independent but they > declined it. Beats me. lordship lane brick > lane.:-S Karter - it has to be on Lordship Lane or what? It's no good to you. Too far to walk? I mean, none of them is Michelin star, but we have Italian restaurants. Si Mangia on Forest Hill Rd Il Mirto on Melbourne Gr Casa Smerelda on the way to Nunhead Locale on East Dulwich Road What used to be Peckham Experiment is going to be an Italian pizzeria The Gowlett do great pizzas Il Giardino opposite Peckham Rye station Now all of those are within walking distance from anywhere in ED....what gives with the constant calls for more bloody Italian restaurants?

Given your inability to structure a sentence with grammar or punctuation, I would imagine it's wise you stick to your one line witticisms in the Lounge. But, you know, thank you for the structured critique.

Wouldn't be a Gourmet Burger Kitchen would it, Javed?

Bought this book at the weekend, which appears to have become a clarion call on the left recently. Based on thirty years of research, it claims that for each of eleven different health and social problems: physical health, mental health, drug abuse, education, imprisonment, obesity, social mobility, trust and community life, violence, teenage pregnancies, and child well-being, outcomes are substantially worse in more unequal rich countries. It doesn't appear to be perfect according to online critiques but I shall update more once I've finished it. Oh, and a quick applause for the Review bookshop for having it in stock.

On a nicer note, whilst strolling up by Sydenham Hill Station yesterday I spotted a peacock. It was just wandering around the street and then into someone's front garden. Having watched/followed it for some minutes it did the a most un-peacock like thing and flew onto the roof. Quite impressive, mind you. I have pictures on my phone I shall attempt to upload later in the day.

Does the Shawshank have a "twist"? Really? I mean, it has a plot device that comes as a surprise but I'm not sure that's really a twist. Does a twist not have to make you look at the whole film in a different light or from a different angle? I don't mean to sound picky - more just exploring "twists" as rhetorical devices. Or just being a dick.

First of all....give me my hat back! Second, you wear it Steve, to protect one's fair locks from smoke odour. A smoking jacket performs the same function for the rest of your clothes.

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sadly, my experience of 15 year old girls is that > they are not into culture at all. Shopping. Or > some shopping. Or you could even take her > shopping. Though it is beyond me, Westfield seems > to be the major attraction. And Camden, as said > above. Just a further thought: you could take her > shopping. Ah, but this is a sophisticated continental teenage girl who will no doubt be reading Proust and smoking gallois cigarillos. Tate Modern is a good, free day out and the Southbank can be a continuation of that. Dover Street market is a bit more trendy (but expensive) and Spitalfields, Columbia Rd and Brick Lane are all good on a weekend jaunt. Not sure how "urban" she might be (i.e. Brixton might be a little intense for someone from a rural European background) but short train journies into the countryside can be good too - maybe the South Downs and then onto Brighton? And a gig at a cool venue of a cool band - ask a teenager for up to date info on "cool"...I have no idea.

GG - Tell them to avoid buying Louboutins as the heels aren't nearly as well made as they used to be. Exporting labour to the far east or something similar.

If the CVF goes ahead..... Carriers are all well and good but we don't have the ships to make up a proper support fleet nor the long range reconnaisance aircraft to patrol with it "beyond horizon". And why doesn't CVF have a catapult? And why build the things if you can't afford the planes for them?! Lunacy. There are some tough questions for the MoD - major projects will have to be dispensed with. Big boys toys always seemingly win out against kit for the grunts on the ground so my bet would be on FRES as the first to go. It's not like our current ARVs are woefully inept or anything. Oh, wait.

*Bob* Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Does Jack Nicholson do anything apart from play.. > Jack Nicholson? > > Anyway, he played Jack Nicholson really well in > Cuckoo's Nest. It's right up there with him > portrayal of Jack Nicholson in The Shining and a > world away from the slightly dopey, boss-eyed > version of Jack Nicholson he played in Prizzi's > Honour. > > > (See also Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Sean > Connery, Harrison Ford, Nic Cage.. Arnie.. ) He now has a nice line in grumpy old man roles See: As Good as It Gets or About Schimdt. Cruise redeems himself with Born on the 4th of July. Connery (Bond aside) is a joke....I can never decide which of his accents is worse - Irish in the The Untouchables or the Scottish/Egyptian/Spanish one in Highlander. Then again, he was opposite a French-Canadian whol barely spoke English playing a Scot too so you can hardly blame him. The casting director for Highlander deserves a medal. Edit: Have just looked them up on IMDB and neither worked on a big film again. Justice.

Is that port with (a slice of) lemon; port with lemon (cordial); or port with lemon(ade)? Seems a bad way to ruin a nice drop of port if you ask me. Do I have ice as well? Ye gads.

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated. Can I ask something a little more contentious - who amongst you regular commuting cyclists doesn't wear a helmet? And who does? And why? I'm debating whether too and have found the arguments against just as interesting and compelling.