Santerme

Diamond back snake?

I remember you saying Jah I agree for 95 per cent it was either Hell or hi jinx's I just picked out the bits I needed and used them to my advantage I stand by my claim that it honed my skills as a negotiator and made you able to think and act quickly Deconflicting situations around the world was buit on those learned skills

Well, I went to both....a boarding school until late into the third form and then back into the surreal world of Tulse Hill. I found I was, perhaps, two years ahead academically, which made it kind of boring and it was easy to just drift along. It took a kick in the pants from a particularly inspirational teacher. The ability to coast did not exist in my boarding school. Although able to I never put either of my daughters through private school and both excelled in the local comprehensive. But then Thomas Haryde's, luckily is an exceptionally good example of that type of institution. By a country mile I preferred Tulse Hill to my boarding school....and my most enduring friendships come from my time there. There is far more than education to be considered and the social diversity and great negotiating skills I developed to survive have stood me in better stead than my University degrees.

Hopefully, the time zone will keep it off the screens at peak times....boring bloody game! That's my bah humbug for the entire season!

Mick Mac Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Why do people state this as some sort of badge of > honour... Not sure it is a badge of honour, but I think it shows some grit and determination if you have managed to achieve your own goals, because having been bought up on a council estate, I know that it can seem to be an anchor to some. Often it just depends how bright you are

Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Santerme - so you don't live in ED? No, I was born there in 1958, went to DKH School, then to boarding school (which I loved for the sports, but loathed for the people), Tulse Hill School of all places and then off to Uni in 1977 I live in Cerne Abbas in Dorset as my main residence.

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That sounds intriguing Santerme, what kind of > business is it? We actually run several quite diverse businesses within the group, including a manufacturing plant in the US....but the one which requires real time operatives in the UK, is a car and van leasing business (currently around 1,800 vehicles). T

I use our office in Highbridge, Somerset most of the time, so a 120 mile round trip by car from my home. Beats Potters Bar or Aylesbury. Today was first time we have been severely snowed on, but managed to get in.. Most of my staff can work from home in conditions like this and we do not penalise them for doing so as we operate in a real time environment and we can monitor and manage remotely.

Not fully suspending your disbelief?

I thought we were getting rid of all the dumb reporting systems and measurements introduced by the last Govt.... Plus ca change!

I cannot remember who, but someone once said "life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it". 52 years old, fitting fit and in a second career in my own business which lets me do pretty much what I please (now the hard work setting it up is over) and I get to travel extensively, mostly in North America...and I am not sure when or if I want to stop. Two great kids and ex wife who is still a friend and a wife of five years who is remarkable. So little time for philosophical reflection or forethought really. Although my seventeen year old did give me some sage advice when I was a little edgy a couple of years ago and the recession looked as though it might affect the business....she said..'don't worry problems are just solutions waiting to happen.' I have taken that to heart and she is right.

Bug Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Dear all, > > I own a flat which occupies the upper floor of a > property. The flat below is owned by the council > which, as the most recent tenant has left, the > council have offered to sell to us (inc the > freehold of the entire property). I expect to > receive the council's valuation in the next few > weeks. > > Now, I doubt we could ever afford to buy it even > if I wished to. But, I wondered whether anyone > had experience of this kind of situation and > whether there were any particular pitfalls that I > should be aware of. Is buying from the council > the same as buying privately - will the council > massively over-value? > > Thank you for looking at my very hypothetical > situation. > > Bug I bought my grandmother's house in Kennington many years ago from the Council, they came in with a valuation, which I then negotiated down by ?17,000.... I would not accept the first price...I think they need money and it puts you in a good bargaining position.

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I don't wish them ill, and they must have suffered > an extremely traumatic experience. > > That doesn't escape the fact that to be sailing in > those waters on a holiday cruise was so vain, > self-indulgent and self-absorbed that it beggars > belief. > > Through this cretinous junket not only have they > traumatised friends and family and created > diplomatic havoc, but they also undoubtedly risked > the life of people in the services who would have > been tasked with finding them. > > Glad that they're safe and sound? Yes. Heroes? No, > stupid selfish arseholes. I totally agree with your point of view on this.... Had a rescue attempt been possible they would have endangered other people's lives as well. Wonder if they will have a book coming out shortly?

I fly American Airlines four or five times a year on business Never had bad experience, had some fairly average ones Flown Continental internally and never been disappointed

I would argue that I defended the right for these people to defame a symbol lots of people hold in respect. That is the irony they do not comprehend

untamedstylist Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm sorry if this offends anybody but im so > offended and shocked by this act... I'm not the > only one but my family lost alot of members during > previous wars and the current situation... It's an > absolute outrage.... > And the thing is, what they have really done is > started of a whole racism feud and just caused > huge problems for Thier own people. There are alot > of extremists and racists in this country as it is > and whilst it wasn't a racist attack there will > now be lots on innocent Muslims aswell as other > innocent cultures affected by this due to stupid > louts and gangs who don't have a brain and see > anything like this as an excuse to start something > just for the sake of it.... I know many Muslims > are disgraced at this groups actions and I feel > sorry for them because uneducated thugs will now > act on this... There was a Facebook page that was > started that same day which really went off.... > 600,000 people had joined it globally by 12pm but > was removed the next day I believe as it really > did start a huge pathetic racist feud pure hatred > and nastiness and if that was just online I wonder > how many acted upon it in reallity.. I'm praying > not many... > Wondered what other peoples views were on this and > if anyone has been affected by this also?? On > either side of the fence? > I'm very sorry if this has offended anybody atall Yes it an outrage It is offensive I guess that's about it really......

It is even better if you register your business in Switzerland. Which we have not done.

The other thing this is doing is causing internal strife in the Brigade. My brother, who did a 72 hour on call shift the other week, btw...he sleeps in one of the station houses so not awake all the time is finding relationships breaking down between senior and middle management. This has divisive and unfortunate effects which will last long into the future whatever the outcome.

That was not the premise of Mr Ben's post....he clearly makes the point that good old fashioned rioting is stirring. Surely not?

MrBen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It gives me some faith to see that the student > population is still capable of sending a message > to the powers that be when required with a good > old fashioned riot (last seen circa 1976). And by > occupying Tory HQ they've done a better job of > taking the police/authorities by suprise than any > of the splinter groups associated with the G8 > protests managed. For some reason it also seems > less acceptable to beat students with a baton than > say the G8 wombles....so the police have been > restrained. > > But this kind of came out of nowhere...and no > doubt it may get ugly as the usual suspects join > in tonight but there is something stirring about > it nonetheless no? Actually, no it is not stirring in the least.

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Or here's two for the modern age: > > Common Form (1918) > If any question why we died, > Tell them because our fathers lied. > > A Dead Statesman (1924) > I could not dig, I dared not rob, > And so I lied to please the mob. > Now all my lies are proved untrue, > And I must face the men I slew. > What tale will serve me here among > Mine angry and defrauded young? Ah, the War Propaganda Bureau!

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > And Kipling, Santerme? After the death of his son? His poem Mesopotamia 1917 also echoes

citizenED Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We did a three minute 27 seconds silence - 1 > minute as the Last Post was played, one for quiet > thought and 1 minute and 27 seconds for Reveille. > Oh and then we were silent as a stanza from the > poem "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon was read > out. Beautifully observed as well. I have always preferred the Preface to Owen's work, perhaps more than the poetry itself, because it captures the essence of the need for the poetry....and I think it echoes through time. With ex comrades still under fire daily, there certainly are fresher fields than Flanders. 'This book is not about heroes. English Poetry is not yet fit to speak of them. Nor is it about deeds or lands, nor anything about glory, honour, dominion or power, except War. Above all, this book is not concerned with Poetry. The subject of it is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity. Yet these elegies are not to this generation, This is in no sense consolatory. They may be to the next. All the poet can do to-day is to warn. That is why the true Poets must be truthful. If I thought the letter of this book would last, I might have used proper names; but if the spirit of it survives Prussia, -- my ambition and those names will be content; for they will have achieved themselves fresher fields than Flanders'.

First time in years that either myself or one of my family will not be attending the Cenotaph this year. My father will attend his local service in Kent, my brother is in Croatia, and I will go Sunday to the small church in my village in Dorset.

Yep, 100% did.