Twinkaloo

All, I just wanted to put a recommendation in about Christine Neillands, a clinical hypnotherapist who works in the local area (www.advanced-hypnosis-works.co.uk). I'm a writer with a terrible fear of public speaking. I'm also a cynic about hypnotherapy - but I was getting pretty desperate with various readings and public performances coming up which I didn't want to mess up and so thought I'd try it. There wasn't a pendulum in sight; and not once did she say 'look into my eyes.' Not once, I tell you! Christine was absolutely brilliant - I can't recommend her highly enough. Even though I went to see her for public speaking, I think she does stuff around stopping smoking and natural birth etc. I'm well chuffed with the results.

Yes, I got caught up in the Londis shenanigans last night and it really was a bunch of kids grabbing armfuls of sweets - the first one through the door was a guy who clearly had nothing to loose: older than the rest, homeless probably - he turned tail when the door initially got closed behind him by the heroic sales assistant who vaulted the counter and tried to stop the rest of them coming in until he was overwhelmed. Let's just get out on the streets folks and make the point that this isn't what we want for our young people and our communities.

Yes it is up and running.

I agree. A peaceful show of community, resistance, understanding is what's needed tonight. Get out on your doorsteps people.

Would it be insane to suggest that groups of responsible, community-minded residents took to the streets tonight to show a different face to this situation? I was in Londis last night when it got rushed and they were just kids, grabbing armful of sweets, trying it on - perhaps if there was more of a presence of local people 'policing' the neighbourhood then it might not happen again? Or is that just naive tomfoolery?

http://lockerz.com/s/127792833 A picture of Rye Lane as we speak...

Last night I was out for a run and as I headed up Lyndhurst Grove towards Camberwell Grove I became the target for some lads who thought it would be hilarious to aim fireworks (rockets) at me. I ran somewhat faster, as you can imagine. To be fair, the Police were in the area and swooped down quickly and think they got most of the boys but i just wanted to put a friendly word of warning out there to be vigilant as not everyone's so swift on their pins and it could've been quite nasty ...