Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

shortie - this country is no different from any other, in that we don't stand "shoulder to shoulder" except in times of crisis ......

that said, it is certainly true that "old fashioned" village or even street life has almost disappeared, but that is more the effect of the way things evolve - eg many towns and villages are primarily inhabited by those who commute to work elsewhere and where the main shopping is done out of town in some ghastly anonymous hypermarket

also, as more and more families have both parents working - always assuming they have not already split up! - there is less and less daytime community life and gossiping in and around the local shops and clubs and the like

Cynic our entire culture and education system is geared to produce the most revenue streams to be taxed. Children at school learn to compete against each other rather than to work together, this follows through in adult life and ensures that each citizen will produce a taxable revenue stream. This is why community has collapsed and people feel as though there isn't enough time in the day.

what a load bollocks



Children at school learn to compete against each other rather than to work together, this follows through in adult life and ensures that each citizen will produce a taxable revenue stream

certain gov'ts have done their level best to scrap the idea of children competing - "oh dear; we can't have children actually losing at some activity!" - and have thus engendered the mentality that the nanny state will look after them ...... lesson #1 - life is competitive and some things you win and many things you lose ..... tough! get a grip and get on with it

It that were true then were wouldn't be a social stigma against a middle aged person or couple living at home supporting their parents as in an extended family.

Well, I cannot believe this! You cannot trust anyone to play a straight game any more!

Mel Sykes has got over the 'maximum number of bikinis allowed is three' rule for her spell in the 'I'm a Celebrity' jungle by having special reversible bikinis made. These were reversible bikinis specially made for her by her friend, the fashion designer Matthew Williamson.

Hmmm?

Hays

Kindly put a width limiter in for your taxes diagram, there's a good chap. (Say 800-900?)

Hays

Kindly put a width limiter in for your taxes diagram, there's a good chap. (Say 800-900?)

Exec,

I have changed the post as you suggest - Haystack, I hope you don't mind,

Ian

A shame the Mel Sykes picture wasn't made bigger!!

Ian,

I don't mind, if he minds!

52131 - stigma????? ...... strange place you seem to live

Shortie, it's one of the reasons I think children should be encouraged to play team sports at school as it gives them the opportunity to compete as a member of a team as well as learning to develop as an individual.

As with just about everything, balance is the key.

I don't see any stigma at all. Maybe a pain in the ass though.

when my mother was alive, i occasionally threatened Beloved with having her come to live with us, but decided she would quickly end up on a premeditated murder charge

in fact, both my parents died at home and were fortunate to live in a road where (nearly) everyone knew each other, looked out for each other and regularly socialised together .... i guess that's the advantage of being part of and living in a relatively poor and non-socially-mobile neighbourhood

The point is if mother had of come and have helped out her overheads would have been lost and you'd have received a contribution to the household thus having maybe slightly more time and money.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL even you twat HAYSTACKS.

The cost benefits might not outweigh the mental torment!

Mel Sykes at 44 is a COUGAR to me, but i say this shes fitter than a butchers dog and far fitter than the young pussy in the show.

as it's quite quiet .....
my mother was a very independent woman and steadfastly refused much if any help until the very end (at 91)
my father always wanted to die at home (89) - he told my mother on many occasions that that was why he had bought the house - and bless my mother's cotton socks, she shouldered the task of looking after him for the several years after he'd become rather daffy