I cannot claim to have anything as witty as the tilde scare.. I studied for the last 5 years. In order to complete the qualification I was taking, I had to reduce my hours at work again and again. I dropped to half my hours, then dropped 6 more, then drop...  moreI cannot claim to have anything as witty as the tilde scare.. I studied for the last 5 years. In order to complete the qualification I was taking, I had to reduce my hours at work again and again. I dropped to half my hours, then dropped 6 more, then dropped another 4. That was a real dampener on my income. It was necessary but very hard and I am still nowhere near to recovering but I am heading in the right direction  

Yes, I am afraid they really would ban it.. I am afraid that any cross-dressing or transgender stuff would be banned.. on penalty of death, or at very least abuse

A horribly serious reply from me.. talking to people who are of fixed opinions 

I think I must be the opposite lol

I've no idea who the ACLU are, but we do live in different times. We should know better now, we didn't in the past - that doesn't make it right or excusable but we, as a species were as unsophisticated and enlightened as dead sardines.  If you think ...  moreI've no idea who the ACLU are, but we do live in different times. We should know better now, we didn't in the past - that doesn't make it right or excusable but we, as a species were as unsophisticated and enlightened as dead sardines.  If you think about it a LOT of hideously ignorant things happened back then. I know this won't be popular and I really don't want my first reply in eons to be in any way offensive, but you know me as someone who isn't afraid to say difficult things, but, we do have to bear in mind that although there was distinct exploitation, (not to mention inhuman practices) black people from Africa were involved in that - they took money, captured and sold their own people, profited from it.  There are NO good things about any part of slavery, and it's right that it is now wholly condemned   less

No idea!

I like yellow, and I think I like it because it's a bright cheerful colour. I love yellow flowers and one of my absolute favourites is yellow - Welsh poppy.  

I think both have their place, both are needed, both are useful and in a way both balance each other. 

OK so a few more to add to it.. .we laugh, we cry, we love and we hurt..  I don't think the decks are stacked against us, certainly not all of us, but then again I am an optimist :)

I'd probably take a kinder view, I'd wonder if they had had some difficulty in their past where they felt unloved, unappreciated and where they placed their own value according to praise and acceptance from others. Me, however, I prefer not to be not...  moreI'd probably take a kinder view, I'd wonder if they had had some difficulty in their past where they felt unloved, unappreciated and where they placed their own value according to praise and acceptance from others. Me, however, I prefer not to be noticed, I like to be in the background. The one difference between me and most of us backgrounders is that I will stand up and be counted, and will speak out if it's necessary and no one else is willing to do it  

These days Rosie, I am happy to talk to anyone who will listen :P  Actually, I have never been that fussy, I will talk to everyone and anyone.. Sure there are some I get a lot less pleasure from speaking to.. 

Dread, despise the thought, almost cannot bear to even contemplate it. I really don't like those long dark evenings and the interminable miserable grey days. 

The marriage lasted only a couple of years with Bill Wyman didn't it? he said he regrets it, she was too young...  I found this, from her... 
Mandy Smith was 14 when she embarked upon a sexual relationship with Rolling Stone Bill Wyman.
Shocking...  moreThe marriage lasted only a couple of years with Bill Wyman didn't it? he said he regrets it, she was too young...  I found this, from her... 
Mandy Smith was 14 when she embarked upon a sexual relationship with Rolling Stone Bill Wyman.
Shockingly - criminally - young, she concedes today.
No sane person would advocate that the age of 14 is old enough to be having sex with anyone, let alone a man 34 years your senior, but what age does she think is acceptable, I wonder? 15? 16? 21?
The vehemence of her response surprises me: 'It's not about being physically mature. It's emotional maturity that matters.
'I don't think most 16-year-olds are ready. I think the age of consent should be raised to 18 at a minimum, and some girls aren't even ready then.'
She gives an apologetic little laugh. 'I know, I know. People will find that odd, coming from me.
But I think I do know what I'm talking about here. You are still a child, even at 16.
'You can never get that part of your life, your childhood, back. I never cou...    less

I abhor abuse and manipulation of children sexually.. I would try to be devil's advocate on this though and say that here 17 is legal.. I would say too that it's perhaps not anything to do with God as such that there are a lot of abusers in the church.. w...  moreI abhor abuse and manipulation of children sexually.. I would try to be devil's advocate on this though and say that here 17 is legal.. I would say too that it's perhaps not anything to do with God as such that there are a lot of abusers in the church.. we know that people who want to abuse and take advantage of kids navigate to any job that brings them into contact with their prey... kids...  so you see loads of them in schools, football clubs, gym coaches, etc.. I am not convinced being Christian makes one more likely to abuse kids. Catholicism might increase the chances.. as they are celibate.. a tall order.. and as we know.. they often fail :( I do believe that large age gaps are more likely to be a problem.. the more worldly wise and greater experience of life make it way more possible for there to be manipulation or coercion - that's all the more so if one is a kid. I am afraid I don't buy the acceptance of 14 year olds living with an adult in an adult relationship.. we do know that a lot of...    less

I confess I went on a fountain pen spending spree at Christmas.. I fell in love with several pens and felt I deserved them all!  I bought around 6 or so I think.. shocking! 

Just after my mother died,  I bought my young daughter an electric toy car.. it was expensive but I thought what the heck, you only life once..  I once bought a guy I wasn't sure of and thought was taking advantage a  £30 bottle of af...  moreJust after my mother died,  I bought my young daughter an electric toy car.. it was expensive but I thought what the heck, you only life once..  I once bought a guy I wasn't sure of and thought was taking advantage a  £30 bottle of aftershave..   

My mental marbles.. my brain/mind/intelligence 

my felines? Do they count? I like most of the possessions in my house but perhaps at the moment I am in love with my fountain pen collection. 

My current voluntary one.. I just need to find a way to be paid for it. 

Well, my current one isn't exactly a barrel of laughs. But I think the worst was when I, as a favour to a friend, went to work in a greasy spoon cafe. It was ok when we were busy but when it was quiet, it was sheer torture. Watching that clock when every ...  moreWell, my current one isn't exactly a barrel of laughs. But I think the worst was when I, as a favour to a friend, went to work in a greasy spoon cafe. It was ok when we were busy but when it was quiet, it was sheer torture. Watching that clock when every minute seemed to last an eternity, wasn't nice. I liked the money, but to be fair, I usually felt so sorry for myself by the time I got paid that I'd tend to blow the lot in one go.   

Tee hee they still ask me that! 

Yes, I had originally had the tooth removed, in hospital, because of a massive infection that had been going on years and had not been detected.  Once the tooth was out, the site where the infection had been had lost a lot of bone and they wanted a) ...  moreYes, I had originally had the tooth removed, in hospital, because of a massive infection that had been going on years and had not been detected.  Once the tooth was out, the site where the infection had been had lost a lot of bone and they wanted a) to make sure the infection had really gone and b) for the bone to grow back. So I'd keep going, have it scanned but it wasn't ready, so I had to wait.  

Thank you for explaining. Well, in a way then, don't we think that if it is racist then that isn't a message we feel is appropriate? I mean there was a time when some people  believed slavery was perfectly fine and that black people were unintelligen...  moreThank you for explaining. Well, in a way then, don't we think that if it is racist then that isn't a message we feel is appropriate? I mean there was a time when some people  believed slavery was perfectly fine and that black people were unintelligent and deserved to be treated badly. Do we think that's acceptable now? No, it's horrifying. We live and we learn, we become, hopefully, better people who no longer need to engage in such divisive rhetoric.   

If I were ever lucky enough to have a Canadian spouse, I'd be over the moon. Canada seems such a beautiful country. I'd simply take my Canadian spouse and vacation somewhere warmer. Oh, and I'd have the good sense to live, with this Canadian spouse, in on...  moreIf I were ever lucky enough to have a Canadian spouse, I'd be over the moon. Canada seems such a beautiful country. I'd simply take my Canadian spouse and vacation somewhere warmer. Oh, and I'd have the good sense to live, with this Canadian spouse, in one of the warmer areas of Canada.   

I remember as a kid we'd always go to a local 'bonfire night' celebration, (Guy Fawkes, November the 5th). It was an enormously popular event, drawing people from far and wide to a small 'common'.  There would be a very local, (their yard was just ac...  moreI remember as a kid we'd always go to a local 'bonfire night' celebration, (Guy Fawkes, November the 5th). It was an enormously popular event, drawing people from far and wide to a small 'common'.  There would be a very local, (their yard was just across the green) fun fair there too and the fireworks were the very best around.  However, if it had been raining the whole thing would turn into a quagmire.  I have been to more than a few Guy Fawkes nights like that.  It's barely possible to walk it gets so churned up  less

Yes, lots wrong. It must be fair and each side must have equal opportunity to advertise their wares and to garner support. If one side or more than one other side are hindered in their ability then that's not  a democracy. There may be some info I am...  moreYes, lots wrong. It must be fair and each side must have equal opportunity to advertise their wares and to garner support. If one side or more than one other side are hindered in their ability then that's not  a democracy. There may be some info I am missing here but on a wider level that's my answer.   

Tis not very exciting for folks to hear I fear, but last October, I received the news, after waiting for 4 years or so, that they can finally implant my implant.  Had they not done so at that point, I would have given up. I'd had enough of the interm...  moreTis not very exciting for folks to hear I fear, but last October, I received the news, after waiting for 4 years or so, that they can finally implant my implant.  Had they not done so at that point, I would have given up. I'd had enough of the interminable waiting.  

Gosh I have such little idea about what's happening in the world these days.. I am unclear as to why they have cancelled Dr Seuss - presumably they feel that it is no longer appropriate? However, I would be failing in my duty to point out that Dr. Seuss w...  moreGosh I have such little idea about what's happening in the world these days.. I am unclear as to why they have cancelled Dr Seuss - presumably they feel that it is no longer appropriate? However, I would be failing in my duty to point out that Dr. Seuss was an author and they haven't cancelled him as such, just some of his books right? And further, they didn't cancel those books because he was Republican or a conservative did they? If not then I suspect your Mr Rogers is fairly safe, whoever he is.I guess I am saying that what's considered acceptable and what isn't changes.. it always has done and it always will do. I mean, we used to think that drowning witches was ok.. and that black cats were unlucky and... and... and..  I guess too that the optimist in me likes to feel that we learn, we evolve and we become more enlightened.   less

I know.. I do like to be perverse! And besides we don't get ants troubling us when we have food here.. it's wasps/yellow-jackets 

My mum had a lot of bad qualities.. but.. it's rare someone is all bad.. so I loved her singing, everyone loved her singing.. I loved that she was very into music, and I loved that she was very open about erm matters of physical relationships. 

I like to do colouring .. my mum used to like crossword puzzles and there are loads of adult colouring books now.. Who says we have to grow up :P

I adore ants.. and they aren't a problem here.. wasps now those are nasty

I am afraid my mind went wandering on this one and I was unable to type the reply that was in my head.. 

I can honestly say that the Randy we have here is the only one I know... he's definitely one of a kind.. 

I think the media forget to portray how very boring it can be at times.. I did that job as a favour for someone a long while back. It was ok, but I spent most of my time watching the clock. Every minite felt like an hour sometimes. Truly awful!

LOL I have very little brain capacity to spare.. I think I had best not :P

Yes, very often :)

That would be a neat trick... cats scratch.. does that help? 

To me they mean two different things.. where are you at means to me, what's going on for you.. where are you in your life, your thoughts, your feelings, your progress through life or difficult times.. Where are you at compared to last time we spoke.. ...  moreTo me they mean two different things.. where are you at means to me, what's going on for you.. where are you in your life, your thoughts, your feelings, your progress through life or difficult times.. Where are you at compared to last time we spoke.. The other refers to location   

Oh my gosh, you don't mean, surely not - that he made a mistake? Oh my goodness. 

It's not spectacular but I have a female feline that my daughter refers to as b**ch cat. She will be sitting here quietly cuddled up to one of her adoring male fur-siblings and then will suddenly swipe them for no reason. Or she will bite their ears while...  moreIt's not spectacular but I have a female feline that my daughter refers to as b**ch cat. She will be sitting here quietly cuddled up to one of her adoring male fur-siblings and then will suddenly swipe them for no reason. Or she will bite their ears while they are asleep. She's loveable really!   

You are a hopeless optimist aren't you :P No, we can still post questions even if we aren't sober :P

I don't know and wasn't aware he did. IF he did, and that's unproven at the moment, then it's likely that it's because it harks back to the violence and division associated with the recent violence. I imagine too that it's really not representing 'we the ...  moreI don't know and wasn't aware he did. IF he did, and that's unproven at the moment, then it's likely that it's because it harks back to the violence and division associated with the recent violence. I imagine too that it's really not representing 'we the people' so they felt that it was just stirring up anger and violence? I'd have left it there - those people are not in touch with reality and of course 'we the people' voted for Biden, legitimately and democratically.   

I don't think the lovely Stu is here right now but I am sure he'd be horrified

Doctors generally don't want people to die and I am sure they will treat patients with whatever seems most effective. I'd worry that the HCQ, for whatever reason hasn't been properly evaluated and proven. That people are not using it suggests to me that d...  moreDoctors generally don't want people to die and I am sure they will treat patients with whatever seems most effective. I'd worry that the HCQ, for whatever reason hasn't been properly evaluated and proven. That people are not using it suggests to me that doctors have grave doubts about the efficacy - a trial would have solved that for sure but I think that there was no enthusiasm for a trial says something quite telling  

LOL there are some who would say it IS chaos!  But the thing to remember too is that there had to be a transition period which allowed for negotiations.. ok so they have failed but.. 

He failed to get Kim J to move at all unfortunately so that was a failed and probably pointless exercise, perhaps another example of America wading in, which is precisely what Trump promised not to do and it's one of the things that can start wars.  ...  moreHe failed to get Kim J to move at all unfortunately so that was a failed and probably pointless exercise, perhaps another example of America wading in, which is precisely what Trump promised not to do and it's one of the things that can start wars.   Trump has insulted not just dictator's countries but allies as well, in fact an almost constant stream of insults on people and countries is issued from Trump. It's always interesting to see Trump trying, (and almost always failing) to broker trade deals under the guise of peace talks when he is the one saying America first and trying to shut other countries trading out.. I am afraid it's not possible to have it both ways..one cannot on one hand say we aren't having your goods here, while on the other saying, but we want to send out stuff to you to buy. PS 3rd world country is not the same as the expression Trump used, partly because many of these so-called 3rd world countries aren't controlled by dictators... .  less

Because the whole thing centralises on Palestine - the reason the 'peace talks' were necessary was that many of the other Arab countries shun Israel because of their treatment of Palestine. Many countries world-wide are not happy with Israel for that, but...  moreBecause the whole thing centralises on Palestine - the reason the 'peace talks' were necessary was that many of the other Arab countries shun Israel because of their treatment of Palestine. Many countries world-wide are not happy with Israel for that, but America, via Trump especially feel that's perfectly fine and has sought to persuade other Arab  nations to stop shunning/punishing/wanting nothing to do with Israel. This is not a peace deal, it is for America's interests. And if it's trade talks then it's not peace talks is it? It's certainly not this wonderful nobel peace prize winning effort is it? Indeed many feel quite the opposite. Everyone is perfectly entitled to their opinion of the Palestinians of course but it's important to remember that what many people have heard and been lead to believe is generally speaking  only one side of it and in fact the Palestinians are pretty sure that Israel could have peace whenever 'they' want it if only Israel were to take the offers they have been giv...    less

The protesters demanding the election be overturned are not on the same planet as the rest of us, mentally, ethically or in any other way

To be fair, since their determination that there was fraud despite the evidence being non-existent is illogical - who can say what they will do - they are clearly not in touch with reality and their behaviour is unreasoning.