======= Date Modified 11 Dec 2010 23:20:49 =======
I'm so appalled at the way they're treating these kids - how dare they do this to our kids - trapping them against their will into the night on a blooming bridge over ice water, freezing, crushed, without a toilet or food and the constant threat of violence (Ray Mears should be up on arms), so they had to pee somewhere and then condemn them for peeing in the wrong place. I'm just blooming livid. How dare they wear balaclavas and carry weapons. Just had to say that - the world's gone mad and it's frightening. Hug a hoody indeed.

======= Date Modified 10 Dec 2010 09:50:42 =======
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I am resisting, I am resisting. But I do have a useful song:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAXeUKPwBj4

I'd really like to but I can't find out where/when they are near me. Am free right now at the uni and have the feeling there has to be one going on within a few yards - but where?

I'm deeply thrilled by it all for some reason, in fact, I nearly cried when I read about it in the Metro at 7:30 this morning while waiting for myy train - I think they are lovely. This could possibly be due to the fact that I am teaching almost 20 hours per week in three different Unis and cities -none of which I live in - and have just had to write 3 module outlines with zero notice and I am losing it. It could also be to do with the fact that I am a sucker for a quality frock and that blue velvet (velveteen?) number Kate was wearing is a stunner and really suited her colouring and shape - not to mention the blue stone of Diana's ring.

Sorry Wal. am actually not a royalist at all and think they should be downsized and stripped of most of their assets, but I take heart from how nice they seem, and that hopefully, Kate will have a much better time of it than Di. As I say, I need a holiday.

Hi Joyce, yeah, thank you for this. I guess the thing to do its play it by ear, and say wat I think is rght at the time - that's all I can do. Thank you for listening.

======= Date Modified 29 Oct 2010 12:29:19 =======
Wow, imagine if Maragret logged on to the forum! She was aaaaayyyyyyce. I like the new lady too, but Margaret had this proper secret service old school top notch thing going on which was just fab.


Maragret, show yourself!

======= Date Modified 25 Oct 2010 16:09:07 =======
Hi Joyce, yeah she doesn't really have any other friends where she is and is very lonely and in a competitive atmosphere at work, sometimes crying about that. She says she sees her future: marriage, babies etc with her bloke, but is obsessing about this new one; I think he is a 'head worker' as they say in my neck of the woods, and that she is vulnerable to creating her and her current partner a lot of pain. Also, she's not from the UK and doesn't see family from one year to the next and so already has that isolation to deal with. However, I am not Mystic Meg or God, so cannot be sure of any of this.

I'm going to see her in late November, so I hope I can be more helpful to her then. It's really hard over the phone because I think sometimes people just need a hug, not words.

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Hi Bug thanks, yeah, I am absolutely with my friend - I'm just worried I'll say the wrong thing, that's why I'm posting. I really struggle to find the right words when I'm discussing it with her, which is quite a lot, she's rang me about 3 or 4 time this week over it - especially as I don't know the new one. I'm quite protective of her and he said this thing that raised alarm bells with me - that he didn't trust himself around her because she was being provocative - and this really upset her. HHHmmm just hard to know what to say.I'd hate to see her dump her current bloke for a rotter.

Her boyf is ace, yes, and we get on very well, but I don't think he would be right for me - there are also times when he fundamentally does my head, but it's ok because he ain't mine. I think I'd fancy most of my friend's blokes, at least a bit, if they weren't my friend's blokes if you now what I mean! We are all people with excellent taste.

When I mention calling him I meant as a friend generally tho, not in any romantc way and certainly not to discuss this.

Hi folks, thanks for your responses. Maybe not as bad as I thought; or maybe I've just got used to the idea - much of my thesis will be more a historical study than I had planned, that's all. Just very, very sad.

I am very good friends with a couple - we hang out together, have dinner, do stuff etc. The girl is one of my best friends, but I am also very fond of her partner - the only reason I don't call him etc is because he is my friend's boyf and I want to keep that boundary.

My dilema is thus: My dear friend moved to another city six months ago and struck up a friendship with a guy at work - he was also in a relationship, recently, however, he has split with his lady and has declared his affections for my friend - saying that he can no longer be friends with her if there is no chance of a relationship. She is utterly confused and pre-occupied- she says she has feelings for this new bloke, that they nearly kissed befre the cool off and that she doesn't miss her boyf as much as she thinks she should (they are having a rotten sticky patch).

She's talking to me about it a lot, which is fine, I'd much rather that than she suffer alone - but I feel awful about her boyf - I really don't want my friend to be unfaithful to him so can't help doing the 'be sensible routine', and I also don't want to see her lose a relationship with someone who really loves her, especially when she s away from home in a new city etc, etc, (she is sensitive). But then, if this new one is right for her, then I don't want to be remembered as someone who tried to stand in the way. It's really hard to say the right thing.

Any thoughts all you PGF Claire Raynors?

That's ok Dan, I still call my neighbour's cat 'beautiful lady' 'isn't she beautiful' even though I now know she is, in fact, a Tom cat called Tim. Tim seems to like it.

possibly a nice fake fur jacket I've seen in M&S, if they have any left

Hi Satchi, I say don't do it - for the sake of your friendship and wellbeing. You can go back on your word if you have to!

I used to be overly nice and helpful with people, so that it interferred with my life and wellbeing, but you have to draw a line for your own sake. Look after yourself as you have looked after them x

======= Date Modified 21 54 2010 22:54:34 =======
Hello good people of the forum. Anyone else feeling shell-shocked this morning? Especially arts people?

I'm wondering what the point of me being n the UK is - my research is about funding structures in an industry (which brought considerable profit to the UK) that now has almost NONE and I'm working in HE which, for my subject, now has next to none. I'm trying to make a point about the way in which things are funded, but now it just feels like I'm shouting into deep space, or desperately trying to cylce through a herd of on-coming rhinocerous...


Anyone else feel this way?

I wish I could edit the title - I meant herd, not heard.

How wonderfully exciting Sneaks! And what a great achievement at this stage of you career. I can't really add anything other than to say - the fact that you got this far means your are MAJOR! so just be excited about the whole event, that you are going to meet some people who you have tremendous respect for and that clearly respect you. Good luck XXX