Thats wierd -its glorious South of Watford. I am sat in the garden in a bikini.

When's the next Harry Potter due, does anyone know?

I was in Paris for a few days when I was reading it, and I knew my bessie mate was also reading it at the same time back in the UK. We like to time our reading when a new one comes out, so we don't do spoilers. I actually phoned her up and said 'can you believe it' because I was so aghast about Snape & Dumbledore in the last one.

I have just finished Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan, about some American tourists who go missing in Burma. Its a slight departure from her other stuff, but excellent all the same.

I read Lovely Bones a few years ago on holiday, and I remember it made me tearful.

Awww sixkitten take heart.
I remember when new people came on here trying to make the decision to go PT or FT and you have put across a logical argument for your choice and why it suited your situation at the time. I guess you have to try and remind yourself. I know it must feel a bit fustrating some times or a long road ahead, especially as you are having a bit of a rough time of it at the mo by the sounds of things - but you will get it done.
Aliby is 100% on with the comparing yourself thing. I really do believe you have to be the measure of your own success, because everyone is in a slightly different position as to how much support they have, finances, space to work, motivation etc...

I was the only person from my family to do a degree, until my Mum decided to do a BA in her late forties. She had my bro when she was 16, pregnant at 15 and got chucked out of school . It was the 60's & they didn't have young girls in the class rooms or sure-start programmes to get young mums back into the education system then.
My dad did a professional qualification when he was a lad in his first job and I sat my finals for my first degree in the same local venue in the East End, something like 30 years later after him.

Poor Diesal - sounds horrible. I hope you feel alright today, do watch it though because that stuff is really toxic. Don't take any chances with your health.
Sorry you have had a bad week so far, can you reward yourself by doing something nice for yourself @ the weekend...little shopping spree perhaps and buy yourself something nice, or go for drinks and have a winge with friends, or have a nice long bath and a face pack?
All the best.

btw miss trouble - of course you're welcome hello.

yes i remember you, you were a digweed fan, am I right?

that should have been a

I have been away for a few days in NYC (how dull, NOT!) & come back to this.
Awwww :-$ Thanks everyone, Piglet, DJW, Sixkitten( artist formally known as Mia), Fifi, Aliby, Sue and of course Ann - how nice you all are, and its often harder to be nice.
I am unable to stay away from the forum now I have the official approval of Ann & co. As the wise woman ( though not old) of the forum if Ann decrees it thus, it must be so.

my first reaction to this was then I saw the bit about me

So
I apologise if you find my contributions boring,
And comments I’ve added have induced snoring,
But I think pointing it out, is minor point scoring.
If I’ve evaded your unspoken rules and decorum
Then perhaps I’ll adjourn to a more welcoming forum
I don’t need reassurance that it’s fabulous to be me.
An ex-catwalk model, then journalist, living with a millionaire, now doing a PhD….
If you want the verbal version of krumping, then I hope you’re ready for your match
It is so 'on', coz you just got served, beatch

but you haven't told us - what you wore in the end?!

Sue I agree with Piglet that books are precious things. I have filled my spare bedroom wall to wall with my collection which dates back to me being a kid. I have never been able to let go of certain books, and there is something nice and comforting about having them around.
I recently read my old copy of To Kill a Mocking Bird which I had 17 years ago when I did my GCSE's and it had really hilarious notes in the margin and I had tipexed my name and I LOVE Jim Morrison, on the inside cover!!!

Some people are like this about Vinyl or clothes or shoes & I think the book is worth, as much as you are willing to pay for it.You cant really measure this by anyone elses standards but your own.

check out
http://www.reikifed.co.uk/

You can find a Reiki practioner in your area

meditations are excellent for learning to calm your nerves through breath control and accessing your own natural stillness (you can get some good ones free via pod-casts & iTunes). Sorry if this all sounds a bit hippy - but beta-blockers are powerful drugs. Another alternative you could try is Valerian, which you can get from Holland & Barrett, which is a natural plant extract and comes in tablet or tea form and is a nice gentle natural sedative. Also really lay off the coffee, tea & chocolate as caffeine really aggravates palpitations. Finally my partner has had great success after years of suffering with insomnia and restless sleep - with Chinese herbs and acupuncture & personally I recommend Reike.
Ann is right though that your GP should be super understanding having been through an MD themselves~ they know the score. It’s a good move to go tell them how you are feeling.