I got invited for a coffee and a chat about my work once, but my main supervisor makes really crap brews (too weak, too much milk) so I turned her down.

Well, I wouldn't mind some free PGF branded stuff, actually: pens, rubbers, pencils, crayons, felt tips - or stencils. I'd really like one of those chubby 80s pens that can write in different colours, like green, black, red and blue. All I have at the moment, that I've managed to get for free, is Mediplacements branded stuff. I'd even work for stars - though I only have one more of those to get now.
I think a competition would be a really good idea and actually have some fun ideas. Hmm, maybe like a song or a rap about what it is like to do a PhD. Even a short animation of the PhD journey. Or, maybe even a a short section giving practical tips to time and cash-strapped PhD students on thing like what to cook, wear to buy cheap and stylish clothes. (up)

Sorry, Eska, I wouldn't have reviewer it if I'd known you had. I'll give Richard Gere try in an Officer and a Gentleman and see if he can woo me in it, when I have some movie watching time. Sneaks, I suppose he can redeem himself slightly since he's not one of them scientologists. Plus, buddists have special powers like, allegedly, being able to hibernate, speak to nature and animals and voluntarily slow their own heart rates through the power of their minds (biofeedback, I think).

I'm sorry we appear to be running out of wisdom, Goodboy. And, right when I'm trying to write up as well. I quite like forums because topics are divided into threads. And on this forum, these threads are labelled according to topics, such as whether they relate to PhD life, funding and general topics. The same stands for Masters students and so forth. It would appear that you have been clicking on the Off Topics threads and involuntarily reading things that you don't want to. You also seem to have inadvertently posted on some of these threads.
Since you can't control the nature of the subjects that people decide to post, that there might be posts that, for whatever reason you might not agree with, the best course of action might be to do what you have done so far: don't read them and don't post on them. If you want to create a wisdom generation and sharing thread, you are free to do so. I'd be very interested in reading such threads. :-)

I don't really like football, Slizor. Maybe it's a short attention span or something, but it just doesn't interest me. The only thing I've done that's World Cup related is buy my brother an England shirt for the World Cup when I got my stipend. As for Yorkshire, I live about 8 miles away from the border and ee by gum, it's a gradely place.

Well, thanks for the info. I hope it's free though because otherwise you're using this forum to sell something. In my opinion, that's SPAM. And that's really low for such a noble institution as KCL. I hope the moderators remove this post because if you want to advertise a university course, you should pay. It's only my opinion though. (down)

I watched/was made to watch Pretty Woman Today. I actually really enjoyed it and the ending made me go...awwww. I think it deserves a review on this thread, in fact.

Pretty Woman tells the tale of how even the oldest profession in the world can lead to a happy ending. I do think that the subject of the film is morally dubious and perhaps glosses over the issue of the dangers of being involved in the profession . Unless parents have had 'the talk' with their children, I do not think it is appropriate for family viewing. There are also some scenes in it which can be classed as watershed. My main problem with the film is Richard Gere as the protagonist -if I was a woman I really wouldn't fancy him. In fact, if I was Julia Roberts in that film, I'd have charged him double (compensation money).
Let's take Gigolo, for example. If I was an 80s permed brunette business woman in a pin stripe power suite with shoulder pads and a crocodile skin handbag, looking for a night of extra-marital passion and I called Dial-a-Gigolo and they sent him over, I'd go mental. In fact, I'd rather call Gigolos4U and order Alan Titschmarsh or Les Dennis. I can't believe he's supposed to be a housewives' favourite. I'd rather do the ironing or wind the baby.
Anyway, as a reviewer, I'm supposed to be unbiased. Sooooo, overall impression of the film? A good piece of escapism if you like to imagine being a young woman resorting to desperate measures, who is suddenly whisked off her feet by a very rich businessman. I don't. One curious side-effect of watching the film is that it really reminded me to brush my teeth so that I can have a dazzling whte smile, like our Julia's. I've already got the hairy arm pits.

A nice thread, Eska. I can't vote, unfortunately, since I've never watched a single episode of any version of Dr Who at all.

I don't think you're in too bad a situation. You have no student debts; I have about £22,000 (37,007 and 91 cents). Graduating at the age of 28 is nothing - you're a whipper snapper. I'll be 31, I reckon. And, as has already been posted, you'll have all of the life stuff when you graduate - it's just on hold at the moment. Plus like me and most of everyone else on this forum, you're used to penury. And the chances are, you'll never be rich being a researcher - what you don't have, you'll never miss and all that.
To actual prepare for my retirement, I've actually started to play the National Lottery - Lotto, in the UK. And I've discovered a way of dramatically increasing my odds of winning. I used to buy one ticket a week, meaning that I had a 1 in 14.9 million chance of winning. Now I buy 3 a week, and by the power of mathematics, I have a much better chance of winning: 1 in 4.97 million. Didn't need a mathematics professor on the run from the secret services for crimes against probability sending me spam e-mails to tell me that one.
More seriously though, we're all in the same boat. In the UK, we can sometimes take part time jobs, or a bit of paid teaching to supplement our incomes.
(up)

Ah, please don't think that I started this thread because I was thinking about having intimate relations with a woman. We've only known each other for a month and 'that' is a long way down the line. I've just noticed that my body has changed behaviour and was worried about what it meant. Any road, this lady...

She works for a charity, she's very nice and a lot of fun to be around. She even gets my stupid jokes, or at least laughs at them to humour me. She does text and ring me an awful lot though. However, the thing that works well is she understands that I'm very busy with work and that, although I do my best to spend the little time I have with her, I can't give her as much attention as she deserves at the moment. But things will be different in maybe 6 months and so and we can get more serious about things.

So, yeah, I'm quite please about things. I can't believe I'm discussing this on a water pressure fault thread. :$

LWell, I'm not one to show off, but I just though I'd let all you forumites know that I'm doing a second PhD at the esteemed University of Phoenix. I got myself listed as a potential candidate on the course about 5 minutes ago, in the space of 10 minutes. Qualifications, you ask? Pah! Life experience, mate! It's very funny actually. I've listed the transcript below.

Linda: Hello, my name is Linda. Thank you for your interest inthe University of Phoenix. What degree program are you interested inpursuing?
me: I'm wondering what qualifications I would need to get a PhD, please Linda?
I have a young family and 6 dogs, so a pretty hectic life - as you can imagine.
Linda: The purpose of this chat is to quickly and efficientlyhelp students and potential students reach the correct counselor ordepartment for their needs.
me: That sounds swell. Thank you.
Linda: What program are you interested in pursuing a Doctorate in?
me: I would like to do a doctorate in popular culture, maybe the press.
Linda: In what state do you currently reside?
me: I'm in Winnipeg [I've given her the number to Krispy Kreme headquarters in Canada], so I hope I can do the doctorate online.
Linda: Our Doctoral degrees are only offered online.
Do you have your Master's Degree?
me: Goodin that case. I have no Masters or Undergrad, so I'm hoping it won't bea big problem. I have life experience and like reading in my own time,though.
Linda: Have you attended more or less than 2 years of college or University?
me: Unfortunately not, but I am very bright. I've helped my friends with their assignments. I'm also very committed and focused.
I'm real good at sudoku and word searches. I have a lot of enthusiasm.
Linda: Do you have less than 2 years or not attended at all?
me: I have never attended. But I'm in a position where I can afford to do a doctorate.
Linda: Itsounds like you would be a great fit for our doctoral program. I'll forwardyour information to a counselor for follow up. When is the best day,time, and phone number for the counselor to reach you?
me: Monday would be cool with me.
Linda: Great! I'll schedule a call for Monday at 4:00pm at the number you provided above.
me: Linda, can I ask? Is a lot of work involved, or will I have time to chill in between?
Linda: Withour online learning format, you attend class online when and where youchoose.
The counselor can provide you with additional details.
me: How long does it take to get a doctorate at Pheonix? Could I be done in a couple of years with some hard work?
Linda: Thetime it takes to complete your degree program will vary. The durationof your program depends on several factors, including transfer creditsand potential breaks taken in between courses.
me: So, it would be possible in theory?
Linda: If you progress well, you can complete very quickly.The counselor will discuss this with you.


So, looks like I'm going to be Dr-Dr in next to know time. Back of the net!

Eska, I'm just really glad this forum is anonymous. I'd hate to walk into my uni and some random stranger ask, 'How's your plumbing?' Anyway, it'll be no more embarrassing than having my GP look under my car bonnet and ask exactly what I've been up to (it's not like you can get the clap off reading a journal article), when I go to my appointment next week. I'll feel like I'm 16 going on 66. I'm more nervous about this appointment than giving a major conference presentation.

I think that it's essential to stay fit when you're doing your PhD. A healthy body, a healthy mind and all that. To keep fit, I take a multivitamin a day, have started going for walks and jogging (saving on diesel then), and I made a fresh Chinese curry for tea. I've also started swimming again. Expect the shares in Ginster's to dramatically fall, as I've stopped eating pies and pasties. Oh, and I'd eat lots of fresh fruit and veg, if I were you, as well.(up)

Congratulations, Kellykel :-)