So...how can I get tea stains out of my kitchen worktop?

It may have been quiet the last couple of days cos Wed and Thur are undergraduate project days (at least for science students) and us suckers are busy "supervising". Mind you I've got a really clever girl doing some experiemnts for me so I'm happy with that.

and

I'd bet good money that he is pretending not to know what the problem is; that way he can act innocent and insinuate that you are imagining things. Are you alone with him? It is always better if several people have experienced problems with him; that was what happended with my colleague in the end: so many people made the same complaint.

Yep, been there all right. Once had to work with a real manipulator, so good at getting others to do her work by coming up with endless "personal problems", and half the time didn't bother turning up at all. (But of course when she looked like she was going to fail, it was everyone's fault but hers) for not "helping" her.

Believed her for a long time but it eventually became clear that the problems were a pack of lies. The trouble was she was so good at acting innocent in front of supervisors. Any any suggestion that she perhaps consider doing her own work was met with tears and accuations of bullying (this from a 50+ woman, mind you).

Eventually (and this took 5 years) she was thrown out of 4 research groups for her attitude. All I can recommend is that you keep calm and unemotional, cos as Sue says, he will love it if he thinks he has got to you. Smile and be succesful; this will wind him up. Eventully people will figure him out.

Well, I like animals so much that I think I can no longer reconcile myself to eating them, that's all. I don't think I'll miss meat too much but I love fish, but since fish feel pain too I guess that'll have to go.

I like tofu already, that's a start.

Hmm, didn't think of that. I'm '76, so it says I'm a dragon, ut I was born after Chinese New Year.
Pigs: Noble and chivalrous! Who'd have thought it. And this is the year of the Pig, too.

I fancy a bacon sandwich now, though I'm contemplating vegetarianism so maybe not. What can veggies eat if they don't like cheese or eggs much?

Happy birthday for yesterday. Ahem: "Ambitious yet honest, but prone to spend freely. Seldom make lasting friendships. Compatible with Dragons and Monkeys. Least compatible with Horses."

Rooster: "A pioneer in spirit, devoted to work and knowledge, but eccentric. Rabbits are trouble for you. Snakes and Oxen are fine."
Good old Silver City Takeaway.

H: "You are very intelligent and able to influence people. An enthusiastic achiever, you are easily discouraged and confused (sounds like me, actually). Avoid Tigers. Seek a Dragon or a Rat".

I'm a dragon, so we could be confused and discouraged together.

Hmm, 33 - according to my Chinese wall calendar (came free with my sweet and sour prawns in December) you're a Tiger: "Couragous, candid and sensitive. Look to the Horse and Dog for happiness. Beware of the Monkey". So there.

Thanks 404; no till March, but don't worry. I shouldn't have grumped in your birthday thread. To make up for it:

Happy birthday!

Take the week off; it's only once a year.

I've got a big meeting with my sponsors the day after my birthday, so I won't be doing much celebrating on the day itself

You have to buy a license to watch TV; don't know why these days, cos the license money is paid to the BBC which accounts for a fraction of all TV channels. You can also pay extra for Sky or cable TV. I'm the last person in Europe to just have the basic 5 channels

I have to write monthly progress reports and meet with the sponsors every month to explain what I've been doing. So no chance of reading for 7 months here, although I think if I'd had the chance to do that I wouldn't be repeating so much work