404, I was trying to think of a possible reason for the difference in attitudes about writing on books, but not sure why it seems to be so black and white - some people do, some people would never. I guess it must be something to do with parental/educational influence too... I did write on my A-level English books as I studied them, not thinking I'd be giving them back, and it was so awful when they were duly collected in at the end of the two years...because the book had become mine. Haven't written on anything else, I don't fold the pages either - it's just unnecessary.

Tricky - that's a really good word for it, the book HAS been DEFACED. And no, I wouldn't do it to one of my own books either - I make the extensive notes ON A SEPARATE PAGE. It's not that difficult...

I absolutely would NEVER NEVER NEVER write on a library book - in fact I even feel guilty if my pen drops onto the page and makes a tiny mark. But...I haven't really had the problem of getting badly marked books out on loan. Just the odd pencil note here and there, which doesn't affect my reading of the text. As for your undergrad student juno - that's shocking. I might even raise the issue with him/her - do they know how much it cost?

sp: "to it"

BigDave's way works too - I just tried it, and since he beat me too it...

yup, I think so. Just put the two series on a chart with ONE axis like you normally would, then right click on the chart, go to 'chart type', click on the 'custom type' tab and scroll down until you see 'lines on 2 axes'. That should be it - mine come with a big mess of black labels on the x-axis - just click on them and press delete on the keyboard if you don't want them. Hope this works!

Don't apologise. Do you like/have you read Beowulf? I started it but didn't finish it yet...will have to go hunt it out.
I also saw La Rondine, and I have to say I think I did like that better than the Rossini opera (but the magpie overture rocks).

I love birds in general - they all have their own little characteristics. As for magpies, I'd normally be put off by the 'stories' [in denial] of them eating eggs and other baby birds, but they are just so lovely... I'm not a big fan of opera, mainly just went to that one because it featured a magpie - I found it a bit repetitive.
Tell me more about the mythology if you get a minute.

Thanks anyway chris. I asked an opera buff a while back and he didn't think it was likely, but I still like to think so...It would probably have made quite a racket though, but I read yesterday that they can be taught to talk.

Thanks. Whether I can be proud of the outcome remains to be seen

I'm in my fourth year (i.e. nearly finished), so hopefully won't be unhappy for much longer...roll on graduation.

Yeah, I was referring to what you said about maintaining a post-PhD friendship - it shocked me a bit. People have said over and over again how important the relationship with a supervisor is for a good PhD experience, but it seems very unfair to me that that relationship is not a simple functional work relationship - that the relationship (and hence my PhD experience) is dependent on whether my supervisor likes me. I'd be happy too if I was in your situation, but I'm not (in that situation) and I'm not (happy).

Chris, you might be able to answer a question for me... I saw/heard "The Thieving Magpie" (Rossini opera) a while back and they used a fake/stuffed magpie on stage. Do you know if there's any evidence that real caged magpies might have been used in performance?

teek, do you mean CS Lewis sci fi or the theological stuff? I'm a big fan.

Friendship? Is your supervisor 'friends' with all of his students? If so, how is this possible? He's bound to come across someone he doesn't like eventually - and what do you think the implications are for that person who isn't fortunate enough to be his friend? Sorry if I sound like I'm attacking you, you've just hit a raw nerve where I'm concerned about this issue.