I've been listening early 80s stuff through today, especially enjoying Bad Manners and Madness.

Special Brew, what a belter!

Yeah, I find that strange too, Ann. When my first years emailed me at the start of the year they were calling me Mr Morgan which I found rather funny. I guess it's because they've just come school. I asked them to just call me by my first name.

I can't see why they wouldn't be honest with you regarding the chances of your application. In terms of applying to other places, of course you should so that you don't pin all your hopes on one position. I've read from some people on here to apply to as many places as possible. I disagree because there's no point writing dozens of poor applications. Instead, write say, between 5 and 8 very good proposals and tell you're prospective supervisor that you're doing this (but emphasise that it's his project that you really want to do). It shows you're committed to doing a PhD and that you're covering all bases. It's a perfectly reasonable and sensible position to take. If you tell them you're not applying anywhere else they probably won't believe you anyway!

Thank you Sara. This debate has run its course. I'm retiring for the night. Good night all. Sylvester Morgan over and out..

To nip this one in the bud before it gets out of hand, I can categorically say that I have never met Athina. To be frank, I don't like talking about her whilst she is ill.

Hmmm, how shall I answer this? Sara knows the score.

This evening I 'ave been mostly listening to the Art of Noise (from the 80s).

Maybe she did, but we don't have that sort of relationship!

We don't have that sort of relationship. My main concern is that she pulls through all this.

Nope, DanB sent me an email. "all this interest" you mention is purely as one who cares about a friend who I've had a number of conversations with and have got to know.

Ditto everyone else. If you don't know them, you should initially call them by their title and then be guided by how they respond to you. I do the same with my students when I'm discussing another member of staff with them.

BTW, Maria, in response to an earlier post, yes i'm very well thanks and no, I'm not a freak (or no one has told me to my face anyway!). Been very busy and trying not to get addicted to this board.

It certainly wouldn't harm to see a doctor. They will probably refer you to a sex counsellor. From what I understand about them, they start with the physical aspects and then move onto the mental reasons/stumbling blocks. Worth a go, you have nothing to lose.

Fair do's. To be honest, I don't know anything about the other guy yet. Isn't there a third guy as well?

Is Dr Fox a real doctor or is this just a self-assigned name, anyone?