fuzzyboots

reggie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Trouble is when we stand up for the weak and > defenceless we often use language which is weak > and defenceless. *LIKE*

unclengen You are a man/woman after my own heart. Exactly what I would have chosen for the nasty crooks who have burgled me, attempted to steal my car (twice) and stolen from my car whilst creating a diversion. They all deserve each other.

I would just like to add my support to Parkie. I am a Thursday/Friday walker of a little dog owned and much loved by a housebound friend. She used to go out to Peckham Rye Park on her electric scooter to walk her dogs (she had two of them at the time) but now her pain and other issues are such that she can't get to the Park any more, despite it being her dearest wish. It was the (only) highlight of her day. I am absolutely appalled at the thought that if she were ever to make it back to the Park again, she may expect to be subject to abuse and criticism. It IS a hate crime in my view, and if I were to witness anyone in these circumstances being subjected to harassment/abuse, etc., I would not hesitate a) to give them a piece of my mind, b) to alert Parkie and colleagues and c) to alert the police. I know that my friend's other dog walker would do the same. This is intolerable, small minded and moronic indeed. Unbelievable that something like this should occur once, let alone be sufficient for it to be raised publicly. GOOD FOR YOU, PARKIE, I SUPPORT YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Fuzzyboots (who walks Morph on Thursdays and Fridays)

What LBC reports: LBC report of shooting in Forest Hill Road

This is gut wrenchingly sad - no matter how many were shot/injured. Don't know what else to say - other than my thoughts are with those affected. FB

Mornington Crescent.

Arrow

maxxi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Can't help much with that but I have seen plenty > of timid men following strange looking women down > the road at night... though most of them seem to > be on a lead. Quite right too.

Frankito - you're a darling :) I don't know if I've offended anyone - but thought I might have. My learning disability does cause me this sort of doubt! Alan Medic - fair point, if somewhat cheeky.When I signed up for the forum, I was of the impression that it wasn't the done thing to use one's own, real name, so I followed what appeared to be convention. I don't think I can change that now can I? (Without risking being accused of attempting to mislead others?!) I'm now known as Fuzzyboots, bit as I say, I have nothing to hide about who I am in real life :). I usually sign off as Trish or Trish Cummings in my posts. Trish/fuzzy/superlative sing and sign teacher ;)

Thanks frankito. Trying to be succinct..... Your explanation is very interesting. I know that I do take things very literally- as said- so without the benefit of being able to read other communication cues like Body language, tone of voice, facial expression, I can see that im interpreting what's written too directly. So if I've offended anyone, I am really sorry. The written word is so full of dangers...! ( for a simple soul like wot I am). Trish x

;)*holds up hands* In my defence, i do have a relevant learning disability, Dulwich Fox!

The last few exchanges exemplify my feelings aboutthe sharp jabs with sticks that seem to fly v readily! I am a local. Loads of local parents know me by name, face and through my classes. I do know that some of them are forum members, and other members come to know me having been recommended to my classes by other forum members. ( if any of you are reading this - many thanks :) ) I don't always post on sing and sign topics. I do crop up very occasionally elsewhere. (here for instance!) I think I've been a member of the forum for at least a couple of years. Maybe that's why my posts are possibly more moderate thAn other people's. I have a business/personal reputation to uphold! As far as I'm aware,I have not been insulting to anyone here. I tend to keep my private views private, I suppose! I think the nature of this forum- and I guess similar ones elsewhere - would make rich pickings for a social psy chologist!

Well I'm glad it's not just me missing the point :) I haven't "done" the drinks, because I'm not really a go to the pub kind of person and I'm a single mum, which rather puts the kybosh on stuff like that anyway. But I think it's a good thing. When I read some of the more heated posts, I can't help but visualise the authors as very finger jabby, pointy finger, hands on hips sorts. I find it slightly disturbing (although I don't think there's anything wrong with being opinionated per se). I think it's the manner in which views are expressed (and received) that I sometimes find quite startling. (And (shhhh) I think some of the male posters are pretty certain to have beards....) On a separate issue, I can't say for sure that I HAVEN'T been naked when engaging with the Forum. But that's something that anyone who knows me would probably prefer NOT to visualise ;) Trish

I have to say that, whilst I use "Fuzzyboots" as my username on the Forum, I am very open about who I am (Trish Cummings, who teaches Sing and Sign classes in Southwark and Lambeth) when I'm posting any comments/messages. I am frustrated by the often very heated, sniping, ubercritical and holier than thou exchanges when non identifiable usernames are being used. If one has an opinion, then why on earth "hide" behind a username. I often feel that usernames are misused, in order to allow the user to spout insults and criticisms, yet remain anonymous. Am I just not "getting" the point? Is there a spirit of Forum contributing that I have completely missed? I just don't understand. It all feels a bit curtain twitchy and self appointed moral guardianish at times, without people actually standing up and being counted for who they really are. Or is that just my perception? Fuzzyboots/Trish Cummings ;)

*LIKE* (in the absence of a button!) Damian H Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I agree with many of the points raised about > proportionality etc, but I am concerned that there > still seems to be an equating of what I am > suggesting with angry violent action. It does not > have to be that at all. I think that calm, > sedate, proportionate action designed not to > uneccesarily escalate situations wud be quite > acceptable. I think we have to consider the > alternative which in worst case scenario would be > ED shops looted, burnt and innocent people > attacked and injured. If confronted with such a > scenario the concerns expressed about vigilante > behaviour and The like pale into insignificance. > > Of course everyone hopes there will be no repeat > of what happened and we hope the police will have > the measure of the situation now, but shud a > similar situation recur and an adequate police > response not be forthcoming I think it is not just > our right but our duty to act to protect our > community rather than sit frightened and isolated > awaiting a cavalry that isn't coming. > > Re the experience of others in having a swift > police response to incidents - that's great when > it happens. The problem is that such rapid > responses are far from dependable due to > resourcing issues. In the absence of a police > response, threatened by a criminal mob on our > streets, do we sit passively and hope it happens > to someone else or do we act collectively to > oppose the threat? To my mind, the answer is a no > brainer.

Damian H - interesting point you raise about community organised watchfulness in Belfast. Made me immediately think of "neighbourhood watch" schemes. Perhaps there's some potential in reviving them with a view to personal safety as much as theft or burglary?

Darling Son 1 Darling Son 2

Blinded by the shine from your halo ;)

Couldn't agree more, Loz. But "the law's the law"..... (for some).

I couldn't agree more, Applespider. I believe a cyclist was killed in this location not so long ago... :( As a former cycling commuter, I know how very hairy it can be using the bus lanes and how easy it seems to be for other road users to be utterly obvlious to a person on a bike. Have had a few near misses with buses and taxis in particular. They've driven past me so close and fast that I've been rushed along by their tailwinds. I've also had trouble with motorcycle couriers (in the City) swinging round me to turn left at junctions. SCARY!

Blimey. Better mend my ways then and ALWAYS stay in the right hand lane, even if it buggers up the traffic going straight on up the hill..... Thanks Loz for clarifying!

Trouble is, honesty just doesn't pay the way the crime does.... As a parent, I try to make the negative or positive consequences of my children's behaviour as directly related to the causative behaviour in the first place. E.g. DS2 drew on the bannister in biro yesterday. Consequence: he had to scrub it off and I made sure it was all gone. He was not happy. I don't think he'll do it again. If my younger two argue over toys (typically Nintendos, or similar) then they get removed until the behaviour and attitude has improved. DS1: Left Uni in year 2 (didn't work!) and is now living with me. He has a London Minimum Wage, unskilled job (thank god he has one though!). He has to pay me rent every month and council tax. He is finding it very hard to make ends meet. I could let him off. He'd love me to. But I need the money in order to pay the rent and the council tax, so therefore, despite it hurting him, he has to do it. I'd make him do it anyway - I am NOT the bank of mum and I do NOT wish him to be an irresponsible potential partner for someone in the future! In a nutshell, I'm ALL IN FAVOUR of the punishment fitting the crime. I think it's the best way to learn the lesson and make the choice not to transgress again. TBH, I think many many parents ( of all socio-economic types) are frightened of upsetting their children and feel guilty about having to work long hours to pay the rent/mortgage, etc. If they were to spend more TIME with their children, giving them the message that a) they care and b) they always deliver both promises and threats, then I think much of the rioting could have been averted. *Steps off soap box* Trish x

I'm pretty convinced there ISN'T a sign. Unless it's been obstructed EVERY time I've driven up it!

The rules/timings on that bus lane are very unclear to me. I vary what I do in that bus lane (!) because there is no sign saying when it is or isn't in operation. does that mean that it's actually in operation for 24 hours a day?! That would seem a bit crackers to me, given that it's NOT a pinch point for traffic during the rush hours. I have looked and looked in vain for a sign giving the information. Would be great if this could be clarified by someone who knows about this sort of thing. I don't want to be fined! Trish

Hi Cigolem, The Sing and Sign Saturday classes (Stage 2 - which is the appropriate stage for your baby) are held at 10 a.m. at Goose Green Community Centre. If you would like to book for the September term, please hurry - there are only a few places left in the Saturday classes! You may book here: https://www.bookmyclass.co.uk/singandsign/default.aspx?FID=22. Hope you get a place! All the best, Trish Cummings (Sing and Sign franchisee for the boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth). Email: triciacummings (at) singandsign.com.