Bellenden Belle

Good call doctormoll... both my work colleague and I have alarmed the entire office with our laughter... it's mustard Richard, mustard!

But darling Michael P.... you can of course flirt all you like... because you do it with such wit and charm.

Michael Palaeologus Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BB - I dont know HOW you of all people have the > nerve to make such a statement!! *blushes*.... yes, erm, I do see some irony in my statement but seriously I do not believe I have littered the forum with flirtatious comments which is what this discussion is about. Surely that's what PMs are for?

Annasfield Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Pah, I'm single and all this flirtation on here is > a little off putting. Just my honest opinion. :)-D Absolutely Annasfield.....to be honest, it's just a little, erm, repetitive. And seems to infiltrate everywhere. Get a room folks.....or perhaps a section of your own!

Actually the last time I 'prayed' was when my mother was dying. I put prayed in inverted commas quite deliberately since it was not a case of speaking to God, or hoping for any souls to be saved or circumstances changed, but rather the repetitive familiar words of a rosary, said alongside others, was both familiar and comforting and unifying. Rather like meditation, I rather like the rituals of religion and think in difficult times it is useful to be able to lean on such methods and comforts. But I'm afraid I was still under no illusion that I was being heard or that any miracle lay ahead.

Annasfield Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Looks like the EDF drinks has become a singles > night. No No No! Just in case there is anyone thinking about attending who might be put off by that prospect....can I just point out that one of the most refreshing things about the forum drinks is that it most definitely is not a singles night. Sure there are singles, but there are just as many couples or people who just want to make friends.

Me too... but I thought it would be more fun to leave the newcomers to discover you for themselves at the next forum drinks.... Suspense is the key to seduction....

Welcome, welcome, welcome! You have landed in a good place to start... I've met lots of lovely people through this very site. There are book clubs, badminton clubs, curry clubs... and indeed lots of drinking clubs that stem from here. The forum drinks is the best place to start - held the first Friday of every Month. The next one is at Black Cherry on Lordship Lane. We're a friendly bunch and everyone always makes an effort to make new people feel welcome. Good luck.

microbite Wrote: I am seeking answers to life and want to > really believe that there is something spiritually > greater out there and am looking for answers too, > I have yet to find a relgion/way of life that I > feel comfortable with I echo your sentiments Microbite ...I can absolutely see the attraction in finding answers and for finding something that offers some meaning to life beyond day-to-day materialism, etc. I quite liked Unitarianism for a while. http://www.unitarian.org.uk/about1.htm I practised at the Hampstead branch and loved the fact that the readings were almost always secular and were often drawn from politics, history, science or the arts. And so it was more about taking an hour out to ask yourself about your own personal values and reflect on the world around you. Mind you, I went to the Brighton unitarian church and it was very old school so you have to find the right one. But atheists, agnostics, and allsorts are warmly welcomed... as themselves, with no need to ever change.

Have a google Karter and see what you find.... But I don't doubt it does feel good. Thousands of people all singing together - I imagine it's quite euphoric. The pull of the crowd, mass participation, united in one purpose...can't you just support a football team instead?

. I > attended the Dominion Theatre on Tottenham Court > Rd with forumite friends just for the fun of it on > a Sunday afternoon and witnessed thousands of > people bonding and happy clappping and meeting up > afterwards at AllBarOne round the corner,they do > this every Sunday. Hillsong, which is the church you are describing, has a very dubious history. And a horrendous take on homosexuality. It has been described as a cult previously. And don't kid yourself it doesn't cost anything... you think the rental of the Dominion Theatre every Sunday comes cheap? I have seen quite vulnerable people become involved in Hillsong - the expectations and demands it actually puts on people increase very quickly. Hillsong, like so many religions, preys on the people who most need hope and those desperately needing answers.

Steve T, I think you'll find that's the Catholic church. The Church of England has pockets of tolerance towards homosexuality....or at least is prepared to engage in the debate. The Catholic Church with its bigoted views does seem to attract some people whose sexuality is repressed and who are often deeply unhappy with both their sexuality and themselves. But sorry Legaleagle...unless the Alpha course is delivered by the Sesame Street team, complete with Eric and Ernie giving a lecture on loving relationships, I won't be joining up.

Sacha Distel, Mary O'Hara, Cliff Richard, Val Doonican, Jim Reeves, and Irish rebel songs.

Ahhh, this looks like it's going to be a fabulous night and at Black Cherry too..... But sadly the Belle-Carnells are already booked! Have fun guys and see you in March!

Roll on Saturday indeed Sarah... and welcome to the forum by the way.... Do you think the January blues have descended upon us all?

I too had an extraordinary journey on the no.12 on Sunday night. A young man got on, terribly worked up, and proceeded to chant, or I believe it might have constituted a rap, incredibly aggressively for about twenty minutes without pausing for breath. I can actually still hear his voice as I type this....intermittently he would bang on the window threatening to kill someone on the street... watching him out of the corner of my eye, he seemed entirely on the edge - as if at any moment, the words would stop and he would be ready to act. More than anything it left me feeling terribly sad that someone so young was clearly in such a dark confused place.

Miles... it wasn't me, I hope? I remember only speaking briefly and then introducing you to the lovely Indiepanda. I would be horrified if you thought I was rude....

It was indeed a jolly good evening....where ever did the time go? Great to meet the legend that is Quids, and also Shoshntosh who amused me no end with her tales of her ailing hubby. Also great meeting Miles, Kels, and the lovely Gen17. Looking forward to the next one!

Happy Birthday Jaws! Enjoy! C x

A HUGE well done....and an inspiration to all of us (yep talking about myself here) who spend our lives making excuses about why we can't get on and do something amazing. But. BUT... I will miss your old user name. It had an uncompromising, stick-your-prejudices where the sun don't shine, element to it. It told people where you were coming from and where you were going. It had balls. Leagle-Eagle-ish - well, what's the "ish" all about? You're a Legal Eagle and I suspect a fucking good one too - I'd love your name to reflect that! But whatever you call yourself, it's great you're here!

karter Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > How about Stevet giving out name badges again? Erm, can we expect you to be there Karter then, wearing your name badge?

citizenED Wrote: > Thatcher claimed to survive on 4 - 5 hours per > night, which is true, but doesn't count on account > of the fact that she was not exactly human. Mmmm, every so often I go into a period of surviving on 4 hours sleep a night. The adrenalin kicks in and I feel absolutely marvellous - and I think I'm terribly productive and performing at my absolute peak. I usually realise about two weeks in that I have actually become absolutely barmy and could well be sectioned at any moment! I wonder if that was the case with Thatcher....

I need to get to bed early at least a couple of times a week - 10 ish - but I never ever do if truth be told. And sleeping in just doesn't work for me - I don't feel the benefit of it at all, whereas an early night will always have me waking up feeling rejuvenated.

Oh, oh, oh UnderhillOliver. Let me tell you a story. Bellenden Belle didn't have a chance to go to her favourite GM stylist before Christmas and so instead went to one of Manchester's finest establishments, "as recommended by Tatler magazine". I paid ?95. Did anyone notice? Anyone? No one. A girl could weep.

I can't wait for January! Ever the optimist, I think each year is going to be marvellous and indeed that each year I shall grow a tad more fabulous. I usually run out of steam in June but pick up again in October for my birthday which is pretty good going I reckon... Have a great 2009 everyone!