LordshipLovely

I went to a wedding last night. The playlist went something like this: Club Tropicana - Wham Dancing Queen - Abba Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners Push it - Salt and Pepper Don't feel like Dancing - Scissor Sisters Some Shakira number the Jive Bunny megamix The Grease Megamix I can't even remember the rest but I just came away feeling really depressed. The DJ looked as bored as arse as he fed CDs into the player. He spent most of the time at the bar. I know it's each to their own and all that but when I get married I'm putting a ban on any of the above, plus New York New York and Celebrate and quite a few others which have temporarily slipped from my memory. But maybe i'm just a miserable cow.

*Bob*, I agree, after getting pretty high up in the grades myself and now not playing for 10 years, I am currently pretty useless. I wish I had had a teacher who could have done some improv skills and playing by ear along side the classical stuff. He just wasn't interested in teaching me using contemporary pieces or methods. Such a shame, I struggle with a Christmas carol now. LL.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised when SB started singing. The BGT production team had played the backing music in the run up to her performance that implied she was going to be absolutely sh*t. However, although a nice singer, she's far from perfect and could do with some vocal coaching. I think that if she were more attractive, Cowell would have done the whole 'Look. There are thousands of people out there who can sing just as well blah blah blah, what makes you so special', then would have reluctantly put her through. It was the shock factor that did it. I wonder how many daytime magazine shows are queuing up to do the makeover for her big reveal during the next round? I was far more impressed by the young lad - absolute quality.

Hi, Might be a long shot but could anyone come over to our 3 bed house in West Norwood tomorrow to do some cleaning. We would need the living room, kitchen, loo, bathroom and hall done including the floors. If there is time leftover, wouldn't say no to the wooden floors in the bedrooms being done, plus a bit of light dusting. We are a bit ill-equiped when it comes to cleaning products, especially as we have real wood floors, so someone who's got some of their own equipment would be welcome. The place hasn't been done properly in a fair while (i've moved in fairly recently). My flatmate is working from home tomorrow so can let you in and show you around. We would be interested in having this done on a regular basis in the future, say every fortnight. Any help at such short notice would be much appreciated. LL x

Mightroar- you say that normal folk don't get laughed at but what's normal?! I do about a mile in 45/50 mins, although only about 40% crawl, the rest I tend to do strenuous breast stroke. To be honest, I probably don't really push myself hard enough... Also haven't really been for a while and am really out of shape. I'm tempted to do something like this but am terrified! Otherwise, has anyone any opinions on brixton rec? I'm in W. Norwood now so it's quite handy for the way home from work (which would be about 6/6.30). Is it v. busy/scuzzy?

Just to have a moan about the post office. I received a red slip from them the other week saying a package was too big to go through the letter box. Went down to Silvester Road on Saturday morning to pick it up and got in the queue, and this thing turned out to be the smallest package I have ever seen in my life. Probably smaller than a ring box. And it turned out to be junk mail just to top it off. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh...

Jaybee82 They do peanut butter Wotsit-y kind of things in South America. Think they might be an American brand. They are very popular.

I travelled solo around South America when I was 23 (and was blonde at the time) and never encountered any problems (maybe was a bit jammy, I wasn't always that well behaved). However at the time I spoke Spanish pretty much fluently and so managed to really get to know the locals and got loads out of the trip and this possibly made me look less vunerable or nervous. I did hear stories though so it's worth not getting too complacent. If it's really late at night get a cab home with someone else etc... The only probs I encountered were the Peruvian transport strikes. Absolute nightmare. I went through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Arg (bit of Uruguay/Chile) and had a blast. I would say the only places I felt a little jittery were Lima (but was my first point of call) and Quito at 4am. Personally, didn't warm to Peruvians (although of course this is a sweeping generalisation, there were some lovely people). Just found they were a bit resentful of you being there. Loved Ecuadorians and Bolivians (Bolivia had the lovliest people). Buenos Aires is my favourite place on the planet and you will eat like a queen (also throughout Arg. in general). I've been back recently and although prices have risen a lot, what you get for your money is great. Good quality bottle of red, thick steak, chips and salad for two people, i'd say about ?10 per head for a nice restaurant in Palermo. You could do it a lot cheaper though. Also did Iguazu recently which was worth going the extra mile for. Other favourite things/places include: Ecuador - Cuenca, Banos, the Devil's Nose Train Journey, Canoa, Vilcabamba. Peru - Trekking in Huaraz, Inca Trail and Cusco, Colca Canyon and Arequipa, Lake Titicaca Bolivia - Salt Flats (I did it from Tupiza - a bit quieter than Uyuni and quite a cool place), La Paz, The World's Most Dangerous Road, Potosi. Arg - Salta, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Bariloche - down to Patagonia. One thing to mention is, being on your own is the best way to travel. South America isn't full of bus loads of 18 year olds who all know eachother from home. There are some of course, but most go to Oz and Nz. Most people are a little bit older and lots of people are on their own so it's really easy to make friends, especially if you aim for hostels with a kitchen or bar area. Anyway, back to work...

LP - it obviously depends what you're buying. As a general rule I find fruit and veg are a lot cheaper locally, but (good quality) meat/household goods/storecupboard supplies are cheaper in the supermarket. This is obviously my opinion and works for me. I know that my local shop gets half its stock from Sainsburys anyway, as i've seen them loading up a small van in the car park. Anyway, thanks for all your opinions on tipping.

Horsebox, I'm sorry, LP got my back up...I said I didn't have to explain myself and I did anyway :-$ More willpower needed me thinks.

True, however I have to survive too. I therefore choose the most affordable way of shopping depending on the month's budget. This usually involves a supermarket shop, at Sainsbury's (gasp), followed by smaller purchases throughout the rest of the month at local shops for milk/bread etc. If I had the time and money to prance up and down Lordship Lane all day chatting to shop owners and buying ?15 chickens I'd be very content. But I also like Sainsbury's and shouldn't be made to feel guilty about it. I could spend hours in there if I had the time. I'm their ideal customer, get completley lured in by all the colours and smells!

Thanks for your input. I guess it's sometimes a bit awkward and all a bit embarassing. It's much easier when cash is exchanged, then you can just say keep the change...

I am actually asking on behalf of someone else, who doesn't live in ED, not that I have to explain myself! It wouldn't have occured to me to tip, but my friend said the guy was extremely helpful and friendly, was fairly old, and the boxes were really heavy for him, and after he'd left she felt like she should have tipped him something. I said I wasn't sure, hence why i'm asking.

Is is appropriate to tip Ocado/Tesco/Sainsburys delivery men/women?

I use a forex comparison site. It basically comes up with the best rates. I think you can find it on the money saving expert website. Travelex consistenly comes up with the best rates, and you can reserve the money and pick it up in the airport if you want.

thanks for that Annasfield. I wouldn't say no...

Mine's a tiny place near Kendal in the Lakes, which has a lovely pub called the Mason's Arms. I'm new by the way, and slightly scared.