Search found 555 matches

by Rosemary Roberts
Mon Mar 22, 2010 2:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Monday March 22nd 2010
Replies: 40
Views: 4601

Re: Spoilers For Monday March 22nd 2010

James Robinson wrote:... the Milton Keynes man with more brains than fashion sense ..
Is there anybody here who has, or would like to have, more fashion sense than brains?
by Rosemary Roberts
Sun Mar 21, 2010 1:57 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Help with shipping contract clause
Replies: 12
Views: 2002

Re: Help with shipping contract clause

Googling the odd fragment reveals that a lot of their phraseology is in very common use by foreign users of English, from Poland to Japan. Which may explain why it is so meaningless. There is a very common catch-all clause, much used in Germany and probably also elsewhere, that states roughly "...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:53 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Last night I dreamt...
Replies: 27
Views: 5144

Re: Last night I dreamt...

Ralph Gillions wrote:
Last night I dreamt...
..I went to Manderley again.
In my Maidenform bra ...
by Rosemary Roberts
Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:29 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Monday March 8th 2010
Replies: 21
Views: 3167

Re: Spoilers For Monday March 8th 2010

STIPEND in one of the early rounds
by Rosemary Roberts
Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:10 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: 'I've been told I'm never welcome in the studio again'
Replies: 49
Views: 6050

Re: 'I've been told I'm never welcome in the studi

I hadn't seriously tried to decide what I think until today. Based on the evidence I have seen, I have to say that on balance I agree with Julie. So since she's no longer responding, can you explain what's despicable? I wouldn't care to apply that or any other adjective to the affair without knowin...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:23 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown specials: The Secret's Out
Replies: 80
Views: 11896

Re: Countdown specials: The Secret's Out

D Eadie wrote:Interestingly?? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: . Sorry Kirk, but it's boring the shit outta me.
In all fairness, Damian, some people would be glad of that.
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:24 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Words changing meaning.
Replies: 52
Views: 3730

Re: Words changing meaning.

Yesterday's spoiler thread discusses what Clarke Carlisle might do when he stops playing football. I've only ever seen him on the screen, but it doesn't look to me to be an immediate problem. I've been wondering whether I dare describe him as "fit".
by Rosemary Roberts
Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:33 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 630939

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Jon O'Neill wrote:You're all sick. My poos don't smell.
I think that proves you're Jesus.

... although actually, if you notice people being sick it's a sign that they do.
by Rosemary Roberts
Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:57 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 630939

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Are we less sensitive to the smell of our own shit & farts than other people's? I think "appropriateness" could be a factor. While you're sitting on the loo you will not really be aware of the smell, but in a restaurant the same smell would stand out. Whether it's your own or somebody...
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:35 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Words changing meaning.
Replies: 52
Views: 3730

Re: Words changing meaning.

Sadly, when I looked for it on Times-online by searching for the word "refute", the first link was to another column making exactly the same point, and the next half dozen were headlines of Times stories. In every case it appeared to have been used incorrectly. A few years ago I was given...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:49 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Dictionary Corner Guests
Replies: 143
Views: 19751

Re: Dictionary Corner Guests

Including someone with an age and - yes - gender profile more similar to the profile of the majority of top players seems acceptable and would make for fair comparisons. Give me a name of a male, under 28, who's a celebrity, who'll be right for Countdown. Damian, I think you have the makings of a w...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:46 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
Replies: 77
Views: 9720

Re: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep

Julie T wrote:Any objections, Alec and Rosemary, to my putting your queries (nameless) on a Home Ed forum?
By all means!
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:41 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
Replies: 77
Views: 9720

Re: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep

But rules already exist to check on Home Ed. I do think there should be some checks in place. Are they sufficient to prevent - say - a religious fundamentalist of whatever persuasion from choosing to educate his daughters at home, by which he understands preventing them learning to read or think in...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:53 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140966

Re: Religion

Worst thing was because he was on about religion no one dared tell him what a twat he is. Whereas if his daughter had been forced to say that KFC wasn't nice or die, everyone would be up in arms. And there's a lot more evidence for KFC being nice than Jesus being real. I couldn't agree more! Wouldn...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Jan 02, 2010 2:39 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 630939

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

OK, can someone please help me out with these: How do dribbles get on the skirting boards behind furniture with no obvious stains above them ? Corollary: how did my (ancient matrix) printer acquire dribbles all along one side - nowhere near where anybody could stand, nowhere near any other emissions?
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Jan 01, 2010 12:41 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

The Daily Telegraph did a survey of Chief Police Officers a couple of years back, and about a third of them said that keeping a baseball bat by the side of the bed just in case of attack, would constitute premeditation if it was used and therefore be unreasonable force. I sincerely hope they are pl...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Jan 01, 2010 7:38 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Oh god it's 2010
Replies: 21
Views: 4127

Re: Oh god it's 2010

Happy New Year to all and may your user profiles never grow less.
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Jan 01, 2010 7:34 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

If my hazard is as low as that I guess I can lash out with impunity in future. Almost . But not quite. Yes, I've seen those. When the DPP feels it necessary to issue a clarification that is a sure sign that the law is badly formulated and widely misunderstood. I will just have to hope that my burgl...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

We often hear of people being taken to court for injuring burglars. It was recently said by the Director of Public Prosecutions that, in the last 15 years, there have only been 11 cases where householders have been prosecuted after tackling intruders. As long as a householder acts instinctively, in...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

There's been a proposed change of law for some years now, sadly not yet in force, where the householder will not be prosecuted unless he uses grossly unreasonable force. Which would mean Charlie torturing the boy who wanted his ball back would still be criminal; Rosemary whacking the burglar on the...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 31, 2009 4:26 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

There's been a proposed change of law for some years now, sadly not yet in force, where the householder will not be prosecuted unless he uses grossly unreasonable force. Which would mean Charlie torturing the boy who wanted his ball back would still be criminal; Rosemary whacking the burglar on the...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

I don't think anybody but me knows what, at the time and in the circumstances, excessive force was. However "reasonably" the law might be phrased, in the absence of a complete free-for-all there will still be some jobsworth with a clipboard and boxes to tick who gets to decides whether or...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:23 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Yes. This whole argument is only about what is or is not "reasonable". And I maintain that it is whatever seems reasonable to the householder in whatever alarming situation the perp has embrangled him in. So if I say it seems reasonable to me that I shot the kid in the head, you say "...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:44 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

I don't think anybody but me knows what, at the time and in the circumstances, excessive force was. Just how terrified I am must have some bearing. And nobody else can judge that, even with hindsight. If you had used what others would consider to be excessive force, people might think that at the p...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 31, 2009 5:43 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Charlie Reams wrote:So your answer to my earlier question is Yes?
Sorry, Charlie, I can't see which of your questions I have left unanswered.
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:12 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

It should be the perp's own risk if he picks on somebody with a insalubrious habits or a gruesome sense of humour. Or somebody like me who is prone to panic and lash out with whatever comes to hand. Tough titty. A burglar is taking a risk if he enters a house and he doesn't know what the person ins...
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:54 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Yes. This whole argument is only about what is or is not "reasonable". And I maintain that it is whatever seems reasonable to the householder in whatever alarming situation the perp has embrangled him in. Actually, in this context, "reasonable" is whatever seems reasonable first...
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:21 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Not being a weak and feeble woman you could probably get by with a relatively harmless rabbit punch. Not having a gun I would have to get by with a kick in the balls. One does what one can. And one should be entitled to do whatever is necessary. Interesting idea. Perhaps such a doctrine could be ca...
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:12 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

I fail to see how any of the arguments presented so far could be stretched to include that. In my house I have complete authority over any intruder. I have nothing against innocent people dying so long as it isn't me or my family. But if that's your best objection then we can say I shoot him cleanl...
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:24 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

torture him to death over the course of a week. I fail to see how any of the arguments presented so far could be stretched to include that. Although: There used to be a saying among lawyers "you take your victim as you find him". meaning that if you violently assault somebody who happens ...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Christmas is here again
Replies: 28
Views: 4806

Re: Christmas is here again

That's only another example of pushing the belief in the superiority of men. If the intention was to include women, he would have said humankind, or least "Goodwill to all men and women". Doesn't the fact that Priests are not allowed to marry say something about Religions attitude to wome...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:55 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Twenty years ago I was assaulted by a guy who mistakenly believed I was trying to chat up his girlfriend. He waited for me outside the nightclub with some of his mates and hit me from behind, got me on the ground and kicked me in the head. So he believed that you had trespassed on his 'property', a...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:46 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Is this so far away from the people who think they perform a public service by beating up paediatricians? Yes. A long. long way. My conjectured case was not that I think the wheels of justice will not grind sufficiently small, but that I know they won't. This can be observed over and over again. Bu...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:22 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

I would like all killers who kill for the pleasure of it, and killers in progress of burglary, to be killed in the same manner as their victims, and long may they suffer. Show it on television so that I and the many will feel a bit safer. I think that might overload the schedules a bit, and the cam...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:40 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

In my house they shall have none. So why is that? Why does one person forfeight all human rights as soon as they set foot on some bit of ground which you're arbitrarily designated to have purchased? Don't you think those kind of rights (you know, the inalienable ones) are a bit more basic than the ...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:38 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

What I would like is for violent and sadistic burglars to die out. Genetics does not work that way. I do apologize for my misleading turn of phrase. What I would like is for violent and sadistic burglars to vote with their feet in favour of a less hazardous way of life. They can have all the human ...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:33 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

He's seen a fire through your window. He's the chap who sold you the house, now suffering from dementia, and he still has a key. He's a bailiff with a right to enter, but his incompetent superiors have given him the wrong address. He's visiting the identical house next door. It's his first parachut...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:02 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

If somebody breaks into my house I should be free to take any retribution I like. And, once you've done so, if it turns out that there was an innocent explanation, I assume you would agree that he is entitled to take any retribution he likes on you. No. In my house I have complete authority over an...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:28 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

My feeling is that you should not procesute tha actions of vigilantes unless you have a legal system that will itself deal properly with the perpetrators of crime. Suppose this guy had captured his perp and handed him over. What would have happened next? It's a certainty the police would just have l...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:59 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 630939

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

I think tipping your head back for tablets is just psychological tbh. That'll be me! I used to do it, but now I take loads of drugs I just throw them into my mouth and they all go down anyway. I think the record I took in one go was about 28 tablets (from 7 different drugs, so there was a range of ...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:10 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140966

Re: Religion

Jon Corby wrote: It's quite a leap to assume that some kind of psychic energy is the reason Image
Not for nothing is this phenomenon called a leap of faith.
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:03 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 630939

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Matt Morrison wrote:Blimey! I thought it was pretty impressive that I did about 12 once, but 28 is insane! I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that you give a much better blowjob than me, too.
That's a thought. Perhaps tossing my head back is where I've been going wrong.
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:17 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 630939

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

A brandnew question-I've-always-wanted-answered: When swallowing a pill, I put the pill on my tongue, take a mouthful of water and - throw my head back. It seems to help. Does it really, and if so, how? Momentum and gravity play a part, I suppose, and putting your head back opens your throat (it's ...
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:03 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 630939

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

A brandnew question-I've-always-wanted-answered:
When swallowing a pill, I put the pill on my tongue, take a mouthful of water and - throw my head back. It seems to help. Does it really, and if so, how?
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Friday December 4th 2009
Replies: 48
Views: 4617

Re: Spoilers For Friday December 4th 2009

A few rather annoying generalisations there, Derek. I am a grandparent, retired and 72 and I did not like being preached at (by JG) in such a self satisfied way. Both my wife and I found it almost impossible to watch Countdown last week - and it is one of our favourites. It would take more than an ...
by Rosemary Roberts
Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:38 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Friday December 4th 2009
Replies: 48
Views: 4617

Re: Spoilers For Friday December 4th 2009

It's worth remembering that although we have a VERY wide range of ages on here, we are not a fair representation of the Countdown audience. Retired people are under-represented, and housewives are barely represented at all. Our grandparents have a very different attitude to life to us, some are a l...
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:18 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown in Coronation Street
Replies: 35
Views: 5701

Re: Countdown in Coronation Street

Charlie Reams wrote:They sure replaced her quickly. And with an actress of the same name. Creepy.
It seems to be true, Charlie. See here.
by Rosemary Roberts
Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:52 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: 50-word stories
Replies: 18
Views: 2039

Re: 50-word stories

It was a dark and stormy night, bitterly cold with thunder and lightning, hail and snow. The wind howled like a banshee but was unable to drive away the heavy lowering cloud. Even the harvest moon had hidden itself away out of sight. So I stayed home and watched television.
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Nov 27, 2009 2:35 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Tell us something surprising about yourself
Replies: 64
Views: 7275

Re: Tell us something surprising about yourself

Marc Meakin wrote:
Rosemary Roberts wrote:
Matthew Green wrote:The Nicaraguan word for 'Yourself' is 'Assfuca'.
^citation needed
Methinks it was a joke
No doubt. But that doesn't make it surprising. It would only be surprising if it were true.
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:57 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football-haters Thread
Replies: 112
Views: 10440

Re: The C4C Football-haters Thread

My cure for this behaviour is to burn the churches of all denominations, and make these religious nutters work for their living. I agree in principle, George, but burning them is a waste of resources and increases pollution (as, no doubt, does removing small children from the priests' "care&qu...
by Rosemary Roberts
Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Tell us something surprising about yourself
Replies: 64
Views: 7275

Re: Tell us something surprising about yourself

Matthew Green wrote:The Nicaraguan word for 'Yourself' is 'Assfuca'.
^citation needed
by Rosemary Roberts
Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:11 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: A Poll: Who are your favourite members?
Replies: 65
Views: 5540

Re: A Poll: Who are your favourite members?

Sue Sanders wrote:... people who you thought were lovely when you met them ...
... thought were lovely but... ?
by Rosemary Roberts
Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:55 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football-haters Thread
Replies: 112
Views: 10440

Re: The C4C Football-haters Thread

You can't really maintain the consistency of a language spoken by so many people without being nasty and authoritarian. How exactly do you propose to stop it from changing? I agree. One way to preserve what is good and gently resist what is less good is for the educated among us, and yes, I include...
by Rosemary Roberts
Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football-haters Thread
Replies: 112
Views: 10440

Re: The C4C Football-haters Thread

It's 'bored with' not 'bored of'. That grates with me, too, Sue. If there is a danger that such things will become mainstream just because they are tolerated, maybe the solution is for us to become less tolerant. perhaps the ODE will see fit to change their 'usage notes' under the entry for 'bored'...
by Rosemary Roberts
Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:46 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Which computer languages do you know?
Replies: 35
Views: 2430

Re: Which computer languages do you know?

It's going on for 30 years since I programmed professionally, so my languages are correspondingly arcane: Cleo, Leo III Intercode and 6502 machine code plus various BASICs and macro languages. I once wrote a COBOL program, but I don't count it as a language (and don't claim any "knowledge"...
by Rosemary Roberts
Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:05 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: C4Cers in Other Media
Replies: 166
Views: 29750

Re: C4Cers in Other Media

The cartoon on page 8 of issue 1249 of Private Eye suggests Rachel for a political appointment. Not in very good company, admittedly.
by Rosemary Roberts
Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:54 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Kirk's Poll
Replies: 11
Views: 1793

Re: Kirk's Poll

The Kirkulator wrote: cook her breakfast in bed the morning before.
Don't buy it, Sue. Hold out for a cooked breakfast in bed the morning after as well.
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Which computer languages do you know?
Replies: 35
Views: 2430

Re: Which computer languages do you know?

It's going on for 30 years since I programmed professionally, so my languages are correspondingly arcane: Cleo, Leo III Intercode and 6502 machine code plus various BASICs and macro languages. I once wrote a COBOL program, but I don't count it as a language (and don't claim any "knowledge"...
by Rosemary Roberts
Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Which languages do you know?
Replies: 65
Views: 7570

Re: Which languages do you know?

The way languages are taught in Germany, for example, is much more interactive and exciting, and you get a lot more opportunities to use your nascent skills in practice (for more reasons than geographical convenience). YMMV in Germany. English is very commonly taught by non-native speakers, some of...
by Rosemary Roberts
Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:39 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: PC game from 1994. Finally.
Replies: 16
Views: 2226

Re: PC game from 1994. Finally.

Derek Hazell wrote:So, what else do I have to do to work round this?
My solution to almost every computer problem - get rid of Vista and reinstall XP (or 98, if you can get it, where the user is still somewhat in charge).