This is Michael's letter to Edge that we were discussing here.

(left it nice and big so you could read it Michael)

Moderator: Jon O'Neill
Paul Howe wrote:Does anyone still have Kirk's trainspotting letter?.......
Beautiful. How old were you when you wrote that Kirk?Charlie Reams wrote:Alas, that day has yet to come.
Nothing, Kirk would need something to keep weak lemon squash tepid!Michael Wallace wrote:Wait. What's wrong with Thermos flasks?
Sue Sanders wrote:weak lemon squash
If you're referring to the preferred beverage of the King of Hobbies, Simon Quinlank, as played by The Actor Kevin Eldon, then in the interests of accuracy it should be pointed out that his flask contained weak lemon drink, not squash.Sue Sanders wrote:Nothing, Kirk would need something to keep weak lemon squash tepid!Michael Wallace wrote:Wait. What's wrong with Thermos flasks?
Gavin Chipper wrote:What upsets me is that when people in bobble hats who wear glasses, have a thermos flask and are potentially quite sad are mentioned to anyone, they think of trainspotting. This is not the case.
15 or 16. I remember getting Cs and Ds for my English coursework with my English teacher slagging me off so I basically wrote that and took it in to school and showed it to her and said it's amazing for someone who is getting Cs and Ds can get their letter published, so thanks for the B+ Matt!Matt Morrison wrote:Beautiful. How old were you when you wrote that Kirk?Charlie Reams wrote:Alas, that day has yet to come.
B+ for a passionate argument. Took a few marks off for missing question marks.
My English teacher when I was in Years 8 and 9 was utterly hopeless, he managed to turn a class of A-B pupils into C-D at best. I then got predicted a C-E for my English Language GCSE, showed up 35 minutes late for the exam, and still got a B.Craig Beevers wrote:One of the media articles out there on me involved the 'Scrabble expert got a D in English' line of attack (pre-Countdown appearances).
Most English teachers are rather useless in my experience, the relevant GCSEs were piss poor as well.
There's a lot of articles out there on me and Scrabble, but none that are interesting. Will be a few more out there in the next 2-3 weeks.
Phil, you're right, of course. I can't believe that I could make a mistake over a portrayal by The Actor Kevin Eldon. Very curious (orange)Phil Reynolds wrote: If you're referring to the preferred beverage of the King of Hobbies, Simon Quinlank, as played by The Actor Kevin Eldon, then in the interests of accuracy it should be pointed out that his flask contained weak lemon drink, not squash.
top drawer!Phil Reynolds wrote:
Trainspotting did have a useful serious side. I read that Ian Allen, the railway publisher, used lists of locomotive locations supplied by trainspotters in his magazines. The railway management also used them to find missing engines. Groups of young people would tour the Loco depots taking down engine numbers. They had permission and were escorted by a railwayman.Derek Hazell wrote:Gavin Chipper wrote:What upsets me is that when people in bobble hats who wear glasses, have a thermos flask and are potentially quite sad are mentioned to anyone, they think of trainspotting. This is not the case.Ah yes, but you have run a website devoted to the television series Countdown, Gevin, and the same kind of people who get off on making fun of trainspotters would probably think that was just as "sad".
They still do, but, alas, with spray paint instead of notebooks.George Jenkins wrote:Groups of young people would tour the Loco depots.
Jesus Matt. As soon as I loaded that up and saw the title I was like "ah please God let him just be in the audience, that's embarrassing enough, please don't let him ask a question...", cringey indeed. Congratulations though (??). The whole "this guy has asked a question, here he is, let's look at him but not actually let him ask the question out loud" format is pretty strange, but t'would have been even worse to hear you ask it.Matthew Green wrote:It still makes me cringe but 2:15 on this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e--w9xW05EY
Bloody hell - thanks Kai - I didn't know they'd used that as the F**kers didn't let my dish through!) My use of ** there is due to having met you and suffered a sense of responsiblity over swearing on the forum but who am I kidding? Like you don't know Fuckers!!!Kai Laddiman wrote:I saw Sue (Kirk's fiancee) on Britain's Best Dish today! Showing the nation how to eat an oyster.
Ah, but knowing it and seeing it being used by someone whose example may be followed are two different things.Sue Sanders wrote:Like you don't know Fuckers!!!
The stuff Kai hears on an average day in the playground would make Matthew Green blush. The only reason I don't swear in front of kids is because their parents wouldn't like it. If someone can give me a decent reason for not swearing in front of kids that doesn't rely on appeals to tradition then I'll stop swearing on this forum. Actually I won't, but I'll at least respect you for coming up with a novel argument.Alec Rivers wrote:Ah, but knowing it and seeing it being used by someone whose example may be followed are two different things.Sue Sanders wrote:Like you don't know Fuckers!!!
If kids don't know the word fucking then they can't try it. And thats, you're know, axiomatically a good thing.Ben Hunter wrote: The stuff Kai hears on an average day in the playground would make Matthew Green blush. The only reason I don't swear in front of kids is because their parents wouldn't like it. If someone can give me a decent reason for not swearing in front of kids that doesn't rely on appeals to tradition then I'll stop swearing on this forum. Actually I won't, but I'll at least respect you for coming up with a novel argument.
Hey, I've got a get-out. I actually SPOKE TO KAI'S MUM about it on Saturday and she's totally cool!Ben Hunter wrote:The stuff Kai hears on an average day in the playground would make Matthew Green blush. The only reason I don't swear in front of kids is because their parents wouldn't like it. If someone can give me a decent reason for not swearing in front of kids that doesn't rely on appeals to tradition then I'll stop swearing on this forum. Actually I won't, but I'll at least respect you for coming up with a novel argument.Alec Rivers wrote:Ah, but knowing it and seeing it being used by someone whose example may be followed are two different things.Sue Sanders wrote:Like you don't know Fuckers!!!
I'm know and agree that's a good thing, but how many kids are actually aware of the definition of swear words? Few people I know tried buggery when they were kids, despite knowing the word.Charlie Reams wrote:If kids don't know the word fucking then they can't try it. And thats, you're know, axiomatically a good thing.Ben Hunter wrote: The stuff Kai hears on an average day in the playground would make Matthew Green blush. The only reason I don't swear in front of kids is because their parents wouldn't like it. If someone can give me a decent reason for not swearing in front of kids that doesn't rely on appeals to tradition then I'll stop swearing on this forum. Actually I won't, but I'll at least respect you for coming up with a novel argument.
I was just being facetious. I would be equally interested to hear the argument you request.Ben Hunter wrote:I'm know and agree that's a good thing, but how many kids are actually aware of the definition of swear words? Few people I know tried buggery when they were kids, despite knowing the word.
I thought you might be you cheeky devil.Charlie Reams wrote:I was just being facetious.Ben Hunter wrote:I'm know and agree that's a good thing, but how many kids are actually aware of the definition of swear words? Few people I know tried buggery when they were kids, despite knowing the word.
lol. I wasn't intending on starting a big discussion, tbh, but I would like to mention that my point was missed here. I'm sure Kai doesn't bat an eyelid when his peers overuse bad language, but to see respected adults (particularly those he looks up to) repeatedly doing it does little to encourage respect and decency. I think we have a duty to set a good example, that's all.Ben Hunter wrote:The stuff Kai hears on an average day in the playground would make Matthew Green blush.Alec Rivers wrote:Ah, but knowing it and seeing it being used by someone whose example may be followed are two different things.
I've started a new topic because there are one or two interesting aspects of 'bad language' that haven't been covered.Kai Laddiman wrote:Discuss.
Ben Hunter wrote:I'm knowCharlie Reams wrote:you're know
Sue Sanders said same sin san searlier spost: http://www.c4countdown.co.uk/viewtopic. ... 989#p61989Julie T wrote:BTW, I'm having a ridiculously long lag between typing stuff on the forum and
it coming up on the screen, so now type stuff on a notepad doc and then copy and paste.
I only have this problem on c4c, not any other forums. Any thoughts?
Maybe a different browser would help. If you're using Internet Explorer, I recommend downloading Firefox instead. It's faster, it's free, and it has become very popular.Julie T wrote:BTW, I'm having a ridiculously long lag between typing stuff on the forum and
it coming up on the screen, so now type stuff on a notepad doc and then copy and paste.
I only have this problem on c4c, not any other forums. Any thoughts?
If it only happens here, and a few other people are also affected, perhaps you are all under surveillance. If you will campaign against the government's control-freakery...Julie T wrote:BTW, I'm having a ridiculously long lag between typing stuff on the forum and
it coming up on the screen, so now type stuff on a notepad doc and then copy and paste.
I only have this problem on c4c, not any other forums. Any thoughts?
It's made by Microsoft. That should be a clue.Julie T wrote:I can't remember whether my problems were just on IE.
I'm just surprised that the question didn't involve rape on any level. Or if it did, I missed it.Matt Morrison wrote:Jesus Matt. As soon as I loaded that up and saw the title I was like "ah please God let him just be in the audience, that's embarrassing enough, please don't let him ask a question...", cringey indeed. Congratulations though (??). The whole "this guy has asked a question, here he is, let's look at him but not actually let him ask the question out loud" format is pretty strange, but t'would have been even worse to hear you ask it.Matthew Green wrote:It still makes me cringe but 2:15 on this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e--w9xW05EY
IAWTP. You look so fresh-faced and innocent, Matthew. Whatever happened to that lad?Gavin Chipper wrote:I'm just surprised that the question didn't involve rape on any level. Or if it did, I missed it.Matt Morrison wrote:Jesus Matt. As soon as I loaded that up and saw the title I was like "ah please God let him just be in the audience, that's embarrassing enough, please don't let him ask a question...", cringey indeed. Congratulations though (??). The whole "this guy has asked a question, here he is, let's look at him but not actually let him ask the question out loud" format is pretty strange, but t'would have been even worse to hear you ask it.Matthew Green wrote:It still makes me cringe but 2:15 on this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e--w9xW05EY
He became a personal trainer. Or possibly a refugee support worker. Or possibly something else. Depends on which (if any) of his accounts of himself you choose to believe.Julie T wrote:You look so fresh-faced and innocent, Matthew. Whatever happened to that lad?
I don't think I've ever been so scared.Phil Reynolds wrote:He became a personal trainer. Or possibly a refugee support worker. Or possibly something else. Depends on which (if any) of his accounts of himself you choose to believe.Julie T wrote:You look so fresh-faced and innocent, Matthew. Whatever happened to that lad?
Is this the same Chrome that uses 3 to 4 times as much memory as Firefox?Craig Beevers wrote:Personally I think IE and Firefox are both horrendously slow for what they do, I use Google Chrome mostly.
Chrome loads pages way faster on my computer than IE and Firefox, that's pretty much all I care about.Charlie Reams wrote:Is this the same Chrome that uses 3 to 4 times as much memory as Firefox?Craig Beevers wrote:Personally I think IE and Firefox are both horrendously slow for what they do, I use Google Chrome mostly.
End of the month - that's a pisser. I'm not back in Leam til next month. However - there is your offer of tea and biscuits to take up???Phil Reynolds wrote:(There should probably be a 'shameless plugs' topic for this sort of thing, but here will do for now...)
My latest theatrical appearance is in the multi-award winning play The Weir which opens tomorrow night (Wednesday) and runs until the end of the month at the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. It's a cracking piece of theatre for which performance rights are rarely granted for amateur companies so we are privileged to be be doing it. Even better, it's only an hour and a half long so there's plenty of drinking time afterwards. If any C4Cers within range care to come along, I'd be glad to see you in the bar after the show.
All the details are here.
Here?Phil Reynolds wrote:If any C4Cers within range care to come along, I'd be glad to see you in the bar after the show.
All the details are here.
I've already been told that the jumper makes me look like Philip Madoc as the U-boat captain in Dad's Army, so bring it on.Derek Hazell wrote:Here?
Mikey Lear's list?Sue Sanders wrote:Your name will go on ze list.
Don't tell him MikeDerek Hazell wrote:Mikey Lear's list?Sue Sanders wrote:Your name will go on ze list.
Nuts. I passed through Leamington Spa on my way back to Shef on Wednesday. This would have made a delightful pit-stop had I knownPhil Reynolds wrote:(There should probably be a 'shameless plugs' topic for this sort of thing, but here will do for now...)
My latest theatrical appearance is in the multi-award winning play The Weir which opens tomorrow night (Wednesday) and runs until the end of the month at the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. It's a cracking piece of theatre for which performance rights are rarely granted for amateur companies so we are privileged to be be doing it. Even better, it's only an hour and a half long so there's plenty of drinking time afterwards. If any C4Cers within range care to come along, I'd be glad to see you in the bar after the show.
All the details are here.