suewhistle

Age, fluid retention, put on weight, jumping off the table flat-footed, you've clamped your ski boots too tight, elephantiasis... There's really no good explanation, I'm afraid..

Less than two hours drive to Carouge. Too expensive, I'll wait for the Os.

Finances! Aargh, this morning I've just come back from the Italian tax office: I don't earn enough to be able to afford a commercialista (tax accountant, basically) - so yes, I worry too, even if it's only me. I think many of us have some fat to spare: you only have to look at the posh cars talked about on the motoring forum here (mine's an 11 year old Fabia...), and it takes a brief look at your budget to identify things that are easily cut back on and realise that for the essentials, things aren't too bad. Some people don't have budgets and it's no surprise they get themelves in a mess, plus they have unrealistic expectations of what they can afford. Why do some of the people I know of who seem to replace 3 piece suites (other examples could be quoted..) the most often have the biggest debts? Answers on a postcard... Having kids is something else again, and must increase the worry x10!

My grandad used to be an engine-driver at Eastleigh: I remember the phrase "Up with the Aki and down with the Morri" [Aquitania and Mauritania] Tom8558: no problems here with anoraks, the fact that we're all here..... What about a light railway or tram system, any legs in that when we get our stadium expansion?;-)

I might wander up to France on Friday morning, it's about 2 and a half hours, pitch the tent and wander down to have a look. It's a nice part of the world so no great sacrifice on behalf of the board. I've always wanted to be ITK even if I then know he's not there..

Damn sight more money than I've got and I play in goal too. He's getting loads of money for old rope.

Yep, been there many years ago when we played the University women's team. Better than the council pitches, but...

Or even TTFN

I've been on skiing chalet holidays like that! Another fine contribution RB! My student in a few minutes will wonder why I'm grinning so much..

Well, his shirt says TT: Tadanari's Translator??

Probably Gibraltar wanted the naval tradition, and a team weak enough to be able to beat....

Gin and tonic (Gordons, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire if available) before a meal. Single malt (I'll try them all) Calvados Armagnac (used to be a pub where the landlord was a fan) Genepy - local to me grappa - once, never again! Having said all that, rarely drink spirits, tend to be special occasions in case I'm giving the impression of being a dipso... Mixed drink, Long Island Iced Tea..

..or his mum..

English ones come from Anglo-Saxon, OE, northern European roots, can't think of any latinate ones off the top of my head. According to David Crystal there are over 700 euphemisms for the word c***. As he points out, and as ever with language, context is important and we tend to be influenced by group swearing patterns. The different language I use when I have a technical problem compared with when mum is around a case in point. "Bloody" is so common in Australia that it isn't even considered a swear word any more. Oh sugar, must go, think I've burnt the bread...

I think that's called "common-sense"... heehee

Admit it Trousers, you've found your old Post Office savings book at the bottom of the drawer and there's 6 pounds, 4 shillings and tuppence-hapenny you'd forgotten you had. Have you had the interest made up? That should do it..

I kept a vague eye on him when we played Palace (watched it on saintsplayer) as he's been in our sights for some time, and was slightly disappointed but as pointed out, not a great idea to put him on Rickie. What I did like in that Youtube video was his pace, and the fact that he didn't give up. He lost the ball or was intercepted but went back and retrieved, not relying on someone else to cover and pick up the loose pieces.With his pace a number of times he was first to the free ball when at first it didn't seem likely. I'll keep an optimistic eye on the OS next week....

Yep, bit of pondering by all sides over the weekend and then 3 phone calls on Monday: Chinny to Birch Birch to the trust Birch to the newswires...

OldNick.. your date choice?? ;-)

All over scotland club chairmen will be phoning up portaloo and temporary stand suppliers, security firms and the local constabulary in a frenzy of preparation... It'll be fun when the fixtures come out!

Is that copyright?

Yep, I'd agree.. But it's a bit hard to expect them to beat their heads against a brick wall trying to persuade their mates..

Got a Samsung W windows phone yesterday for my first smartphone. Not connected yet but had a play and a look around and it'll do me for my first: €180/£143 on special offer including bluetooth earphone and a lightweight ABS suitcase thrown in! Unusual for things to be cheaper here, and hopefully it'll last me a few years: feels slick and a good display. Front facing camera so I can Skype aged parent.:-)

But McDonalds don't serve chips, they serve "fries" which I believe are made from extruded potato flour, wallpaper paste and something mix, possibly plastic, if the ones I pinched from a friend are anything to go by.

I'm meant to be getting some paperwork together for a visit to the local tax office next week but I keep popping in here. Where else can you have a constant succesion of one liners, comic monologues (Rallyboy et al) and people setting up jokes with perfectly timed punch-lines?!