Minty

Whilst I can't argue with some of the observations on this thread, and clearly Saints need to sort this mess out, I think we should cut them some slack, as I've heard we're about to sign an all time great striker's cousin.

No joke, just me being a complete retard.

Oh, and Jimmy Steele. But we are going back some time now!

Colin Clarke and Ted McDougall would be the only two I think of right now... (apart from Telfer already mentioned)

Bless.

Fig Rolls are so much more than any 'biscuit'. I partake of them regularly.

I would've thought saturation was a good thing?

Well most people could probably guess what it relates to, but I shaln't go into details until I have everything in place.

And before that, if he gets a terminal illness...

Couldn't agree more, hence I am where I am. After I got made redundant 20 months ago, with a wedding still to pay for as well as normal every day life, I had to find another job to pay the bills and get me through. But now I've done all that, and had the wedding (and come out the other side debt-free, which is rare for modern weddings!) it's time to make the next step. And for the record, I don't consider my wedding to be risky or stupid, but I know others won't see it the same way!

I simply want to be able to support myself financially, now and in the future, and be happy in what I do. The same as anyone else really.

Intrigue I guess. Kinda like one of those social experiments where you can't help but see what happens, even though it is actually of no consequence whatsoever.

1000 posts. Couldn't resist sorry. I wonder how long this thread will go on for?

Totally agree, I've done it before, and I'm doing it again... just wondered what experiences others had had.

I want to hear about any financial/lifestyle risks you've taken, that you'd care to share. I'm about to take a risk and obviously will be working hard to make it work, but what about you? I've read Richard Branson's book 'Screw it, let's do it' which is good, but also I've had some inspiration from a few other people, like the owner of a B+B in Scotland who sold her house, bought a B+B up there with no previous experience at all, and made it work. I know others who quit their jobs to go self-employed, or moved abroad for new jobs, and taken risks along the way. Some worked out, some didn't... what about you?

Signed a 1-year deal with them today.

Cripes. Do these threads still exist?! I guess I have to admire the sheer doggedness of it all. Boring as hell to read though.

Some great quotes of his from over the years: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4780199.stm

Likewise... I was 14 and at a school open evening that night... virtually every person there either had a radio or access to one, and hardly anyone was paying attention to the actual school open evening... after the last presentation, everyone left quicker than i've ever seen anyone leave a building in my life, and we got home for the second half of extra time. Never forget that.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8177945.stm One of the few who truly deserve the 'legend' tag. RIP.

'Bankrupting of economies' and 'third world lifestyles' are not 'necessary'. To say that is as bad, if not worse, than the preaching previously referred to... scaremongering at it's finest. With a bit of thought and application, emerging technologies can provide the basis for a modern economy. Moderation may well be required in terms of lifestyle, but then that's no bad thing... most modern human civilisations consume far too much with too little thought for how that lifestyle is sustained anyway... even ignoring climate change, human consumption (and waste) will have to be reduced if we are to survive.

I completely agree that the public should not be force fed a 'default' view, because it does alienate people and prevents debate. As is obvious, I am firm believer in living a more sustainable life, but it annoys me intensely when I see the message that I try and pass on to people, damaged by those who 'preach' and turn people away, not because of the message, but how it is communicated, or rather forced down their throats. Someone has to take the lead. Some individuals try to... I try to... many others want to see governments and/or big business take the lead. Unfortunately, whilst economics rules the roost in many peoples heads, and they are blinded by short-term financial fears, I fear too few of them will take a sufficient lead to look at the longer term benefits, but that won't stop me doing my bit and continuing to encourage others to do theirs where possible. All I would do is urge people to not close themselves off to the issue just because, on a political level, they feel that they cannot debate it. Get past the politics, find out more, satisfy yourself about what impact we have had/are having/will have on our ability to sustain ourselves, and then make your choices accordingly. I won't criticise anyone who still doubts after that, but at least I can have a more informed discussion and debate it properly. Let's be honest, politics f*cks everything up... this is no exception... but that doesn't mean it's not an issue. It just means we have to try to remove the political layers to get to the real issues, and make our own minds up in our own time.

Shame that so many people need to take such opposite views, and treat as an argument to be won or lost, when it's no such thing. We'll never know the 'answer' in our lifetime, but I don't want my future generations to suffer because I was so selfish to think 'well nothing I do will make any difference, and it *might* all be bo!!ocks anyway'. In medicine, a new drug is only used once the relevent powers that be are happy that it won't cause any harm... The burden of proof lies with the drug maker to prove that it is safe - A precautionary principle rules, to ensure no harm is done. When it comes to using the worlds natural resources, burning fossil fuels, producing carbon dioxide, and living in the unsustainable way that we seem to be, the situation is somehow reversed and it seems that the burden of proof lies with those who are concerned about these issues, and no such precaution exists. IMO, that's madness... it's like saying 'Well we don't know that you'll get cancer if you continue to smoke, so carry on, and hopefully everything will be ok.' Fossil fuels are running out, so it is common sense to develop alternatives, and if they happen to be cleaner and potentially eliminate greenhouse gases, and more than likely create jobs and new industry along the way, then it can only be a good thing for everyone IMO. None of us know for certain what will happen and exactly what effect we are having or otherwise, but why take the risk?

I thought it looked like Mark Bright...

Look at every pre-season result, every season, for every 'professional' team, and you'll see sh!t loads of similar results, none of which usually have any bearing on the season ahead. Winning helps, obviously, because it breeds confidence and gets players into a positive frame of mind. Losing is often more valuable IMO, because it shows the players who are working hard, or otherwise, and gives a manager time to work on things. Winning pre-season can often mask problems that better teams will exploit. Last season's pre-season is a glowing example, having had decent performances and results in quite a few games, and we know what happened next. All in all, take the positives, learn from and improve upon the negatives, and most importantly, don't start worrying that it's in any way, shape or form, any indication of the season ahead.