Yamyam

Apparently, this is the official guide to UK/US confusions. Perhaps this'll help us all understand each other a little more

http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/95q4/uk.html

I think it's fair to say that there's a lot of bad software and a lot of good software out there. I'm running Windows XP on most of my machines now, because it just works, and at the moment I'm just trying to get stuff done. Next time I have a few hours off to play around, I might have a go at cadging Linux into working again, but only because I might have some work to do on that. I've never found Windows NT/2000/XP to be less than very stable, as with my better Linux installations. However, Linux seems to need much, much more configuration to get useful, much as I like it. My next hack, tho', will probably be trying to make FreeBSD work on one of my Alphas, as Red Hat Linux won't support the SCSI cards in them

I think my hourglass is much nicer to hold onto though...

I'm sure you're right, Laurie. Bucket of cold water over here, please!

Only one proble. I'd have to cross the North Sea and maybe even fight my

way through Scottland to get to the nearest Woolworths

Ah, but it'd be worth it!

I hadn't noticed that you can't buy heel tips, but I know my fave wedges will need doing soon. I'll have a look around my area and let you all know if I find anything.

Or, based on my experiences, if a man is wearing special shoes! I think people dress in certain ways for many different reasons. But a major one is tribal identity. (Bear with me on this). At the moment, where I am, there's any number of tall looming sort-of gothy things, all wearing big urban boots and hooded sweatshirts with band names on. I've never asked, but I'm willing to bet that they all dress this way 'to be different'. Err, if you're all the same, how are you different? As for me, I dress in what I feel comfortable in. Sometimes, like now, that's jeans and tee-shirt, sometimes it's a suit and tie. It's an easy way to 'join the tribe' whereever I happen to be working. Of course, as I'm not really a corporate clone anywhere, I like to make things slightly different. Anyway, that's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.

Somehow I seem to have made it into 4" sandals. The 4" bit is fine, but I don't think sandals are quite me, somehow. And my shiny new Avatar works, too. Woo-hoo!

Qualification

Can't say I've had to do that - but I'm sure I'd notice if someone else did it! The closest I've had is squeezing into the car and having to tuck my knees under the steering wheel because I've got heels on. Oh, and very nice picture, Stellah!

OK, I admit it, sometimes I would like to get a bike. But, being the kind of person I am, I'd either have a Ducati or a Harley. I'm not a speed freak, so I'd rather arrive in style. I had a lift on a Harley a little while ago, and it took three hours to get the smile off my face.

I'm up for that. Can we fit in Brum city centre as well on Sat? Plus go to the pubs round those canals in the evening. Just a suggestion.

I can only be free from about 2pm, but yeah, it'd be nice to be around the town for a change. I don't go to Brum that often, even though I live quite near it. As for an evening beer monstering, yes, most definitely.

Anyone else feel like popping along? Not that I'm complaining about only having one person to talk to or anything, but it'd be nice to have a Midlands meet, as well as London ones. (Blimey - listen to me! I've only been in the Midlands for a few years and I'm complaining about everything happening in London )

Those are nice!

You're certainly doing well on the writing front. I think it's the continuous exercise of writing. I love writing too, in fact at one time I'd have liked to be a journalist, but other than the occasional strange e-mail, I don't have much chance to do it. Go for it! A member of your reading public.

Yes indeedy, hello and welcome.

Yeah, if I could zap off somewhere that's not particularly crowded, and I didn't have to take my little one with me, then I'd think about it. Call me odd, but I don't really want a mode of transport that I can't take my little one on. Like I said earlier, motor-trike for me! Otherwise, I'm going to have to stick to my cage. But I'm one of the rare drivers who can see motorcyclists, and treat them with courtesy. It's quite astonishing how much more polite bikers are than your normal road users. One helpful signal, like "I know you're there, feel free to overtake" almost always gets a friendly wave.

They're nice. I have a similar pair myself, that are waiting for slightly more confidence. Perhaps next time I'm in London... (Checks diary, swears gently...)

My EPMs have a uniform for certain members of staff, and I believe that it included 1" court shoes for a while. This has since been abolished. Mind you, it's pretty damn hard to get excited about 1" courts.

Wow But I don't think I'd wear styles like those outside!

Most of my pairs have nice fabric lining, which is probably my favourite. I don't like going barefoot inside my boots, so I generally wear knee-highs with them. But yeah, the lining does make a difference. As for colour - silver is great, otherwise I couldn't say I'm that bothered.

I'm just going to put in a quick plug for wedges, which (other than being my favourite ) are also pretty good for hiding exactly what's on your feet.

Yamyam, a bike for you wuold be a great escape, for those times when you have just yourself to please, those rare hours where you can find the pleasure and freedom of being alone in the wind.

True !

When I can get a more sensible job (i.e. not travelling all over the country) I might buy a convertible for that wind in the hair feeling. I don't know why, but I don't quite trust myself on a bike. I suppose it's because I don't have that much confidence of my driving. But my main excuse is the godawful drivers where I live. I spend my life wondering how the locals miss my bright red Pug 406 with the lights on... I don't think I'd risk a motorbike.

But I may move soon, and if I do, I'll see how it works out down there.

And I plan to take up pedal cycling again. In fact, earlier tonight, I realised how much exercise you can get from a bike. I had my pulse up in the low hundreds, sweat pouring off me, and almost seeing stars. And that was just putting the damn bike carrier on the car

I'd quite like a motorcycle, especially as I spend much time sat in traffic, watching people on bikes blazing through. Sadly, most places I have to go, I have to haul about fifteen kilos of crud or my little boy, and I don't think either would work well on a bike. Now, one of those 'half-car, half bike' motor-trike things would work for me! One of these days...

Well, as you can see from my London diary, I went for it in London, up and down the Tube, Tottenham Court Road, etc. Not a comment! So, based on my experience, up and at 'em. I was wearing longer, 'cover-up' jeans, tho, but as I caught sight of myself in glass buildings, I realised that they covered up less than I'd thought. Best of luck, and let us know how you get on

Along the same lines, I once heard a presentation where a manager stood up and said 'I expect great improvements next year.' Some bright spark (no, not me) asked a dangerous question: 'So, when are you leaving?'

I love zips! Side zip for me, followed by back zip, I guess. And it is partly that I love the noise of the zip going up, but I also quite like the quiet rattle of the zip as you walk. As for pull-ons, I've not yet found a pair that fit properly, but I'm prepared to keep shopping I've not yet seen a pair with laces that I really like, but that doesn't mean I won't. I saw a pair of pointy-toed 5" stiletto boots once, but despite trying every size from UK8 to UK11 I couldn't find a pair that seemed to fit right. I wouldn't buy the nearest pair for nearly UKP90!