Daisy

but think of the history. and all the exploring you can do .

you should come to europe. let one of them go travelling or be an international student

Could be Europe. we were ahead of you . Though I can't remember the actual dates of the big ones that first appeared in the soaps.

I want to travel. I don't want to stay in one place. I want to see as much of the world as I can. But really see it. Not just beach-hop. I'm sure my dad doesn't think it's possible. And at the moment I don't really know how I would do it either. But the idea still appeals, and has never gone away. It's the only thing that I have always known I've wanted to do. Even if jobwise my ideas and convictions have been all over the place. Right now I've not felt the urge as strongly, mainly because I've not been feeling well in myself. But this would so be great. I need to get my up and go again. And travelling gives you a buzz, and adrenalin kick. Especially whenever you move to the new place. But as the people in the article say, you need to be able to trust people. Even in places you probably shouldn't. And be ready to make friends where-ever you are, and quickly. Cut short, you need confidence. But I think I have it . When I travel it comes out in me more, there really is no need to be shy, just the need to step up and say hello. I don't think I would like to do it on my own though. One friend would be great. When I was in europe there was three of us and it was great. My problem is finding a friend to do that with me. So far they aren't as interested as me, or bogged down in lives . What do you think? Something you'd do as well? or have you done something similar and any tips or tales? http://www.guardian....ravelling-world celia

yeah, and the snow and ice keeps coming. but it's pretty isn't it . I think even n.ireland is fairly well covered. not southern though.

I'm about practicality too . I don't really like having a handbag. And try to carry the minimal stuff, so small purse, phone and possibly inhaler. On evenings out it makes it less of a hassle to not have a handbag to protect. so pockets I like . But they aren't strictly necessary. Then I have a clutch bag.

that phillip morrisey looks like a strange film . I've heard good things about The Single Man with Colin Firth. Not the greatest trailer in terms of telling you what happens. But it's about a guy whose partner dies suddenly and I think it follows him for a day while he is coping. It's set in the 60's I think.

This map seems to be suggesting that we are experiencing the cold weather because the jet stream has moved south this year. http://www.guardian....ansport-schools and it's supposed to be possibly the coldest night of the winter tonight, getting as low as -20oC. Now that's cold for the UK, or at least England! (-4F for the rest of you ) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8446523.stm

Some of our factories, nearly a 100, have voluntarily entered into an agreement with our national grid to reduce or completely stop their usage of gas for the time being. They are apparently on a discount contract. Apparently they've also issued the 2nd "gas balancing alert" in the last four days, whatever that means. All due to a surge in demand over home gas in the severe weather. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/07/gas-rationing-national-grid-factories

No your doing well . I was referencing a particular region. They were also reminiscing about the last time helicopters were used to drop supplies into the valley it was that bad. But again that's aggges ago. I'm not that up on the patterns and dates for weather in the uk really, just what I've experienced and heard about where I live. At the moment that's on the coast where for whatever reason our weather is milder .

where my dad lives the old people are comparing back to the 40's I think it was. or it could have been the 60's. But they were specifically referencing the dates that it snows and such. but yeah, we as country are just not used to snow. but saying that we did used to get drifts across the country lanes which were up to say 2m's high at my dads. Where I am now there was only 2 inches of snow and it's managed to cause problems.

Happy birthday

same here. they are having problems with the stocks. as I said in the other post, the worst winter for decades is being said by old people. definitely in terms of the dates its been cold and snowing. the roads are so dangerously icy at the moment. the car park outside our flat is like an ice rink. it snowed and then it froze. there's been a huge increase in the number of people going into hospital due to accidents, such as slipping on ice and breaking bones and such. it's not just europe though. Asia's been hit quite bad as well.

yeah, huge weapon, sheesh. I like the library though . Mines not as big as that yet . I like the shelving system, how mine usually is, just tidier than me .

Oh, you've been ordered. No problem then Pussycat.

now, don't start feeling sorry for us , or you can get lost

Aren't your armies, or navies, kitchens or places where the guys eat called, the Mess? I take it they probably aren't if you are emphasising it.

to all of you. (my mum, in terms of emotional abuse and something else I don't know how to categorise (just difficult childhood), overcompensated the other way. Then fell apart anyway and inflicted some of what she experienced but without meaning to , even though her goal was strictly not to allow a repeat).

I thought for a minute there Sam that you were saying you liked the band. Then realised maybe it was some cultural thing when it got mentioned a second time . Hope you had a good time. celia

Done lots of things over the years. Tonight it's a mixture between a friends party and going out dancing. I was in Marbella for 2001 and the restaurant supplied 12 grapes to be eaten on the chimes of the clock. The trick was to skin them so they went down faster . One of my close friends comes from Hong Kong, I once received a red letter envelope from her dad for their new year .

yeah, congrats on it going well

yeah, it's anecdotal. I'm also going on my own experience. I've never been to Paris, but my dad has a house in southern france and I've been to the Alps a few times. They still have problems with the language thing. But yeah, they wouldn't want to live there if they didn't like the people. And I had dinner with a french guy last night, and he's great . (I agree about the service, it was the 'slagging off' that I was pointing to, but I can't remember now what it was they were bitching about them)

Thanks Tarin you're looking good too ...

hey all Just saw this http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/29/argentina-first-gay-marriage Argentina are go. At least in parts.

Honey I Shrunk The Kids It's on bbc1 this lunchtime. I'd forgotten how much we used to love it. It was one of our family's The growing up films. Then we were addicted to the TV series too .