Nice people thread part 8 - worth the wait

lostinrates

vivatifosi wrote: »

A quick post for lir and other people who like books.

There's a book building up a bit of a head of steam at the moment but that is currently below the mainstream radar. We're starting to see interest in it and I think it will really take off as it is being made into a film. Reviews from the people I know who have read it say it is well written and an interesting premise as well as a truly excellent book:

Light between the oceans, ML Steadman:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13158800-the-light-between-oceans
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Light-Between-Oceans-Stedman/dp/0552778478/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1366785210&sr=8-1

Thank you.

neverdespairgirl

LydiaJ wrote: »

I do not like playing bridge. I have never chosen to play it. But I spent many hours as a kid being forced to make up a four for my brothers, all three of whom like the game. Some things have been seared onto my memory forever.

I adore bridge - it's great fun.

Part of my Dad's programme of learning for his descendants was to teach draughts at 5, chess at 6, and bridge at 10. As Isaac's only 7, he's not made it to bridge yet, but enjoys chess.

neverdespairgirl

Spirit wrote: »

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

?

I have a weakness for pearls - not the dead boring round smooth white sort, QUOTE]

I am not a jewellry wearing type. My wedding ring is worn on my little finger as it is too small for my ring finger - I weighed less than 7 stone when I got married....and a good deal more now.

Other than that I have a long string of pearls which are smooth anc creamy...and I love them. A gold locket with a silhouette inside of my DD as a baby. Two gold bangles and an eternity ring. No earings.

What sort of pearls are they?

You can get weddings rings enlarged, if you want to, so that it would fit your ring finger again.

GDB2222

PasturesNew wrote: »

Never played/seen bridge, I just know it involves cards and four people.

Although card-playing was "big" in our family, that really means that as kids we played Snap and Happy Families - aged about 13-15 I became obsessed with cards (and flicking/shuffling them) and got a book of about 100 Patience games which I'd play alone. On Boxing Day, the families would go to nan's and after dinner the kids were sent to the front room and the adults would play some game at the table, betting with matchsticks.

Never played chess - wanted to learn when I was about 14, but never knew anybody that played it, so no opportunity.

I can play draughts - we had a draughts set that we often got out when I was a child.

A lot of these games are available on your PC. Windows 7 has built in versions of Chess and 'Checkers' - which I think is Draughts.

Often, you can play with real people without having the inconvenience of having to meet them or make small talk.

Generali

I've decided to get an e reader. Thoughts?

I'd like to borrow books from the local library on it. Robustness is good as is long battery life.

We've got Anzac Day tomorrow, a public holiday. Sadly it's just a p up for most these days. It's the one day a year when you can gamble on a game call two up in pubs.

silvercar

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

I adore bridge - it's great fun.

Part of my Dad's programme of learning for his descendants was to teach draughts at 5, chess at 6, and bridge at 10. As Isaac's only 7, he's not made it to bridge yet, but enjoys chess.

Seems amusing to have fixed ideas of when each offspring will be ready.

We play draughts all the time. Me and the kids, OH is clueless and always loses, so now refuses to play. Reaching the point where they can beat me was one of the kids bars to reach. I didn't realise I was so competitive.

I was once taught bridge by a BF at uni. Put me off for life! Him and bridge)

I'm now about 40 miles from the measles centre of the UK. So only occasional Internet. If people won't take their meds for fear of the side effects they have found via google, is it surprising they are still in pain. Grrr!

Really appreciating private medicine in London when in smaller centres you have to wait for scans and then wait to see consultants for results. Can't believe private consultants can get away with occasional private clinics. Of course the older generation are too polite to complain.
( not a criticism of the NHS, just a comparison of private care at home and here).

GDB2222

Spirit wrote: »

Mr S had been at the dentist today ..for impressions, for a cours eof work I mentioned before that would cost £8000. Well it will happen in phases...phase 1 by July £5200 then 6 months later second phase ...up to £10,000:eek::eek::eek:

I have to take time off with him for future appts (he has 3 booked already) as he will be given valium. After the shock of the costs I want bl**dy vallium. £15000 for Dentistry. I have only said supportive things but I am thinking very grumpy thoughts.

I'm assuming that this is something big like Titanium implants. Whilst the dentist you have may be very good, you can reasonably get alternative quotes for the work. It's fair to do that, and you can always discuss it with your existing dentist before/after getting the quotes. He may suddenly decide that he can shave £5k off his fees, who knows?

£15k is a fairly sizeable chunk of dosh, and you'd never get house-building work of that value done without getting alternative quotes. So, just because it's teeth-building, why are things different?

lostinrates

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

I adore bridge - it's great fun.

Part of my Dad's programme of learning for his descendants was to teach draughts at 5, chess at 6, and bridge at 10. As Isaac's only 7, he's not made it to bridge yet, but enjoys chess.

At my school it was 'strongly encouraged' that one play bridge. You were excused from this encouragement if you had a particular talent....like music for example. Even those hopeless at sport were also 'strongly encouraged' to play tennis. Part of some old ritual where even the plainest dullest girl can be a fourth at a card table or make herself useful entertaining on the tennis court, even if the entertainment is laughable.

I did play tennis enthusiastically, I love it actually, but never remember to keep score, barely remember whose serve it is:). I do enjoy playing though if some one else tells me when to serve and tbh, don't care if i win or lose so long as the game is good. (unusal because i am reasonably competitive) .Luckily my tennis aptitude was already well established by the time I got to secondary school.I have never played bridge. I was considered useful enough in other ways not to face the 'strong' encouragement on that score. Because I played tennis, ride well, showed enthusiasm where I lacked aptitude for the arts and read voraciously and was decorative

Now of course, being less decorative and not sporty being able to play bridge would probably be more useful!:D

Edit...did used to play chess though. Liked it when I was younger, would rather read a book now.

neverdespairgirl

I like my Kindle a lot. Battery life is very good, and I've not destroyed it yet, either.

I made is a quilted cover in case I drop it, though.

neverdespairgirl

silvercar wrote: »

Seems amusing to have fixed ideas of when each offspring will be ready.

We play draughts all the time. Me and the kids, OH is clueless and always loses, so now refuses to play. Reaching the point where they can beat me was one of the kids bars to reach. I didn't realise I was so competitive.

Very fixed ideas, to the point of lesson 1 on the precise 6th birthday for my siblings and me - not quite so accurate with Isaac, as he doesn't live in the same house!

OH won't play chess with me, either. It annoyed him to lose all the time. So we play games such as scrabble and backgammon, where were're about even, or badminton, where he wins all the times.