Nice People Thread No. 15, a Cyber Summer

SingleSue

Any help is appreciated Zag!

I gave advice to Josh when he did his and most def had to help when his so called advisor at school changed his around into something which didn't make any sense and had loads of spelling, punctuation and other errors which made it look like it had been written by an 8 year old but it's not something I am confident with.

Pyxis

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

I reckon the odd topical event or news item are fair game in the NP threads so long as it's done, well, nicely....:)

If you want to comment about something in the news that's interesting or unexpected and without denigrating others views that should be fine - if you want to argue about it there are other threads for that?

From memory that's the way it's most often been handled previously in the threads all the way back to NP1 but happy to go along with the NP views really.

SingleSue wrote: »

I'm not fussed what we discuss here as long as it remains nice.

...

I think these are the key issues, really.

Obviously, it wouldn't be good for discussion or comment about any one topic to go on and on for pages without respite, but that doesn't seem to happen on here.
My feeling is that one can have 'nice' chats about anything! It reminds me of when we were taught in school how to conduct a proper debate, with a proposer and a seconder on each side, each one putting forward their view with logical reasons pro and anti the motion in question, and then answering questions from the floor, before a final vote was invited. All to strict time limits, and all with courtesy and respect for the other side, with no personal remarks.

I was in the debating society, but only took part in one inter-school debate, as a seconder, as I wasn't a brilliant speaker, and plagued by awful nerves. However, the formal aspect of the debate procedure, plus the ability to fully prepare one's points beforehand helped, and being the seconder meant, IIRC, that I wasn't faced with the questions from the floor. I quite enjoyed it in a masochistic sort of way, and even raised a couple of laughs from the floor, (intentionally!) (A couple of my classmates were chosen to enter the regional debating competitions. I was very glad I wasn't chosen!)

The experience did teach me how to choose points and how to present them to an audience without too much waffle. I can't remember what the topic was we were given to debate, but I knew it was one that the side I was on couldn't win; nevertheless, that was also a useful experience, as it taught me to look for the other side of an argument and present it to others).

Anyway, my point is that even the most controversial of subjects can be discussed objectively and with respect for any opposing view, and with gentle regard for any misconceptions that anyone may have. That way, we can all learn things, I think.

There have been one or two questions raised on here about aspects of some religions, in an enquiring way, and that is all to the good. Knowledge leads to understanding, and understanding leads to tolerance.

This year has been has a huge rollercoaster for all of us, in one way or another, and will continue to affect us all for good or bad for some time to come, so it might be a shame for people to feel they have to walk on eggshells when posting stuff.

It could be suggested that editing of posts might be confined to ensuring expressions of respect, decency and tolerance rather than to censoring the content itself. :A

However, whatever the general view is, is fine by me!




Going back to the weather, there was another very clear, still sky out there at 5.30 this morning, but still no sign of the Orionids, the half moon being so close to Orion and so bright, and light pollution mucking things up. Still, Orion's sword was visible again, which it often isn't, and it was a lovely still and quiet time.


Where's Pastures? Hope you're not ill, Pastures, with this awful chest infection that's doing the rounds around the country.

Edit......just realised you were on here on Thursday! The thread has moved rather quickly, so I thought it was longer!

Jazee

Morning all.

Earlier in the week, I wanted some scotch eggs and happened to be in MandS at the time. So I looked at the selection, various packages all containing two eggs priced £1 or £2. £1 - labelled 'simply' and £2 - 'best in the world ever' or whatever. The only difference I could see when checking values etc was that the £1 ones had less sugar and salt, which has to be a good thing surely? So that's what I bought, but I dislike the feeling that packaging can easily rip me off.

Will probably be back to moan about something else later!

Hope the poorlies feel better soon and that uni statements are written soon.

Have a great day everyone.

CKhalvashi

Jazee wrote: »

Morning all.

Earlier in the week, I wanted some scotch eggs and happened to be in MandS at the time. So I looked at the selection, various packages all containing two eggs priced £1 or £2. £1 - labelled 'simply' and £2 - 'best in the world ever' or whatever. The only difference I could see when checking values etc was that the £1 ones had less sugar and salt, which has to be a good thing surely? So that's what I bought, but I dislike the feeling that packaging can easily rip me off.

Will probably be back to moan about something else later!

Hope the poorlies feel better soon and that uni statements are written soon.

Have a great day everyone.

I'm a bit annoyed because I've not been able to get 85p for 8 sausages in Sainsburys for the last few weeks, which seem to have more meat in them than the more expensive ones. £1.50 ones it is then . I begrudge paying £3 for something 'extra' to realistically do 3 meals.

Usually on a Saturday I'll pop into town, get some sausages and throw whatever's in the fridge into a pot with some stock cubes and put it in the oven on low heat. Result is a lovely stew.

silvercar

My 15 year old niece tells me she has to complete UCAS forms to transfer to 6th form college next September. She lives out in the countryside and is sporty. Her greatest achievements section is something like keeping her rabbit alive into old age and being able to do 20 cartwheels in one minute. Greatest challenge is getting to the school bus on time. It will be a refreshing change from the usual run of personal statements. Her parents aren't worried, apparently everyone gets a place at her first choice.

michaels

One of the few things we still get at Sains (because they are too expensive) are the butchers choice Cumberland Sausages, we but the 8s or 12s depending on which is on special and oven bake on a rack so as much as possible of the fat comes off then eat like that or stick in stock as a stew. Two sausages each for a meal, adults and kids.

chris_m

IMO, the best sausages available come from these people;

http://www.cowmans.co.uk/

I've been buying from them for quite a few years now, stocking up every time I came "Oop Norf" on holiday. I'm a bit closer now so I'll be able to go when I like, although I'll still buy in bulk and bung 'em in the freezer as it'll still be a half-day round trip at the least.

SingleSue

silvercar wrote: »

My 15 year old niece tells me she has to complete UCAS forms to transfer to 6th form college next September. She lives out in the countryside and is sporty. Her greatest achievements section is something like keeping her rabbit alive into old age and being able to do 20 cartwheels in one minute. Greatest challenge is getting to the school bus on time. It will be a refreshing change from the usual run of personal statements. Her parents aren't worried, apparently everyone gets a place at her first choice.

UCAS forms for college? That's a different one, do you know if that is a new thing?

One of Joe's greatest challenges would also be getting to the school bus on time although that has much improved this term.....:rotfl:

Pyxis

Jazee wrote: »

Morning all.

Earlier in the week, I wanted some scotch eggs and happened to be in MandS at the time. So I looked at the selection, various packages all containing two eggs priced £1 or £2. £1 - labelled 'simply' and £2 - 'best in the world ever' or whatever. The only difference I could see when checking values etc was that the £1 ones had less sugar and salt, which has to be a good thing surely? So that's what I bought, but I dislike the feeling that packaging can easily rip me off.

.

Did you check the fat content of both? Sometimes when they reduce the fat content, they up the sugar/salt content, in order to improve the flavour.
It might be down to that......the lower sugar/salt ones might have more fat.


Talking of sausages, the most delish ones I've come across so far have been M&S Italian-style sausages.

They are GORGEOUS!
I don't grill them; I cut them into quarters and either add them to stirfries or make a sort of stew of them, with veg.

When I use those sausages, I don't need to put any other herbs or seasoning into the stirfry/stew, as the sausages impart a fantastic flavour to it.

Now I think I'm going to have to defrost a pack. Talking about them has given me the munchies for them.
(I keep my freezer well stocked with them! ever since they once disappeared for about 3 months, and I feared the worst! Then they came back, but I'm not taking any chances!)

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Online ordering whoopsy of the year.

Searched at the usual online vendor for a case of Prosecco.....

- Sparkling wines - tick
- Italy - tick
- Oooooh, that's cheap - buy

And got a case of Spumante at the door yesterday, which Mrs McT helpfully signed for and put away in the fridge.

Opened a bottle last night without even noticing until the first sip.....

Oh dear. :eek:

Other than make excessive amounts of frozen sorbet can any of the NP think of what the hell one can do with a case of cheap and nasty bubbly?

(I did already think of Christmas presents for people I really don't like very much)