Christmas Tree

Brilliant.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-laptop-grants 10,000 being given away free if you have any family or friends that meet the criteria.

Well aster lots of humming and ha ing??? Me and the cruelty inspector have decided to have a shifty round Europe in the car. The rough plan is something like Brugges - Luxembourg - Annecy - Nice or Monaco - Lake Garda - stopover - Paris /Disneyland - Home Covering about 14 days or so in total. If anyone has any reccomendations for good stop offs along this route or particulat hotels, feel free to shout out.

The Bucket List --- Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson 8/10 Very good all round storytelling

Who do you work for CT? He recommended Winn Solicitors once and they've got ads on the receipts you get off Blue Line South Tyneside Firm not Blueline

Ramside for two is only £80 to bookvia somewhere like late rooms normally so where they get £240 from It's a premium room...with breakfast. Not standard. Theres Superior rooms available now on late rooms for £80 which makes £160 for brekfast rather steep.

Ramside for two is only £80 to bookvia somewhere like late rooms normally so where they get £240 from

Blue Line Taxis 0191 2626666 Every other firm works on the standard fares set by the council, Blue line works at a discounted rate, therefore the cheapest taxi company in Newcastle. They have one set tarrif and the prices dont go up late at night like most taxis.

And those not of a nervous disposition!

No I wasnt and will now go and look your right about the spontaneity bit.

As Alex says its all taste and while I want more, he likes less Im not into the art of photography like you lot (although i could be given more time etc etc), I just come at it from a voyeurs perspective. The Iphone opened up photography in a big way for me however my viewpoint is catching "life" within "my circle" of friends and family as it happens. Daft shots at the pub, out for walks etc etc. While this doesnt give me quality images, it does give me quality moments which I often reflect on and enjoy. I probably take 10 -20 photos a week where as pre iphone I may have taken 20 a year. I cant say I really know of any photographers as such. Like my avatar, I like a different touch that can totally transform an otherwise normal'ish photo. Might even post some of my iphone stuff.....It can be the red top of the photo forum

very nice

A month-long water pistol tournament is under way in the UK. But what makes adults want to "shoot" total strangers in the street? On a street corner, an assassin waits in silence for his victim. Dressed all in black, face covered except for his eyes, he looks menacing as he steadies his weapon and prepares to shoot with the cold-blooded eyes of a killer. But not everything is as it seems. His weapon is bright green and it is water rather than bullets that blasts the hapless, screaming, victim as he fumbles - too late - for his own pistol. The assassin laughs silently as he lets his soaking-wet prey through the door he was guarding. He is taking part in StreetWars, a water "assassination" contest that started in London on Monday and which lasts until 29 August. Kicked off in New York in 2004, the tournament has since visited cities including Vancouver, Vienna, Los Angeles and Paris, and organisers say it attracts between 125 and 300 players. The first London contest took place in 2006 and it returns this month for the first time in three years. It is a water fight for grown ups where, they say, the entire city is your playground. However, some city authorities criticise it as "irresponsible" and suggest it might spark security alerts. The exact rules are kept under wraps, except to those who pay the £40 to sign up. Players are called to the headquarters of the "Shadow Government" - as the organisers like to be known - to be given details of their target, including home address, work address, phone number and a photo, and then set the task of shooting them in any way they can. Participants are buzzed through a door and then led to the basement with a gun - well, water pistol - shoved into their back. Men in trilby hats hand out manila envelopes before players are thrust, disorientated, back into the real world in the knowledge someone with their photo is hunting them down. Co-creators Franz Aliquo and Liao Yutai have adopted the names of Supreme Commander and Mustache Commander, while the head of the London operation calls herself Eevil Midget. This eccentricity has spread to participants, with names such as NinjaSquash and Biscuits. "It's just a bit of fun, but some people do take it incredibly seriously," says Yutai. "One businessman in San Francisco found his 'mark' was in college. He managed to get into the campus by buying an embroidered shirt worn by staff. After four days the security staff just said hello to him as he walked past - everyone just thought he worked there." This dedication is not the preserve of Americans. "The last winner in London stalked his victim all the way to Manchester on the train just so he could shoot him as he left the station," Yutai says. "He was utterly shocked and at that point you just have to clap your hands and say 'bravo'." 'Criminal offence' London's first contest was branded irresponsible by British Transport Police who suggested that carrying a water pistol on public transport could constitute a criminal offence, although "kill" attempts on public transport or in stations are banned under StreetWars' rules. The Metropolitan Police initially suggested this seemingly innocent fun could end up wasting police time by diverting resources from real incidents - though it has softened its position now. However, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's view that the contest is "not funny in this day and age", and that its organisers could "use some psychiatric help", remains unchanged. StreetWars' backers simply say they are glad of the publicity. But with British and American soldiers dying on real battlefields, what makes adults indulge in this make-believe? "The first thing is I'm incredibly competitive but I just think it is a lot of fun," says one participant who did not want to be named - perhaps fearing giving up key information. "People don't get it until they actually take part. It certainly makes the journey to and from work much more interesting. "During the competition, I wake up, go to work, leave work then stalk my victim until it's time to sleep." Another player, Ahmed Murad, says the idea is "just that little bit different". "What is strange it that it's actually quite difficult. I thought it would be easy but everyone's got their own work and life schedule." It is not just the prospect of the kill that has caused him some trouble. "There's an insane amount of paranoia - every time you step out for lunch you are just looking around trying to look everyone in the eye, assuming they are after you." Between water fights, The Supreme Commander holds down a day job as a New York lawyer Many of the players plan journey routes and change them daily, scouts are enlisted to walk ahead and check blind alleyways or dark side-streets and every door is pushed open with the nagging feeling that someone awaits them on the other side. This thrill of risk makes the game attractive, according to psychologist Dr Martin Hagger, of the University of Nottingham. "Some do feel like we live in a health and safety conscious society. They feel mollycoddled, so will go for these things. And while they know they're not actually going to die, the element of uncertainty gives them a natural high. "It appeals to those who are extroverted and have a sensation-seeking personality," says Dr Hagger. A further lure is the prize. Last player standing takes home a cash sum determined by the number of players, which generally amounts to about £500. Maybe worth risking a soaking? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10852985

This is probably bollox but I'll say it anyway. For me your photos look very good but just seem to be missing that extra feature that would change them from nice looking to really stunning. Im talking about something else in the shot so the image is more the backdrop rather than the photo. IE The street one would look great with a horse and cart, old lady carrying bags with the street as the backdrop. I really like the loft one but again think it is calling out for something. Could be anything from a sultry woman to a tailors dummy to an old picture propped up against the wall. Sunglasses.....Draped and curved towel???? Im just throwing in thoughts on the creative side, the images themselves look very nice.

michael Buble --- Crazy Love but who cares

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10880852 Taken from Kielder last night and look north reckons cloud conditions should be even better tonight. They showed 3 or 4 pictures from last night at Kielder but I can only find this one so far.

For those interested, a large solar flare yesterday means that there is a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight after midnight (according to tonights Look North). As usual, the further away from man made light, the better your chance of seeing them.

Theres nowt wrong with working your knackers off for a very good company that rewards such staff with promotion and big bucks. Doing it for a shit firm is daft. A good firm breeds hard workers who will go the extra mile, however it sounds as though your firm is take take take, hence the crap management and absenteism. You only walk these shores for a short time so dont piss your life away with work related shit or stress. Get out.....NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just pulled a load of Beetroot out of the ground. Anyone any ideas what I do next to make them edible? Idiots guide please.

You cant generally see a girls minge when you walk past her in the street though. Good point, however the question was..... "what do you like best about the female body?"

Having being the eternal optimist for so long, the may (i think) club statement about no money finally did me in and I have had very little interest in club goings on all summer. However as we are now in August and the days tick by until kick off, I am again really starting to get excited about the season. I know we are going to get quite a few good kickings and everyone can see the squad is so lacking.....But still I am getting excited. I also think that even given all the odds against us, we will stay up.

Or

Do have to agree with you somewhat. Haven't really had anything too interesting to photograph subject matter wise, though, which should hopefully change with an impending trip to Bristol and then when I move down South for University in September. But does depend on what you mean by being creative with subject matter. I have a feeling I can be more creative with this light-drawing stuff, but apart from that there isn't much I can think of to be creative with at this moment in time! From my point of view it would be what the photo is about. Ie Something you dont see every day or something viewed in a different way. eg Why dont you all have a toontastic competition this week. Pick a subject matter and post your photo on here. We'll vote for our favourite and the winner can set next weeks challenge. For example this weeks could be titled Simply Snail.