NJS

Surprised it hasn't happened before tbh - then again more likely as he gets older.

There were a few thing Labour promised pre-97 in opposition like an ethical foreign policy (including no arms sales to cunts) and a public enquiry into Hillsborough. As soon as they got in and I presume were visited by the coppers and mi5, all of those were soon dropped - I expect the same thing to happen now. Cancelling things like ID cards which haven't been passed is one on thing - removing powers already in use by the services is another and I can't imagine any government of any hue doing it.

Is it just me who thinks Diane Abbot was quite sexy when she first appeared but is disappointed she's turned into the unfortunately stereotypical fat West Indian older woman?

No trips to the Hill?

As they point out - those agencies rated the sub-prime shit in the US as AAA - then again GS and the rest would have had an influence on these "independent" agencies.

Haven't noticed a change - sure it's not just for Aussies?

Not exactly helpful though amusing considering its current clientele but when I was about 17 we sometimes went to Hoffs (now Rockshots) pre-match which certainly featured the full clunge.

I think if it provides the impetus for a leap in science and technology and it could somehow be reversed it would have been well worth it. Of course a non-catastrophic effect which causes mankind to stop reproducing like a disease would also be welcome imo.

I use it a lot to buy stuff but haven't got around to selling stuff even though I have boxes full of computer bits - can't be arsed with the hassle of postage etc.

Another point that should be made is that pedestrians can be twats too - I had to swerve violently on my bike a few months ago to avoid a lass who stepped out in front of me without a care in the world.

If you're still at the Regent centre you should tell them to use thw swimming pool - that's what I used to do.

I think it's definitely more the mindset in Holland rather than the flatness - a lot of this country is pretty flat and even somewhere like the NE which is within easy reach of proper hills, is still very cyclable for commuters - I used to bike to work from S Shields to the Regent Centre and a lot of it was via paths - only a bit of extra effort could increase the use of bikes across a lot of Tyne & Wear imo. Of course you would also need more places with shower facilities as well.

Pissed off with a head cold which has lasted about 4 weeks which has stopped a promising diet/fitness campaign in its tracks - really wanted progress for the summer. As a comfort purchase I'm eyeing up a new plasma for the world cup.

I think most responsible cyclists do cover their bikes on house insurance and may have some kind of third party cover which is registration of a kind. (And of course car road tax comes nowhere near covering the actual costs of roads anyway)

Well if a car is about £200 when it's worth say 10k on average what do you think would be a fair amount for a bike worth say £200 on average? I'd be happy to pay £10 say but much more than that and you're taking the piss imo.

Which makes listening to iPods almost a suicide note imo.

The thing is I see this from 3 different angles - driving, walking and as a leisure cyclist who tends to stick to country roads /quiet roads on the edge of town. I think I get most annoyed as a pedestrian by those who use pavements - especially to get around red lights - I reckon they should be required to stick to the roads and obey traffic laws. I'd also point out that as a driver I pay road tax which I think applies to a sizeable proportion of cyclists anyway. Having said that I think car/van drivers can be absolute twats when it comes to bikes and thats where my sympathy angle comes from - I've been lucky in only having near misses or light collisions as an adult cyclist but I can honestly say that every problem I've had has been because of driver stupidity - and I have to say mostly women - the classic being the overtake then turn left in front of you manouvere which is the one that does actually kill cyclists every day.

I've been to Barcelona 5 times now and there's a cafe/bar right at the bottom of the Ramblas opposite the roundabout which we called the Leching bar - spend hours/days just sitting ther watching women walking past.

I'm not familiar with Rodger's work so again couldn't comment I remember a mate saying he'd read an interview with Dio a while ago where he said he was pround to have been involved with what he saw at 3 definitive HR/HM albums - Rising, Heaven and Hell and Holy Diver - I think the latter was pushing it a bit but I also read a tribute in the Guardian yesterday which suggested Dio was somehow a "lesser God" when he worked along side Blackmore and Iommi - I disagree - I think he brought the best out of them so deserves full deity ranking. I've said in the past that I don't like how when someone dies they suddenly become "perfect" but thinking about and listening to Dio I genuinely feel he deserves the plaudits.

The thing is so many act like idiots that it means nobody has much sympathy for then when it isn't their fault. I also still can't believe its legal for lorries to not have blind spot mirrors which is a big contributor.

Definitely a strong contender, though I'd put Robert Plant , Steven Tyler and Ian Gillan in there too. I only really know Gillan's voice aut of those to any depth but I don't think any of them match Dio for "proper" singing - ie carrying a song without shouting/screaming or going full out. I was listening to the first Rainbow album this morning and his singing on Catch the Rainbow is breathtaking.

Apparently those against amounted to around a dozen out of the 2,000 delegates. Thought it'd be higher tbh Seduced by power - not necessarily a bad thing as obviously that's what they wanted but I still think it might cost them in the long term.

If I turn my head 90 degrees and look out of the window I can see that Only been a few times though - prefer The Gun.

I still think mixing with them is healthier than a Stevie style Apartheid - doesn't mean you have to like them of course.

Unless its changed, the manager (Colin) is a huge Leeds fan - hard little twat who takes no shit from the Mackems if they act up.