December the seventeenth.
Sent to us late in the evening on the 3rd: "Greetings from snowy Scotland
Here's a photo of The Morning After the Night Before's First Christmas Party of the Season. A great time was had by all at an Awards Ceremony in Glasgow, and autographs were obtained from some famous guests in the hotel who were just trying to have a quiet night......
Merry Christmas to all
from
ValP"
Listen to PM
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~51~RS~)
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Morning Val, what a great pic. Love the classy leopard skin high heels - it's like a frame taken from a Cadbury's milk tray advert.
Who were the other famous ones then?
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Briefly changing subject, I've just heard on telly that a new survey says that Women make more of a fuss when they get flu than men do?
I've always suspected that Woman seem to exaggerate the symptoms more, and now it seems we have the proof!
Perhaps Anne P and BigSis and dear Gillianian would care to comment?
It's Official: Survey Shows 'Man 'Flu' Doesn't Exist!
LONDON, December 17 /PRNewswire/ --
- But Perhaps Woman 'Flu Does?
British women will be left reeling at new research* that casts doubt on the very existence of 'man 'flu' - the notion that men exaggerate ordinary winter snuffles to get the sympathy vote. In fact, the survey shows women to be the biggest winter whingers, not men, with most admitting to embellishing their cold and 'flu symptoms just for a bit of attention or for a day off work!
It seems that women fare worst on most counts; nearly all women (91%) claim to feel "bad or very bad" in comparison to only two thirds of men; women go even further by confessing to feeling over-emotional and weak when they have a cold.
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Achoo!
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Great photo, brought back memories of those nights in high heels (Painful!) watching co-workers getting drunk and being silly.
I have to say I really don't miss the office party though, except the opportunity to blackmail badly behaving employees the next morning. I was HR Director - you can imagine....
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ValP, Very nice! That looks like a rather *small* dress...
In other news, I've just heard that this Christmas' number one record is likely to be the infinitely dreary "Hallelujah" sung by someone off a talent show.
While I have every respect for Leonard Cohen, I do *not* want to be listening to any his morbidly depressing songs over what is meant to be a joyful period.
Can I ask everyone to buy Terry Wogan's "Little Drummer Boy" which, while not exactly being a bundle of giggles itself, *is* for charity and (unless you're a Wogan-hater) is less likely to make you want to slit your wrists.
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Just because you couldn't get into it, SSC ... !!
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Sid (5):
How do you know I couldn't? It's just not my colour, that's all...
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Dear PM - it is an off day for my Captains Log!
Log comment unnerving - faint - relocates (Last of the Summer) wine
Ah Eddie, Eddie.
Stardate 17 12 2008. Edinburgh. Glasgow?
Where was Star Trek's Scotty meant to be from? So from my new Star Base.
Is it Lawyer confident of "greetings from snowy scotland" or Lawyer condemns "greetings from snowy scotland"?
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Jonnie - I'm sure you made that all up. Either that, or the survey was conducted by an ex frogger with the initials J and G ;o)
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Lawyer condems ;-)
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Speaking as a medical man, I must advise that the wearing of high heels can contribute to the development of a variety of conditions from corns and calluses to hammertoes, arthritis, chronic knee pain, sprained ankles and back problems.
Research has linked high heels to knee osteoarthritis, a painful, degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage surrounding the knee.
I haven't worn high heels since 1995.
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Mrs Eff, bless you!
jonnie, I'm not interested in what protection lawyers use. Not much good against flu, apparently.
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FABULOUS shoes Val!! You are quite the foxy lady aren't you ;-)
Fi x
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I must say the outfit looks very glam, just like the wearer (for those of us lucky enough to have met her).
I didn't know she moved in such exalted circles, though. (Mind you, I can't make out the autographs - Can anyone else?)
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Val, those are seriously spotty shoes. Don't tell Stephen.
But I can't read the famous autographs. Whose are they?
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FrancesO: Gesundheit!
I hope you aren't coming down with flu.
Incidentally, Jonnie, I'll bet the research didn't take into account that when men get 'flu they just go to bed and the world carries on without them, whilst when a woman gets the 'flu they are still expected to man the operational cockpit even though they're at death's door. Oh, and they usually have to get up to make the meals, etc., etc., if my own experiences are anything to go by .....
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Big Sis, yes, I think I've got flu of the eyesight.
;o)
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Ahh, you are too kind! and I'm sorry the hangover induced photo shake made the image less sharp than I had imagined it would be!
The autographs were from The Mighty Boosh - they were appearing at the Armadillo the next evening. I schmoozed them for their autographs for my son and then it seemed a good idea to try and negotiate my daughter on to their VIP Guest List for the Show.
Noel Fielding was extremely gracious about the whole episode and explained sorrowfully to this woman describing herself as "possibly the oldest groupie he'd meet that evening", that the gig was a sellout....
Oh dear yes, and I did ask him if he liked my shoes. :-(
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ValP: You make yourself sound like Joan Collins! You are every bit as glamorous, but much, much, much younger.
Incidentally, was watching a documentary about the inimitable Humph last night and I gather Joan Collins was one of his groupies!!!!
But he apparently was completely unaware of her infatuation. I liked that story.
Now, on a much more mundane note, perhaps somebody on the Blog can help me with a technical point. Our Freeview box has just hit the bumpers because Monty peed on the handset the other day (I told you he is naughty). We've had it for several years, so don't mind replacing, but I've heard about twin tuner Freeview pvrs, which mean you can record from Freeview and watch another channel at the same time. We're not yet ready to buy a new TV so thought this might be a good compromise for the moment. Does anyone know anything about this?
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SSC (5) What is worse is that I caught a snippet of the version that's being released by the X-Factor winner, and it ruins the song. It's all overblown orchestration, over-production, etc. To my mind, the best version is the one by the late Jeff Buckley. I see what you mean about it maybe not being the perfect song for a Christmas number one, but at least it's not Cliff or Slade!
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Big Sis (18) I know exactly what you're talking about. I helped the parents with just such a thing this summer. They're around, and they work. The one I have experience with was bought from T€scos* for about eighty pouns. The nice thing is that the programme guide also works for setting up a recording, so no having to set manual timings, etc. You can record two digital channels whilst watching analogue, or watch one channel while recording another...
*other supermarkets are available
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Yes BigSIs they do exist. I am onto my second. The first allowed you to record two digital channels at once, It also stored up to 30 mins of the current channel which actually is a great thing. The new one allows you to watch one and record a second. So not actually as good and came for the above mentioned supermarket. I find the thing excellent and cheaper than a new TV! Its probably chepaer than trying to get a new remote for your current box!!!
Have you thought of getting a plastic bag to store the remote in ;-)
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Oh Fred, I'm so glad I'm on the right track! Perhaps (and of course you'd best do this off blog) you could let me know which one they got as they're clearly happy with it.
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Okay, guys, perhaps you can post the info on FB?
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I keep scrolling back up to those shoes...
How can anyone spend a whole evening in those things???
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Feefs [whispers] perhaps she downsized into flip flops for some of the evening ;o)
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Actually no flipflops required - I found the shoes incredibly comfortable, because they have straps round the ankle there's no hassle involved in trying to keep them on.
Au contraire, I always fall out of flipflops!
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Re; BigSis -
Apologies for the Flu post - I know from your email you are a little upset with me but as I've said it was tongue in cheek.
The Thomson DTI 6300 is probably the cheapest of the PVR's and available at most supermarkets.
A friend of mine has had one for over a year and very pleased with it. It's built on the same design as the Thomson Sky PVR.
There are others available which are also cheaper - however I'd stay away from them.
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ValP - very glam! I think I may have stayed in the same hotel about this time last year. If I'm right, you do like an arty abode....... ;0)
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ValP - great image and how on earth you could stand in those shoes let alone walk I don't know - but that's just jealousy talking since I could never walk in anything more than a couple of inches high!
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Jonnie, I am NOT upset with you! I know you were teasing (sadly, you don't spot it when others do it to you ;o))
Thanks for the tip about the PVR. I've been surfing to see what there is - the reviews are all very confusing. I'll look at the one you mention, but have also been slightly seduced by Humax, but they are rather pricey. I've reserved one, and also a Goodmans, but the more I delve the less reliable they look, so I'll follow up your suggestion and 'report back'!
xx
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Mmmm - I have no sense of humour ;-(
I'd go for the Humax - though not personally used it. They seem to have good reviews.
Unless it's really urgent, there will be some good offers after Christmas.
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Just spotted the model you mention at under 90 quid, Jonnie - though it's via the internet.
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I wish I could get a model for under 90 quid!
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UtT - it sure was a swanky hotel, I'd quite forgotten how these things can be, as it's so long since I used to go to Managers' Conferences and stay anywhere expensive in this country.
Lovely hotels abroad seem to be much more affordable don't they - over here the odd overnight stay has to be in a budget place otherwise you feel seriously ripped off. I'd have wept if I'd had to pay for the Junior Suite that was booked for me as a adjunct to attending the Awards. As it was I missed breakfast, so technically they still owe me one......I wonder if they'd mind if I popped in and claimed it when I'm through there on Friday? and made use of the leisure facilities that I missed too?
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ValP, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has problems with flipflops - I find them extremely uncomfortable!
I've another pal who, like you, can stay in heels for hours and hours without feeling the pinch. She has even been known to tend her allotment in them (I kid you not!)
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fifi (24). I just keep imagining how stunning a person who can wear those shoes must look.
Anyone care to join me at the cold shower on the beach?
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There's a shoe menders near me, in which a sign says over the door - Cobblers to the gentry.
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I remember an Undertakers Strap line in Zimbabwe
"We are the last to let you down"
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ValP
Those are seriously fabulous shoes! I have GOT to have a pair.
Tell me, is there any chance, any possibility, however remote, that those in the photograph are a size 5..?
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Stewart M @38
That is great! And, so true...
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Charlie, Somewhere (Its pre digital) I have a photo. If I ever get a spare week or two I'll hunt it out and scan and post to eric.
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Big Sister (35) (but looking 21):
I have a problem with flip-flops too... but with me it's the noise they make.
Suck, slap! Suck, slap! Suck, slap!
Brrrr!
ValP, you've got me wondering which hotel in Glasgow that was. Not that I've a great experience of them, I always managed to get out of going to the Dinners after the conferences I organised around town, even the one beside the aforementioned Armadillo. Your do sounds a lot more glamorous than ones with countless academics pointedly schmoozing and cold-shouldering each other in a precisely defined hierarchy...
Oh yes, and I love your shoes too...
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I'd like a pair of those shoes to ;-)
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too (ahem!)
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SSC - very near Central, starts with R, sounds vaguely Icelandic? - by that I mean it ends with ..sson. Oh, and there was a hierarchy at this one too, don't worry and the 1lifetime achievement special award' went to a lady who produces a vampire magazine!!
Charlie - spot on, 5s they are. I could rent them out then, eh?
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Hm, Val, I note that said hotel has itself won a number of awards!
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ValP@45
You most certainly could, to me.
Better yet, from my perspective, I'd be a buyer. I've got a dress that matches the shoes (from what I see) perfectly.
Please, let me know.
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Hey, maybe we're starting:
e-PMBay..?
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Big Sis (35)
I wish it known that it's definately not me tending my allotment in those shoes!
Hunter Wellies, size 5 for me.
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No, Jo, it wasn't you. The lady in question is French, which may account for the odd attire (or not, as the case may be)
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Big Sis,
How do you know I'm not French??
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Well, you may be French, but the lady in question was not called Jo.
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Point Taken! Sigh! Wouldn't mind being French and a size 10 (I expect) though. I'm a bit more down to earth - back to peeling the spuds..
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Well, Jo, if it's any consolation:
My name is not Jo
I am not French
I don't garden in high heels, preferring wellies or boots (no heels)
I am not size 10.
Oh, and I'll be peeling spuds soon, too ;o)
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BS 54, As froggers, we are all French here.
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Val P! I loved the picture! You go for it girl. What fun. Shoes are divine - I want some!
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Plunk your magic twanger Froggy!
I got shoes, you got shoes,
Everybody's got to have shoes.
But there's only one kind of shoes for me -
Good old Buster Brown shoes!
How many people here have heard that?
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Nice pictures!
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ValP (45):
"the 'lifetime achievement special award' went to a lady who produces a vampire magazine!!"
That's a *long* lifetime!
I wonder if the editor 'puts the magazine to bed' in a long wooden box with soil in the bottom...
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
SSC - well, I think they said she'd been producing it for about 10 years. I could check the programme but it's wrapped up under the tree. It was the only thing I could find to get the autographs on, as I only had silly postage stamp sized evening bag with me, rather than my usual holdall :-)
Btw, the vampire lady was wearing a dress that matched my shoes. I refrained from offering them to her though. Did I say already, they have zips up the back?
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ValP (61):
That's actually quite disappointing. Confounding expectations, yes a good thing obviously, but not to turn up looking like Morticia Addams... I don't know what the world's coming to.
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D McN 57, None, I guess....
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DMcN - nope, sorry, haven't heard that one. Could you hum it?
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