Xela

Me too. I watched the opening ceremony again and was filled with a massive sense of pride. Even when it started a few weeks, I was, not cynical, just not bothered with it... however within a day or two I was hooked! I regret not trying for tickets now!

I think it should be kept as an athletics stadium... a truly world class one. Although as LondonLax alludes to, I'm not sure how much it would cost to upkeep without a permanent tenant?

When they panned across the athletes at the stadium there was a very attractive girl in the British team... looked mixed race (caucasian/far eastern). Need to do a bit of research

Just to give an update, now lost 11.5lbs in 6 weeks. Not as fast as I'd have liked but had a stag weekend and a few heavy nights in there. I can fit into work shirts that I couldn't do the buttons up on 4 weeks ago and I need to buy some new trousers as my current pairs are too baggy. Overall, reasonably pleased. Got to hit in hard for the next 3 weeks now before a holiday to Egypt

Of course it is. If you're an athlete though then nothing compares to gold. You take the glory and you are the best if you win gold. Silver and bronze are for runners up. The fact remains that nobody remembers second and third... Anyway, sad that it's the last day of the Olympics. The only thing keeping me going is the fact that football gets going again next weekend. I just can't seem to get excited about the forthcoming football season :-(

Another thing, I'm surprised given the size of the country that India are practically non existent in the Olympics. I'd have thought given the vast size of the country and the rise of them as a force economically, like China, that we would see a lot more medals from them.

What a fantastic day yesterday was for the Olympics. I ended up being glued to the TV most of the day so nothing constructive got done! Delighted for Mo... what a race! Plus I don't understand the hate for Tom Daley. Really delighted for him especially as he has been through a very tough year. The difference in emotions in the picture above is that the Chinese diver was probably favourite for gold, while I'm sure Daley was an outsider for a medal. Its nice to see such emotion.

Saw hundreds of cyclists when driving through the Surrey countryside yesterday (was trying to avoid parts of the M25). Majority were fine and abiding by the highway code.. there are always a few that jump the red lights though. I think I might have been close to the Olympic Time Trial course so a lot of people are cycling it.

I feel your pain. I've been putting up with that shit as a user and support for years now. My company is in the middle of migrating to Outlook. I've never been so happy rolling out a Microsoft product. It's like IBM wanted to share their pain with the world. Still, you think it's terrible now, it could be worse, you could have to navigate the impenetrable maze that is Lotus Domino. It makes me want to punch myself in the balls. Wow, people still use Lotus Notes? Some massive companies still use it. HSBC use it globally (migrated from Outlook about 7 years ago) and Goodyear also use it.

How can you rate a 13yo boy? He could be another Sonny Pike or Cherno Samba

I don't disagree... Singapore seems almost crime free to me! I'm sure its not, but around the main business/tourist areas I don't think I have ever felt safer! Saying that I feel a lot safer in Asia then I do in Europe.

Safer, much much safer. Compared to what?

Haha! ****! Do I love Asia! I'm planning on a move to Hong Kong (or possibly Singapore) at some point. Both great cities but prefer HK out of the two. More vibrant (and cheaper!). Favourite Asian city is Bangkok, but could never live there. Would be dead in 6 months! Same here, mate - I love Bangkok, but couldn't live there for that exact reason...it would finish me in no time! Although, the only reason why I'm considering Singapore is because of its closer proximity to Thailand. I reckon flying there regularly on weekends is more than doable! Have you considered Kuala Lumpur? No place has a better airport hub to get around SE Asia. Plus its generally a lot cheaper than Singapore to live.

Haha! ****! Do I love Asia! I'm planning on a move to Hong Kong (or possibly Singapore) at some point. Both great cities but prefer HK out of the two. More vibrant (and cheaper!). Favourite Asian city is Bangkok, but could never live there. Would be dead in 6 months!

Watched it last night at the Big Screen in Birmingham. First of all the screen was impressive... only criticism was that it was 500 degrees in there! Another bonus was that everyone in the audience behaved themselves! I didn't hear a single beep or see a lighted mobile screen for the whole near 3 hours I was in there. Film itself was very impressive... yeah, it had flaws but overall I was delighted with it. Cracking end to a fantastic trilogy.

Chinese lady in our office wearing short shorts and boots! Man alive! Took me back to that hazy night in a Hong Kong hostess bar!

Watched Battle Royale on Friday and Training Day last night. Both good films. Washington is outstanding in Training Day

How have they conned people? People are entitled to have 10-15-20-25 year mortgages. They can choose what they want. Many people choose the longer term initially as that is all they can afford. I will be looking at a 35 year mortgage when I buy a property later this year. As my career progresses and I can afford higher payments it will reduce.

Spot on! I couldn't have put it better Chindie. The above situation is the main reason I don't go to the cinema much anymore. As you say, people seem unable to leave there phones alone for 2-3 hours while they watch a film. I used to go 2-3 times a week to the cinema back in the early-mid 90's when mobiles where more of a luxury and very few people had them (I think I had my first in 97). I think I have only been to the cinema about 5 times in the last 5 years and every time I have got wound up by people texting, taking and making calls and acting like arseholes! That being said, i'm off to see TDKR tomorrow.. my first venture to the cinema since The Inbetweeners!

I think it was confirmed on the front page of every British newspaper this morning :-(

Not a lot this weekend... last night I just relaxed and priced up flights to Asia for later in the year. Today... just got back from a good gym session, then off out later for a curry (my weekly treat!) and tomorrow is just gym and relax. Fairly quiet and boring to be honest but got a stag do in Brighton in a fortnight so will have a few beers then.

I agree and I drive a beamer! Its a vicious circle though... driving a beamer no-one lets you out of junctions etc so you are forced a drive like a tool! I went through a spell a few years back when i was driving 3 cars at and its amazing how others drivers attitudes change depending on what you drive. In the VW and Merc they were as nice as pie, in the Beamer they aggressive towards me!

I live in a decent sized one bed flat in Four Oaks. Its an all electric flat and it averages out at about £90-£100pm. It has its peaks and troughs and my DD goes up in the summer (to compensate for battering the heating in the winter) but goes down in the winter as I barely heat the place in the summer. Water is a flat rate charge at about £350 per year from South Staffs (payable in 10 instalments). Not sure whether it would be cheaper on a meter?

Cheers. Cut out bread, potatoes, pasta and rice as well. Just basically eating chicken, turkey, fish, fruit, salad and veg. I was 14st 6 at the start. Aiming to get to 12st (ish). To think I weighed 9st 6 when i was 23! Although that was practically anorexic!

Well i've just joined a new gym... Lichfield Virgin Active (the old Esporta). Its very nice.. well, should be at the price! Main aim is to shed as much weight as possible (too many pizzas, currys and beers in the last couple of years). Been going two weeks and lost 6.2lbs. Mainly cardio combined with eating much healthier. Quite pleased so far. My aim is to lose 35lbs my November 17th (date I fly to Asia for 3 week adventure)