lipschitz

It appears to be the new thing, begging. Probably pays better than minimum wage too! Although it is still illegal and I wonder why the police don't move them on.

Returned to Sheffield to visit friends this week and can't believe the amount of beggars on the streets of the city centre! Most have dogs to tug at the heartstrings which is a cheap trick and borders on animal cruelty as these animals have no say as to who their owners are. The best thing I saw was a 'homeless' guy selling the big issue while looking intently at his touchscreen phone which looked better than the one I own! If someone is generous enough to give some spare change would it be better spent on food or saved until you have enough money for a top up? Does anyone know if these people are genuine or not?

How about taking the 4 bn needed in tax cuts from the foreign aid budget? We still give 12 bn a year in foreign aid even though the MP' s tell us we need austerity measures.

I think the majority of drivers these days have a different highway code to the one I read when I was learning to drive. Under the section in theirs where it shows who has the right of way in certain situations there is a page with a mirror on it!

I think feeling lonely is all about the kind of person you are. I now live alone after being in a similar situation to Bill Plant in post number 7. I love it! I have the freedom to do what I want, when I want with no hassle or complaints. Luckily we never had kids so I'm now free of my horrible ex. I don't feel lonely, I feel free. I now only need to work part-time, I get out and about a lot and have made new friends in the area I moved to. I run and train outside most days regardless of the weather. It's healthier and cheaper than being stuck in a gym. The fresh air is great and you do meet some interesting people along the way. I'm always up for a conversation and I think that outlook makes it easy to meet and chat to people. As for relationships....if you are with the a good person then that is great. If you are not then I say it is better to get out and deal with the aftermath rather than be unhappy and have that noticed by the ones around you. If you are on your own, so what? You do not have to be part of a couple to be happy or normal.

I have a Subaru Legacy AWD and I fit winter tyres to it. Does that make me a useless driver or someone that simply uses what is available to improve your chances of driving safely in adverse weather conditions? I chose the car because they are reliable and being a saloon it was cheaper as most people want the estate version or an Impreza. I can't see a problem with wanting a little peace of mind through the winter months. If these types of tyre are so useless, why do other European countries make them compulsory through the winter? Why do tyre companies make them and test them? Some people on here have a strange attitude to certain aspects of modern technology and yet are posting 'on't internet' about it. There seems to be a lot of d*** waving and 'tha dunt need that fancy stuff' attitude going on. It is quite funny to read though. I do sometimes wonder though that if my stopping distance is improved by these tyres, what about the guy behind me? Do I brace for impact everytime I slow down?

Does anyone remember spitting image? They lampooned everyone. Religious leaders of the time, politicians, royals. It was all taken in fun. Freedom of speech is OK when a mad muslim cleric is spouting hatred on the street but if it was a mad christian cleric doing the same, I bet he would be removed from the street by the police very quickly. If someone had taken Abu Hamza's 'sermons' in Finsbury park, changed the message to be anti-muslim not anti-west, how long would they have lasted saying the same things in public? Not long, I imagine, before being up on racist charges.

As some people have said on here, it is will power and exercise that keep the weight off. You need to be able to control portion sizes and get off your backside and exercise regularly. I also watched a program called secret eaters. One woman on there was saying how she ate lots of fruit and veg and didn't over indulge and could not understand why she put weight on. Then the cameras followed her around and she barely touched fruit and veg, drank copious amounts of alcohol and had almost a full days calories in one meal. She was clearly delusional about what she ate. People also need to be honest about what they eat. Not to others, but to themselves.

Why work? So that I can drive the car I want, go on the foreign holidays I want and afford the things I want to buy. I don't want much in this life, I don't buy lots of the latest tech gadgets or swap furniture/decorations because I want a colour change. I like the simple things in life. I have a decent car not a new one every three years. I do like a foreign holiday a couple of times a year. Other than that I get my enjoyment in life from living an active life, outdoors a lot. If people want to live their life on benefits and get the same pension as me, I really don't care. My life has been lived how I wanted it to be and that is all that matters to me. That's why I work.

I managed to separate amicably with my ex even though she turned into a horrible person towards the end. Marriage is OK if you find the right person. If you find that the person you married is not the one for you then I see no reason to remain in a situation that doesn't make you happy. There should be no stigma involved in divorce. Also, there should be no problem if you don't want to be married. It isn't necessary at all.

So sorry to hear of the situation you are in, it must feel horrible. Just a few things for you to consider. Could you get a computer, desktop or laptop which has Skype on there? That opens up the possibility of chatting to your children more often. I know it's not face to face but it's better than 4 times a year. A weekly or bi-weekly update of their lives would lift your mood surely. You say you can't walk or stand for long. Could you get a mobility scooter? Good quality, good battery and you could be off out more often to do the things others suggest. A scooter would open up more travel opportunities immediately. Even to sit in a local park and enjoy the weather and people watch a while. As for your partner, I know it's hard to let someone go but if they are a negative factor in your life, it's better to make the break for sure. Best of luck for you and your future and I hope things start to look up for you.

The main thing I took from this program was that it is mainly the companies employing immigrants at minimum wage that are to blame. They employ skilled immigrants for minimum wage when they should pay more. Skilled English people would expect more money for the training and skills they have acquired whereas immigrants are earning so much more than in their native country. Also, how can a landlord be allowed to have 19 people living in one house? Isn't that illegal? This is another reason why immigrants can take minimum wage jobs in areas with high rents.

My ex wanted me to do just one job once...she nagged me she wanted decking in the back garden.....it was an honest mistake.....

Simple...but yes...genius.

The 70s the last PURE decade? Two words...Jimmy Saville.

She has always been outspoken so I'm surprised she didn't say anything at the time, or better yet, clump the old perv in the vitals!

Can't you just buy more than one bag...or are they a limited purchase like aspirin and paracetamol?

I must admit I didn't know who Katie Hopkins was until I did a search for her. Not sure of her views or opinions but she writes for the Sun? Remember what Jasper Carrott had to say about the Sun?

Why should these organisations struggle to help? The leader of the country cocks things up then lets charities around the world pick up the pieces, something wrong somewhere.

If it's all true, which it seems to be, I hope the dirty old git rots in jail till the day he kicks the bucket. Same with all these famous kiddy fiddlers.

When the country is finally on it's knees and famine is rife who will be expected to give 'just £3 a month' to stop these poor people from starving? The very people who Mugabe kicked out in the first place. Will other African countries contribute aid to Zimbabwe when it's struggling?

There are many intelligent, articulate people living on benefits due to redundancies and companies closing over the last few years. It really is a shame that film companies never approach people like that to appear on programmes which simply show how life is on benefits without all the shouting, swearing and booze swilling that makes people look bad. In the interests of balance, someone should make a programme with these people. I know it wouldn't be as interesting or controversial but it would at least show the viewing public that not all benefits claimants are the ignorant ranting scum ususally seen on tv. In the past when I interviewed people for jobs I met many well qualified, intelligent people ho simply couldn't get a job because of the other well qualified, intelligent people applying for all the same jobs. It really is a shame that all claimants are tarred with the same brush.

I went a bit off topic in my post as I get a bee in my bonnet about gyms. Can't you just pay the month, use the gym till your last day then move to the cheaper one if that's what you feel you need to do?

I've been doing these kind of calisthenic/gymnastic exercises since I was 11 years old and I can do just 2 one arm pull-ups. So I am still trying to improve at the age of 45!! Maybe I should have included doing 30 dead hang pull-ups without letting go of the bar. The overhead bar is the only piece of equipment really needed, everything else you find in a gym is surplus to requirements. Ditch the gym, get fit, save pounds and never be locked into a contract. ---------- Post added 16-06-2014 at 09:23 ---------- Running doesn't wreck the knees. It keeps them strong and able to cope with the tasks in everyday life.

This is why I never use a gym. The only pounds you will shed are from your bank account. You have a body, use it. Until you can do one arm push-ups and pull-ups, pistol squats and hand stand push-ups, you don't need a gym or machines to workout with. Get outside and go for a run. There is a belief now that the only way to get into shape is to become a slave to the gym. Rubbish!