KelvinsRightGlove

Altrincham is v nice, as I just said the gf is from there. Though, it does kind of feel like it is a suburb that could be anywhere in the country. Whether or not that is a bad thing, is personal opinion I guess. It's also a tad odd in that it must one of the very few places in the north with a "Working Man's Conservative Club" right in the middle of town.

Agree to a degree with this and your post above. Though I have a feeling (may be wrong/wishful thinking) that this trend may shift a little again in recent years. I'm not for one minute suggesting we are going to see a string of high street shops collapsing but there is a trend for smaller more individual places cropping up and being successful. I think this is coupled with internet shopping. If you can get everything you can get online, why bother with the high street? Especially in London, where High Streets are often either rammed, or the usual High Street chains are taking up lots of retail space in mega-malls, like the two Westfields at either end of town. I think this leaves a bit of space for independent stores that offer truly unique things a niche to make their own, same for cafes, bars and restaraunts. Obviously, there are still some pretty huge hurdles to leap. Space is at a huge premium. But I really hope there can be a slight (at least) rebalancing of this. As relatively new resident of East London, have to confess I really love a lot of the smaller, quirky stuff you get out this way.

I'm from the 'burbs! Well, Harrow then Ruislip. Neither are cheap! Couldn't afford much round either of them. It's another consideration though, but then I just spend my life commuting

You have issues with your commutes? Never realised (sorry UJ, couldn't resist) It seems to largely depend on where you are I guess. I hear of people paying extraordinary amounts (particularly as a % of their income). But the point about the standard of commuting is largely valid. As I said, infrastructure has been criminally under-prioritised for decades by governments of all persuasions.

My family are from Doncaster. Thank heavens my Mum moved down here with my Dad! That said, was at a cousins wedding up there last week. Never get bored of people complaining about bar prices, getting a large round (7 drinks) and fearing the price only to be asked for £23!! THAT'S BLOODY CHEAP!!! ...I need to leave London really, don't I?

Hadn't checked this for a few days. Someone said something nice about me and I didn't know how to reply. Anyway, cheers Pap you're a star. This thread has gone, well, predictably.

This is the toss up in our house* at the moment. The gf, being from just outside Manchester (well actually Altrincham, Chester but she says MCR) is keen to go up North as it's cheaper. She's a Doctor, will be a GP in a few years so she's sweet. After years of pestering, I'm now a games (well, level) designer. There's the odd bit here and there, but in the main my industry is based here in London. I'm sure I'm not alone in being tied to a City due to the industry they work in. As I keep trying to tell her, we're better off both in work in a more expensive City than me out of work in a cheaper part of the country. Looking out the office window right now, I'm struggling to believe even that last part. I do still love London though. It's a special City, which rivals any in the world. Something needs to give though, it cannot carry on pricing out everyone except the super wealthy whilst travel cost carry on to go through the roof too. Living and commuting is becoming stupidly prohibitive to lower income earners which any City needs. >In b4 "rabble rabble rabble, blame the immigrants". Nah, that's ********. We've chronically ignored infrastructure (homes, schools, hospitals etc) as a nation for years. With or without immigration. *By house, I of course mean tiny little rented flat.

Paul Weller & The Who Sunday night. Love Weller, but have seen him a lot and not really that fussed about The Who. Will probs wait to see what else is on before making any decisions.

He's not the only one! Certainly a ton of potential in that 3, maybe a tad green for a central midfield 3. I'm a big fan of blooding youth, but you need some quality and know how in there. Would also feel a tad lightweight. Reed is tenacious, but there's no destroyer in there. Granted, I reckon Vic will still be there next season. So will fill that hole for now.

V jealous. One of those acts I've always wanted to see but never quite got round too.

Don't see the point in that to be honest. The lad is proven he is good enough for that league, there'd be more sense in it if Derby were promoted. IMO he should be looking for regular Premier League football next year. This actually probably contradicts what I just said about him above, as I don't know how much he'd get here. Depends on who comes in as a replacement for Morgan, I guess.

Would love that. As Smirks says he's a lovely little player, bound to move to the Prem sooner or later. As depressing a thought as it is, it would be a good intermediate move for him if he is looking to get to the top. Often making that leap without a step in the middle can end badly. Much like Clyne has done really. Not convinced it is likely though, as has been discussed previously on this thread we do have a fair few players in that position. Two of which are academy products which the club are keen to progress and push on, I'm not sure how many people they will want to bring in and block their development. It does seem fairly likely we are at least in for Vilhena as well.

FFS will you two keep in yer pants for 5 minutes!

Considered getting a new bike last year when I moved to Leyton. Plans were scuppered when I did a JRod about a week later. Having since seen a few nasty accidents first hand (was recently in a taxi that had a collision with a cyclist, in this case it was definitely a cyclist running a red light), and heard some nasty things from friends/colleagues I have been put off the idea. Another summer of Central Line fun

First look glimpse of the cast released of the weekend, has to say it looks pretty cool. I'm not the biggest follower of the comic book/superhero stuff, but generally enjoy the movies. Even if I am possibly becoming a little bit weary of the amount of films around at the minute, they seem to dominate box offices at the moment. It's got a pretty impressive cast though, Jared Leto, Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jessie Eisenberg, Ben Afleck. That said, often films with too many big names are a disappointment. Also, it is me posting this so has to be said, where dafuq are Harley Quinn's trousers ffs Overall though, looks cool.

NEVER READ THE COMMENTS.

What's with the pap love in? Gross.

I'm sorry dude, but there is quite the difference in the 'something for nothing' between someone on JSA getting £50 p/w (that figure may have changed a bit, but that is what I was living on when I was on it) and getting hundreds of thousands or even millions just because you were lucky enough to be born into a family with wealth. And let's be honest, that is what it is, blind luck. I've spoken before about my experiences of being unemployed and living on benefits, it's really not a picnic. You and I have discussed this before, equality of outcome(EoOu) vs equality of opportunity (EoOp). I'm genuinely interested in how you see inheritance of sums that can change peoples lives as being compatible with equality of opportunity. When we spoke before on this, I mentioned how EoOp only works is society is an even playing field to begin with. If you have people that can do eff all, but are born into wealthy families, with the opportunity to be sent to the best schools, have everything they could ever want and more and then inherit wealth well beyond most peoples means this seems totally at odds with the idea of EoOp. It also totally negates the idea all you need to do is work hard, it's a huge hinderence to social mobility and any equality of opportunity.

Tell me how that reconciles with the people that defend inherited wealth as those that are all about equality of opportunity, and hard work being all that is needed to succeed? How is earning millions simply by being born into a wealthy family and that wealth being transferred to you hard work? And why emphasise dead relatives money, is that a controversial statement? That's exactly what inheritance is.

To clarify, Benteke is obviously a better player. But just saying a purple patch doesn't make you a world beater. Has been very inconsistent for the last two seasons, even without the injury. Definitely talent in there, but I'm unsure if he's worth the risk at the price he'll command.

Conor Wickham anyone?

Nah but pap, if these people just work harder they'll be alright. Which is why we should also make it so that you can get loads of money from a dead relative for no reason. These two things absolutely go hand in hand and are in no way contradictory. Obviously. In the same way my grandad paying taxes makes me more entitled to not live in poverty 'cause I was born on this rock and not another. All about equality of opportunity, innit.

I knew you 2 would get me

Pretty gutted really. Along with Rickie has been my favourite Saints player these last few years. Have always maintained he is our best player. Whoever gets him will be better for his presence, I really don't think he'd be out of place in any squad. Seriously talented player, will leave an absolutely massive hole to fill. As said above though, he has been great for us and barring one little wobble (which in fairness to him he responded to fantastically) a real pro. He deserves to play at the top level and win things.