Nick Deverill

I'll go further, it'll have no effect, full stop. Either they bought the programme or made it, but with rights for overseas being a very saleable commodity, they cannot afford to give the programme away for free. I did watch it, and for me, the bit that was delightful was the way Tom's eyes lit up when he was with his boyfriend. No mistaking it, they are in love and it was cute!

There are only two extremes of joy in a human, happiness and sadness. All of the other emotions fall somewhere inbetween. Bit like sexuality really (Kinsey scale and all that). So you'd have to be pushing it to indulge in plagiarism with a tale of a sad teenager as in real life, there are a fair few. One of these days, I'll manage to finish my deaf teenager story, but as the estimated world population is 7.4 billion, the estimated deaf population is 70 million, the number of teenagers among them may be quite a few! Indeed, I've got my suspicions that the number given for the deaf population is on the low side. I rather doubt I'm counted, and posts have better hearing than I do... So I'd not worry too much about plagiarism,

I have dutifully done a search, but it appears Excelsior by David Clarke doesn't have a thread. Bit odd but there you go... Anyway, my reason for drawing attention to it is use of a made up word which both describes the article a treat, and fits the idea of a parallel universe a treat. I'll not say what the common word is, as the story makes the meaning clear, and I'll just say, the word is 'jumpshade'. So you'll have to read the story if you don't know what it is. For some curious reason, the word came to me a couple of days ago, but it's taken me until now to work out where I saw it.

"Just the place for a Snark!" the Bellman cried, As he landed his crew with care; Supporting each man on the top of the tide By a finger entwined in his hair. First verse of the Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll And in a later verse... "'But oh, beamish nephew, beware of the day, If your Snark be a Boojum! For then You will softly and suddenly vanish away, And never be met with again!' So do please be careful!

And that of course was his ambition. This time wasn't going to be on, but next? PS Nigel - I added one comma and an 'S' to your sayings, I'm pretty sure doing so only clarified your comments

Boris often plays the fool, but in reality, he's sharper than that. A very interesting appointment, I think I see where Theresa is going with it as he'll have to become both serious and sensible. If he does, well and good, if not, she's got grounds for sacking him, and if sacked for being a blundering fool, that will be him out of the political picture for a bit. Have to see how long he lasts now.

I'll add to the prologue camp, the story reads to me like an introduction to a tale. One I'd like to read too.

I must admit, I read the introduction, then the prologue, and then chapter one and wondered if I'd have to leave it till the tale was finished and read it all together. It certainly looks complicated. However, I read chapter two this morning and no problems so far - except I'm now itching for chapter three.

I'm guessing the prosecutor was engaged in throwing the book against him. I guess as the story is presented there is a point, but in my mind with any offence the real test is, is there a victim? If there isn't, the talk about upholding morale is just that, talk. In any event, the offence could be applied whatever the sexuality as the article claims. Although I'd not be surprised if no homosexual has ever been successfully prosecuted for it. Interesting...

Bit late to spot this but congratulations. A long and happy life together.

Right to the poison, but the person was Socrates. Turning to the original subject, I think the YA market is better served these days. Although you might criticise it, the equivalents of the Harry Potter books do not really exist in bulk forty or more years ago. The Biggles series is meant to cover the YA audience and although I read them, they can't hold a candle to Harry Potters. The Swallows and Amazon series by Arthur Ransome though is the one that bucks the trend. "We didn't mean to go to sea" is one of those books that in my opinion everyone should have read. Mind you, by the time I actually was a teenager, I'd read all of that and was reading stuff like Robert Heinlein. I was a very precocious reader.

Piano is a street piano I think. See http://www.streetpianos.com/

Bruin - I've been thinking about this and I think the reason is, you start the story in a minimalistic manner and effectively are setting the scene. Good short films often start this way as there is no time for detail and thus everything is pertinent. I'm not describing myself well but hopefully you can see what I'm getting at.

That audience reaction appals me. While there are some worthwhile tales on Nifty, a heck of a lot of it is just accounts of mechanical sex with very second rate justifications. Anything worthwhile generally finds a much better home - like here.

Kermit is making mats for Morgan three wheelers... Bit of beer, much nicer than politics!

Yes, I can see a film too. Mostly with reduced colour, but perhaps with a bit more when Hal is thinking back about Jan.

I've now read it, and other than saying, so should you, I can't add much in the clear to what Nigel has said as virtually every remark I could make could be construed as a spoiler. So if you've read it, click here

Whoops. Hat, coat, door...

The Eagle is over the top for me. I've not driven a E type, but the stopping ability of many cars of that era is let down by the suspension, and with that sorted, the next weakest link is often the rubber. The brakes are quite often ok in themselves, but are not up to repeated use and will fade. But if you use the speed of an E type, and get it flat out - and then plant the brakes, I think fade can set in before it has come to a halt! Mind you, the E type holds the sort of record that would have the driver needing a change of underwear... The longest skidmarks recorded on a public road were 290 m (950 ft) long and were left by a Jaguar car involved in an accident on the M1 near Luton, Bedfordshire, UK, on 30 June 1960. Evidence given in the subsequent High Court case Hurlock v. Inglis et al. indicated a speed "in excess of 100 mph before the application of the brakes". From The Guinness Book of Records. That though is by the by, the story is excellent and makes one impatient for the next instalment.

No-one in the UK ought to not know of the Hillsborough disaster, but for those overseas who are unaware of the significance of the event are recommended to explore the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20782891 If it is blocked to non UK residents, use a UK based proxy. To read the very short story, click on the spoiler tab.

Button is a button here on the desk PC which uses Firefox. It is however on Vista if that makes any difference.

As a rule for me, going via Word will really mess things up. So I go via Notepad++ (freeware) as it gives quite a few useful advantages, and handles large files too.

I agree... Whoops, that's a me too, too. And in forums, unless I have something to really add, I tend to keep quiet.

Certainly needs the theme from "The Twilight Zone" playing in the background. One to watch out for, for sure. And cue the spooky music...

I have only one comment - where's the rest? Nick who is hiding under the blankets...