Search found 44 matches

by Richard Adams
Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:45 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Thursday 7th March 2013 (Series 68, Prelim 4)
Replies: 2
Views: 813

Re: Thursday 7th March 2013 (Series 68, Prelim 4)

Thank you, James, very good
What's a coulter, please?
by Richard Adams
Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:53 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Dictionary Engineer
Replies: 3
Views: 1629

Dictionary Engineer

What does Pete Whitelock do?
by Richard Adams
Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:04 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: B'day Championship Spoilers For Wednesday February 6th 2013
Replies: 48
Views: 11786

Re: B'day Championship Spoilers For Wednesday February 6th 2

AltGr does the business all right when it comes to acute accents. Thank you. Anyone know how to do a grave accent (the other way around)? Using ASCII codes both (and other foreign characters) are easy, hold down Alt and type either 130 or 138 for e-accents, but this method is problematic on laptops ...
by Richard Adams
Wed Feb 06, 2013 9:09 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: B'day Championship Spoilers For Wednesday February 6th 2013
Replies: 48
Views: 11786

Re: B'day Championship Spoilers For Wednesday February 6th 2

This championship is just top stuff. Wonderful entertainment. Thank you Mr Team and all the players. What is the rationale behind allowing 'soigne' or 'soignee' but disallowing 'soignees', when all three are valid French words? Would 'fiance' be allowed in all four forms (-e, -es, -ee and -ees) or j...
by Richard Adams
Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:34 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Poppies
Replies: 16
Views: 3175

Re: Poppies

I hope the poppy is, for most purposes, redundant. It's not a bad idea if people on TV wear one; it reminds us that this is the time of year to chip in to the Haig Fund, which I feel we all should. They gave their tomorrows that we might enjoy our todays, etc. I was born in 1963 and most of my gener...
by Richard Adams
Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:47 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Derren Brown - The Events
Replies: 584
Views: 70729

Re: Derren Brown - The Events

ETA actually, here's an interesting discussion though. Let's say everything happened as we saw it, but actually he really did give him a loaded gun. Stephen Fry is shot dead. Does our hero get charged with murder, or does Derren? What happens if, for example, in a play or TV shoot, somebody swaps t...
by Richard Adams
Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:25 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1615
Views: 631120

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

What's the scam that I'm missing? After charming one of the company's Fraud Departments it turns out it's a cashback scam. The plot thickens. After the arrival of two more (ffs) I rang the respective companies, the first of which said they don't do cashback deals. Back to square one then. On the pl...
by Richard Adams
Fri Jul 29, 2011 4:53 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Hangman
Replies: 14
Views: 3673

Re: Hangman

Olympic seems not to be a legitimate word
by Richard Adams
Mon May 09, 2011 9:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Topical
Replies: 90
Views: 8961

Re: Topical

It's as if a death sentence had been passed by Presidential decree, which the US Seals proceeded to carry out. Not a power I knew today's Presidents still wielded. Shades of the Wild West, perhaps - wanted, dead or alive. I'm not sure what the rules of engagement were under that system, whether the...
by Richard Adams
Sat May 07, 2011 3:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Topical
Replies: 90
Views: 8961

Re: Topical

It's as if a death sentence had been passed by Presidential decree, which the US Seals proceeded to carry out. Not a power I knew today's Presidents still wielded. Shades of the Wild West, perhaps - wanted, dead or alive. I'm not sure what the rules of engagement were under that system, whether the ...
by Richard Adams
Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:02 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: AV: Yes or No?
Replies: 277
Views: 50265

Re: AV: Yes or No?

Are any of you yes voters swayed by Danny Finkelstein's principal objection to AV, which is that 'the system gives my fourth preference the same weight as someone else’s first preference'? I believe AV accounts for Ed Miliband having beaten his brother, despite having been nowhere in the initial rou...
by Richard Adams
Thu Dec 23, 2010 4:45 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown !Gotcha!
Replies: 22
Views: 5146

Re: Countdown !Gotcha!

Just watched it. Really excellent. Thanks very much, Tracey.

Some very good acting - and an awful lot of work must have gone into it. Amongst other nuggets, Richard Stilgoe was well prepared to come up with (but not quite say) gnomeshit.

Great stuff.
by Richard Adams
Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Heads-up to anyone who uses the same password everywhere
Replies: 65
Views: 7748

Re: Heads-up to anyone who uses the same password everywhere

Richard is still an admin on the site so Derek is definitely complicit in this now if he wasn't before. Is he really? If so, then I've run out of things to say in Derek's defence. There are some interesting letters in today's Times: one quotes '36 Rules for the Conduct of Life' written in 1740 and ...
by Richard Adams
Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:58 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Heads-up to anyone who uses the same password everywhere
Replies: 65
Views: 7748

Re: Heads-up to anyone who uses the same password everywhere

Yes, it is, for the reasons Lesley states above - unless, of course, Derek knew (or ought reasonably to have known) that RB wasn't to be trusted.
by Richard Adams
Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:03 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Heads-up to anyone who uses the same password everywhere
Replies: 65
Views: 7748

Re: Heads-up to anyone who uses the same password everywhere

Surely everyone trusted with a key to this particular door, which had deliberately been left open by RB, has a duty either to close it or to justify their actions?
by Richard Adams
Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:35 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Trade Secrets
Replies: 155
Views: 42840

Re: Trade Secrets

Juvenile? That's another pan of sausages altogether.

Lesley's grandson and granddaughter were both adult and consenting.
by Richard Adams
Mon Nov 29, 2010 6:46 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What the hell?
Replies: 175
Views: 24854

Re: What the hell?

I haven't seen the contents of the Sanctum, and have no idea what it contains beyond hints from others' postings. So I can't comment on what individuals have said there. But to me, it makes perfect sense for it to be there, and I do not find its existence objectionable. When I first started reading ...
by Richard Adams
Mon Nov 29, 2010 6:23 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Trade Secrets
Replies: 155
Views: 42840

Re: Trade Secrets

As far as I can tell, this isn't right. Incest still exists in Scotland: in this country, 'sex with an adult relative' is the new name for this offence, which is contrary to s.64 Sexual Offences Act 2003. In neither case is impotence, castration, lack of fertility etc a valid defence. Sorry, Granny....
by Richard Adams
Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:11 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Help with shipping contract clause
Replies: 12
Views: 2002

Re: Help with shipping contract clause

I agree with Jim, and certainly in this country if a lawyer gives an estimate, the lawyer is bound by that estimate, unless an alteration to it is agreed between both parties along the way But does this apply to Canadian shipping contracts? This is probably a matter of Canadian law (the contract its...
by Richard Adams
Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:09 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: UK Citizenship Test
Replies: 83
Views: 8116

Re: UK Citizenship Test

I've just received an odd letter from the Home Secretary, via my MP. Alan Johnson says that genuine test questions are not in the public domain, and that he suspects that 'www.ukcitizenship.co.uk' is an unofficial website. This makes sense, but his statement 'my officials have tried to access this w...
by Richard Adams
Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:35 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Thank you Rosemary for the succinct description of this - 'an over-reaction to extreme provocation'. A caller to 'Any Answers' today was thinking along similar lines and speaking of PTSD, citing crimes committed by soldiers returning from theatre; what else should you expect when people's worlds cha...
by Richard Adams
Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:49 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Thursday December 17th 2009
Replies: 118
Views: 11924

Re: Spoilers For Thursday December 17th 2009

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Richard Adams wrote: when Steve buzzed after 26 seconds
Who?
I have no idea. Apologies. Was slightly drunk and v excited.
by Richard Adams
Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Thursday December 17th 2009
Replies: 118
Views: 11924

Re: Spoilers For Thursday December 17th 2009

Jeff's splutter, and the look on his face, when Steve buzzed after 26 seconds, said it all far better than I can.

That was wonderful to watch. Many thanks to Chris and Innis.
by Richard Adams
Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Defending you property
Replies: 125
Views: 12280

Re: Defending you property

Charlie's view is one of few I've seen defending the manner in which this affair has been handled. Most comments seem similar to James's. Interestingly my wife seems more on James's side than I would have expected her to be, thinking that the law of the jungle in this instance is preferable to the l...
by Richard Adams
Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:38 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Tuesday December 15th 2009
Replies: 57
Views: 7422

Re: Spoilers For Tuesday December 15th 2009

Rory McGrath is good cartoonist and linguist, with a quick brain and no doubt many other talents. I'm sure he's a popular and sensible choice for DC. But he's never appealed much to me, and he really blotted his copy-book with his clumsy 'Father Christmas doesn't exist' references today. I'm probabl...
by Richard Adams
Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:49 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Friday December 11th 2009
Replies: 39
Views: 5887

Re: Spoilers For Friday December 11th 2009

Another alternative to 3rd nmbers: The target divides by 6 to give 29, so 5 + 6 + 8 + 10 = 29, x 6 = 174. Could those from here who attended please tell me, other than Apterites, was there anyone - anyone at all - in the audience who hadn't retired? In an admittedly hypocritical attempt to try to fo...
by Richard Adams
Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:13 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Artificial Sweeteners - Good or Bad?
Replies: 56
Views: 4973

Re: Guilty Pleasures

Most lunchtimes I enjoy a cold 500ml bottle of Diet Coke, and I keep a small stock in the office fridge. I don't feel particularly guilty about this, although judging by some of the comments made (by colleagues and also my own children) about how bad they think it is for me, perhaps I should. But ar...
by Richard Adams
Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:08 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoiler for Friday November 27th 2009
Replies: 57
Views: 4652

Re: Spoiler for Friday November 27th 2009

As a kid I always dodged fairs because the lads riding the Waltzer were scary
by Richard Adams
Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:03 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: 50-word stories
Replies: 18
Views: 2039

Re: 50-word stories

*BANG* “Shit.” Run. Wrong way. Scrabble, stop. Back. QUICK Full pelt. Into the rain. Pavement's slippery. Round the corner, ricochet off the jogger. Keep going. Luckily it's crowded. Soon lose them with a bit of luck. Get away from those wretched kids and their snappers. Dogs hate November 5th.
by Richard Adams
Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Tell us something surprising about yourself
Replies: 64
Views: 7275

Re: Tell us something surprising about yourself

I didn't write Watership Down
by Richard Adams
Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:48 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football-haters Thread
Replies: 112
Views: 10440

Re: The C4C Football-haters Thread

This game can be beautiful. Wrong topic. Harsh, Phil. What would you prefer to see in this thread other than reasons to hate football? OK I embellished mine, but purely for contrast. But I've just read this, which says it much better. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/dominic_laws...
by Richard Adams
Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:04 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football-haters Thread
Replies: 112
Views: 10440

Re: The C4C Football-haters Thread

This game can be beautiful. My best man is devoted to Rotherham FC and took me to see them play Plymouth. His team scored a brilliant goal, from goalie to the centre, one-bounce and on to the left winger, one-bounce to an instinctive left-footed half-volley taken shoulder-high across the goal-mouth ...
by Richard Adams
Sun Nov 22, 2009 4:28 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Children in Need
Replies: 11
Views: 1967

Re: Children in Need

Phil Reynolds wrote:Update: there's an HD version here that includes all the end credits and shit, and a look at the making of it here.
Thanks very much indeed, Phil. A wonderful bit of indulgence

Add Mrs Honeyman to the list
by Richard Adams
Sun Nov 22, 2009 4:13 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: UK Citizenship Test
Replies: 83
Views: 8116

Re: UK Citizenship Test

This test is an embarrassment, and that something important could turn upon its results a disgrace. Thank you for highlighting it. Since it would seem that it is not possible to consult my MP over a dispute regarding employment, I think I'll ask him what he thinks about this nonsense having any part...
by Richard Adams
Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:56 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Official Series 61 Finals Spoilers
Replies: 95
Views: 9476

Re: Official Series 61 Finals Spoilers

At one point during the finals, filming was delayed as one of the finalists appeared to be missing. So Jeff sent his dad, who had turned up to watch, out to look for him. A few minutes later Jeff's dad reappeared. "Well?", said Jeff. Jeff's dad looked up sheepishly, and gave his reply . ....
by Richard Adams
Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:54 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Which languages do you know?
Replies: 65
Views: 7570

Re: Which languages do you know?

... it really does explain why English people are so crap at other languages. The way languages are taught in Germany, for example... It seems to me that as a nation we lack incentive. The perception seems to be, why bother to learn a foreign language? What's going on in foreign that's of interest ...
by Richard Adams
Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:02 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What gets your goat(down)?
Replies: 148
Views: 11519

Re: What gets your goat(down)?

I've had cars overtake me then, when they see a queue in front, they pull as far left as they can go before stopping, restricting me from continuing to cycle on the left hand side of the road. This either a) makes cyclists weave in and out of the traffic to Robinson's delight or b) continue past (p...
by Richard Adams
Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:55 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Sandwich/Sandwiches
Replies: 195
Views: 15413

Re: Sandwich/Sandwiches

I use the unvoiced ending, but it looks like I'm the only one here who pronounces the D. I was going to suggest that it's because, for most of my life, I've lived not far from the town of Sandwich and it sounds daft to pronounce its name any other way, but Sue's not far from there either so now I'm...
by Richard Adams
Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:04 pm
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Friday 23 October. Series 61, Prelim 70
Replies: 10
Views: 2244

Re: Friday 23 October. Series 61, Prelim 70

Round 5: 3, 10, 8, 1, 100, 50. Target: 735. RR: 735. 8-1=7x(100+(10/ 2 )) (10) Unless, I'm not mistaken, Allan, there is no 2 in the selection, or there is something wrong with the working out. I think that James is not not mistaken (apart from about negatives), and that this should probably read: ...
by Richard Adams
Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:36 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Favourite non-apterous online games
Replies: 65
Views: 3671

Re: Favourite non-apterous online games

I couldn't tell you at all Gev, no. Too long ago to remember. As you've said before the scoring system isn't very well thought out - for my 201m score, the value of the final bell would be hugely different if I'd got all the birds than it would be if I had got none (not to mention the difference in...
by Richard Adams
Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:27 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Who Gets Your Vote?
Replies: 122
Views: 10481

Re: Who Gets Your Vote?

Some of their non-immigration policies are quite decent though. Examples please! Crime and Justice: - Restore capital punishment for paedophiles, terrorists and murderers as an option for judges in cases where their guilt is proven beyond dispute (such as with DNA or other compelling evidence). Ple...
by Richard Adams
Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:48 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Tuesday October 20th 2009
Replies: 63
Views: 4948

Re: Spoilers For Tuesday October 20th 2009

James Robinson wrote:
Kirk Bevins wrote:
James Robinson wrote: Would you seriously consider me if I did that :!: :?:
Yes he would. Go fill out that name-changing application form now.
Does anyone know how much it costs to change a name?
£140 plus the VAT

I never expected a legal query to arise so soon after joining!
by Richard Adams
Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:48 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Welcome! - Post here first
Replies: 1961
Views: 1026671

Re: Welcome! - Post here first

Sorry, Phil, can't answer that one. I'm professionally sworn to secrecy.
by Richard Adams
Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:19 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Welcome! - Post here first
Replies: 1961
Views: 1026671

Re: Welcome! - Post here first

Hello. I'm Richard Adams, a solicitor from Exeter. I've been lurking in the bushes reading this board for a few months now and am reluctant to join in such a savage pack, but thought I ought to do so now to thank Jon Corby for his cracking card trick, and also Matt for the lovely Winterbells. Oh, an...