I have an exciting work outing this afternoon and evening
we're going to visit the new flood defences in Weston-super-Mare, with work sponsored fish and chips.

I bet you wish you were me.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 9:53, 61 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

totally.
nothing better then fish and chips on the boss.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 9:54, Reply)

I don't like chips

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:00, Reply)

do you prefer daddy?

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:00, Reply)

infinitely

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:11, Reply)

You don't like anything do you?
You're just a colossal misanthrope.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:24, Reply)

I like loads of things
Honest guv.

But I concede there are great many more things I don't, and I'm probably a lot more vocal about them. I went to the same school and 6th form college as Jack Dee and our outlook is very similar ie most things and people are shit. People like David Bowie.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:29, Reply)

weston is a shit place though
they shouldn't have bothered with the flood defences and let the place wash away
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:00, Reply)

dude - I'm trying to be nice here.

(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:01, Reply)

ah, it'll be ok
weather is good at least. and it means we leave at 4pm. Am out of the office all day tomorrow too which is nice.

how's you?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:04, Reply)

Having a night off study.
I'm sort of shattered. reading a horror book/b3taing to fill the time.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:06, Reply)

good plan
what are you reading?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:08, Reply)

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
it's a vampire novel - apparently it's also been made into a film. Takes a while to get going but it's pretty creepy.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:09, Reply)

Meant to be brilliant
I've had the film on my PC for months, but I've still not watched it. Might have to do that tonight.

Let me know if the book is good please?
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:12, Reply)

really good so far.
my history teacher leant it to me.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:15, Reply)

someone else was saying it was really good the other day
I've had the film at home for a while too and not watched it
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:16, Reply)

mmm well I hadn't heard of it but my history teacher's leant me books before.
said I'd like it. He's right - as usual.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:18, Reply)

Apparently it's better to watch the film then read the book
as there is a lot of stuff in the book which is missed from the film and although it's a good film, knowing what isn't there can detract from it somewhat.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:23, Reply)

I'm on ignore again aren't I

(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:34, Reply)

I'm certainly ignoring you

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:39, Reply)

Who said that?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:42, Reply)

Perhaps she's just not into dropping bait for you today?

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:40, Reply)

I'm bored
say something controversial and start an interesting chat.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:42, Reply)

the silverchair album diorama is shit

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:45, Reply)

I said controversial
not incorrect.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:45, Reply)

heh
I can't think of anything
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:48, Reply)

the silverchair album rama shit AWESEOME!
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:48, Reply)

Haha
I concur!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:51, Reply)

Any flat news?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:52, Reply)

Yes (how nice of you to ask)
We saw one and have put in an offer this morning - the flat needs some lovin' in the paint department but its HOOOOGE and has a big ol' fancy deck for BBQ fun, we may also be allowed a dog and this is a big plus point for me! :D
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:54, Reply)

I'm lovely like that
this whole bullying cocksucker thing is just an internet facade. If only some people could see that.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:58, Reply)

Haha
Oh I know that you big silly! Its like Chompy too, hes a nice chap IRL, its all just a bit of internet fun! :)
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:03, Reply)

Chompy is nice IRL? Really? You think so?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:06, Reply)

Haha
Yeah I thought so, well he was happy and chatty when I met him and he didn't grab my boobs... I think that’s the definition of nice surely?
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:08, Reply)

I notice you have rather easy criteria
to be classed as nice. This bodes well.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:12, Reply)

I suppose so
I try to give most people the benefit of the doubt. Every now and then I'll take an instant dislike to someone, but its very rare that happens! :)
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:18, Reply)

good news!

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:58, Reply)

*double thumbs up*

(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:03, Reply)

Two Thumbs Fresh!

(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:06, Reply)

*trigger fingers*

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:06, Reply)

Hey you, that's my move

(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:06, Reply)

shut it you

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 11:14, Reply)

this is true

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:51, Reply)

Awwww
That was a bit of a Billy Crystal moment right there!! :D
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:50, Reply)

Surely
It's the same thing?
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:15, Reply)

nah, it's a book love.

(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:17, Reply)

Ahhh
Some of B3ta would make a good horror book. Not as well written though. I'm now going to have to hunt down a cheap copy on Amazon, with this many recommendations.
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:26, Reply)

Sounds duller than a Honda Accord meme.
Rather you than me!
( jim_bob can herd cats., Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:09, Reply)

Arent those flood defences going to destroy trade or something?
According to the Weston Mercury (local rag) they are. I wouldnt know as I only ever skip to the "In the dock" section to see which charming individuals from my skool daze have been banged up. Again.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:15, Reply)

if by destroy trade they mean
prevent the shops on the front from filling up with sea water they are exactly right.

without the defences there, a big tide and wave event could send water running as far inland as the M5.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:16, Reply)

Tell the world! TELL THE WESTON MERCURY!
no wait...you need to reach people whose opinion actually matters
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:19, Reply)

believe me, a lot has been done to try and convince them
they are ignoring the fact that the entire sea front is being made much more attractive at the same time.

people don't know what's good for them.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:20, Reply)

How could flood defences destroy the local trade
Unless they're defences against a flood of shoppers. I can just imagine some huge concrete blocks standing in the road, dressed in tuxedo's, turning people away because they're full.
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:16, Reply)

I dont know
something to do with them being big and ugly and blocking the view of all the neon-clad "fun pubs"
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:20, Reply)

they're not all that big though
and have been made about as nice looking as possible.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:21, Reply)

The ones that are stones in wire cages don't look that bad
Particularly if they're shaped the cages in to something other than square blocks. People don't like change though, even if it stops them from having to wake up to find the dog doing laps of the living room.
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:25, Reply)

those are called gabion baskets
don't work too well for sea defences. they've gone with concrete at weston, but good quality finishes and stuff. attractive granite benches, that kind of stuff. apparantly skater kids have already started to fuck things up by grinding on them
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:27, Reply)

They don't? Fair enough
Concrete can look ok when done well, and it sounds like they've really tried. Why won't people build skateboard detecting benches though, with built in tasers?
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:30, Reply)

wave forces would probably break them apart, and the wires are either galvanised, or plastic coated
neither of which would last all that long in a salty, sandy, wet environment.

that would be good. I suggested surprising notches along the length so that the skaters get catapulted off.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:32, Reply)

I don't know why they don't
just accept that people will use it as a skate park and actually incorporate some decent bits into it to get people to skate in one place rather than covering everything with bobbles.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:34, Reply)

that sort of stuff is down to the council
and you are trying to assign them some credit for possessing the capacity for logical thought
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:36, Reply)

It makes sense
Although, the loose stones would then spill out, slowly being ground to sand, making a much better beach in the long run. As I remember form GCSE that long beaches are the best tidal defence. Could very well be wrong though, it was some time ago!

Just thinking. If the skaters are wearing out the benches, the way granite cracks it would create those notches anyway... so they're really hoisting themselves by theor own petards.
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:36, Reply)