The say anything, what's on your mind thread

**nigel-harps1954** · 28/02/2013, 6:32 PM

I wonder what happens when the Word Association thread hits 1,000 pages.

Will foot.ie explode?

**BonnieShels** · 28/02/2013, 6:50 PM

Same thing that happens when you google, Google.

**nigel-harps1954** · 28/02/2013, 7:15 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Same thing that happens when you google, Google.

Your tricks. They do not work. Or they do, and I feel silly. Either way. Damn you to hell.

**BonnieShels** · 28/02/2013, 8:06 PM

Who now for the hatrick?

**DannyInvincible** · 28/02/2013, 10:56 PM

On my recent Fixed Penalty Notice, it looks like I was caught cycling on the pavement as part of this Operation Dice "clamp-down": http://www.gmp.police.uk/live/nhoodv...C?OpenDocument

In the five years 2008/2012 there has been 10 motorcyclists and pedal cyclists killed and 47 seriously injured as a result of accidents with HGVs and buses on the roads of Greater Manchester. In the same period five of those road deaths and six serious injuries occurred where the driver�s vision was affected by the vehicle�s blind spot.

Campaigners say that cyclists, bikers and HGV drivers should take extra care when sharing the road to ensure that they are visible to each other. Drivers should especially watch out for cyclists when turning left.

Cyclists are warned to give HGVs a wide berth and remember that it is safer to be behind a lorry than at the side of it where a driver may not be able to see you clearly, particularly when attempting to turn.

This increased policing focus on road safety is a part of Operation Dice launched at the beginning of 2012 in response to a shocking increase in road deaths in 2011 when 76 people lost their lives on the roads of Greater Manchester. Figures from 2012 demonstrate that 49 people lost their lives, a decrease of 36 per cent on the previous year.

Under Operation Dice Greater Manchester Police is working with other emergency services and partners to increase public awareness of the �fatal four� factors that feature in most road accidents i.e. drink driving, speeding, drivers using mobile phones and drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts.

It also tackles drivers putting their own lives and that of their passengers and road users at risk through dangerous driving and flouting road safety laws.

Inspector Paul Rowe from GMP�s Roads Policing Unit said; �Stay safe, stay back and be seen is the most important message we can give to cyclists and bikers. They, by the very nature of their mode of transport are especially vulnerable on the roads and should, along with other road users, take extra care when sharing our roads�.

�Visibility is the key factor in many traffic accidents and cyclists and bikers can increase theirs by good road positioning, ensuring they use front and rear lights and wearing high-vis clothing.�

The event will be the start off a police enforcement campaign in which the police aim to educate and advise cyclists. Any offenders issued with a fixed penalty ticket will have the chance to attend a forthcoming educational meeting involving the joint campaigners in which the penalty ticket will be rescinded.

Karen Delaney, from DriveSafe, said �Cyclists do not have the benefits of safety cages, seatbelts or side impact bars, so when a collision occurs it can result in serious injury or worse for the rider.

�A significant number of collisions are down to road users attitude and behaviour. I would imagine that most people know somebody who rides a cycle and we would ask all road users to look out for cyclists and treat them with respect.�

These educational meetings will take place at Withington Fire station from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Tuesday 19 February 2013, Thursday 28 February 2013 and Thursday 7 March 2013.

Transport for Greater Manchester continues to offer a free cycling refresher course for those wanting to get back on a bike after sometime away. The scheme is specifically aimed at those who want to sharpen their skills in order to cycle to-and-from work and is provided by an expert instructor at flexible times.

There's no need to be worried about getting back on your bike or trying something new with our free cycle training courses for adults.

Some startling road-death stats, there. And they want to keep me off my paved safe-haven!...

I actually had to get in touch with Inspector Rowe this morn as I wasn't able to make the "educational meeting" earlier this evening due to work commitments. I hadn't realised it was just the Thursday nights they were being run and not each evening in between as well. The notice was very poorly worded but luckily I called to clarify any ambiguity. He was pretty nice about finding some sort of compromise for me and arranged that I attend my local police station in Longsight - much handier than heading down to Withington - on Monday evening where an officer will deal with me personally - law dee daw - and waive the �30 penalty.

**Acornvilla** · 02/03/2013, 5:43 PM

So, I was walking down that canal again with my girlfriend and some of our friends (all female) last Thursday as we made our way to an exhibition that was opening which we both have work in. As often happens we were greeted with the sight of 3 young fellas in hoodies throwing stones at passers by, the girls freaked out a bit, but, we decided it'd be grand, just walk past and ignore them. So as we drew closer, said young fellows all looked at us and started searching around a flower bed they had conquered for stones etc. to hurl at us. The girls walked ahead a little faster and covered their heads as you do, I told them it'd be fine don't worry they're just kids ignore them and you wont get hurt. Naturally I stood between the lady's and the lads just in case something did happen I'd be the 1st point of contact and chances are the girls would be grand.

So, we passed, and as expected the little ****ebags threw a few stones our way, I being a manly man and all, turned around and stared at the fattest of the trio sitting on his bike, probably the ringleader, he looked right at me with absolutely no fear, ''the f*uck are you looking at kid?'' he says to me, I ignore it and keep walking, then I hear a thunderous whack of a stone cracking off a metal bar right above my head, instead of ignoring it and walking on or rushing the girls away, I just told them to keep going it'd be grand, I on the other hand turned to face the three now about 10-15 feet behind us and shouted ''you throw like a b*tch'', naturally that got their attention, and the three stood to attention and started hurling abuse and edged closer to me..

Arms outstretched, I said it again and louder, they didn't like that, various threats were aimed my way, but I decided, you know what screw this, its not Ok to back down and let people think its Ok to act like that, especially throwing stones at girls.. Now I'm not a big guy, I'm about 6 foot and 11 stone but I figured, if they try anything, these lads are 15 yrs old at the most, I should be grand. One of the kids jumped down off the flowerbed armed with a fist sized stone, I thought to myself, right, if I turn away now that's going right at the back of my head and a happy ending will not be had. So, without even thinking, as I seen him attempt to run and fire the stone at me, I sprinted straight for him, (I may not be huge but I am fast) the fear in his eyes was fantastic, he dropped the stone and about face and tried to run away. Meanwhile his fat friend cycled right for me, a little braver than his friend, I kicked his bike full force and panned him out on the ground mid stride as I made after the stone throwing chap.

When I decided I had scared him enough, I let him keep running and turned around, the fat kid was getting up off the ground and actually had the balls to raise his fists at me, Now whatever about scaring them a little,, I didn't want to go as far as actually physically hitting him, and the girls were stood watching pretty scared at this stage, I just walked up to him and laughed in his face, you could see he was terrified but wanted to act like a big man in front of the other two.

We left it at that, I walked away and made sure to point out to him that hes a little pussy and shouldn't throw thing at people, especially not bikes

The trio then left the canal too, and we later heard that they'd been hanging around there for up on two hours giving people abuse, so at least they gave it up for the night after their encounter with me. Did I do the right thing in getting involved with it? I'm not really the type to get into fights, but I also hate little scumbags like that, so it was a little out of character for me to challenge them, but I'm just sick of how some people think that this is acceptable behaviour, and equally how everyone is generally terrified to intervene.

**nigel-harps1954** · 02/03/2013, 6:36 PM

That's an absolutely fantastic story man. In my eyes, you did the right thing. Most people wouldn't have the balls. You're a hero.

Extra brownie points too I'd imagine

**DannyInvincible** · 02/03/2013, 6:36 PM

Acornvigilante, more like! You were actually relatively considerate in your reaction. I wouldn't feel guilty or anything about it. You were provoked, riled up and defended a group of ladies from a trio of menaces with a response that demonstrated a degree of diligence. (I hope they were bloody impressed!) I don't think I'd have the balls to do something like that myself, mind.

Have you any photos of your work, by the way? Is it paintings you do or what?

**DannyInvincible** · 02/03/2013, 6:54 PM

Not having a go at you either, but just an interesting observation; people will often attempt to justify or rationalise acts they have performed and about which they may feel morally uncertain by appealing to the somewhat disingenuous "it was out-of-character" defence, lest others might think less of them. I'm not saying you're a nasty character or anything of the sort, but, obviously, there was some trait within your character that enabled or caused you to respond in the manner you did. And that's nothing to be ashamed of. Does anyone live a life of moral purity? You dealt with the situation as you saw fit, with due force and constraint, and I think that's commendable along with the bravery you demonstrated, given the circumstances. Where did this happen, by the way? Limerick?

**nigel-harps1954** · 02/03/2013, 7:28 PM

Never been more annoyed at being excited in my life.

Expecting my first kid with the girlfriend in August. Which is awesome. Terrifying, but exciting.

Tame Impala are playing two weeks before she's due, Roger Waters two weeks after she's due. And it's right in the middle of festival season. Not to mind Harps are playing Cobh away on the day she's due.

Priorities eh?

**Spudulika** · 02/03/2013, 7:39 PM

Nigel, the best thing in the world is seeing your child being born, beats anything else, anything at all. Don't focus on the event, just focus on herself, make sure she gets as much sleep now as possible (you too) as it'll be much needed come September!

**BonnieShels** · 02/03/2013, 8:24 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Never been more annoyed at being excited in my life.

Expecting my first kid with the girlfriend in August. Which is awesome. Terrifying, but exciting.

Tame Impala are playing two weeks before she's due, Roger Waters two weeks after she's due. And it's right in the middle of festival season. Not to mind Harps are playing Cobh away on the day she's due.

Priorities eh?

So you got Tame Impala tickets then? Excellent.

**SkStu** · 02/03/2013, 9:07 PM

Acornvilla, you legend.

**Dunny** · 02/03/2013, 9:30 PM

Gays.

**nigel-harps1954** · 02/03/2013, 9:34 PM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

Nigel, the best thing in the world is seeing your child being born, beats anything else, anything at all. Don't focus on the event, just focus on herself, make sure she gets as much sleep now as possible (you too) as it'll be much needed come September!

Appreciate the advice Spud. Of course, there's very little else that matters now..

...but it's the WALL.

In all seriousness, there's very little else on my mind for more than half an hour before again realising I'm going to be a father.

**SkStu** · 02/03/2013, 9:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

Gays.

Why are they on your mind Dunny?

**Dunny** · 02/03/2013, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Why are they on your mind Dunny?

Happy people? Just cnuts.

**BonnieShels** · 03/03/2013, 1:16 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Appreciate the advice Spud. Of course, there's very little else that matters now..

...but it's the WALL.

In all seriousness, there's very little else on my mind for more than half an hour before again realising I'm going to be a father.

More Hegartys!

Eek!

**SkStu** · 03/03/2013, 5:16 AM

March Madness is in full swing here. Here's hoping its better than Freaky February, the only thing that can describe the Ireland forum over the last month!

**Mr A** · 03/03/2013, 8:23 AM

Arguments in favour of Acornvilla being Jesus:

Exhibit 1: He walks on water:

So, I was walking down that canal again

Exhibit 2: He fearlessly stands up for the downtrodden. Jesus by wrecking a temple, Acornvilla by kicking a fat guy off a bike.

Exhibit 3: Adopts the same stance:

Arms outstretched, I said it again and louder

Now if one of those girls was a hooker that pretty much seals the deal.

So Acornvilla- the good news is that people will still be talking about you in 2000 years. The bad news is that they'll ignore your actual message and you're not going to like what happens to you when you're 33.