Ok, completely off-topic, but I'm freaking out a bit (doesn't help that I'm generally stressed, a bit feverish and run down) and hoped someone might have reassuring words...

So, long story short, I was given an old banger. I spent money doing it up. Mainly it runs fine but out of nowhere the engine cut out whilst going at 70mph on the motorway. Luckily I was able to pull into the hard shoulder. However, I a came to a stop directly behind another broken down vehicle (as in, I couldn't have parked the damned thing better if I'd tried).

My engine restarted immediately, but then the only way I could safely rejoin the busy carriageway was to reverse far enough to enable me to pick up enough speed.

It's been 21 days, and really hasn't worried me too much to this point, but (you know how it is when you're panicking about things) I suddenly started thinking about it. I made the mistake of googling it, and discovered that reversing on the hard shoulder can land you a £2500 fine and 3 points. What's more, the offense doesn't require a notification within 14 days (the way speeding fines do).

I'm nervy at the best of times and have got myself a bit worked up, tbh...

:-(

Was the reversing really idiotic? And how long do I have to wait before I can stop worrying about a charge?

Glad everything was ok. Horrid thing to come home to.

Whilst we're on the subject, can anyone recommend reliable (and cheap/free) online storage sites?

If it's this weekend and you've not already been and done, I'd definitely check the tfl journey planner first. There's loads of work and lines down (as ever :-s )

Teehee! I'm completely fascinated to hear what the teacher was saying. Sounds like it might have been a bit of a duff class tbh. In general, I think it's important you're comfortable in the 'learning' environment, especially if it's a wind-down activity.

I'm going to one of the dr. sketchy events (night-time burlesque life-drawing) with my old art school buddies. Praps that'd be more up your street?

x

If you really like the theatre idea, PM me. As luck would have it, Edinburgh's one place where my SO (his world more than mine) has lots of theatre contacts, and we could point you in the right direction for informal digs lists. Might be worth a try. Keep on keeping on tho. It'll all come out in the wash, as they say. x

Cornflower -that's why the bathroom caddy (see link below)!

Stressed -agreed. Perhaps even a hot-plate, directly above the candle, to keep the tea nice and warm?! :-x

If you can't do it as Sneaks suggests, could you create it as a graphic in photoshop or similar and paste it that way? I can see the line, but no way of putting it directly over letters... (line alone is option+shift+,). Sorry, not particularly helpful.

For pure entertainment, it's got to be sci-fi and detective novels for me. Same with films actually.

Oh no, Stressed, that must have been terrible. :-(

That's why I was suggesting short term lets to friends/friends of friends only as a last resort. If it's not above board, you shouldn't have people registering to vote etc. unless they're declared tenants.

If you're friends with any theatre folk, for instance, they'll always have friends in need of digs for a week or two here and there...

Uh-oh, I've never actually fallen over but the dead leg thing has happened to me before :$

Totally with you on the reading in the bath thing though. Sometimes, if I'm getting stressed and befuddled, it's the only place I can concetrate, although then having to keep my hands dry is a bit of a pain. At least with chic lit it's not so distressing if the pages get wet and wrinkled.

Perhaps I should just invest in one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bathroom-Bath-Caddy-Candle-Holder/dp/B002OI4FZ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1284900443&sr=8-1
Frankly it looks amazing - bath, wine, candle and a good book. What more could a girl need? :p

You're quite right, it's not at all comfortable, keeps me in there longer than necessary, and yet I persist. I didn't realise I was so badly gendered on this issue, though. :$

I do, however, defend the flip books - they're less reading, more toilet-friendly moving image.

Just wondering if anyone else likes to read on the loo. I'm thinking of extending my little bathroom library, which currently includes a selection of flip-books, some Ivor Cutler, Borges' book of imaginary beings and a book of inventors and inventions which came free with a sunday paper a while ago.

Anyone else care to share their bathroom reading matter? Any recommendations?

It's a good idea to turn it off occasionally because this is the only time it goes through the full reboot procedure - necessary once in a while to keep everything's in order. But in terms of battery life and power use etc., putting it to sleep is absolutely fine. I'd suggest shutting it down a couple of times a week and buying an external hard drive to alleviate concerns about its death!

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There's some deal advertised on the tube where you can exchange eggs for IVF but I don't think money passes hands.

Become a drugs lord perhaps?

Depending on where you live you can make £20-25/hr tutoring GCSE/A-level students and helping with uni applications. My sis is doing it during her MA. There are lots of agencies looking for folk and it's extremely flexible. Might not be totally immediate tho.

Good luck.