Jacqueline

Floss refers to the standard range of five or six McGregor dance movements. As many as that?

Lisa, I agree with Anna C regarding the financial assistance/gift from your sister. This relationship does sound very complex and it may help you to talk it over with somebody professionally qualified before you do anything that might cause you further anxiety and distress. I can only give an opinion based on my own experiences and of course, everyone is different. On the other hand, counselling is not for everyone. Sometimes talking about things can be counterproductive, dredging up all kinds of stuff better left undisturbed. Only you can make that decision. Back to the financial situation, generous as it was for your sister to help you out it doesn't give her any rights over you. As I said last night, when on form my sister in law was capable of kindness and generosity of spirit, like a different person. But there was always the underlying feeling that happy days were limited and whatever she did came with mile long strings attached. After all I've done for you was her second favourite saying. The first favourite is unprintable here! She would have you thanking her but at the same time trying to remember exactly what it was she had done for you. It was easier to recall what she had done to you! As for your sister, if I were you the first thing I would do and over which you have total control, is to close the account/s you have set up with this jewellery site. If there's no account she can't buy anything via you. The fact she is exploiting Sean's funds speaks volumes! If you don't feel strong enough to tell her why you have closed it, just make something up. I know I already said you shouldn't have to lie but sometimes a wee fib is expedient. It doesn't have to be a lengthy explanation, the short ones are best and easier to remember! If she realises her route to diamond nirvana has been blocked and there is no chance of it being reopened, at least as far as you are concerned, she will just go elsewhere. People like that will always find another way. Even if she doesn't, it is not your problem. No means no. As you say, her financial arrangements are a bit of a mystery, especially if she and her beloved are unemployed but can come up with random lump sums and payment for this jewellery which sounds like it may not be of the very highest quality. But again, that is up to them. It is not your problem either.

If she wants to suspect you have been ignoring her, let her. You don't have to justify yourself or lie to her. If she says she has been ringing all day, just be vague, say something like oh have you? Don't say anything else, let her fill the silence. If she asks you to buy her another ring or whatever, just say no, she's got more than enough, you're not helping her anymore and neither is Sean. She can flog some of her existing gear to buy more if she must. And while you're about it, she can ring if she wants to but not about jewellery or money or between 10pm and 7am. She sounds an unreasonable person so diplomacy may be wasted on her. Sometimes directness is the only language such people understand. You also need to be in the right frame of mind to deliver the message firmly and not let her bully you round. She has a problem which needs addressing, possibly professionally. Her husband should step up as well. At the moment he is just enabling her,shifting the buying nonsense onto you in exchange for a bit of peace. The first step is the hardest, especially after so many years of taking her crap. But these are your new boundaries so take it or leave it sis. People are what they are. Self preservation is more important and although it is a bit of a cliché lately, you have to take back control. If she doesn't like it too bad.

I agree about the ROH menu not being very exciting given the prices. The most I have ever bought there is a coffee or cold drink and a slice of cake. I have noticed an increasing number of people unpacking home made lunches or snacks on the amphi terrace quite openly, not the rather furtive under the table style of yore. Perhaps that will change with increased security or there will be something about only food that has been bought on the premises can be consumed there. I have complained a couple of times to the ROH about catering related matters and found it to be a futile exercise. Rather like complaining to the BBC, they seem unwilling to even entertain the possibility that they may somehow be at fault. There is a lot of competition out there, many alternatives to in house dining and not much room for complacency I would've thought.

Lisa, your sister sounds very like my late sister in law. She had mental health issues although nothing was ever diagnosed. She was much older than me so different times I suppose. Anyway, we were always on best behaviour around her, being careful not to do or say anything that would upset her and it didn't take much. Sometimes she would go off on one and you wouldn't even know why, only that you had to get out of her reach as she could be violent. She once took offence at the innocent milkman and chased him down the street, throwing bottles at him. She knew she was volatile and unreasonable but had no inclination to do anything about it. It was our problem, not hers! To keep the peace, we would allow her to control events. All wrong I know. She would have everyone sit up all night, because she wanted to. She would start vacuuming at 2am or have you do it, or washing up, cleaning out cupboards. Ridiculous. When she was on form she could be good company but she was living in her own fantasy most of the time, where it was all unfair and nobody wanted to listen or help her. God knows we tried, but really she didn't want to be helped. One day I forgot to stick to the programme. She pushed me too far and I let her have it with both barrels. She was so stunned by somebody standing up to her, she just stood there and took it. She never said a bad word to me after that. We didn't become bezzy mates either but we reached an understanding of sorts. I wished I had stood up to her sooner but if one is not naturally combative, it is easier to try and keep the peace. But there are limits to everything. Having said that, I think the conciliatory but firm approach of a letter is a good idea. You can write it out a few times first, until you feel it reflects what you want to say. You could post it recorded so you know it has arrived. If her husband filters post as part of his peace keeping, arrange for it to be signed for by the addressee only. Then just stand back and wait for the response. She probably won't like it whatever you say. Give her time to respond. You can find out if the letter was delivered without having to ring and ask her. Wait for her to come to you and remember silence can be very powerful. If she is nasty, hang up. If she writes you a nasty letter, send it back to her. Show her you are serious about your right to privacy and respect and your son's. If she doesn't respond at all, in all honesty how would you feel about that?

Eat my shorts folks! The result is pretty much as predicted, except the Donald won. Perhaps we should dispense with polls now.

With a snap, crackle and a pop?

Thank you David and MAB. Sounds like a treat and a good price. Have ordered and am really looking forward to seeing Elizabeth now!

Has anyone bought/seen the recently released dvd of Elizabeth with Acosta & Yanowski and if so, is it worth the money? I missed it live but am dithering over whether to buy the dvd as an early Christmas present. For myself! It looks rather good and something a bit different.

Serving suggestion - picture of biscuit on a plate. Who would've thought it? And who came up with the vacuum ad where the family is having breakfast and somehow creating an almighty mess, cereal all over the floor, dropped toast and so on. Mum comes in and sees the destruction but does she kick off? No, she gets the vac and cleans it all up and is happy to do it. Ecstatic even. Just like real life.

I used to be one of the mutterers but there is so much rudeness now, as I get older I just won't put up with it. I also find that sometimes if one puts a queue jumper right, other people will feel brave enough to back you up, as with Fonty above. That is a big sometimes though. If I am met with verbal abuse, I just let them burn themselves out. Some people like to test reactions to their obnoxious behaviour, but they know most people will just tolerate or back down to keep the peace and sometimes that is obviously the best course of action. It is the same with traffic queue jumpers. There you are,minding your business and waiting patiently in a line of traffic, plenty of warnings about lanes closed ahead, cones in place etc. When somebody with entitlement issues decides they don't have to wait, drives past the queue and tries to force their way in at or nearer the front. If it's me already at or near the front, they've no chance. I just look straight ahead ignoring their waving and gesturing. Play them at their own game.There is always someone who will let them in though, so they keep doing it and never learn any manners.

I did show up once for a talk given by a local celebrity, clutching my book for signing, only to be told I was a whole week early! The people at the venue were very helpful and even said I was welcome to stay for the event being held that night. Perhaps they needed to make up numbers. When I did return on the correct date, the celebrity talk was one of the most bizarre things I have ever been to. At least he signed my book though.

I hate queue jumpers too but I like it when they don't get away with it. People who have been queue jumped very often just stand there and mutter about it. I say oi, get in line!

Yes, I think they are designed to avoid litigation and to protect the terminally stupid from themselves and others from them. Doesn't always work of course. Coffee hot, water wet, ice slippery etc. There was a guy who sued the council in Dorset a few years ago, after he walked on the Cobb at Lyme Regis in rough seas, fell and broke his leg. He said there should have been warning signs about the sea wall being slippery when wet. The ones that also make you wonder what kind of person needs to be told are those that say what is being shown is a dramatisation. One that comes to mind is for denture fixative, where the woman says that shouldn't happen, as she wobbles on the teeth and falls off. What is it that shouldn't happen, that the teeth wobble or there is a tiny woman in your mouth, trying to balance on your dodgy dentures!

I suspected as much, even though I have seen works that got better as they went along and I have been glad I persevered. Others have started badly and somehow got worse, even when you think it not possible. This is the second time I have seen Bonelli and Morera in a new work and actually felt sorry for them. Both are fine dancers and deserve so much better.If I could have walked out of Carmen last year, I would have but there was no interval and I was trapped in my seat for the duration. I don't give up lightly but life is short.

I laughed at this as well, mostly out of disbelief at how bad it was, the choreography, the score, the storytelling, all of it. The sets were probably more impressive at the theatre than on television. Had I been at the theatre I would have left at the first opportunity. At least all I had to do on Sunday was switch off the TV. I know one shouldn't judge on the strength of one act. Perhaps it underwent a massive improvement but after the risible scene mentioned already and all that led up to it, I didn't have the patience to sit through anymore.

I remember those mega posters in the 70s, they were made of very thick paper that needed acres of sellotape to keep them stuck to the wallpaper. My poster of Donny came unstuck one night from the wall at the foot of my bed. It woke me up as it fell off the wall and came to rest over me. But at least I could say I'd been in bed with Donny Osmond! I had quite an eclectic mix of posters over the years including James Dean, Clarke Gable and of course, Che Guevara for my obligatory teenage communist phase. I notice that little Jimmy Osmond is appearing at a venue near me very soon. I never saw Donny live and charming though I am sure Jimmy is, he's not Donny so it probably wouldn't be as good. Knowing my luck he would just want to sing Long Haired Lover from Liverpool and talk to me about his feelings!

Thanks Geoff and original credit to MAB!Some of the comments are quite robust! Had I been there, I wouldn't have been very sympathetic to his plight though. Stupid and irresponsible thing to do. There is a time and place and this was neither, whatever the emotional attachment. In my opinion of course.

The pop cherub seems to be having a better time of it at his Scottish concerts. Apparently all the sensitive chap wants is for people to listen to him and understand. Certain cities, he says, don't want to hear him out. They are there just to hear him sing and see him dance or whatever. The Glaswegian audience was suitably receptive in his opinion. Donny Osmond would never have been so precious I am sure!

I hear what you are saying but even the suggestion of her presence is enough for me to reach for the off switch.Having said that, I was just channel hopping and came across a repeat of Bake Off, which seemed to be about meringues. There were numerous references to bottoms and a lengthy close up of a contestant on her hands and knees peering into an oven. Filmed from behind, she told us she was on crack watch. She wasn't the only one!

Sorry MAB, I just reported this story on audience behaviour. I didn't realise you had got there/here before me!It is an extraordinary story as you say, even by current standards.

Just been reading about an incident at the Lincoln Centre, where the New York Met Opera halted a performance of Guillaume Tell. During an interval, it appears a member of the audience sprinkled cremated ashes onto the orchestra. Several audience members said a man had told them he was there to release the ashes of a friend. If someone said that to me, I think I might mention it to an usher, but perhaps there wasn't time. Police say the man has been identified and they are trying to reach him. Take that to mean what you will! On a more serious note,obviously these ashes could have been something else entirely and anti terror units were called.

Did anyone watch Harry Hill's Tea Time? The Sunday Times review considered it the nastiest thing on tv, no ingredient could be added to make it any worse! The format included fake Greek food, slapstick, mess, lazy national stereotypes and special guest Paul Hollywood. It's on Sky apparently.

No, I have never watched Bake Off either. I thought I may be the only one as well! I have watched various cookery shows over the years but this one passed me by, mostly because Sue Perkins is in it and I know people like her but she just sets my teeth on edge.

Regarding Rasputin, the Culture mag from Sunday Times 23/10 carried a review of what sounds like an interesting new biography of Gregory Yefimovitch Rasputin, showing him in a rather different light to the cliché mad monk image we think we know. Presuming I am allowed to mention it here, the book's title is Rasputin, Faith, Power and the Twilight of the Romanovs and the author is Douglas Smith. Published by MacMillan! Meant to ask, one of the photos shows Marianela Nunez in a tutu. This looks incongruous in amongst the other costumes, or do you have to be there to appreciate the relevance? Am undecided about the cinema now, how do people think it will come across on the big screen?