Today I'm happy about......

[William the White]

Creative Writing? Something full of utilitarian benefit (imagine doing something with no obvious direct application at Uni!).

And the 2014 ranking would reflect at least 6 months of your time no? That or you were holding them back!

I retired on Oct 1 2012. I always made a full contribution to the University, including, I'm sure its ranking. But suspect I did nothing for the 2014 stats. But if I did, I'm proud of its great leap forward.

I was the programme leader for Creative Writing, and a tutor on the Access, BA and MA programmes. Very few of my students became professional writers.

[Prufrock]

Should have been a train driver then

[William the White]

Should have been a train driver then

it was my first ambition.

But, on reflection, I'm glad I didn't make it.

Having Michael Portillo as a customer almost every day would have done my head in.

[bobo the clown]

Should have been a train driver then

it was my first ambition.

But, on reflection, I'm glad I didn't make it.

Having Michael Portillo as a customer almost every day would have done my head in.

He's actually very pleasant, I'll have you know.

[William the White]

Should have been a train driver then

it was my first ambition.

But, on reflection, I'm glad I didn't make it.

Having Michael Portillo as a customer almost every day would have done my head in.

He's actually very pleasant, I'll have you know.

Fear not, I shall treat that post with the same respect that I treat all of your posts.

[bobo the clown]

Should have been a train driver then

it was my first ambition.

But, on reflection, I'm glad I didn't make it.

Having Michael Portillo as a customer almost every day would have done my head in.

He's actually very pleasant, I'll have you know.

Fear not, I shall treat that post with the same respect that I treat all of your posts.

I never doubted it.

I wouldn't have had you down as anti-Gay. Or maybe anti-Railway.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

(I think it might be the Thatcherite Tory thing...!)

[Athers]

Tube drivers do get plenty, too much maybe, but then again they are at risk of driving when some poor sod wants to end their life, and that's got to be stressful after the event. Can't imagine I'd be rushing back to work after seeing that.

My maths suggests 44.5k would put someone just into the 40% bracket, but not paying very much at that rate.

Yep. Was the threshold different in 2012-13?

The size of the 20% band is consistently shrinking (next year it will be £3k pa smaller than in 11-12), meaning more and more people are becoming 'top rate taxpayers', but I believe the extra paid on your last £3k is more than offset by the tax free allowance at the bottom increasing to £10k.

[bwfcdan94]

Should have been a train driver then

it was my first ambition.

But, on reflection, I'm glad I didn't make it.

Having Michael Portillo as a customer almost every day would have done my head in.

Free train travel - but you would end up working Saturdays.

[bobo the clown]

(I think it might be the Thatcherite Tory thing...!)

Aaaah. I see.

This higher tax paying, white collar, middle-class guy feels I'd dislike him for that ?

Silly boy. I'm better than that.

[Dujon]

Creative Writing? Something full of utilitarian benefit (imagine doing something with no obvious direct application at Uni!) . . .

Careful, Prufrock. There's a bloke on here called Gravedigger who might take offence at that comment.

[clapton is god]

Happiest I've been for some considerable time! My brother was diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer just before Chrimbo. His team of surgeons were confident he was in the 10% that an op would be feasible for, and at 56 he was otherwise fit and healthy enough to try for. He went into surgery at 8.40 this morning and came out at 8.20. The surgeon is confident he got it *all*! Huge relief!

[Montreal Wanderer]

Happiest I've been for some considerable time! My brother was diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer just before Chrimbo. His team of surgeons were confident he was in the 10% that an op would be feasible for, and at 56 he was otherwise fit and healthy enough to try for. He went into surgery at 8.40 this morning and came out at 8.20. The surgeon is confident he got it *all*! Huge relief!

Way to go and good luck with future!

[Bruce Rioja]

Happiest I've been for some considerable time! My brother was diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer just before Chrimbo. His team of surgeons were confident he was in the 10% that an op would be feasible for, and at 56 he was otherwise fit and healthy enough to try for. He went into surgery at 8.40 this morning and came out at 8.20. The surgeon is confident he got it *all*! Huge relief!

I truly hope he did, Clapton. Thoughts are with you.

[KeyserSoze]

Happiest I've been for some considerable time! My brother was diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer just before Chrimbo. His team of surgeons were confident he was in the 10% that an op would be feasible for, and at 56 he was otherwise fit and healthy enough to try for. He went into surgery at 8.40 this morning and came out at 8.20. The surgeon is confident he got it *all*! Huge relief!

Awesome stuff, man. Fingers crossed for everyone concerned.

[bwfcdan94]

Happiest I've been for some considerable time! My brother was diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer just before Chrimbo. His team of surgeons were confident he was in the 10% that an op would be feasible for, and at 56 he was otherwise fit and healthy enough to try for. He went into surgery at 8.40 this morning and came out at 8.20. The surgeon is confident he got it *all*! Huge relief!

Fingers crossed the surgeon is right Clapton.

[Dujon]

They've a time machine at the hospital? Can I borrow it?

Nah, all the best to your brother, clappers, it must have been a dreadfully stressful time.

[clapton is god]

Thanks all, and I even smiled at your little joke Dujon. Yes, very stressful, he's my little brother and although we've not always got on we've put the past behind us in recent years and this has been a salutary reminder that life is indeed too short. He has a 9yr old daughter so I'm more pleased for her than the rest of us. Yesterday was emotional as I am sure will be many days yet to come.

[Annoyed Grunt]

Happy that my brother has decided to get married May 2015.....getting asked to be best man, having to sort out a speech.....shitting it.....

[Bruce Rioja]

Happy that my brother has decided to get married May 2015.....getting asked to be best man, having to sort out a speech.....shitting it.....

You'll be reet, lad. Plenty of good help online re putting it together.