What's making you smile/laugh today?

[SAV1OUR]

Just thinking back to a St Georges Day show years ago when Chris opened with a local radio DJ persona, this continued onto other links inspired by BBC Local.

[dimtimjim]

Rebecca Black sounds like Adele compared to this!

Put it back in your trousers... Jeez.

[Yudster]

I just read a report that the government in New Zealand, which has pledged to make the country smoke free by 2025, are proposing that a pack of cigarettes should cost $100 (about £50). An absolutely brilliant idea and one that I sincerely hope could be possible here one day.

[MK Chris]

That'll never happen - the government WANT people to smoke. They have to keep the taxes high enough to make them money, but low enough that people will actually carry on smoking.

[dimtimjim]

He's right.

Much as the campaigns have to say otherwise, do you have any idea how much other taxes would go up if everyone packed up smoking?!!!

I, for one, am happy to let the smokers choose to pay those billions in tax, instead of you and I being forced to make the figures back up again.

I clocked a pack a cigs in shop the other day, nearly £6 for 10 now!!! When I were a lad (and stupid-er, don't smoke kids) I could get 10 B&H and a box of matches and still get change from £1...

[chrysostom]

The only issue is that people then start to see heavy taxes as benefiting those who can afford it - which conflicts with their perception of the right to smoke.

Then they use the media to sound off about how they're being punished for not having enough money to feed their addiction - rather than try to curb it, and the danger is that people will prioritise smoking over other essentials.

Make Marajuana legal, but super expensive. Clearly the way to go.

[dimtimjim]

Make Marajuana legal, but super expensive. Clearly the way to go.

Given what we 'know' about this now in a V's with Alcohol, and taking into account its taxation potential, I'm amazed they havn't already.

Andy for PM.

[Yudster]

That'll never happen - the government WANT people to smoke. They have to keep the taxes high enough to make them money, but low enough that people will actually carry on smoking.

I know. I'm an idealist though. And if New Zealand actually DO manage to become a "smoke free" country, I think idealism will score a point - and may be in the running for more.

[MK Chris]

So my mum came round for a cup of coffee last night to see us before her and Steve go away to Avignon (today until Friday). My sister also arrived to pick Joel up and when we were all together, she casually said 'so do you want to know what I did today? I got married...'

Just her, Steve, her sister, Steve's mum and two registrars in one tiny room / cupboard in a registry office. Nice.

[Nicola_Red]

Are you sorry at all that you missed it? I'm just curious, cos if my flatmate and I get married as each other's backup, we're going to Vegas, so nobody will be there.

[chrysostom]

That's slightly different though I guess - It's not like Toph's mum was far away from everyone else, but if she wanted low key then...fair enough? Not sure how I'd feel in that situation, but then again I don't know Toph's mum!

It couldn't be done in our family - there'd be way too many people who would be offended at not being invited.

[Nicola_Red]

Yeah, that's what I worry about. One of my cousins had a massive strop that his dad, who is retired and lives in Spain, couldn't afford to come back to the UK for his wedding. It might even still be going on for all I know.

[dimtimjim]

she casually said 'so do you want to know what I did today? I got married...'

Erm, wow. Blimey Toph. Not wanting to diss ya Ma, but that doesn't sound like the most well thought out mothering ever... Trying to think what I'd do/think in that situation... Odd.

I think I'd be both gutted to have missed it, but more so let down my own Ma didn't think to mention summat like that to me first.

And, there is a big difference between not being invited due to numbers/cost and not being told about it at all until past tense.

Sorry Toph.

[MK Chris]

Well, clearly if she'd asked me to be there then I would have done, but it's their wedding and they can do it any which way they like - I think it's really nice - there's no way she'd have done it any other way, minimal fuss is the way she likes it. The thing is that between them they have six kids and I think only two of them (my brother and I) would have been able to hold it in. The only person they told well in advance is my aunt because she had to book the time off to be a witness - even the other witness, Steve's mum was only asked the night before!

She was worried about telling us in case we were annoyed at not being told, but no one was, not even my sister. I was slightly more offended that she thought I'd be offended...!

[dimtimjim]

Well, if you're ok with it, thats the main thing...

[MK Chris]

I don't see how I could be anything else - I very strongly believe that your wedding should be what you and your partner want and no one else.

[chrysostom]

I think because of my cultural background, I see it very differently, and that it should be a coming together of two families (or in the broader sense - the two social groups of the individuals) to celebrate their union.

Because I have such a large extended family, the opportunity to get them all together is something quite unique and emotional - which now days is only really possible at times like these celebrations (as everyone is so far away). I consider the period after a wedding ceremony to be a celebration for everyone else (of the couple) , but molded in the way the couple wants.

But it's horses for courses, and everyone does things differently!

[Nicola_Red]

I don't see how I could be anything else - I very strongly believe that your wedding should be what you and your partner want and no one else.

I totally agree with that, but I still have the sneaking feeling I'd be disappointed. I guess I'm unlikely to ever know though, as my parents are still together and both in their 60s now so the chances of them splitting and re-marrying are remote (although still possible obviously).

[dimtimjim]

as my parents are still together and both in their 60s now so the chances of them splitting and re-marrying are remote (although still possible obviously).

Don't be counting chickens. My Grandpa left my Granny post-60... Living it up now the old codger!

[Nicola_Red]

Ha! Actually my parents did split up when I was 16. It lasted about six weeks. Then they got back together, my dad moved back in and it was literally never spoken of again.

[dimtimjim]

Yeah, but what a six weeks he had! (I imagine..!)

Still got the memories and the tube of 'itch cream'.

[Nicola_Red]

actually it was my mum who was having an affair.

[dimtimjim]

Aaah, thats where ya get it from...!

[bmstinton93]

I was just about to say exactly the same.

[Nicola_Red]

I'm single, how could I be having affairs..?