Birthday Greetings to a Forumist

[Ian Y]

Hans
I also meant to thank you for the sculpture very nice but Lesley I do not see any likeness - it has no beard.

[David Nicholson]

I liked the trousers-I want some of those

[Lesley Cox]

You may smack my fingers Ian, when you get here. Your picture (apart from the birthday suit, about which I prefer not to comment. We all know what David N's taste is,) looks incredibly like that of Ian Rankin who will be here in a few days on a book promo tour. I have a ticket to a talk he's giving but may not be able to attend because of jury service. Why me? Neither (sufficiently) aged nor infirm to bottle out (Roger says I could on the grounds of intellectual incapability) my remaining hope is that Susan's husband will be the defending barrister so I can say (truthfully) that I know one of the participants. Then I can go to the Rankin lecture.

Anyway, you look very like him (in the pic on the ticket) except that his beard and moustache are really not much more than designer stubble. Maybe he just didn't shave that day.

[fermi de Sousa]

Happy Birthday Ian!
If you were born in that suit did it just grow as you did? Looks smashing anyway!
Lesley,
good luck with getting to the lecture!
cheers
fermi

[Heather Smith]

    Many Happy Returns, Ian.

I'm sorry I'm late with my greetings!

[David Nicholson]

........ We all know what David N's taste is,)...........

You thought I wouldn't notice this didn't you Lesley!! I am a man of infinite good taste in wives, children, food, plants, bargains etc. Maybe that's why I have never been asked to serve on a Jury, and I feel this is a great loss to the spirits of equality and natural justice. Hang the b*****s is what I say

.... and I still think those trousers are the best thing since sliced bread

[David Shaw]

Trousers trews, man,trews!

[Carol Shaw]

Very nice wedding suit Ian - yup definitely 'trews' 

[Lesley Cox]

You do me wrong David. I was quite sure you'd notice it.

[David Nicholson]

Trousers trews, man,trews!

Try calling 'em that in Rotherham

[David Shaw]

Britches in Rotherham

[ChrisB]

What a fun thread.  I have not been reading a lot the last few days so I missed you birthday Ian, belated MHR.... Going to Patagonia eh?  If you see any armerias, please, please take a photo for me (I know there is at least one that comes from there, and I don't even know its name, probably an A. maritima subsp though), and above all, have a great time!!!!  Can't wait to see your pics when you get back.  Saw some slides from that part of the world recently and it looks very interesting. 

Lesley - Did you manage to get to the lecture?  Dury Duty is no picnic, a lot of waiting around here.... hope it passes swiftly and easily for you.

[Maggi Young]

Christine, Ian Young had a birthday... he's off talking in Ayr and Dumfriesshire... Ian Christie had a granddaughter and is going to Patagonia tomorrow.......



Re Jury Duty:
 story in our paper today about chap, running own business, who refused to turn up at court for jury duty, saying as he was responsible for business earnings, including health and safety of his employees,he would be in dereliction of his duties as an employer  and he couldn't afford time off for court service.... he's been arrested and fined about £500.
Somewhat ironic since so many trials are held up because the accused is away on holiday! 

[Lesley Cox]

Well, I'm responsible for the feeding, health and safety of two dogs - we're dog-sitting one at present - and also for the safety of the plants they've taken to lying on during the sunny spots in our currently miserable weather, so maybe I could use that. But I couldn't afford the fine which would result.

Jury duty starts at 9.30am on the 19th (next Monday), and I've to be on call for the week. In the instruction for potential jurors, they say "bring some reading matter as there may be long periods of waiting around." Ian Rankin's lecture is at 12.30pm on the Wednesday. If I get to it I'm hoping to persuade him to write 3 or 4 in a year instead of just one every now and then. It isn't enough.

[Lesley Cox]

And you're right Chris, no picnic. I was on a jury about 25 years ago. It concerned a 16 year old boy who'd had a bout of fistcuffs with another younger lad, on a school bus. There was no intention to do damage at all but the younger boy had fallen and hit his head on the back of a seat and subsequently died in hospital, as a result. All deeply sad and un-necessary.