Playing adjudicator here re employment tribunals … you’re both right 🙂

Lawyers wont get out of bed for £££, and typically their £££ are so high that their fees are met by an award made by the courts as part of the settlement (hence the rampant no win no fee culture).

Given that the employment tribunal was set up with the intention of being a mediation service as a last resort they don’t award costs (including legal fees) etc. Guess the intention is to keep is simple, and accessible to all (and less threatening and complicated).

Hence any solicitors / barristers that are retained are done so out of the pocket of the individual, and as any pecuniary awards are typically pre-set makes the cost / benefit argument of using a solicitor / barrister less effective. Hence they are a rarity.

In larger case trails, or larger collective suites then yes, they do warrant their inclusion. The majority of companies (mine included) also retain legal insurance (Mentor Services in my case) so when involved do have legal representation, although typically are not necessarily members of the bar nor solicitors (as was my case).

Some household policies do now also include legal representation for employment tribunals so there are a few more about (but again not necessarily solicitors / barristers).

In fact in a lot of instances if you rock up with a solicitor in tow, the adjudicating panel (made up of both a judge as well as representatives from a trade union and business organisation) will frown upon it as it goes against the intention of the tribunal.

So to paraphrase, they do appear in the employment tribunals, but not very often and rarely on the behalf of the claimant.

Now … ding ding round two.

I’d best get myself along to a church … 🙂

According to toys … God will hold it (assuming Al lives)

“darwin will be proven right” Now that brightened up my morning 🙂

Turn it up to 11 and go for broke … literally.

Hey … its better than doing nothing at all (we’ve damn near exhausted every other option) and at least its sports specific, you can shower afterwards, and its convenient (assuming locale)

Lunchtime spin class at a local gym is going to keep the cobwebs in check ???

Holly – Australia is desperate for boat builders … and HGV drivers for that matter …

Apologies … my bad but isn’t kava-kava banned in the UK due to the link with liver failure ?

oddjob … is it possible to drive / train etc part of the way and cycle the rest ???

Kava-Kava or any other stimulant will only help once you are up … and have taken them, and they have kicked in. Not going to help actually rolling out of bed.

Also a fairly vicious cycle as their use impedes the natural circadian rhythm so short term benefits at best.

Alot of less honest importer will declare items as gifts or of below threshold value to avoid charges. Does get ropey if hmrc get hold of it, or if anything goes wrong with postage as insurance would also be under declared.

Even as gifts u may still get nailed (xmas presents from nz this year did … still arguing it out with parcelforce who refuse to hand over items unless u pay the surcharge on the spot)

[*]Yup still applies plus 6.7% duty on total cost (including shipping)

If uve an phone / android try one of the logging app. I personally use memory map but there are plenty out there. Will certainly give u a ballpark figure to compare to on occasion.

Buy a dog, ours will not rest if there is any sign of life!

Seriously though, I am defo not a morning person, and as my work typically involves working beyond 9pm not a good sleeper either. Like yourself my training was “slipping” and the onset of the 40’s meant my waist line was as well.

The wife is an early rise anyway, but a sympathetic one so would let me sleep on in the mornings, with her “help” and placing the alarm clock where I have to get out of bed to get it (not so easy if u are trying not to wake others) I changed the alarm by 5 minute intervals over a period of weeks. Also had all my gym kit laid out so could literally fall out of bed and get out the door. Now … I hate it slightly less but at least I do it.

Oh … but u do have to do it EVERY day so the routine sticks, including days off 🙁

Ditto to flip. Packed bags at 25 on spur of the moment (read girl) and left NZ, spent 3 years traveling including stints working in a dive shop in Thailand, and an animal refuge in bolivia (a month walking a puma through the forest each day). Arrived here in pomme land, tried to resume my career in finance but heart not in it, so headed home and re-trained. Never regretted it but was difficult initially getting back into workforce, and that was a while ago when things were much more buoyant … and I didn’t have the responsibilities u do.

If financially u can do it, and the family (read wife) FULLY support you then go for it. Have u considered looking at other countries to continue your career … lifestyle change?

Have used digtalrev for a few hard to source items. Brilliant blokes and amazing store but always got charged VAT plus 13.5% import duty, and depending on the courier company their customs clearance fee. Negates any cost advantage.

U may get lucky and something will slip through … im just not lucky!

Ever tried sliding two feeler guage strips one each side of the rotor to centre it between the calipers? Have resorted to that for a set of formula RX1’s that are a buggar to sight down. Just loosen off the bolts, slide in then gently crimp up bolts. A quick lever squeeze will ensure it stays central if it tilts at all (does require that both pistons move freely though … so I found out)

X819’s for the abuse and ease of UST. I also have a set of hopehoop crests on a lighter 1×9 and while everyone tells me they can hack some abuse every time I do anything dumb my mind and sphincter clench waiting for the collapse (85 kg and 10 inches of air is a victory for me). To date they have held up just fine, but it does take away some of the confidence. The X819’s on the other hand get completly abused without a second thought. Time may change my approach … or counciling!

Defo hopes, either flows or X819’s. If ur in Sheffield the bike tree carry a good stock and are great for honest advice.

KS 950i. here, guess they ironed most of the gremlins out in the newer model, no issues at all in close to a year. First use of the day always needs a drop down to get it flowing smoothly but that’s it. Started with the under seat handle (didn’t want extra clutter) but seemed to defeat the purpose of having it so added the remote and a significant improvement. Defo go with the remote option from the outset.

Only maintenance I’ve done is a wipe down and a light smear of shock butter.

Im a bit over 6″2′ and found the 19 slightly small, both my stumpjumpers are 21″ with 50 and 70mm stems.

The rockhopper was actually a great frame, not much in it weight wise to the stump and kept the slender tube profile which looked well. There is a huge range of frames of similar spec about to chose from.

Keep an eye on http://www.totalfitnessbath.co.uk for frames, I got both the carbon marathon and a previous s-works through them and have always been impressed.

Anything specific just drop me an email, address is in profile.

Running hope and x819 on an fsr as well, totally bullet proof. Also have a set of crests, but still haven’t been able to relax enough and trust they wont explode they are that light !

Excuse quality, just in from work so bit rushed …

Some also has to do with the light path, smaller light circle means less oblique angles at both the element and sensor.

Larger elements are more expensive to manufacture, esp when u start adding flourite etc.

Will take a few images when I get in tonight but basic rundown. Originally started with a 19″ rockhopper frame off bay then …

Specialised Stumpjumper Marathon Carbon 21 inch (from http://www.totalfitnessbath.co.uk)
RS Sid Teams (ebay again after the Kenesis steerer was to short for the 21 inch frame !)
Formula Oro K24’s
SLX crank set, standard BB, XT spd’s
Pauls BB mounted chain keeper.
E-thirteen 32 tooth G-ring
XTR rear mech (short cage), xt shifter.
Sram 11-34 rear set (i liked the red colour 🙂 )
Hope II with Crest rims
Conti Raceking SS’s

All in wieghs sub 10kg on the bathroom scales.

I’ve cupboards full of off cast offs including a Mavic crossride wheelset, and the SS conversion kit. Let me know if you’re in need of anything.

Also have a 19″ K2 Zed team frame, has a dent in the rear seatstay but its free to a good home if your in sheffield.

If you like the look of the Nokton, have a look at the nikon f1.2, works well with the Novoflex adaptor and considerably less investment. Ok so you lose an aperture blade in the process … but hey … cant have everything.

I left a very lucrative financial career when I hit 30, went back to university and finished my Arts degree. Life took a few turns soon after i graduated and i ended up in the UK but swore to myself that I would stick to my guns and look for work within the Photographic industry (what my degree was based around).

Had some right stinkers and worked for minimum wage for a bit, and seriously had the piss taken by a few people. But now 10 years later am certainly in a much much better place than i could ever have imagined.

I look forward to going into work each day.

If you’re solid enough financially to take the risk, then there is certainly no harm in applying for it. The crunch will come when / if the offer you the position then its a sit down with all those that could be potentially affected (ie family) and make sure they are 100% behind you as well.

Had similar experience at Sherwood Pines. We went there after work for an evening ride a couple of weeks back. Cafe was shut but I hadn’t filled up the water bladder. Wondered over to the shop to see if he sold drinks, which he didn’t and when I asked if I asked if he had a tap I could use told no.

Wonder where he makes all his cups of tea then ?

I may not have been a customer at the time, hence I could be out of order, and they genuinely don’t have a tap in there, in which case all is forgiven, but in my eyes everyone should be treated as a potential customer !

5Th … how have we moved on to looking for depth of field ? the OP was asking about faster primes for candid shots, hence the increased DOF at the given aperture is a benefit I would have assumed.

Acceptable field of focus at f1.7 on a FF camera is going to be a matter of inches if the subject is anywhere near close.

The available light passed through the lens is not affected by the reduced format, hence f1.7 on 4/3 is the same as f1.7 on a 10×8 field camera, so bit confused as to wether we are talking about depth of field, or available light with your conversions?

f1.7 is certainly considered fast, and f2.5 is still up there being just over a stop less.

Also relates to the aspect ratio of the sensor (or rather has conformed to it). The old 35mm film days the negative size was 36mm x 24mm hence being a ratio of 3×2 or 3/2. Hence this recognised standard being used across the variety of different full frame and smaller sensors (lost count of how many derivatives are floating about now). There is talk of the higher end Canons dropping this aspect and going to a square format to better utilise the light circle.

Hence 4/3 sensor size is 17.3×13 which is a 4×3 ratio or 4/3.

Used to be a popular format of old with 6 x 4.5 medium format cameras (still used in the majority of digital backs).

Never knew about the Video camera Tube background … interesting.

Only sigma I have owned was a 70-200 F2.8 that back focused horribly, since have steered clear simply as a result of the backup that sigma provided in that particular instance. They do make excellent optics, just let down by irregularities in quality control (which I guess all camera makers have been guilty of).

Have both the Panasonic 20 1.7 and the 14 2.5 and both are surprisingly good (esp the 20mm). Biggest benefit is it will all fit in a thinktank lightening fast case and stay in the bottom of the camelbak without concern.

To give you an idea its footprint with the 20mm fitted its exactly the same as an iphone laid flat.

I initially purchased it as a poor mans M8, and to carry me through until an M9 became more affordable but to be honest its fairly difficult to justify the difference in price in 75% of situations.

That does limit the options somewhat … to basically what you have already listed (plus some more expensive leica / zeiss glass). Have you looked at the katzeye focus screens to ensure they don’t do one for your particular model ?

Although I’ve never had an issue MF’ing with the GF1 relying solely on the LCD, It is quite useable with a variety of lenses and makes a great backup option.

The added benefit (from what I understand at least … I don’t own any Olympus bar an old OM series) is even with a MF lens fitted in body IS is retained which would help further.

The micro 4/3 standard does open up a few more options regards lens selection so other option could be to keep an eye out for a cheap(er) earlier model (GF1 included). You would also be able to use your existing lens(s) with this.

Do you want to retain AF ? Its a trade off but going manual and utilising the various adapters it does open up huge opportunity to invest in non 4/3 lenses.

Will require stop down metering however.

Benefit also being that should you go to a more traditional 2/3 format in the future you’ve already got some kit together.

Wouldn’t they be averaging for all users, ie woman and children as well, prob guestimated that there are higher numbers of female / younger walkers by percentage hence lowering it to 60kg while MTB tend to have a higher proportion of big hairy chubbies increasing it to the 75kg as quoted.

EDIT – sorry higher proportion of well hung muscly types

Given the low % of both I’d hazard they are still well under (and I’ll add my extra 20KG into the equation)

Similar approach. Started with a Single Speed with a conversion kit on a 9 speed hub, but ended up going to a 1×9 as couldn’t get up a few of the hills 🙂 Initially built around a Specialized Rockhopper, since replaced the frame with a Carbon Stumpjumper as original frame was slightly to small. Majority of bits are hand me downs and parts bins. and as I replace components on my FSR they filter down to the 1×9 for the next winter.

This winter replaced a Kenisis rigid fork for a Sid, firstly as the steerer was to short for the larger frame size, and also for comfort.

Its also good for the more fitness orientated rides.

Building around a lighter frameset, plus keeping it basic with gearing means you can invest some weight in more durable components.

Lightroom has replaced the majority of our Photoshop / Phase one RAW workflow including Temperature balance, Curves, Levels and Exposure correction and even cropping. Its heading more down the line as a single point of use bar actual retouching. Prices start from £60 for Student / Teacher through to £200 for the un-subsidised versions. Worth downloading the 30 day trial to see if the investment is justified. Only gripe about Adobe is the constant requirement to upgrade and lack of support for previous versions.

The library function also goes along way to keeping the inevitable thousands of images in some semblance of order.

Another workaround for unsupported raw formats is to use an intermediary software to convert to DNG. Adobe offer “Digital Negative” which is a free software works for the majority of industry RAW formats, and is constantly updated. Phase one software which you can sometimes pick up as a free download will also do similar.

Also, if you are a mac user, have a look at the App store as they were offering Aperture for £40 which was a huge saving over the initial release cost.

Another vote for sports therapist / physio. I had back pain (amongst other things) caused by a combination of muscle imbalance, and carrying heavy bags over one shoulder on a regular basis which aggrevated the problem. Recovery initially was core strength,working to lengthen shortened muscles (hamstrings / glutes) and strengthen my abdominal area. Then long term compound strength exercises (box squats / rack deadlifts / medicine ball crunch) obviously a ways down the path. I was lucky in that it was all soft tissue, hence vitally important from the outset to make sure its not skeletal else can defo do more harm than good!

What model SJ is it? Have fitted RP23’s on both the wife 07 and friends 08. Both were slightly longer shock bodies and stroke due to spec’s original unique lengths. As a result also increased BB height, and travel. U-turns on the front to dial the original geometry back in. Have ridden the 07 a couple of times since and been very impressed with the improvements. Picked up the last shock for the 08 for £99 on ebay.

Another vote for the pauls. Have used both the tube and BB mounts and never dropped a chain (although to be honest wasn’t a huge issue prior to fitting … good luck or other im not sure). I tried the mrp but didn’t have enough adjustment for chain line on my particular set up. I’ve also got a spare high mount pauls knocking about somewhere? Fitted a rockhopper so 30.9 seat tube.

They are light, simple and elegant.

Yup, the 1.4 is just about as good (both have 8 blades), and focus’s faster 🙂 and is 1/5th the cost

Primes expensive ? 50mm 1.8 £90, 20mm f2.8 £300, 35mm f2.0 £200, 85mm f1.8 £250 and that’s new, they are half that on ebay. All some of the highest lp resolution results.

So u end up with a full range at a minimum of f2.8 for less than the equivalent 24-70 f2.8 ?

What you get for the extra £££ is robustness, and weather sealing, as covered the £90 50mm f1.8 is as sharp as my £1200 f1.2, but I rely on my lens for a living so have to invest accordingly.

An XX mm f3.5-5.6 kit zoom is going to prevent alot of natural light, candid photography.