I was disappointed as a kid to find that actual soy sauce didn't taste the same as Pot Noodle soy sauce (much experience schlurping the last few drops from the sachet). God knows what filth they put in it, but I would totally buy branded Pot Noodle soy sauce. Haven't had a dirty noodle in ages.
OMFG I had to go and check that this ACTUALLY happened.
Since when does the BBC ever do chyrons with a political party's branding, rather than their own? Not to mention this is during a pre-election campaign purdah.
(h/t @iainsol.bsky.social)
Classy!
'Satire in the form of American game show' was very much a trope of A-level theatre studies back in the day. I'd say this was more sports influenced, but it's not far off.
No wonder I remember this programme with a huge dollop of unease. Think I must have mentally blocked the details out. Who thought this was a good idea? Did they hate kids?
Aw that sucks! But presumably she's experienced it before? I'm afraid I haven't really got any hot tips for emotional regulation. Am currently having a much needed decompression weekend without other humans, but with dog cuddles and walks when I really needed to catch up on work.
Haven't heard 'parked a tiger' in ages! It's right up there with 'dropping the kids off at the pool.' (If you're a nice person and don't know what that means, prob best you just keep scrolling.)
Sorry to hear that Magus. Hope you have a way of expressing it as well as talking on here. They say that naming your emotions is a good first step in processing them?
I'm on a rollercoaster of overwhelm and personal epiphanies underpinned by ADHD med induced anxiety. Tricky times. I empathise.
I mean, clearly we know that the US isn't a meritocracy looking at who has risen to the top, but wouldn't it be great if it was, and that this woman was running the show? What if?
Tell me 'Snake', would you consider yourself more sexist or more ageist on balance?
I'm so very sick of intelligent people being forced to give up their time to state the obvious in response to ridiculous questions like this in the media. Not really a criticism of Victoria or her colleagues - more that this is necessary in the first place. Like, come on! We all know it's lunacy!
Aww. The amount of postcards I sent to Saturday Superstore, BBC TV, London W12 8QT. Prizes were called bargains. To this day I feel a sense of loss at the box of Adventure Game drognas I never won!
Fair play to the woman, that's some high kick! Great lines.
Absolutely! Aww. It's good to be able to see that pattern and allow yourself the space to gently work with it. I finally restarted journalling this year for the first time since around '94, motivated hugely by the purchase of a rainbow notebook. Surprised how much it's helping at a turbulent time.
Nice. I took the dog for a brisk and breezy walk across the fields, during which time I angrily ruminated, but managed to achieve calm for around 15mins upon my return. Spent this morning listening to Debussy and Satie and had a deep personal epiphany, so today was supposed to work out better!
Privatisation, incentives and regulations all failed. When one company has a monopoly there can be no meaningful competition and when the only incentives are achieved through cost cutting and the regulatory bodies are toothless (am especially thinking about water), it's a race to the bottom. Grim.
My god. Everything is just so utterly terrible right now and I can't see it improving without a global pitchforks and flaming torches revolution, which seems unlikely. I don't think it's healthy to feel this furious all the time.
And these deadbeats are currently charged with upgrading the entire nation over the next year or so!
That's terrible. Part of me can't conceive that this private company is allowed to have the monopoly on vital infrastructure, and then I look back at every single UK government in my lifetime and it all makes sense.
From your phrasing it sounds that the 4th installation attempt was not the charm?
My mum was an operator for the GPO, so I was surprised I could lure her away (they were supposed to switch to Zen today but Openreach is of course part of BT.) Absolutely everything changed with privatisation and now everything is worse.
That's both terrible and absolutely on brand for them. I'm taking this to Ofcom, will write to the Guardian and I'm wondering what else I can do to raise awareness of this. Older people up and down the country will be getting fleeced without realising it.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/m...
I had to hold myself back when attempt #3 was refused today because they'd cocked up the paperwork on my parents' installation & the engineer dared to tell me that keeping the crackly line where they can't hear what anyone's saying that costs them £100-£140 per MONTH was 'in their best interests.'
Meanwhile their last month's BT bill, just for the most basic and out of date broadband with faulty ultra-crackly landline that I've reported twice was £130!!! They continue to be on this extortionate rate until the new broadband is installed.
BT is institutionally ageist. Am going ultra-Karen.
I swear that the fury I rained down on the patronising Openreach engineer this morning was absolutely nothing compared to the pure white fury I was holding back.
Third attempt at my parents' full fibre installation was refused because a box on the paperwork had not been ticked - their error.
😆
There is a guy who I've seen over the past few weeks commuting to work on a unicycle. He's there at rush hour with his cycling helmet and rucksack on with his little legs going ten to the dozen along a rural A-road. I'm so totally inspired by his level of fitness, commitment and sense of fun.
Not sure which I enjoy watching more with my parents, this or University Challenge. As a family we definitely tip more towards the Morecambe and Wise demographic.
From the age that I am 72 doesn't even seem properly old! Gutted.
Oh man, that is sad news indeed on this sunny morning.
I appreciate that reference.
