I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
It’s perfectly possible to govern the country without being Head Count. No PM of this country has ever been from there, for a start.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
Er, Ramsay MacDonald. From a poor farming labourers' family, educated at Sunday school, parish school and self-education, and teacher training college IIRC
Watched Carols from Kings earlier. Enjoyed the music, but felt sorry for the parents of white British choristers hoping to see their sons on TV.
They were probably present in the congregation.
As I work for the church I have had the pleasure of no less than 6 Christmas events/parties ranging from staff Christmas lunches to amazing carol services in stunning buildings . Always love to see Kings each year
Why are English churches like corridors. Scottish square churches are much more inclusive.
(snipped Carnforth's good comment to get back to the question)
I'll take "corridor" as meaning "rectangular".
If they are a simple rectangle, it will be because they were built like that and there has never been a need to extend (some villages), or someone built it like that because they imagined in their head that is how it should be (eg compare Victorian High Churchmen copying Medieval Gothic), money was short (eg Victorian Comissioners' Churches - of which there are 600 mainly in industrial / commercial areas - because they were chasing a growing population and maximising space), or someone was trying to echo very early (Roman era) designs with a hall plus an apse (eg St-Peter's on the Wall, Bradwell is pre-Norman Conquest).
The only one I know that is really like a corridor is St Michaels Pleasley, Notts, near here, which is so narrow you feel as if you walk into the opposite wall when you first enter.
The feeling tends to be emphasised by the modern innovation of fixed pews (from ~1600) to permit endurance of long sermons, and to rent out to make funds. Before that everyone generally stood, as it would be the main communal space for everything in the community.
But any churches in town settings like the one in Amsterdam will usually be extended several times with transepts and / or aisles.
A great day is to be in the City of London visiting Wren's endless variations on the preaching box, and compare it to a day in York or Norwich or Stamford visiting Medieval churches.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Smushed avocados on sourdough with a parched egg on top. Cheap and practical
Sardines on toast. Or straight from the can, even.
Craster kippers or Arbroath whole smoked haddock, with brown bread and butter for us.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
It’s perfectly possible to govern the country without being Head Count. No PM of this country has ever been from there, for a start.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
That is why pre-partygate Boris was reasonably popular with 'normal' people.
He did not try to pretend to be one, but acknowledged they existed and spoke about levelling up.
In the midst of a peadophile scandal that Trump just can't shake off, somebody in the Whitehouse press office thought a live phone in was a great idea...
Trump: You sound beautiful and cute. How old are you?
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Smushed avocados on sourdough with a parched egg on top. Cheap and practical
Poached egg?
Or what is a parched egg, which sounds intriguing?
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
It’s perfectly possible to govern the country without being Head Count. No PM of this country has ever been from there, for a start.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
If I have to point to a single overwhelming background to Ashfield political views at present, it is perhaps a bottomless skepticism tending towards cynicism.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Smushed avocados on sourdough with a parched egg on top. Cheap and practical
Sardines on toast. Or straight from the can, even.
Craster kippers or Arbroath whole smoked haddock, with brown bread and butter for us.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Smushed avocados on sourdough with a parched egg on top. Cheap and practical
Sardines on toast. Or straight from the can, even.
Craster kippers or Arbroath whole smoked haddock, with brown bread and butter for us.
I wish I liked sardines. Extremely good for you.
Also one of those tinned foods that, if good quality, is a delicacy in itself. Oil-pickled sardines.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
It’s perfectly possible to govern the country without being Head Count. No PM of this country has ever been from there, for a start.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
Er, Ramsay MacDonald. From a poor farming labourers' family, educated at Sunday school, parish school and self-education, and teacher training college IIRC
And MacDonald never pretended he was not from the bottom any more.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
It’s perfectly possible to govern the country without being Head Count. No PM of this country has ever been from there, for a start.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
Er, Ramsay MacDonald. From a poor farming labourers' family, educated at Sunday school, parish school and self-education, and teacher training college IIRC
And MacDonald never pretended he was not from the bottom any more.
He’d left.
You did say 'from there', rather than still being there ... but okay. Bit of a quibble though.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
It’s perfectly possible to govern the country without being Head Count. No PM of this country has ever been from there, for a start.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
That is why pre-partygate Boris was reasonably popular with 'normal' people.
He did not try to pretend to be one, but acknowledged they existed and spoke about levelling up.
It really is not much being asked for.
I’d also suggest - leaders who are comfortable being who they actually are.
Examples - Thatcher, Blair, Cameron.
Part of Starmer’s problem seems to be that he doesn’t really, really like being a top lawyer who needed an act of Parliament to sort his pension out.
The Head Count don’t mind success in their leaders - most of their other heros and heroines have Made It, after all.
"This is the day that ruined the joy of driving When Britain’s motorways had no speed limits, getting behind the wheel was ‘freeing and fun’. 60 years ago, the death knell sounded Abigail Buchanan" (£)
Russian sources are widely confirming the loss of the terrorist army’s control over the city of Kupiansk a month after Putin claimed it was taken. A lengthy analytical piece was published by Rybar, awkwardly titled “Problems near Kupiansk”. The layout can be seen in the screenshot. Some Russian sources are even more blunt, while security-service-curated million-subscriber channels, on the contrary, are trying to tone down the negativity.
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
I'm just trying to imagine Trump facing the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future at midnight.
Hardest task they've ever faced...
"Last night, I was awoken by three ghosts. That's a beautiful number of ghosts, an awesome number. Sleepy Joe Biden, he was never awoken by any ghosts at all. Sleepy man..."
Offerings for the big fella and his crew (that thing front right is the mince pie deemed the one he'd most favour. Stockings all ready. Happy Christmas pb. Ho ho ho.
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
I thought better of spoiling everyone's fun. The answer will still be valid in California time for quite a while to come.
Nobody spotted my sneaky postcard signed 'A from Balmoral' on the back in the previous thread either.
In the midst of a peadophile scandal that Trump just can't shake off, somebody in the Whitehouse press office thought a live phone in was a great idea...
Trump: You sound beautiful and cute. How old are you?
While you are all watching Die Hard this evening, there is the moment when Jon McClane touches his (estranged) wife's name on the computer screen at the base of Nakatomi Plaza.
As he touches it, it becomes highlighted, and the spelling changes from Holly Gennaro to Holly Gennero.
Hang on, I'm confused. I thought the PB concensus was that Die Hard was a Christmas movie.
There is a flow chart to follow
Does it annoy TSE? No -> wrong choice Yes -> does it annoy RCS1000? No -> valid answer Yes -> farewell to your membership of this site
Which is why we all have pineapple on pizza and don’t insult Radiohead
And why Die Hard would be a possible Christmas Eve film if it wasn’t for Muppet’s Christmas Carol
Just realised I spelled consensus wrongly, must be getting old.
Happy Christmas to all PBers.
Happy Christmas to all. Also 'Scrooged' > "Muppet's Christmas Carol".
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, except the four assholes coming in the rear in standard two-by-two cover formation.
It's Christmas, Theo. It's the time of miracles, so be of good cheer and call me when you hit the last lock. Karl, hunt that little shit down and get those detonators.
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Do any of you do cryptic other than me and @AnneJGP ?
Santa now over British soil and headed for London. Farage has issued a statement decrying his illegal entry without going thru customs
You jest, but these are the words of the President of the United States to a couple of kids (age 4 and 10) this evening calling the Santa-tracking NORAD hotline.
WE TRACK SANTA ALL OVER THE WORLD AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S BEING GOOD. HE'S A VERY GOOD PERSON. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S NOT INFILTRATED. WE FOUND OUT THAT SANTA IS GOOD, SANTA LOVES YOU, SANTA LOVES OKLAHOMA LIKE I DO. OKLAHOMA WAS VERY GOOD TO ME IN THE ELECTION SO I LOVE OKLAHOMA. DON'T EVER LEAVE OKLAHOMA, OK?
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT toA forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
I thought better of spoiling everyone's fun. The answer will still be valid in California time for quite a while to come.
Nobody spotted my sneaky postcard signed 'A from Balmoral' on the back in the previous thread either.
CHRISTMAS EVE, an anagram of "mess the Vicar"
I thought "tidy up" the perfect anagrind to go with "mess"
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Do any of you do cryptic other than me and @AnneJGP ?
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Hi Blanche
I've got the (9,3), (7), (3,6) and (10,12). Still working on the other two.
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Hi Blanche
I've got the (9,3), (7), (3,6) and (10,12). Still working on the other two.
Santa now over British soil and headed for London. Farage has issued a statement decrying his illegal entry without going thru customs
You jest, but these are the words of the President of the United States to a couple of kids (age 4 and 10) this evening calling the Santa-tracking NORAD hotline.
WE TRACK SANTA ALL OVER THE WORLD AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S BEING GOOD. HE'S A VERY GOOD PERSON. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S NOT INFILTRATED. WE FOUND OUT THAT SANTA IS GOOD, SANTA LOVES YOU, SANTA LOVES OKLAHOMA LIKE I DO. OKLAHOMA WAS VERY GOOD TO ME IN THE ELECTION SO I LOVE OKLAHOMA. DON'T EVER LEAVE OKLAHOMA, OK?
"WE FOUND OUT THAT SANTA IS GOOD"
Another redacted file they are keeping from us all.
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Hi Blanche
I've got the (9,3), (7), (3,6) and (10,12). Still working on the other two.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Didn't Mrs Thatcher serve poached eggs on toast to colleagues working late?
" John le Mesurier interview - 1978 - Best known for his portrayal of Sgt Wilson in Dad's Army, John le Mesurier has a quick chat with Roger Bowns."
Which brought to mind a Dennis Potter starring him, which I think is rather neglected. Outstanding performance from le Mesurier (apparently he didn't think he was capable enough of an actor for the part) :
" Play For Today - Traitor (1971) by Dennis Potter & Alan Bridges '
Traitor is blocked on copyright grounds so I have just watched another Dennis Potter play inspired by the Cambridge spies, Blade on the Feather. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf9_D095H_E
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Hi Blanche
I've got the (9,3), (7), (3,6) and (10,12). Still working on the other two.
Now got the (6)
(8) is the trickiest!
Christmas Eve Present Gifted ? Big Bertha Artificial Intelligence
According to my records , I watched 20 films at the cinema in 2025 . Best five imho were Calibre Frankenstein A real pain The brutalist The Phoenician scheme
Worst two were
Now you see me now you don’t Thursday murder club
I never really got why Thursday Murder Club became a smash hit book, it was everywhere but was pretty bog standard just with a gimmick (old people solve crimes). Given that gimmick I was only surprised it took this long to make a movie out of it.
The second book in the series was far far worse though.
I suspect it was mainly driven by the popularity of the author and lots of pushing by his mates at the BBC etc. I tried it and gave up, and I rarely give up on books. Utter rubbish. Implausible, boring, derivative. You would be better with any of the classic detective books whether Morse, Poirot, Holmes or whoever.
Chris Columbus directed the film, The Thursday Murder Club, so must have seen some merit in it. He also, of course, directed the Christmas film, Home Alone, discussed earlier in this thread.
I've been talking to Google AI about cryptic crosswords
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Hi Blanche
I've got the (9,3), (7), (3,6) and (10,12). Still working on the other two.
Now got the (6)
(8) is the trickiest!
Christmas Eve Present Gifted ? Big Bertha Artificial Intelligence
Comments
I'll take "corridor" as meaning "rectangular".
If they are a simple rectangle, it will be because they were built like that and there has never been a need to extend (some villages), or someone built it like that because they imagined in their head that is how it should be (eg compare Victorian High Churchmen copying Medieval Gothic), money was short (eg Victorian Comissioners' Churches - of which there are 600 mainly in industrial / commercial areas - because they were chasing a growing population and maximising space), or someone was trying to echo very early (Roman era) designs with a hall plus an apse (eg St-Peter's on the Wall, Bradwell is pre-Norman Conquest).
The only one I know that is really like a corridor is St Michaels Pleasley, Notts, near here, which is so narrow you feel as if you walk into the opposite wall when you first enter.
The feeling tends to be emphasised by the modern innovation of fixed pews (from ~1600) to permit endurance of long sermons, and to rent out to make funds. Before that everyone generally stood, as it would be the main communal space for everything in the community.
But any churches in town settings like the one in Amsterdam will usually be extended several times with transepts and / or aisles.
A great day is to be in the City of London visiting Wren's endless variations on the preaching box, and compare it to a day in York or Norwich or Stamford visiting Medieval churches.
He did not try to pretend to be one, but acknowledged they existed and spoke about levelling up.
It really is not much being asked for.
Trump: You sound beautiful and cute. How old are you?
Caller: I am eight
https://bsky.app/profile/acyn.bsky.social/post/3maravanqvr2e
Yikes
Or what is a parched egg, which sounds intriguing?
He’d left.
Examples - Thatcher, Blair, Cameron.
Part of Starmer’s problem seems to be that he doesn’t really, really like being a top lawyer who needed an act of Parliament to sort his pension out.
The Head Count don’t mind success in their leaders - most of their other heros and heroines have Made It, after all.
When Britain’s motorways had no speed limits, getting behind the wheel was ‘freeing and fun’. 60 years ago, the death knell sounded
Abigail Buchanan" (£)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/22/day-ruined-joy-driving/?recomm_id=54839361-3878-42c6-8ca4-01b548a17ecd
Russian sources are widely confirming the loss of the terrorist army’s control over the city of Kupiansk a month after Putin claimed it was taken. A lengthy analytical piece was published by Rybar, awkwardly titled “Problems near Kupiansk”. The layout can be seen in the screenshot. Some Russian sources are even more blunt, while security-service-curated million-subscriber channels, on the contrary, are trying to tone down the negativity.
Does it annoy TSE?
No -> wrong choice
Yes -> does it annoy RCS1000?
No -> valid answer
Yes -> farewell to your membership of this site
Which is why we all have pineapple on pizza and don’t insult Radiohead
And why Die Hard would be a possible Christmas Eve film if it wasn’t for Muppet’s Christmas Carol
Happy Christmas to all PBers.
Hardest task they've ever faced...
I started earlier with my "Tidy up mess the Vicar made today (9,3)" clue
It said "rectified" and gave me a stupid and detailed explanation why
I pointed out that it was (9,3) not (9)
So it gave me a detailed explanation as to why "rectified tea" was the answer, partly because it apparently means "tidy up"
I pointed out that "today" was the definition, not "tidy up". It said Ahhh, Christmas Day - that's an anagram of "the Vicar made", they both have twelve letters
I pointed out the idiocy, and it came up with the right answer (will anyone get it in time?)
Since then I've been teaching Google AI about cryptic clues
We wrote a few together:
Now a tense turnout, following publicity (7)
Fidget about being talented (6)
I limp badly, but with energy inside.. Blimey (8)
Be a bright explosion (3,6)
EDIT the AI forgot to remind me of this one, until I reminded it
Absurdly facilitating lie, recline by thinking replacement (10,12)
Offerings for the big fella and his crew (that thing front right is the mince pie deemed the one he'd most favour. Stockings all ready. Happy Christmas pb.
Ho ho ho.
Nobody spotted my sneaky postcard signed 'A from Balmoral' on the back in the previous thread either.
As he touches it, it becomes highlighted, and the spelling changes from Holly Gennaro to Holly Gennero.
It's always bothered me.
https://www.noradsanta.org/en/map
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, except the four assholes coming in the rear in standard two-by-two cover formation.
Stephen Bush
@stephenkb.bsky.social
· 1h
Anyway, time to watch a *truly* controversial choice for Christmas movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas.
It's Christmas, Theo. It's the time of miracles, so be of good cheer and call me when you hit the last lock. Karl, hunt that little shit down and get those detonators.
Except the f-ing colourized version shown on Ch 5 at 9am this morning.
WE TRACK SANTA ALL OVER THE WORLD AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S BEING GOOD. HE'S A VERY GOOD PERSON. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S NOT INFILTRATED. WE FOUND OUT THAT SANTA IS GOOD, SANTA LOVES YOU, SANTA LOVES OKLAHOMA LIKE I DO. OKLAHOMA WAS VERY GOOD TO ME IN THE ELECTION SO I LOVE OKLAHOMA. DON'T EVER LEAVE OKLAHOMA, OK?
I thought "tidy up" the perfect anagrind to go with "mess"
The Santa Con
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSqKfJQABMN/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og6flYWMPWI
@joxley.jmoxley.co.uk
Follow
Luke 2:1 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."
Morgan McSweeney: "Focus groups are going to fucking hate this"
https://bsky.app/profile/joxley.jmoxley.co.uk/post/3maqvvaolk22w
I've got the (9,3), (7), (3,6) and (10,12). Still working on the other two.
Another redacted file they are keeping from us all.
We should be told the truth.
NEW THREAD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf9_D095H_E
Present
Gifted
?
Big Bertha
Artificial Intelligence
Nice clues. 😀
I is the definition might help..