choffer

Avios. The most pointless "rewards" system ever invented. I've got them coming out of my ears so checked to see what they were worth. I could get a fiver off a bottle of wine on my next flight.

Funny how he can think himself to be something he’s not (we judge him by his actions rather than his opinion of himself) but doesn't believe others should be allowed to be who they are.

It's not that straightforward though, Dem. If someone over 21 did anything with a 14 year old, they're getting a visit from the old bill. Someone over 21 cannot have any "relations" with someone under the age of 16.

Aye. If you see an innuendo, just whip it out. (a Kenneth, that is)

An easy starting point for some or a wild, biased take-down for others. This Graun article will fill some gaps for those in the dark.

As a casual observer (England ain't my team), I wonder how many other viable options were there?

Same in my house. And he has a thirst too. Can sometimes polish off half a bottle on Christmas Eve, the greedy bugger. (We don’t have kids).

It's not. It never is. Yet many keep putting money in the meter.

Where'd you find this? Meant to watch it back when it came out but had forgotten all about it.

Two related things. Watching the football with the missus. She says she's interested in the match but spends the whole time watching TikTok's at full volume meaning I have to keep nudging up the volume on the telly. Watching anything on telly. She says she's interested in what's on but spends the whole time with her phone in hand, facebooking, TikTokking, Insta-ing. I briefly glance at my phone and she's all "what you doing?". Doesn't really P me off but she can't see how it's something I might find a bit off-putting.

We've instituted a similar scheme at ours too. We've quite an international workforce so it made sense. The only bone of contention is that line managers don't have to make accommodations for time differences so if you're working and you're invited to a meeting by your boss, you're going to have to be present. Mostly people are pretty good about working around time zones though so it's not been an issue yet.

Same here. We were pushing for it before Covid but there were several other Directors who were holding-out. It'd never work, they'd say. They needed eyes-on their teams at all times. We did a somewhat unscientific study last year and think we are about 40% more productive and 22% happier as a workforce. Everyone works predominantly from home but comes in to one of the offices when required or when they want.

I think it fair to say, my infatuation with LauraK has somewhat diminished over the last few years. This article spells out why:

Ray Lamontagne, Hammersmith Apollo, 2004. Not really my kind of thing but the album didn’t make my ears bleed and a pal was keen so I thought I’d go to keep him company. Stage setup was eight chairs in a semi circle. There was no support and eventually the chairs were filled by people with instruments. They tuned up for five minutes and then started the first song off the album. Then the second, then the third. They basically played the whole album in order and at the conclusion of the last, Ray mumbled a thank you into the microphone and they all shuffled off. I think it was an £80 ticket too. By a mile the most expensive gig I’d been to at that point. Never again.

I loved Kolkata. Plenty to see and do there. I'd not be bothered about visiting Goa again though but maybe my memory is tainted by the group I was with.

I interpreted it that the commentators were saying they didn’t have access to replays but were at the mercy of the TV Director. Surely the TMO can’t be in the same position.

Tell you what, I’m sick of Edith Piaf already.

Odd that. Given the whole thing is a Tory initiative.

In theory. But if you’re living at the poorer end of the scale and have an old banger to get you around, you scrap it and get your two grand. Then you’ve got two grand burning a hole in your pocket but you have to find a replacement car for that amount that is compliant. Oh, and if you’re on benefits, that two grand will be viewed as income and your benefits will be impacted accordingly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for ULEZ even though I live in the newly expanded zone but like most things these days, it’s those who can least afford it that are getting squeezed again.

Giles Brandreth on BBC Breakfast this very morning with his corgi jumper.

Chatting with my uncle who follows (follows) Rangers. Seems to think he's living on borrowed time and the majority of the fans want him gone.

How very dare you. Those of us from North Britain know how important he was. A true legend.

VT is slipping. 24 hours later and still no mention of this one:

Perennial VT favourite Dibnah's introduction to the public consciousness.

It might sound a bit hokey but I kinda game-ified the process. I gave myself targets to beat and the sense of competition gave me an occasional push. I must confess though, at the time I had little interest in addressing the issues. I think the big push was seeing that I was causing worry to people I loved. That was enough for me to get moving, but then again I am an inveterate people-pleaser.