Search found 3952 matches

by Ian Volante
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

I understand it to maintain the distance which is the same as the distance between two chevrons. This seems beyond many drivers in any case.
by Ian Volante
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:52 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Should I be worried?
Replies: 6
Views: 381

Re: Should I be worried?

Might be something to do with the lack of https. I'm unable to visit a different forum from my work machine which doesn't have this feature; I presume I can only use this place because it's either set up better, or it's locally hosted.
by Ian Volante
Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:05 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 627
Views: 273953

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

Jon O'Neill wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:05 pm Sun King is a blatant rip off of Albatross and these are two totally separate and distinct songs.
Inspired by I'd say. I doubt they set out to copy it.
by Ian Volante
Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:03 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682580

Re: Ask Graeme?

Philip A wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 2:09 pm How many people have won a Countdown teapot and a Mastermind glass bowl?
Isabelle Heward is the one I'm aware of. May well be others. Geoff Thomas marginally missed doing the double, arguably failing at the easier task.
by Ian Volante
Tue Feb 27, 2024 12:38 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Words You Would Have Thought...
Replies: 479
Views: 160728

Re: Words You Would Have Thought...

Gavin Chipper wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 2:22 pmLimbic.
Not just me then.
by Ian Volante
Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:01 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

I can fully understand why existing athletes are whinging about this idea, as they've practised for a long time to perfect the take-off. If it becomes just a long jump event rather than a long jump from as close to an arbitary line as possible, then it simply renders a lot of their work obsolete. D...
by Ian Volante
Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

I can fully understand why existing athletes are whinging about this idea, as they've practised for a long time to perfect the take-off. If it becomes just a long jump event rather than a long jump from as close to an arbitary line as possible, then it simply renders a lot of their work obsolete. Do...
by Ian Volante
Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

I reckon if the enhanced games happen then sub 2 hours will happen If you're happy to count that then why not count Kipchoge's sub-2? Why wasn't it official then? He had pacemakers, and if I remember right, was shielded from air resistance by a vehicle in front of him too, not to mention shoes that...
by Ian Volante
Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:30 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

What's that whole thing about when your ear goes PING and then you're deaf for a few seconds? Ive never experienced this but my step daughter (in her early thirties) says it happens whenever she hears a cat scarer I hate those bloody things. I thought they were supposed to be inaudible to humans? D...
by Ian Volante
Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:28 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Enfield council do it for free, seemingly based on concerns about fly tipping (source: https://www.enfield.gov.uk/news-and-events/2022/10/councils-free-bulky-waste-collection-service-goes-from-strength-to-strength). But a brief Google search suggests that's rare even among London boroughs. You can ...
by Ian Volante
Tue Feb 13, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

Steve Prefontaine similar.
by Ian Volante
Wed Feb 07, 2024 1:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Paul Worsley wrote: Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:56 pm When did roof racks stop being a thing?

You used to see them all the time in the 70s, but I can't remember the last time I saw one.
Cars are so bloody big that they aren't needed.
by Ian Volante
Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Favourite Comedy Gig
Replies: 11
Views: 744

Re: Favourite Comedy Gig

Probably never enjoyed anyone live more than Brendon Burns.
by Ian Volante
Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

The council has installed a radon detector. When did this become a thing? Since the build-up of radioactive gas indoors became a heightened cancer risk, i.e. since it's been practical to do so really. Not sure what the legal requirement is for such monitoring, but as far as I'm aware, it's common i...
by Ian Volante
Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

But seriously, I could never understand how Tony B Liar did not try and reverse the privatised industries back to being nationalised You seem to parrot this as though you're being paid to do so. Have you not yet thought of a more original nickname for him than the tabloids have? Fwiw, I came up wit...
by Ian Volante
Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:09 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?
Replies: 70
Views: 24848

Re: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?

Gavin Chipper wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 3:17 pm
Ian Volante wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:50 pm
Gavin Chipper wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:21 pm

There's already loads of 80-year-olds roaming the streets.
What's your point here?
I don't think your post really addressed what Marc was saying.
Marc said he expected people living to 100 to be the norm, which I think is fairly interpreted as more people doing that than not.
by Ian Volante
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?
Replies: 70
Views: 24848

Re: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?

I think in 30 years time living to 100 plus will be the norm however as we are all gifted with a limited amount of brain cells I can envisage 120 year olds roaming the streets like zombies. There's a horror movie in that Improvements in the global south might enable us to surpass 80, but I'd be ama...
by Ian Volante
Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?
Replies: 70
Views: 24848

Re: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?

I think in 30 years time living to 100 plus will be the norm however as we are all gifted with a limited amount of brain cells I can envisage 120 year olds roaming the streets like zombies. There's a horror movie in that Improvements in the global south might enable us to surpass 80, but I'd be ama...
by Ian Volante
Thu Jan 18, 2024 12:49 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?
Replies: 70
Views: 24848

Re: Was Jeanne Calment a fraud?

I just can't believe that Bluey's dead.
by Ian Volante
Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:08 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What films have you watched lately?
Replies: 419
Views: 239348

Re: What films have you watched lately?

Rambo: Last Blood. Some of the most over-the-top gore and violence I've seen outside the horror genre. Almost made the film worthwhile!
by Ian Volante
Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:07 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Worst word ever
Replies: 9
Views: 1375

Re: Worst word ever

Moist.
by Ian Volante
Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:52 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Mark Deeks wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:09 pm What's that gunky brown gank that builds up around the bathroom tap all about?
Some sort of biofilm. Don't put it in your sandwiches.
by Ian Volante
Mon Jan 08, 2024 12:49 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

You all (recent commenters) seem to be putting the cart before the horse. Persons under the rainbow flag(s) all deviate from societal norms of fitting with binary gender roles, which is much wider than who/what someone is attracted to. Anyone in these groups has endured, and continue to endure, att...
by Ian Volante
Mon Jan 08, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Which Is Your Favourite Joke?
Replies: 48
Views: 10374

Re: Which Is Your Favourite Joke?

Marc Meakin wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 7:39 pm
Ian Volante wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 6:16 pm
Marc Meakin wrote: Fri Jan 05, 2024 4:14 am Since the Epstein papers release, I see Stephen Hawking's big bang theory is trending on social media
You need to explain this to the likes of me.
Its not rocket science 😊
Ah, as an astrophysicist (ish), I don't associate Hawking with rockets...
by Ian Volante
Sat Jan 06, 2024 6:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Which Is Your Favourite Joke?
Replies: 48
Views: 10374

Re: Which Is Your Favourite Joke?

Marc Meakin wrote: Fri Jan 05, 2024 4:14 am Since the Epstein papers release, I see Stephen Hawking's big bang theory is trending on social media
You need to explain this to the likes of me.
by Ian Volante
Sat Jan 06, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

You all (recent commenters) seem to be putting the cart before the horse. Persons under the rainbow flag(s) all deviate from societal norms of fitting with binary gender roles, which is much wider than who/what someone is attracted to. Anyone in these groups has endured, and continue to endure, atta...
by Ian Volante
Wed Jan 03, 2024 7:39 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The Dead of 2024
Replies: 54
Views: 3786

Re: The Dead of 2024

It's good forum etiquette to say what's behind the link. Edit - Headline is "Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh dies" btw. 3) At least I didn't say " That colourful woman who was accused of robbing money from kids charity before it went into administration." Btw no menti...
by Ian Volante
Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:54 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Strange things you used to believe as a child
Replies: 32
Views: 6008

Re: Strange things you used to believe as a child

Fiona T wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:21 pm
Ian Volante wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:08 pm Confirms its an utterly shite name too.
It's getting it talked about - you've heard of it now!
Oh I'd heard about it for many years, but just thought it was a silly name.
by Ian Volante
Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:47 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Mark James wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:44 am Is lava wet?
It's a liquid of varying viscosity. However, wetness as a concept generally applies to substances that can realistically be touched by human flesh without that flesh being immediately consumed/degraded/vaporised, so it's a bit of a pointless question I think.
by Ian Volante
Mon Dec 25, 2023 7:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Your favourite Christmas song
Replies: 33
Views: 3873

Re: Your favourite Christmas song

Not on the list. December Song by George Michael.
by Ian Volante
Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Strange things you used to believe as a child
Replies: 32
Views: 6008

Re: Strange things you used to believe as a child

That's how it's pronounced in our house. I don't understand how else it would be pronounced, I assume the 'correct' makes it sound like "tight least". Title-ist? I mean, I've not heard of it before this discussion. Ahh, that makes a modicum of sense. Confirms its an utterly shite name too.
by Ian Volante
Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:11 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Question of Sport Axed
Replies: 5
Views: 1779

Re: Question of Sport Axed

If they'd not tried to replace the element of the show that made it entertaining with 'entertainment', they might have had more success.
by Ian Volante
Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Strange things you used to believe as a child
Replies: 32
Views: 6008

Re: Strange things you used to believe as a child

Watching golf on the TV I'd occasionally see players sporting the brand 'Tit-leist', which I parsed similarly (second half rhyming with 'heist'). That's how it's pronounced in our house. I don't understand how else it would be pronounced, I assume the 'correct' makes it sound like "tight least...
by Ian Volante
Thu Dec 07, 2023 1:12 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Words You Would Have Thought...
Replies: 479
Views: 160728

Re: Words You Would Have Thought...

From Wikipedia: The phrase "span-new" meant as new as a freshly cut wood chip, such as those once used to make spoons. In a metaphor dating from at least 1300, something span-new was neat and unstained. Spic was added in the 16th century, as a "spick" (a spike or nail) was anothe...
by Ian Volante
Thu Dec 07, 2023 1:09 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: What's the minimum time you have to be resident in the British Isles in order to qualify for Countdown?
Replies: 52
Views: 6475

Re: What's the minimum time you have to be resident in the British Isles in order to qualify for Countdown?

I suspect that the basic reasoning is that it's beyond a reasonable effort (or impossible) for production to do the same background checks on overseas persons that they can do on Brits.
by Ian Volante
Wed Dec 06, 2023 12:48 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Conor wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:33 pm given that high earners have already paid a lot of tax
God love em
by Ian Volante
Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:00 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Marc Meakin wrote: Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:46 am I get my hands dirty at work so will always wash before.
I know my member is clean and I do believe urine is sterile.
So this argument boils down to it being okay to have pissy hands that smell of piss because piss is sterile?
by Ian Volante
Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:33 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Creating more CGI and animated porn for the enjoyment of paedophiles would likely reduce offending and therefore be a good thing. This is basically training the brains of people who in theory might watch this stuff to associate child abuse with pleasure. I doubt this is a positive outcome for socie...
by Ian Volante
Thu Nov 30, 2023 1:05 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

-It would be better for people to save having sex until after marriage (not that I will judge anyone who does not) I don't understand why enjoying a particularly fun activity, and fundamental biological function, should be avoided until committing to one person for life. It seems to me the equivale...
by Ian Volante
Mon Nov 27, 2023 2:36 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Letter Shuffling Algorithms
Replies: 15
Views: 7009

Re: Letter Shuffling Algorithms

Mark Deeks wrote: Sun Nov 26, 2023 6:14 pm Awkward rounds are the best rounds, anyway. Actual anagramming ability rather than memory tests.
I'm still smug about a Co-event final where I spotted ARCHAEAE (or was it ARCHAEAN?) and neither finalist did. So yes.
by Ian Volante
Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30312

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Marc Meakin wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:06 pm Will Ferrell is not funny.
This is like saying the sky is blue.
by Ian Volante
Wed Nov 15, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635438

Re: Politics in General

True, Clegg really sold his soul and his principles. He should have picked Gordon Brown As far as I'm aware, Brown hadn't even considered the possibility of a coalition, and effectively dismissed the possibility without consideration. Utterly stupid. The Lib Dems I think got blinded by the lure of ...
by Ian Volante
Mon Nov 13, 2023 1:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What films have you watched lately?
Replies: 419
Views: 239348

Re: What films have you watched lately?

The Expendables. Somewhat ridiculous, but fun. First time I'd seen Jason Statham in anything too. Seemed up to the rigours of the role.

Also, Terminator Dark Fate. Same as the others really, but I quite enjoyed it anyway.
by Ian Volante
Wed Nov 08, 2023 12:56 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Joke Items
Replies: 250
Views: 82481

Re: Joke Items

I think she means that it should be aeroplane mode.
by Ian Volante
Wed Nov 08, 2023 12:56 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 627
Views: 273953

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

Mark Deeks wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 10:35 am The Bakerloo line is so named as a portmanteau of Baker Street and Waterloo.
We have a winner!
by Ian Volante
Mon Nov 06, 2023 12:40 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Does the sun have a surface, where there is a transition from low to high density quicker than usual, or is it a smooth gradient from empty space all the way to its core? The sun is a ball of plasma, so it doesn't have a solid surface. It does have an actual surface though; without going back to my...
by Ian Volante
Mon Oct 23, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 627
Views: 273953

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

I feel that some people need to look at the title of this thread, and maybe disappear off to the "interesting things that aren't necessarily completely obvious" thread.
by Ian Volante
Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:47 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623932

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Marc Meakin wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 8:54 pm Is it only mammals that yawn?
Ive seen most mammals yawn at some point but not other species

Edit Giraffes don't yawn
Most vertebrates do apparently.
by Ian Volante
Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:38 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Welcome! - Post here first
Replies: 1961
Views: 1020070

Re: Welcome! - Post here first

My name is Paolo Barresi, I'm from Rome and I work at the Ministry of Culture of my country. I have always been a fan (and a champ) of “Paroliamo”, the Italian version of this game. At the moment, I hope I improve my English thanks to Countdown. I love cats, 70s music and science fiction. Words lon...
by Ian Volante
Fri Oct 06, 2023 6:06 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Notifications
Replies: 12
Views: 5397

Re: Notifications

Ah thanks, I thought I'd been through all the options, but didn't seem to spot that lot.
by Ian Volante
Thu Oct 05, 2023 8:59 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Notifications
Replies: 12
Views: 5397

Re: Notifications

In the last day or so, comments on my watched topics in this forum have been triggering an e-mail to me. This hasn't happened in years, and I can't seem to stop it happening. What did I do?
by Ian Volante
Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:09 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Deathwatch 2017
Replies: 467
Views: 209235

Re: Deathwatch 2017

Paul Worsley wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 9:21 am David McCallum 1933-2023 RIP
Paul Worsley wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 12:20 pm Sir Michael Gambon...82
Got something against Gambon?
by Ian Volante
Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

Swimming faced a similar problem: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/full-body-swimsuit-now-banned-professional-swimmers/story?id=9437780 There's also the javelin redesigns that reduced the potential distance one could be thrown, although they reset the records at the same time. This was at least part...
by Ian Volante
Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:34 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

Yeah everyone should run bare-footed a-la Zola Budd Well yes. Some people think that these new shoes are somehow "cheating", but unless you ban all shoes, then where do you draw the line? How good does a shoe need to be before it "artificially" aids your performance? I suppose t...
by Ian Volante
Tue Sep 19, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Trial by media (Russell Brand etc.)
Replies: 19
Views: 2077

Re: Trial by media (Russell Brand etc.)

The Whatsapp group mentioned above certainly isn't just to talk about Brand by the sound of it. It's necessary in other groups too where wronguns continue to prey. Where bad/criminal behaviour can be dismissed by perpetrators with more power as consensual, or due to drunkenness, misunderstandings, &...
by Ian Volante
Thu Sep 14, 2023 12:10 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Joke Items
Replies: 250
Views: 82481

Re: Joke Items

Graeme Cole wrote: Tue Sep 12, 2023 11:56 pm "Click and collect". What's the point of it? Who's using it?
I occasionally use it for DIY stuff when I'd otherwise probably spend half an hour searching for the right type of paint and the right size of screws.
by Ian Volante
Thu Sep 14, 2023 12:06 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown In Edinburgh (COEDI) - Saturday 7th October 2023
Replies: 9
Views: 6123

Re: Countdown In Edinburgh (COEDI) - Saturday 7th October 2023

Again, I'll be at the other end of the country on this particular weekend.