Search found 327 matches

by Clare Sudbery
Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:06 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: I'm leaving
Replies: 35
Views: 6106

Re: Reappearances

male-dominated Surely you're not really surprised that an Internet forum about a word game is male-dominated? The assumption being that women are not interested in word games... which is based on what? The studio audience contains a fair few women, the contestants are often women, and personally I ...
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:36 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: I'm leaving
Replies: 35
Views: 6106

Re: I'm leaving

Those that agree with Rob know what treatment they'll get if they bother to say so. Or they've already left, for the same reasons as Rob.
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:41 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go
Replies: 124
Views: 23371

Re: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go

Clare, no offence (well actually, maybe a little), but if you ever went back on the show after losing easily despite having apterous and being 40+ then I think i would actually write a formal letter of complaint to Channel 4 and never watch the show again in disgust. Like I said, I'm not a good pla...
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:23 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Reappearances
Replies: 94
Views: 10008

Re: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go

The general rule / train of thought behind the second-chancers theory is that it should / will only include people who lost first time around and who weren't altogether prepared for what came their way. As from today, nobody, regardless of age or how unlucky they were, will be given a second shot u...
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:53 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go
Replies: 124
Views: 23371

Re: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go

Out of interest, what made Jason ineligible? Did he already have a teapot (he implies not but doesn't say so), was he not young enough first time round, or was it that he hasn't improved enough?
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:45 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go
Replies: 124
Views: 23371

Re: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go

Thanks to those who said I should be given another chance, but it is true that I'm pretty rubbish at the game, and haven't improved (or tried to) since my appearance. The only reason for letting me back on would be that I lost my first game to an octochamp (so he wasn't that bad...) but I don't thin...
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:43 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Monday 13th April 2009 (Series 60, Prelim 47)
Replies: 6
Views: 2164

Re: Monday 13th April 2009 (Series 60, Prelim 47)

You played well, and it's a pity that you came up against a really good opponent, which is what all of us, who haven't taken the plunge yet, dread. :( Yeah, tis the luck of the draw. I don't agree I played well though. Being there on the spot had a much bigger stress effect than I expected. I panic...
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:24 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Weds 15th April 2009
Replies: 11
Views: 3511

Re: Spoilers for Weds 15th April 2009

I also had NICKEL (it was in Round 3) - struggled with the last two numbers games though. The challenger wasn't the best, but then again she did look quite nervous so I guess that played a part. I met her beforehand, she was dead nervous, not enjoying herself at all. Wondering why on earth she was ...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:25 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Infinity
Replies: 49
Views: 4483

Re: Infinity

Peano's Axioms were amongst my favourite things. And Godel's Incompleteness Theorem. VFSMB to anyone who can explain them. I could have done the latter for you on demand a year ago - in Breaking the Code I had a three-page speech in which I explained Godel's Theorem among other things. Acting and m...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:39 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Apterous Easter Egg Hunt
Replies: 60
Views: 7660

Re: Apterous Easter Egg Hunt

Can you still win eggs, or is it too late? How long will the egg-getting potential remain in the system?
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:23 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Infinity
Replies: 49
Views: 4483

Re: Infinity

So there are clearly MORE rational numbers than there are integers. I'm afraid this isn't the case. The rationals can in fact be put into a 1-1 correspondence with the integers, it's quite a cute little problem to work out how its done. Indeed...I think you've missed the point here, Clare. If you'd...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:02 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Infinity
Replies: 49
Views: 4483

Re: Infinity

It makes perfect sense to me. This kind of stuff was my favourite bit of studying maths at degree level. I love it, because it is so counter-intuitive and mad but makes sense as soon as you go into it. The easiest way (for me) of thinking about it is to think of the different infinite number sets. I...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:42 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April
Replies: 45
Views: 5969

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April

Michael Wallace wrote:This is probably helpful enough here (even if slightly out of date).
Does anyone know if there are any promising octochamp-potential contestants coming up, apart from Shane and Jimmy Gough?
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:37 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April
Replies: 45
Views: 5969

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April

I got all excited in round 9 when I thought I'd spotted a 9, beating the contestants and DC. Sadly it seems LEADENING is not allowed, although LEADEN is listed as a verb in some dictionaries. Yes, I spotted that too. And ENDEALING. But didn't get that excited as neither of them looked very likely (...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:33 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April
Replies: 45
Views: 5969

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April

Michael Wallace wrote:
Clare Sudbery wrote:Cate is the main one missing from that list, is that right?
What list? She's on the series 60 list of seeds...
Pah. I knew this'd happen. My eye somehow skated over her name. I deleted my post when I realised my mistake.
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:21 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April
Replies: 45
Views: 5969

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April

Yes, they were a good match. I'm hoping Shane goes far. I've lost track - how much space is left at the top now - ie how many octochamps are there, and how many games would Shane have to win to have a shot at the finals?
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:09 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April
Replies: 45
Views: 5969

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April

Kai Laddiman wrote:And EGOTISE...
LOL!
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:06 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April
Replies: 45
Views: 5969

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April

Derek Hazell wrote:It's a bleak day today. No Suds = no soap.
:D Never mind, there's always Emmerdale.
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:02 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April
Replies: 45
Views: 5969

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 14th April

I was so excited when I spotted ONANISED from the audience as a DC beater. Susie was tickled when I pointed it out to her later, too. I thought maybe she'd spotted it and kept quiet on purpose, but apparently not. It was quite a disappointment when I got home and realised it's not in. ONANIST (wanke...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:56 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 13th April
Replies: 58
Views: 8418

Re: Spoilers for Monday 13th April

Philip Jarvis wrote:It's certainly a lot easier when you're sat at home.
Isn't it just!
Philip Jarvis wrote:Sorry you didn't get the teapot, but Shane looks a decent player.
Absolutely. There's no doubt that he was the better player.
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Monday 13th April 2009 (Series 60, Prelim 47)
Replies: 6
Views: 2164

Re: Monday 13th April 2009 (Series 60, Prelim 47)

:D

Good / funny recap. Thanks Kai.
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:06 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: How-To Guides
Replies: 172
Views: 37279

Re: How-To Guides

Sorry.

Like I said in the other thread, I've never been much good at keeping secrets. I'm amazed I lasted this long. But anyway. Sorry. :( and :oops:
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:04 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 13th April
Replies: 58
Views: 8418

Re: Spoilers for Monday 13th April

why did you have to go and undo all that good work with this post ? Because I'm an idiot? I got carried away with the relief of no longer having to be cagey about all this. I've never been much good at keeping secrets. I've edited it now, but I'm truly sorry for those who got there before I did so....
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:53 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 13th April
Replies: 58
Views: 8418

Re: Spoilers for Monday 13th April

Kirk Bevins wrote:worrying what the nation will think of you
Worrying about whether I would win, yes.
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:23 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 13th April
Replies: 58
Views: 8418

Re: Spoilers for Monday 13th April

Round 5. 8, 10, 5, 8, 5, 7 -> 105 Oh dear. I panicked and got obsessed with multiplying by 10 (I got (10x(5+5))+7-(8/8)=106). Yeah, you could have got obsessed with the 10: (8+7-5)x10+5 or if you want to come from 110 back down: (8+8-5)x10-5 What can I say? I fucked up in all directions, I can't de...
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:14 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 13th April
Replies: 58
Views: 8418

Re: Spoilers for Monday 13th April

Jon Corby wrote:Image
Touché - and all the other posts. Very funny - well done Corby.
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:11 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: How-To Guides
Replies: 172
Views: 37279

Re: How-To Guides

I am an idiot.

I've written up a How-To Guide WITH SPOILERS here.

Many apologies to those that got here before I edited this post.
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:10 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 13th April
Replies: 58
Views: 8418

Re: Spoilers for Monday 13th April

OK, the cat is out, I lost. Feel free to say I told you so. Here's a mini post mortem. I've written a series of blog posts too, which will culminate in a full autopsy on Wednesday. Round 2. D O R S E A L N I Doh. I tried to learn 52 common 7-to-8 stems (totalling approx 600 words). They crop up in a...
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:06 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday, 10th April
Replies: 13
Views: 3479

Re: Spoilers for Friday, 10th April

I was in the studio for this game, sussing my opponent out. It was the night before I was due on as challenger. So now you know... my opponent on Monday will be Shane. After this show I went back to the hotel and did a bit of panicky 6-small revision (and felt very glad that I'd spent a bit of time ...
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:03 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Adding letters to form words
Replies: 32
Views: 7406

Re: Adding letters to form words

That is SERIOUSLY impressive, well done I was stuck on the 12 mark myself, I'm glad someone could do better! I can't imagine one can do much better than 15, but if you can, please post it Hmmm, I should come clean and admit that a lot of those words aren't in OED2. They are in SOWPODS. The bigger t...
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:20 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist
Replies: 74
Views: 9161

Re: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist

Matt Morrison wrote:
Clare Sudbery wrote:[polishes chufty badge]
That's disgusting.
Yeah sorry, the baby gets banana on everything. And weetabix. It looks like there's scrambled egg, too.
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:44 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist
Replies: 74
Views: 9161

Re: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist

George Jenkins wrote:I love all that. (and you too)
Ha! An admirer at last!

[polishes chufty badge]
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:08 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist
Replies: 74
Views: 9161

Re: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist

Kai Laddiman wrote:
Clare Sudbery wrote:next week
1st game, ouch.
Don't read anything into that. It might be a spoiler, it might be a red herring. I've made everything purposefully ambiguous (eg, first can also equal last).
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist
Replies: 74
Views: 9161

Re: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist

To keep the thread on track though I hope your training paid off, and if you do win you'll be chuffed but won't get above your station. Well I dunno, it was six weeks ago now... do you think I've got above my station? Actually my local train station is up three flights of stairs, so probably not. B...
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:40 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist
Replies: 74
Views: 9161

Re: Health and safety on the railways? It didn't exist

David Roe wrote:I'm by no means a railway enthusiast but still find your stories really interesting and entertaining.
Me too. I particularly liked that last bit about the braking. I bet you make a great grandad! Er... I mean, a brilliant grandad, unless of course you are also a great-grandad... argh.
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:50 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Official Thread of Brag
Replies: 1176
Views: 167142

Re: Official Thread of Brag

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=44939 Check out round 14. This is easily my best numbers solution ever . The thought involved was a bit ridiculous, but first noticing the target was 283x3. Crossword tools says there is only one solution and has a 99% difficulty rating. Shame it doesn't gi...
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:51 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Really
Replies: 21
Views: 3493

Re: Really

I like the way the young folk have started to use the word 'book' instead of cool... because book is the first thing predictive text comes up with when you're trying to enter 'cool'. It's totally book.
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:46 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Adding letters to form words
Replies: 32
Views: 7406

Re: Adding letters to form words

Jon Corby wrote:
Clare Sudbery wrote:
Jon Corby wrote: RAXIED
Oops, typo. Should be TAXIED.
No shit Image
;)
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:59 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Adding letters to form words
Replies: 32
Views: 7406

Re: Adding letters to form words

Jon Corby wrote: RAXIED
Oops, typo. Should be TAXIED. Edited now.
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:43 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Adding letters to form words
Replies: 32
Views: 7406

Re: Adding letters to form words

Here you go, for 15... 15 EXPLORATIONISTS 14 EXTRAPOSITIONS 13 POSTERISATION 12 ANISOTROPIES 11 REPOSITIONS 10 POROSITIES 09 PORTOISES 08 PROSIEST 07 ESPRITS 06 PRIEST 05 PISTE 04 PIES 03 SIP 02 PI 01 I I used Lexpert though. Not that it wasn't still a challenge, but a different kind of challenge (a...
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:22 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Adding letters to form words
Replies: 32
Views: 7406

Re: Adding letters to form words

X
EX
AXE
AXED
TAXED
TAXIED
OXIDATE
OXIDATED
DEOXIDATE
DEOXIDATED
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:00 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday, 7th April
Replies: 31
Views: 5520

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday, 7th April

Which email address should be used for submitting pomes?
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:23 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Street View thread
Replies: 34
Views: 4130

Re: Street View thread

Jason Larsen wrote:No, Kirk. It's a number.
Fifth Avenue.
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:34 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Feature requests
Replies: 1956
Views: 433234

Re: Feature requests

Loving the new colour-coded player status thing (ie the ability to tell who's playing and who isn't). V useful indeed - thanks for that.
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:39 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Street View thread
Replies: 34
Views: 4130

Re: Street View thread

Weird. Last time I looked, StreetView was available for most of the surrounding streets but not for mine. Now it's not available for any of my area at all. How odd.

Update: Double hmm. Nothing available for Manchester at all, not even city centre. Some kind of glitsch, I'm guessing.
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:56 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 3rd April 2009
Replies: 25
Views: 4290

Re: Spoilers for Friday 3rd April 2009

I remember saying that you can do the right thing and regret it, and do the wrong thing and not regret. I feel that's relevant here, but I'm not sure why. Something to do with being happy that you took the plunge and went for it, rather than just opting for the boring life with no risk. Yes, risk c...
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:23 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 3rd April 2009
Replies: 25
Views: 4290

Re: Spoilers for Friday 3rd April 2009

but it's a bit hit-and-miss, and quite difficult to jump forward Women would probably be more accurate in their aim, even if the jumping forward still presents problems. I feel sure this must be some kind of lewd reference, but I'm damned if I know what it is. [scratches head and looks puzzled] She...
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:18 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 3rd April 2009
Replies: 25
Views: 4290

Re: Spoilers for Friday 3rd April 2009

The round where DC got 7 with SORRIER, I got ORRERIES for 8. I share your glory here ;) And me. I spotted the singular form (ORRERY) first, then got the plural straight after, then spent the rest of the round wondering whether I'd imagined the existence of such an odd word. Not one for Jonathan Woss.
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:36 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Domestication
Replies: 32
Views: 3319

Re: Domestication

Tidying, for the reasons specified by others. And as for right angles... me too. We have a particularly irksome kitchen table which never stays still. Whenever I pass it, I have to line it up neatly with the floor tiles again. And for those who have been contestants on the new Countdown set... was a...
by Clare Sudbery
Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:02 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Nottingham 2009
Replies: 95
Views: 15766

Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Only 2 other women playing apart from me, so it'd be nice to increase the numbers this time. 8-) As long as you don't expect me to represent womankind by actually winning a game or anything... although interestingly... the idea of competing in something I'm bound to do badly at is rather refreshing...
by Clare Sudbery
Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:24 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Nottingham 2009
Replies: 95
Views: 15766

Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

I'm tempted.

How scary are you lot in person?
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:38 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Words of (un)limited usefulness
Replies: 10
Views: 1933

Re: Words of (un)limited usefulness

Can you explain how Countdown Unlimited works and why those stems are therefore useful? Yeah, if only Charlie had linked to something that explains all that. Oh dear. Didn't read the link properly (obviously). My only excuses being that (a) I am Clare and I am Clueless and (b) this was yesterday, w...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:48 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Words of (un)limited usefulness
Replies: 10
Views: 1933

Re: Words of (un)limited usefulness

OK... Clueless Clare time...

Can you explain how Countdown Unlimited works and why those stems are therefore useful?
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:57 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Classic posts
Replies: 152
Views: 24153

Re: Classic posts

Charlie Reams wrote:PMSL alert
PMSL training. I wonder if they provide clean pants.
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:27 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Number-names
Replies: 29
Views: 5069

Re: Number-names

And again with a paler background... 1) eighty eight 2) a hundred 3) nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine (999,999) 5) four 6) twelve But I'm assuming that "repeated" means doubles (as in MILLION contains repeated Ls), rather than duplicates (as in NINE contai...
by Clare Sudbery
Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:24 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Number-names
Replies: 29
Views: 5069

Re: Number-names

filler
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:06 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Innis Carson - First Game
Replies: 16
Views: 2266

Re: Innis Carson - First Game

Charlie Reams wrote:The blog also spoils several earlier results which haven't been broadcast yet, so watch out for Inspector Gevin and the Spoiler Police.
Eh? Oh... yeah, maybe it does. I can fix that though, I think.

Edit: Spoilers removed.
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:46 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Innis Carson - First Game
Replies: 16
Views: 2266

Re: Innis Carson - First Game

tis Easter Monday onwards ZOMG SPOILER! I'm a novelist, it's my job to shape stories. If I were you, I wouldn't believe a word I say. ;) Were you filming this week? No comment. [I'm] Occasionally angry, but mostly just clueless (or inquisitive) . Ha! I love it when my posts get referenced... even t...
by Clare Sudbery
Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:48 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Innis Carson - First Game
Replies: 16
Views: 2266

Re: Innis Carson - First Game

Is Jimmy Gough due to appear shortly? And when can we expect to see the infamous and angry Clare Sudbery? Jimmy's recording on the 30th, and I don't recall Clare Sudbery being that angry (also not sure whether or not she passed the audition). Occasionally angry, but mostly just clueless (or inquisi...
by Clare Sudbery
Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:10 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Obscenity democracy
Replies: 205
Views: 30667

Re: Obscenity democracy

Swearwords are fucking brilliant, and just another example of how language is a rich, beautiful and varied tool. As a subset of vocabulary, they're pretty neutral. It's how they're used that's important. So if they're used as instruments of abuse, with the intent or apparent intent of causing hurt.....