c4countdown

Fiona T

It's probably disingenuous for someone who wasn't at an event to give feedback on it, but: the Fox and Hounds was always integral to my Co:Lin experience. The way that 35 or so people who would never otherwise go to the pub together, would go to the pub together, get embroiled in the world's longes...

Fiona T

Great events again Ben - enjoyed it a lot, thank you!

Fiona T

Howie Myers wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:24 am r2: surely CLOSINGS is allowed?

Closing in premium as a noun

Fiona T

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2024 5:20 pm I checked it on Apterous when I watched and it said invalid. Unless it's slipped through the net with the update.

The update isn't live on apterous yet, but HAMMIES was not on the update list. Probably needs ticketing to add in the next tranche.

Fiona T

Alright, I don't know if this is a bug or not but out of four games I've managed to get the same player thrice. What's odd is that the majority of my numbers rounds have been four large. I don't think the second thing is a bug but I feel like the first one definitely is. I assumed you get the next ...

Fiona T

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:11 pm Plural of that, I guess.

mebbe, my non-existent latin isn't good enough

Fiona T

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 11:31 pm PREPUBES.

Valid in apto, but not finding it in premium. PREPUBIS only. Anyone?

Fiona T

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:29 pm Sure, but that's privatised industry for you.

If you see Sid, tell him.

Fiona T

Is you had 4 players on 4 wins after 2 rounds of games how would you want the tables to be for rd3? Zurich pots -Separate them out depending on who won 2, who won 1, who won none in Rd 2. Draw from the pots. They've all won 2, but I guess there could be other players on 3 and 2 wins (who'd won both...

Fiona T

Brilliant - thanks Jack - appreciated

Fiona T

(perhaps belongs in off-topic - feel free to move if too trivial!)

WILLYART

Scottish, , Irish English (, northern), and , English regional (, northern). Now , rare. Self-willed, obstinate; (of an animal) unmanageable.

(Oxford seem to have gone a bit mad with the commas!)

Fiona T

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 9:22 am This is the day before the London Marathon by the way, so it's unfortunately not doable for me.

We won't keep you out late! (I'm also heading to the marathon to cheer my daughter on, but I think she'll be several hours behind you!)

Fiona T

How did "Banksy" - aka Robin Gunningham - become a thing? The media just decided that he was and started reporting on him. This didn't come from the general public appreciating his work. There was no public consultation about this and no questioning about the quality of his work. I can on...

Fiona T

Banksy painting

Fiona T

I checked with Tony before organising and he gave his blessing and will bring and present the traditional Reading teapot :) I didn't want to tread on anyone's toes. I'm organising and hosting and the presentation will be computer based using a new hosting tool which will hopefully allow for quicker ...

Fiona T

Yep, I really enjoyed the 15R at MSO - will be keen to hear feedback (good or bad!) after about how well it works on a bigger scale. Thinking about trialling the A/B conundrums suggested elsewhere to allow for adjudication, and possibly different difficulty levels for top half tables after first cou...

Fiona T

Ariel, the six legged puppy (assuming she couldn't lead a happy life with 6 legs) should have been put to sleep.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68017390

Fiona T

Using Oxford Online at an event seems like a bad idea to me because of all the usual ambiguities that are resolved when making an update to the Apterous dictionary. Up to a point, it really doesn't which words plus arbitrary collections of letters masquerading as words we use, so long as there is a...

Fiona T

We've just coming to the end of the only point in the focal calendar where we get a big old 2 month gap between events. If this is something you wanted to happen, why not request it after Focal finals so there's some time? It's the timing which I find absolutely ridiculous. There's just been a big ...

Fiona T

Well I've collated all the outstanding dictionary tickets into a spreadsheet and am happy to share it. There are a handful of edge cases and I guess this is where difficulties occur. FWIW for Reading (if we don't get a full update before then) my thought is to add the new words but flag them on the ...

Fiona T

OK, points taken. It certainly wasn't my intention to upset anyone with this request. I very much doubt Charlie will action it in the next week anyway! But typically apterous dictionary updates happen with just a few days' notice, which could occur at any time in the co-event calendar, so the proble...

Fiona T

Different event formats probably fall short on different combinations of those principles. We're talking about the Colin format here then I think variety of opponent is the main drawback for me. I can't speak for everybody, but my own experience over the past couple of seasons has been very repetit...

Fiona T

Different event formats probably fall short on different combinations of those principles. We're talking about the Colin format here then I think variety of opponent is the main drawback for me. I can't speak for everybody, but my own experience over the past couple of seasons has been very repetit...

Fiona T

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:12 pm What's the deal with those plugs in the wall that have no holes?

We've got one of those! It's where our thermostat for the old boiler was - basically they covered up the hole in the kitchen tiles with a 'blank'

Fiona T

Another one!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68002393

Fiona T

If it were up to me, we'd bin off the Swiss pairs/triples system entirely. I've discussed this general thing before with various tweaks, but here is my definitive system that I think would work: ... The Pot Draw Method This has come from running a chess club in a school, but how it runs at a Co-eve...

Fiona T

Well there's a step at the back to get yourself on the thing - think you scoot along, then jump up when you've got enough velocity for balance. It might be possible to lift the front wheel during the scooting phase! Looking forward to seeing the next instalment of Extreme Sports with Mrs T (after y...

Fiona T

Penny farthings are front wheel drive and you're basically sitting on the front wheel so I don't think you'd be able to do a very good wheelie. Maybe a very quick marginal ground clearance of the front wheel. Well there's a step at the back to get yourself on the thing - think you scoot along, then...

Fiona T

Neither Scrabble nor Focal have women's categories so it's not an issue. Whether they should or not could be debated, although personally I am not a fan! In the past, Countdown have had a ladies' championship - I can see some merit in encouraging more women to play/apply, but it does send a message ...

Fiona T

Yeah I did wonder what the difference between eating a dog and eating a cow is.

Come to think of it, I think all the animals we traditionally eat are vegetarian - we don't generally eat carnivores - wonder why that is....

Fiona T

This is not a war. The Palestinians resorted to terrorism as a way of resisting a land grab. What Hamas did is inexcusable and unjustifiable. Please don't legitimise it. (What Israel are now doing is also inexcusable and unjustifiable. Two wrongs don't make a right) Edit: Petition here https://www....

Fiona T

I don't disagree that players who have done a bit of apto practice can't have an enjoyable game against a top player - my first table at my first event was against Callum and Robbo - both beat me thoroughly, but I scored on a few rounds and had a good time. I've had some very enjoyable games against...

Fiona T

If it were up to me, we'd bin off the Swiss pairs/triples system entirely. I've discussed this general thing before with various tweaks, but here is my definitive system that I think would work: The first round is random. A lot of events do this anyway, although Ben traditionally likes to do his an...

Fiona T

Just looking at the sign ups for Colin. Rob and Jack W very likely to be Table 1 together for round 2. Therefore it's a sound strategy to try and win badly in R1 to get on table 2 or 3 for R2. Would be cool at tourneys like this is r2 was random game vs somebody on same wins. I think deliberately t...

Fiona T

The threats Johnny and his wife have received on the back of her abuse, and no action taken against Vorderman, is ridiculous. This particular spat might not be the most important issue, but the idea that a public figure who criticises an elected politician should face criminal sanction, or even be ...

Fiona T

Here's Vorders on public procurement and waste

https://youtu.be/uRG5fIYdrxI

Absolutely shocking

Fiona T

Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what is and isn't OK, and can't control anyone else's reaction. #2 to me seems not only OK but healthy and I'd like to think most people would agree. #3 seems on the other hand to be at best based on false or exaggerated information, and at worst coul...

Fiona T

There's a big Scrabble Event next year the MGI at Leonardo in Milton Keynes and amongst the huge prize money there is a raffle and the winner gets accommodation for the following years event which is a nice touch Yeah but the point is that the winner's accommodation is being paid for by other atten...

Fiona T

https://youtu.be/l-IO6_cU5jM?si=ioyBKyqr9Wkd7u-9 Well that was a cheery Christmas watch! But yeah 100% agree - I can't see any non-religious argument against a terminally ill person of sound mind who is going to suffer a painful or even just unpleasant death choosing a compassionate and humane alte...

Fiona T

And to you! The thing I am most excited about for tomorrow is the pack of Babybels that I bought just so I can put them on the dinner table and make a terrible pun when someone asks why they're there (£2.65 well spent) :D Has been a pretty reasonable year - no major dramas, which is definitely a goo...

Fiona T

Fwiw, some of the very early COLINs had cash prizes, and the general consensus was that people preferred the prizes that were more tangible, even if they were (objectively) a bit shit. I guess it depends. I mean a fiver or tenner instead of the usual bottle of wine is a different prospect to the la...

Fiona T

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Sun Dec 24, 2023 5:11 pm Women, generally, are worse drivers.

Yeah that must be why they have cheaper insurance...

Fiona T

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Sun Dec 24, 2023 6:53 am Do you think if there were prize pots it would be more popular?

No No no. And No.

Fiona T

Back to the intended topic - I guess that consistency across co-events is definitely a very desirable thing, and given the majority of attendees do not have access to premium, the ability to check words quickly and easily at a table really does depend on the availability of a consistent checking too...

Fiona T

Bit of history here Andres

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-44124396

Fiona T

Yep the word is in the spoilers thread - my vagueness in the opening post was deliberate! Still. Its spoiled the bit of excitement I would have had watching along and seeing a new word being allowed. Just remember, some people want no information at all about recent episodes :) Apologies Jack, I'll...

Fiona T

JackHurst wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:28 am Also, please keep spoilers to the spoilers threads. Not everybody is able to watch episodes right away

Yep the word is in the spoilers thread - my vagueness in the opening post was deliberate!

Fiona T

Excellent final - lovely 6s solve from Viraj to go ahead keeping things exciting! Many congratulations to Harry - kept your cool and played brilliantly. Loved the jumper too

Fiona T

For Gavin -

ANTIPOLE was the word that is not currently valid in apto (on Ray's big ticket for inclusion). I don't think I was the only one who was surprised when it was declared to be valid.

Fiona T

One of the contestants on today's final declared a word that isn't on apterous but is in ODP. Most events use the 'apterous dictionary' which has the plus side of being definitive and available to the majority of players. But it does mean some words that should be allowed won't be, and vice versa. M...

Fiona T

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:46 pm I think he's hitting on you Fiona

He's welcome to join co:Reading parkrun!

Fiona T

Tops sold for cycling have pockets.

Why don't running tops have pockets?

Fiona T

What was with that "steal your hubcaps" stereotypical joke about Scousers? Why would anyone steal hubcaps? To sell 'em to people whose hubcaps have got lost/stolen. There was a kid round here who you'd see riding his pushbike round with strings of hubcaps that he'd supposedly found at the...

Fiona T

Ryan Lam wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:15 pm Not sure where everyone went today on Apterous

Many of us couldn't connect yesterday. All OK for me today!

Fiona T

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!

Fiona T

https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-e ... ted-dying/

Fiona T

Dunno if it's unpopular, but definitely un-PC

I find Rosie Jones very hard work to listen to - she makes me turn the telly off.

Fiona T

Adam Gillard wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:58 pm 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.

Fiona T

It's been good fun - thanks Jack!

Fiona T

I'm kinda with Dan - if you really want to do it that much, then try do it when you're young and fit. If you haven't got commitments - partner/kids/elderly parents that need you, and you can get work in the UK (did I remember rightly you're in IT? Must be opportunities via some of the consultancies?...

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