sheeponacid

Maybe if the Government tried interprering the data rather than listening to people that care about nothing other than Covid 19, we might get back to living a normal life.
 

Should we talk about the ecological impact of the way crypto mining works? The huge carbon footprint - bitcoin mining consumes more energy than a medium sized European country. And it's getting higher all the time
Only the human race could be stupid enough, in a era of dwindling resources, to design a new currency system that eats through the remaining resources at an exponential rate
 

Its good to see that you are finally admitting your faults...

If one of the outcomes of this pandemic is that people think scientists were the problem then that will be a terrible shame. Vaccines, treatment methods, pandemic research and all of the other work that scientists have undertaken globally will have done more to save lives and kill off this virus and it's variants than any government when all is said and done.
Regardless of if you are New Zealand that coped well or Brazil that has coped terribly, science is what will ultimately bring COVID and it's variants down to manageable levels globally. No amount of anti-science or anti-vaccination rhetoric can change that fact.
 

My god your views and opinions really are extremely unpleasant and blinkered and self centred , do you see people with mental and or emotional problems as pathetic too ? My wife is on the verge of panic attacks after 5 mins wearing a mask ,I don’t understand it fully as that’s not the case FOR ME but I know it’s very real for her , I do do know she is not pathetic though 

Off to North and South Uist in the Outer Hebrides next week, looks like the weather might just hold up until then. Got a week up in Northumberland in September too, another beautiful place that is often overlooked in favour of trips to Spain.
I've accepted holidays abroad simply won't be feasible until after Christmas, so why not take the chance to explore these beautiful British Isles while I get the chance?

A couple of blue tits decided to nest in our wall mounted smoking bin at work this spring.
Was outside yesterday having a fag at a safe distance and witnessed one of the chicks standing on the edge of one of the holes, warily deciding to take its first flight - with cheeps of encouragement from one of the parents in a nearby bush. Off it went, eventually, for a loop of the car park and then disappeared behind the building out of view.
Warmed the heart, I can tell you.
By this morning, the nest was empty, so presumably all the chicks (at least 6) had done the same.
 

Camping and cycling on the North Wales coast for the next few days (Sat to Weds).
Expecting sea views and mountainous backdrops from the tent, direct coastal bike ride from Penmaenmawr through Conwy, then round to Llandudno (20mile total return), and with the help of the car, another coastal ride from Rhos on Sea to Rhyl (24miles return).  Might push on beyond Rhyl, to Prestatyn (upping it to 32miles return) but see how that goes.  We've done it before (32miles is about our limit!) but we're a bit out of practice.  Not been on our bikes since September!
Shorts, sun hats, sunsets to die for, picnic lunches away from the masses, evening meals cobbled together on a single stove and Ridgemonkey, potwashing at the tent, and pissing in a bucket!  
Back to basics*, and back to living the dream, and for today, back to loading up the car to the gunnels!  Nice!   ?
 
 
*Not quite back to basics.  We do have mod-cons available, of course, but it spoils the overall effect of my post!  ?

So much talent, yet so little return. Marriott just can't be arsed to train and as such, he's not going to get the game time he needs to be match sharp. He never seems more than half fit and is constantly picking up niggles as a consequence. He's had a bunch of chances now and just doesn't seem to care about football that much and Derby County even less. It's gutting to feel this way as I was so certain he was going to be the next Bobby D, but I fear his ship has sailed. If he doesn't show up to pre-season raring to go, I'd be shipping him out to anyone who'll have him just to get some of his wages off the books.
Having been sympathetic to Jordon's issues, I saw a video recently where far from acknowledging the support of the club, or the fans for that matter, he seemed to be saying that there was no support at all, at least until that fateful Insta post that had everyone hopping about. He actually came across as pretty resentful that there'd not been more done for him at Derby, but this is a football club and I'm not entirely sure what he expects. Also seemed to resent that fact that he'd been questions raised over his frequent lateness for training. Having believed he'd be an epic signing, I'm now fast losing faith that he'll be even remotely meaningful for us. He says he's in a better place now and good to go, but I'm not feeling it to be honest. To my mind, the club, the fans and the coaching staff HAVE tried to be supportive and patient, now it's up to Jordon. If it's not to be then fine, but don't be making out that you've not been given a shot, nor that most fans have not been encouraging and patient.
As for Duncan, well he's just vanished into the footballing ether. I'm not sure he's even had an U23 start yet, let alone threatened the senior squad. When he has, it's been hard to see what all the fuss is about. Perhaps he needs a run of games, but one has to then ask, why, if he's the 'wunderkind' we were led to believe, has he not been able to secure a few more starts?  Perhaps he's not as good as the Scouse faithful and he himself thinks? The only mitigating factors I can see being there's a some decent players in front of him to dislodge for him to be starting games, but that hardly bodes well for his senior career.
All in all, three depressing signings thus far for me, with little to indicate that this will change soon, if ever. Historically I've always been super supportive where the players are concerned, but this is a season where I'd really like to see one or two more kick on. The way I see it, it's the last chance saloon for two of them. Duncan, at least, has time on his side, but if the other two fail at Derby, I can't see other clubs rushing in to take a flyer. 
Sorry for the less than cheery post! ?‍♂️

Ruby our Rottweiler was four yesterday. Don’t normally give her sweets but if you can’t have one on your birthday...
 

I’m truly fed up! Even more so with rumours that Portugal could be removed from the travel Greenlist. I was already fed up worrying about coordinating the rip-off tests we need. What is the point of all the lockdowns, vaccinations, testing, social distancing etc if there’s never going to be trust and faith in evolution. Whilst I can see some rationale in the overall thinking, there must be a point where we break the circle of continuous fear and crack on with life. If not, what’s the point of life? 
 
Those of you that know me (cyber wise), know that i work hard and do so knowing that I’ve got something to look forward to, whether it be a holiday or a Butlins weekend with the boys. 
 
Like most, I’ve missed out on, or sacrificed a lot over the last 15 months or so. I am past the point of feeling selfish now cos I cannot see justification for the control and potential restriction. 
 
aside of potentially missing out on a holiday, as none of us would be able to quarantine, I think I’d lose all the money too. 

The two idiots making the most of the bank holiday sun yesterday.

My cat Bert would see Igor off, I reckon.

He's about the same size, cat funt.

You mean the 20,000 variant of this virus.
And who knows - they’re not worried about things. That’s my point - we are reporting and scaring everyone anytime something comes up the government/press can half link to use the phrase ‘mutant’.
Who knows what they have in the States - I’d be shocked if the Indian variant wasn’t there - just they’re not shouting from the roof tops every day about it.
Youve sadly proved my point with one line.

Thank you for asking @David.  I'm really good. Hope you are too.  I've enjoyed all the various lockdowns (apart from not seeing the kids for 18 months and my team live), my team stayed in the division, I live on the edge of one of the most beautiful parts of the country which has been quieter than I've ever known it; nature has blossomed, the dogs have been walked every day, I'm fitter and lighter than I've been for 30 years; I'm now enjoying seeing more people around and I've had both my jabs without any side effects. And Mrs Ilkley and I are still talking happily to each other.  Life still has its irritations but then it always did

I'm 33, the Mrs is under 30.
I've had one jab, she's had none. I don't really want people telling me I have to stay indoors and not do anything for another month. 
We've both worked though the pandemic, and as a direct consequence caught Covid back in January.
Let me ducking live. Sick of people who are vaccinated saying we have to wait. No thanks.
It's really not asking much considering the NHS is safe, hospitalisation are low and old people who are fully vaccinated are going on holiday and drinking in pubs.
Just open up the ducking country. Far more damage is being done by keeping us locked down. 

Nail on head.
If people are worried about the Indian variant then let them stay locked up in their house (if that is what they want).
I'm vaccinated now and happy to take my chances.
The people that are vulnerable to this disease, or other variants of it, are vulnerable now until it is completely eradicated, which is not going to happen.
Its quite a harsh thing to say but I am absolutely disgusted with anyone that is advocating ruining the lives of the younger generation anymore.

If you haven’t got hope, what is the point. 
Football is an escape from everyday life, remove the hope, the dreams, we’re left fear, anger and frustration, I may as well spend my weekends in Tesco shopping. 
Did Chelsea fans believe they would be Champions of Europe this time last year?
Did Barnsley think they would be 3 games from the Premier League, did Blackpool think they would be back in the Championship.
If football was predictable, would be boring. 
As of today, May 31st, we have a chance. Enjoy the summer!

The vaccinated people are less likely to spread the virus that has been proven. All the vulnerable groups have been vaccinated and soon all of those groups will have had the opportunity to have their second vaccines (or have already?).
If you're worried about catching covid then stay in.

I don't know anyone who has it or has symptoms, there's no one off work with anything covid related (out of 600).
My own opinion based on absolutely no scientific evidence whatsoever is that the virus has done its worst and will continue to pop up in various forms like the flu virus does, but not ravage the population.
Lets get back to normal.

A lunar eclipse / blood moon last night over Australia. First shot from Samford Qld and second one from Gippsland Victoria.

Our song was rubbish, but we'd get 0 regardless of who we sent. Not that I really mind. I think the tradition of hammering the UK is pretty funny. We should play up to it and send The Macc Lads next year.

I’m clearly on another planet; I read the club’s statement & yeah,  it says what it can, but clearly there’s not much detail they can share at the minute, but I instantly felt a bit more connected again. The line about the lost £20m due to the pandemic really struck me. My daughter & I both said as soon as we read it that we’ll buy the new shirt as soon as it’s out! 
I grew up near the Baseball Ground & could hear the crowd from our house. The club is in my blood & always will be so I’ll always do what I can to support its future as it’s our future too ? 
 
 

So what did you buy from him?
A used car, A bridge in Brooklyn, A Fake diamond.
No you did not "buy" anything
The facts are he blew £150 million of his own cash trying to get Derby County  back into the Premiership.
Self entitled youngsters like yourself make me despair, he tried, he blew a fortune trying, and all he gets is snide comments from supporters who believe that they are entitled to tremendous success from the club as long as someone else plays for it.
 

Shinnie for me , had the balls for a relegation fight , drove the team on with his tenacity and never say die spirit , captain for me next season