Phill Cook
@drphillc.bsky.social
Elder statesman of underachievement; brand ambassador for laziness; case study in evolutionary dead ends.
Someone once told me I "sound like a fucking Wurzel". This pleased me.
Someone once told me I "sound like a fucking Wurzel". This pleased me.
I am not fond of people who habitually complain about the weather (or Mondays, or ...) but it would be great if it could stop raining now.
I've got a mid C20 asbestos slate roof to remove. I need 3 dry days to get to membrane and battens. The Delaboles can then go on at leisure.
I've got a mid C20 asbestos slate roof to remove. I need 3 dry days to get to membrane and battens. The Delaboles can then go on at leisure.
February 7, 2026 at 9:40 AM
I am not fond of people who habitually complain about the weather (or Mondays, or ...) but it would be great if it could stop raining now.
I've got a mid C20 asbestos slate roof to remove. I need 3 dry days to get to membrane and battens. The Delaboles can then go on at leisure.
I've got a mid C20 asbestos slate roof to remove. I need 3 dry days to get to membrane and battens. The Delaboles can then go on at leisure.
Multiple choice quiz: Bristol City Council's (Green maj) cunning plan for tackling the large numbers of van dwellers in the city is:
(1) [Insert any sensible sounding answer you like] or
(2) Evict them to the most deprived parts of the city.
(1) [Insert any sensible sounding answer you like] or
(2) Evict them to the most deprived parts of the city.
February 3, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Multiple choice quiz: Bristol City Council's (Green maj) cunning plan for tackling the large numbers of van dwellers in the city is:
(1) [Insert any sensible sounding answer you like] or
(2) Evict them to the most deprived parts of the city.
(1) [Insert any sensible sounding answer you like] or
(2) Evict them to the most deprived parts of the city.
I would happily shop all of my friends (*) in exchange for a good marmalade. This does not, however, extend to jam. For the love of god, stop giving me jam as a gift.
(*) I have no friends, so this statement is less harmful than it first appears.
(*) I have no friends, so this statement is less harmful than it first appears.
January 30, 2026 at 9:03 AM
I would happily shop all of my friends (*) in exchange for a good marmalade. This does not, however, extend to jam. For the love of god, stop giving me jam as a gift.
(*) I have no friends, so this statement is less harmful than it first appears.
(*) I have no friends, so this statement is less harmful than it first appears.
I am surprised at the lack of content on here today following America's clarification of how much they appreciate everyone's support and sacrifice after they invoked article 5 and we fought alongside them in Aghanistan.
I can only assume silence means this level of obnoxiousness is now priced in?
I can only assume silence means this level of obnoxiousness is now priced in?
January 23, 2026 at 2:42 PM
I am surprised at the lack of content on here today following America's clarification of how much they appreciate everyone's support and sacrifice after they invoked article 5 and we fought alongside them in Aghanistan.
I can only assume silence means this level of obnoxiousness is now priced in?
I can only assume silence means this level of obnoxiousness is now priced in?
I'm late to this but given I was talking at someone about it today: Congratulations on having lived through the only square number year in your lifetime (2025 = 45 x 45).
If that is not true and you were alive in 44^2=1936, you have done something that is rapidly slipping away from human grasp.
If that is not true and you were alive in 44^2=1936, you have done something that is rapidly slipping away from human grasp.
January 20, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I'm late to this but given I was talking at someone about it today: Congratulations on having lived through the only square number year in your lifetime (2025 = 45 x 45).
If that is not true and you were alive in 44^2=1936, you have done something that is rapidly slipping away from human grasp.
If that is not true and you were alive in 44^2=1936, you have done something that is rapidly slipping away from human grasp.
Well, if you like your football to be dramatic, that AFCON final was just for you. Right team won. 50:50 on the referee's decisions.
Oh, and well done to Kyren Wilson - a deserved win over John Higgins, a man who has definitely never brought the sport into disrepute. Definitely.
Oh, and well done to Kyren Wilson - a deserved win over John Higgins, a man who has definitely never brought the sport into disrepute. Definitely.
January 19, 2026 at 6:32 AM
Well, if you like your football to be dramatic, that AFCON final was just for you. Right team won. 50:50 on the referee's decisions.
Oh, and well done to Kyren Wilson - a deserved win over John Higgins, a man who has definitely never brought the sport into disrepute. Definitely.
Oh, and well done to Kyren Wilson - a deserved win over John Higgins, a man who has definitely never brought the sport into disrepute. Definitely.
Can anyone else remember a time when you could turn on the telly and not have to scroll through channel after channel of Henry Cole and his chums rummaging through sheds, repairing old petrol pumps or motorbikes, and drinking mugs of tea?
(Oxford comma deliberate, btw)
(Oxford comma deliberate, btw)
January 6, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Can anyone else remember a time when you could turn on the telly and not have to scroll through channel after channel of Henry Cole and his chums rummaging through sheds, repairing old petrol pumps or motorbikes, and drinking mugs of tea?
(Oxford comma deliberate, btw)
(Oxford comma deliberate, btw)
My wife and I are having an argument and it's a hill I am going to die on. My view
Stephen Fry: Treated as a national treasure but is actually just a tedious prick.
Colin Murray: Not considered a national treasure, but is a bona fide joy in everything he does, and thus is one.
Stephen Fry: Treated as a national treasure but is actually just a tedious prick.
Colin Murray: Not considered a national treasure, but is a bona fide joy in everything he does, and thus is one.
December 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM
My wife and I are having an argument and it's a hill I am going to die on. My view
Stephen Fry: Treated as a national treasure but is actually just a tedious prick.
Colin Murray: Not considered a national treasure, but is a bona fide joy in everything he does, and thus is one.
Stephen Fry: Treated as a national treasure but is actually just a tedious prick.
Colin Murray: Not considered a national treasure, but is a bona fide joy in everything he does, and thus is one.
I think we all know so none of us need to say it out loud.
December 18, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I think we all know so none of us need to say it out loud.
They're banning all the fun these days.
December 16, 2025 at 12:33 PM
They're banning all the fun these days.
A cpl of yrs ago we boight 1 of those boiling water taps.
As well as it not being hot enough to make a proper cup of tea (builder style, obvs), and the water coming out like an old man's piss (I am an old man), that I have to turn my tap off and on again every few weeks is getting annoying now.
As well as it not being hot enough to make a proper cup of tea (builder style, obvs), and the water coming out like an old man's piss (I am an old man), that I have to turn my tap off and on again every few weeks is getting annoying now.
December 10, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A cpl of yrs ago we boight 1 of those boiling water taps.
As well as it not being hot enough to make a proper cup of tea (builder style, obvs), and the water coming out like an old man's piss (I am an old man), that I have to turn my tap off and on again every few weeks is getting annoying now.
As well as it not being hot enough to make a proper cup of tea (builder style, obvs), and the water coming out like an old man's piss (I am an old man), that I have to turn my tap off and on again every few weeks is getting annoying now.
Ahh, I see the work to enshittify the Trainline app continues at pace, and is a huge success.
December 4, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Ahh, I see the work to enshittify the Trainline app continues at pace, and is a huge success.
The Spotify algorithm decided that what my son and I most wanted to listen to on this am's school run was a medley of KPop Demon Hunters, Deep Purple and Cream.
It's a bold choice. Punchy. But not wrong.
It's a bold choice. Punchy. But not wrong.
November 27, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The Spotify algorithm decided that what my son and I most wanted to listen to on this am's school run was a medley of KPop Demon Hunters, Deep Purple and Cream.
It's a bold choice. Punchy. But not wrong.
It's a bold choice. Punchy. But not wrong.
Joys of parenthood #53:
Going to sit on the toilet then, just after you've passed the stooping point of no return, glancng down to see a puddle of wee has been left on the seat.
Allegedly.
Going to sit on the toilet then, just after you've passed the stooping point of no return, glancng down to see a puddle of wee has been left on the seat.
Allegedly.
November 19, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Joys of parenthood #53:
Going to sit on the toilet then, just after you've passed the stooping point of no return, glancng down to see a puddle of wee has been left on the seat.
Allegedly.
Going to sit on the toilet then, just after you've passed the stooping point of no return, glancng down to see a puddle of wee has been left on the seat.
Allegedly.
Life before smart TV: Turn on telly, watch telly.
Life after smart TV: Turn on telly. Back Home Back Back Software upgrade Shit accidentally pressed the Paramount+ button Back Back for the love of god Back Yeah, accept, whatver, Home Select input Back Back Home Back. Watch telly.
Life after smart TV: Turn on telly. Back Home Back Back Software upgrade Shit accidentally pressed the Paramount+ button Back Back for the love of god Back Yeah, accept, whatver, Home Select input Back Back Home Back. Watch telly.
November 16, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Life before smart TV: Turn on telly, watch telly.
Life after smart TV: Turn on telly. Back Home Back Back Software upgrade Shit accidentally pressed the Paramount+ button Back Back for the love of god Back Yeah, accept, whatver, Home Select input Back Back Home Back. Watch telly.
Life after smart TV: Turn on telly. Back Home Back Back Software upgrade Shit accidentally pressed the Paramount+ button Back Back for the love of god Back Yeah, accept, whatver, Home Select input Back Back Home Back. Watch telly.
So, Bond dying in No Time To Die is an issue for the continuity arc of the franchise
but
Bond being only promoted to 00 status in Casino Royale, was apparently not.
Anyway, we all know the only real Bond was Roger Moore on a sports gondola.
but
Bond being only promoted to 00 status in Casino Royale, was apparently not.
Anyway, we all know the only real Bond was Roger Moore on a sports gondola.
November 15, 2025 at 8:06 AM
So, Bond dying in No Time To Die is an issue for the continuity arc of the franchise
but
Bond being only promoted to 00 status in Casino Royale, was apparently not.
Anyway, we all know the only real Bond was Roger Moore on a sports gondola.
but
Bond being only promoted to 00 status in Casino Royale, was apparently not.
Anyway, we all know the only real Bond was Roger Moore on a sports gondola.
The approach to public infrastructure investment in the U.K. is simple.
If your project is in London, have what you need. In fact, have more. Spend what you like.
If your project is not in London, fuck off.
Nowhere exemplifies this more than the state of Exeter St Davids train station.
If your project is in London, have what you need. In fact, have more. Spend what you like.
If your project is not in London, fuck off.
Nowhere exemplifies this more than the state of Exeter St Davids train station.
November 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The approach to public infrastructure investment in the U.K. is simple.
If your project is in London, have what you need. In fact, have more. Spend what you like.
If your project is not in London, fuck off.
Nowhere exemplifies this more than the state of Exeter St Davids train station.
If your project is in London, have what you need. In fact, have more. Spend what you like.
If your project is not in London, fuck off.
Nowhere exemplifies this more than the state of Exeter St Davids train station.
My son's English homework is to differentiate words into verbs or nouns.
On the list: Paint, bark, brush, cook, farm.
I mean, yeah.
On the list: Paint, bark, brush, cook, farm.
I mean, yeah.
September 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
My son's English homework is to differentiate words into verbs or nouns.
On the list: Paint, bark, brush, cook, farm.
I mean, yeah.
On the list: Paint, bark, brush, cook, farm.
I mean, yeah.
I want to do a stall at our local Sunday market. I now need to work back to what to sell.
Already plenty of food stalls. Pottery and wood things already covered too.
A friend suggested artisan mustard. It's niche. I like it.
I'm thinking carnivorous plants (this can all happen next year).
Already plenty of food stalls. Pottery and wood things already covered too.
A friend suggested artisan mustard. It's niche. I like it.
I'm thinking carnivorous plants (this can all happen next year).
September 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I want to do a stall at our local Sunday market. I now need to work back to what to sell.
Already plenty of food stalls. Pottery and wood things already covered too.
A friend suggested artisan mustard. It's niche. I like it.
I'm thinking carnivorous plants (this can all happen next year).
Already plenty of food stalls. Pottery and wood things already covered too.
A friend suggested artisan mustard. It's niche. I like it.
I'm thinking carnivorous plants (this can all happen next year).
A friend has cajoled me into entering the local flash fiction comp - 100 words on a theme. Classic case of she wants in (she's good) but needs a buddy for courage.
I've written nothing in 30 years and nothing good ever, if you don't count my PhD, papers, patents, etc.
1st task: Pick a pseudonym.
I've written nothing in 30 years and nothing good ever, if you don't count my PhD, papers, patents, etc.
1st task: Pick a pseudonym.
September 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A friend has cajoled me into entering the local flash fiction comp - 100 words on a theme. Classic case of she wants in (she's good) but needs a buddy for courage.
I've written nothing in 30 years and nothing good ever, if you don't count my PhD, papers, patents, etc.
1st task: Pick a pseudonym.
I've written nothing in 30 years and nothing good ever, if you don't count my PhD, papers, patents, etc.
1st task: Pick a pseudonym.
Just taken the dog for a walk and the consequences of this look devastating. If the oak mentioned is the obvious one, it's dead.
If this was
Arson: Wankers.
Yet another stolen motorbike abandoned and torched: Wankers.
Global warming: Nature's telling us.
www.instagram.com/p/DN037Dj2C8P/
If this was
Arson: Wankers.
Yet another stolen motorbike abandoned and torched: Wankers.
Global warming: Nature's telling us.
www.instagram.com/p/DN037Dj2C8P/
September 2, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Just taken the dog for a walk and the consequences of this look devastating. If the oak mentioned is the obvious one, it's dead.
If this was
Arson: Wankers.
Yet another stolen motorbike abandoned and torched: Wankers.
Global warming: Nature's telling us.
www.instagram.com/p/DN037Dj2C8P/
If this was
Arson: Wankers.
Yet another stolen motorbike abandoned and torched: Wankers.
Global warming: Nature's telling us.
www.instagram.com/p/DN037Dj2C8P/
There are exceptions but, in general, lawyers are trained to advise on risk and to form a narrative that supports a client's brief.
Both great skills but they don't lend themselves to action based on conviction where the client (electorate) is inconsistent and every decision risks losing votes.
Both great skills but they don't lend themselves to action based on conviction where the client (electorate) is inconsistent and every decision risks losing votes.
August 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
There are exceptions but, in general, lawyers are trained to advise on risk and to form a narrative that supports a client's brief.
Both great skills but they don't lend themselves to action based on conviction where the client (electorate) is inconsistent and every decision risks losing votes.
Both great skills but they don't lend themselves to action based on conviction where the client (electorate) is inconsistent and every decision risks losing votes.
I'm glad Labour is buckling to Farage's dog whistle demands to report the immigration status of those accused of sexual assault.
Because if one of my family got attacked I would, of course, feel much better about it if I knew the attacker's paperwork was in order. Barely even a crime in that case.
Because if one of my family got attacked I would, of course, feel much better about it if I knew the attacker's paperwork was in order. Barely even a crime in that case.
August 5, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I'm glad Labour is buckling to Farage's dog whistle demands to report the immigration status of those accused of sexual assault.
Because if one of my family got attacked I would, of course, feel much better about it if I knew the attacker's paperwork was in order. Barely even a crime in that case.
Because if one of my family got attacked I would, of course, feel much better about it if I knew the attacker's paperwork was in order. Barely even a crime in that case.
That's it. After years of ducking, I'm rolling up my sleeves and coding.
They say the data are too hard to analyse.
I've never used Python but my PhD was ab initio modelling in C, so how hard can it be? I have a bucket load of hubris and will definitely show them who's boss by the end of the week.
They say the data are too hard to analyse.
I've never used Python but my PhD was ab initio modelling in C, so how hard can it be? I have a bucket load of hubris and will definitely show them who's boss by the end of the week.
August 5, 2025 at 6:51 PM
That's it. After years of ducking, I'm rolling up my sleeves and coding.
They say the data are too hard to analyse.
I've never used Python but my PhD was ab initio modelling in C, so how hard can it be? I have a bucket load of hubris and will definitely show them who's boss by the end of the week.
They say the data are too hard to analyse.
I've never used Python but my PhD was ab initio modelling in C, so how hard can it be? I have a bucket load of hubris and will definitely show them who's boss by the end of the week.