Bren McGowan
@brenmcgowan.bsky.social
Engagement and health policy nerd, but very likely to post about birds, books, coffee, crosswords, opera, plants and theatre.
Coeliac and vegan (for the fun of it).
Northerner transplanted into the South. All opinions my own - and I've plenty to spare.
Coeliac and vegan (for the fun of it).
Northerner transplanted into the South. All opinions my own - and I've plenty to spare.
That's the best reason I've heard for electrifying all the train lines.
February 6, 2025 at 10:21 AM
That's the best reason I've heard for electrifying all the train lines.
But only in a way that doesn't leave a stain on the upholstery.
February 6, 2025 at 10:17 AM
But only in a way that doesn't leave a stain on the upholstery.
Interestingly, he was warned but didn't heed it - so the fine was totally avoidable.
I get irritated by Thameslink announcement about revenue protection officers - how about conductors sorting out people on speakerphone, with bags on seats (and feet on seats) or just being racist?
And breathe...
I get irritated by Thameslink announcement about revenue protection officers - how about conductors sorting out people on speakerphone, with bags on seats (and feet on seats) or just being racist?
And breathe...
February 6, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Interestingly, he was warned but didn't heed it - so the fine was totally avoidable.
I get irritated by Thameslink announcement about revenue protection officers - how about conductors sorting out people on speakerphone, with bags on seats (and feet on seats) or just being racist?
And breathe...
I get irritated by Thameslink announcement about revenue protection officers - how about conductors sorting out people on speakerphone, with bags on seats (and feet on seats) or just being racist?
And breathe...
Me, too.
(Although a thread on this theme could draw heavily on 'The Mikado': 'I've got a little list' and 'Make the punishment fit the crime'.)
(Although a thread on this theme could draw heavily on 'The Mikado': 'I've got a little list' and 'Make the punishment fit the crime'.)
February 6, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Me, too.
(Although a thread on this theme could draw heavily on 'The Mikado': 'I've got a little list' and 'Make the punishment fit the crime'.)
(Although a thread on this theme could draw heavily on 'The Mikado': 'I've got a little list' and 'Make the punishment fit the crime'.)
Doable, but quite a challenge.
I'm doing a re-read (a chapter a day) and keep finding things I missed first time round.
The daily chats keep me going.
I'm doing a re-read (a chapter a day) and keep finding things I missed first time round.
The daily chats keep me going.
February 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Doable, but quite a challenge.
I'm doing a re-read (a chapter a day) and keep finding things I missed first time round.
The daily chats keep me going.
I'm doing a re-read (a chapter a day) and keep finding things I missed first time round.
The daily chats keep me going.
One chapter a day for a year?
February 5, 2025 at 8:56 PM
One chapter a day for a year?
When the message is "Young girls, you can be whatever you want", having a man play two of the major female parts seems a bit of a misstep. (No criticism of the actor, who gave a load of brilliant performances - it's the principle.)
But that doesn't detract from the fact it's a great night out.
2/2
But that doesn't detract from the fact it's a great night out.
2/2
February 5, 2025 at 7:25 PM
When the message is "Young girls, you can be whatever you want", having a man play two of the major female parts seems a bit of a misstep. (No criticism of the actor, who gave a load of brilliant performances - it's the principle.)
But that doesn't detract from the fact it's a great night out.
2/2
But that doesn't detract from the fact it's a great night out.
2/2
Erm...
*hides away
*hides away
February 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Erm...
*hides away
*hides away
Definitely.
Also, you can see much more how it's put together (I think he only met Kevin and Evelyn in the pub once - but it gets split up.)
And I am a radio person at heart.
Also, you can see much more how it's put together (I think he only met Kevin and Evelyn in the pub once - but it gets split up.)
And I am a radio person at heart.
February 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Definitely.
Also, you can see much more how it's put together (I think he only met Kevin and Evelyn in the pub once - but it gets split up.)
And I am a radio person at heart.
Also, you can see much more how it's put together (I think he only met Kevin and Evelyn in the pub once - but it gets split up.)
And I am a radio person at heart.
Anyone who puts (sic) in alt text is worth a follow in my book.
February 1, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Anyone who puts (sic) in alt text is worth a follow in my book.
The one I have is the Freni / Pavarotti / von Karajan one, which is brilliant - but I suspect the one that I have greatest affection for is the de los Angeles / Björling / Beecham one - maybe less slick, but that's the charm of it.
February 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
The one I have is the Freni / Pavarotti / von Karajan one, which is brilliant - but I suspect the one that I have greatest affection for is the de los Angeles / Björling / Beecham one - maybe less slick, but that's the charm of it.
A footnote to that: other people aren't thinking about you as much as you think they are (if they actually think about you at all).
January 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
A footnote to that: other people aren't thinking about you as much as you think they are (if they actually think about you at all).
That's a description of so many people i know.
January 30, 2025 at 4:54 PM
That's a description of so many people i know.
I'd add: just because you're invited to a wedding doesn't mean you have to go. Just say 'no' if you like - nobody will miss you.
Well, unless you're close family.
Or the groom.
Well, unless you're close family.
Or the groom.
January 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I'd add: just because you're invited to a wedding doesn't mean you have to go. Just say 'no' if you like - nobody will miss you.
Well, unless you're close family.
Or the groom.
Well, unless you're close family.
Or the groom.
I remembered a lot of smoking and drinking - but realise there was quite that much, even if it's an accurate picture.
January 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I remembered a lot of smoking and drinking - but realise there was quite that much, even if it's an accurate picture.
This has nudged me into watching it - I saw a couple of series and then dropped off.
I'm only one episode in, but it's way bleaker than I remember - or maybe I've changed.
I'm only one episode in, but it's way bleaker than I remember - or maybe I've changed.
January 29, 2025 at 9:41 PM
This has nudged me into watching it - I saw a couple of series and then dropped off.
I'm only one episode in, but it's way bleaker than I remember - or maybe I've changed.
I'm only one episode in, but it's way bleaker than I remember - or maybe I've changed.
A train conductor (that dates me) on a jaunt from Hull to Beverley asked me if I wanted a single or return.
"What's the difference?" I asked (meaning in price).
The conductor rolled his eyes: "With a return, you can come back!"
"What's the difference?" I asked (meaning in price).
The conductor rolled his eyes: "With a return, you can come back!"
January 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM
A train conductor (that dates me) on a jaunt from Hull to Beverley asked me if I wanted a single or return.
"What's the difference?" I asked (meaning in price).
The conductor rolled his eyes: "With a return, you can come back!"
"What's the difference?" I asked (meaning in price).
The conductor rolled his eyes: "With a return, you can come back!"
My bugbear at the moment is 'titular role' rather than 'title role' - The extra syllable adds nothing.
January 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
My bugbear at the moment is 'titular role' rather than 'title role' - The extra syllable adds nothing.
Isn't one of the difficulties that organisations sometimes (often?) think of DEI in terms of recruitment - but often forget about day-to-day work and the services they provide?
Most staff won't be recruiting but the training mainly (always?) seems to focus on hiring - missing the point for most?
Most staff won't be recruiting but the training mainly (always?) seems to focus on hiring - missing the point for most?
January 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Isn't one of the difficulties that organisations sometimes (often?) think of DEI in terms of recruitment - but often forget about day-to-day work and the services they provide?
Most staff won't be recruiting but the training mainly (always?) seems to focus on hiring - missing the point for most?
Most staff won't be recruiting but the training mainly (always?) seems to focus on hiring - missing the point for most?
I once had a director who was not, shall we say, exactly tall.
I finished an email with "I'll let you know shortly".
As my finger approached the Send button, I noticed that I had omitted the 'l' from the last word.
The noise I made woke up everyone else in the office.
I finished an email with "I'll let you know shortly".
As my finger approached the Send button, I noticed that I had omitted the 'l' from the last word.
The noise I made woke up everyone else in the office.
January 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I once had a director who was not, shall we say, exactly tall.
I finished an email with "I'll let you know shortly".
As my finger approached the Send button, I noticed that I had omitted the 'l' from the last word.
The noise I made woke up everyone else in the office.
I finished an email with "I'll let you know shortly".
As my finger approached the Send button, I noticed that I had omitted the 'l' from the last word.
The noise I made woke up everyone else in the office.
Notification sounds are the work of the devil.
Using them in a shared office should be grounds for instant dismissal.
And as for using them on trains...
Using them in a shared office should be grounds for instant dismissal.
And as for using them on trains...
January 28, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Notification sounds are the work of the devil.
Using them in a shared office should be grounds for instant dismissal.
And as for using them on trains...
Using them in a shared office should be grounds for instant dismissal.
And as for using them on trains...