Ian Spencer 🐧
@ian.spennys.world
Bass player & guitar strummer. Walker. Cyclist. Grumbler.
Heartbeat: https://heartbeatband.info
Prime Numbers: https://primenumbers.org.uk
The Blighters: https://www.facebook.com/theblighters
IamNotAllowedToUseMyName on MSE
🐧Penguins Against Trump🐧
Heartbeat: https://heartbeatband.info
Prime Numbers: https://primenumbers.org.uk
The Blighters: https://www.facebook.com/theblighters
IamNotAllowedToUseMyName on MSE
🐧Penguins Against Trump🐧
I'm 66 and hate them.
November 29, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I'm 66 and hate them.
My 5:
Citroen GS Club (very lovely)
Austin Montego 1.6L (very nasty)
Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0iL (only ever company car, very lovely)
Ford Explorer (Sorry! an aberration but it was cheap except for petrol and trouble-free).
Mercedes C Class (2 in 26 years, no plans to change yet).
Citroen GS Club (very lovely)
Austin Montego 1.6L (very nasty)
Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0iL (only ever company car, very lovely)
Ford Explorer (Sorry! an aberration but it was cheap except for petrol and trouble-free).
Mercedes C Class (2 in 26 years, no plans to change yet).
November 29, 2025 at 12:39 PM
My 5:
Citroen GS Club (very lovely)
Austin Montego 1.6L (very nasty)
Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0iL (only ever company car, very lovely)
Ford Explorer (Sorry! an aberration but it was cheap except for petrol and trouble-free).
Mercedes C Class (2 in 26 years, no plans to change yet).
Citroen GS Club (very lovely)
Austin Montego 1.6L (very nasty)
Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0iL (only ever company car, very lovely)
Ford Explorer (Sorry! an aberration but it was cheap except for petrol and trouble-free).
Mercedes C Class (2 in 26 years, no plans to change yet).
Every road user group, pedestrian, cyclist or driver, has a similar proportion of idiots.
What you could take away from this is that the consequence of a cyclist being an idiot was just a fright and annoyance, try that with another pedestrian - not much different. Now try that with a car.
What you could take away from this is that the consequence of a cyclist being an idiot was just a fright and annoyance, try that with another pedestrian - not much different. Now try that with a car.
November 29, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Every road user group, pedestrian, cyclist or driver, has a similar proportion of idiots.
What you could take away from this is that the consequence of a cyclist being an idiot was just a fright and annoyance, try that with another pedestrian - not much different. Now try that with a car.
What you could take away from this is that the consequence of a cyclist being an idiot was just a fright and annoyance, try that with another pedestrian - not much different. Now try that with a car.
America will soon be replicating this achievement by simply not recording cancer cases.
November 29, 2025 at 9:29 AM
America will soon be replicating this achievement by simply not recording cancer cases.
Exactly. So many products are hidden debt generators, like car leasing, phone contracts and so on, credit cards with scary APRs.
The generational change from not buying till you could afford it to financing your way through life is likely one of the biggest risks to retirement funding.
The generational change from not buying till you could afford it to financing your way through life is likely one of the biggest risks to retirement funding.
November 29, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Exactly. So many products are hidden debt generators, like car leasing, phone contracts and so on, credit cards with scary APRs.
The generational change from not buying till you could afford it to financing your way through life is likely one of the biggest risks to retirement funding.
The generational change from not buying till you could afford it to financing your way through life is likely one of the biggest risks to retirement funding.
A well managed fund doesn't beat the market, it is a portfolio across multiple markets taking advantage of worldwide trends.
All I'm suggesting is that those with significant money to invest have more options to make more money.
All I'm suggesting is that those with significant money to invest have more options to make more money.
November 29, 2025 at 8:59 AM
A well managed fund doesn't beat the market, it is a portfolio across multiple markets taking advantage of worldwide trends.
All I'm suggesting is that those with significant money to invest have more options to make more money.
All I'm suggesting is that those with significant money to invest have more options to make more money.
I think that denies the environment people are immersed in. In a world where car leasing, gambling, "debts sorted with one easy plan", the pressure to extract money from people is immense. Pension or shiny new car?
Many people's first financial move should be avoiding expensive debt.
Many people's first financial move should be avoiding expensive debt.
November 29, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I think that denies the environment people are immersed in. In a world where car leasing, gambling, "debts sorted with one easy plan", the pressure to extract money from people is immense. Pension or shiny new car?
Many people's first financial move should be avoiding expensive debt.
Many people's first financial move should be avoiding expensive debt.
With the current administration, it is unlikely that the American public are going to find out why the individual did what he did in any reliable way.
November 29, 2025 at 7:59 AM
With the current administration, it is unlikely that the American public are going to find out why the individual did what he did in any reliable way.
My Mercedes did wonderful things like unlocking the doors at high speed, and switching off the dashboard entirely and refused to activate cruise control.
For all the supposed intelligence in these beasts, you'd think they could have had a battery voltage warning given the side-effects.
For all the supposed intelligence in these beasts, you'd think they could have had a battery voltage warning given the side-effects.
November 29, 2025 at 7:52 AM
My Mercedes did wonderful things like unlocking the doors at high speed, and switching off the dashboard entirely and refused to activate cruise control.
For all the supposed intelligence in these beasts, you'd think they could have had a battery voltage warning given the side-effects.
For all the supposed intelligence in these beasts, you'd think they could have had a battery voltage warning given the side-effects.
Don't worry, the 60s had some shockers too.
I give you Tiptoe Through the Tulips by Tiny Tim.
I give you Tiptoe Through the Tulips by Tiny Tim.
Tiny Tim - Tiptoe Through the Tulips
YouTube video by Rock N Retro
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Don't worry, the 60s had some shockers too.
I give you Tiptoe Through the Tulips by Tiny Tim.
I give you Tiptoe Through the Tulips by Tiny Tim.
Isn't the problem that share products aimed at small investors just don't give good returns, they are by their nature going to be low risk because they can't answer the questions. Wealthier people can get into well-managed funds were they can answer "Yes, I can take a loss & not care."
November 29, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Isn't the problem that share products aimed at small investors just don't give good returns, they are by their nature going to be low risk because they can't answer the questions. Wealthier people can get into well-managed funds were they can answer "Yes, I can take a loss & not care."
Back around 20 years ago, I was working in Germany for a few days. The taxi guy from Frankfurt Airport was using a Chrysler Voyager. 70,000km and it was on its 3rd gearbox. Cruising at over 160kph (100mph) was a bit optimistic.
November 29, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Back around 20 years ago, I was working in Germany for a few days. The taxi guy from Frankfurt Airport was using a Chrysler Voyager. 70,000km and it was on its 3rd gearbox. Cruising at over 160kph (100mph) was a bit optimistic.
TBF it's not working so well as a WH Spokesperson strategy either.
November 29, 2025 at 1:19 AM
TBF it's not working so well as a WH Spokesperson strategy either.
I'll have you know it's my Pork Pie Hat, aka my Heisenberg Hat. 😉
I suppose I've always been bitter after being subjected to a Buick Century in about '94, driving across to Scott's Valley from SF, which managed a 4 wheel slide at about 40mph on dry roads.
I suppose I've always been bitter after being subjected to a Buick Century in about '94, driving across to Scott's Valley from SF, which managed a 4 wheel slide at about 40mph on dry roads.
November 29, 2025 at 1:17 AM
I'll have you know it's my Pork Pie Hat, aka my Heisenberg Hat. 😉
I suppose I've always been bitter after being subjected to a Buick Century in about '94, driving across to Scott's Valley from SF, which managed a 4 wheel slide at about 40mph on dry roads.
I suppose I've always been bitter after being subjected to a Buick Century in about '94, driving across to Scott's Valley from SF, which managed a 4 wheel slide at about 40mph on dry roads.
And the endless beige.
November 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
And the endless beige.
Oh yes, I like a good generalisation!
November 28, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Oh yes, I like a good generalisation!
No, places like airport public toilets, for the plumbing, and a wide variety of accommodation from fleapits to Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inns, and offices.
OTOH NYC subway, aged design but very robust. Mind you Tokyo stylish and quietly copes with massive volume with well trained passengers.
OTOH NYC subway, aged design but very robust. Mind you Tokyo stylish and quietly copes with massive volume with well trained passengers.
November 28, 2025 at 6:07 PM
No, places like airport public toilets, for the plumbing, and a wide variety of accommodation from fleapits to Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inns, and offices.
OTOH NYC subway, aged design but very robust. Mind you Tokyo stylish and quietly copes with massive volume with well trained passengers.
OTOH NYC subway, aged design but very robust. Mind you Tokyo stylish and quietly copes with massive volume with well trained passengers.
When I visited the States I was always fascinated by the vast quantities of heavy iron pipework required to install a toilet.
And electric sockets that plugs easily fall out of.
It's like "It worked in 1920, why change it?"
I'm sure Americans don't see it.
And electric sockets that plugs easily fall out of.
It's like "It worked in 1920, why change it?"
I'm sure Americans don't see it.
November 28, 2025 at 5:43 PM
When I visited the States I was always fascinated by the vast quantities of heavy iron pipework required to install a toilet.
And electric sockets that plugs easily fall out of.
It's like "It worked in 1920, why change it?"
I'm sure Americans don't see it.
And electric sockets that plugs easily fall out of.
It's like "It worked in 1920, why change it?"
I'm sure Americans don't see it.
Well there is that too ;)
November 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Well there is that too ;)
What would be interesting is if there is a decline in gym memberships and a general improvement in health capable of being detected.
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
What would be interesting is if there is a decline in gym memberships and a general improvement in health capable of being detected.
I had a shouting match with a taxi driver looking for his fare in a car park: he was driving forward whilst looking everywhere but the direction he was travelling - I had to step back to avoid him.
His excuses started with "I was looking." to "It's up to you to keep out of the way." to "F*** off."
His excuses started with "I was looking." to "It's up to you to keep out of the way." to "F*** off."
November 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I had a shouting match with a taxi driver looking for his fare in a car park: he was driving forward whilst looking everywhere but the direction he was travelling - I had to step back to avoid him.
His excuses started with "I was looking." to "It's up to you to keep out of the way." to "F*** off."
His excuses started with "I was looking." to "It's up to you to keep out of the way." to "F*** off."
What I don't understand is that Putin would be readily defeated if Trump made the leap to being anti-Putin. I'm not sure it would even cost that much, a few well chosen military targets, a big international diplomacy push.
And then Trump would have his peace & ego boost.
And then Trump would have his peace & ego boost.
November 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
What I don't understand is that Putin would be readily defeated if Trump made the leap to being anti-Putin. I'm not sure it would even cost that much, a few well chosen military targets, a big international diplomacy push.
And then Trump would have his peace & ego boost.
And then Trump would have his peace & ego boost.
Vance, now do High School Shooters.
America would end up being tumbleweed if you remove any ethnicity or country of origin implicated in a capital crime.
America would end up being tumbleweed if you remove any ethnicity or country of origin implicated in a capital crime.
November 28, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Vance, now do High School Shooters.
America would end up being tumbleweed if you remove any ethnicity or country of origin implicated in a capital crime.
America would end up being tumbleweed if you remove any ethnicity or country of origin implicated in a capital crime.
Of the games, that is the one I feel no shame in failing.
This morning I suspected it was that same American confusion as with "I could care less." but in the back of my mind it might actually be British.
This morning I suspected it was that same American confusion as with "I could care less." but in the back of my mind it might actually be British.
November 28, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Of the games, that is the one I feel no shame in failing.
This morning I suspected it was that same American confusion as with "I could care less." but in the back of my mind it might actually be British.
This morning I suspected it was that same American confusion as with "I could care less." but in the back of my mind it might actually be British.