The Christmas 2017 thread

[Udayana]

The only films I have ever enjoyed are the Harry Potter ones. I would no doubt fit in well as a character at the famous Hogwarts, which is reminiscent of the Ladies college I attended in my youth.

I think you could put yourself forward as a test subject for transcranial magnetic stimulation - this uses magnets around certain areas of the brain to affect likes/dislikes and so forth. Possibly could increase the kinds of things you would enjoy:

Now you like it, now you don't...

[Udayana]

Hate Christmas .. possibly would not be as bad as birthdays if it could never be mentioned except during, say, the three days 24th, 25th and 26th.

.. may try the magnets myself!.

[floo]

I think you could put yourself forward as a test subject for transcranial magnetic stimulation - this uses magnets around certain areas of the brain to affect likes/dislikes and so forth. Possibly could increase the kinds of things you would enjoy:

Now you like it, now you don't...

I am quite happy being me, thanks!

[Rhiannon]

It's the mix between M*A*S*H, Klute,  and Kelly's Heroes that I see Donald playing.

He’s rather lovely in KH.

[Robbie]

Hate Christmas .. possibly would not be as bad as birthdays if it could never be mentioned except during, say, the three days 24th, 25th and 26th.

.. may try the magnets myself!.

I don't hate Christmas but do think all the fuss starts far too early. A fortnight - or less - before is sufficient, as long as people have everything they need bought & hidden away, or on order.  No TV adverts before 1st December.

[Rhiannon]

Late night shopping was fun. Am stuffed full of crepes and bought everything from WI marmalade to a knitted reindeer wearing an Xmas jumper. A terrifying Santa (I’m not joking) switched on the lights and a bloke with a guitar sang a song about a lullaby.

On the way home we went to Homebase for bird seed and paint and we rescued 3 tiny Xmas trees that were in the one pound bin. They are named Seth, Dean and Roman.

[Robbie]

Awwww!

[Rhiannon]

I have a home made apple strudel slice that I might just need to eat now.

[Robbie]

Ooooh I love that as long as it's very apply and not too sweet. Long time since I actually made one but remember it was lovely.

[Rhiannon]

Ooooh I love that as long as it's very apply and not too sweet. Long time since I actually made one but remember it was lovely.

Delis does a lovely one in her first Xmas book with mincemeat and nuts. Apple needs cinnamon methinks.

I used to make Delia’s cake recipe for my mum and my great aunt (she used to hide it when she had guests!) and her Christmas chutney which is just heavenly. If I get time I might make a sherry fruit cake this week, it’s much lighter than a normal Xmas cake and lovely with Cheshire cheese.

[Udayana]

I have a home made apple strudel slice that I might just need to eat now.

Really?

 

[Rhiannon]

Seth, Dean and Roman made it through the night so they now live on the mantelpiece. See, I’m as Christmassy as an advert about Iceland party food,

[jeremyp]

What the pilots trying to land on Heathrow 28R must think is beyond me.

They'll be thinking "what the fuck happened the the runway?".

There is no 28R, you can have 27R or 27L (or alternately 9L or 9R.

[Owlswing]

They'll be thinking "what the fuck happened the the runway?".

There is no 28R, you can have 27R or 27L (or alternately 9L or 9R.

Back in my youth (about 50/55 years ago) they were 28R and 28L/8R and 8L. Don't ask me when that were changed or why.

What I do know is the supposedly defunct (1950-2010) Cranford Agreement stilll ensures that there are no takeoffs from 9L over my house, only landings.

Addendum after Net Search
 
Apparently the change from 28R/28L and 8R/8L was to prevent misunderstandings due to the common '8' in both directions

Rumour has it that some dumb TAROM pilot tried to land into take-off traffic. His error was, apparently, detected early enough to prevent any accident. This is only hearsay, even the spotters of my generation can't confirm/deny the story.   

[Harrowby Hall]

They'll be thinking "what the fuck happened the the runway?".

There is no 28R, you can have 27R or 27L (or alternately 9L or 9R.

The runways used to be 28R and 28L. Perhaps the position of the North Pole has changed.

[jeremyp]

The runways used to be 28R and 28L. Perhaps the position of the North Pole has changed.

Well England is slowly moving North East. Maybe it's twisting too.

[Owlswing]

Well England is slowly moving North East. Maybe it's twisting too.

My science knowledge is pretty pathetic, but isn't the magnetic North Pole supposed to be moving? If so, woulkdn't (possibly) explain the change?
 

[Rhiannon]

Speaking of runways, I used to make one Town my garden out of tea lights in foil cups for you-know-who and his reindeer. I still put candles outside on Xmas Eve and New Year’s Eve too. Unfortunately I only have one small freezer so I’m trying to figure out how to make my ice candle holders for Xmas Eve and still have room for actual food.

[jeremyp]

My science knowledge is pretty pathetic, but isn't the magnetic North Pole supposed to be moving? If so, woulkdn't (possibly) explain the change?

It probably is but I thought the runways were named based on true North (could be wrong though).

I was going to say that your original answer - the confusion between 28 and 08 is more likely to be correct, but if one runway was named 28, the other would be named 10 (since they are always 180 degrees apart).

[Owlswing]

It probably is but I thought the runways were named based on true North (could be wrong though).

I was going to say that your original answer - the confusion between 28 and 08 is more likely to be correct, but if one runway was named 28, the other would be named 10 (since they are always 180 degrees apart).

No - they are magnetic; all-same the compasses that used to be in the aircraft.

Ialso plead terrific lapse of memory and admit you are right 10R and 10L - the TAROM (the Romanian airline) story was probably one of those wind-ups told to newbies by the veterans.

[Shaker]

True ...

https://tinyurl.com/y83v2xcf

[Rhiannon]

True ...

https://tinyurl.com/y83v2xcf

No.

Clearly this isn’t meant to be a pun. ‘Merry’ in this context is an adjective - used because the Pringles have been at the cooking sherry.

[Nearly Sane]

As a slight derail but I think within the spirit of the time of year, i would like to do some posts about much missed members. First amongst those is the lovely Leonard James. It's well over a year since he last logged in and despite a variety of efforts, there is no news. I fear the worst in this case but hope Len is still gazing at his garden, and laughing at the rest of the world.


Feel free to add and join in.

[floo]

As a slight derail but I think within the spirit of the tine of year, i would like to do some posts about much missed members. First amongst those is the lovely Leonard James. It's well over a year since he last logged in and despite a variety of efforts, there is no news. I fear the worst in this case but hope Len is still gazing at his garden, and laughing at the rest of the world.


Feel free to add and join in.

I fear the worst too, LJ was a stalwart of this forum. Gonnagle hasn't posted since July, I hope he is ok.

[Nearly Sane]

I fear the worst too, LJ was a stalwart of this forum. Gonnagle hasn't posted since July, I hope he is ok.

Yes, Gonzo would have been the next person on the list. A man I have shared milk, beer, and bread with. An utter delight of a person and again one who despite some varied efforts, we have been unable to contact. I remember well his audition for doing a TED talk, something I had encouraged him to do. Standing on that stage making the case for compassion, and being the very incarnation of his message.


He is much missed. I hope you are safe and well for the season, old friend