Bellend Sebastian

That's just reminded me that I'm already signed up for the Big 10k (the one in Abbey Park) the following month. Need to pull my finger out, I'd completely forgotten about that

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There was no going back after that

Well that's the weekend ruined Wordle 1,302 X/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜ 🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩

Me not planning my route properly and allowing Google maps to send me down untreated roads with shit loads of black ice on. Mercifully hardly any other vehicles, but crikey that was frightening

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Oh the stress Wordle 1,300 6/6 ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜ 🟨⬜⬜🟩⬜ ⬜⬜🟨🟨🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

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Here's a fun read for those who like this sort of thing: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/01/january-6-justification-machine/681215/

😂 Yes indeed. Foxy Boxing's experience may not be an everyday one but I found it entirely believable. I've not reached the level of cynicism where I'm questioning EVERYTHING yet

I'm not sure how much truth there is in this but apparently there's an air ambulance and fire engine down there because someone tried this and got into difficulty

I'm going to glue myself to one of the roads that are still open

The children have bullied me into signing up for Netflix. Please tell me it's not as shite as it looks. And yes, I have noticed that the last recommendation on here was for a programme I watched on the BBC several years ago

I think in this instance it's more that they're introducing new models in price brackets that we associate with the premium brands. I bought a Korean Epi Les Paul Standard in about 1997 for just short of £400, which according to the BofE calculator is equivalent to £769 today. The closest thing in the Epiphone range today is about £550, so that seems a pretty good deal. The strategy of introducing the "Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop" range makes sense on some levels as there's a very big gap between the standard Epis and the Gibsons to fill, and these fit right in the middle. That said, as you've noted, it means persuading folk to part with around a grand for an Epiphone, which doesn't quite sit right, does it? It's also incredibly confusing for the uninitiated, with two Epiphone models of some variants of the same thing which at first glance look much the same despite significantly different prices. You can buy an Alpine White Epiphone Les Paul Custom for 600 quid, and another Alpine White Epiphone Les Paul Custom for 1100 quid, which seems a bit odd from a marketing point of view. The prices of the latter are already dropping, and I think they need to, but I cannot see them binning the cheaper ones so it'll remain a bit of a dog's breakfast

Just inflation mainly, isn't it? I bought a brand new US standard Telecaster in 2002 for £549 (list price was probably £699 at the time) the equivalent is now about £1,600. I cannot imagine they're selling many of those Epis for over £1,000 because most of us will react in the same way, and within a year of release the prices seem to be dropping quite a bit. Also bear in mind that a Gibson Les Paul Standard is now over two grand (even a Studio is £1,600), and from what I've read (full disclosure, I've not had a go on either) the gap in terms of quality is not that big (the Epis have pretty much the same electronics in them) so maybe it's a case of the Gibsons being overpriced

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Weather not as bad as expected so popped out for a 5k into town and back. Comically slow, but given I went out for a curry last night and was on the whisky and Buckfast after it probably went as well as could be expected

I sent mine back because it only had five strings. You'd think for that kind of money they could get the basics right

White "Inspired by Gibson Custom shop" Epi Les Paul Custom down to £899 (RRP £1199). Don't think I'll bite in the current sale but it feels like only a matter of time

I'm guessing it's both the number of vehicles but the extent to which they're used as well. A lot of folk seem to drive madly short distances now - literally to the end of the road to get some milk or whatever. We've got two car parks at our work, one by the building and one about 100 metres away, if that, and some of our staff get lifts from the building to the latter

Oh good, it's not just me then Unless it's changed, the Highway Code says it's 'discouraged' or words to that effect. It does mention slow moving traffic but I don't remember if it defines what that means. If some div is doing 60 in lane 3 of 4 with the inside two empty, I can't believe you're expected to go round them if you're doing 70 in the inside lane. That's more dangerous than staying where you are They did indeed say this, but I've no idea if this is something they routinely have people for. It does seem to be getting a bit out of hand, and the more that do it, the more 'normal' it becomes, it would seem

There needs to be a TV ad campaign or something about this, it seems to be getting worse. I always assumed it was folk absent mindedly forgetting to move back in after overtaking but I've seen enough drivers deliberately moving into the middle when they don't need to make me think it's a conscious choice. Absolutely baffling. This and parking up with your engine on. I go to the same supermarket at the same time every week, and there's nearly always the same bloke sat in his car with the engine running, usually with his partner in the car with him. In the last week I've been at different times AND HE WAS THERE THEN AS WELL. I wonder if he ever thinks, my car only does 14 miles to the gallon, why is that?

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You'd be doing well to get a used Gibson Les Paul for £1400 these days, there aren't many the right side of £1600 at the moment. Maybe not surprising as new ones are around the two grand mark with a discount. Trans Amber? Lovely. 2004 is supposedly a good year isn't it, although I've no idea how much difference there is between the 'good' years and 'bad' ones. I'm very much an arsing around at home guitarist so another pro standard instrument is probably a bit silly, and a good Epiphone would I'm sure be more than good enough for me. I've seen the '59 'Inspired by....' one (supposedly the best) as low as £900, albeit not in my first choice colour, and that's getting close to being tempting. The Les Paul Custom in the same range is also getting cheaper, no surprise as I think they are a bit overpriced. I listen to a fair bit of classic rock, I've got Teles and a Strat and it just feels like there's a gap that needs filling (that's what I tell myself anyway)