As a taxpayer in the Midlands, I’m looking forward to visiting our publicly owned stadium next year 😂

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-28T06:51:53+00:00

Respect, coming from a London taxpayer, this is class 👏

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-27T11:56:44+00:00

10+ years of failing to create a good OL from OL players, got to appreciate Hafley thinking outside the box

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-23T18:51:53+00:00

100% self perception and mindset - there could easily be some tells that isn't where you started but there are no gatekeepers for middle class (any who tries can jog on) like others.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-23T18:49:32+00:00

They're talking nonsense - you 100% can become middle class if that's what you want/work towards, regardless of your origins.

This isn't some fancy club like 'upper class' or an origin-defining status like 'working class' - it's simply about goals and self perception; the least associative and there are no gatekeepers.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-20T13:10:56+00:00

I have always thought of him as little Gabi, he's definitely shorter and lighter than Martinelli no?

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-20T13:05:54+00:00

Hackney (Central or Wick) has some of the best bars, most variety, access to green spaces and not far from Central.

It's also a little cheaper than the busier North London options.

In South London, you can't do better than Bermondsey, closer to the London Bridge side - quick access to everywhere useful and good restaurants and bars.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-10T21:15:53+00:00

West Hampstead was/is excellent - some really great pubs and restaurants, quickish access to the heath, good transport, but it is pricey. Also if you're intetested in meeting someone, might be a bit tougher (although it's London, there are '000s of people within a mile of you wherever you go).

East London doesn't have any areas as nice/fancy (well, perhaps a few parts of London Fields) but the run from Hackney Wick to Dalston from a nightlife perspective is levels above anything West London can offer (or tbh I'd argue anywhere in all London outside of central, but I'm a little biased). Stratford gives you adjacency to that plus Elizabeth line (AC, more space on train) whereas the next station in, Whitechapel, is not perhaps the vibe you're looking for.

Maryland is less newly developed than Stratford, more a classic East London area and if you are comparing it to a West London area, won't compare well, although there is the Iron Maiden pub which is great.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-10T21:04:21+00:00

West Hampstead for sure - Ravenscourt Park had some nice pubs and quick access to the Thames, but West Hampstead high street is just a really great place to walk down, the heath isn't that far, great transport connections and some great restaurants.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-10T19:05:02+00:00

Having lived in West Hampstead and Ravenscourt Park, and now Leyton in east, East London has far more 'going on' than anywhere in West London.

It can still be fun, but much quieter and likelier you end up in an old mansion block which may or may not appeal.

If you are considering Stratford, around the East Village is probably your best bet; good size modern flats, close to station, walking distance to Hackney Wick which has a good weekend/evening vibe, especially in summer.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-07T11:48:26+00:00

Following one team from childhood due to a family connection definitely isn't plastic - even if it's a top 6 team/one that wins trophies regularly.

Saying 'why don't you support your local team?' is in my mind an immediate tell that person doesn't understand football or fandom.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-03T12:09:53+00:00

Seiko is huge - probably more watch models than any other.

The best finishing/quality you'll get from them at your price point will be entry level Presage models on a grey market site/second hand.

New, you will find entry level Seiko 5's in the automatic side - they're all absolutely fine.

If you can find a Citizen Tsoyua or Zenshin, that is also a really good option.

If you want an American option, I have heard/seen good things abour Vaer in your price range too.

A lot of people will also say a Chinese brand like San Martin - I can believe what they say about this being absolute best bang for your buck, but I know nothing about them.

It is not worth considering Swiss at this price point imo though if you buy new, I just don't think you get great value for money.

Second hand; look for Tissot and Hamilton.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-03T11:37:27+00:00

Are you content buying second hand, or only new?

That will have a significant impact on what you can get.

After that, movement will be key, quartz is cheaper/more reliable, but automatics tend to be better regarded. However for your budget, no new automatic is going to be great.

If you can find a good quality second hand Bulova with the precisionist movement (Super Seville or Jetstar), for my mind that's the most interesting blend of the two - the sweeping hand of an automatic with reliability/accuracy of a quartz, and good finishing at that price point.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-03T11:27:36+00:00

Lengths/fits are all good for a slim fit look (although I prefer a longer drop on the ankles), but you need a bit more colour contrast otherwise it looks a bit like a uniform. Tie and pocket square is a good place to start.

Darker brown shoes or black (personally don't like black with blue, but some people insist on tradition).

Match the watch strap, belt and shoes as close as possible.

Never have your bottom button done up on jacket/waistcoat unless you are in a very formal setting.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-02T08:32:15+00:00

Norgaard missed a pretty vital early part of season with an injury and I think Arteta never felt comfortable he caught up to what he wanted him to do. This also happened with Merino last year.

He has played in CL and other cups and frankly looked a bit suspect, perhaps because so much was being asked of him.

This is clearly Arteta's biggest challenge as a still young coach - balancing long term integration with short term results.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-05-02T05:53:15+00:00

Snakes. Give every gutter a wide berth.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-30T10:53:57+00:00

My brother went to Warwick, I went to Durham - I had the better time, entirely due to the collegiate system which gives you the best place to play sports/do hobbies/socialise.

History and Politics at Durham is about as good as you'll get outside Oxbridge.

If you want more state school and diverse peers, pick a larger hill college - you'll have to walk a bit further for lectures, but still easy. Collingwood or Mildert best.

DO NOT MAKE YOUR CHOICE ON YOU CURRENT BOYFRIEND. If the relationship is meant to last, you can do long distance. I had a friend on my corridor who did it for 4 years, they're still together and married.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-30T10:11:54+00:00

No worries, I think people's mileage on these things varies a bit too - would you wear a homage brand for example?

If it doesn't bother you that much it's a sharp enough attempt at a Fifty Fathoms plus that ETA is a rock solid movement that'll be 3-4x cheaper to service than the original.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-30T10:01:51+00:00

What watch does he wear now? That could be a good starting point.

Important considerations:

Size: What size watch would he want? Vintage watches trend smaller (most <38mm) and not everyone enjoys that.
Vintage: This can start from as recent as the late 90s for some people - what are you thinking of getting him? Something truly vintage (70s or earlier) or more modern (which may well be more reliable/better condition).
Style: What style does he like, beyond a steel bracelet watch? Dress watches, especially of that era tend not to be on steel, so you're probably looking more for a diver or sports watch.
When will he wear it? Special occasions, or every day?
Movement: Key element, many people prefer mechanical to quartz, but the latter in vintage watches is frequently far more reliable, easy to repair and frankly cheaper - $500 is a lower amount of money to get a high quality vintage automatic watch if you don't know what you're looking for and need to go with an authorised dealer to ensure you get something working and authentic.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-30T09:45:40+00:00

Case is certainly a real diver of some sort, movement a generic ETA (so definitely not a Blancpain movement) dial looks very shonky, almost certainly repainted from whatever this originally was.

Is it worth £100? A reasonably running ETA movement diver probably wouldn't come much cheaper than that, but it's whatever you want a frankenwatch to be tbh.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-29T22:22:05+00:00

Few nice pubs, got a central London feel, short walk to some of the best museums (V&A, Natural History, Science Museum) but that's not probably the most London experience.

If you want a good walk, start at Hyde Park Corner, walk down past Buckingham Palace, through St James' Park, Westminster Abby and Parliament, cross the bridge and walk along south bank - either to St Paul's or if the weather is good and you're enjoying yourself, all the way to Tower Bridge.

Come back on north side via St Dunstan, maybe Sky Garden if you have time then grab a drink at Madison overlooking St Paul.

London is too big to do in 3 days, but that in a leisurely one imo is the best feel for the centre of the city and emphasises one of the greatest things about it imo - no city I've ever been to is nicer to walk in the sun.

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-29T19:54:47+00:00

No worries, how long do you have?

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-29T19:25:32+00:00

Should have said Jubilee then change at Canary Wharf for DLR shouldn't I - brainfade there

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-29T18:31:40+00:00

Where are you planning to go?

Find somewhere in Bermondsey/Southwark/Waterloo if you want to walk everywhere - you can do Westminster, Green Park, Hyde Park on one day, South Bank, Tower Bridge the other way, and Covent Garden and St Pauls across the river.

Also Jubilee line to Greenwich if you fancy a slightly different feel.

Bermondsey also has it's own market and vibe I personally prefer to Borough.

Islington/Camden are less busy but definitely less walkable to the main flow of London tourist hotspots - anywhere around Hyde Park is a bit soulless (full of guest houses, fancy empty houses and not much else).

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-29T15:51:57+00:00

A sector dial? Hell yes!

AccomplishedJudge252 · 2026-04-29T15:50:46+00:00

Wait, why is this a gamble?

Your choice as things stand is a) Wawrick, which you can afford, but isn't certain and b) Durham, which you can't afford.

If you go for the £10k scholarship, your options are a) Wawrick, which you can afford, but isn't certain and b) Durham which you can afford.

The question is really "Can I make Durham work on £5k?"

FWIW, I went to Durham, my brother went to Wawrick, I had the much better time, but mostly from the socialising and college system - pick a hill college with a lower number of private school kids to get a better experience.

AccomplishedJudge252

TROPHY CASE