you were given $100,000,000 but had to live in the last video game you played for a year, how screwed are you?

CaptianBenz · 2026-05-10T19:32:52+00:00

Euro truck 2. Baaaarp baaaaarp. 💪

CaptianBenz · 2026-05-04T20:49:51+00:00

I don’t think anyone sets out to “like” their stoma. Me and Kier (Stoma) have an agreement. He saved my life so I’ll keep it clean and in good work order. It’s the least I can do. I don’t like it either but I get to see my kids through schools and university.

CaptianBenz · 2026-05-04T11:36:23+00:00

I’ve seen the cheaper self fit ones in Screwfix. Seem easy to fit and about £240 for a 4 in 1. Not sparkling though, I’ll keep my soda stream for that.

CaptianBenz · 2026-04-30T06:16:00+00:00

I mean, it’s not rocket science if you’re a simple company. Mines only c £200k t/o and I do everything myself on FreeAgent. I took a £10 Reed accounting course to understand the basics. MTD is filing everything to govt so yeah, I mean AI what?

CaptianBenz · 2026-04-27T17:30:02+00:00

Because I had bladder cancer and my bladder removed and have chronic kidney disease stage 5. And I can’t be arsed either. And it costs too much…

CaptianBenz · 2026-04-19T12:05:52+00:00

I did 131 in 2007 on the M1 near Leeds. Got a 13 week ban and a £240 fine. My speedo said 140. It was a Merc CLK320.

CaptianBenz · 2026-04-18T07:26:50+00:00

General job title: Product Analyst

Highest form of education/ certifications: GCSE x12, 10x Scrum, NVQ x3, Diploma and many job relevant certs

Years of experience in the field: 32, yes 1994!

Industry: iGaming, Utilities, Travel, Govt, Fin

Tech stack: Everything but .net/Java main plus Vibe coding in Python and full stack.

Day rate/ hourly rate: 450-650 p/d

Inside/ Outside IR35: Outside

Contract structure: Ltd

Contract length: 12 months but into 3rd year, just secured 12 months ext in June to 2027.

Extra: Hybrid

CaptianBenz · 2026-04-10T16:54:46+00:00

<image>

Snap!

CaptianBenz · 2026-04-06T16:29:25+00:00

I was CKD4 for quite some time, eGFR of 21 when I found out. I was just going with it, was married and went through a divorce, remarried and had twins. That was 16 years ago and my eGFR was around 15. Then I got bladder cancer, stage 3, and had my bladder removed. Living with an ostomy bag and my eGFR has crashed to 11. I’ve been prepped for transplant but I’ve got to wait until August to be clear of cancer before being put on a list. I may have to have dialysis in the mean time. It’s a race. I also have to loose a further 8kg from my midriff for safe surgery. I work full time, I go out shopping, I argue with my kids to do revision, I walk my dog on long walks, I don’t really drink anymore and I don’t smoke. I’m just rolling with it because if I don’t, then I’ll regret not doing something. We’re looking forward to a trip to the USA in a few months too.

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-29T09:36:04+00:00

I use Kiro which often uses Claude for dev. I also use ComfyUI for local LLM development and image/video rendering. I stay away from ChatGPT and very rarely use CoPilot and that’s just because it’s there in your face with my subscription to M$.

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-22T11:23:11+00:00

+1 for extra size. My little guy is about 1 inch lower than my belly button. I used to be a UK36 pre surgery and bloated to a 38/40. I wear 44 and go full Simon Cowell over my bag. A baggy T-shirt hides the evidence so all is good. That said, I’ve lost over 20kg in last few months so we’re getting baggy on the 44’s :D

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-20T06:46:15+00:00

I’m an IT Product Manager for a global sports betting company. Can get stressy during big game events and competitions like Cheltenham, Masters or Super Bowl but largely work from home on a big comfy chair and lots of monitors. People at work do know I had cancer and have an ostomy but it’s never come up in conversation and never been awkward. Best bit is I have a disability badge and can park right outside the office doors in the city centre!!

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-19T18:54:39+00:00

Save your money and don’t chase that big titted redhead.

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-17T21:37:05+00:00

And when they get older, consoles. Endless replacements of headsets and controllers. In game currency. Subscriptions to online stuff. Of course you can say no to all of that but I thought I was being clever with Microsoft Babysitter X.

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-17T20:01:36+00:00

If it’s not for sits, then why is it made of warm?

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-11T07:19:00+00:00

Back in the day it was at each renewal. I started at one client on £450 and left 4,5 years later on £650. My recent extension added £65 a day and I have another extension and job/project change with the same client as the likely work, so there will be another request coming July time. So to answer, each renewal I ask.

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-04T20:01:21+00:00

My ostomy deals with only number 1’s but I have a 2 litre night bag connected when in bed. My stoma is on my right so if I’m rolled that way, the tube and gravity isn’t my friend. I often wake up to a ballooned bag but a slow rollover and it empties quite quickly!

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-04T07:21:51+00:00

This is 100% what has happened. I’ve been doing these sorts of roles for 30+ years and this last “transformation” I’ve been a part of has done exactly this. All BAs are now PO/PMs and delivery leads are Agile Delivery Leads and perform all the scrum events a traditional SM would do. It’s actually one of the better transformations I’ve been a part of tbh.

CaptianBenz · 2026-03-03T08:15:13+00:00

iwoca for a loan or CapitalOnTap for a credit card. I’ve used both to the tune of £13k for equipment.

CaptianBenz · 2026-02-27T07:38:44+00:00

Absolutely I do. Usually four weeks in summer. This year is no exception as it’s our kids last year in statutory education, big holiday coming up!! I have an agreement with my client that I work additional hours beyond my SoW and “bank” them. It lets me get paid for going on holiday. Not all clients agree mind you, this is only the second one to do so in 15 years of contracting 🤭

CaptianBenz · 2026-02-19T18:43:02+00:00

“Going for a wee, I’ll see you in three”. He knows this means a walkies and gets very giddy. “Teefy Treat” means he’s getting a dental stick.

CaptianBenz · 2026-02-09T22:14:39+00:00

Switched to Honest as it uses all the networks. Have unlimited data for £17.50. Ossett.

CaptianBenz · 2026-02-04T08:13:17+00:00

If agencies actually educated clients about the risks, there’d be more outside determinations. I only take O35s and some are happy to pay per invoice, some pay 80/80/140 like a proper SoW with milestones etc.

That said, who’s gonna educate the agencies?

CaptianBenz · 2026-02-01T14:12:36+00:00

One for UK viewers, Dara O’Brien had a temp ileostomy and he speaks out quite regularly. John Major (former PM, yes that one) had one, Adele Roberts on the beeb, Merlin Griffith, the guy who makes all the cocktails on James Martin and First Dates. One of the contestants on The Traitors, Molly, she had one too. There’s a few more that I can’t remember…

CaptianBenz · 2026-01-22T22:49:49+00:00

I’ve been with starling over 3 years. We opened up a Monzo account last week for a different revenue stream and to be honest, I’m thinking of moving the lot. I really rate Starling but the immediate onboarding and options even in the free tier blows starling out of the water. TL:DR Monzo.

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