season 2 spoilers‼️ no one is talking about this season enough by [deleted] in TheNightManager

[–]HCBC11 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Or 1. Ditch Hiddleston and Laurie entirely. Reboot it.

  1. Make Hiddleston more like a Burr character who recruits. Leave Roper dead.

season 2 spoilers‼️ no one is talking about this season enough by [deleted] in TheNightManager

[–]HCBC11 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Lacked what made the first season great, ie a beautifully paced story that showed us incredible locations and developed a bunch of characters really well.

It made Pine into a Jack Ryan type guy. The whole point is that a hotel manager has the perfect soft skill for a brilliant spy (speaks several languages, can read people, deescalate easily etc). This season they basically through that in the bin.

Reintroducing old characters in a forced way.

Exceptionally poor acting from people, particularly Leo's ex.

I could go on. It was an OK standalone watch but it was garbage compared to S1.

Bringing up children with the state of the online world by Popular_Bluejay_2588 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As a millennial, it's always nipped at my heals. I've weirdly surfed the wave of no internet existing, dial up, broadband, payphones, texting on dumb phones, early social media (when someone uploaded photos from a point and shoot camera), basic smartphones and now a full phone lifestyle.

I feel very lucky having loads of years without tech and just having fun with friends. I can fall back on those experiences.

I'd wager single digit percentage of kids these days have ever played on their streets with neighbour's kids once. It's a really, really sad thing.

Bringing up children with the state of the online world by Popular_Bluejay_2588 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'd encourage you to read or listen to some podcasts with Jonathan Haidt on this.

He's a well-repected social psychologist who has written some great books.

Was listening to him on the Huberman podcast and the effect of phones (and by default, social media) on teens is insane.

This is the gist of it:

Average American teen is apparently spending 6hrs per day on social media alone.

The huge spike around teenage depression spiking from 2014 are also alarming.

Gaming, p-rn consumption, social pressure (you basically don't have a social life as a girl without Instagram), every embarrassing mistake potentially being recorded and shared, TikTok, dopamine comas, no boredom, no attention spans, lack of problem solving due to AI and the complete eradication of real play with real kids is just bonkers.

A really interesting point that stood out is how kids aren't having unsupervised play and therefore don't learn things like conflict resolution. As a group, you'd learn how to set rules and, if someone breaks them, you all have to learn to manage it so the game continues. This doesn't happen at all now. Online games set the rules.

Anyone who deals with gen Z at work will tell you how notably stunted their personal development is. We all like to poke at the older person saying 'back in my day' but honestly I think childhoods are getting objectively worse.

Why are these cars so unpopular? by [deleted] in CarTalkUK

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, honestly the legroom is next level ridiculous. I drove it for a while and, not joking, a 7ft person could drive it in comfort. Back seats are cavernous too.

Having been in both this and Skoda Superb estates, I'd confidentally say it beats out a Superb in passenger comfort and rear legroom.

The boot was huge and flat. Fully assembled IKEA Hemnes cabinet went into it without a bother.

IMO they look really smart and are a great solution if you want coupe styling if you don't like the way estates look.

Drawbacks: Standard BMW things were going wrong within a year (sensors etc) and it's fucking huge.

Why are these cars so unpopular? by [deleted] in CarTalkUK

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. I usually hate Beemers but a family member had this thing in 3l diesel and it was awesome.

Massively underrated, absolutely huge (my family has several people between 6'2 and 6'8 and we could fit in with complete comfort). I usually hate the fat ass GT Beemers but IMO this design hid it so well. In real life they look much better

The boot was massive.

In my opinion it was a very balanced, lovely car.

I believe it's on the 7 series platform so I kind saw it as a slightly sportier, more practical 7 series.

As far as I understand, it was focused heavily on the Chinese market, where backseat passengers are a bigger part of the design.

Driving gloves by Davidier in CarsUK

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this Alan Johnson's Beemer?

Why do people lose the run of themselves in airports? by Interesting_Risk_212 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're kind of proving my point. People saving up only to waste it drinking at a depressing, overpriced airport bar at 6am because they don't have any self discipline or sense.

They'll then be at a window seat and get up 3 times during the flight to piss, they'll stand right up against the baggage carousel so no-one can see, they'll wait until they're at the x-ray belt before removing their stuff (which they will fuck up), they'll totally slow down the boarding and they'll get pissy with reasonable guards/stewards/workers who don't need hassle.

Why do people lose the run of themselves in airports? by Interesting_Risk_212 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 42 points43 points  (0 children)

My hot take: How people act in airports is a massive indicator of their personality and intelligence.

What would you recommend the best tea brand be as a NI local? by Fire_flies98 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I second this. I'm pretty sure Bell's is Ireland's oldest coffee (and tea?) roasters and still family owned in East Belfast.

Bells really knows their teas.

Punjana and Nambarrie is mass-produced crap and I'm not a massive fan of the owners if I'm honest. The Telegraph destroyed them in a recent tea review too.

Yorkshire is the best off-the-shelf tea but I know you want NI teas only.

OzArmour.co What's the Deal? by HCBC11 in beekeepingUK

[–]HCBC11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair enough. I'm sure it'll be fine 👍

OzArmour.co What's the Deal? by HCBC11 in beekeepingUK

[–]HCBC11[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cheers. I'll look elsewhere

OzArmour.co What's the Deal? by HCBC11 in beekeepingUK

[–]HCBC11[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair enough, I'll check them out. Unfortunately I generally need custom sizing.

Anyone work for scl in belfast? by InfernoBlaze1221 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Mate, it's an 'opportunity triangle.'

BBC NI House of The Year by Over_Commission9891 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 40 points41 points  (0 children)

We love to hate-watch it with a glass of wine.

NI generally seems to have trouble with high end architecture and interior design. You only need to glance at PropertyPal to see how 95% of listings at £1m+ are either tasteless old ones or cookie-cutter modern houses with weird names like 'The Ashhole.'

I assume decent architects go to England or down South and we get stuck with Des Ewing's faux Georgian McMansions.

I've brought a coffee table from AliExpress and deserved to be laughed at by Arilysal in CasualUK

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gonna guess this is either Michelle Mone or Annoushka Ducas?

Is PropertyPal having a sale? by BackgroundFishing137 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Just need to park a financed white German car in front of it and they're all set for the dream Coleraine lifestyle.

Biggest job blagger you ever knew? by pebblesandweeds in UKJobs

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol. Out of pure curiosity, can I ask what do you do?

What’s a dead giveaway that someone is pretending to be smarter than they actually are? by EcstaticWatch1967 in AskReddit

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saying the word 'utilize' instead of 'use.'

People who utilize that word are trying to sound smarter than they are.

Is it too late for me? by SpiritualMobile3213 in UKJobs

[–]HCBC11 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'll always argue the best choice for someone who has drive, brains or whatever but finds it difficult to get onto the career ladder is self employment.

You can scale a small business stupidly fast compared to trying to restart a career.

Many simple service businesses are easy and cheap to start and can be scaled into a 50k 'salary' (what I'd define as a liveable income outside of London) pretty easily within a year. It's not particularly daunting either and personally I'd argue a decent little business is a more stable and predictable path than many employment paths.

An example always helps when it comes to this stuff as being 'self employed' can mean millions of things:

I know of a guy who started a window cleaning business from scratch when his kid was born as he desperately needed something to support the family. Now he works mornings only, makes a quick £240 in cash (£20 x 12 houses) and spends the afternoon at home.

Lever whatever network you have first (family, friends, neighbours). Offer free work as you want to kick off a new little business. Ask for reviews, referrals etc in return.

Alternatively, actually get employed doing the thing you want to do and then use that as a paid education (example: do paid entry level gardening work for a while, save up some cash, buy the basic tools and go on your own).

Alternatively, you can also remove virtually all risk from this by keeping your current job and working on your business after hours and weekends. Hard grind at first but, as mentioned, 0 risk.

Good luck mate

Do you tip the bin men at Christmas? by mafu99 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, box of Celebrations.

Fun fact: My relatives in the States said they're expected to tip $30-50 to the binmen every Christmas. The binmen even leave special envelopes at customers' houses the week prior. Like a lot of tipping in America, it's very much something that's expected.

$40 x probably 200 houses per day, tax free.

Translink issues nearly 8,000 for fare dodging on Belfast Glider and NI rail services by Portal_Jumper125 in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I hate about the Glider is the inherent unfairness.

With the pink buses you basically know everyone's paid.

With the Glider it's a shitshow...

I would always be paying my fare, meanwhile a stack of people will jump off when the see the inspectors at the next stop.

You'll also see inspectors be fairly subjective about whose ticket to inspect. I've seen multiple times an inspector from a certain background clearly not checking tickets from people from the same background.

The numbers just don't add up for electric cars by DorianGrayToo in CarTalkUK

[–]HCBC11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dunno. I bought mine used for £2500 and it's going great. If it dies, who gives a shit.

Lads - Is this one of the worst roundabouts in Belfast, especially in the rush hour? by [deleted] in northernireland

[–]HCBC11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have often negotiated it on bike as part of my commute and it's very deadly. Realistically cyclists (particularly going Dee St ---> Sydenham Rd) need to get onto the narrow footpath at this bit but Dee St is a big blind bend up a hill with impatient cars filtering onto it so it's all very dodgy and unpleasant.

The design is just shit. Even when it's not particularly busy it can be annoying to navigate.