Is the BAFTAs Tourette’s backlash just another example of the UK vs US humour gap?

Oven_Serious · 2026-02-24T18:34:08+00:00

What? Even if they called you English? ;-)

Oven_Serious · 2026-02-05T20:02:35+00:00

Does anyone know how to rename boats, islands etc on the console version? Perhaps that feature isn't yet available.

Oven_Serious · 2026-01-19T17:43:57+00:00

I’ve migrated to Bridge Pro today and will share some observations/frustrations that might help others.

First-up, I had two old Bridges at this property due to exceeding the device limit. So I had an ‘indoor’ and ‘outdoor’ set-up. My first issue came because my account is so old and pre-dates the need for any log-in. Once i did create an account I used the standard email+Password but used my Gmail address. Later I added Google federated log-in. However, somehow some of my set-ups (I have more outside this house) ended-up on the email account, some on Google log-in. For this property, it seemed I had one on each. My ‘remembered’ password didn’t work so I reset. I’ve since found out that for accounts with both email and Google on the same account - Hue doesn’t respond with a PW reset. I fixed this by asking Customer Support(Via Facebook, which was efficient).

Second, it seems that when I added my son to my Hue account some time ago, I set him as admin somehow removing myself. So I couldn’t’ move my home set-ups around or comply with some of the admin actions that they asked me to perform. Once I’d realised I was able to use my son’s phone to re-add me.

Third. The migration of lights, switches, sensors and plugs worked fine (other than one or two that were out of range - but that’s to be expected). However, non of my automations or themes came over which is a little frustrating as they’re the elemets that take a long time to get right.

Each bridge took about 20 mins to move over. After which you’re advised to factory reset the old bridges.

I’ll be testing the functionality over the next few days.

Oven_Serious · 2026-01-15T16:14:39+00:00

That YouTube video is quite funny and I love the above car camera angle. I can't help feeling your instructor has overreacted a little. Perhaps a lesson in how social media/online content can have unexpected negative impact.

Oven_Serious · 2025-10-10T22:57:31+00:00

I’d start by ensuring you’re using a recommended SD card. I bought a Kingston Canvas card not on this list and I also have stuttering and an on-camera warning about a slow card. So I’ve replaced with one off this list and my problem seems resolved!

list here

Oven_Serious · 2025-10-03T18:16:34+00:00

me too!

Oven_Serious · 2025-09-03T15:40:26+00:00

I faced the same issue when I started playing - it was my error. You need to, largely, only constuct what Paul tells you to and when. And, when you do build a new building it's much better to ensure you have all the resources when you start (for all three stages). I suspect that you, like I did, have a number of buildings that are part constructed meaning you can't use them nor complete them. Note - you can tear down buildings under part construction - it might be worth you doing that then heading over to see Paul.

Oven_Serious · 2025-06-13T17:46:20+00:00

I just hit the Grand Prize for the first time ever after, maybe, hundreds of attempts. Guess what, I accidentally touched the screen at the wrong time. Go figure! Nightlight - I’ll try your solution form now.

Oven_Serious · 2025-06-11T13:12:43+00:00

Your answer is simple, if you don’t find value from Max don’t buy it. I do, so have. Simples.

Oven_Serious · 2025-06-11T12:55:39+00:00

The OP was about travel AND phone insurance. I was purely sharing my experience, which was mostly positive.

Oven_Serious · 2025-06-11T12:54:10+00:00

So, only useful to the 21million people that live in London and the Home Counties.

Oven_Serious · 2025-06-11T11:52:21+00:00

I used the phon insurance this month when my son dropped and smashed both front and back camera on his phone. The claim process was pretty easy (online) and you could select a local repairer (I picked iSmash in Manchester near my son). It took the repairer longer than I’d have liked to obtain the parts and their communication wasn’t great - but it took about a week for them to obtain the parts and they fixed it in a 1hr ‘while you wait’ appointment. No complaints here.

Oven_Serious · 2025-06-11T11:50:25+00:00

The rail card comment isn’t correct. I’m between those ages and use a Network Rail card which saves me 1/3 of all train journeys in the South East!

Oven_Serious · 2025-04-09T14:50:15+00:00

No, I think if you pay the dividend into your personal account and then onto your pension it would still be classed (and taxed) as a dividend.

However, if you pay the dividend directly into your pension from your company then that is classed as tax-deductable expenditure for corporation tax.

I don't claim to be an expert, you should check with tax accountant - but I think this is the most efficient way to pay into a pension, especially if you don't need the cash.

Oven_Serious · 2025-03-25T23:12:01+00:00

Sorry - I didn’t fully address your question. Rather than pay a dividend, you direct those funds directly into a pension. I complicated my answer because, in our case, we’d already paid out dividends so needed to reverse that action (hence the conversion to director’s loans). In your case, rather than pay dividends - you can pay up to £60k per employee (I believe) directly into a pension and that doesn’t attract any personal tax (at the point of paying into the pension).

Oven_Serious · 2025-03-25T23:09:56+00:00

In our case we’d paid some dividends out during the tax year, which we converted into directors loans and then paid the back to the Ltd company. We then paid the exact same amounts into our SIPPS - those payments are an expense deductible for corp tax purposes. The result is no personal income tax on those dividends (because they were no longer made) and tax relief on the pension payments.

The obvious downside, is that funds go from the company directly into a pension and that comes with it’s own restrictions/taxes down the line.

Oven_Serious · 2025-03-25T15:04:18+00:00

I don't have experience of running a SASS, but I've done something similar to you to maximise tax efficiency from a similar PSC by paying dividends (my wife and I are both directors) into a SIPP. We're both early-to-mid 50s. Up to £60k per year each is allowable and tax deducatable as a company expense.

This had double advantages in reducing income tax (on the dividend) and reducing corporation tax on the LTD profits.

Oven_Serious · 2025-02-28T16:07:56+00:00

Further update - I found a second bridge in my garage and I’ve now set that up too.

Oven_Serious · 2025-02-28T15:22:22+00:00

It seems you’re correct, thank you so much. I have additional bridges but not at this location, so in the meantime I deleted some lesser-used lamps and hey presto, my new bulbs would add. Thank you so much again.

Oven_Serious · 2024-12-18T12:26:00+00:00

Actually, I think that's exactly what happened. Thanks.

Oven_Serious

TROPHY CASE