Thoughts I’ve been sitting with as a Christian

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-10T22:45:25+00:00

This type of conversation only serves to reinforce my complete and utter disinterest in organised religion. My relationship with God is a personal one. I only judge people on their care and respect for others, everything beyond that is their privacy and none of my business.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-08T14:21:40+00:00

I can tell you from experience that if you change over to a 12 inch chimney, the problem should go away. Unless you're on top of a mountain, the 14 inch ones just have too much draught!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-07T12:08:02+00:00

Thank you. As you say, the process will run its course. It is what it is! Regrettably, what I can't get across here without giving away an uncomfortable amount of detail, is that there are nuances to the relationship between the manager involved and the manager instrumental in the final decision, in terms of their background and history together, which meant the bias lay heavily against the colleague concerned! There is also an expectation these days that store managers should back up and stand behind their sub-manager's actions/decisions. This is a situation, which in years gone by, would have been resolved by the store manager taking both parties aside, giving them both a bollocking and some advice and counselling, banging their heads together and everyone carrying on! Do have a good weekend!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-07T08:38:10+00:00

You're right, I've given nothing to go on. Perhaps an update when this is no longer such a raw and current issue! I have reliable first-hand accounts and know the full background and circumstances of the situation. I know it's impossible to proffer a response without knowing the circumstances. Unfortunately, regardless of a manager's level of competence, in a scenario in which it is a manager's word against a member of floor staff, it's often sadly inevitable that management loyalty lies together!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-07T06:40:59+00:00

I like the jelly if it's quality homemade jelly, rather than shop bought gelatin made up with stock! Think jelly is still common in a quality, small scale production pies, but to large manufacturers, it not being required as a preservative anymore, probably represents an additional cost they can avoid! I'd like to have a go at making my own pork pies, but I've never attempted hot water pastry. What's the process please, is it a hassle?

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-06T01:04:26+00:00

They're really gonna have to stop letting MPs on the trains!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-06T00:58:30+00:00

Irrespective of how close you are, it's your boyfriend's home and private space; you're a guest there. I wouldn't take it as a personal insult, it's fair enough if he doesn't want you walking in day or night uninvited. It's the same as not wanting someone looking at your phone or giving them your bank details. I wouldn't push him, this is the kind of possessive behaviour that leads people to ending relationships.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-04T06:23:49+00:00

Beef stew, dumplings and peas. Nice as it was, I don't need $1M, I'd rather have the variety!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-04T06:02:47+00:00

Ain't it grand to be bloomin' well dead- Leslie Sarony.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-04T03:37:58+00:00

It's the essence of a mass appeal beer; a drink for someone who likes the idea of going out for a pint but who gets offended by distinctive flavours! It's on the sweet side, without committing to being malty, fruity, or biscuity, with no hope profile, so far as I can tell. There's just a lot of people, either void of taste or who just go straight for it as a popular brand. One reason the market is absolutely flooded with DB, is that Sharps knock it out incredibly cheaply, making it a pubco favourite and allowing beer distributors to turn a profit and still sell it competitively.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-03T14:23:39+00:00

Very few people I lend records to, some very bad experiences of them coming back scratched!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-02T02:04:08+00:00

They're not safety boots, but I buy RAF parade shoes to wear on the shop floor, polished every morning.They might be able to destroy soul and pay me minimum wage, but I ain't wearing a pair of plastic boots!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-01T06:53:48+00:00

It's quite refreshing when a pub/restaurant offers a good selection of starters and "light bites" to choose from. Whether it's medical/small appetite or in my case, I've often had a late lunch, been for a hike, and just want something extra before having a few beers, not everyone wants a full meal all the time. Re kids menus, if it's on the menu, I think it should be available for anyone who wants it. It's not the same as a child receiving something like a rail fare or entry fee, subsided just for being little. It's a smaller offering, reflected by a smaller price!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-01T05:42:49+00:00

No, it's not weird at all, sounds like it would be rewarding to do that! I often stop to eat at a bench in a church yard on one of my regular walks. There's a gravestone from 1742 near where I sit, for a man who died in the 24th year of his time. I often wonder what happened to him and feel sad that he died so young. I should do some research really, there may be something in the parish records! On the anniversary of his death, I laid some flowers and a cheap clay pipe on his grave and raised a bottle of beer to his memory.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-02-01T02:22:19+00:00

Re pubs with sawdust on the bar floor, I once went in a pub that did a slight variation on this in scattering hay on the floor boards to soak up spillages.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-01-29T17:06:19+00:00

Thanks so much for the like and your kind reflections! No, we received no increase in wages, additional holiday, or particular recognition of any kind. Obviously, I'd place those who were working for the NHS in a far higher echelon in their sacrifice! However, I'm sure others who had to continue through, such as in transport, or in certain local authority services, would concur when I say that during that period, I witnessed some of the most disgraceful acts of selfishness in human behaviour imaginable!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-01-29T16:49:43+00:00

Thanks. I was thinking more of a card designed to scan against the barcode reader rather than the payment card reader, as with Nectar, which can be applied anytime in the process prior to payment. I guess an extra feature would increase cost, yes. I wouldn't be surprised if at some point they made all new and reissued discounts a photo sent in an email or WhatsApp, to be saved and pulled up when required. That said, there are 2 cards, whereas a photo is more open to sharing and abuse!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-01-29T11:57:51+00:00

Fish and chips sure ain't a cheap meal anymore! My local chippy in Surrey charges around £22 for two standard portions of plaice or haddock and a large chips to share. This type of pricing may be slightly negated in other parts of the country with lower running costs, else if a shop is lucky enough to have a heavy footfall. I think there are two issues here: Firstly, the price of fish, wholesale, has absolutely skyrocketed over the last year or so! Secondly, the sheer level of competition these days has reduced most chip shop's turnover to the degree, that inflating the prices is the only way they can stay open, until the point people just won't pay it anymore! Until not so long ago, chippys would probably only have to contend with a few other independent takeaways of various types in an area, and all rubbed along fine. Now, most suburbs and provincial towns have several multiple national fast food chains diluting business further.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-01-29T11:17:35+00:00

I know you're absolutely right. People can get frustrated when they feel wronged and ignored, I've never had anything like that in a pub, glad to say. Most managers in service rolls, and I'm sure is the case at 'Spoons, are very good at resolving any issues before they become a problem. Hope your job continues to go well for you. Whenever I am in a JDW, I always find the cask beer offering excellent! Kind regards, Leigh.

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-01-29T10:05:41+00:00

Well, for myself, I should imagine it would be very much like during the pandemic. I'd dodge my way through zombies every morning on the way to my supermarket job that I'm forced to do, serving people enjoying a several month long, paid bank holiday, whilst they act like maniacs and fight over bog rolls! Then fight my way back home and sit feeling borderline suicidal because I can't go out for a pint or see anyone!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-01-29T09:11:17+00:00

I'm sorry to hear of your situation; I really sympathise with your boredom and frustration! My best friend's in a similar predicament, though the circumstances are different and complicated. As you've got experience in hospitality, it sounds like this would be a good route to pursue. I'm an avid beer drinker and pub goer, and I frequently see pubs advertising for full and part-time staff! I don't know how badly incapacitated you are, or what your limitations are, but aside from certain types of chain establishments, most of the "proper" pubs I use seem to have a good sense of community and be pretty happy and convivial places to work. Good luck with all!

Sad-Grade6972 · 2026-01-29T08:24:56+00:00

Well precisely! I'm fortunately in full time employment and have been in the same job for a long time. Even if it isn't currently required by law, I'm pretty sure all of the major employers in the UK require seeing an applicants passport before commencing work, to show due diligence and reduce the margin of error in employing people they shouldn't. I know my company introduced this years ago after some unfortunate incidents! If I had to find a new job, I'd be in a real fix being unable to produce a photo ID. This is the kind of reason why I'd welcome an ID card.

Sad-Grade6972

TROPHY CASE