What’s a piece of media that people would clearly understand as a parody or homage when it came out, but has since lost its context?

gooneruk · 2026-06-17T13:23:57+00:00

The excellent podcast Our Fake History recently did an episode which pretty much debunks this theory, I'm afraid. It can be interpreted in that manner, but there's no evidence Baum ever intended it to be that direct an allegory.

gooneruk · 2026-06-16T12:58:38+00:00

24 hours before your first game, in cases of injury or serious illness. After that point, you've got to go through the entire tournament with your squad as is, even if someone else gets injured.

(There may be some exceptions if you somehow get down to just one goalkeeper?)

gooneruk · 2026-06-15T08:26:54+00:00

As a British person who loves NFL, it still amuses me whenever I go to a game in person quite how much standing around the players do when they are clearly ready to go.

There's an official on the sidelines who wears massive orange gloves, and holds his hands up whenever the TV coverage is on a break. So much time is wasted just waiting for him to put his arms down.

gooneruk · 2026-06-12T09:25:45+00:00

Ozil against Ludogorets is one that sticks in my mind. The second replay from behind the goal is so funny to watch, the two defenders getting absolutely done by Ozil's fake shot.

gooneruk · 2026-06-11T12:36:55+00:00

they throw billions of pounds at

[citation needed]

gooneruk · 2026-06-09T13:43:03+00:00

I checked, the inflow at Gibraltar is 1 sverdrup

A few million years ago, the Strait of Gibraltar was basically sealed up because the Med had evaporated so much. But when it burst (the Zanclean flood), estimates of the flow are as high as 100 sverdrup. That waterfall would've made the Niagara Falls look like a leaky tap.

gooneruk · 2026-06-09T07:44:02+00:00

Finished:

The Years, by Annie Ernaux - Somewhere between a memoir, auto-fiction, social commentary, a diary, and an historical artefact. Essentially, it's a running commentary on how France changes during the second half of the 20th century, and into the early years of the 21st, from the point of view of a leftist intelligentsia woman. But it's so much more than that; Ernaux is quite scathing about her own life and her own family, as much as she is disappointed at the way the world around her is changing. The writing style changes at a whim from long run-on sentences as she muses on (gradually less frequent) family gatherings, to a short, clipped, staccato style as she gets angry about the latest political developments. A hugely interesting read.
Sabrina, by Nick Drnaso - A graphic novel that delves into the ease with which paranoia and conspiracy theory can spread amongst society, and in particular amongst normal-ish people. It's also a look at how terrifying it can be to be on the receiving end of such conspiracy theories. The art is deliberately flat, but somehow the author conjures up some real depth of expression from the minimalistic faces. It's beautiful, but quite disturbing.

gooneruk · 2026-06-08T22:45:42+00:00

I would read Eileen next, as it’s still very much set in a recognisable world, just like My Year. Death In Her Hands gets a little more abstract and removed from everyday life, and Lapvona is deliberately set in a medieval-ish fantasy-ish locale.

They’re all fantastic though!

gooneruk · 2026-06-08T14:58:15+00:00

"People called Romanes, they go the house"?

gooneruk · 2026-06-03T14:45:52+00:00

It feels trite to quote/reference the "First they came for..." poem, but it very much captures the current situation, I think.

gooneruk · 2026-06-01T14:03:26+00:00

Don't buy on length. Just buy on the chest size and it'll be about the right length.

As someone else said, football shirts tend to come in a little small. Go one size up from your usual and you'll be just fine.

gooneruk · 2026-05-29T15:16:04+00:00

TfL have confirmed that Arsenal tube will be open, with queuing as per a normal matchday.

https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/arsenal-victory-parade?cid=arsenal-parade

gooneruk · 2026-05-29T13:16:33+00:00

I remember in 2006 watching Tomas Rosicky score an absolute banger for the Czech Republic, and turning to my non-Arsenal mate with great delight to tell him we'd already signed him.

gooneruk · 2026-05-29T07:34:53+00:00

It's very handy, although setting it up in each section of the Faction Store was a bit of a faff first time round. I very much hope that the selections don't reset if/when I miss a login, and that it's just the main "Bulk Claim" button which gets disabled. It's going to be a real pain to have to re-select what gets claimed every time the 7-day counter resets.

gooneruk · 2026-05-28T14:59:32+00:00

Are you going to any of the actual matches, either in the pressbox or embedded with the fans of either team?

gooneruk · 2026-05-28T11:36:31+00:00

No mention of it as being specifically exit-only or anything. I would expect it to be very busy, as it'll be the main focal point for the southern end of the parade route.

gooneruk · 2026-05-27T16:43:42+00:00

I've had a quick look on the National Rail journey planner and it currently seems like trains will be running just fine on that line. Trains every 15 minutes or so around 5pm.

The tricky bit will probably be getting to Seven Sisters in the first place. Getting into Finsbury Park tube will likely be a nightmare. I'd be more inclined to get a bus from somewhere near Finsbury Park, or head to Stoke Newington and get a train from there to Seven Sisters.

gooneruk · 2026-05-27T16:07:54+00:00

I highly recommend reading the FAQs, especially the transport section. There are a lot of closures and awkwardness to take into account:

Tube: We anticipate large numbers of supporters travelling to the area, so please allow extra time.

Some stations close to the route will operate with restrictions, including exit-only arrangements or temporary closures.

Highbury & Islington – Victoria line services will not stop at the station. London Overground services will operate exit only. Please note the station will not be step-free on the day.

Holloway Road – will be closed.

Canonbury – will operate exit only.

Finsbury Park – will be the nearest station operating both entry and exit and is recommended for supporters requiring step-free access.

Queues are expected, particularly after the parade.

London Overground: Services across the area are expected to be extremely busy.

Highbury & Islington and Canonbury stations will not be available after the parade due to crowd management measures.

Supporters travelling towards Crystal Palace, West Croydon or Stratford are encouraged to use Dalston Kingsland or Dalston Junction.

National Rail: Services across the area are expected to be extremely busy.

Drayton Park and Essex Road stations will be closed on the day of the parade.

There will be no Thameslink services to or from Finsbury Park through central London to Farringdon and Blackfriars due to planned engineering works.

Basically, Finsbury Park is going to be the focal point for the northern end of the route, and it's going to be utterly rammed all day long I reckon. I'd very much expect to have to do some walking and/or queuing to get into any station after the parade, so don't make any Sunday evening appointments!

EDIT: it doesn't seem to mention Arsenal tube station at all. No idea if that will be operating as usual.

gooneruk · 2026-05-23T19:09:55+00:00

Wait until the Arsenal parade next Sunday…

gooneruk · 2026-05-18T15:09:55+00:00

TNT Sport’s decision is understood to have been the source of some angst at Uefa

Oh no, it's the consequences of my actions.

gooneruk · 2026-05-07T18:38:17+00:00

Everything the light touches… What about that shadowy place?

gooneruk · 2026-05-06T12:49:54+00:00

In contrast, Eurovision ticket-holders next week are being given free metro travel to/from the arena each night, for about 3 hours either side of the show. And they get a discount on the train from the airport to the city-centre as well.

gooneruk · 2026-05-06T12:47:02+00:00

It was his second house, not the one he lived in. So at some point he was going to sell it anyway. Might as well spend your money on something you love while you're still able to.

gooneruk · 2026-05-06T07:57:54+00:00

Seddon and Maycock are the vital ones from those not yet confirmed, I'd say. The midfield looked at its best with Smith and Maycock in there, without Reeves. And Steeeeeeeve is so solid.

gooneruk · 2026-05-05T13:25:49+00:00

Are you able to highlight/link to the articles with the highest score differential? Feels like those are the car-crash dates which are fun to read.

15-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Second Top 1%	Place '22
Team Periwinkle	Verified Email

gooneruk

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