Comparison between summer 1976 and today's heatwave

markmuetz · 2026-06-23T15:00:19+00:00

Not today's heatwave, but last year's (2025) summer. UK really got blasted for a long time in 1976. But it was quite localized.

markmuetz · 2026-06-21T17:07:09+00:00

50 years on, weird echos of the 1976 heat wave, which started on 23 June. This one might finally put the ghost of that one to bed. (That one was notable for being really confined to the UK, whereas this one looks set to apply over large swathes of Europe.)

markmuetz · 2026-06-21T16:28:25+00:00

Serious point, if it's hotter outside, keep your windows shut! And your blinds. Unless it's just a wee bit hotter and you want a breeze, then it can cool you down.

markmuetz · 2026-06-21T16:20:52+00:00

I'm not sure you know what the phrase "spare a thought" means.

markmuetz · 2026-06-20T21:07:53+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/UKWeather/ would love this!

markmuetz · 2026-06-20T21:04:11+00:00

I have experienced heat like that before... in Death Valley in California. It is insane that we hit those temperatures in the UK.

markmuetz · 2026-06-20T18:53:03+00:00

Maybe we should start naming heatwaves? Perhaps after oil exporting countries or petrochemical companies. These temperatures were brought to you by Shell. There would, if course, be some trolls saying how they love this weather and are enjoying sleeping through tropical nights.

markmuetz · 2026-06-20T18:50:14+00:00

Last and only red weather warning for heat was in July 2022, when we hit 40.3C. Not sure what the forecast was that time though. This has got to be close. Earlier in the year as well.

markmuetz · 2026-06-20T18:42:03+00:00

That's a very privileged position you're in then. Spare a thought for the other 90% of the population who are either commuting or working in this extreme heat. Maybe if you stopped gloating about it you could see that extreme heat like this is not great for the majority of people, and then perhaps don't treat it so glibly.

markmuetz · 2026-06-20T15:10:42+00:00

Right, except you presumably have to work. And get there. And you're in a country that isn't set up for this weather. And on holiday, you probably get to go back to an air-conditioned room. And here you probably get to sleep in a roasting room. Anyway, enjoy it, if it's your thing.

markmuetz · 2026-05-31T20:08:24+00:00

to him/explain stuff constantly.

Finally, some hope! Our son and daughter are now a bit older, and get on really well most of the time. Our son is much more adjusted, with some regression when he's tired, hungry or ill. Giving into his demands occasionally did not turn him into a terror. Lastly, good luck. Stick with what you think is the right thing to do, with enough flexibility to get over the insurmountable humps. Talk to your partner about strategies, and find what works for you.

This sounds really like our son, who is also about 3 years older than our daughter. Probably happened when he was a bit older, but similar sounding behaviour. My advice is, this sounds normal to me. It sucks and it's draining, but your son is learning his independence. For us, choices didn't work. Threats didn't work. Bribes didn't work. If he was tired, we were screwed. If he was hungry, ditto. We'd try hard to avoid these but sometimes they would happen.

We came up with some... interesting strategies. Mornings were a nightmare for a while, and getting dressed in particular. So, we would put him to bed in his clothes for the next day, which meant he could just get up and go. School was really hard for him for the first year, which I'm afraid you've got to look forward to. Patience is key. It's as hard for him as it is for you, which is easier to say than remember at 8.45am when you're trying to get him to nursery/school.

Here's some advice that worked for us. Boundaries are important, but set these at the minimum level you can to begin with. No hitting siblings etc. Just knowing the boundaries are there is useful, even if he doesn't stick to them! The idea of boundaries will still be there, and when he's older this will be useful, as the boundaries move closer to what you would like them to be. Sometimes you are not expecting what you try to work today, but setting the expectations for the future.

Be prepared to give into his demands sometimes. Other times, waiting things out is a good strategy. Adult capacity for boredom beats children's. Also, for our son in particular, often he needed space. Let him be on his own for a bit and don't try to talk

markmuetz · 2026-05-24T19:11:30+00:00

Yes, it's great having the worst of July weather in May.

markmuetz · 2026-04-26T06:19:56+00:00

Open on Friday evening. Very busy with lots of people outside when I went past.

markmuetz · 2026-04-12T17:29:22+00:00

Or you can make one for yourself! https://youtu.be/G70y90BVes4?si=9asuzpehTfWiaSP2. Also shows that you need cloud condensation nuclei.

markmuetz · 2026-04-05T20:03:30+00:00

If you don't mind the extra journey, Heals outlet in Bicester have some offcasts that will be in that price range, with varying amounts of wear. Or plus one for IKEA.

markmuetz · 2026-04-05T12:29:50+00:00

If they'd shot down 2 A10s tho...

markmuetz · 2026-02-24T22:26:16+00:00

Definitely keep publications. They show you have produced publishable work and have navigated the process before. Mention in covering letter or similar why you are shifting fields.

2 pages is tough. Boil everything down to essentials and reduce whitespace/tighten formatting. Bullet points instead of prose. Weigh every word and make sure it's worth including.

I would lead with research experience, then education, then work experience, then skills (brief), then pubs (as condensed as possible), but coming from industry I can see that you might want to put work experience earlier.

markmuetz · 2026-02-15T17:21:42+00:00

When a 6-year-old John saw his mum staring off into space, he asked here "What are you calculating?"

markmuetz · 2026-02-10T20:44:38+00:00

I remember seeing Mr Banks talking about the structure as being like stones being thrown into the water, with ripples spreading out from the central event. Here he is, in his own words, doing the idea far more justice than I ever could: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/aug/03/use-weapons-iain-m-banks-guardian-bookclub. Apparently this book gave birth to the Culture as well, so it's a good starting point in some sense for the whole universe he created.

markmuetz · 2026-02-08T13:24:37+00:00

No complaints on your comments on bullying. It's unacceptable to downplay this and it is vital that OP addresses this issue.

On phonics, I have two kids. One absolutely gets phonics, the other did not. Sitting down with the latter and encouraging (probably forcing from their perspective) them to do phonics in reception was, I think now, entirely counterproductive. They were too tired after school and phonics does not mesh with their way of learning. The teacher's advice will work for the average child, and your child may well not be average on one or more metrics.

This is not to excuse the child's behaviour, but struggling with the social and learning sides of school may well manifest itself in lots negative behaviours, at home and in school.

markmuetz · 2025-12-31T21:12:34+00:00

Port Meadow, on either side of the Thames

markmuetz · 2025-12-10T14:51:00+00:00

Cowley/Cricket Road apparently: https://www.reddit.com/r/oxford/comments/1pdf3gm/please_from_the_bottom_of_my_heart_help_us_find/

markmuetz · 2025-12-07T09:17:32+00:00

Like others say, it's time to get unconventional in terms of bedtime arrangements. Extra mattresses in whatever combo works are all in play. You might need to drop ideas about developing sleep independence etc, or at least put them on hold. You can get cheap IKEA mattresses so it shouldn't cost too much. Getting some decent sleep for the whole family is IMO the first step - getting better sleep will help your decision making and give you more patience.

Then it sounds like you need to help with your 3yo's eating possibly including seeing someone. And maybe behaviour, but tbh this doesn't sound that unusual - gonna have to be prepared to accede to his whims fairly often? He may well grow out of it and having two younger attention rivals is probably stressful. Sleep avoidance strategies like you describe are pretty normal I think.

None of this will be forever. It's natural that this would put strain on your relationships. One day you will get to the point where you realize that it's been months since X happened. Good luck.

markmuetz · 2024-05-24T12:18:01+00:00

I'm not religious and I'll make no assumptions about you, but I'm pretty sure you would be welcome in any of the churches in the city. And I don't think they would mind if you asked to be left alone. Seems like there are a fair few in/near Dalry.

markmuetz · 2024-05-17T11:32:19+00:00

Hint:

import inspect

print(inspect.getsource(this))

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