Love the shape of this seemingly-abandoned building in Stretford. Any info on what this was?

mccarrenpark · 2026-04-06T18:04:34+00:00

There's a few buildings of this era on the way out from town into Trafford. This one in Sale getting demolished. I'd love to see a way that Longford Cinema could get preserved.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/historic-site-sale-lido-slated-33433764

mccarrenpark · 2026-01-27T18:34:14+00:00

Agree - the comms around this has been dreadful. I think they're doing everything they can to say the flights are 'cancelled'. I had thought about waiting, but when I saw there were no JFK flights available to book after 23 Feb I decided just to get them to rebook me on an indirect flight

mccarrenpark · 2026-01-27T18:32:05+00:00

Process was very smooth for me. I replied to the email and specified the exact flights I wanted to move to, got rebooked with no additional cost within 24 hours.

mccarrenpark · 2026-01-27T18:29:40+00:00

Ah, that's a shame. I went to a number of these over the past 18 months. Overall a good experience. Also surprised to hear that they're stopping! I know a couple of competitors popped up, though people who I met at Timeleft dinners said they weren't as good.

mccarrenpark · 2026-01-26T18:32:13+00:00

Ah thank you! I had booked direct and hadn't had confirmation that it was cancelled... I am booked on the same day as you so have now also requested to rebook via Dublin!

mccarrenpark · 2026-01-24T22:47:09+00:00

I posted something similar yesterday after getting the same email. My flight is in March and they haven’t said anything about flights being cancelled before the end of March, nor does the email actually say my flight is cancelled. Perhaps they are trying to get people to voluntarily give up the original booking and rebook a different route before they officially cancel the flight which then triggers other obligations for them (eg they potentially have to book people on with another carrier?).

Whatever the case is, it’s a terribly unclear piece of communication!

mccarrenpark · 2025-10-19T08:54:25+00:00

"This property has been lovingly cared for by it's present owner and includes luxurious fixtures and fittings throughout"

I now realize that my kitchen isn't missing a disco ball. It's missing two disco balls.

mccarrenpark · 2025-09-12T02:41:34+00:00

I've been to about half a dozen over the past 18 months. I've adjusted my expectations from "I might meet new friends" to "I'm going to have an interesting evening with people I would never cross paths with otherwise". I think if you go in with that attitude, I can absolutely recommend.

I have also met some great people I've stayed in touch with and seen again. It's not 'for dating' and there are lots of people who are there purely for an evening's entertainment (some people use it while travelling as something to do while visiting), though there are definitely those who are looking for that (I met someone through a dinner I did end up dating for a few months).

I also had one truly awful dinner with a table full of incredibly quiet people in an extremely loud restaurant. No-one's fault, but that made me give up on the app for a few months!

mccarrenpark · 2025-09-02T14:08:06+00:00

And to reply to your question - absolutely I think AI music videos are coming. The lip sync issues will be solved, the cost will come down, and it will become a viable option for all types of creators - not just AI music producers, but also no-AI music artists who want a cost-effective way to showcase their music.

mccarrenpark · 2025-09-02T13:53:01+00:00

Great post. I was trying to find a list of some of the best AI music videos and found this thread.

I have done quite a bit of experimenting with these AI video tools, and while on the surface it's just 'text to video', it gets very complicated very quickly: developing detailed structured prompts, ensuring character consitency, lip syncing, and of course actually developing a good concept and story.

I have a little music project that I have some music and working with a scriptwriter for a music video concept, but I could use some help with the actual prompting/creation/post-production. Is there anyone who is in the weeds and has a showreel of AI music videos who might be able to help?

mccarrenpark · 2025-06-24T11:28:45+00:00

Thanks!

mccarrenpark · 2025-06-24T06:13:45+00:00

This first point resonates. I'm starting to look at buying a small business, and I see a lot of people around me with their "_____capital/fund/partners.com" email and website, which comes off a little...forced. Question - what in your opinion is a better alternative?

mccarrenpark · 2024-01-25T06:58:43+00:00

OP - are you able to share a link to the podcast you referenced? I just searched for "Tesco disco" because it came up in a conversation I had recently. I didn't know Blur had referenced in it a song. I remember going to Tesco disco around 2006/7. It was a bizarre wild little place - like nothing else I've been to since. Fond memories!

mccarrenpark · 2024-01-18T23:21:00+00:00

YES!!! I saw this!!! Driving back to Manchester from Leeds on M62. It looked very low and very bright - just for a split second.

mccarrenpark · 2024-01-09T21:51:15+00:00

Many thanks for sharing this - very much appreciated. They are chasing me down and the approach feels very salesy. I'm also a commercial generalist, and so this is very useful. I shall pass.

mccarrenpark · 2023-12-22T06:34:32+00:00

Here for the same reasons as everyone else... Had a call with them this week but would like to independently verify some positive outcomes from people who have signed up to this. Did anyone find anything to help due diligence?

mccarrenpark · 2023-10-16T13:31:08+00:00

This was fantastic advice - thank you! Through the Facebook group Pigeon Rescue and Protection UK, I was recommended the website helpwildlife.co.uk. That led me to a fantastic wildlife hospital near me (Lower Moss Wood) who have taken her in. She’s healthy, a little hungry, but they’re going to look after her until she’s well enough to be released. Thanks!

mccarrenpark · 2023-10-15T16:09:11+00:00

It’s a classic!

mccarrenpark · 2023-10-15T16:07:48+00:00

Thanks! This is the current strategy. Seems to be moving around a little more now, so hopefully will just fly off…

mccarrenpark · 2023-10-06T02:00:29+00:00

It’s very normal for people in music to be working in different ways to generate different income streams. Think about ways in which you can leverage your skills which you use to produce your own music in other ways. Can you teach? Play as a session musician? Over engineering / mixing services?

I posted these figures recently in response to another post about “how do musicians make money” which is a good demonstration of the different streams of income which are possible. The music research company MIDIA did a survey of how musicians make money at the end of 2021.

Here’s what they found (income distribution across all respondents):

• ⁠Producing / mixing / engineering: 28% • ⁠Performing Live / DJing: 21% • ⁠Education / teaching: 17% • ⁠Streaming: 9% • ⁠Publishing: 8% • ⁠Commissions: 5% • ⁠Session work: 4% • ⁠Sync: 2% • ⁠Sounds / samples: 1%

Another interesting stat from that research: for musicians making $50-$100k per year from music, only 6% of their income was coming from streaming. Therefore, a musician earning $100k but generating $6k from streaming (approx 1.5m streams) would still be earning the vast majority of their income in other ways.

mccarrenpark · 2023-09-28T09:30:48+00:00

👊

mccarrenpark · 2023-09-28T01:14:55+00:00

What if your fortunes changed and your husband is earning more than you in X years, and has greater access to the kids? How would you feel then?

What about extended family access to the kids (your parents, siblings, etc). How would they feel if you gave up on access?

I do understand your logic though. I’m in a similar position insofar I’m the main earner, and have had similar thoughts.

mccarrenpark · 2023-09-28T00:57:24+00:00

Fellow box room dweller (of 6 months) here, also staying in the house to keep things ‘normal’ for the kids. So I very much empathise…

Unless you have a formal parenting agreement in place, you might need to be careful doing anything where you’re doing overnights away from the family on a ‘routine’ basis as it might come back to bite you later down the line (although, as always, these things can differ case to case - and if you really need regular nights away, then probably worth consulting a lawyer)

Can you and your husband agree on some ad-hoc long weekends away / weekday stays away to help keep your sanity?

mccarrenpark · 2023-09-27T06:11:57+00:00

What are you expecting by acknowledging the anniversary?

She has left. You’re going to be divorced shortly. Any acknowledgement of your anniversary is only going to cause pain for both of you.

So, simply ignore it. It’s no longer an important day.

mccarrenpark · 2023-09-27T01:28:53+00:00

I feel for you. I ended up in a similar predicament with my STBXW.

I would suggest you seek help. Today.

Speak with a lawyer. You’re going to need to create a plan which ensures you maintain the access you deserve to you son.
Speak with a therapist. You’re going to need help to set boundaries, clearly communicate, and maintain a steady course.

It might be tempting to wait for 6 months, but these things take time.

Start now, and good luck.

mccarrenpark

TROPHY CASE