Search found 1111 matches

by Callum Todd
Fri Jul 08, 2022 11:11 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Words 'in the wild'
Replies: 10
Views: 5971

Re: Words 'in the wild'

Nice!
by Callum Todd
Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:02 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Pioneers of Countdown Training
Replies: 7
Views: 821

Re: Pioneers of Countdown Training

Jack's android app.
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 30, 2022 4:32 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Kurt Zouma and animal abuse
Replies: 160
Views: 12146

Re: Kurt Zouma and animal abuse

Thanks for the context Fiona. I think sometimes vegans can be guilty of overpushing the maceration thing as it's such a visceral image, but to be fair most arguments that are aimed at a global audience often have the US in mind, where animal 'welfare' standards in the agriculture industry are usuall...
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:59 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Kurt Zouma and animal abuse
Replies: 160
Views: 12146

Re: Kurt Zouma and animal abuse

This video articulates the point I was trying to make (about the experience of the animal, rather than the intentions of the human, being paramount) quite well.
by Callum Todd
Fri Jun 24, 2022 3:59 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown
Replies: 110
Views: 10960

Re: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown

Tracey Anne Mills wrote: Fri Jun 24, 2022 3:08 pm I am counting the days until Anne Robinson's last shoe ......
I'm sure Anne owns plenty of shoes so you might be waiting a while...
by Callum Todd
Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:52 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: FOCAL Finals 2022 and Milton Keynes Open
Replies: 45
Views: 10495

Re: FOCAL Finals 2022 and Milton Keynes Open

Noticed rooms are now bookable at the Novotel. Looks lovely - are we going to be able to avail of better rates than shown online (around £125 for the Sat night)? The event manager at Novotel is holding a small number of rooms for us and told me he will be able to provide details on rates around lat...
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 23, 2022 12:44 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co:Brighton - 16 July 2022
Replies: 48
Views: 11211

Re: Co:Brighton - 16 July 2022

Maybe next year for us Gev!
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:24 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Veganism Discussion
Replies: 117
Views: 11114

Re: Veganism Discussion

Devils avacado. :lol: I wondo how many vegans are going to Glastonbury knowing full well this is the site of a working dairy farm? Unless there's something more to the link between the festival and the dairy farm (e.g. If the explicit purpose of the festival is to fund the dairy farm, which seems u...
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:11 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co:Brighton - 16 July 2022
Replies: 48
Views: 11211

Re: Co:Brighton - 16 July 2022

Fiona T wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:16 pm Lesley's booked us into an arcade pub for dinner after the event - if you'd like to join us, please let us know!

https://www.worldsend.pub/
Looks brilliant. Still looking highly unlikely that I'll be able to make it but hope those than do attend have fun.
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:25 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: The COLIN Google Earth Scavenger Hunt
Replies: 3
Views: 1680

Re: The COLIN Google Earth Scavenger Hunt

Very nice. I scored 111.
by Callum Todd
Mon Jun 20, 2022 4:56 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co:Wat?! 2022 - Countdown in Waterford (18/06/2022)
Replies: 11
Views: 6257

Re: Co:Wat?! 2022 - Countdown in Waterford (18/06/2022)

Superb effort in hosting the event remotely; great showing in the face of adversity. Does anyone have a final standings list for this event? I'd like to update the FOCAL League Table but so far the only finishing positions I'm sure of are Hazel and Gerry as 1 and 2, respectively.
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 16, 2022 10:56 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: FOCAL Finals 2022 and Milton Keynes Open
Replies: 45
Views: 10495

Re: FOCAL Finals 2022 and Milton Keynes Open

Also: going to have a look into options for booking somewhere for the 'afters' for this event: meal, etc. If people could indicate how likely they are to join in any post-event meal, and any post-meal festivities, that would help me estimate numbers for any bookings that need to be made. Cheers!
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 16, 2022 10:54 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: FOCAL Finals 2022 and Milton Keynes Open
Replies: 45
Views: 10495

Re: FOCAL Finals 2022 and Milton Keynes Open

I see the logic behind wanting the Top 8 to have more picking power for the Finals but I think that would alienate the Open players a bit too much. It's important to stress that the Finals event isn't all about the top 8, there's still a fully fledged event going on for everyone else too! Taking the...
by Callum Todd
Wed Jun 15, 2022 6:41 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Veganism Discussion
Replies: 117
Views: 11114

Re: Veganism Discussion

by Callum Todd
Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:59 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Veganism Discussion
Replies: 117
Views: 11114

Re: Veganism Discussion

Another interesting news story, this one perhaps a window into the debate around speciesism.
by Callum Todd
Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:52 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CO:parkrun Recaps
Replies: 583
Views: 289751

Re: CO:parkrun Recaps

Knockacarra parkrun for Co:Galway. Countdowners taking part:

Bradley Horrocks
Callum Todd
Fiona Titcombe
Mike Springett
Thomas Carey

Was a proper photographer there with a long-lens camera, got some great photos.
by Callum Todd
Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:37 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co: Galway 2022 11th June 2022
Replies: 11
Views: 7784

Re: Co: Galway 2022 11th June 2022

Superb event, thanks very much Paul; an incredible job on your first time hosting as well! Hope those going to Waterford enjoy the rest of their stay in Ireland. And congrats Robbo on a brilliant performance all day.
by Callum Todd
Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:13 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co:Brum 2022
Replies: 56
Views: 6625

Re: Co:Brum 2022

Hopeful of attending but won't know until a few weeks in advance. Is there parking at the venue? According to the venue website , there are 33 car parking spaces on site which are free so long as you input your car reg into their system as soon as you arrive. Doesn't appear to be any way of prebook...
by Callum Todd
Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:45 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Veganism Discussion
Replies: 117
Views: 11114

Re: Veganism Discussion

Interesting story in the meat vs. faux-meat environmentalism space, with allusion to 'greenwashing'.
by Callum Todd
Sat May 28, 2022 7:36 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: The future of COLIN
Replies: 21
Views: 3267

Re: The future of COLIN

Great news Ben, hope the organising is a more enjoyable experience for you this time around. Holler if you need any help.
by Callum Todd
Sat May 28, 2022 7:35 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Absolutely terrible claims to fame/celebrity spots
Replies: 74
Views: 28052

Re: Absolutely terrible claims to fame/celebrity spots

Gavin Chipper wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:21 pm James Cleverly is following me on Strava.
:D
by Callum Todd
Fri May 27, 2022 5:47 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Spare parts
Replies: 11
Views: 977

Re: Spare parts

Not sure I understand the premise. Do potatoes have an usually high quantity of DNA? The DNA thing was my attempt at answering your question about where the "blueprint" comes from, as that's what 'tells' an organism what proteins to make (like proteins that will make skin cells to heal you...
by Callum Todd
Fri May 27, 2022 3:24 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Spare parts
Replies: 11
Views: 977

Re: Spare parts

To take my very limited understanding and then simplify it even more: that's basically what DNA is. The sequence of amino acids/nucleotides/whatever spells out a sort of computer code that tells the sell what proteins to build like: 'if there's a leg here, do nothing. If there isn't, build one.'
by Callum Todd
Fri May 27, 2022 3:21 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown on All 4
Replies: 21
Views: 3775

Re: Countdown on All 4

Gavin Chipper wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 2:00 pm They haven't uploaded this Wednesday's game (25th May). Rumours suggest that it was caused by someone not eating their Weetabix quickly enough causing it to go all soggy.
Probably James Haughton. :)
by Callum Todd
Fri May 27, 2022 1:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Spare parts
Replies: 11
Views: 977

Re: Spare parts

I don't mean this flippantly, I just really have no idea what I'm talking about - how come livers and salamanders can regenerate, but most other things can't, and why can't we harness that power? I don't think the biology of regeneration is very well understood yet. Pretty sure all animals with abi...
by Callum Todd
Thu May 26, 2022 5:57 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Favourite sayings
Replies: 12
Views: 2896

Re: Favourite sayings

Think there's also one where if somebody might ask a favour of somebody you could say 'they wouldn't even do that for their own grandmother'. Implying there are stingy/uncaring/lazy/selfish.
by Callum Todd
Mon May 23, 2022 3:17 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Kurt Zouma and animal abuse
Replies: 160
Views: 12146

Re: Kurt Zouma and animal abuse

He's in court tomorrow . Good to hear that "causing unnecessary suffering" to or "fail[ing] to protect... from pain, suffering,injury or disease" an animal is considered wrong. As is even "aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring" someone else to do so. Good job that...
by Callum Todd
Mon May 16, 2022 1:15 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 630
Views: 275805

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

Ha, nice!
by Callum Todd
Sun May 15, 2022 8:34 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 630
Views: 275805

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

Eminem is called Eminem because his initials are 'M and M'.
by Callum Todd
Sun May 15, 2022 11:43 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Inspirations and audition times
Replies: 34
Views: 3950

Re: Inspirations and audition times

Marc Meakin wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 11:41 am
JackHurst wrote: Sat May 14, 2022 7:08 pm Good luck Marc!
Thanks.
Been on the app a lot just lately
Make sure you mention it on TV! :P
by Callum Todd
Sun May 15, 2022 9:05 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CO:parkrun Recaps
Replies: 583
Views: 289751

Re: CO:parkrun Recaps

Whitley Bay parkrun results for Co:NE. Countdowners taking part were:

Thomas Carey
Callum Todd
Stephen Read
Colin Peet
Adam Dexter
by Callum Todd
Fri May 13, 2022 8:46 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Inspirations and audition times
Replies: 34
Views: 3950

Re: Inspirations and audition times

Nice one Marc!
by Callum Todd
Fri May 13, 2022 8:20 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What TV programmes have you been watching lately?
Replies: 761
Views: 566185

Re: What TV programmes have you been watching lately?

Oh wow there's a new series of Inside No9? I had no idea, must watch that.
by Callum Todd
Tue May 10, 2022 4:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Why don't you like Tournament Scrabble
Replies: 12
Views: 5821

Re: Why don't you like Tournament Scrabble

Really interesting perspective Fiona, thanks for sharing. I'd be fascinated to try out a Scrabble tournament one day but I wonder how welcoming it would be to a total non-Scrabbler. If you notice anything at these tournaments you think co:events could do better be sure to say so and we can take it o...
by Callum Todd
Tue May 10, 2022 12:22 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What films have you watched lately?
Replies: 428
Views: 241290

Re: What films have you watched lately?

Gavin Chipper wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 10:20 am
Marc Meakin wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 9:47 am
Mark James wrote: Mon May 09, 2022 10:32 pm Triangle. Excellent horror. Would highly recommend.
Is that the time loop one?
Triangle. Excellent horror. Would highly recommend.
:lol:

Sounds good. I like a good time loop.
by Callum Todd
Mon May 09, 2022 10:49 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Down for the count
Replies: 9
Views: 2519

Re: Down for the count

Gavin Chipper wrote: Mon May 09, 2022 9:34 am I'm too thick to get the fourth one.
The numbers you can make are:

1, 2, 5, and 9.

Now try.
by Callum Todd
Fri May 06, 2022 9:17 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1604
Views: 1653384

Re: Politics in General

Well done Rhys.

A guy I went to school with and knew quite well stood in my ward and won. He also just got appointed Mayor of my town!
by Callum Todd
Fri May 06, 2022 8:42 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1604
Views: 1653384

Re: Politics in General

That's not the case here. You have the big energy companies just setting the price and we have no choice. The oil companies don't set the price. The market does. Back in 2020, at the start of lockdown, oil companies were losing money and were expected to suck it up. BP and Shell have just taken mul...
by Callum Todd
Fri May 06, 2022 8:26 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown
Replies: 110
Views: 10960

Re: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown

Marc Meakin wrote: Fri May 06, 2022 8:22 am Or move the studios down south 😊
Heresy!
by Callum Todd
Fri May 06, 2022 8:19 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1604
Views: 1653384

Re: Politics in General

I don't believe this to be sufficient to answer your question Gavin but here's my best attempt at explaining the article's assertion that "profits were expected to be big" because of price rises: If the oil companies rise their prices in such a way as to maintain their profit margin as a p...
by Callum Todd
Fri May 06, 2022 5:56 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown
Replies: 110
Views: 10960

Re: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown

Christy Cooper wrote: Fri May 06, 2022 12:24 am Many of Countdown’s past hosts (both Deses and now Anne) have said they found the commute up north to be quite a struggle- why not just hire someone who lives up north? Not hard.
:idea:
by Callum Todd
Thu May 05, 2022 2:00 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1604
Views: 1653384

Re: Politics in General

The oil companies' behaviour really is disgraceful. More reason to stop investing In them wherever possible. Windfall tax would be good but still just a superficial response to the problem of oil company greed.
by Callum Todd
Wed May 04, 2022 4:08 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Inspirations and audition times
Replies: 34
Views: 3950

Re: Inspirations and audition times

Excellent, good luck Marc!
by Callum Todd
Tue May 03, 2022 2:29 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 30th March 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 63)
Replies: 14
Views: 1608

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 30 March 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 63)

Yeah, it's not a "foul" it's a mistake. Being able to take advantage of your opponent's mistakes is an important part of pretty much any competitive endeavour and Countdown is no different in this respect. You're not entitled to automatically benefit every time your opponent makes a mistak...
by Callum Todd
Tue May 03, 2022 7:38 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown
Replies: 110
Views: 10960

Re: Anne Robinson to leave Countdown

Christy Cooper wrote: Tue May 03, 2022 3:33 am I may be in the minority here but I think they should get an unknown to host. Big names don't automatically make good hosts...
I disagree and think there's a lot to be said for star value. I think they should go for a big name like Mark Deeks.
by Callum Todd
Sat Apr 30, 2022 11:10 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Veganism Discussion
Replies: 117
Views: 11114

Re: Veganism Discussion

Is maize starch much more expensive than egg? :? I'm not sure, but since the invasion of Ukraine vegetable oils certainly are. Mayo normally contains plenty of veg oils too but the vegan mayo is nearly all veg oil instead of egg. Iirc mayo prices between vegan and non-vegan used to be fairly equiva...
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 27, 2022 1:35 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 26th April 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 82)
Replies: 18
Views: 1628

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 26 April 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 82)

She must have been a remarkable woman. Or just would have made a very poor bike.
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:07 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 26th April 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 82)
Replies: 18
Views: 1628

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 26 April 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 82)

Gavin Chipper wrote: Wed Apr 27, 2022 11:32 am If playdate had been in and geezer hadn't missed the relatively straightforward numbers afterwards, there would have been 1 point in it at the end.
"If my grandmother had wheels she would be a bike." - Confucius
by Callum Todd
Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:05 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Elon Musk and Twitter
Replies: 10
Views: 980

Re: Elon Musk and Twitter

It's an interesting one alright; a story at the confluence of many debates. No idea what to make of it or what (if anything significant) will come of it.
by Callum Todd
Tue Apr 26, 2022 4:26 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Down for the count
Replies: 9
Views: 2519

Re: Down for the count

Same as T-Cap.
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:03 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: The future of COLIN
Replies: 21
Views: 3267

Re: The future of COLIN

iirc, in 2022 COLIN cost £16 to go to both events, so basically £8 per event. £15 isn't unusual as an event entry fee (and will probably become the average or even minimum over the next year given how the cost of everything is rising), so £15 per event or £25 for the two would be reasonable and I do...
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:56 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Sanctioning individuals based on nationality
Replies: 28
Views: 2569

Re: Sanctioning individuals based on nationality

I guess it's like having Nazis compete at events post 1939....the outcry would be comparable, despite the unfairness. Sport is an alternative to war, but the Russians have chosen war Nazis?! Not at all, it'd be like having ordinary Germans compete at events. This is exactly the attitude I fear thes...
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:47 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Sanctioning individuals based on nationality
Replies: 28
Views: 2569

Re: Sanctioning individuals based on nationality

Mark Deeks wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:25 pm "Racist" isn't the right word, but I agree with your wider point.
You're probably right. Sorry, I should have been more careful using such a strong word. Not sure what the right word would be. Nationalityist?
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:02 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 20th April 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 78)
Replies: 7
Views: 907

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 20 April 2022 (Series 85, Prelim 78)

I've not seen any episodes but looking at the wiki it seems Matts first opponent must have been pretty good to score 77 against him given his next 3 opponents have only scored against him in 4 rounds out of 45.

What's the record for aggregate points conceded over an octorun?
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:45 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Sanctioning individuals based on nationality
Replies: 28
Views: 2569

Re: Sanctioning individuals based on nationality

No Russian or Belarusian tennis players to be allowed to compete at Wimbledon . I don't know much at all about tennis but at first glance it seems this is much more impactful at elite level than the motorsports stuff was as apparently some of the top players in both the men's and the women's divisi...
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:39 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: The future of COLIN
Replies: 21
Views: 3267

Re: The future of COLIN

[...] carry on annually, but split the organising duties with anyone daft enough to accept them [...] I'm having a think about this idea of cooperative event organisation and will raise it in the next FOCAL event organisers email thread, so if this is an option you decide you'd be most comfortable ...
by Callum Todd
Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:06 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: The future of COLIN
Replies: 21
Views: 3267

Re: The future of COLIN

Echo what Adam said about not being bound by the results of this poll. And what Gavin said about a higher entry fee.
by Callum Todd
Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:19 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CO:LON - 9 April 2022
Replies: 40
Views: 15434

Re: CO:LON - 9 April 2022

Was great to meet you Andres <3 Really glad you enjoyed your trip. Hopefully we'll see you again at another event in future.
by Callum Todd
Sat Apr 16, 2022 5:34 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 195282

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Ronaldo and free-kicks. Someone needs to have a word with him. He used to be absolutely unreal at them. Like, best in the world levels. Now he's just dire. Stop the press! Ronaldo scored a free-kick today for the first time in two years. Still: Basically Ronaldo could learn a thing or two from Jame...
by Callum Todd
Fri Apr 15, 2022 10:18 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Lookalikes?
Replies: 390
Views: 222051

Re: Countdown Lookalikes?

Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart:
Image

and Series 84 contestant Steven Grady:
Image