Get Ableton. It’s ace. I think you can pick up a cheap akai or similar USB keyboard/controller and get a free version of Lite or whatever bundled in,and you’re away.

I haven’t, but I’d give it a shot if they had what I wanted at the right price. Using a credit card in case of a problem.

Pretty sure Netflix has ’em.

I’d second Massive Attack. Saw them at Brixton, thought it was cos I was one of the few not stoned that I found it really dull.

And Oasis at the old Wembley. Well boring.

DuckDuckGo browser does something similar as you use it – blocks things and gives the site a grade. This one gets a B+.

@ads678 I was at that gig. Was it Dixie Chicks? They were rubbish, totally lost the crowd and I remember the Chili Peppers struggled. Although I also remember James Brown not being that good. Seemed to be half an hour of the MC shouting ‘JAMES BROWN!!! ‘ repeatedly, and not much music!

Also been very disappointed by Kings of Leon, once at a VFestival, once a couple of years later at Hammersmith Apollo.

@vickypea I have a colleague who uses them at the end of about 1/3 of all the sentences she writes? Even if it’s not a question? Sets my teeth on edge.

Finally got round to sorting myself out with a starter kit, and just finished bottling a blonde (although it looks quite dark) ale. Surprised at how the process is actually dead simple. I’m very excited about working through different beers and then more advanced recipes and techniques.

I followed the instructions to the letter but the hydrometer reading was around 1020 rather than the 1010 they suggested it should be. Might leave it longer next time (although it went like a blighter for most of the 10 days in the bucket). Will leave it another week or so then stick them in the garage to get cold.

I’ve got a Landlord style kit next up. Might get that moving this weekend. It’s a great feeling when the brew starts bubbling!

There’s no way I’ll be able to drink it all though…

Check they have correct opening meter readings, if possible.

You could switch, assuming there’s not anything in the tenancy which rules it out. Might depend on the type of property/landlord/management company. Over a year it could be worth it. Or if she isn’t using much then just leave it as it is.

I’ve just started using strava for this and apparently you have to set walks as runs otherwise it doesn’t include them. Which is a bit rubbish.

+1 on moving away paper statements. If it’s on paper and important I scan it then shred/chuck. So much easier than dealing with a big pile twice a year.

Moving house is a fantastic hobby, it really helps you streamline. That said I’ve just filled a sprinter with a load of old stuff from the garage to move to our new place. Lack of time to sort more than anything. I’m sure that bead breaker thingy and three odd bicycle tyres will be useful again one day…

EDIT: Kids, lego, you’re right. Tons of the stuff!

Great idea. I’ll give it a whirl. Need some fitness focus, this sounds just the thing.

Nice! I’ll definitely be in touch if it all works out 👍

Thanks for the input. Went up this week for a scout and I think we’ll focus on Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom. Both looked nice, and more green and open than further south. Not much on the market though, we may look to rent for a while to secure school places and buy ourselves a bit of time to look properly. Albeit short term rentals seem few and far between. But looks like a lovely area to live in!

We had an 05 Mazda6 petrol, it was great. Passed it on to a friend and it’s still going strong. I’d look for another if we needed anything like that again.

As above, my bro-in-law has an Avensis and it is solid. The Mazda is more fun to drive, albeit that’s not saying much really.

Thanks folks, that’s really helpful.

What are Unsworth and Gigg like?

As above; we enjoyed Bansko when we went three or four years ago. Had a teacher who was good, and the children’s lessons seemed OK. Was only a couple of days, but we’re still novices and would definitely go again.

Good for you. Sounds like a courageous decision. I’m afraid I’m not a graphic designer, but I wish you all the best with the project!

Walter Climbs a Wall

Broken Heart Sunlight

Thanks. Tried again.

Spotify family. Switched over years ago around the time my ipod died. Never used apple music. Google is OK.

Spotify 34

Apple 10

Google 2

Obviously getting some one on one tuition may well be worth the money though. And a set-up will definitely.

But as a skinflint, I’ve found that YouTube (e. g. I like Adam Neely – although he does cover more than just bass and some of it’s a bit ‘jazz nerd’) and spending time concentrating on the sound and the feel (am I moving fluidly? Where’s the buzz coming from? Why does my wrist hurt?!) have helped me come a long way.

Also look at Scott’s Bass Lessons. I think he’s good with helping out with the basics: form, patterns (this is really useful, shifting up and down the neck, playing in different keys, just learn the shapes).

Also, I’ve found playing with others, ‘in anger’, is massively beneficial. Probably the best way to sharpen up, work on improvising, and develop new skills and techniques.

@theotherjonv Looks nice that. Same colour?

Thanks all, that’s helpful.

I’ve got an early 17 plate Tourneo Custom, done about 18k. Had it in twice for software recalls and the garage said the oil was OK. Drives fine. I’m in Turkey although it’s a UK vehicle. Should I be worried?

May give Ford a call, although it doesn’t sound like they’ll have much advice.

Hollow Knight is great, only one player and can be frustrating if you only dip in and out, but atmospheric and spooky, and good to sit around and work out together.

Plus Smash Bros, obvs.

@Kryton57 that’s a good summary of ‘Reset’. There are different aspects of it, but b in particular resonated for me. That flexibility and, above all, control are objectives in themselves. Even if it’s only conscious control over what you want/need. That is undoubtedly something it’s easy to forget once you get caught up in career ladders, family life, etc.

I’ve recently picked up Ableton Live Lite, and it’s fantastic. I’ve spent years aimlessly noodling on the guitar and doing a bit of bass in bands, but after getting a Tascam 8-track to record song ideas onto, I quickly decided the additional flexibility and scope of a DAW would be worth trying.

As well as doing my own stuff at home, Live works really well with the band. Being without a drummer since the last one spontaneously combusted, we’re using it for that, plus pre-recorded bass/keys parts, and the flexibility is great.

The one drawback is the additional scope for GAS. Along with weighing up the upgrade to Standard or Suite, I’m looking at the XLN XO drum suite, which looks mega. Has anyone used it?

There are also, mercifully, lots of free resources, so I’m about to go down an EQ plug-in rabbithole as my ‘job for the weekend’.

Here’s a recent effort, I’d love to know what you think. If my attempt to post the link works!

https://soundcloud.com/user-905271283/keys

Yep, as above. I had some old company shares dished out and held by them. Moved a few times and they lost track of me, so the shares were handed in to the state as ‘lost property’. May be worth getting back to them.

I’ve recently been using the free Nike one, NTC. It has quite a few different workouts, for strength and mobility and is well put together.

Very happy with the G7 Power. It’s a bit big, but they all seem to be nowadays. It works well though.

Yeah, I’m hoping it’s not as awful as Luton airport. That is one of the worst places in the world.

My Dad raves about East Midlands airport. Totally loves it. I’ve never had a reason to go through it, but it sounds wonderful.

Thanks, I’ll probably go hand luggage and travelling alone, but will treat myself. Sounds like it’ll be money well spent.

After trying a few different trousers I ended up with a pair of royal mail surplus over trousers. I found that, whilst they were possibly the least glamorous item of clothing I’ve ever worn, they meant even after an hour or more of sitting in torrential rain I’d reach my destination with a dry crotch. I think they were about £15. Marvellous.

I had an Alpinestars Andes Drystar jacket which was very good as well and one I’d recommend.

Thanks all, that’s helpful. Stumpy: it’s a good point. He’s pretty careful with this one, so maybe the ‘tough’ element is less of a factor. But, low light weakness probably isn’t a big deal vs having something he can take out and have fun with.

As ever, there’s a risk of over-thinking and over-spending. I like the CEX idea, good shout.

I sold a load of dvds a few years back and quite literally kicked myself after realising the error I’d made in only quoting for the price of postage. Individually wrapping and dispatching a boxful of these things took so long, and I spent a fortune on wrapping and tape, most of them sold for about 50p, good grief. Keep your £5 and enjoy it 👍

I couldn’t agree more 😂

Thanks, and bumped

Also got the R11 a couple of weeks back. Really pleased with it so far. My use was pretty much the same as you describe above. It’s great, really handy, quick, and straightforward to set up. There will be limitations, but the system is still evolving and improving. I’m glad (so far) that I didn’t spend a load more on a normal laptop.

I cast Amazon video app from phone or tablet via main device settings to Chromecast. Means the screen has to stay on and I can’t fiddle around while it’s on but does the job.

I’ve done the disclock thing a couple of times. Once in Tesco car park (quite embarrassing – next to some yummy mummies in the baby and toddler parking bays) and once outside my house (more embarrassing – nowhere to hide).

Another time I dropped it in the garage having forgotten to put the sidestand down.

I’m becoming quite adept at repairing shattered indicators with black electrical tape! And the tip about crouching with the bike behind you to pick it up has been a valuable one.