NPR

Niegs wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:24 pm From a club I used to coach, reviewing their top posts of the year, this was used to say rugby's back from lock down "Play with us if you want to live!"

An Egyptian vulture has been sighted in the south Roscommon area.

The male bird was first observed yesterday morning by the National Parks and Wildlife Services warden for Lough Rea and the Mid-Shannon Callows in the area, Owen Murphy,

Mr Murphy noticed the bird had an unusual flight pattern, and after making closer examinations, identified him as an Egyptian vulture.

An Egyptian vulture was spotted flying over Co Donegal last July, the first recorded sighting of the species in the country, but it is not clear if the vulture seen in Roscommon is the same bird.

The vulture seen in Roscommon is an adult, and appears to be on his own.

It’s not known why the bird has travelled to Ireland from its native habitat.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 01, 2022 10:25 pm Holy Shit; he's a little bit off course !

An Egyptian vulture has been sighted in the south Roscommon area.

The male bird was first observed yesterday morning by the National Parks and Wildlife Services warden for Lough Rea and the Mid-Shannon Callows in the area, Owen Murphy,

Mr Murphy noticed the bird had an unusual flight pattern, and after making closer examinations, identified him as an Egyptian vulture.

An Egyptian vulture was spotted flying over Co Donegal last July, the first recorded sighting of the species in the country, but it is not clear if the vulture seen in Roscommon is the same bird.

The vulture seen in Roscommon is an adult, and appears to be on his own.

It’s not known why the bird has travelled to Ireland from its native habitat.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0101/12694 ... n-vulture/

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 01, 2022 10:25 pm Holy Shit; he's a little bit off course !

An Egyptian vulture has been sighted in the south Roscommon area.

The male bird was first observed yesterday morning by the National Parks and Wildlife Services warden for Lough Rea and the Mid-Shannon Callows in the area, Owen Murphy,

Mr Murphy noticed the bird had an unusual flight pattern, and after making closer examinations, identified him as an Egyptian vulture.

An Egyptian vulture was spotted flying over Co Donegal last July, the first recorded sighting of the species in the country, but it is not clear if the vulture seen in Roscommon is the same bird.

The vulture seen in Roscommon is an adult, and appears to be on his own.

It’s not known why the bird has travelled to Ireland from its native habitat.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0101/12694 ... n-vulture/

How Falklands War and rugby led to 40-year friendship

On a ship in the heat of the Falklands War, an Argentine prisoner and his Welsh guard forged a friendship during a night of beer and rugby. Irfon Higgins was a soldier on the SS Canberra, tasked with guarding 4,500 prisoners of war, or PoWs. When Irfon asked who spoke English, PoW Giorgio Podesta answered "I do".

Nearly 40 years after Giorgio helped him stop a mutiny, Irfon says: "I can't imagine my life now without him in it". Their story has been recounted in a book on the 1982 conflict by Brian Short - The Band That Went to War.

Recalling the day he met Giorgio, Irfon said: "I was guarding 4,500 PoWs on the Canberra, and trying to escort them in groups of 10 to the shower. "It was like herding cats, so I shouted 'Do any of you speak English?'

"Giorgio said 'I do', and from then on he became my go-to man and interpreter."
.
.
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"Once I started talking to Giorgio about Welsh rugby - JPR and JJ - I soon realised we had far more in common than I did with many of the British troops," said Irfon.

"There were some who were hardened special forces dedicated to the military junta, though most - like Giorgio - were conscripted soldiers who didn't want to be there any more than we did. One night I smuggled him out of the ballroom where the PoWs were being held, and took him up to my cabin for a night on the beer and a proper chat about rugby," said Irfon.

Giorgio said the talk centred around the match "between Los Pumas and Wales in 1976, in which Wales beat us at the last minute with a penalty kick by Phil Bennett, and the legendary Gareth Edwards, and fullback John Peter Rhys Williams.

"We talked about our homes, our families and our friends. Wishing to return to our homes soon. He took the opportunity to introduce me to his friends and cabin mates. The smile returned to my face."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59838958

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:19 pm Some people are just incredible.

British Sikh Army officer becomes first woman of color to ski solo to the South Pole

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ ... index.html

notfatcat wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:48 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:19 pm Some people are just incredible.

British Sikh Army officer becomes first woman of color to ski solo to the South Pole

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ ... index.html

Congrats to her for being the first woman who isn't white to achieve that thing she did.

Insane_Homer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 4:20 pm So just before x-mas my son passed his drivers license first time
We kept my wife's old car so he was all ready to use that (15 year old Polo that I'd bought new).
Organised Young driver's Insurance and he was ready to go.

So on Weds he drove to school to get LFT Covid tests done before returning to school on Thursday. No problem, he drove him and his sister there and back home again no problem.

That evening he had football training, but late at 8pm so my wife went with him so that he could drive but with the reassurance in the passenger seat.
10 mins after leaving they're back home, the car's shuddering and stalling and not going over 2000 rpm with the engine management light flashing. No big deal, cold, moisture, probably spark plug or distribution cap.

So I managed to drop it off at a local garage last night for them to take a look...
Zero compression on first cylinder, engine's gone. Too expensive to replace - scap it. £100-£250!
I put brand new Michellins on it last year for £270.

Completely borked on a first day he used it!!!

No point in buying another one as he's off to Uni in Sept...

FML

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 7:54 am

notfatcat wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:48 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:19 pm Some people are just incredible.

British Sikh Army officer becomes first woman of color to ski solo to the South Pole

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ ... index.html

Congrats to her for being the first woman who isn't white to achieve that thing she did.

Quite. Was about to post, asking what the relevance was of mentioning colour.

Rinkals wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 6:58 pm What sort of mileage has it done?

I had a mini which had a hole in one of the valves. 5 quid for a set of gaskets, IIRC, 2 quid for a valve, a couple of weekends skinning my knuckles in the Aberdeenshire weather - sorted.

Niegs wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:33 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 7:54 am

notfatcat wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:48 pm

Congrats to her for being the first woman who isn't white to achieve that thing she did.

Quite. Was about to post, asking what the relevance was of mentioning colour.

With things like this, I say go for it. Little girls more likely to be encouraged by it than some bearded Norwegian.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 3:48 pm

Niegs wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:33 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 7:54 am

Quite. Was about to post, asking what the relevance was of mentioning colour.

With things like this, I say go for it. Little girls more likely to be encouraged by it than some bearded Norwegian.

Quite, and there were plenty of clues in the article - under the pic of her is this "Editor's Note — This story is part of CNN's commitment to covering issues around identity, including race, gender, sexuality, religion, class and caste."

Then throughout the article there are mentions of how her background doesn't exactly scream "solo Antarctic explorer" and how she hopes to inspire others to push boundaries "without having to feel like a rebel",

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 3:48 pm

Niegs wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:33 pm

With things like this, I say go for it. Little girls more likely to be encouraged by it than some bearded Norwegian.

Quite, and there were plenty of clues in the article - under the pic of her is this "Editor's Note — This story is part of CNN's commitment to covering issues around identity, including race, gender, sexuality, religion, class and caste."

Then throughout the article there are mentions of how her background doesn't exactly scream "solo Antarctic explorer" and how she hopes to inspire others to push boundaries "without having to feel like a rebel",

It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 3:48 pm

Niegs wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:33 pm

With things like this, I say go for it. Little girls more likely to be encouraged by it than some bearded Norwegian.

Quite, and there were plenty of clues in the article - under the pic of her is this "Editor's Note — This story is part of CNN's commitment to covering issues around identity, including race, gender, sexuality, religion, class and caste."

Then throughout the article there are mentions of how her background doesn't exactly scream "solo Antarctic explorer" and how she hopes to inspire others to push boundaries "without having to feel like a rebel",

It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

notfatcat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:29 pm Funny I never seem to read anything about someone being the first person brought up on a council estate to explore some place, or the first person with spina bifida to cycle somewhere or other. It's always about ethnicity. It's as if non white people can't be inspired by whites and vice versa.

Erik Weihenmayer (born September 23, 1968) is an American athlete, adventurer, author, activist and motivational speaker. He was the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on May 25, 2001.As a result of this accomplishment he was featured on the cover of Time magazine. He also completed the Seven Summits in September 2002, one of only 150 mountaineers at the time to do so, but the only climber who achieved this while blind. In 2008, he also added the Carstensz Pyramid thus completing the Eight Summits. Weihenmayer has also made noteworthy climbs up the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite in 1996, and ascended Losar, a 2,700-foot (820 m) vertical ice face in the Himalayas in 2008.

In 2005, he co-founded No Barriers, a nonprofit organization with the tagline, "What’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way." The organization helps people of diverse backgrounds and abilities to attack challenges head on, problem solve, build winning teams, and serve others.

In September 2014, Weihenmayer and blinded Navy veteran, Lonnie Bedwell, kayaked the entire 277 miles (446 km) of the Grand Canyon, considered one of the most formidable whitewater locations in the world.

Today, while still adventuring, he is a prominent worldwide speaker, focusing on the topic of living a "No Barriers Life."

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 3:48 pm

Niegs wrote: ↑Fri Jan 07, 2022 11:33 pm

With things like this, I say go for it. Little girls more likely to be encouraged by it than some bearded Norwegian.

Quite, and there were plenty of clues in the article - under the pic of her is this "Editor's Note — This story is part of CNN's commitment to covering issues around identity, including race, gender, sexuality, religion, class and caste."

Then throughout the article there are mentions of how her background doesn't exactly scream "solo Antarctic explorer" and how she hopes to inspire others to push boundaries "without having to feel like a rebel",

It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 3:48 pm


Quite, and there were plenty of clues in the article - under the pic of her is this "Editor's Note — This story is part of CNN's commitment to covering issues around identity, including race, gender, sexuality, religion, class and caste."

Then throughout the article there are mentions of how her background doesn't exactly scream "solo Antarctic explorer" and how she hopes to inspire others to push boundaries "without having to feel like a rebel",

It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

Do you know what? I've been quite critical of the Scottish government and local councils in Scotland invariably having black folk on all their brochures, posters, leaflets etc when they reality is that there are hardly any black people here. It just seemed absurd. However, I was swimming with the kids before Christmas and the pool had the obligatory poster with a black chap swimming above the pool and I tutted in my head. Then a wee, presumably adopted, black girl came into the pool with her white parents and it hit me like a brick. That girl probably see's very few people like her in her day to day life, so if that poster helps her along, what the fuck am I worried about. Felt a bit embarrassed as well to be honest.

In saying that, it still fucks me off that our government constantly pretends we are some kind of diverse utopia when we are blatantly not, but thats for another day.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:29 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm
It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

Do you know what? I've been quite critical of the Scottish government and local councils in Scotland invariably having black folk on all their brochures, posters, leaflets etc when they reality is that there are hardly any black people here. It just seemed absurd. However, I was swimming with the kids before Christmas and the pool had the obligatory poster with a black chap swimming above the pool and I tutted in my head. Then a wee, presumably adopted, black girl came into the pool with her white parents and it hit me like a brick. That girl probably see's very few people like her in her day to day life, so if that poster helps her along, what the fuck am I worried about. Felt a bit embarrassed as well to be honest.

In saying that, it still fucks me off that our government constantly pretends we are some kind of diverse utopia when we are blatantly not, but thats for another day.

I'll be honest, I do sometimes have similar thoughts when seeing the relative explosion in black people present in TV advertising. It doesn't bear much relation to my direct experience of the UK or the demographic data from the last census (2011, pending the updated results this year). Then I have to remind myself that it doesn't really have any material impact on my life.

My main critique of it, though, is that diversity = black. Asian representation is curiously absent.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:29 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm
It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

Do you know what? I've been quite critical of the Scottish government and local councils in Scotland invariably having black folk on all their brochures, posters, leaflets etc when they reality is that there are hardly any black people here. It just seemed absurd. However, I was swimming with the kids before Christmas and the pool had the obligatory poster with a black chap swimming above the pool and I tutted in my head. Then a wee, presumably adopted, black girl came into the pool with her white parents and it hit me like a brick. That girl probably see's very few people like her in her day to day life, so if that poster helps her along, what the fuck am I worried about. Felt a bit embarrassed as well to be honest.

In saying that, it still fucks me off that our government constantly pretends we are some kind of diverse utopia when we are blatantly not, but thats for another day.

I'll be honest, I do sometimes have similar thoughts when seeing the relative explosion in black people present in TV advertising. It doesn't bear much relation to my direct experience of the UK or the demographic data from the last census (2011, pending the updated results this year). Then I have to remind myself that it doesn't really have any material impact on my life.

My main critique of it, though, is that diversity = black. Asian representation is curiously absent.

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:56 pm
I’ve a question. In British detective shows the chief inspector is often a black woman, is this true or just la la land?

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:29 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm
It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

Do you know what? I've been quite critical of the Scottish government and local councils in Scotland invariably having black folk on all their brochures, posters, leaflets etc when they reality is that there are hardly any black people here. It just seemed absurd. However, I was swimming with the kids before Christmas and the pool had the obligatory poster with a black chap swimming above the pool and I tutted in my head. Then a wee, presumably adopted, black girl came into the pool with her white parents and it hit me like a brick. That girl probably see's very few people like her in her day to day life, so if that poster helps her along, what the fuck am I worried about. Felt a bit embarrassed as well to be honest.

In saying that, it still fucks me off that our government constantly pretends we are some kind of diverse utopia when we are blatantly not, but thats for another day.

I'll be honest, I do sometimes have similar thoughts when seeing the relative explosion in black people present in TV advertising. It doesn't bear much relation to my direct experience of the UK or the demographic data from the last census (2011, pending the updated results this year). Then I have to remind myself that it doesn't really have any material impact on my life.

My main critique of it, though, is that diversity = black. Asian representation is curiously absent.

Magawa, the famous mine-clearing rat who was awarded a gold medal for his heroism, has died at the age of eight.

In a five-year career, the rodent sniffed out over 100 landmines and other explosives in Cambodia.

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:04 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:56 pm
I’ve a question. In British detective shows the chief inspector is often a black woman, is this true or just la la land?

Draw your own conclusions form https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.ser ... e-officers

The whole perception/actuality of the glass ceiling is what these shows are trying to suggest could be overcome I presume, in the absence of real life role models. I know there are those who hate it because it's not "realistic" but as long as the actor is convincing in the role, and not portraying a real life person does it matter?

Part of it might be that diversity in the UK isn't very evenly distributed. The whole country is 85% white or whatever, but ethnic minorities are mostly located around London or in other English cities. And then what you see on TV is representative of London, because the media is barely aware that anything exists outside the M25.

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:04 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:56 pm
I’ve a question. In British detective shows the chief inspector is often a black woman, is this true or just la la land?

Draw your own conclusions form https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.ser ... e-officers

The whole perception/actuality of the glass ceiling is what these shows are trying to suggest could be overcome I presume, in the absence of real life role models. I know there are those who hate it because it's not "realistic" but as long as the actor is convincing in the role, and not portraying a real life person does it matter?

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:29 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:59 pm
It's about trying to provide positive role models I assume, and identifying with someone with a similar background

Do you know what? I've been quite critical of the Scottish government and local councils in Scotland invariably having black folk on all their brochures, posters, leaflets etc when they reality is that there are hardly any black people here. It just seemed absurd. However, I was swimming with the kids before Christmas and the pool had the obligatory poster with a black chap swimming above the pool and I tutted in my head. Then a wee, presumably adopted, black girl came into the pool with her white parents and it hit me like a brick. That girl probably see's very few people like her in her day to day life, so if that poster helps her along, what the fuck am I worried about. Felt a bit embarrassed as well to be honest.

In saying that, it still fucks me off that our government constantly pretends we are some kind of diverse utopia when we are blatantly not, but thats for another day.

I'll be honest, I do sometimes have similar thoughts when seeing the relative explosion in black people present in TV advertising. It doesn't bear much relation to my direct experience of the UK or the demographic data from the last census (2011, pending the updated results this year). Then I have to remind myself that it doesn't really have any material impact on my life.

My main critique of it, though, is that diversity = black. Asian representation is curiously absent.

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 4:07 pm

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:04 pm

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:56 pm
I’ve a question. In British detective shows the chief inspector is often a black woman, is this true or just la la land?

Draw your own conclusions form https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.ser ... e-officers

The whole perception/actuality of the glass ceiling is what these shows are trying to suggest could be overcome I presume, in the absence of real life role models. I know there are those who hate it because it's not "realistic" but as long as the actor is convincing in the role, and not portraying a real life person does it matter?

Apart from Bond, they can fuck off on that one

robmatic wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:09 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:29 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:55 am

Do you know what? I've been quite critical of the Scottish government and local councils in Scotland invariably having black folk on all their brochures, posters, leaflets etc when they reality is that there are hardly any black people here. It just seemed absurd. However, I was swimming with the kids before Christmas and the pool had the obligatory poster with a black chap swimming above the pool and I tutted in my head. Then a wee, presumably adopted, black girl came into the pool with her white parents and it hit me like a brick. That girl probably see's very few people like her in her day to day life, so if that poster helps her along, what the fuck am I worried about. Felt a bit embarrassed as well to be honest.

In saying that, it still fucks me off that our government constantly pretends we are some kind of diverse utopia when we are blatantly not, but thats for another day.

I'll be honest, I do sometimes have similar thoughts when seeing the relative explosion in black people present in TV advertising. It doesn't bear much relation to my direct experience of the UK or the demographic data from the last census (2011, pending the updated results this year). Then I have to remind myself that it doesn't really have any material impact on my life.

My main critique of it, though, is that diversity = black. Asian representation is curiously absent.

Part of it might be that diversity in the UK isn't very evenly distributed. The whole country is 85% white or whatever, but ethnic minorities are mostly located around London or in other English cities. And then what you see on TV is representative of London, because the media is barely aware that anything exists outside the M25.

I grew up in the Yorkshire Dales and then lived in Scotland for 15 years so I can basically count the number of black British people I met on my fingers.

And he says there's still a long way to go in bringing ethnic minorities into the police.

"How many officers from ethnic minority backgrounds have completed 30 years' service in the police," he asks. "That's the figure you need to look at. I was only the 12th or 13th to do so."

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:06 pm Top 10 most popular sports in the world. Rugby #9 same as American football

https://sportsbrowser.net/most-popular-sports/

Rugby has a strong fan base in Australia, England, France, and New Zealand. There are more than 390 million fans of the sport in these countries.

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:06 pm Top 10 most popular sports in the world. Rugby #9 same as American football

https://sportsbrowser.net/most-popular-sports/