The Holiday Song

Haarlem and Amersfoort are good too. Greatest thing about central Netherlands is all these nice places to visit within a 45 minute radius.

As someone who has had varying level of depressive states, needed counselling for body dysmorphia and has been on SSRIs for the past 15 years, I do think there is a tendency to shout down anybody who suggests people sometimes need to help themselves... and this isn't a good thing. I HATE the phrase "it's okay to not be okay" because, whilst I see what it's trying to say, it can also be taken as nothing really can help. We don't say that to asthma sufferers and let them get on with having cigarettes, whereas no-one seems to think anything of people with anxiety drinking as much coffee as they want.

Seen some chat here of delays in PCR results... is there anything official on this?

Suspect it's more to do how Brewdog sell themselves as a company. I'm a "shareholder" in Brewdog so not totally anti them, but dear lord they can be annoying.

Not necessarily... perhaps the short term 100% extra trouble to stay will be worth it in the medium to long term.

At least choosing Falkirk at the initial job screen in the next Football Manger won't seem that unrealistic now.

Guess I'm about year late with this opinion, but that Airdrie top is fantastic (shame about the sponsors). Does anyone remember a site that did retro Scottish league tops for most clubs (not just the big ones)? Sure was on it in the last few years but cannot find it now (always did think it must be flirting with copyright/IP law).

That effort from Durnan is so bad it's hilarious! Was he hungover or something? Is what I envision I looked like playing u18s football the day after a night of drinking White Lightning many years ago.

true, should have added that disclaimer onto the post!

Have absolutely no evidence of this, but often wonder if the board (or whoever was appointing the manager after Yogi) saw May as an almost Guardiola at Barca type, and wanted to keep the role in the Falkirk familiy (whatever the f'ck that would mean)... rather than being cheap. My only real reason for thinking for this is the success Pep had his first year as Barca first team manager, and that was 08/09 so would have been fresh in the board's mind after Yogi left... and George Craig seemed absolutely insane.

Not saying this will be the same for everyone... but switching from caffeine drinks (coffee, coke, red bull etc.) to water did more for improving my mental health than years of SSRIs, exercising, cutting down on alcohol, and counselling. Which is a shame as I really like those drinks!

Doyle hasn't written for him for a while I believe. Saw Doyle a few times at the Fringe (2015/16) range and was a good show then... gone absolutely mental since then though.

Have been wondering this too but held off asking as thought it might be an idiotic question...! Is it the facilities, expertise, raw materials or something else that is a limiting factor here?

One of the things I both like and dislike about whisky is that it seems the taste of the same whisky can vary pretty dramatically. Anyone know of a good app for rating whisky you've tried? Need to start recording them to work out what I like. Pen and paper, and then own research would be fine, but if a computer can do it... That was a list of the ones just ordered so hopefully get this week. Out of the ones I bought for the festive, most bland I thought was The Dalmore 1263 King Alexander III which was by far the most expensive too (had saved it for Christmas day). Wondered if it was the bottling at 40% but the Tamnavulin Tempranillo Cask I got was the same strength and really enjoyed that. Ordered from a Dutch site (stay there currently) and just noticed already had the Deanston Wine Cask from them in the previous order. Must have liked it as most of the samples have one dram left but that bottle has gone from my shelf!

Ordered a number of samples over the festive and enjoyed trying the different ones so gone for another order (including quite a few mentioned on this thread). List is below. One thing I'm wondering though, will (or maybe more accurately, could) whisky taste different coming from smaller bottles than the normal size? They are obviously drunk a lot quicker than normal bottles, and get the impression that some whiskies need to be open for a little bit to get their best taste? (looking on google has just confused me more tbh!) Deanston 10 Years Old Red Wine Cask Matured 6 CL Sample Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest 6 CL Compass Box The Story Of The Spaniard 6 CL Sample Laphroaig PX Cask 6 CL Springbank 10 Years Old 6 CL Glenallachie 10 Years Old Port Wood Finish 6 CL Sample Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old 6 CL Ledaig Rioja Cask Finish 6 CL Sample Balvenie 14 Years Old Caribbean Cask 6 CL Rock Oyster Blended Malt 6 CL Sample Longrow Peated 6 CL Tobermory 12 Years Old 6 CL Sample

Few folk mentioning Europe opening up before the UK... I think it'll be the other way round to be honest, moreso if the vaccinations work well because the EU really is miles behind.

Yep. Anyone trying to screw short sellers are okay by me.

Been vaguely following that (well, I've been following quite closely without totally understanding it). The logic for buying GameStop was the price would have to keep rising as the hedgefund would need to keep covering their shorts. It closed at 148 yesterday, right now in pre trading it's at 333!

Not really what this thread was for but anyone who visits Reddit might have noticed a topic on this being high up the front page the last couple of days... https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjpx8w/how-chaotic-redditors-made-gamestop-stock-skyrocket-and-made-short-sellers-cry

You can watch up to a week later (if I mind right). Think they are recorded beforehand anyway. Watched a couple not live and quite enjoyable (added bonus of skipping things you're not fussed about). I'm just paying as I go but in hindsight would probably have bought the festival ticket.

What did you do to get sacked?

Right at the start, Rutte the Dutch PM literally used the words “herd immunity” as a strategy in his first televised speech on Covid. Dutch response has never filled me with confidence they had much of a plan, similar to the UK government of making it up as they go along.

That was informative, thanks. But not strictly what I was wanting to know...! I'm intrigued whether certain types of whisky (be it region, cask etc.) suit a drop of water compared to other types? I'm guessing stronger bottlings would have more room to "improve" but would it be possible to guess how a whisky will suit a drop of water, or is it just a case of trying? If it's the latter, that's perfectly fine, always enjoy the research!

Is there a "science" behind what whiskies suit a drop of water? I will try it with most I have but usually find it makes the smell and taste less interesting and just more alcohol like (if that makes sense). But I had a Bowmore 18 the other day and thought the water really brought more flavours and depth out...

Bars, cafes and restaurants been closed in the Netherlands for two months (shops and schools still open)... barely made a difference and full lockdown now on the cards (essential shops only open).