Articles by Ann Thrope
AVF Secret Santa 2025
The usual rules apply. You must have been a member for at least six months and have a minimum of 500 posts The minimum spend is £10 excluding postage Items must be new and complete You must have your AVF name in your Elfster name. It is also strongly recommended that you create a wish list, as this will make things easier for your Secret Santa. Don’t forget to thank your Secret Santa once you have opened your gift! This can be done on Elfster or in this thread.
Public emergency alerts--23 April
owl61uk Distinguished Member #1 Just noticed this on the BBC News website. A siren-like alert will be sent to mobile phone users across the UK next month to test a new government public warning system. It allows the government and emergency services to send urgent messages warning the public of life-threatening situations like flooding or wildfires. I am sure the conspiracy theorist will love this. The government will send people loud, siren-like warnings to alert them when there is a risk to life.
Ho-Ho-NO!!
#1 Its that time again when everything's meant to be light and fun, but what's your Christmas hate? It could be family meet where you've got a relative who is an absolute dick, maybe you hate having a tree in the house and having to decorate the living room. Or maybe you have grandkids who just go mental disturbing your peace, or the compulsory attendance at the works Christmas party? Its your gripe I want to hear about. For me, its these things. I detest Christmas jumpers.
AVF Secret Santa 2024
We and our store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development. With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation data and identification through device scanning. You may click to consent to our and our 1445 partners’ processing as described above.
The Aldi/ Lidl Middle Aisle of Mystery
#1 What are the best/ worst/ most random things you have come across there? I remember last year Aldi were selling wheelbarrow wheels. Friend of mine went in there once to buy some milk and came out with a welding helmet. #2 I cycle helmet with integrated LED light at the back which were originally £14.99 and a picked a couple up when clearance at £3.99!!! Still use and great bike helmets. Didn't need a new helmet but couldn't miss for the quality/price.
Assisted dying: Woman who ended life at Dignitas calls for change to 'cruel' law
Assisted dying: Woman who ended life at Dignitas calls for change to 'cruel' law Paola Marra calls for new laws on assisted dying before travelling to Switzerland to end her life. I was going to share this in the previous thread but I see that was closed after
What trivial things do you not like doing?
#1 I really do not like having to initiate returns for products ordered online! Its just so boring and I also have an OCD thing about constantly having to check to ensure that the refund has actually been processed.
Do you have time for people with a low IQ?
I don’t have patience for stupidity but I really don’t see why someone’s IQ level would matter. My partner is a lawyer so naturally we have friends who are also lawyers. I’ve never met so many people with so little common sense. One of them won a lawyer of the year award but still can’t understand why her new cherry tree is producing blossom instead of fruit. We love her anyway.
What's the furthest you've travelled to buy an item in person?
Ice Tea Prominent Member #1 If it's not within 10 miles or so i'd either have it delivered or go without. I see some people on the car forums will happily travel across the UK and stay the night in a B&B just to buy some old banger that's neither rare or worth a lot. #2 Sheffield to Bristol and back Was a quality Stainless/Mirrored bathroom cabinet that normally sell new for ~£350 and ebay seller listed collection only and my bid of £40 won. 360 mile in my Hybrid EV at the time, about 6 hours.
Habitual words or phrases you and/or your family use
#1 Are there any words of phrases which you or your family use commonly which would be alien to other people... or which would leave them wondering what on earth you were talking about and why? They could be completely made-up words or perhaps a line from a TV show or film... In our house, when I am clearing plates at the dinner table, I often say to Mr Withouterspoon...
If you ran your own website or forum what would be the main subject/theme?
Ice Tea Prominent Member #1 Mine would be idiot friendly linux like Ubuntu but there are plenty of sites for that already. Someone is bound to say porn. Last edited: Aug 12, 2023 #2 Probably something travel related but again there's already plenty of websites for that. #3 Something food related but only if I could make money from it. I don’t know how that would be possible though. #4 Liverpool. F. C. Blood Donor. #5 Ferrari of the 60s & 70s. Just love the shape and style. Liverpool. F. C. Blood Donor.
Gender Equality
#1 Im a firm believer in gender equality. Feminism that strives for that equality. I regularly watch a tv show, first dates. Its not great tv, but interesting. I've noticed that pretty well every woman that has a date with a man, expects the man to pay for that date. Ill pay, Are you sure? I insist. - Ok, thank you. That wasnt much of a discussion. Its going through the motions, with a mutually expected outcome. Its not a generational thing, all ages seem to follow this pattern.
NOSTALGIA: Memories of Christmas Past
#1 To go with the general nostalgia of your childhood thread. What did you used to do at Christmas when you were a child? For myself, my brother and I would always wake our parents up ridiculously early. Our presents were in two large paper sacks with Santa Claus on them, leaned up against the two armchairs in the front room. Presents usually spilled out onto the chairs as well.
What Music Makes You Happy?
#1 As there is one for sad songs... What Music Makes You Happy? D.I.S.C.O. 1979 Ottawan "I am the Law!" #2 Upcoming threads: What music makes you happy and sad? What music makes you most nostalgic? What music makes you fear growing old? Etc. etc. etc "If I'd known it was harmless, I'd have killed it myself"....PKD #3 Upcoming threads: What music makes you happy and sad? What music makes you most nostalgic? What music makes you fear growing old? Etc. etc.
Have you ever been banned or suspended from a website or forum?
Ice Tea Prominent Member #1 Years ago it was mostly on gaming forums for discussing camping strategies and in recent years a couple of linux forums as it turns out when developers ask for constructive criticism they don't actually like constructive criticism. @Lucy Van Pelt I bet you have a long list? , Just joking. #2 Only this forum for a month or two. I'am still thread banned from one of the threads on here actually going on three years. All post © Marv 2004 #3 Only this forum for a month or two.
I love social media.
#1 And yes, I do know that it's ironic/hypocritical he's using a social media platform to put out his message and I'm using a social media platform to share it. But I also think it's okay to use something whilst criticising it simultaneously. Oh, and my switched-off mobile phone lives in a drawer 99% of the time. #2 Oh, and my switched-off mobile phone lives in a drawer 99% of the time. I have around ten of those. Plus the switched-on one not in any drawer.
TikTok - why is it so popular and what can you do with it?
Mandark Distinguished Member #1 Thought that this might be an interesting topic to discuss given its recent prominence in the Nicola Bulley case. Back in the late 1990s, I had a grip on most of the popular Internet trends of the time but these days, it all seems to be passing me by - must be getting old! But I don't understand how TikTok, which seems like a simple video creation app to me, has become such a giant.
Famous Tree Felled by Vandals!
#1 The famous sycamore tree in Cumbria has been deliberately cut down by a scumbag with a chainsaw, I hope they caught their neck in the device whilst they were at it! #2 The famous sycamore tree in Northumberland has been deliberately cut down by a scumbag with a chainsaw, I hope they caught their neck in the device whilst they were at it! #3 I am absolutely gutted by this It was on our list of things to do this year - our 8 year-old daughter has never been.
The X-Files Reboot (TBC) Ryan Coogler
#1 Probably stall before it starts It’s now been five years since “The X-Files” wrapped up its unexpected tenth and eleventh seasons, but where does the franchise go from here? Last we heard back in 2020, the franchise’s next evolution will come courtesy of “The X-Files: Albuquerque,” an animated spinoff comedy series that “The... bloody-disgusting.com #2 Yeah, absolutely no thanks on this one. Leave it where it is.
World War 3
#1 Do you think World War 3 could happen this year, with all the recent conflicts? #2 Yes No are you trying to start a fight Cheating isn't Winning #3 You do realise we are a world constantly at war A list of all wars in the 20th and 21st century with links to war memorials and other resources. war-memorial.net Cheating isn't Winning #4 Yes No are you trying to start a fight Depends if you want to cross me Do you hate cats? Do you dig Biffy Clyro? Do you like scotch eggs?
The mental health thread.
#1 Samaritans works to make sure there’s always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more. www.samaritans.org Since it has been stated that we can start a new mental health thread, following the closure of the previous one, I figured I would go ahead and start one. We just need to be careful what we write if we don't want the thread to be closed again. We have been advised against talking about self-harm or suicide.
Matthew Perry
#1 Breaking Matthew Perry drowned to death Saturday, law enforcement sources tell TMZ. www.tmz.com #2 #3 He had a troubled life with his addictions, loved him as Chandler Bing #4 #5 Bloody hell, that's awful. No age that either. Struggled with opioid addiction after an accident like so many others. Never got over it really. I remember his appearance changing so much during Friends. It's a wonder he managed to get through making as many episodes as they did. RIP.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ann
Contact Ann, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack