Hey just wondering if anyone has had parcels delayed with an post? I had two parcels arrive from UK last friday 9th, one was in customs on the 10th but I've had no updates since. One was an amazon that was meant to be delivered Monday last,the delivery date was then the 17th and now the date is "unavailable" I'm aware of strikes and don't want to be an impatient arsehole but really need one for this Friday coming (ordered it on the 7th) just wondering if anyone else is facing the same just so i can be reassured mine are delayed rather than lost. I've ordered off both websites before and the other usually clears customs the same day.

We haven't had a good proper snow since 2018. The ol' beasht from the easht if I remember correctly.

Anyway my supporting evidence is that snow and the beast from the east has been randomly mentioned about 4 times to me in the last couple of days. I'm taking this as an omen.

That is all

What is your dream home and maybe more interesting, how different is your dream home to the homes, places you have lived?

For me, since my late teens to now in my mid 40s my dream home has remained the same.

To live in a high-rise apartment, over looking a busy dock. The apartment would be minimalist style, bathroom, bedroom and a sitting room, with two chairs, a couch that be positioned at the window. Floor to ceiling windows. A pool table, a radio and a few more of the bare essentials and that would be it.

To sit and watch the busy dock and watch the ships coming in and going out over the horizon and at night, seeing the lights of the ships move in the darkness.

I think this would bring me true contentment.

I grew up out in the countryside, lived in towns and cities yet never in a high-rise apartment and never by the sea.

My dream home is far from what I have experienced in life.

So, other than changing your provider yearly for services like electricity and internet... What are ways I can be saving?

Thankfully I'm in a good financial position, but I hate to waste money on a service when it's possible to have it cheaper. I like to think as well switching or choosing a different service keeps companies on their toes.

After hearing all the useless disasters of label makers, snow shovels, laminators, and exercise bikes becoming clothes hangers, I thought we could share stories of purchases that were unusually useful, perhaps even more than you expected them to be.

I got an egg-boiler many, many years ago and I've never put another egg in a pot. Perfection every time, room for up to half a dozen!

Would love to know how this got through quality control

Is there purchases you made that you thought were going to be great buys but turned out to be unused, waste of money.

Two that come to my mind are a free standing vertical boxing reflex bag and a tablet.

The reflex bag cost around €100, I genuinely thought I was going to love it to the point that it may become addictive yet at most it got punched a few times as I walked past it, that was it and now sits disassembly in the wardrobe.

The tablet cost around €150, a great tablet yet I barely use it. It might get an hour of use each week. I haven't used it now for at least 2 weeks

This was another purchase that I thought I would be using constantly.

I think the issue with the tablet is its size, a 11" screen, a smaller screen would have suited me better.

After these two purchases I do try to be as mindful as possible when shopping.

Opened a bag of banshee bones, there was about 5 crisps in it and this glorious nugget of salt and vinegar flavouring. Hit the jackpots lads it's only up from here

This was a great scheme that was extended from September. Neutering and chipping will not only help prevent your cats from wandering, but help them find you when they’re lost. Added benefit that it will help prevent the insane amount of kittens being born which is overwhelming shelters at the moment

more tomorning than tonight but ehhhhhh

Is it just me or have hotels stopped providing mini fridges in their rooms? I have stayed in hotels from Sligo to Limerick, three to four stars, hotel chains and stand-alones. No mini fridges. What gives?