The Off Topic Topic

[Sheilbh]

The report found a more substantial non-Christian religious presence in London than elsewhere, with a fifth of London's population identifying with a non-Christian religion, in contrast to 7% in the rest of Britain.

So maybe that's why London has more outdated views on same sex marriage and pre-marital sex and the rest, mayhaps?

I think it's immigration in general - not specifically non-Christian immigration. London's got a lot more actively religious people of different faiths.

[Josquius]

Interesting article there Sheilbh. I like that it reports this on a basis of actual attendance. I'm sick to death of reports finding insanely high percentages of the UK are religious, with the north east being most christian of all.... purely because people think ticking that box is just the thing to do even if they never step foot in a church outside of the occasional christening and funeral.
Higher attendance than I thought I must say, even the 1 in 10. Though I suppose this could be counting the mentioned special occasions. Even I've been to church within the past year

[Sheilbh]

The 1 in 10 is attending a service at least once a month so I don't think it captures the Easter/Christmas lot (like me)

[garbon]

Also I live in an area with a lot of Pentecostal churches so I'm surprised there's more outside London than in.

I think that's a misreading. Statement is "Pentecostals (7%) and Orthodox Christians (6%) have a more significant presence than outside the capital." which suggests that there are more Pentecostals and Orthodox in London than without, no?

[Sheilbh]

Also I live in an area with a lot of Pentecostal churches so I'm surprised there's more outside London than in.

I think that's a misreading. Statement is "Pentecostals (7%) and Orthodox Christians (6%) have a more significant presence than outside the capital." which suggests that there are more Pentecostals and Orthodox in London than without, no?

Oh! You're right - I thought that was very surprising. That makes more sense because as I say I live in an area with a lot of Pentecostal churches (and, actually, a small Orthodox Cathedral) but I don't think I've seen many anywhere outside of London.

[Syt]

[Sheilbh]

Oh no! One for Brits of a certain age - RIP Margarita Pracatan

Always remember her on both the Clive James and Lily Savage shows. Looking forward to her so much was possibly an early indicator of the gayness

As Clive James () put it:  "She never lets the words or melody get in her way. She is us, without the fear of failure."
https://news.sky.com/story/margarita-pracatan-singer-known-for-appearances-on-the-clive-james-show-dies-aged-89-12013918

Edit: Needless to say her later life included lots of performances at gay bars and pride events. I understand she once literally caused a stampede at Edinburgh Pride.

[grumbler]

Now there's a blast from the past!

[Syt]

Italian ciabatta bread was not invented until 1982.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciabatta

[PDH]

Italian ciabatta bread was not invented until 1982.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciabatta

Well my reality is shattered.

[Josquius]

So... Seems one of my neighbours likes to play saxophone over night club music backing tracks at a loud volume.
That's a new one.

[Tamas]

So... Seems one of my neighbours likes to play saxophone over night club music backing tracks at a loud volume.
That's a new one.

OMG such things are might nightmare scenarios for when we finally buy a home.

[celedhring]

I have this neighbor (not the same block) that practices the very same guitar riff several times a week. Over and over. I have it now seared in my brain and I can't get it off it. It's a nightmare.

[Syt]

So... Seems one of my neighbours likes to play saxophone over night club music backing tracks at a loud volume.
That's a new one.

The girl who used to live upstairs from me played the cello. She and her boyfriend would give concerts twice a year or so. Which required them practicing for weeks beforehand. He played the piano.

It wasn't all too bad, though, and the only sound I ever heard from them (easily blocked with headphones).

The guy now living in her place isn't home every day (she and her bf moved to a larger apartment in the same building), but he has a much heavier step than her which can be annoying at times.

[Josquius]

It wasn't too bad really. Easily blocked out with closed windows. Just weird. Far worse was an old downstairs neighbour in a rented flat with whom I could rarely hear actual music but the whole place shook with bass. That was a nightmare.