Rant

[Flipper]

I had an AWFUL meal in TGI Fridays tonight. And I love TGI Fridays. But it was a mess. And I feel hurt.

[Coaster]

All this point scoring between different enthusiast channels.  Just grow up, be friends and ride coasters for god's sake!

[Kerfuffle]

22 hours ago, Coaster said:

All this point scoring between different enthusiast channels.  Just grow up, be friends and ride coasters for god's sake!

At the end of the day, that last thing is all you can do as an individual. Yes, I'm a hater of most enthusiast groups myself for the same reason (if not a few more) and if they wanna d*ck around acting more like different groups of 5 year olds, that's their business. Leave them to it.

[Han30]

Ranty McRant incoming....

 

I think I’ve hit the anger stage of grief still mixed with a bit of denial - missing @Roodie so much and kinda struggling to accept that he’s gone.

 

Over the past few weeks my neighbour has been putting his music on between 10pm-midnight for a good few hours a time.  The other week he had it blaring out with his sodding door open.  I should probably say something but this is a bloke that knocked on my door a couple of years ago at midnight asking if I wanted to do cocaine with him(?!!).  

 

Last year his flat was emptied of hundreds of empty lighter fluid cans which he’d been getting high from - 2 vans full of them.  It’s a wonder he’s not blown himself up.

I had to physically step over him last year on a boiling hot day because he’d decided to have a kip outside his flat along with booze and lighter fluid.  I know he’s had help in the past with whatever is the root of the problem and I overheard him talking to my neighbour the other night saying that he’s getting help which is great.  

 

Last night I was so angry and in floods of tears - my neighbour put his music on at 9.30pm and was sat outside with the door open.  Not only was he playing depressing music loudly but he was inhaling lighter fluid - for over 2 hours.

One of my cats was out and she won’t come up the stairs if there is anyone around (my cats are really timid) - I ended up going outside at 11pm because I could see my cat sat at the bottom of the stairs - I walked past my neighbour who was off his tits just lounging on a chair with a sodding wireless speaker on his doormat.  He then came downstairs to ask if I was ok and I said I was looking for my cat - he knows from last year that she won’t come home if he’s outside and I’m not trying to be a pain but we had in the last few weeks a local cat that was targeted by the cat killer and the poor thing had his head cut off ?.

 

While I was talking to him I saw my cat go up the stairs so I went up to lock the cat flap - he continued to sniff his lighter fluid and listen to sh1te music until about midnight when he went into his flat and started slamming doors furiously and playing music loudly.

 

Right now he’s sat outside with music playing talking to another neighbour loudly and every so often he goes into his flat to slam doors ?.  I don’t mind people listening to music or talking but right now it’s like he’s going out of his way to piss people off with the door slamming.  The thing that naffs me off the most is that he is abusing aerosols very openly - if he wants to do that why go outside?  He obviously has mental health issues of which he has my sympathy but it’s so inconsiderate of other residents.  I’m feeling pretty intimidated and not safe here anymore. I’ve made a complaint and been told I’m not the only one to do so and today I’ve said that I need to move ASAP

 

One of my neighbours rang my doorbell twice in the past hour and I’ve not answered so I’m sat in my living room in complete silence and all I can hear is my other neighbour and his effing irritating laugh.  Really need a drink but having to settle with anxiety meds.

 

It might not seem like it from my post but I am understanding of mental health issues having lived with them for almost 20 years but I’m just getting to the end of my tether ?

[Glitch]

Anyone else of seeing blogs from the average Joe enthusiast informing us all how / when the theme-parks will reopen and what measures will have to take place. Almost like their fly on the walls at government meetings. Or perhaps they have the Zoom pass code.

[Mark9]

I hope the people who voted in this conservative government based on getting Brexit done are enjoying  the absolute mess and lack of clarity. 

[JoshC.]

9 minutes ago, Ivsetti said:

what mess and what lack of clarity?

Hard to tell if this response is sarcasm, from someone living under a rock or someone who genuinely believes the Covid-situation has been well handled across the board...

[pluk]

I didn't vote in or towards this government. Their actions since being in power have been to my huge personal detriment financially and they've damaged my profession to the detriment (I believe) of the whole country. I hold no candle for them.

 

But. I'm pretty bored of people who are bitterly against a conservative government pissing and whining at literally everything they do. Whatever was said yesterday and today armchair experts with little idea and minimal insight would have been telling them it was wrong, mostly because they are Tory. It's tedious.

 

This whole situation is unprecedented and new, there is no right and wrong, only best informed guesses. Those making the guesses have a lot more information and expertise than you or I. I don't envy those making the decisions and am glad it's not me. 

 

I don't think there's a particular lack of clarity, just sensible steps taken to move away from the current situation towards something better. 🤷‍♂️ The only lack of clarity comes from the hugely irresponsible (mostly tabloid) press, but if course if they tried to influence that to get a consistent message out they'd be evil tyrants, because Tory, innit.

[Benin]

You should work from home BUT only if you can work BUT only if you can get there BUT only if you social distance on transport BUT only if you have to work.

 

If Labour were making the same mistakes here then people would moan. But then again they've not been in charge for the past 9 years with austerity, public funding cuts and a completely divided country to show for it. Is it any wonder some people want the Tories out?

 

Added to this is watching how other countries are approaching this situation. Have you seen the Irish roadmap compared to ours? Vastly more detailed to the UK one where 3 of the 4 countries it was meant to apply to have turned around and gone "nah mate that's nonsense"?

 

Only the other day was the end of Cameron's 5 years. Preceded by his "Chaos with Ed Miliband" tweet. Strong and stable indeed.

[Mark9]

3 hours ago, pluk said:

I didn't vote in or towards this government. Their actions since being in power have been to my huge personal detriment financially and they've damaged my profession to the detriment (I believe) of the whole country. I hold no candle for them.

 

But. I'm pretty bored of people who are bitterly against a conservative government pissing and whining at literally everything they do. Whatever was said yesterday and today armchair experts with little idea and minimal insight would have been telling them it was wrong, mostly because they are Tory. It's tedious.

 

This whole situation is unprecedented and new, there is no right and wrong, only best informed guesses. Those making the guesses have a lot more information and expertise than you or I. I don't envy those making the decisions and am glad it's not me. 

 

I don't think there's a particular lack of clarity, just sensible steps taken to move away from the current situation towards something better. 🤷‍♂️ The only lack of clarity comes from the hugely irresponsible (mostly tabloid) press, but if course if they tried to influence that to get a consistent message out they'd be evil tyrants, because Tory, innit.

 

We could have been Japan. We're less densly populated than them and a separate Island(s). We could have been Germany one of the highest populated countries in Europe and one of the richest. We could have been South Korea who clamped down quickly and managed to contain two outbreaks and are working hard to contain a third. But we aren't. 

 

This is why we need the average person to understand what is being asked of them. If there has to be an 8 tweet answer to the new guidance, when the initial message of 'stay home, save lives, protect the NHS' was perfect then yes we do need more clarity from them. 

 

Nothing to do with evil tories (although they are pretty evil, anyone seen what Liz Truss is up to these days..)

 

 

[JoshC.]

12 hours ago, pluk said:

But. I'm pretty bored of people who are bitterly against a conservative government pissing and whining at literally everything they do. Whatever was said yesterday and today armchair experts with little idea and minimal insight would have been telling them it was wrong, mostly because they are Tory. It's tedious.

 

This whole situation is unprecedented and new, there is no right and wrong, only best informed guesses. Those making the guesses have a lot more information and expertise than you or I. I don't envy those making the decisions and am glad it's not me. 

I get where you're coming from. There's definitely some people who have become overnight experts just because they've read a few things online (which usually features a lot of hindsight), who then use whatever they find to blast the government. Equally though, I expect the exact same thing would be happen had we had a Labour government. It might not necessarily have been so prominent online, but definitely would be still be there. That in a large part comes down to the fact there's very much a strong political divide at the moment in my opinion. Fewer and fewer people these days seem to have the ability to look unbiasedly and go 'hmm, the other side could be right here'. It's very much "us vs them" all the time.

 

There might be no right and wrong at the moment, but there is good and bad. Good choices, bad choices. From what I gathered, the choice of this "herd immunity" and avoiding lockdown made in early March was the best possible choice for the UK with the data available. Sure, it might not have been what other countries were doing, but we were in a different position to other countries. With hindsight it's likely it wasn't the best choice, and in time we might come to learn it was the "wrong" choice, sure, but at that time, I think it was the right call.

 

But equally, more should have been done. Why did Johnson not attend early Cobra meetings? Why were borders not tightened? What about the hot topic of PPE? These are all choice which were made then, and are all causing issues now. Hindsight playing a part now, yes. But at the same time, it's difficult to understand why those choices were made then - at the very least, what was there to lose had different choices been made? 

 

As has been said above too, I think it stings the most when you look at other countries who have made all the right choices, and countries who have made many more right choices than us. They weren't easy choices, and I don't think everyone could have gotten it right of course, but it's a hard pill to swallow.

12 hours ago, pluk said:

I don't think there's a particular lack of clarity, just sensible steps taken to move away from the current situation towards something better. 🤷‍♂️ The only lack of clarity comes from the hugely irresponsible (mostly tabloid) press, but if course if they tried to influence that to get a consistent message out they'd be evil tyrants, because Tory, innit.

I do think people are overstating the confusion for a joke / a cheap pop at the government, but there is still confusion. What does "stay alert" mean? It's something you'd more say a teenage girl going clubbing for the first time or something..."have fun, but stay alert...". There it's more clear cut. Here, not sure much, because it's open to interpretation - "Stay alert" of yourself and symptoms? "Stay alert" of other people? "Stay alert" and maintain everything we've done so far, but keep in mind we're relaxing some rules so this will be slightly harder?

 

If you look at some MPs who have tried clarifying this (on Twitter for example), they've all had very different interpretations. And it feels dangerous to tell people to exercise their common sense when making decisions...anyone who has worked with the public knows that people very quickly lose their common sense in groups! It's all a bit muddled.

 

Tabloid press has been hugely irresponsible over the past few days, definitely. I'm somewhat confused how some details trickled down to the press before Johnson's announcement. I don't know how that happens and if blame should lie somewhere, but surely with something this big, it should be embargoed and then come straight from the horse's mouth first, so to speak? Then let press report, speculate, whatever. It very much hasn't helped.

 

 

On a general note, one thing which has surprised me is the lack of mention of the reproduction number (R-number) in the UK until the last few days. It's not a difficult concept, but it's something that needs explaining clearly and simply to the public so they can understand it. It was mentioned vaguely in March time (albeit not called the R-number), and then again recently. Why? This is something that should be continually drilled in. Again, look at other countries (many across Europe): from the early days, they've provided details of what the R-number is, and been making clear and simple updates about it.

 

Here, it's been put on us at a time when we're transitioning between stages, when people have other questions. And then people have questions about this R-number. Which just piles on this confusion and the questions raised. It's something I don't quite get on the government's behalf?

[Benin]

Half the information to the press is often deliberately leaked (hence always unnamed sources). Usually to guage public opinion on a particular idea/route.

 

The main issue with this slogan is the change from something incredibly simple to something very vague (and weird, how does one stay alert from a virus?), with the added subtle caveat of the colour change to green that will make the public think things are safer. When really things haven't actually changed yet at all.

[Martin Doyle]

I am really getting quite sick and tired of seeing enthusiasts moaning and crying about POSTPONED trips to theme parks this year thanks to the pandemic.

 

Look, I know this page is ofcourse a forum dedicated to a theme park and I myself am very proud of being an enthusiast. However, I do feel some enthusiasts on social media really need to look at what's going on in the world before they go on an Ian Beale style "IVE GOT NOTHING LEFT" sulk about postponed park visits. People are losing their jobs and with that, the abillity to make a living to pay the bills. More importantly, many people are losing loved ones to this virus. So with all that happening, I personally find it hard to feel sympathy to a bunch of people who are crying over not being able to visit parks that will STILL BE AROUND when all this is said and done. Those who are losing loved ones do not have that luxury. I have a friend who lost her nan recently and was not even allowed to attend her own nans funeral. So yes, forgive me if I find it hard to feel sorry for having to wait a little longer to ride the likes of Shambhala,Taron, Zadra,Taiga and Iron Gwazi or going to flaming Disneyland Paris.

 

Rant over. Again I know this doesn't apply to all enthusiasts but I am seeing enough of it to really get on my wick.

 

It's not just postponed park trips. It's also the sulking over canceled festivals and concerts. People should check their priorities as far as I'm concerned.

[Benin]

It'll be frustration more than anything. There are naturally bigger things but the inability to go outside and do SOMETHING (especially given the hoops one may have to jump through when things are cancelled) will be causing a lot of cabin fever.

 

I'm worried that my wedding and honeymoon will be moved as a result of this. Does that make me a bad person?

 

This country has been proven to be full of self centred people time and time again. Fortunately I've not seen any enthusiasts on my social media moaning like you describe. Might be worth an unfollow?

 

Besides, it's been made clear by our government we can travel wherever we like even if we have the symptoms. So expect people to march on the parks and demand they open soon (even though when looking at the parks that have opened it'll be a nightmare, but what is an enthusiast without something to moan about?)

[Mark9]

You just don't love your family enough to break lockdown, that's all Benin. 

[Mark9]

Alright, so I am kind of angry.

 

Back when this pandemic was flaring up we were all instructed to stay at home. The NHS must be protected. We can save lives. The vast majority of us did this, arguably too late to save thousands of lives but we did it. I'm one of the lucky ones. I don't live alone, I'm an essential worker so I've still been going to work and serving to help the country. I'm definitely in a fortunate position. Outside of that, I haven't seen any friends, family, have not socialised, have shopped alone to ensure I follow all guidelines. My friends have done the same. My mum and dad who are both high risk have not had human contact with the exception of my brother for two months. 

 

It absolute galls me what this unelected advisor has done and the hoops jumped through to protect him. It actually sickens me that we left the EU because of apparent unelected officials and yet this person gets away with this. We didn't vote for him, we can't get rid of him, he just exists. How many extra deaths have occurred because of his negligence? How many people will now die because members of this population will say 'well he can do it, why can't I?' 

 

Earlier, Pluk said it's just easy to blame the Tories for everything. This isn't a left or right issue. This is about honesty, decency and integrity. How can we trust this government when they declare its legal to drive 30 miles if you're worried about your eye-sight, that their initial instructions were advisory and open to interpretation and that ministers are falling over themselves to protect someone who is completely undermining their own health messaging. How can we trust this government when they call Durham police liars or completely dismiss concerns from the church?

 

At some point this country needs to find its moral centre because it's heading into this dangerous area where the people who are supposed to look after us do not care and the ones that I find myself siding with now are Piers Morgan and the bloody Daily Mail. It's ridiculous. 

[UnderItAll]

Give the Man a break, he's been dealt with enough ****e already.
I'm sure any parent would have done the same given the situation, just because this Guy is a public figure, doesn't give people the right to poke their nose into his life.
Seems like there is a lot of incorrect reports being given to the Media.

Do what you feel best under the current guidance that is issued, if you choose to go out meeting people, hugging and kissing everyone you see, that's your choice, but as long as you know you could be infecting yourself or others and you have to live with that.
I had been furloughed and only go shopping when I need to, usually once a week, or even longer if I can help it.
Since the first ease of lockdown I've met up with 1 person at a time from a distance 4 times. I've been out for a few walks on my own and out with the Parents and Dog a fair few times.

Also, if Social Media and online news articles did not exist, I'm pretty sure the world today would be a much different place, people won't be too quick to judge, jumping to conclusions about what others may/may not have done. The need to self moderate is non existent between most users online and once someone says something, everyone else picks up on it and it just loses control.

That said, for the same reasons, Social Media can be a bloody good resource, it's a shame it's used inappropriately.

Tom.

EDITED
PS, Yes I did re read edit, self moderate and all that nonsense and now have second thoughts, what's the bloody point in posted this, no one important is going to see it, it's just another pointless opinion being aired.

[Mark9]

🧐

 

Forums like this would not exist if the only reason we post was for important people to see. I actually find the defending of his actions fascinating as a lot of the things stated is that any parent would have done the same. But the point really is that a lot of parents didn't. They stayed put, fighting their own instincts, emotions, judgement because the government advice was to stay at home. 

 

Frankly, he isn't supposed to be a public figure. He isn't supposed to be the story, the person holding press conferences in the cherry Garden at number 10. But he is. He's put himself out there. I don't like that people are hounding him in the streets or his family and realistically if he'd just apologised and taken responsibility, this would have all blown over already.

[Benin]

Yesterday's front pages annoyed the hell out of me.

 

Two massive worldwide issues going on atm. The UK Covid numbers are more than the rest of the EU combined, then we have the numerous protests in support of those across the pond.

 

Our media ignores those and looks at a 12 year old case about a middle class white girl who died due to the neglect of her parents (even if they didn't kill her themselves, they left 3 children in a hotel room alone, but of course they don't get blamed for that either).

 

And some say we're better than the Americans. 

[Benin]

You really think that the McCann case is more important (the front page is THE most important story of the day after all) than the two MAJOR events currently going on?

[JoshC.]

Sorry to divert from the media rant, but...

On 5/23/2020 at 11:29 PM, Martin Doyle said:

I am really getting quite sick and tired of seeing enthusiasts moaning and crying about POSTPONED trips to theme parks this year thanks to the pandemic.

 

Look, I know this page is ofcourse a forum dedicated to a theme park and I myself am very proud of being an enthusiast. However, I do feel some enthusiasts on social media really need to look at what's going on in the world before they go on an Ian Beale style "IVE GOT NOTHING LEFT" sulk about postponed park visits. People are losing their jobs and with that, the abillity to make a living to pay the bills. More importantly, many people are losing loved ones to this virus. So with all that happening, I personally find it hard to feel sympathy to a bunch of people who are crying over not being able to visit parks that will STILL BE AROUND when all this is said and done. Those who are losing loved ones do not have that luxury. I have a friend who lost her nan recently and was not even allowed to attend her own nans funeral. So yes, forgive me if I find it hard to feel sorry for having to wait a little longer to ride the likes of Shambhala,Taron, Zadra,Taiga and Iron Gwazi or going to flaming Disneyland Paris.

 

Rant over. Again I know this doesn't apply to all enthusiasts but I am seeing enough of it to really get on my wick.

 

It's not just postponed park trips. It's also the sulking over canceled festivals and concerts. People should check their priorities as far as I'm concerned.

I confess when I saw this, I was a little confused. I think anyone who had big plans this year is frustrated/annoyed/upset. And I don't think it's unreasonable for people to have a moan online about it to vent those feelings.

 

But then I've seen a ton of drama on social media within the 'enthusiast community' crop up this week. Claims, with evidence, of people being homophobic, racist, bigoted and who knows what else. Digging deeper, I saw many self-entitled people going on and on about how unfair things are, I've seen people making statements like "parks abroad are open, so why aren't our's". Some absolutely crazy things, coming from adults who are all just within their own crazy bubble. It's mental, and a bit disheartening.

 

It made me happy though that at least forums like this aren't like that. Sure, TPM has never been perfect, and sadly it's quieter than ever on here, but for the most part these days, it's drama-free and pretty civil. Lords knows I'd prefer that over whatever happens on Twitter and other social media pages.

 

I stopped following a few people involved in the crazy drama, so hopefully I won't see any more of it and continue to live in blissful ignorance about the situation forevermore... 

[Glitch]

37 minutes ago, Benin said:

You really think that the McCann case is more important (the front page is THE most important story of the day after all) than the two MAJOR events currently going on?

Unfortunately a 13 year old story sells better than current events.

[Matt 236]

Things are far from perfect right now for many people. I’ve had several trips delayed/cancelled, life plans on hold and continue to be furloughed for the time being.

 

Whilst it’s really easy to just go on a rant and wave about everything not working out, I just try to remember a few things. There are a lot of people in a much worse position, whether they have lost their jobs, battling an illness or have lost a loved one. 
 

2020 has been an awful year for almost everyone, but I’m trying to focus on the first 2.1 months of the year which were actually enjoyable. Plus one day, there will be something to look forward to again. For everyone.

[Mark9]

On 6/5/2020 at 10:18 AM, Ivsetti said:

The media aren't allowed to talk about more than 1 thing?

 

Based on todays front page, it only becomes the main story when the protests can be seen as lawless and reckless. 

[Marc]

On 6/5/2020 at 9:46 AM, Benin said:

Yesterday's front pages annoyed the hell out of me.

 

Two massive worldwide issues going on atm. The UK Covid numbers are more than the rest of the EU combined, then we have the numerous protests in support of those across the pond.

 

Our media ignores those and looks at a 12 year old case about a middle class white girl who died due to the neglect of her parents (even if they didn't kill her themselves, they left 3 children in a hotel room alone, but of course they don't get blamed for that either).

 

And some say we're better than the Americans. 

You say that but media is one of the things which has really annoyed me during this whole pandemic  - and this is a good example, this graphic showing the UK having a higher death rate than the entirety of the EU, its still being shared over on Twitter now, its is so twisted almost to try scare people and I don't really get why - a bit of research shows Spain are literally lying about death numbers (you can see when they went from over 200 deaths per day to 2) and god knows how accurate other countries data are too - then the UK is accused of lying about death numbers because they added on 400 or so from previous weeks... surely that's the opposite of lying?