Andy’s Thought Dump

I’ll be the first to admit that I strongly dislike the current British Government and many of the people it. However, I’ve always said I’d be fair, and they have actually done something right. It isn't an overnight fix, and in my opinion, it doesn't quite go far enough yet, but it’s almost there. I’ve long believed that the railway should be publicly owned. For too long, we’ve had a fragmented system that just didn't work for the passenger. A Step Toward Public Ownership The move to bring passenger services back under public control is a massive step in the right direction. I believe the government needs to eventually own the trains they run, too. Keeping the operators and the freight companies separate makes perfect sense to me, it allows for a more streamlined system. My hope is that this new setup will lead to a "joined-up" relationship with the devolved Welsh and Scottish rail companies. We need a network that actually talks to itself across borders, rather th...

  I know, I know, everyone loves to bash Star Trek V: The Final Frontier . People say it’s the "odd one out" or that the special effects weren't up to scratch. But honestly? I think it’s a great movie. Sure, it’s silly in places and definitely a bit weird (I mean, they go looking for God at the center of the galaxy), and it might not reach the legendary heights of The Wrath of Khan or The Undiscovered Country . But that doesn't mean it isn't worth watching. In fact, there are a few reasons why it’s actually one of my favorites. The Debut of the Enterprise-A One of the biggest reasons I love this film is the ship. Yes, we saw the Enterprise-A at the very end of Star Trek IV , but The Final Frontier was its first "full" movie. Even though the ship is a bit of a "lemon" at the start of the film with Scotty constantly grumbling about the transporters and the doors not working it was great to see the crew finally back on a proper Bridge. It felt ...

  I’ve had enough. Is it just me, or has the simple act of receiving a parcel become a daily battle against incompetence? I’m talking about Evri . It’s not just me, either. I’ve seen countless posts on the local pages lately from people in the same boat. Many of my friends have had parcels simply not turn up. Others are getting notifications saying a parcel has been "delivered" when they are standing right there and the doorstep is empty. In some cases, they are just dumping them at the wrong address entirely. And when you actually manage to get through to them? They couldn't care less. A Heartbreaking Christmas Fail This hit home for us personally this week. Our young son was supposed to have one of his Christmas presents delivered. He’s autistic, and for him, things like his Minecraft gear aren't just toys - they are his world. We were so looking forward to seeing him smile when he saw it, as it would have looked amazing in his room. But, in typical fashion, Evri d...

  I’ve been getting more and more annoyed with the government lately - surprise, surprise. It feels like Labour is doing their absolute best to drive a massive wedge between able-bodied people, disabled people, and the unemployed. When I say a wedge, I mean a huge one. In my opinion, Labour is proving to be a disgusting party. Keir Starmer and his cabinet are using these tactics to keep the spotlight off their own failures, and the saddest part? It’s working on some people.   I’ve seen people on Universal Credit being accused of being "lazy" by people who work. Here’s a reality check: a huge number of people on UC are workers. If anyone thinks being on UC gives you the "life of Riley," go give your head a wobble. It’s a safety net that’s barely holding together, not a winning lottery ticket. The Job Snobbery I’ve also noticed the same "weak-minded" individuals attacking people for the jobs they do: "Oh, he’s useless, he works at McDonald’s." ...