Ian Watoop
@watoop.bsky.social
Inevitably will be posting about UK politics or board games.
Not a big fan of where the human race has taken the planet at the moment.
Trying hard to keep the lights on in dark times.
Not a big fan of where the human race has taken the planet at the moment.
Trying hard to keep the lights on in dark times.
These kind of points assume the US wants NATO to continue. What about the possibility they need the EU out of the way as they might be on opposite sides in the future (i.e. supporting Putin)?
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 1:20 PM
These kind of points assume the US wants NATO to continue. What about the possibility they need the EU out of the way as they might be on opposite sides in the future (i.e. supporting Putin)?
Funny how all these 'communicators' suddenly stop 'communicating' when the sh*t hits the fan.
Wes Streeting, "UK secured trading terms with the US"
Sophy Ridge, "That were worse than they were before"
Wes Streeting, "I don't dispute that"
Sophy Ridge, "Has Donald Trump broken international law when it comes to Venezuela?"
Wes Streeting, "I've got nothing to add to that"
Sophy Ridge, "That were worse than they were before"
Wes Streeting, "I don't dispute that"
Sophy Ridge, "Has Donald Trump broken international law when it comes to Venezuela?"
Wes Streeting, "I've got nothing to add to that"
January 6, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Funny how all these 'communicators' suddenly stop 'communicating' when the sh*t hits the fan.
This is on the back of another site last week which listed their games by Publisher name ?!? in bold, with the game name itself in small non-Bold font beneath.
Why do so many board game shop sites have such terrible UIs (UK ones anyway)?
Just got an email from a UK site for a new year sale - the site has 137 pages of games where you can't increase the number on the page and 'sold out' items are mixed in with available stock. Awful experience. #boardgames
Just got an email from a UK site for a new year sale - the site has 137 pages of games where you can't increase the number on the page and 'sold out' items are mixed in with available stock. Awful experience. #boardgames
January 2, 2026 at 10:17 AM
This is on the back of another site last week which listed their games by Publisher name ?!? in bold, with the game name itself in small non-Bold font beneath.
Why do so many board game shop sites have such terrible UIs (UK ones anyway)?
Just got an email from a UK site for a new year sale - the site has 137 pages of games where you can't increase the number on the page and 'sold out' items are mixed in with available stock. Awful experience. #boardgames
Just got an email from a UK site for a new year sale - the site has 137 pages of games where you can't increase the number on the page and 'sold out' items are mixed in with available stock. Awful experience. #boardgames
January 2, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Why do so many board game shop sites have such terrible UIs (UK ones anyway)?
Just got an email from a UK site for a new year sale - the site has 137 pages of games where you can't increase the number on the page and 'sold out' items are mixed in with available stock. Awful experience. #boardgames
Just got an email from a UK site for a new year sale - the site has 137 pages of games where you can't increase the number on the page and 'sold out' items are mixed in with available stock. Awful experience. #boardgames
Also good words for underrated Knizia Poison and Festival:
#boardgames
#boardgames
December 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Also good words for underrated Knizia Poison and Festival:
#boardgames
#boardgames
Well, nothing like saving the best of the year until last. Vinhos was excellent. Done and dusted in just over 2 hours (3P) and just the right level of complexity / rules load to strategy.
Certainly in the top 3 best 'new to me' games from 2025.
#boardgames
Certainly in the top 3 best 'new to me' games from 2025.
#boardgames
December 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Well, nothing like saving the best of the year until last. Vinhos was excellent. Done and dusted in just over 2 hours (3P) and just the right level of complexity / rules load to strategy.
Certainly in the top 3 best 'new to me' games from 2025.
#boardgames
Certainly in the top 3 best 'new to me' games from 2025.
#boardgames
Having a go at Lacerda's Vinhos tomorrow. Going to use the 2016 rules and see how we go.
This will be my third Lacerda (after Lisboa, which I quite liked, and On Mars, which I didn't).
#boardgames
This will be my third Lacerda (after Lisboa, which I quite liked, and On Mars, which I didn't).
#boardgames
December 29, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Having a go at Lacerda's Vinhos tomorrow. Going to use the 2016 rules and see how we go.
This will be my third Lacerda (after Lisboa, which I quite liked, and On Mars, which I didn't).
#boardgames
This will be my third Lacerda (after Lisboa, which I quite liked, and On Mars, which I didn't).
#boardgames
Reposted by Ian Watoop
the thing that drives me insane about genAI/chatgpt bullshit is that brother, the process IS the work IS the entire thing. no artist comes to art for the final result. the final result is inextricable from the fucking labor that came into making it
December 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
the thing that drives me insane about genAI/chatgpt bullshit is that brother, the process IS the work IS the entire thing. no artist comes to art for the final result. the final result is inextricable from the fucking labor that came into making it
BBC News on Reiner's death quotes President Obama's social media post - but say nothing at all about Trump's disrespectful rant.
Which is not full reporting IMHO.
Which is not full reporting IMHO.
December 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
BBC News on Reiner's death quotes President Obama's social media post - but say nothing at all about Trump's disrespectful rant.
Which is not full reporting IMHO.
Which is not full reporting IMHO.
Just been to the Post Office.
They have installed video screens between the cashiers so you can 'enjoy' ads for Roblox while you wait.
Bladerunner dystopia edges closer.
They have installed video screens between the cashiers so you can 'enjoy' ads for Roblox while you wait.
Bladerunner dystopia edges closer.
December 4, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Just been to the Post Office.
They have installed video screens between the cashiers so you can 'enjoy' ads for Roblox while you wait.
Bladerunner dystopia edges closer.
They have installed video screens between the cashiers so you can 'enjoy' ads for Roblox while you wait.
Bladerunner dystopia edges closer.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
"The deal calls for the NHS to increase the net price it pays for new medicines by 25%."
Good job the NHS has so much money.....
"The deal calls for the NHS to increase the net price it pays for new medicines by 25%."
Good job the NHS has so much money.....
UK and US agree zero-tariff pharmaceuticals deal
Agreement also calls for NHS to increase net price it pays for new medicines by 25%
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:50 PM
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
"The deal calls for the NHS to increase the net price it pays for new medicines by 25%."
Good job the NHS has so much money.....
"The deal calls for the NHS to increase the net price it pays for new medicines by 25%."
Good job the NHS has so much money.....
Now the bank will not let me complete any transactions "as I have an active chat open".
So many sighs.
So many sighs.
Update - now have access after complaining.
Bank says transfer is 'over daily limit'.
Chat says "we aim to get back to you within 6 hours".
Total enshittification.
Bank says transfer is 'over daily limit'.
Chat says "we aim to get back to you within 6 hours".
Total enshittification.
The modern world.
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
November 27, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Now the bank will not let me complete any transactions "as I have an active chat open".
So many sighs.
So many sighs.
Update - now have access after complaining.
Bank says transfer is 'over daily limit'.
Chat says "we aim to get back to you within 6 hours".
Total enshittification.
Bank says transfer is 'over daily limit'.
Chat says "we aim to get back to you within 6 hours".
Total enshittification.
The modern world.
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
November 27, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Update - now have access after complaining.
Bank says transfer is 'over daily limit'.
Chat says "we aim to get back to you within 6 hours".
Total enshittification.
Bank says transfer is 'over daily limit'.
Chat says "we aim to get back to you within 6 hours".
Total enshittification.
Will Labour learn that trying to please the Right is always doomed to failure?
Of course it won't......
Of course it won't......
The predictable crushing uniformity of the coverage of this Budget tells you an awful lot about the priorities of those papers, and also why there's actually quite a lot to praise in it bylinetimes.com/2025/11/26/t...
November 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Will Labour learn that trying to please the Right is always doomed to failure?
Of course it won't......
Of course it won't......
The modern world.
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
November 27, 2025 at 9:14 AM
The modern world.
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
All I want to do is put some money in my cash ISA.
"Please record a video of your face"
(records video of face)
"This won't take long"
(takes 5 minutes)
"We are reviewing your account and will get back to you".
First students, now tourists. Good luck with that economic growth agenda.
Mayors in England to get power to impose tourism tax on overnight visitors at 'modest' rate - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
November 25, 2025 at 3:35 PM
First students, now tourists. Good luck with that economic growth agenda.
It's a bit early but here are the best 'new to me' board games of 2025:
Panamax
Bus
Inferno
Through Ice and Snow
Galactic Cruise
World Without End
Strike!
Startups
#boardgames
Panamax
Bus
Inferno
Through Ice and Snow
Galactic Cruise
World Without End
Strike!
Startups
#boardgames
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
It's a bit early but here are the best 'new to me' board games of 2025:
Panamax
Bus
Inferno
Through Ice and Snow
Galactic Cruise
World Without End
Strike!
Startups
#boardgames
Panamax
Bus
Inferno
Through Ice and Snow
Galactic Cruise
World Without End
Strike!
Startups
#boardgames
Played Inferno for the first time last night.
It was very, very good - certainly a top 5 for this year.
You need a few rounds to 'understand' the point scoring arc but there was lots of player interaction with the shared Hell board.
Length maybe 20 mins too long but definitely a keeper. #boardgames
It was very, very good - certainly a top 5 for this year.
You need a few rounds to 'understand' the point scoring arc but there was lots of player interaction with the shared Hell board.
Length maybe 20 mins too long but definitely a keeper. #boardgames
November 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Played Inferno for the first time last night.
It was very, very good - certainly a top 5 for this year.
You need a few rounds to 'understand' the point scoring arc but there was lots of player interaction with the shared Hell board.
Length maybe 20 mins too long but definitely a keeper. #boardgames
It was very, very good - certainly a top 5 for this year.
You need a few rounds to 'understand' the point scoring arc but there was lots of player interaction with the shared Hell board.
Length maybe 20 mins too long but definitely a keeper. #boardgames
Just listened to 10 minutes of analysis on Radio 4 about the new asylum measures.
A lot about party politics etc.
Not once was the question asked "is this morally right?"
A lot about party politics etc.
Not once was the question asked "is this morally right?"
November 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Just listened to 10 minutes of analysis on Radio 4 about the new asylum measures.
A lot about party politics etc.
Not once was the question asked "is this morally right?"
A lot about party politics etc.
Not once was the question asked "is this morally right?"
Just ..... no.
Government to ramp up deportations by overriding ECHR in fresh immigration crackdown
I would never have believed we would see a headline like this under a Labour government
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
I would never have believed we would see a headline like this under a Labour government
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Labour to ramp up deportations by overriding ECHR
Home secretary will attempt to change way ECHR is interpreted by UK judges – as critics hit out over proposals
www.independent.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Just ..... no.
Let's consider the people of Ukraine for this rather than the hysterical negativity about 'people on boats'.
Is this how we want to treat people fleeing from war?
Is this how we want to treat people fleeing from war?
It almost seems like Labour has become 'a black op' to get Reform into power.
How can they be so foolish?
All anyone with any moral sense will remember from this is that "the UK wanted to steal the jewellery of refugees".
How can they be so foolish?
All anyone with any moral sense will remember from this is that "the UK wanted to steal the jewellery of refugees".
November 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Let's consider the people of Ukraine for this rather than the hysterical negativity about 'people on boats'.
Is this how we want to treat people fleeing from war?
Is this how we want to treat people fleeing from war?
It almost seems like Labour has become 'a black op' to get Reform into power.
How can they be so foolish?
All anyone with any moral sense will remember from this is that "the UK wanted to steal the jewellery of refugees".
How can they be so foolish?
All anyone with any moral sense will remember from this is that "the UK wanted to steal the jewellery of refugees".
November 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
It almost seems like Labour has become 'a black op' to get Reform into power.
How can they be so foolish?
All anyone with any moral sense will remember from this is that "the UK wanted to steal the jewellery of refugees".
How can they be so foolish?
All anyone with any moral sense will remember from this is that "the UK wanted to steal the jewellery of refugees".
WTAF are we doing here? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum seekers’ jewellery could be seized to pay for processing costs, says Home Office minister
Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of people seeking asylum in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:53 AM
WTAF are we doing here? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
After 30 years, Labour has lost us.
November 16, 2025 at 10:19 AM
After 30 years, Labour has lost us.