What's made you grumpy today?

[The Picnic Wasp]

People shouldn't be allowed to take driving lessons until they prove they can walk about safely in busy public areas.

Suddenly stopping in entrances for no apparent reason, walking backwards, changing direction without looking, texting while walking, all examples of behaviour I'm pretty sure transfers over to their driving habits.

I was only out for about half an hour this morning.

Was it always like this?

I usually enjoy summer but am not looking forward to the wasp season if they are this grumpy this year.

I think you'd better put new batteries in your Aldi insect swatter.😁

[The Picnic Wasp]

Horrendous fire in Union Street, Glasgow city centre. The facade of the building has just collapsed as firefighters struggle to contain the blaze. So sad, such beautiful architecture probably gone for good. This side of Union Street backs directly onto Central Station on the east side. I don't know what the implications of that are as yet.

Doubly tragic as this street, once a fine shopping area has been the subject of many YouTube videos, detailing the demise of this once great city centre. After nightfall it seems to be just an area where drug addicts, drunks and immigrants congregate to lead their scummy pond lives.

Fire started at 4pm it seems. I hope it doesn't spread further that the affected building.

[Nickslikk2112]

Doubly tragic as this street, once a fine shopping area has been the subject of many YouTube videos, detailing the demise of this once great city centre. After nightfall it seems to be just an area where drug addicts, drunks and immigrants congregate to lead their scummy pond lives.

I think that's where I said to Mrs S last time we were in Glasgow: "This street is great, this has everything I expect to see in Glasgow" 

[The Picnic Wasp]

The fire has now spread to nearby Gordon St where the familiar domed roof on the corner has now also collapsed. This truly is awful.

[David L]

The fire has now spread to nearby Gordon St where the familiar domed roof on the corner has now also collapsed. This truly is awful.

News networks reporting that it started in a vape shop. Probably a lithium-ion battery, I'm guessing.

[The Picnic Wasp]

The fire has now spread to nearby Gordon St where the familiar domed roof on the corner has now also collapsed. This truly is awful.

News networks reporting that it started in a vape shop. Probably a lithium-ion battery, I'm guessing.

Made me think about the vape shop in our local village. It has flats above. Looks like that these shops shouldn't be permitted in residential buildings.

[David L]

The fire has now spread to nearby Gordon St where the familiar domed roof on the corner has now also collapsed. This truly is awful.

News networks reporting that it started in a vape shop. Probably a lithium-ion battery, I'm guessing.

Made me think about the vape shop in our local village. It has flats above. Looks like that these shops shouldn't be permitted in residential buildings.

Very risky technology

[David L]

Interesting intervention:

Jamie Strachan, Operations Director at VPZ | The Vaping Specialist, said: "We are aware of reports circulating on social media suggesting that the fire on Union Street in Glasgow originated in a VPZ store.
 
"We can confirm that the premises involved is not a VPZ store and is not connected to VPZ in any way. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the horrific incident.
 
"We would encourage the public and media to avoid speculation and rely on confirmed information from official sources."

Looks like it could've originated in 'Prime Vapour' just a bit further up Union Street, towards Gordon Street.
Are these places regulated adequately with regards to safety?.............of course they're not.

[Nickslikk2112]

Vape shops. All part of the enshitiffication of society. I read that a nail salon and tattoo parlour had been destroyed too. All a big part of today's shitty society and things which should have gone under if there had been a genuine cost of living crisis.

[The Picnic Wasp]

Vape shops. All part of the enshitiffication of society. I read that a nail salon and tattoo parlour had been destroyed too. All a big part of today's shitty society and things which should have gone under if there had been a genuine cost of living crisis.

About 30 businesses were destroyed in the fire. Scanning the list of names it looks like about 50% hair, nail and beauty salons. A smattering of fast food and coffee outlets, Paddy Power, Subway and an Immigration Centre.

I must try and find a listing for the types of businesses from thirty or forty years ago.

I shudder to think what my grandparents would make of our new city and society.

Earlier in the day sets of football fans were at least keeping 17th century traditions alive (and kicking).

Maybe it's divine retribution for the number of merchant slavers' names still represented in street and building titles.

[Nickslikk2112]

Looks like I'll be able to take in some Disaster Porn when I'm up in Glasgow in December then...

[Thenop]

Earlier in the day sets of football fans were at least keeping 17th century traditions alive (and kicking).

Like setting things on fire?

[captainkurtz]

Really sorry to read and see about the fire.  Was only in Glasgow on Saturday night for David Bryne, left by train yesterday morning. 

Awful news.

[The Picnic Wasp]

Really sorry to read and see about the fire.  Was only in Glasgow on Saturday night for David Bryne, left by train yesterday morning. 

Awful news.

One of my colleagues from my first place of work is David Byrne's cousin. He gave me a lift one day (1977) and I asked to look at LPs which were lying on the rear seat. One was Talking Heads who I had vaguely heard of at the time and he told me of the family link. DB was originally from Dumbarton and this was after the family had emigrated. His cousin thought he was weird.

[The Picnic Wasp]

Earlier in the day sets of football fans were at least keeping 17th century traditions alive (and kicking).

Like setting things on fire?

Well, there definitely seemed to be that intent at one point when the charging Rangers fans launched some kind of pyro into the Celtic stand.

I assume the already dead in the water idea of Glasgow teams playing in the English league system has been put back a couple of centuries.😁