While the wait continues for WeCrashed, Apple+ has another lavish, star-studded office-based drama to keep us going – and it centres on pretty much the opposite of flexible working.
While WFH during the pandemic may have done wonders for some, many others have suffered from a blurring of the lines as their study/bedroom/kitchen has become their place of employment, making it harder than ever to be off-the-clock. Work/life balance is so important to our health and wellbeing, and now Severance (streaming from 18 February) is here to drastically shift that balance. Directed by Ben Stiller, starring Parks and Recreation’s Adam Scott as Mark Scout and featuring such big names as Patricia Arquette and Christopher Walken, Severance focuses on Lumon Industries, where employees have agreed to a rather remarkable procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. According to the official Apple blurb: “This daring experiment in ‘work-life balance’ is called into question as Mark finds himself at the centre of an unravelling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and of himself.” Will episode one be the topic of water-cooler conversation for those in the office next week? It surely will, if they can remember watching it…
Cock-a-hoop
Diary was delighted to read that one of Britain’s oldest pubs could yet be saved, albeit we never actually knew it was in jeopardy. Apparently, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub has been serving ale in some shape or form in St Albans for 1,200 years, meaning that it has survived the Black Death, two world wars and surely other calamities our history knowledge isn’t up to recalling, but was set to close because of the financial struggles resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, landlord Christo Tofalli told The Guardian that he has been fielding “lots of phone calls” from prospective buyers, with auctioneers at JPS Chartered Surveyors handling the hoped-for sale. Fingers crossed the doors will remain open, and the pints will keep flowing… though, with the barbaric bloodsport banned in England almost 200 years ago, how long before someone calls for a name-change in these more enlightened times?
Love is… deciding whether to be joint tenants or tenants in common
Has the pandemic dampened the ardour of property PRs? Is the crass commercialisation of Valentine’s Day coming to an end? Once upon a time, we would have been inundated around 14 February with themed press releases ranging, in recent years, from the romantic (black roses) to the racy (how to create your own Fifty Shades of Grey-style red room). This year, though, only one mention of St Valentine in our inbox – but at least they did a poem. “Roses are red, violets are blue, let’s move in together, and get a mortgage too,” rhymed Brian Murphy, head of lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau. Which seems a little forward… at least buy us dinner first. But, no, he isn’t propositioning Diary – instead, he is offering useful advice to those celebrating the day by excitedly agreeing to cohabit. “As Cupid strikes this Valentine’s Day, many loved-up couples will be excitedly saying yes to buying a house together,” says Murphy. “It’s an exciting move and often one of the big stages in many people’s relationships. However, to ensure the process is as smooth as possible, it’s best to be as informed and prepared as you can, whether you’ve been together for years, or it’s a relatively new relationship.” While he concedes it is “not the most romantic Valentine’s Day dinner chat”, it’s important for couples to “discuss financials and possible challenges you might encounter” – working out what you can reasonably afford together, being fully honest about your financial history, considering exactly how the property will be owned and shared, and even giving thought to what might happen if things don’t work out. Whispering sweet nothings is one thing, but it’s crunching numbers that will spare a broken heart.
Super sub
We know you’ve been on tenterhooks all week for this, so we won’t keep you in any more suspense – the electricity substation in Bradford listed on eBay (“free collection in person”) sold for (supply your own drum roll, please)… £6,400. Which, to Diary, seems an absolute snip, given the development potential previously outlined by the seller. It almost makes us wish we’d taken a punt. A mere six additional bids were entered since we last wrote about this, seven days ago, but we are left wondering if one of our lucky readers claimed the prize – and what they plan to do with it. Bijou home, mini office hub? Please do get in touch to let us know.
