Domestic Quirks – Dave Thomas's Blog

Whatever Happened To Plain Old Bonfire Night?

The shops have been telling me since the first week of September that Halloween is coming. Skeletons in the garden centre. Plastic spiders next to the biscuits. A pumpkin the…

DaveThomas October 31, 2026

Humour Language & Idioms Things People Say That Make No Sense Whatsoever

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs

It’s chucking it down. You stand at the window, watching the garden turn into a paddling pool, and announce to the empty room, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” Nobody checks…

DaveThomas October 28, 2026

CBPC System Motivation Personal Development

Be the Exception: Why Finishing What You Start Changes Everything.

“Less than 20% of people who start something ever finish. Be the exception.” — Darren Hardy Every now and then, you come across a quote that doesn’t just sound good…

DaveThomas October 25, 2026

#makeadifferenceday Every Day Observations GOM Diary

Making a Difference, Without Making a Song and Dance About It

The trouble with being helpful I've noticed that making a difference has become rather complicated. Apparently, it's no longer enough to do something kind. Ideally, you should photograph it, post…

DaveThomas October 24, 2026

Everyday Psychology Food and Daily Life Why Do We Do That?

Why Do We Smell Food That We Already Know Has Gone Off?

The fridge of no return You open the fridge and spot a container that has been lurking at the back for an unspecified period of time. You know what it…

DaveThomas October 21, 2026

Behavioural Psychology Confidence Building Personal Development

The Confidence Loop: How Small Wins Compound

Confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s a process — a loop — and anyone can run it. Here’s how it works: You take a small action. Not a big leap.…

DaveThomas September 21, 2026

Language & Etymology Things People Say That Make No Sense Whatsoever

Cat Got Your Tongue?

Someone asks you a question. You freeze, mouth slightly open, absolutely nothing coming out. And what does the person opposite you say? "What's wrong, cat got your tongue?" Now stop…

DaveThomas September 20, 2026

#WorldCleanUpDay Grumpy Old Man Hashtag Holidays

The GOM Diary: World Cleanup Day

So apparently today is World Cleanup Day. Millions of people, all over the planet, armed with bin bags and gloves, going out to pick up rubbish that other people dropped.…

DaveThomas September 19, 2026

Behavioural Science Focus & Attention Productivity Psychology

Why Your Brain Loves the Wrong Problems

If you’ve ever wondered why you spend more time on emails, admin, and tiny tasks instead of the things that actually matter… it’s not laziness. It’s biology. Your brain is…

DaveThomas September 18, 2026

Everyday Psychology Why Do We Do That?

Why Do We Open the Fridge Twice, Looking for Different Answers?

You open the fridge. You stand there. You survey the shelves — the sad lone yoghurt, the jar of something unidentifiable at the back, the block of cheese that's seen…

DaveThomas September 18, 2026