to wonder what on earth they're doing at MNHQ for 30 seconds while they're unavailable?

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

It's just not long enough to pop to the shops, make a cuppa, lose some keys , nip to the loo.

So WTF are they doing when they're "offline for just a moment"?

Answers on a post-card please.

Big Tech's the one at the back that pushes...

Ooh Showy, maybe they've listened to my 2 teeny-weeny requests for a change.

I wonder if someone's decided to buy Carrie a key cabinet (from Pedlars, obv), and had to turn the power off while they got their drill out?

I think maybe somebody at HQ googled dragon butter, got into a bit of a pickle and pressed ctr alt del in a desperate attempt to get out of pornnasty.com, causing a bit of a blip. Same again when they googled blue waffle and spacedocking.

Chaos, what are the changes you want? I want editorial control over everybody else but they won't give it to me.

ShowOfHands thanks for that, i just googled dragon butter...[why is there no sick face?]

in fact ChaosTrulyReigns can you add that to your request?

Eating these, of course

They won't allow a sick face due to the emetophobes on here. It's MN lore, you NEVER google dragon butter.

I like SOH's theory. Or, they've seen a particularly interesting thread and have wondered over to have a look and close down MN so that people can't post and they have a chance to catch up.

Or, they're having tea, someone goes to get more biscuits and trips over the giant cable that plugs MN into the internet and it sometimes takes them a while to plug it back in/realise MN's off line.

Kind of reminds me of a thread there was one day about what we all think MN towers is like.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet and abs's 'cable'

Is she knitting the cable? I bet they did.

I just assumed they were replenishing the biscuit tin.

I'd bet the server's fallen over. They knocked it whilst wrestling over the biscuit tin.

I was assuming they all headed out for a quick smoke.

Or, MN is powered by members of MNHQ on something like this ('tis also how Justine and Carrie stay so slim with all those biscuits knocking about), and every now and then they have to change over the cyclist. that's when MN goes offline for a moment.

sorry but I have to google dragon butter

Don't do it. !!!!!!!

Don't ever google ANYTHING MENTIONED ON MN

Oh dear god that is gross.

Mind you, not as bad as being told to google munter by some wit on here on New years eve.

Ok borderslass have learned my lesson now

I think they just switch it off when we get really dull.

That would explain why it has been happening a lot lately what with flu, Christmas, Enders, flu, flu, Enders, Enders......

Can't say you weren't warned mumofloads

They are trimming.

Why are people so obsessed with Enders? Can't believe there has been a Letter.

I think they are repelling invasions from NMs. They have to shut the system down just long enough to poke the invaders with brooms until they cry go away.

I reckon its when one of the bats that hang in the rafters does a fly past. Everyone shrieks and ducks for cover under the tables thus dislodging some of the cables.

I'm wondering if it could just be exhaustion.

Similar to when we, as parents, say "ohforgoodnesssakecan't you lot just go and amuse yourselves for five minutes and just leave me in peace?"