Finished a complaints letter to an insurance company.
Archived all my image files.
Found my professional indemnity insurance certificate and filed it in my Diploma portfolio.
Arranged to collect my Diploma Case Study which had gone astray in the Tutor's hands.
Congratulated my grandson's other grandma on her brilliant grandchild.
Had a long lovely chat with my grandson's father.
Got the latest and best photo of my grandson.
Completed my Facebook profile.
Copied a video tape to hard disc in order to transfer it to DVD and be able to throw the tape away.
Emailed everyone who needed to know my grandson was born.
Acknowledged a message from my ex re grandchild. Hmmmm.
Phew ! I'm exhausted. But happy.
Sounds like an adventure. :)
Started filling my taxes for the first time--I want to beat the living day lights out of for congratulate the person who designed the California tax system in all it's confusing and idiotic complexity. ( :o )
Got my Sando 30 LAR shot.
Bought groceries for someone else and didn't lose their list OR their debit card.
Read185 messages on my cancer e-list, started setting up a fund raiser for the founding of "Zebra House" in Kenner, Louisiana, where so many of 'us' go for surgery.
:claphands: :claphands: :claphands:
Dujes, you are inspirational.
I think this is a good idea
can we all do it?
it helps me focus on the positive
I sent an email complaint letter to a wedding listing company-they keep billing me even though I have properly (as per business agreement) told them not to bill me any longer.
Helped a lost and not very bright professor arrange parking for her students so that she could take them on a University field trip. Note: I am positive the prof is brilliant at her thing, her speciality, but not this anyway.
Did my daughters taxes- with her-second year and she is learning. (and yes Scrib i've heard about those Cali taxes!, in fact as I was born there I still get something from them, i suppose they figure we will just blanch at the forms and simpy send them something :mrgreen:)
to-dos
do something about Mt. VHSuvius in my living room, unpacked them all. Well at least I now have end tables.
Half installed the new chant room at the Hermitage.
Burned the DVD copy of the video tape.
Paid 2 cheques into the bank that have been lurking for weeks.
Got a beautiful bracelet using the credit note from one that broke; credit note having also lurked - for a year - and actually expired on 31st March but the shop honoured it.
Picked up my case study from the Tutor who mislaid it.
Bought 10 CDs to copy audio tapes to (so I can listen to them in bed) - kicking off a New Project - the transfer audio tapes project.
Bought some cheap picture frames to put Baby Photos in.
Had a migraine.
Failed to buy any food. Too bloody knackered.
Failed to order supermarket food delivery online. Too bloody knackered.
To Do: Decide whether to raid the freezer and risk food poisoning as everything in there is about 6 years old.
Timescale: whenever migraine clears up enough to eat.
Let's see...couldn't sleep last night, so I researched Etsy shops and wholesale yarn purchasing on the 'net, then slept half the day.
Responded to a list of knitters and crocheters, responded to three yarn companies (No, I do NOT wish to purchase 2 tons of woolen yarn, custom dyed, thank you.) gathered patterns that would work with a basic Red Heart Economy Grade Yarn (basic scarf, hooded scarf, toboggan-type cap, uhhh. I forget)---and played Doggie Mommy to a Schnauzer with a chunk of glass in the pad of his foot. (Got 2 face lickin's and a nose-kissy.)
Attended a Democrat's Club meeting, took on the getting of an appreciation gift for retiring County Chair, sluffed Precinct Chair (our precinct) off on Dan, got appointed as interim Precinct Chair for another precinct that doesn't have one...AND WE HAVE A RUN-OFF TUESDAY!!
Started gathering the "You MIGHT be a 'Noid" one-liners for collection into a booklet, and possibly a sleep-shirt with illustrations. Decided that we don't have (as many of us were misdiagnosed) IBS--Irritable Bowel Syndrome, we instead have INS--Irritable 'Noid Syndrome.
Got to my e-mail about 10, got here about midnight.
Tomorrow is MOMday... :tantrum:
Bought two jars of instant coffee.
Saw two clients.
Cursed third client who did not arrivve (DNA) (something wrong with their genetic makeup).
Left agency early so had a drink in pub garden on way home with nice colleague.
Eyed up local talent in pub garden. Not impressed.
Posted three letters.
Failed to buy food. Too knackered.
Put rubbish out.
Spoke to neighbour but could no longer stand up.
Crawled back into bed.
Failed to order food online. Too bloody knackered.
Food crisis increased by order of magnitude.
Am going to crash into early evening sleep any minute and when I wake up the take away delievery places will all have shut.
Suspect baked beans option will be invoked at 3 am.
NOTE when not doing these things in these lists it can be assumed I am asleep. Asleep is my default position.
NOte2. Hours left to qualify: 17 (19 before today's two clients. Was expecting it to be 16 <sigh>)
Hugged kid.
Kissed husband.
Respected cat.
Attended Parent Advocates of Gifted and Talented students meeting. Offered to help them with website.
Bought brekky snax for Opsalette's sleepover tonight.
Tended little (intentional) sprouts on windowsill.
Ignored unintentional sprouts, dustbunnies and mud on shoes.
Got little greenhouse together for sprout's future use.
Got clothes clean.
Responded with gratefulness to someone's response to an email interview I needed for town newsletter.
Responded with gratefulness to the Great Everything for eveything that is okay in this world.
Did Mom-stuff.
Was approached about running for City Council. :o :o :o
Hiding out in case any other weirdness comes lookin' for me.
Woke up... (I would almost say that's enough of hard work for today)
Managed to crawl out of bed... (I will stop drinking one day, I promise)
Went to grandparents for lunch... (haven't seem them for a long time)
Bought a fridge magnet to help guide-dogs...
Hypnotizing a to-do-list my girlfriend wrote hoping the words would disappear...
To do: a lot of cleaning, scrubbing, ironing, etc.......
Today I took a 5 hour nap.
Gonna go back to bed soon, too. :mrgreen:
Put together a semi-schedule for the next two semesters.
Downloaded a couple gigs of music (LEGALLY!)
Went to work, told boss not to schedule me before 11am ever again.
Reminded partner that she's taking my 7am shift tomorrow.
Got new shirt for launch and new partner card (pike's peak, baby!)
To do--
Put together lamp for above my bed :)
Flesh out schedule ::)
Email econ department head at UOP about business courses ::)
Buy new headphones. I go through these things so quickly! :(
Plant tomatoes :mrgreen:
Buy more tomatoes, and some peppers and about a zillion other plants
Deposit pay check
Yesterday
Went to family celebration do (included watching a power point presentation but missed the speeches as was asleep in a secret lounge I found).
Today - has only just begun - laterz.
Edit laterz
Opened two weeksworth of post. Threw envelopes away. Tidied rest into a heap.
Satisfaction rating: 2
Slept until noon, went and got Mom's medicine (ate Chinese food while in a town with Chinese restaurants) and brought my friend Denise a Venti Breve Toffeenut Latte with Whipped Cream on it. (This is significant because I did NOT have to call her and then repeat what she wanted to the barista. The Bryan Starbucks crew was VERY proud of me!)
Add my voice to that proud set. :mrgreen:
Done:
Planted tomatoes and an onion
Made dinner (that no one ate, because they are ingrates)
Put together lamp
Deposited pay check
Slept until 11AM
Went to doctor
Took nap from 4:30-7:30
Chased a bat out of Denise's house
When the restaurant we were at (the little local 'hometown' place) filled up real fast and the fairly new waitress got behind, I poured tea and coffee and helped out with the small stuff. I can still carry two tea pitchers with one hand, but it has to be the right one now...and I can still 'pour from the side' to get ice into the glass--without spilling. I also carried 3 mugs of coffee in one hand. Over 30 years ago, but I can still 'do the basics'!
Went to pick up orange "Earth Day" trash pickup bags and safety vests for our neighborhood litter crew, which is made up of people under the age of ten and myself. (I'm mentally a ten-year-old.)
Got up.
Abluted.
Tidied and cleaned.
Broke glass. (one of my Turkish tea glasses. Survived road trip across Europe with parents for 4 months, and I drop it taking it out of the packaging.)
Swore a lot.
Tidied up glass fragments (HOW do they travel that far?)
About to start cooking.
Rome Season 2 lined up for after din-dins.
Woke up in a hotel room in Gävle.
Called the driver of the train I was about to relieve, and found out that the train (coming from the far north) actually was on time, which was a first for me this year. In consequence, I had to leg it pretty fast out of the hotel and up to the goods yard.
Worked train 42041 from Gävle goods yard to Älvsjö intermodal terminal, then took the locos back to my home depot and stabled them.
Had a chat with my boss about a few things
Had a chat with staff planning about my upcoming schedule -I need to move a rest day, so I can go and see Einstürzende Neubauten with Darlica when they come to Stockholm later this month.
Went on a shopping spree in a stationary shop on the way home -bought file organizers, labels, bookrests and other exciting stuff.
Went home, fixed lunch.
Started doing tons and tons of laundry
Gave Darlica a hug when she came home from a garden and plant fair she had been to with a few girlfriends.
Did more laundry.
Am now waiting for laundry to dry, which is more exciting than watching paint dry, but not as exciting as watching sourdough ferment.
There was dinner somewhere in there, too, but it was a rather boring affair.
I spent most of the day at a garden exhibition/garden and plant fair and in company of two of my oldest and dearest friends. A lot of laughing and joking and general merriment. :D
Bought some interesting seeds and bulbs (I'll post about it later in the garden forum).
Came home got hugs from Lindorm, helped him with the laundry a bit, had dinner.
Yesterday I went to the dentist
Today I saw three clients. 14 hours to go and counting......
I got up at a decent hour! Do you know how exciting that is?
Very, very exciting.
Mowed the lawn
Read up on something I promised a friend I would do for him, even though I think it's deeply silly.
Drank large amounts of green matte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate).
To do:
Research paper
Re-write other paper
Wash apron (as I open tomorrow--hopefully for the last time)
Take my kid to school in the morning
Check a few things pending for the website
Add funds to some accounts (the admin still doesn't manage that ::))
Study a bit for the audition today
Pick up my kid (and put some gas in my car)
Drive to WPB to my audition
Audition for next season (sang some Haendel and som Mozart). It didn't went as well as I would've liked, but whatcha gonna do :-\
Drive back
Pick up some pizzas for dinner
Watch TV...
---
Oh! Significant! From all that? My audition (I guess)...
Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on April 12, 2008, 12:40:28 AMDrank large amounts of green matte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate).
I did the same on Friday night - after a week of avoiding anything stronger than green tea. I was still buzzing on Saturday morning when I woke up (yes I slept - but it was not restful).
I cleaned the balcony today - BIG significance as there was 8 months worth of recycling, bottles, and pigeon crap on it. Still need to deal with the pigeon crap, though. ::)
Took said recycling in and will be loading the bottles into the car for return soon.
Took Laura to the airport, for her 3 week holiday in Australia. Not jealous. No, not at all.
Yesterday I hit my computer with a big stick.
Quote from: Griffin NoNameYesterday I hit my computer with a big stick.
And how did you
feel about that? ;)
College Supervision - last but two or three - getting REALLY significant...
Food shop - at last food !! - also REALLY significant
Slept. A LOT.
Took Denise to get her 'indigent' health care reinstated, after they screwed her around for 5 months.
Going to sleep EARLY, so that I can get up at midnight, take my meds and then be NPO until my endoscopy. (Gonna eat a Pop Tart with 'em.) Oh, and did my pre-admit for the procedure...
Packed the last book in my library. :'(
Looking at 30 meticulously packed boxes of books and trying to feel sense of accomplishment rather than sense of bereavement.
Spent an hour wandering around apartment, discombobulated, because there is nothing here to read. Will be desperate enough to buy and read cereal boxes in another week.
Thank god for the internets...
Drove 120 miles to Bill's new house.
Fixed dinner for all the folks that were helpin' with the move. (OK, main dish and one side, had him buy salad and dessert.) Being lazy, I did basically the easiest, tastiest pork and rice dish on the planet.
Watched people move stuff in, then went through and pointed out what things could be done to give a more spacious look to what is essentially a very small house. Walked the yard, showed what needed to be cut out/down or back to the extreme (you can't see the house for the trees and overgrown shrubs...) and redesigned the flowerbeds.
Drove home. Only talked to Mom twice today, which was 3 times too many...did NOT drive back here and go immediately to kill her. I deserve a prize.
Same ole , same ole . We finally have spring , I've been rearranging plants outside , dug up some ground cover plants from a clients house and trants planted them here . Was a bit rushed so I left a few big divots (damned ground hogs) . Also bought some forced easter lilies for the instant color ( last seasons lilies aren't due to flower for another month.
Had to give the forty year old teenager notice . Loathed to do it though , but he is 8 months behind .
Bought food.
Had a 'come to Jesus meetin' with some of somebody else's doctors, and informed them that if their patient died without the spousal equivalent/medical power of attorney being cognizant that it WOULD be soon, very soon, that I personally will rip their heads off and go bowling on the freeway with them.
THEY get paid the big bucks, they can do their damn job...
Gots our tickets for Shambhala (http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/). ^^
Fixed a rooftop A/C for a local McD's. This way, the patrons can eat their little chlorestral-sticks in the relative comfort of low humidity, cool air.
What was wrong, was one of 2 fans that suck air across the cooling fins, had quit.
Normally, I'd have just tried a new capacitor-- that is usually what fails.
But, a stick through the grille, attempting to spin the motor revealed it was starting to seize up. A motor ought to rotate freely, and should free-wheel at least 1 full turn, if you *twack* the fan blades with a screwdriver handle. This little beauty would turn, but as soon as I quit pushing-- stopped immediately. Not good.
I had to go and fetch a new motor-- was a Lennox, so I needed one of theirs. There's a factory plug on the side, makes changing it pretty easy, really. In and out (once I had the new motor-- across town, natch) in about 15 minutes.
Then I spent 2 hours cleaning all 3 rooftop units-- the coils had developed a nasty case of "dryer lint fuzz". Blocks the airflow, reduces the efficiency-- translates to much higher electricity use for a given cooling factor. You simply cannot have the coils too clean, but any dirt will translate to more $$ out-of-pocket.
Anyway, handed in the bill. High, but the motor cost them $175, which was the better half of the bill.
Not bad for a days work.
Except I hate their stupid ladder-- too straight. Oh well, beats dragging my ladder off the truck.
Hey, you get to do on a big scale what I spent decades doing on titchy fans in PCs and servers.
I've got to ask this though; How can a ladder be too straight? Too flimsy, rusty, rotten, heavy I can follow, but too straight? Or is it a vertigo inducing bolted-to-the-wall type?
Saved a wren just now.
I was here at the computer when the cat came in with something in it's mouth. I caught her and carried her to the front door, put her outside and said "spit it out" but she had dropped it! I looked back and in the doorway was a little stunned wren.
I picked it up with one hand, shooed kitty back in with my foot and took my socks off with the other hand so I could walk out into the muddy yard. I held the pretty little brown bird in my open hand. I looked at it for injuries, but could only see a messed up place on it's feathers. I stroked its head and sang it a little song. I walked out into the yard, looking for a place to set it where it might recover in peace and safety. It kept looking at me and blinking like it was going to pass out. Then suddenly it flew off into a pine tree and sat there looking at me. I turned around and walked away slowly so it could see I wasn't going to chase it.
I went back out the other door and heard a wren song. I'd like to think it was the little bird. Beautiful song.
Took my car for servicing and a new spare tyre. I wish I could have a new spare tyre.
Quote from: beagle on April 22, 2008, 08:47:37 PM
Hey, you get to do on a big scale what I spent decades doing on titchy fans in PCs and servers.
I've got to ask this though; How can a ladder be too straight? Too flimsy, rusty, rotten, heavy I can follow, but too straight? Or is it a vertigo inducing bolted-to-the-wall type?
:thumbsup: That, and too-wide spacing of the tiny cross-section rungs. Designed for a robot, really-- not someone with meat-hands. (my feet are protected by steel-shank boots, which provide support)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Quote from: Opsanus tau on April 22, 2008, 09:18:47 PM
...... I'd like to think it was the little bird. Beautiful song.
*sniff* That's a moving moment, really.
Slept, hurt, talked with hospice and chaplains...
To bed soon, I hope.
Clocked up another two hours client work. (10 hours left to do now.)
Paid a small fortune to the garage for sorting my car out.
Had a violent migraine.
Dan and I replaced the thermostat on the van. I Googled the location in the cooling system, he picked it up at the parts store, we both did the work, since Chrysler thinks all mechanics have an extra hand... ::) ::) ::) Just now, we replaced the gasket as well.
Grocery shopped for Mom, developed a killer tension headache. (Mom related, imagine that...)
Started prep for testing tomorrow and Monday. :puke:
They :pokestick: :pokestick: :pokestick: and I just wanna :axe: :axe: :axe: :axe: :axe:
Had an argument with my bank.
Got my car insurance rates lowered. They said I'm saving $330ish, but I can't figure it out because the monthly rate mentioned is half of what I pay now. P'raps is pro-rated to end of year - rough calculations indicate it as such. Which means actually am saving $1000 a year over previous rates.
:woot:
Three more client hours under the belt. Seven to go now.
Although if some of the clietnts had their way it would take at least a week for every 1 hour - they still go on cancelling and wanting to tag replacemet sessions weeks ahead. I'll soon have bald patches from pulling my hair out. I have decided I am not doing more than another 3 weeks even if hell freezes over.
Followed up with contact - did not give my name, was casually forwarded to her voice mail as per usual.
Called back and told receptionist I wanted to speak to someone in the chain of command. Now. Gave my name. She actually squeaked at hearing it and immediately trasnferred me to top banana, who didn't even try to put me into voice mail. We had a nice little chat about my...concerns. He verbally tap-danced like a vaudeville veteran for 15 minutes without prompting from me. I figure that the longer he blithered, the more he knew that I. Am. Angry. and the more they might, in fact, be at least partially at fault.
No immediate resolution to my satisfaction, but interesting feedback (admitted lying to me, amongst other concessions) and I think they are actually making an effort now.
Quote from: pieces o nine on April 25, 2008, 09:03:06 PM
No immediate resolution to my satisfaction, but interesting feedback (admitted lying to me, amongst other concessions) and I think they are actually making an effort now.
Sucks.
And, at the same time--- At Last.
Why did it require a Grand Inquisition, though? Just to get them to do their jobs?
Reminds me of the time my parents had a busted water pipe, and made insurance claims for quite a bit of their stuff.
They basically "rolled" over most of the claims-- I did most of the labor fix-up anyway, not a big deal.
But, their piano (small spinet, had since I was a wee lad. water ruined it). Short version: they had to file in court, before the adjuster would even talk.
The company settled, my parents "won" (canceled the court appearance, after the check cleared....)
Bottom line: Why does it take the equivalent of and EARTHQUAKE for people to do their FUCKIN' JOBS!!!!!
(sorry, but no other word actually fits properly..... I'll be contrite, now and mop the floors as retribution for swearing...)
Because the American Business Model is screw the consumer as much as possible and don't back down until you're about to be killed?
==================
Just now, I gave a significant dog bath. :beagle: :beagle: Ok, it SHOULD be a Schnauzer, one who chose to roll in a mud puddle by the barn. :doosh: Used the shower and didn't really do anything but a rinse and promise, as bathing Spencer is a full day adventure for 2 STRONG people. He's NOT fond of the shampoo process...
Got a Good Haircut.
This is significant as I can count the times it's happened on one hand. I am NEVER going to other than a Korean stylist, EVER. I considered driving to Vancouver for a haircut after my last one moved, but we found a new one, even better.
Quote from: Agujjim on April 27, 2008, 01:17:25 AM
Got a Good Haircut.
This is significant as I can count the times it's happened on one hand. I am NEVER going to other than a Korean stylist, EVER. I considered driving to Vancouver for a haircut after my last one moved, but we found a new one, even better.
I see this and think, "what's the big deal?" then I remember that I typically have a burr cut, which I do myself with a home-trimmer and a 1/4" comb attachment. Then I use a pair (right & left) of taper combs and I'm done. Snap.
But, if you want your hair longer than 1/4" or so.... yeah, I could see that. :)
___________________________________________________
Today, I went over and drained out about 1/2 quart of oil out of my mother's car-- was overfilled. This was my fault, as when I put the oil in, I did not wait for it all to drain to the bottom. Hurrying gets you nowhere. But, as the oil was so new, we saved it in a jar, to be put back, when the car gets 1/2 quart down, about 1/2 way to the next change.
While there, straightener out one of their gutters that a falling branch had mangled. Convinced them to keep it-- it's in the back, and looks pretty good.
Also banged out a dent in their yard-shed.
Slept.
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on April 27, 2008, 01:48:16 AMI see this and think, "what's the big deal?" then I remember that I typically have a burr cut, which I do myself with a home-trimmer and a 1/4" comb attachment. Then I use a pair (right & left) of taper combs and I'm done. Snap.
But, if you want your hair longer than 1/4" or so.... yeah, I could see that.
I have a freakin' huge forehead and a lumpy skull.... short does not work without serious stylist talent. The more usual lengths tend to end up looking somewhere between a Beatle's moptop and Donald Trump.
I took part in the referendum about Berlin's old Tempelhof airport
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempelhof_International_Airport
Slept
Quote from: Griffin NoName on April 28, 2008, 01:00:38 AM
Slept
Me too.
Mould pollon way up-- can't breathe. Inhalers only barely functional ..... *bleah*
Missed a very good live-music concert as result. (no, was free, so no money lost...)
Also slept.
Gonna sleep more, as tomorrow is MORE TESTING DAY!! Wednesday is 'find out what's changed' day.
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on April 28, 2008, 04:52:59 AM
Also slept.
Gonna sleep more, as tomorrow is MORE TESTING DAY!! Wednesday is 'find out what's changed' day.
Be well, Chatty, be well.
*good thoughts* :tlite:
Well, I am behind here.
Wednesday was 'find out we have inflammation of the pancreas day'.
Thursday was 'cook all day' making pork loin and rice for a multitude, as well as multiple cakes, all shaped like the State of Texas! Dem county meeting, with a thank you party for the retiring County Chair. 'We' gave her a beautiful crystal bowl (I had it, still in the box, and wasn't ever going to DO anything with it, and she has and displays some lovely crystal) and a certificate, and flowers (I did those as well).
She's a smart cookie, and know exactly where the effort came from...
Friday, we picked up Michael's ashes.
Today, I slept.
Slept
read a book
I've been digging, and cutting down (unwanted) shrubbery in the common garden belonging to the house we live in now.
:dighole:
I got the green light and some money to build a small elevated herb garden so that's what I been doing the last two days. The shrubbery, well it was/is (there is still a lot left of it) is ugly and unkempt and it attracts the neighbourhood cats (and snails) It also shaded my little patch... :)
Printed and framed grandson photos. One is for my dilection. The rest are for establishing a post-death record that I cared.
Quote from: Griffin NoName
Printed and framed grandson photos. One is for my dilection. The rest are for establishing a post-death record that I cared.
I hope you don't label it that way...snark tends to undermine one's saintliness outside one's support group...
:hug:
Quote from: pieces o nine on May 07, 2008, 04:48:08 AM
Quote from: Griffin NoName
Printed and framed grandson photos. One is for my dilection. The rest are for establishing a post-death record that I cared.
I hope you don't label it that way...snark tends to undermine one's saintliness outside one's support group...
Naturally not. I just labelled them: "In support of the picture framing industry" :ROFL:
fed the grand high fish it's food before work-- it was the only awake living being who would have coffee with me.
knocked off another client hour
Finally installed the new ceiling fan in my son's room.
Fulfilled my ultimate function...brought home dog food.
Spent too much time here: http://punditkitchen.com
LOLpoliticians...
1. Packed all my own art and the Egyptian and Medieval artifictions. (reproductions of artifacts)
2. Dismembered 6 bookshelves and twined shelves into sets of four.
3. Laid on couch and watched Dr. Who with Dom the Danger Cat.
Knocked off another three client hours - and ended with one of them, leaving me with three clients and three final sessions next week.
Bought food. Mistake: migraine. Pills. Slept. Woke. Migraine. More pills.
Nausea.
Watch Galactica
Troubleshoot my DB connection with the server for 30 minutes with hosting support. ::)
Now, I'll have to make the report I couldn't because I couldn't connect. >:(
Sleep.
Ate cheeseburger.
Gonna go sleep again.
Ordered knickers.
Phoned my mother.
Went shopping for a dress with a good friend of mine, she has a vernissage next week and needed something to wear (she's the one that usually helps me when I get dress related panic). We found a nice black and white one, bought some deep red fabric to make a fancy bag of and a deep red fake but very life like flower that will be turned in to a hair decoration of some sort.
Now I'm designing her business cards, from nothing to sheaths ready for print.
I owe her a lot of work hours for all dresses and skirts she have made for me or helped me with, this is a drop in the ocean. :)
Experimented with data binding in Windows Presentation Foundation. Got large drink.
Returned Dan's new (2 days owned) and broken Black and Decker Random Orbit Sander to Loew's, expecting a hassle.
No hassle, bought a Bosch sander that's NOT made with excessive amounts of plastic parts. (Still have the other, 5 month old Black and Decker that the telephone staff assured me was NOT defective, just 'overused for 5 months'. Yeah...B&D is off the buy list except for bits and blades.)
Since we had to go to Bryan anyway, bought books, ate Chinese food. We love Half Price Books, especially the clearance section.
Bought Mom dinner and 2 books for Mother's Day tomorrow. Will take her something...I don't know what...tomorrow. (Brownies, probably.)
Spent day with old college roommate.
Had fun!
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on May 11, 2008, 02:29:30 AM
Returned Dan's new (2 days owned) and broken Black and Decker Random Orbit Sander to Loew's, expecting a hassle.
No hassle, bought a Bosch sander that's NOT made with excessive amounts of plastic parts. (Still have the other, 5 month old Black and Decker that the telephone staff assured me was NOT defective, just 'overused for 5 months'. Yeah...B&D is off the buy list except for bits and blades.)
Since we had to go to Bryan anyway, bought books, ate Chinese food. We love Half Price Books, especially the clearance section.
Bought Mom dinner and 2 books for Mother's Day tomorrow. Will take her something...I don't know what...tomorrow. (Brownies, probably.)
Yep. B&D is hobbiest grade, even their bits & blades. ;D Skil is too, unfortunately.
My favorite is Rigid, from Home Depot, or DeWalt from anywhere. Milwaukee is still American made, and also quite good. Bosh is a good middle-grade tool, as is much of Hitachi's stuff. Porter-cable still makes excellent electric-corded tools. I've no experience with their cordless stuff. Anything by RotoZip is top-notch, still. Dremil's top-line stuff is good. Avoid their lower price tools-- wear out too soon.
Let's see: hand tools? Crescent is good, as is Greenlee and Klein. Sears' Craftsman hand tools are still Good Enough, but not the best anymore. Snap-on is excellent, but pricy. Channellock is good. Stanley is okay for hobbiest and occasional weekend work, but not day-to-day. Metals' too soft to last. Leatherman and Gerber both make excellent multitools-- I've got a Gerber slide-to-open on my daily-carry belt even now ($50). :tjack:
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on May 11, 2008, 02:29:30 AM
Returned Dan's new (2 days owned) and broken Black and Decker Random Orbit Sander to Loew's, expecting a hassle.
No hassle, bought a Bosch sander that's NOT made with excessive amounts of plastic parts. (Still have the other, 5 month old Black and Decker that the telephone staff assured me was NOT defective, just 'overused for 5 months'. Yeah...B&D is off the buy list except for bits and blades.)
Black & Decker goes by the name Black & Brittle in our house... We have mostly De Walt or Bosch power tools, we still have one or two ancient Skil machines too, heavy as sin but they still work...
Bosch with Dormer bits for me. Unfortunately most retail places here major on Black and Decker or Draper.
Quote from: Darlica on May 11, 2008, 10:00:38 AM
Skil machines too, heavy as sin but they still work...
Ancient Skil machines were almost a work of art. Sadly, the brand has suffered "cheaper is better" syndrome.
I FINALLY remembered the Cadallac of power tools, 'round hereabouts: Hilti.
If you want to purchase a tool you will hand down to your grandchild (like those ancient venerable Skil tools) save up and get a Hilti.
Cost you, though. Performance and reliability don't come cheap.
I've been hearing some Bad Things about DeWalt, of late-- sadly. Hope they don't go down the path Skil and B&D went down....
FFS They Even Drift the what have I done thread. Where's the despair smilie?
Prepared portfolio for Tutorial signature tomorrow. ;D
Doing much significant sleeping, some being weak and nauseated.
Not amused.
Had to let my Tutor keep my portfolio and she has locked it in the exam cupboard. I hadn't finished with it but she said it didn't matter. I hope she is right.
I went to an job interview and I ended up turning down the job.
Too many hours, for too little money plus about an hour commuting time in each direction, among other things... :(
You did the right thing. You would have surely regretted taking that job.
Turned in my final paper in my lit class, took my psych final annnd...Oh yeah! Came back here. :)
Congratulations and welcome back! :)
Had another argument with my bank.
Dealt with 2 weeksworth of post. Bills.
1. 95% packed:
40(!) boxes of mostly reference books from last move condensed to 32. yay.
8 bankers boxes of 2D & 3D studio supplies, power/other tools, & misc. equipment condensed to 6. yay.
6 bankers boxes of quilting and Renaissance fabrics increased to 9. oops.
2. Found a 'good home' for my leather sofa (wah!) so it won't wind up next to the dumpsters like everyone else's has. yay. Palms will not be crossed with silver, paper, or Godiva chocolates in payment. not yay.
3. Took assortment of nice pagany-things to the May meet-up for donation to this month's charity auction. Small turnout, but nice amount collected for designated cause. Said goodbyes to relevant pagan peeps. Allowed some time to surf web.
Woke up
Actually ate 3 small meals in one 36 hour period.
Amazed at energy level, also at stable blood sugar... :doh!:
OK, now you know eating regularly helps. STICK TO IT! :bop:
;D
Talked to doctor. Agreed that more testing is needed.
Got a suggestion as to which neurologist to see.
Today, I fixed a woman's A/C. Was in her attic, was hot and humid, but not unbearable.
The previous "installer" (and I use that term loosely) had done such a bum-up job, that the condensate drain had come loose. But, it's worse: he created a situation so bad, that the plastic catch-drain pan underneath the A/C bits (the parts that sweat out the humidity in the air, and pipe it away-- the MAIN reason A/C works) actually MELTED into the furnace! Melted!
Anyway, there was an overflow "safety" pan that was literally FULL of water! This pan is SUPPOSED to be an "emergency spare tire" sort of thing-- NOT a full-time catch the condensate thing. It WAS plumbed to the outside, which came as a huge surprise.
And the old furnace he'd replaced was STILL in the attic....
Anyway, I had to remove the A-coil, and replace the drain pan with a new one, re-install the A-coil, and re-seal everything up. AND fix the many flaws in his "installation". For example the freon pipe that connects the inside to the outside MUST be insulated AND have a moisture-barrier. Why? Because it gets COLD, and will SWEAT. ALOT. This will ruin ceilings, sooner or later.... I had to fix the many places he'd left "open" on that pipe.
The ONLY good thing was that the attic had a high ceiling, and was easy to negotiate-- no crawling around on my knees precariously balanced on the joists... I just had to WALK precariously balanced on the joists... ;D
Anyway, I got it working.
The land-lord is NOT going to like the bill, though: 3 1/2 hours labor. Plus parts (mostly miscellaneous, like yards and yards of A/C foil sealing tape...) The pan was only $15, which surprised me.
She will enjoy the weekend, though... nice and low-humidity-cool.
So will her animals.
I REALLY did it for THEM. ::)
Meh, tell the landlord to Bite It.
If he hadn't cheaped out on the original, he wouldn't be paying for a fix.
When I win the lottery, I'm hirin' YOU to aircondition/heatpump or WHATEVER my house. When I win the lottery, I'll be able to afford to import you to do it.
Now, to remember to buy lottery tickets...
==============
Today, I did some significant sleeping most of the day.
And putting of assorted 'packs' onto the place my blood draw was done. (You'd think that 7 years recuperation would make a vein "useable" again. Well, it didn't blow, but a 45 second blood draw with a 26 gauge needle left a bruise (leak) that goes around the entire inner elbow and is visible from the other side of my arm. We don't use that again, no...)
Worked like a dog in and around mom's house and garden.
Rhetorical question: just how hard does the average 21st century dog work, anyway?
Took my SO's mother and her guests form UK for a car trip to see a lovely Baroque castle and the near by church built about year 1250.
Interesting place, I will be going back to see more. :)
Quote from: pieces o nine on May 25, 2008, 05:47:41 AM
Rhetorical question: just how hard does the average 21st century dog work, anyway?
This one has spent the last three hours trying to understand a particularly arcane aspect of Windows programming. It was easier when we just had to round up sheep, chase cars, and bite strangers.
Changed handbags
Ok it's a lie.
I thought about it, but it's too difficult.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on May 26, 2008, 01:38:44 AM
Changed handbags
Ok it's a lie.
I thought about it, but it's too difficult.
I've figured out how to do that almost painlessly.
Get a much bigger bag, and put the current one in it. At any given odd moment, go through a bit of the smaller one, and slowly transfer stuff out and into the bigger one, paring down the load as you go. This step may take several months...but eventually you can remove the inner bag. Then put the NEW smaller bag in the big one and begin shifting everything into it. When you've got what you need, abandon the outer, bigger bag, and you've accomplished having a springtime handbag just in time for Christmas.
I didn't say it was perfect, just almost painless.
=============
Today, I accomplished some excellent goofing off and a good deal of dog-belly rubbing. I'm happy and so is the dog, so that's good!
I'm happy you had a better day, but I am way ahead on the handbag front and it's still too difficult. I've been using that exact system for a couple of years..... :ROFL:
I can't remember the exact cause of the breakdown in the system, which as you say was painless. But I now have two smaller handbags and three larger ones, all of which have to be excavated within the next two days. I really don't know how they multiplied. I think someone must have broken in and done it while I was asleep. Having two smaller handbags which are both the "primary" bag has been driving me insane. Can you imagine what my life has been like the last two weeks with duplicate "primary" bags?
In addition I have had to purchase several extra various size inner cosmetic type bags for the smaller handbag for the stuff that gets regularly lifted out and dumped elsewhere, and I haven't even started on working out which sized things fit in them yet. Never mind the rationale that whatever goes in them will have to be touch sensitive as I'll never remember which little bag has what in it.
OMG the anti-shock-die from wasp/bee stings mediaction in the stripey bag are out of date and no time to get more before I travel. *^%$$$****!!!
Could handbags be the most significant thing in life?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EDIT
The most significant thing I've done tonight is to invoke a fourth LARGE handbag, abandoning all of the other three totally without investigating the contents.
The epinepherine (anti-shock) will still work, even outdated, it just might not be quite as effective, which would possibly mean a second dosing.
Epi can be effective up to 3 years past the 'regular' expiration date. (And it is deadly to carcinoid patients...woo hoo! unless immediately countered with 3 other different things. And yeah, I DO have the "DIE NOW" wasp and bee sting reaction.)
Handbags are what carries everything we need to sustain life. MEN have pockets...we get to drag luggage.
Eh, it's all about accessories.
I color coordinate all 'cosmetic bags' that I subdivide things into. Dan is REALLY amused by "Could you hand me the little blue bag out of my handbag?" and I pop out scissors, or tweezers or nail clippers or a file, or 'zebra bag' and it's my injections, or pink bag, and it's 'girly stuff'...and so on. He won't even ask what's in the cheetah print bag. Wise man.
It's not Epi - they won't give me that until after the next time. You know like it gets worse each time.... well so far I've only got to the stage of my leg blowing up like an elephant trunk and being unable to walk, sleep, etc for a fortnight..... so they are saving on the Epi til it progresses to the full shock stage. The doctor sounded perfectly sane when he worked up this plan, but I don't really understand the logic. Mostly wasps hover round my mouth (why? they ignore all the other people around) and if I got stung there and blew up like my leg did I wouldn't stand a chance so I keep the tablets (steroids and extra dose anit-hystamines) in my hand whenever I see wasps or bees. And run.
I go for size and colour and texture differentiation on the inner bags. The one with the anti-sting pills is a tiny (2cm square) exquisite japanese silk one with a fast popper opening which I bought for next to nothing on the top of Mont Blanc. (I was quite shocked to find they have tourist shops on tops of mountains. ) It also has diazepam in it in case I meet with people who b ehave like wasps or bees. ;)
I have been to Stockholm's Botanical Garden with my SO his, mother and her UK guests. I also took a huge amount of pictures. :D I will put some (the best) up on my Flickr site when I get a new camera to computer USB cord, the original one has mysteriously disappeared. :aargh!:
Installed the new radio in my wife's car (the subaru). The factory radio didn't have aux input nor played burned discs with mp3s. The new one not only plays CDs but burned DVDs with mp3s and even has an output for a monitor (to play movies).
First time I install one of those and I am now victorious. :yay:
I have achieved handbag reduction !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I taught my mom how to make a Yahoo proxy email account. woot.
Waited in for the fellow to come and fix the shower. Very pleasant chap, name of Roger. He is currently doing his craftsman thing in the bathroom.
Doing two loads of laundry.
Took Mom to the doctor.
Got an amazingly wonderful gift. (See Good News Channel)
Quote from: Pachyderm on May 29, 2008, 12:08:33 PM
Waited in for the fellow to come and fix the shower. Very pleasant chap, name of Roger. He is currently doing his craftsman thing in the bathroom.
Does he also do shrubbery? (A nice one, not too pretentious.... NI! )
----------------------
Cool, Chatty! That's just.... amazing. *sniff*
Was...patient.
very.
very.
patient.
Played in the garden!
:dighole:
;D
Quote from: pieces o nine on May 31, 2008, 12:41:07 AM
Was...patient.
very.
very.
patient.
The law frowns on matricide, but most people would consider it justifiable homicide...
Indeed.
Resisted patricide this afternoon.
I don't like my father very much for a variety of reasons, and I tolerated him for a couple of hours. I did. Had lunch with him, tolerated his annoying questions about my sister, tolerated the cigarette smoke wafting off him. Tolerated his annoying political and social ramblings. Went home.
Normally, I wouldn't have gone, but he just had surgery and I felt like I ought to be a dutiful daughter and go see the old man. :P
There's a hug for you, Scrib. You did the right thing.
Fielded questions from panicky people about a senior class dinner we're supposed to do music for on Thursday. Emailed the guy who's actually in charge asking whether he wanted to organize a rehearsal, knowing full well he doesn't, but hoping that the panicky students who want to practice would be enough to motivate him. Sent the drummer a list of songs, received reply "Okay. Thank you." Appreciated competence.
Held up my end of a three (3!) hour phone call in the wee hours o'the mornin' to help a dear friend compose a grievance over a serious issue at her school. Every time we hammered out a cogent sentence, the injustice rose up in her and she had to rant for awhile. But it was OK; she got that out of her system and submitted a very professional report today. Waiting for official feedback...
Then, after three (3!) leisurely hours of sleep, was awakened at the butt-crack of dawn (not a term I normally use, but apropos here, I think) to get mom & three (3!) of her closest Merry Widows off on one of those retiree bus tour thingies. In a fit of sleep-deprivation-induced good manners, I did not honk imperiously in each driveway, but rang the doorbell and offered to carry the minibus each calls a suitcase (for less than a week) for her. Fortunately, I'm good at geometry and jigsaw-puzzled 4 steamer trunks into the trunk (boot for you Continental types). Saw them, their gigantic suitcases, and the clear plastic "rain bonnets" they winched upon their respective heads, safely on to the bus...
Came back and did 8 hours of serious labor cleaning out/organizing her pantry/storage room...
Will sleep very well tonight! :P
[EDIT] Have just prepared watermelon shavings for Mom's cat. :catroll:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am not making this up. [/EDIT]
Yesterday I replaced the circuit breaker from the AC that was jumping like a bunny (I used a 40A pair to replace the 30A, although it well may be that the breaker was faulty, Bob, do you think it was a bad idea?).
Today I installed a new DVD burner on my main computer. Its wonderful compared to my old NEC 2500, burns 4 times faster (16x, possibly 22x with the right media) and it doesn't use as much CPU both while reading and burning. I'm a happy camper. :D
Changed my bed (well the linen). Took me two and a half hours. Once begun, I had to finish, as I needed to go straight to bed afterwards. :(
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on June 06, 2008, 08:13:03 PM
Yesterday I replaced the circuit breaker from the AC that was jumping like a bunny (I used a 40A pair to replace the 30A, although it well may be that the breaker was faulty, Bob, do you think it was a bad idea?).
Today I installed a new DVD burner on my main computer. Its wonderful compared to my old NEC 2500, burns 4 times faster (16x, possibly 22x with the right media) and it doesn't use as much CPU both while reading and burning. I'm a happy camper. :D
YES!
NEVER a good idea to go UPHILL with electrical breakers.
If it was jumping at 30amps? *WHEW* An electrical CLOTHES DRYER doesn't use 30A all by itself!
If the breaker was bad (and they go bad) replace with the SAME SIZE OR LESS (you can ALWAYS go downhill with electrical, i.e. replace a 30a with a 25a, etc.)
GET THAT CHECKED SOONEST!
The breaker is there ONLY to prevent FIRES!
If you go higher, then the breaker WON'T trip-- the WIRES WILL MELT INSTEAD!
PLEASE, have this looked at-- soonest!
If you've the skills yourself, get an AMMETER-- basically a meter that measures amps. Get one that clamps around the wires, or you push a pair of "forks" past the wire in question, and measure the AMPS the wire is pulling.
If it's more than 30amps-- you've overloaded the circuit, and you MUST locate the overload.
If it's less than 30 amps (very likely) you're fine-- but REPLACE THAT BREAKER WITH A PROPER 30A one!
Please!
If you DO ever get a short-- the wire is specifically designed to LAST ONLY LONG ENOUGH TO TRIP THE PROPER BREAKER.
If you've oversized the breaker-- THE WIRE WILL MELT INSTEAD! IT COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE!
The main is a 50A (same thickness for the wire) so I imagine I'm in no immediate danger, in fact the 40A is currently off because even with the AC off the breaker jumps which means that either the compressor or something in its circuit is fried.
Indeed someone is coming on Monday to check if it's a cable, a capacitor or the compressor in which case it may prove better to replace the whole unit... :( :'(
----
As significant today? Take my son to his violin lesson, and my wife to her mom for lunch.
Oh! and called someone to fix the AC! ;)
Got my old iMac's logic board back from the family friend we sent it to. (First-generation iMac G5s have this nasty problem where a certain few capacitors start to swell, making the computer cease to function. Happened twice, first when the computer was under warranty, then when it was under a three-year warranty extension for that very problem, but this time, no warranty. Apple's solution is to replace the entire midplane - i.e. logic board, power supply, processor, pretty much everything except for the CD drive and the HD, which costs $600 at the very least, which is stupid because that's way higher than the current market value of the computer itself. So we sent it to a family friend in Boston, who took out the faulty capacitors and soldered in new ones.)
Put it all back together, and the computer works again!
Online food order. Been incapable last 3 days. Won't arrive til tomorrow late, but ecstatic at thought of food...............
I graduated.
I'm using an iMac with a qwerty keyboard!
Different computerage for me. (see also: Old dog, new tricks.)
You know you can pop out the keys from the keyboard and place them in the order you want, right?
If you don't remember the order... ;)
(http://www.webopedia.com/FIG/DVORAK.gif)
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on June 09, 2008, 08:12:30 AM
I'm using an iMac with a qwerty keyboard!
Different computerage for me. (see also: Old dog, new tricks.)
Whoa. We'll have to video chat one of these days. (Fancy!)
Pumped another Great Lake of water out to the curb...
Ground water holding steady or rising very slolay at this point, but surrounding communities are also flooded and the sturdy pioneers who built IN A FREAKING RIVERBED have not done their decendents any favors...
Skimmer pump on order; hasn't arrived yet. When it does, I will be busy-busy-busy! Especially if we get two more days of forecasted rain this week, and the 8 WEEKS possibly threatened in a recent news update...
(Have I mentioned lately that I loathe NE?)
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on June 09, 2008, 04:59:03 PM
You know you can pop out the keys from the keyboard and place them in the order you want, right?
If i did that on the only not-a-laptop in this house...I wold be murdered in my sleep. And I need to get back up to what passes for speed on a qwerty board, since the laptop I'm borrowing for my surgery/trip is qwerty as well.
We have some Dwortyboards at home (old models) but Dan does all our boards by rearranging the key caps.
(yesterday) I finally dragged my doughy bum to the gym.
Today most of my body aches but I'm very proud of myself. ;D
I've been going to a gym for well over a year. I only go because I can watch football on Sky whilst I'm jogging at a fairly slow pace...I usually end up going for a pint of lager in the bar afterwards. I have never completed all of my excersises so every time I go to log off the computer it asks me 'Are you sure, you have not completed all of your exercises'...can't it see the sweat pouring off me?!
BB, I hear they have places that sell alcohol and have Sky football without any jogging machines - that may sound utterly amazing but I assure you it is absolutely true. ;)
This morning I mowed the lawn so my husband would not have to do it on Father's Day. We have a (human-propelled) push reel mower that's nice and quiet, so I was able to start at 8 a.m. when it was still relatively cool outside. He has to work on Saturday mornings, so he won't see it until he comes back. I wonder how long it'll take him to notice.
iPod broke a few days ago - it's served me well for years, and I figured it would make better financial sense to get another hard drive for it and repair it myself than to shell out for a new one. Arrived in the mail today, and I have music again!
Doughy but ---> gym again! :o ;D
A also managed to bash myself over the head with a steel rod hanging from one of the machines... Owww.
My language in such situations is normally, eh... let's just say not fitting a otherwise well behaved woman, but this time I actually managed to keet my mouth shut. So shut that the guy next to me asked are you OK? Can you speak? :D
I told him I was OK, I was just biting my tongue.
Just to get the answer -Ow that must hurt too -and a big grin.
1. With the help of a friend, cleared the main hallway corridor of boxes of "stuff". After years of deterioration by Diploma-induced box-growth, it is now a user friendly hallway.
will removal of need for navigation leave me with more energy?
2. Transfered my very last video tape to DVD and junked the very ancient VCR (actually I gave it the friend mentioned at 1. above). Project Death to Video Tapes requires merely some DVD labelling for completion now. :bwa:
Went to a service call early this AM. When I got there, smoke coming out from under my hood (of my car, not my clothes).
Smoke was the fan belt.... the alternator was stuck in the "not spinning" condition.
The belt was pretty much toast, too.
So.
First, I serviced the A/C a bit on the customer-- his unit was iced up solid. Leave inside fan running to blow across the ice, but power off the outside unit (to keep more ice from forming). Now, nothing for that, but to wait....
.... so I removed the alternator (3 bolts, plus a few electrical connections. A snap. Likely due to the engine NOT being from one of the Big Three...).
Then, my customer kindly lent me his car to take my too-hot-to handle alternator and the shredded belt to the nearest auto parts store. For comparison to the new items.
Back at the customer's, and bolt up the alternator. Then try to figure how the serpentine belt routs around the pulleys-- fortunately, there was a diagram on the radiator panel.
But wait! I forgot to actually compare the old parts with the new, other than superficially! Bad Move! The new pulley was too narrow for the wide serpentine belt....
But, by this time, the customer's A/C was thawed out, so I fixed that. Then he graciously allowed a re-borrow of his car, back to the parts store, where they easily switched the pulleys with a really cool tool. An electric impact wrench. The old pulley didn't want to come off the still hot enough to bake bread old alternator (after hour and a half!) so I held it up by the pulley, and he struck the shaft with a hammer (I cringed, hoping he wouldn't strike my hands-- he didn't). The alternator dropped out from under, then quickly the old pulley attached to the new unit.
Back to the house, re-re-install. Belt fits, this time. Starts-- runs! Cool. One thing about a diesel, is 2 huge honkin' batteries. In the summertime there is zero problem running them both down...in fact, the last several miles I was running strictly on battery power, including the ultra-high power fuel pump. And I started it 3 times more, all without replenishing the batteries.
Too cool, really.
Although I would've rather not spent the $230 US for the alternator and belt. But, it does have a lifetime warranty, and I'm keeping the truck until it literally falls apart, so, I won't need to pay for a 2nd or 3rd one...
Helped mom to ... part with ... some of her old bridal shower and wedding gifts, during post-flood cleanup. I schlepped a buncha stuff to the garbage and I am tired!
::)
Pieces I'm glad it is getting better there and drying out---
Went to my local Tulsa Atheist meet-up. linky (http://www.tulsaatheist.com/) and their message board (http://atheists.meetup.com/477/messages/boards/) (too few people posting there, unfortunately)
Had a blast-- these people are too cool. And I'm not even a "real" atheist! :D
My only gripe is that they currently only meet once a month... :mrgreen:
Ordered moth killer hanging units - DEATH TO MOTHS - SAVE OUR CLOTHES !!
I hope they die without pain
Started my summer courses. Stats and Spanish two. :P
Also made sure my friend had all the numbers she needed for her wedding (which is in about a month!).
Finished the last round of the bleach / rinse / fan / dehumidfy / inspect cycle in mom's pantry, shelves re-installed, and everything re-loaded. This time, there is an allowance to drain water and do clean-up if needed, without deconstructing the wholedamnunit.
::)
Dad had constructed that bult-in as if he were earth-quake-proofing AND tornado-proofing the house (%#&@!!!) If I never have to pound a 6 penny nail through two layers of [BARGAIN!] knothole-infested pine 2x4s and shelf supports again, I will be thrilled beyond swearing. My chuckless drill is --somewhere-- in the garage. New drill I received for Xmas needs a chuck. I hadn't opened the box until saving it from the flood; don't remember seeing a chuck in the damp packing I hurriedly discarded. So I exorcised a fantastic amount of pent-up hostility trying to brute-force drive nails in a space not quite large enough to properly swing a hammer.
>:(
As of today, my tendonitis has passed "pain" and gone directly to "screaming".
:P
My plans for tomorrow are (so far!) to slack off Big-Time!
;D
Had another MRI/fusion scan.
Set fire to MD Anderson's ass by intimidation and incrimination.
Made arrangements to get different car instead of The "Dying Swan" Echo. (2004 Kia Spectra, silver, $707 in TT&L that he'll let me pay out at $100 a month, 52,000 miles on it, I am paying his COST...)
Gettin' this damn show on the road if it KILLS me and everybody involved...
Arranged a job interview for next Wednesday. Something positive to do at last! Return of focus and enthusiasm!
Filled in many-paged form.
<< wonders how many days of an average life are spent form-filling >>
<< wonders how many days of an average bad health life are spent form filling >>
Whole-family cell phone switcheroo.
May I inquire in the new and old provider? Simple curiosity.
Finished off the groundwater monitoring. Am liable to catch hell for same, due to the hours involved, but I a'in't staying up here all bloody weekend for 3 hrs of work (would also take 3 hrs of driving to accomplish same - we killed it off NOW).
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on June 25, 2008, 06:53:25 AM
May I inquire in the new and old provider? Simple curiosity.
T-Mobile before and after.
I went ahead and got a new phone for the "Hotspot @ Home" thing, which will actually run on any WiFi network you have access to, not just the one at home. Convenient since all of my college campus will be covered with WiFi, which means I won't use any plan minutes, ever. (Kinda funny since we have the minimum family plan, and we've never come remotely close to using the allotted minutes anyway.)
So it was putting my SIM into the new phone, my mother's SIM into my old phone, and then getting them to unlock the oldest phone so we can use it with any sketchy SIM we choose (useful for trips to Poland, e.g.). The hard part was getting the phone into our home network (security paranoia on our end + standard terrible phone interface).
Bought outfit for son's wedding. I now have two choices as I already had a sort of jumbled together dirt cheapo potential outfit which I had doubts about on suitability terms - hence visit to local shop for something suitable - but which I really like. Rather two choices than none, but having difficulty deciding which to go with.
Realized that I slept all day Tuesday and decided to try acting semi-human. Got away with it, too.
I spent Monday night in the ER/A&E with intractable pain that just wouldn't quit. And the 'doctor' was an ass...once I proved to NOT be having a heart attack, he just wasn't concerned. Over 4 hours in pain before ANY meds, and he starts with acetominophin. (What does "I have some bad liver issues" mean?? No freakin' Tylenol, sport...)
But, today, the newspaper article in the Burleson County Tribune (with lousy picture) came out. LAST week, there was a good picture on the front page, but no story...(They're not on line. I wish they were...dere's sum skeery lookin peepuls aroun' here, an not just me!)
Enneh-wey...I'm in charge of fund-raising for Zebra House Houston, and aiding in fund-raising for Zebra House Louisiana. now, if I can just get this trip to Louisiana on the road...
Finished 80 hours of overtime in 8 days. That's not counting regular weekly hours, mind.
You better slow down a bit dear, that is not good for your health. *worried* :-\
I finally finished the digging and planting in the town garden. Now all I have to do is watering and some pruning. Yay!
Got computer back from repair. Was glad to find that hardware replacement did not then lead to mucking around my account - they only made sure it worked, and left it.
Nice to trust people sometimes.
Went to the civil naming ceremony for a friends daughter and the party afterwards.
It was a very nice ceremony, still solemn and beautiful but without the talk about god and everything that comes in that package.
:)
Quote from: Darlica on June 28, 2008, 09:54:23 AM
You better slow down a bit dear, that is not good for your health. *worried* :-\
I'm thinking about making the office put formal work-hour limits on me, since I obviously don't have the sense to set them myself (long story - mostly we were putting in long days to make up for bad advice and poor equipment booking by other people - the phrase "set up for failure" isn't the right one, but it's the one that comes to mind). I'd rather spend another 3 hours on site to get finished than drive 1.5 hours each way the next day, put my rig on standby, and/or extend the trip by another day. We planned to leave Thursday and return the following Thursday, which WOULD have worked if the line locates for the first site had been completed as we were told, and if we had more than a ride-on lawnmower to drill with; as it was, we got back on Friday. If we had worked 'reasonable' hours, we would still be up there and likely worked through the whole weekend, PLUS some of the days would have been short (8 hrs or less). If I'm stuck away from home, I want to work at least 12 hours a day to make it worthwhile. 17 is a bit much, though, 'specially when I am busy with other affairs so that I only get 2 - 4 hours of sleep for a few of the nights running. :P
I heartily recommend ginseng and B-vitamins for fatigue support - only had one really burned out day, and got enough sleep the following night.
Got the car radiator replaced. Made a warning light happy.
Quote from: Agujim
I heartily recommend ginseng and B-vitamins for fatigue support - only had one really burned out day, and got enough sleep the following night.
Or Glucose tablets...
Managed to stay awake; result : feeling terrible. Will it mean I sleep tonight? Probably not. :(
(I'm trying to experiment in case there's a pattern of life I haven't yet discovered that might work for me......... )
Andy Murray helped by spinning centre court out to 5 sets with nail biting excitement. Don't usually watch much Wimbledon because I can never identify which player is which even with my glasses on, but the French guy was helpful and wore a cap.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on June 30, 2008, 11:36:21 PM
..... but the French guy was helpful and wore a cap.
Well, you know those French....always the epitome of fashion... ::)
Got the CT scan done-- was a very good patient-- stayed absolutely still for the entire 3 minutes (yes it is difficult for me to go 3 mins without doing something). Good visit-- my appt was for 3pm, I got there at 2:15, was done and out by 2:45-- must have had a no show!
Excellent Ababe.
QuoteWill it mean I sleep tonight? Probably not.
Of course I didn't manage to sleep last night. Yes, I feel wretched. Another failure :(
Got my hair cut. And it's now quite a strange colour too.
Now have a migraine....... I am never going to force myself to stay awake all day again.
I installed a new ATi 4850 and a new heatsink for the card (and RAM). Now I can play Bioshock at max settings without lag. :mrgreen:
-----
Sorry for being trivial girls, perhaps a less trivial thing is my time in the threadmill?
LOL@Bob, yep, my haircut is certainly NOT trivial. (did I say? - it's for my son's wedding? hehee).
Installed a 5 ton A/C today-- or at least the inside bit. Will be a new 410a, and had to learn new techniques.
Took 'way too long.... so it goes.
But. Learned an excellent new trick, with regards to setting the furnace atop the cooling coils....will remember it again for next time.
Discovered that "quick and convenient" often equals "expensive". Converting copper lines from Freon to 410a requres a solvent be flushed through them, to remove residue, etc. We tried a "single shot" flush system, consisting of a small bottle of pressurized solvent. The bottle cost $50 each.
That's right: roughly 20 ounce can of chemicals goes for $50.
And we both recognized the main ingredients in there, from long experience cleaning auto parts.... and were dismayed that it's a commonly available fluid.
Certainly not worth $50 a can... more like $20 a 5 gallon.
So. I must come up with a method of using bulk solvent-- which I did in about a minute. Discussion to refine the design, and I'm gonna build one.*
Was gonna install the outside unit, too, but they are back-ordered! Poopies!
_______________
* in case anyone is morbidly interested, my design consists of a 2" diameter water pipe (roughly 5 cm) say 24" long (roughly 60 cm). This ought to hold sufficient solvent for a single flush. A pipe cap for a lid up-top. A 2" to 1/2" converter coupling, a 1/2" ball-valve for a stopper, then an 1/2" to 1/4" flare fitting after that. We use 1/4" flare hoses for everything. Up near the top, in the side of the pipe, I'll drill a small hole, tap it for 1/4" NPT, and install a 1/4" flare fitting, which connects to a pressurized bottle of dry nitrogen. We needed that anyway, to push the solvent out of the pipes.
Simple, effective, relatively cheap. And we can easily use any suitable solvent we want in it.
I may get fancy, though, and get a piece of Lexan tubing, as a "sight glass" so we can tell when all the solvent is flushed through. Or, perhaps a short piece of high-density polyethylene tubing, connected in a "loop". Hmm-- as I just now thought of that, I may need to think more. The whole thing needs to withstand up to 150 psi. Easily done with water pipe. Not so much with plastic tubing.
Wrote to the Council objecting to proposed building right outside my windows - and I mean right outside.
Slept.
All day.
Gonna go sleep some more, too.
Procured plastic covered wire (of the kind to hang net curtains) in order to attempt to mend my fridge.
Started trying to consider packing for Louisiana. (If MD Anderson doesn't have my pathology stuff ready by Wednesday, I am going to go start attacking people with a dull machete.)
Also, slept a lot...
Quote from: Sibling Chatty(If MD Anderson doesn't have my pathology stuff ready by Wednesday, I am going to go start attacking people with a dull machete.)
QuoteCut their hearts out.
With a spoon.
Because it's DULL, you twit. It'll hurt more.
'Zakly.
Plus, the machete's rusty, and the spoons aren't.
If the hackin' don't get 'em, the rust flakes will...
:mrgreen:
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on July 07, 2008, 04:22:04 AM
'Zakly.
Plus, the machete's rusty, and the spoons aren't.
If the hackin' don't get 'em, the rust flakes will...
:mrgreen:
Be sure to use it to stir your cat-box litter first.... ::)
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on July 07, 2008, 04:22:04 AM
If the hackin' don't get 'em, the rust flakes will...
Oh, the iron-y.
Or I guess it's ironic oxide.
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on July 07, 2008, 04:50:44 AM
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on July 07, 2008, 04:22:04 AM
'Zakly.
Plus, the machete's rusty, and the spoons aren't.
If the hackin' don't get 'em, the rust flakes will...
:mrgreen:
Be sure to use it to stir your cat-box litter first.... ::)
I'll borrow a cat...or at least his box. Spencer loves kittehs, but isn't allowed to own one, as he gets much too interested in inter-species dating...
--------
Alpaca....that was good...got a BIG groan--the punster's sign of jealousy!
Quote from: Griffin NoName on July 03, 2008, 03:56:50 AM
Wrote to the Council objecting to proposed building right outside my windows - and I mean right outside.
Are you quite sure that it is not the Crimson Perm. Assurance out there?
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on July 07, 2008, 03:56:37 AM
Started trying to consider packing for Louisiana. (If MD Anderson doesn't have my pathology stuff ready by Wednesday, I am going to go start attacking people with a dull machete.)
Also, slept a lot...
here-- :axe:
:selfhug:
Quote from: anthrobabe on July 08, 2008, 11:29:19 AM
Quote from: Griffin NoName on July 03, 2008, 03:56:50 AM
Wrote to the Council objecting to proposed building right outside my windows - and I mean right outside.
Are you quite sure that it is not the Crimson Perm. Assurance out there?
?? (me = dim or foreign.... !)
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on July 07, 2008, 03:56:37 AM
Started trying to consider packing for Louisiana. (If MD Anderson doesn't have my pathology stuff ready by Wednesday, I am going to go start attacking people with a dull machete.)
Also, slept a lot...
Don't delay. Just schedule a raid on MDA on the way to L. ::)
Today I went to the post office. Then I went back to bed with my sore tummy. Bugs.
Today, I actually did a load of laundry. Not 'talked about doing' but actually DID it.
I'm going to try another one tomorrow!! ;D
::) I am sooo lazy...
I did my part today to keep up relatively decent communications with people from school whom I haven't seen since it all ended.
Last of the library unpacked and shelved!
Yay!
Also found the crucial, missing part of my portfolio, pack so carefully in the books that I could not find it until now.
Bought a new rear tire for my Dahon folding bicycle. This will probably save my life as the old one is starting to fall away from the rim. Whilst in the bike shop I also purchased a new brake cable so I will also have the security of a working rear brake.
I booked a taxi for tomorrow. This may sound insignificant, but it was actually very difficult and left me exhausted.
Got my chemo shot.
That means I also have a sore butt... ::) Damn thing sets up like a lump of concrete.
Dismembered my chair and got rid of the nasty, chewed-up-looking armrests. It has a sort of nice, minimalist look to it now - in the wake of this, I'm considering removing the backrest, too, but there's nothing wrong with it, and I can't think of a good use for it.
Also, managed to endure a truly awful dinner party without murdering any person or animal - it featured the really loud, annoying, obnoxious, yappy sort of both. (This also proves that dogs take after their owners, not the other way around, because it was a perfectly nice creature when they first got it, and now it has me wondering if anyone would notice if I gave it a sharp kick under the table, preferably aimed at the vocal cords.)
Quote from: Alpaca on July 13, 2008, 04:47:10 AM
Dismembered my chair and got rid of the nasty, chewed-up-looking armrests. It has a sort of nice, minimalist look to it now - in the wake of this, I'm considering removing the backrest, too, but there's nothing wrong with it, and I can't think of a good use for it.
Also, managed to endure a truly awful dinner party without murdering any person or animal - it featured the really loud, annoying, obnoxious, yappy sort of both. (This also proves that dogs take after their owners, not the other way around, because it was a perfectly nice creature when they first got it, and now it has me wondering if anyone would notice if I gave it a sharp kick under the table, preferably aimed at the vocal cords.)
I know THAT feeling..... yapping animals MUST NEEDS be taken care of by their caretakers. Or else suffer the consequences.... ::)
Here, mutt. Have a nice splintery chicken bone....
That would be a wonderful way to tell if someone will be a good, bad or abysmal parent, in fact I would suggest that a baby's permit should be issued if the person in question is capable of taking proper care of a demanding pet, but then again it would be completely unfair with the poor animals.
May have started an investigation by the Dean of Faculty into just why the students on my course had a two hour long list of complaints and concerns at the course consultative committee....
Today I took Mom, myself and my friend Denise (Da Soozinator) to the eye doctor.
Today is Cataract Day!!
Mom's got some 'repair work' to be done on her right eye, the one that she had cataract surgery on first. We'll do that Thursday.
Then Denise. She's got a BIG BAD cataract on one (right) eye, and the beginnings of one on the other. She's legally blind right now in her right eye. And she's all of 51 years old. This is a 'special type' of fast growing cataract, and can be caused by steroids (she's had a lot) by trauma (she's had several falls and blows to her head from falling) or by a genetic factor. (Her sister had cataracts forming before she passed away, her 46 year old brother has a bad cataract.)
Then me, supposedly just for a glaucoma check. (I have had, in the past, low tension glaucoma. We watch out because it can come back.) And guess what!! I have the beginnings of cataracts, the right eye especially.
Dan, bless him, just spent the day loading and unloading Mom's and Denise's wheel chairs and pushing them. (Doctor's office is at the top of a hill that rolls downward to the freeway. He thought about "losing" Mom, and decided to not... ;) )
Completed another step in super-going-to-college-laptop-lockdown-paranoia plan: Install creepy as hell tracking software (http://adeona.cs.washington.edu/index.html).
In more normal news, oversaw and helped out with demolition of parents' disgusting old rotten shower, to pave the way for shiny new shower construction to begin tomorrow.
Scheduled a dermatologist appointment for the weird, slightly-toughened patch of skin on the inner edge of my left foot that's been there for a few years but that my mother just noticed and thinks needs attention, so why not.
Received college housing information. Got housed in the proper place with the rest of the people in the SHS program like I was supposed to be, so no nasty surprises - although I was worried for a second, as I saw the name of the dorm before I saw the information sheet that said it had been renamed.
Found out that my roommate's phone number has a 717 area code, which corresponds to Pennsylvania, found out his email, found out that I can't find him on Facebook via name or email or college network. Gonna go ahead and get in touch tomorrow. I really hope he isn't obnoxious, but I don't think it'll be a horror story, since the dorm is supposed to be full of smart kids, and as weird as some smart people are, they usually have some semblance of basic competence as human beings...
Filled in a medical questionnaire.
Ordered a purple wedding handbag.
Got my AP scores! Finally! YAY!
Bragging time:
Chem - 5
English - 5
Euro - 5
Calc BC - 5
(Calc AB subscore - 5)
Physics C Mechanics - 5
Physics C Electromag - 5
WHEEE!
That should be copied to several threads - Good News, etc etc !!! Congratulations !
Visited my orthodontist. Found out everything's fine, he tweaked my retainer a bit, told me to make an appointment for next summer.
And told me he wanted me to get my wisdom teeth yanked before I go to college. That's gonna be fun.
Do it NOW or wait until the beginning of next summer. My Goddess-daughter had hers done 2 weeks before school started, and she was still on soft foods (just the luck of the draw, 2 dry sockets for no particular reason) when she moved into the dorm.
Don't tempt the fates. (Her VERY competent oral surgeon, also her uncle, said she just did it to make him look bad.)
I will echo Chatty's comment-- do it NOW, SOONEST, if not actually yesterday...
I had to have an oral surgeon, because of the placement of a nerve and one tooth (and they had to saw them into little slices, and remove them one slice at a time, too....)
I actually had to be put under, and I woke up nauseated to beat the band.... immediately threw up as soon as I was awake. (they were prepared for that, it's apparently common...)
But, I was miserable for 2 weeks after, and they made a numbness in my lip that took 6 months to go away... the ortho surgeon called it nerve trauma.
The LAST thing you want for your first 2 weeks is to be worrying about misery-- it's gonna be MORE than hectic enough as it is... !
Get in your TARDIS and go back and do it yesterday!
Quote from: Alpaca on July 16, 2008, 03:27:31 AM
Visited my orthodontist. Found out everything's fine, he tweaked my retainer a bit,.
an orthodontist tweaked my retainer a bit once. I recall Jeeves was not best pleased and proceeded to land the chap with a haymaker square on the bonce.
Had an appointment with the man who was on sabbatical from the NHS. He is not on sabatical from Harley Street ::) What's more, I didn't have to navigate territory hostile to the sick and disabled. I just went straight in the front door. I am still completely exhausted but not traumatised as well.
More on this in the Health Threads. Later. After SLEEP. Or more accurately, after MORE sleep.
Wisdom teeth yanked.
The pond was looking rather murky with the algae , it was clogging up the pump , I couldn't see the fish and it didn't smell very good .
So I drained the pond ( 6 hours to do so) before a biomass developed and used the nutrient rich water to fertilize the gardens .
I have a UV water purifier , but have yet to find all the hardware to make the connections .
The pond is crystal clear now and the koi seem to be okay after the trauma i put them through , they scoot away when i get near them , however my neighbour saw them congregated in the shallow edge of the pond and the fish didn't move when approached ,they allowed him to "pet" them ... odd , I figure .
Out of summer session classes and back here! Yay!
Found my migraine tablets.
(behind head of bed on floor; torch needed; magnifying glass needed; all rooms searched before I had the brainwave)
~ The Watson of Sherlock
Yesterday, I finally had the server of the non-for-profit I work for moved from a shared account to a new decent server. We started on Friday night and a glitch prevented it from working until yesterday. I spent some time securing ports and incoming connections which now seem to be working.
Now I'm crossing my fingers that everything is fine.
Had my big end-of-the-everything piano recital. Lotsa fun.
Discovered that loose bits of chewed-up salad can bear a frightening resemblance to loose flaps of tissue when hanging out in the back by the wisdom-tooth-holes. That was a fun tooth-brushing session.
I had a bit of a rough day yesterday, I have finally got the wardrobes and shelves that I need in my little house at my mothers place, and spent most of yesterday unpacking things from my move 6 months ago, it was a bit emotional to say the least. Especially since I don't have room for everything I wish I had room for and all ready have thrown/given away a lot of things. The things I have left is the kind I wanted too keep for one reason or another now a lot of them has to go too. :(
returned to work after holiday.... why oh why oh why oh why
Went to IKEA to buy wardrobe doors amongst other things...
:axe:
This past Sunday and Monday, my wife and I did something new and IMO significant: bike camping!
We rode about 20 km from our house to our local provincial park, camped, frolicked in the woods and on the beach, and then headed home in the afternoon. No cars were involved at all, and my knees are only a little sore today.
Lessons learned for next time:
- get racks and panniers. My old Boy Scout external frame pack is good for hiking, but not so good for biking.
- get a lighter tent. :)
Went to my aunts funeral. Now I am half dead.
My Dad bumped into someone he knew just coming out of the funeral before "ours", who surprised to see my Dad, said "What are you doing here?"
I so wish my Dad had replied "I've come to be buried of course!" - but he didn't.
Silly questions beg silly answers.
Half cut a very large hedge. One/sixteenth shredded the cuttings from a very large hedge.
I know councils are getting Tough on Rubbish and Tough on the Causes of Rubbish, but does yours really check how many 16ths you have chopped it into?
Me? Today? Turned down an offer to have free membership of a dating agency for which I was being asked to pay. Yeh, it didn't make sense to me either. (I'd say it was a cold call, but it came by letter, can one have a Cold Letter?)
Quote from: beagle on August 22, 2008, 08:11:58 PM
Half cut a very large hedge. One/sixteenth shredded the cuttings from a very large hedge.
One sixteenth of the cuttings from half the very large hedge, or one eighth of the cuttings from half the very large hedge? Inquiring minds want precise answers. ;)
Or perhaps you shredded all the cuttings to 1/16".
Indeed we do.
Finished my first week of this semester and I think I'm going enjoy being horrendously busy.
Weeded the garden(s), fixed the leaking bird bath fountain, and ... in a final burst of energy, successfully pried all the dried-up/rusted-lids/color no longer in use/*seriously old* cans of primer, paint, and stain *and* all the dried-up/cannot-remove-caps tubes of adhesives, household lubricants, and the like from my mom's clutches.
*does little dance of victory* :woohoo:
I am going to reward myself with ice cream!
Quote from: pieces o nine on August 23, 2008, 04:35:32 AM
Weeded the garden(s), fixed the leaking bird bath fountain, and ... in a final burst of energy, successfully pried all the dried-up/rusted-lids/color no longer in use/*seriously old* cans of primer, paint, and stain *and* all the dried-up/cannot-remove-caps tubes of adhesives, household lubricants, and the like from my mom's clutches.
*does little dance of victory* :woohoo:
I am going to reward myself with ice cream!
Did you properly dispose of the above? <heh heh heh>
I would strongly suggest digging a honkin' big hole somewhere or other.....really deep.
Or, just wrap in plastic an throw it into the garbage-- then it's someone ELSE's problem, yes? ;D
'Round hereabouts, they have every year or so, a "bring in your old paint, glue, etc" rally, and people can freely bring that stuff for SAFE disposal. Some is incinerated. Most is sealed and buried.
Nasty stuff, some of that...
....significant, today? Not a darn thing, thankyouverymuch. (still worked my donkey off, though...)
Quote from: Agujjim on August 22, 2008, 09:58:22 PM
Quote from: beagle on August 22, 2008, 08:11:58 PM
Half cut a very large hedge. One/sixteenth shredded the cuttings from a very large hedge.
One sixteenth of the cuttings from half the very large hedge, or one eighth of the cuttings from half the very large hedge? Inquiring minds want precise answers. ;)
Or perhaps you shredded all the cuttings to 1/16".
Revised figures now including today's achievements.
The complete count:
Amount of complete hedge now cut: 3/4
Amount of complete hedge now shredded: 1/2
Number of times shredder jammed up: 5
Number of times thumped shredder: 5
Number of times dismantled shredder: 5
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 22, 2008, 09:49:53 PM
I know councils are getting Tough on Rubbish and Tough on the Causes of Rubbish, but does yours really check how many 16ths you have chopped it into?
The shredding is so we can keep the council out of the equation. One shredded bag is the equivalent of about 5 non-shredded bags, and it can go back round the base of the hedge to make it grow...
Tomorrow's task is to do the remaining quarter and convince my father to take up Bonsai or possibly Banzai, or just anything on a smaller scale.
Yay. Three days of hedge cutting (and one rained off) complete. Now I don't have to worry about an 85 year old trying to balance precariously ten foot up in the air waving a hedge trimmer. Back to work for a rest tomorrow.
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on August 23, 2008, 06:02:52 AMDid you properly dispose of the above? <heh heh heh>
I would strongly suggest digging a honkin' big hole somewhere or other.....really deep.
The closer to the groundwater, the better? :P
*shudders*
If one
really must self-bury, I'd suggest (Canadian) drilling waste methods:
1) Find a location with good, tight clay (no sand!). Make sure local groundwater levels are sufficiently deep (>3 m) to avoid contact with wastes.
2) Dig your pit deep enough to accomodate at least 5 - 10 times the volume of waste at a depth 1 m BELOW ground surface. You'll want to pack a metre of clay on top of it at the closeup, so depending on the diameter of the pit, dig to 1.5 - 2 m below ground surface. We'll assume that it's clay all the way down - normally you'd need to check that there's a metre of clay below the mix zone.
3) Place wastes in pit, mix thoroughly with some of the excavated clay. Drilling waste gets mixed off at about 1 parts waste to 3 - 7 parts soil, but as raw paints/solvents/etc. are generally nastier, go for 1 part waste:10 parts soil.
4) Place remaining clay back in hole, compacting as you go. Place at least 1 m of cap over wastes; mound if possible.
Of course, the US version (Montana) is much easier:
1) Dig pit
2) Put plastic liner in pit
3) Dump wastes on liner
4) Fold edges of liner over centre to 'seal'
5) Backfill pit
That's why we takes the nassssty stuffs to teh man in teh little place wif all teh innerestin' containers.
He takes it away...and probably puts it down the storm drain at midnight... ::)
Cleaned the birds cage. I should do it more often though.. :-\
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on August 25, 2008, 11:32:04 PM
That's why we takes the nassssty stuffs to teh man in teh little place wif all teh innerestin' containers.
He takes it away...and probably puts it down the storm drain at midnight... ::)
Years ago, my parent's church was across the street from the last downtown Ford dealership. (the church is still there, the dealership? ...long gone, thank the stars...)
I used to volunteer with their [the church's] local TV program, and I'd come in early on Saturday morning to key in the little titles at the bottom of the TV screen-- mainly the words to the hymns/prayers/etc.
Anyway, back during the "Ford days" one had to be very careful around floor drains in the church-- they often smelled of paint thinner....
The church and the dealership shared the municipal sewer systems, and on Saturdays, the dealership's paint shop "disposed" of their used chemicals by pouring it down the sanitary sewers.... counting on the lax city "inspectors" to
never work on Saturday or Sunday, and
almost never on Monday either... besides the ford place was one of the major downtown "players". Who's gonna upset
that apple-cart?
I used to call in complaints, but next Saturday-- the smell'd return. Gone by noon on Saturday.
Corruption. Gotta love it.
I wanna hear more about this facinating hedge/shrubbery trimming-shredder dismantaling beagle has been up to..........
On the vague chance that wasn't irony ;) I'll fill in more details.
My parent's house has a huge hedge down one perimeter. Every year it grows two yards in height. Each year my mother has palpitations as she catches my father standing on the top step leaning right over the other side waving a hedge trimmer, so this autumn I beat him to it as it was a long weekend (with added Friday in my case) here.
It's very boring. The only exciting bit is not catching your hand or the cable in the trimmer, not stepping back to admire your work ten foot up, and remembering to turn the power off before taking apart the shredder and pulling solid lumps of green gunge from the outlet.
What hedge material grows that fast...and will it grow here?
(We do not like the view of the neighbor's 7 abandoned boats...)
I'm not good on gardeny stuff but I thing it's an ordinary laurel bush. We've had alternate rain and sun all summer the last couple of years, which probably accounts for some of it. Also at about ten ft tall it's probably growing all along its length. It has green waxy leaves so I guess it would be OK-ish in a hot climate, but doubt it would grow so fast. Also I exaggerate; it might be nearer 4.5 ft as the longer new growth that was coming off.
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on August 26, 2008, 07:26:22 AM
What hedge material grows that fast...and will it grow here?
(We do not like the view of the neighbor's 7 abandoned boats...)
Any one of the bamboo family grows inches a week. Usually referred to as "cane" round here. They make excellent privacy hedges, but they are apt to take over... they send underground roots to propagate along.
But.
The cane is easily harvested, if you like, and burns cleanly, if quickly.
And if you've kids around ANYWHERE, it's too cool to play with-- very useful as a "kid project" building material. Endless possibilities.
Most are drought tolerant-- they just stop growing. (it is basically grass, after all...)
Chatty- check out the privet hedges (Ligustrum) in your area. If you know someone that has some privet, ask them for a bunch of cuttings (which they should gladly allow you to collect) that you can root and grow in your yard. Many types grow very quickly and there are many interesting varieties.
Struth! This is supposed to be What significant things have I done today? !!!!!!!!!!!
I've been out for a few days AND LOOK AT IT.
What significant things have I done today? Cursed.
I went through the house and garage like Grant through Richmond.
[Hmmm...not intended to antagonize my friends South of the Mason-Dixon Line.]
Every remaining objet d'electronique from my dad is sorted into one of two boxes:
1) potentially usable components which my brother can have first dibs on, going after that into a newspaper ad as a single unit, and after that (if necessary) to the electronics recycling here.
2) unusable components going to electronic recycling center.
Found the last [I hope!] of the auto maintenance & repair parts and sorted in two similar boxes.
Yay! :balloon:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Next in my sights: Vacation Slides, starting in the 60's.
She actually brought them up herself this week, acknowledging that no one is *ever* going to look at them again. There are SIXTEEN FEET chock full o'slides, and that's not counting the boxes of happy snaps, boxes of 'antique' family pics, boxes of commercial tourist slide and pic sets, and scrapbooks lying hither and yon all over hell, if I may mix my pictorial metaphors.
Quote from: pieces o nine on August 27, 2008, 06:06:24 AM
I went through the house and garage like Grant through Richmond.
[Hmmm...not intended to antagonize my friends South of the Mason-Dixon Line.]
Every remaining objet d'electronique from my dad is sorted into one of two boxes:
1) potentially usable components which my brother can have first dibs on, going after that into a newspaper ad as a single unit, and after that (if necessary) to the electronics recycling here.
2) unusable components going to electronic recycling center.
Found the last [I hope!] of the auto maintenance & repair parts and sorted in two similar boxes.
Yay! :balloon:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Next in my sights: Vacation Slides, starting in the 60's.
She actually brought them up herself this week, acknowledging that no one is *ever* going to look at them again. There are SIXTEEN FEET chock full o'slides, and that's not counting the boxes of happy snaps, boxes of 'antique' family pics, boxes of commercial tourist slide and pic sets, and scrapbooks lying hither and yon all over hell, if I may mix my pictorial metaphors.
I suggest you donate the slides to a museum-- it could be a sort of cultural history of your neck of the woods..... :ROFL:
Pieces...
Seriously, contact any college photography department.
The more...forward thinking ones are accepting that sort of thing for future educational purposes, as well as "museuming".
--------------
Hedges...
Wax leaf ligustrum grows beautifully here. And BLOOMS beautifully here, at which time I go cheerfully to the hospital because I can't breathe. (10 years ago, NO PROB. Now?? About 10 minutes to wheeze, and then I'd better be where somebody has massive amounts of medication or a vent system. i HATE being intubated.) Why? Nobody knows.
Bamboo is TOO invasive. I am intellectually opposed to any living material that will tunnel under a parking lot and pop up 600 feet away from the last bit of it...then proceed to crack through the concrete surface of the parking lot as well. (Might as well be Kudzu if you don't put in barriers for the root system.)
Did I just voice INTELLECTUAL opposition to a hedge? I did.
OK, for Griffin:
Today I became signifigantly insane(r). I intellectually opposed a hedge. :panic:
Re: Bamboo
QuoteIt should be mentioned that clumping bamboo has a different type of rhizome that does not spread as far so all that is needed to control it is to chop off the piece of the plant that is no longer wanted. In general clumping bamboo is much slower growing and grows with more of a bush look then running bamboo that is more vertical in appearance but there are exceptions to this rule.
QuoteA pond or trees are good natural barriers for running bamboo. Bamboo will not grow into wet area's and does not like to grow past the drip line of large trees. If your water table is high then control with a small trench is easy also.
http://bambooworld.com/baminf.htm
(stopped into their physical location on holidays - but they are closed on Tuesday. Oh well.. ONE of these years ::) )
I likes teh bamboo... and in our nasty climate, most species which are invasive in the US wither and die. Just keep the knapweed and rats out!
I like bamboo, too.
Most folk are not allergic, so far as I can tell-- I suppose because most doesn't make flowers? I dunno.
As a kid, playing with cane was heaven-- such an endless source of material to make things from.
If you allow 3-5 feet wide for it to grow in, it is sufficiently opaque that you cannot see past the growth.
........
The most significant thing I did today, is fix an A/C for a very nice lady who has a handicapped kid who cannot stand (health-wise) hot/sticky conditions.
As such, I made darn sure it was operating as best an old system is able*.
She was extatic, the kid was happy? (I think-- hard to tell, but he wasn't laboring the breathing, so that counts? )
>>>>
... for the curious, the diagnosis went something like this:
Arrive on scene. Had instructed homeowner to leave thermostat on 70 Deg (so it won't stop, once I get it started again), and in "COOL" mode.
Outside unit quiet, but close listening, I can hear the "bzzzz" of the relay/contactor. This means the furnace IS running, and calling for cool. Good.
Pull fuse block-- check each fuse for current-- they are both sound.
Open cover on fuse block, check actual inflow wires for presence of 220v. Good. Check each leg to ground-- (120v) Good.
Replace fuse.
Open unit's cover-- right away, a wire is burnt/melted. Remove fuse block (removing power to the unit).
Fix wire. (short piece of same gauge wire. Strip out the burned section until I see "good" copper. Splice in short piece with large wire-nut)
Now. What caused the overload (that burned the wire)?
Well, one thing was the poor install method. The wires were secured to the relay/contactor with two screws (one each) but the wire was just jammed in under one side of the screw. Not good. Works when new, but after a few years of corrosion? Not good. This may have been why, but maybe not.
Corrected other wire in the circuit that had not burned....yet. It won't now.
Look deeper: Replace fuse block, now that the wires have been policed up. Unit starts.
Keep looking: air coming out of the top of the unit is excessively warm-- dirty coils?
Keep looking: suction pipe (large pipe) coming into the unit is too hot-- it ought to be cold enough to sweat. A quick check of it's temp-- 88 deg-- WAY too hot. 45-55 deg is more like it. Low freon?
Okay, that was the "easy" diagnosis.
Connect pressure hoses. Freon IS low. Pipe in about 2 pounds of FREON. Temp is better-- 75 deg, but still too high. But-- the pressure/temp is rising too fast, it's at 55 deg, and the air coming out the top of the unit is way, way too hot. Liquid line pipe (small pipe) is too hot, too. Dirty coil?
Look for, and find garden hose. Turn on--yay! it works. Drag enough around to get to unit. Wash carefully every square inch, while looking at the water flow inside (tedious, but only way to confirm I'm doing some good...) sure enough, water coming through into the unit is dirty-dirty-dirty-- looked like weak tea in color. The unit looked clean on the outside, but was dirty-dirty-dirty!
Cleaned whole unit inch-by-inch.
Now, the temp coming out the top was more to my liking: warm, but not hot. Say 10-20 degrees hotter than ambient.
Check FREON gauge and temp. Temp still says 75 deg, but pressure/temp says 28 deg-- that is more like it. This means, it's still low on FREON.
Meter in some more. Temp/pressure (on gauge) rises to 45 deg, actual temp reads 53 deg. Perfect! 10 degrees difference between the pressure/temp (on gauge) and thermometer's reading. This 10 degrees is the actual "work" being done by the system-- and represents the actual heat being moved outside. Too much heat, inefficient. To little-- risk of damaging the compressor. 8-10 degrees is ideal.
Button everything up. Done.
Happy homeowner.
Learnt a Valuable Lesson!
* ye olde back-storey *
My dad had a computerized wind-trainer stationery bike which he stopped using only after he got really sick. After he died, mom re-purposed it to a kind of programmable towel rack. Although the computer guts are kaput, the mechanics are fine; I've reclaimed it for faithful use every night during my favorite newscast. I find that watching one hour of politics helps keep me revved-up enough to pedal "furiously" for an hour...
* present day *
So, I'm going 60! -- 70! -- 80! -- maybe even 30 miles an hour!
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/ospimage/Bicycle-icon.png)
Suddenly...a blowout!
Yes -- I blew a flipflop...
(Why I was on the Tour de Neb in flipflops, um, I can't say. I've been properly suited up in sneakers up until today.)
In the ensuing confusion, I found myself repeatedly smacked about the kneecaps by the now loose and flailing arm pumping handlebar thingies until I stopped pedaling. :d'oh:
No damage done.
Good comedy image.
Lesson learned about Sensible Shoes!
Move over, Lance Whatever your name is! Ima gettin me a yellow t-shirt to wear on this hyere machine. And mebbe even some yellow flip-flops to match. Yeah, baby!
Quote from: pieces o nine on August 29, 2008, 03:14:33 AM
.... Yes -- I blew a flipflop...
(Why I was on the Tour de Neb in flipflops, um, I can't say. I've been properly suited up in sneakers up until today.)
....
Did you subsequently step on a pop-top? Cruze on back home?
:ROFL:
I met up with two childhood friends (whom I haven't talked to for ages) for dinner this evening.
A lot of catching up was done and memories of childhood sins was brought back to life. :)
I got my Diploma certificate.
:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:
:balloon: :balloon: :balloon: :balloon: :balloon: :balloon: :balloon: :balloon: :balloon: :balloon:
:fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread:
YAY! :fireworks_smile:
Found the govt. online pdf file that includes enough detail to be able to know how to fill in one box on my tax form necessitated by them over-simplifying the forms this year. Grrrrrrr!
Actually, it has taken three days in all. Does not bode well for the remaining boxes.
Had a full English breakfast...yum.
Aaaaaaaaaaargh! I could do with one of those between filling in each box on my tax return.
Nothing...
Besides vegitating infront of the computer, sporting a slight hangover. :mrgreen:
I was out last night with a friend I haven't seen for awhile and had perhaps a glass of wine to many. ;D
Filled in a form.
A long and difficult one. The sort which includes quite a lot of mutliple choice questions.
Like:
Leningrad is the capital of:
1. France
2. Iceland
3. South America
And then you have to swear your answers are accurate. On pain of death.
I get hysterical and go into frozen rabbit state. It brings up all my anxieties around what is absolute truth? (which I am convinced goes back to a Kleinian battle with which of my mother's breasts was good and which was bad - well, it makes as much sense as the forms).
Finished up a furnace install. 3 down, 2 to go. People very happy.
And just for Griffin, who is a dear, but I simply cannot resist to play a practical joke upon:
Last Post.
The most significant thing I have done while not being able to sleep is:
Puzzled over the precise meaning of Bobiaqsof's last words.
;D
Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 28, 2008, 03:31:48 AM
Puzzled over the precise meaning of Bobiaqsof's last words.
That worries me a little. What exactly have you done to him?
Quote from: beagle on September 28, 2008, 04:20:13 PM
Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 28, 2008, 03:31:48 AM
Puzzled over the precise meaning of Bobiaqsof's last words.
That worries me a little. What exactly have you done to him?
Too early to tell. And it was yesterday so cannot be reported retrospectively.
Today I put the form in an envelope.
Every year I send my tax form "signed for". Every year the Post Office can't confirm HMRC received it. I think they deliberately refuse to sign to say they've received them.
Quote from: beagle on September 28, 2008, 08:16:13 PM
Every year I send my tax form "signed for". Every year the Post Office can't confirm HMRC received it. I think they deliberately refuse to sign to say they've received them.
LOL! I do too. I've never actually asked for confirmation though. I expect HMRC don't want to waste ink signing :irony:
I do it mainly so I can blame the Post Office or HMRC - ie. proof of posting for delivery by the required deadline - like Quentin Crisp always going to the cinema with a friend.
I am also heavily resisting the file on line pleas on the basis that we have yet to have as successful archiving methods for the internet as medieval monks.
However, this form is not the tax form. Although you can guess from the problems described that it emanates from the same area of society and will require the same standard of delivery attention. For example, the pre-printed return address insert naturally did not fit the window envelope supplied.
The tax form still looms with only one box successfully dealt with.
:offtopic: ;)
Actually started studying for my economics midterm (tomorrow)! Not too bad, really. Just got to memorize the formulas and make sure I've got the newer bits (CPI, etc.) really settled properly in my head.
Posted the Form.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:offtopic:
Tried to send it special next day delievery as deadline looming. Couldn't. Because the pre-printed address did not exist according to the post office. The post man sent it "recorded" instead saying it would get there, wherever the non-existing address is. All very sinister. Could it be some secret mail box for Govt. data loss exercises or trapping terrorists?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
so.......... the other significant thing I have done to day is PANIC.
Yesterday: re-affixed all loose tiles and replaced all broken/warped/missing tiles iin the 'rec room', once I found where they stashed the unused ones from original installation.
Scrubbed half the floor in attempt to make the demarcation between new and old tiles less glaring. Will scrub the other half tomorrow.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Where are my glass slippers and my pumpkin coach? :giggle:
Today, I walked around the yard/vast 2/3 acre estate for the first time since the OMYGODI'MDYINGOFTHEPAIN emergency room trips.
As the long-awaited pain management doctor appointment nears, I feel better and better.
This, I am assured, is God's little joke. God has NO damned sense of humor...
Finished the downstairs shower (in her unfinished laundry room) overhaul!
Most people would call a plumber and carpenter [excuse me while I laugh hilariously for a mo] but that wasn't an option here.
I created a very snappy shower rod frame from PVC tubing, suspended by oooooh-shiny water & rust-resistant chromed eyebolts, washers, and acorn bolts from short chrome-y chains from the joists. Enlarged the area to accommodate her changing needs with age and health issues.
Solution for the too-slick cement floor and too-ick matting previously used was a 3' x 4' very low-profile 'spa floor' I designed and constructed from water-resistant and non-skid decking. Optional 'ramp' board can be added later if needed. Better drainage, air-flow, and easier cleaning than rubber mat. Stable: carefully fitted to slope in cement floor. Entire setup can be removed by her (or future owner) without any fuss or damage to joists, walls or floor. Verra nice, oi finks.
Installed a grab bar for her by drilling holes through one end of (2) 4' long 2x4s. (Yay forsner bits! Oi luvs thee smell ov sawdust in thee mornin...) Supports waterproof-primed and -painted, then securely bolted to exposed joists. Leftover 2' section of PVC pipe fitted through holes and the ends capped off. Verra Nice. Strong and safe -- a rhino could shower in there now in perfect safety.
She picked out new shower curtains, booked her 'handy lady' to come on Monday with her steamer to help me steam clean the cement walls, and we'll be painting after that.
I must say that I am extremely pleased with the results.
Now...if I could only pry those acres of ancient Family Vacation slide carousels out of her rec room. ;D
Oi'll be putting you in charge of caulking and maintaining me brig at this rate,
not to mention the en-suite.
----
Continued repointing my parents' patio where weeds/grass had broken through between the mortar between the rocks/slabs. About 150Kg of mortar still to go...
Quote from: beagle on October 11, 2008, 07:23:40 PM
Continued repointing my parents' patio where weeds/grass had broken through between the mortar between the rocks/slabs. About 150Kg of mortar still to go...
You win. ;)
Not much skill involved in my job though. And what there is I've got wrong. Every time I try and tip a new heap of mortar mix out the heavy bags I disappear in a cloud of dust and manage to inhale most of it. At this rate I'll be a Pyrovile before the job's done.
Killing weeds?
You could have gone for decking. Place mortar on decking. Fire.
Or hire a copter and spray agent orange.
But maybe that just wouldn't be significant ?
I vote Pieces wins :mrgreen:
Thanks, Grif, but the closest I've been to masonry work was to help mix & pour cement for poles at an amateur pilot friend's pasture hangar and runway.
By the time we got to setting the final post support, the novelty had completely worn off -- we weren't even singing, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," anymore. We dug a kind-of post hole, just sort of schlupped an unmeasured amount of concrete powder into the hole, sloshed in an unmeasured amount of water, plopped in the pole support, half-@ssedly swished the mix (and a bunch of backfill which prematurely fell in) about a couple times with the shovel, and figgered as we was done, dude. I suspect we all had a beer at that point (memory fails as this was in my salad whiskey days...)
A few years later a tornado ripped through that part of the country. The only post *not* ripped right out of its cement anchor -- the one left proudly and firmly standing amidst the devastation -- was that last one. god/dess has a sense of humor.
For sheer accomplishment and work, beagle still wins this round. ;)
Dear me, it's got to the point where we are going to have to ask you both to provide evidence !!! And arrange drug testing. :taz:
Quote from: pieces o nine on October 12, 2008, 05:56:38 AM
For sheer accomplishment and work, beagle still wins this round. ;)
O.K., you've talked me into it. I admit my patio rendering is a stupendous work of engineering which makes the Millau bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_viaduct) look like a cowboy bodge job. ;)
Quote from: Griffin NoName on October 12, 2008, 12:19:10 PM
Dear me, it's got to the point where we are going to have to ask you both to provide evidence !!! And arrange drug testing. :taz:
Send the drugs round and I'll test them. Points out of ten good enough?
Figured out exactly how I'm going to defend that stupid Paulson proposal after two weeks of scrambling. Of course, it's all very theoretical :devil: and relies entirely on the concept of an honest government. And my teacher can suffer through it!
Created a Bobcat costume.
I agreed a couple of weeks ago to help with a local nature area's Halloween Safari by playing a local animal. The Safari is a night-time hike where people dressed like animals pop out along the trail to talk about their habits.
The Opsalette (now ten years old) agreed to be my kit. We found her an inexpensive leopard-spotted running suit, but I wasn't sure what I'd wear. Yesterday I found a sweat suit on clearance.
Today I looked at the sweatsuit and decided that merely spray painting it with spots wasn't enough. I dyed it golden-yellow (Just happened to have only that color dye lying around) and sprayed the front belly parts white, followed by black blotches over the back and some black bars on the arms and legs. It turned out pretty well!
The Opsalette made some very clever ears for us out of barrettes and we'll paint up our faces to look like Bobcats. We wrote a little skit about a kit being taught by her mother. It'll be interesting to see how well we handle sitting out in the dark woods waiting for the groups to wander by. This is a three night affair- this Saturday and next Fri. and Sat. night.
There is a small admission fee for this and the proceeds go to help the nature area.
Don't let some real kitty get you in the dark. :D
Real Bobcats here are rather small. I'm more worried about copperhead snakes and bears! :scared:
Bobcats run in packs down here. It's not pretty to see them take someone down.
Quote from: MentalBlock996 on October 16, 2008, 09:33:18 PM
Bobcats run in packs down here. It's not pretty to see them take someone down.
Wah, you're scaring me, man! Up here they're only about 15 inches tall and tend to be solitary.
I am hoping it will be too cold for copperheads to be active. As for the bears, we'll just try to keep some noise going between groups, as bears will head away from people noises.
Unless...
they're REALLY HUNGRY! :nailbite:
Lol, we have biggish black bears around here. Last time we went camping, we heard people pretty much every night we were there clanging pots and pans together and yelling to scare them off. Out camping spot was also within fifty feet of humane bear trap (http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/mammals_of_yosemite/images/thumbnail/84.jpg), which caught a cub. :o
(there's joke around here that if you get in between a sow and her cub, you should punch the cub since you're going to die anyway)
Discovered that cold feet are not conducive to meditation in yoga. Must remember socks!
Yesterday now, filled in another box on the tax return.
Going for the Guiness Book of Records on Slowness of Form Filling.
The great patio re-mortaring exercise is almost complete. Down to the last 25KG bag of mortar. Wonder if there's any chance of getting H.M. to re-open it.
Beat a friend's 12 year old daughter at frisbee golf on the Wii.
Quote from: Pachyderm on October 26, 2008, 10:23:18 PM
Beat a friend's 12 year old daughter at frisbee golf on the Wii.
Be proud, Pachy. Proud. ;)
Saturday: photocopied the last page of the Tax Return. Sunday: cross checked had photocopied all pages. Exhausted.
Today: Project PostOffice: post Tax Return - significant event: wake up (tick now awake).
Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on October 27, 2008, 01:18:29 AM
Quote from: Pachyderm on October 26, 2008, 10:23:18 PM
Beat a friend's 12 year old daughter at frisbee golf on the Wii.
Be proud, Pachy. Proud. ;)
:mrgreen: Damn straight. She kicked my ass at everything else we played...
A few things over the weekend but the really significant was on Friday afternoon when I went to vote.
Posted Tax Return next day delivery. Stapled receipt to photocopy ;)
Now can someone kindly shut that wretched woman on the TV up - if I hear her go on about time running out for Tax Returns one more time I may have to smash my TV.
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on October 27, 2008, 04:47:01 PM
A few things over the weekend but the really significant was on Friday afternoon when I went to vote.
I did that once. Didn't work.
Quote from: beagle on October 27, 2008, 08:44:35 PM
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on October 27, 2008, 04:47:01 PM
A few things over the weekend but the really significant was on Friday afternoon when I went to vote.
I did that once. Didn't work.
It rarely does but then again in 2000 all it took were 537 votes. In any case I feel I did my duty, I expressed my "belief" in the system (or better, my belief that the alternatives are far worse), ratified that which allows me to express my self without immediate fear of incarceration or worse, and finally because I feel that my vote its slightly less meaningless that those in places like Iran or Cuba.
Yeah, I was only kidding. Always vote, but have always lived in places (Surrey, rural Cambridgeshire) which are solid blue (Tory) and where the outcome is never in doubt.
If there is something widely known about elections in Florida is that the outcome is always in doubt. ;)
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on October 28, 2008, 12:36:29 PM
If there is something widely known about elections in Florida is that the outcome is always in doubt. ;)
Well good old USA...that's how democracy is supposed to work!
I did the early voting thing in Floriduh. The have paper ballots with optical scanners. I am doubting that anybody is going to steal this one at the ballot level anyways. There were lots of Obama people there. Provided all the people get out and vote I think it will be a landslide for Obama.
6 more days, can we just forward 6 more days to the celebration/duel?
--
When I voted it seemed that most early voters were for Obama, but then again I live in a solid blue (Democrat) county. We can only hope...
Heard on the radio (NPR) that many of the touch-screen "voting" machines will be replaced with optical scanners.
We've had optical scanners here in Oklahomer since....well, the 80's at least. And EVERY TIME there was a cry for "recount" guess what? The results were verified by a hand-count.
The ballots are so simple, an illerate could operate one, provided someone explained to him (yes, him...the odds are higher it's a 'him' and not a 'her') which was which.
What you basically do is complete an arrow, which not accidentally, points to the candidate you want.
That is: there is a nice bold black arrow-head pointing to each candidate. There is a gap, then there is a nice bold arrow-tail, "feathers" next to each 'head'.
All you gots t'do, is complete the arrow..... a 2 year old could do it, if each arrow-head was explained.
And the idiotic machines can read which arrow is complete, and which is not. Flawlessly (as long as only ONE arrow is complete, obviously.....SOME TINY intelligence is assumed).
I always thought that if someone could not complete the ballot properly, do we really need to lower the bar THAT low?
(blind people NOT included in that-- there are braille ballots, and anyone may ask for help from any volunteer at any time during the voting process...these are always helpful people, who just LOVE to help out-- that is WHY they volunteered!)
No, assuming the person can see the letters well enough, then why not make it a slight test of the tiny bit of intelligence needed to guide the black pen through the broken arrow halves, completing the whole?
(again, no slight to people who cannot manipulate a pen-- help can and will be provided if asked. OR you may elect to take someone with you into the "booth" for help)
....
Anyway, the NPR bit seemed to worry that some poor benighted folk would be unable to complete the paper-to-optical-scanner ballots properly.
Were they serious?
*bleah*
when did we, as a people, start lowering the bar to the point that someone with only a single working brain cell would be the "standard"?
Oh! Of course..... when we ELECTED someone with that condition....
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on October 30, 2008, 01:37:43 AM
when did we, as a people, start lowering the bar to the point that someone with only a single working brain cell would be the "standard"?
Oh! Of course..... when we ELECTED someone with that condition....
Yeh, see my thread Bible and the Ballot - cross posted with this LOL.
Hmmm.
Time for Pikktures.
Draw a moustache on the candidates you don't like. If the already have one deface them as you wish.
We vote with e-slate. NOT a touchscreen, not easily manipulateable...in fact, not manipulateable at all.
I've voted. Of course, I'm voting in Texas, where due to the need for redistricting the US completely, my vote is 'worth' about one third of what a vote in Alaska is.*
Thanks, electoral college...
* See chart.
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2004/info/states.html
The figures are even worse for this year, that's 2004's numbers. One Texas elector now represents over 700,000 voters. Zono's vote is worth a bit more, but Bob's up there!!
Mine is worth slightly less than yours, Chatty.
Got about $90 worth of my books and comics back from a friend. She's had then since...May? She moved up into the mountains and was here on the floor today to see her girlfriend for Halloween, so she brought them back!
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on October 31, 2008, 08:43:21 AM
We vote with e-slate. NOT a touchscreen, not easily manipulateable...in fact, not manipulateable at all.
I've voted. Of course, I'm voting in Texas, where due to the need for redistricting the US completely, my vote is 'worth' about one third of what a vote in Alaska is.*
Thanks, electoral college...
* See chart.
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2004/info/states.html
The figures are even worse for this year, that's 2004's numbers. One Texas elector now represents over 700,000 voters. Zono's vote is worth a bit more, but Bob's up there!!
I'm with ya, Chatty: scrap the EC.
Over all, I seriously admire the founding fathers and mothers and their ideas of government.
This is one they got extremely wrong.
My idea? I have given it some thought.
I would institute voting (at least on the national level) takes a full week, including weekend. I would mix up the hours the polls would be open over the course of the week, to accommodate different work schedules.
I would institute severe penalties on premature release of numbers from any precinct. At the end of the week (and only then), the numbers nation-wide would be totaled.
President would be majority of the
registered voters, not the majority of those who voted. If insufficient people vote (lack of a quorum) the election is null, and will need to be rescheduled. Two insufficient quorum in a row, automatically becomes a "none of the above" (see next).
All ballots will include "none of the above". If 'none of the above' wins, all the candidates who were on that ballot must withdraw this election cycle, and a new election will need to be rescheduled.
Elections will take place early enough so that reschedules can be accommodated, typically 6 months before the end of term.
Yeah, it creates 6 months of lame-duck, but so what? The party responsible for the misbehaviors of their chief candidate,
especially if he/she's lame duck, also get penalized in some way (likely confiscation of their election funds). This will help ensure that party helps keep the lame duck from doing something stupid. (not 100%, but would help a great deal. Hit'em in their pocket-books, where it REALLY hurts. Politicians don't have hearts, after all....)
Oh, and to help with the voting quorum? Penalty for not voting-- after all, there is ALWAYS a 'none of the above', so there's no excuse if you don't like the choices....
*sigh*
I assume you would mean a 2/3 majority? Otherwise (and possibly still) places like LA, San Fransisco, New York, etc. WILL out weigh places like Libby, Montana and Kerville, Texas. And that's not really fair.
I went shooting.
It's not really significant, other than that I love doing it, and haven't had the chance to pull a trigger for quite some time now.
Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on November 02, 2008, 02:38:53 AM
I assume you would mean a 2/3 majority? Otherwise (and possibly still) places like LA, San Fransisco, New York, etc. WILL out weigh places like Libby, Montana and Kerville, Texas. And that's not really fair.
No, majority of
registered voters, not a majority of those who actually vote.
And if Libby, Montana do not have a "voice" in the nationals, that is what their representatives/senators are for.
I'm for returning to one citizen, one vote.
Instead of what it is NOW: one citizen=many votes in Montana, but one citizen=0.00001/vote in New York. Very unbalanced. The rural folk get "votes" all out of proportion to their population....
And, as an added benefit, they will likely be spared national election ads, too..... why bother?
Quote from: Pachyderm on November 02, 2008, 05:33:31 PM
I went shooting.
It's not really significant, other than that I love doing it, and haven't had the chance to pull a trigger for quite some time now.
Me either. Thinking about taking up air rifle this winter (cheaper and less hassle than firearms). Later I'd like to get into full bore shooting and maybe archery.
Quote from: Pachyderm on November 02, 2008, 05:33:31 PM
I went shooting.
It's not really significant, other than that I love doing it, and haven't had the chance to pull a trigger for quite some time now.
Hunting season began yesterday; time to bag a few Tories again ;) ;)
Saw some bits of the family yesterday, and spoke to some others on the phone, all pleasurable but leaving some lose ends, all of which now tied up, but all of which over-exercised the brain and caused two significantly sleepless nights so far.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on November 03, 2008, 04:10:59 AM
Quote from: Pachyderm on November 02, 2008, 05:33:31 PM
I went shooting.
It's not really significant, other than that I love doing it, and haven't had the chance to pull a trigger for quite some time now.
Hunting season began yesterday; time to bag a few Tories again ;) ;)
It's the lowland Scots who are all communists. In the Highlands they're all lairds. Never worked out how you fit the two in one country without some sort of explosion.
Periodically we sally forth from our Highland fortresses and belt a few Sasannachs, and their subversive Bolshie worker drones. ;D
"Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil"
We just don't tell the media bods when we do it...
Fixed my main laptop, today.
Had to re-install Micro$uck software...*bleah* Seems I forgot my admin password, and I can't be bothered to make a "fetch the password boot disk" so I just re-installed.
Didn't loose anything, I had backedup all significant data on a flash, soooo....
Now, I'm back on my curvy-keyboard, with my trackball/mouse and my rotatable 20" monitor. Heaven.
I'm reading this in portrait mode, with 20" of screen real-estate to read on.....
(a little-known trick of Windoze XP is the "rotate the screen" function. CONTROL-ALT-ARROW-KEY changes the screen's rotation to match whichever arrow-key you use.... a nice practical joke to play on coworkers at lunchtime...)
Quote(a little-known trick of Windoze XP is the "rotate the screen" function. CONTROL-ALT-ARROW-KEY changes the screen's rotation to match whichever arrow-key you use.... a nice practical joke to play on coworkers at lunchtime...)
That's just cruel Bob! ::)
And I'm sooo going to use it as retaliation next time someone pulls a prank on me ;D
Yesterday Mr. Ops and I volunteered our time to help refurbish the town holiday decorations. That means we went up in a cold attic over the Hardware store and cut old Christmas lights off fifteen giant wreaths and re-strung them. Took us about four hours, which is not bad. I've been doing this for years and this is the shortest it's ever taken to finish. Mr. Ops is very good at handliung gangly 300-light sets (and other things that most people would consider to be "unruly"- namely ME! ;D )
It's funny though, he's agnostic and I'm American pagan, but we do love our Christmas lighties!
Not today as such, but last night, failed to take any of my medication. On account of sleeping at an unusual time. For me. You have been warned. !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, I spent the day in the emergency room. I had a CT scan and have 3 new medicines, but only for 10 days.
Bleagh.
Took a nap.
I'm sorry you had a time of it, Chatty.
*sends good thoughts her way*
But they let you out ! Really, think, a whole day where you couldn't possibly do everyday chores.
Personally I cannot understand why no one has taken an axe to Pollyanna yet
I finished emptying a cupboard of emergency tinned food, chucked the outofdates, re-ordered a reduced amount. I reckon I could survive longer on less now as I am used to not being able to eat. ;D
Painting round my house,plumbing round parents' house.
Today I returned to Scotland to spend Christmas with my parents. Home cooking! Dad buying the booze! Hooray!
If my parents had *ever* offered me booze at a holiday, I would have known I was asleep and dreaming... (http://www.surfnetkids.com/images/santa-icon.gif)
My dad let me try whisky at about 7. It was a successful cunning plan. It tasted so awful I didn't touch it again for another decade.
Today I drain down the heating system before it drains itself down. Expect scenes reminiscent of Das Boot.
Checked system still drained down and not refilling itself via notoriously leaky header tank gate valve. helped clear out garage. Cooked parents' steak dinner; set off two smoke detectors. Got chased and half-heartedly bitten by their neighbours' Alsatian. Made mental note to save some steak for trip down drive next time. More painting. Overdosed on paint fumes and Torchwood box set. And so to bed.
Yesterday, I set up my wife's new computer running Vista... in French. It was the first time I touched Vista at all, so I have no idea what half the controls do.
Me yesterday:
"Terminer? Okay... I know that means 'to stop' or 'to end', but in this context does it mean 'cancel' or 'finish'?"
"Afficher? To me that means 'affix', but it looks like it might mean 'show'? Should I press it? Is it something I'll be able to undo if I don't like what happens?
I'm quite proud of the fact that I managed to muddle through without making the shiny new computer emit smoke even once.
One place I worked we had to reproduce a problem in the Korean version of Windows. The IT person managed to install it just by recognising the icons and because she knew the sequence from the English version so well.
Quote from: Sibling Lambicus the Toluous on December 30, 2008, 03:31:35 PM
Yesterday, I set up my wife's new computer running Vista... in French. It was the first time I touched Vista at all, so I have no idea what half the controls do.
Me yesterday:
"Terminer? Okay... I know that means 'to stop' or 'to end', but in this context does it mean 'cancel' or 'finish'?"
"Afficher? To me that means 'affix', but it looks like it might mean 'show'? Should I press it? Is it something I'll be able to undo if I don't like what happens?
I'm quite proud of the fact that I managed to muddle through without making the shiny new computer emit smoke even once.
That's amazing, really. I take it your French does not include common colloquial phrases or words? ;D
You have me beat, hands-down, though.
My "foreign" language skills consist of various computer languages...
...plus English. :mrgreen:
Here in the USofA, we proudly consider our native language skills to be a seriously learned skillset..... ::) We even have moderately difficult classes for our young'uns, to teach them the "rules" of their native tongue. Sadly, many do not pass even these rudimentary classes....
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on December 31, 2008, 12:40:21 AMThat's amazing, really. I take it your French does not include common colloquial phrases or words? ;D
It does, but my French abilities are generally at the "I would like to buy some butter and some cheese" level. I don't have a lot of practical experience speaking with actual Francophones, so I don't know the nuances of things like "finish" vs. "terminate" when it comes to how the words are used in everyday life.
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on December 31, 2008, 12:40:21 AMYou have me beat, hands-down, though.
My "foreign" language skills consist of various computer languages...
...plus English. :mrgreen:
Heh... I speak English, supposedly French, a very small amount of Spanish, and race marshal hand signals. :D
Today, I got out of the bed and walked to my computer all by myself. And I didn't throw up on anyone or anything.
I hadn't managed that in a week or more!!
Good to hear from you again! :glomp:
The most significant thing I've done to day is sleeping!
I visited the museum of 'all the stuff that qualifies as art but was not made in Europe and/or is of ethnologocal value'
Formally it is a collection of museums in a single building that keeps changing its name on an irregular base.
The main topic of interest on my visit today was an exhibition (ending this Sunday) of Japanese paintings and coloured prints concerning the..eh..red light milieu* (there even was a warning sign at the entrance concerning minors or other sensitive humans ;) )
*including works of Hokusai (but without tentacle rape)
Three days ago** I watched
Memoirs of a Geisha. Reasonably close to the book - gets 3 plus points on my filmometer.
**
topic catch up post ;) ;)But wait ! The previous post includes mention of things Japanese. Could this be mere coincidence ? I think not !
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on January 01, 2009, 02:41:09 PM
Today, I got out of the bed and walked to my computer all by myself. And I didn't throw up on anyone or anything.
I hadn't managed that in a week or more!!
I wish the computer could walk to you.
I was reading stuff on palliative care...... and controlling nausea.... I wish they'd stop kidding us..... hmmm rather :offtopic:
Well, I *think* I'm on the mend. I'm not currently experiencing an elevated temperature. But, I've also taken 1000mg of Tylenol, which can reduce such things.
My left tonsil is swollen and sore-- so it's likely suffering from a mild infection. (yes, I still have both of these things...)
But, I'm feeling generally better.
And I've 2 more days to get better, before *ker-snap* back to the slave-mines! :)
Bought the last of the clothing I absolutely needed yesterday and got up at a reasonable hour today!
Up at 6AM to accept delivery of boiler parts. Should soon have a 96% efficient boiler and a knackered bank account. Spent the day decorating and waiting for the new Dr Who announcement. It's Matt Smith (don't know much about him, was hoping for Russell Tovey, but at least it's not Anne Widdecombe).
He was ace in Party Animals. I think he will be a fabulous Dr Who.
However, I have commented less favourably over in one of the Evolution threads ;)
Significant? Today? De Nada! I am just about to watch Andy Marr & Gordon Brown (recorded - 9 am. on a Sunday NO WAY) but it is already tomorrow.
Back to work today, after an excellent festive season.
First thing we did was begin the office war with the helicopters. then I brought out the USB missiles I got for Christmas (cheers, bro) and tried to shoot them down. No successes as yet, but early days, early days.
I love working here.
I spent most of yesterday and some of today kicking a new laptop with MS Vista OS into submission...
If it had been mine I would probably have jumped on it but it's my bonus dads however I have to take a closer look at linux because there's noway I'm going to buy a new computer with a OS like that...
:taz:
One word: Ubuntu (send me a PM if you need some guidance).
---
Today I went to pick up my birds which were boarding at the vet's while we were away. They were a bit confounded at first but now they are in my shoulders preening their feathers as usual.
Reconfigured life plans for the next 5 years because I discovered stoopid correspondence program for my BSc has biennial rather than annual intakes (different city, perhaps... I could do 12 months of seat time instead of 2 years of correspondence). Significantly, the immediate plan for the next year and a bit does not change, so lots of time for mulling alternatives.
Bonding lunch with D-i-L Number Two. Nice.
:offtopic:
Quote from: Pachyderm on January 05, 2009, 10:23:17 AM
..... then I brought out the USB missiles I got for Christmas .......
Got any USB badgers?
No, when it comes to wildlife I prefer the live versions. ;D
And with the addition of the missile launcher, I dont have any spare USB ports.
I am considering a multi-port splitter thing, with LOTS of missile launchers for a volley effect, ranged along the front of my desk.
Quote from: Pachyderm on January 06, 2009, 12:02:23 PM
I am considering a multi-port splitter thing, with LOTS of missile launchers for a volley effect, ranged along the front of my desk.
Watch out for "Congestion Charging" :ROFL:
Ordered a TV that is big enough for me to see. Odd, but along with mars bars, my existing TVs seem to be getting smaller these days, although I suppose that is in line with Time Lords getting younger.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on January 06, 2009, 02:49:32 PM
Quote from: Pachyderm on January 06, 2009, 12:02:23 PM
I am considering a multi-port splitter thing, with LOTS of missile launchers for a volley effect, ranged along the front of my desk.
Watch out for "Congestion Charging" :ROFL:
Ordered a TV that is big enough for me to see. Odd, but along with mars bars, my existing TVs seem to be getting smaller these days, although I suppose that is in line with Time Lords getting younger.
Did you get HD?
I got one of those a coupla months ago......and on HD feed, the picture is amazing.
You even notice the make-up mistakes whenever they do a super-close shot of actors on ordinary shows.....TV's gonna have to adapt their make-up techniques! ;D :D
But my favorite parts is watching the nature shows in HD..... too cool.
1. Cant afford HD
2. True HD starts at 40". Can't fit a 40" in the space. Biggest I can squeeze in is 26" and that's tight and I may live to regret it.
3. Even if the space was big enough for 40", I would be too close to see it properly - I'd have to keep my head working like a room fan to see the edges.
4. I have bought HD Ready. There appear to be two versions of HD Ready. HD a bit ready, and HD a bit nearer ready than a bit ready. I got the second. It means if I access HD then I see some improvement rather than none. I don't really understand why HD a bit ready are available at all since it seems they don't actually show any benefit visibly, although they have HDMI connections possible.
Personally, I think they haven't quite cracked HD. It seems a case of look, you get an enormous screen and we can sprinkle EVEN more pixels all over it. At some stage, what with the cost of real estate, they may find folk screaming for screens they can fit into their homes. ;D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Significant? Today? Um. Haven't got there yet. It is still yesterday here.
Actually you have to be close to that 40" to notice a true HD feed (1080p) which explains why I don't have a Blueray player nor I intend to have one (I have a 42" 720p in the living room and at the 2.5m distance from the couch I wouldn't be able to distinguish the difference between an upscaled DVD and a Blueray). 720p/1080i TV shows generally look great if they don't charge an arm and a leg for them it may be worth the effort, otherwise I'd wait.
Otherwise make sure your DVD player has HDMI upscaling and you'll be happy.
I'll just be happy having a screen I can see subtitles at all - oh and rolling news !!
Today I ordered a pillow case so I can wash the one I've been using ;D
Hmm. I have a 34" "true" HD flatscreen....
We have them over here, as small as 20", "true" HD, according to the specs. Most of these can double as a PC monitor, too...
Maybe it's a European vs States thing...
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on January 07, 2009, 11:18:03 PM
Hmm. I have a 34" "true" HD flatscreen....
We have them over here, as small as 20", "true" HD, according to the specs. Most of these can double as a PC monitor, too...
Maybe it's a European vs States thing...
Sounds like either we are being lied to, or you are ! Wonder how to find out?
We are already being duped here as all the "HD ready" are advertised as "HD ready" without distinction as to level of "readiness"; it's only by checking the tech.specs. one can find out the difference - and not all are detailed enough, and the average wo(man) in the street doesn't bother (and believes sales people anyway LOL!).
James is re-structuring the company.
I got promoted again. ;D
I am now a principal ecologist. More moolah, as now more responsibility. Hoorah for more moolah! Responsibility actually seems just the same, at least for now...
Could claim promotion to senior was roughly in line with normal career progression (bit swift, but not outrageous). This one is well ahead of the curve.
Still hasn't properly sunk in yet.
Wow, Pachy! That's fantastic! Congratulations!
Sounds great! :mrgreen:
I got up at a decent hour instead of sleeping 'till noon or later. Still very tired and less than coherent, but awake.
I fainted.
I've been sluggish all day due to period pains, in the afternoon I was pretty bored as I'd been sitting still most of the day so I tried to be a little more active, however my body decided enough was enough and just shut down. :-\
L woke me up, nothing bashed or broken just a bit shaken. :unsure:
I listened patiently to an elderly woman take 15 minutes to ask a 15 second question. Perhaps the "POWER That BE" gives brownie points for such kindness, but the "powers that be" often see it as inefficient.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pachy: congratulations!
Darlica: be careful!
Met up with two very dear old friends who hadn't seen for a while; carried out bizarre cleansing fetish; met my new grand-child.
Paint my room with a nice lemon yellow.
Used Excel to make a few complex graphs of my 3 time daily pulse and blood pressure readings supine and upright.......
Given the picture of what is going on, I am surprised I am alive.
Unless I got the graphs wrong.
Today? Nothing.
Yesterday I got back from London, signed up to a temp agency and answered several dozen emails that had stacked up in my absence.
Taxed my car. Got a new battery for my central locking car key.
Written quotes. Thereby hopefully ensuring further salary....
Sent in another job application.
Met up with a good friend - unusual enough nowadays to be significant <moan intended ;) >
Drove two thirds of the way across the country (so glad I don't live in the former USSR) to install houses for bats. (14 nails, a hammer and a stepladder. Oh, and a bat box or three, that's all you need...)
Warm fuzzy feeling for the day achieved. But that might just be the indigestion.
Is this bat farms for feeding badgers?
I slept all day. The effect of yesterday.
I tried adding up all my tax info yesterday but couldn't finish , my tenant is in the living room which was converted to a bedroom while I work on his bedroom , so I took everything upstairs so he could get to sleep .
Unfortunately cat wanted to be with me and was lying on top of everything , some of the receipts , I can barely read since the ink has faded .
Anyway , it appears i will not be able to take it to the accountant on time and she is very likely swamped with clients right now .
I just called the tax office asking for three more days and she gave me a another month .
I was pretty taddy over the phone , I'm sure it helped ;D .
Applied for three jobs.
Started the final stage of getting my dual citizenship.
Got up before 8am (the toughest one)
Chucked out more old magazines
(my home was pretty well filled with magazines to the extent the stacks were dangerous but I've been shifting small piles every few days for months now.... I'm still a good way off being magazineless but I'd say I'm about half way now...).
I've done 3 out of 4 illustrations and it isn't much left on the last one and I booked a meeting with my accountant.
Today I searched for EIF1.
I need to get out more.
Also ordered L.A. Pars "A Treatise on Analytical Dynamics". Been meaning to read it for over twenty years.
Saw my heart/BP doctor. Seeing him was the significant thing as seeing doctors is always an anticlimax; the result is just tedious.
Finished one of my papers. :P Another one to go and a quiz. Blegh.
Finally disassembled an old desk and moved the library in my room to it's final place to start placing the bloody books out of everywhere.
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on May 11, 2009, 03:29:20 AM
Finally disassembled an old desk and moved the library in my room to it's final place to start placing the bloody books out of everywhere.
Now that's a project I can relate to !!
Iinstalled MS Office Suite 2007 and PhotoDraw version 2
Nothing as yet, but it's only 10 o'clock, so I remain optimistic.
Put up some guttering, designed a WPF control and wrote a polyphonic motet in the style of Thomas Tallis.
(OK, I may have made one of those claims up).
Institute exams. Bleh.
done the Everyman crossword
I helped my best friend move but since my back is busted I can't carry heavy things, so I was the designated babysitter for her little son instead.
He can be both grumpy and loud but in some strange way I managed to keep him happy and quiet for the whole time I had him, which according to his loving mother is nothing short of a miracle... ;D
I have no idea what I did and I doubt I can repeat it.
:)
To be totally honest, I am fed up with doing significant things.
I have been going like the outhouse door when dysentry is in town, and just want a rest.
Thankfully, James is back next week, so he can have some of the workload.
"Can we have a quote by next Tuesday" is not that unreasonable at 4:47pm on a Thursday, but the answer to
"Can we have a qute by next Tuesday, and the surveys done and the report by next Friday?"
is alas, "Go Forth And Multiply".
You wouldn't ask an architect, or a quantity surveyor, or a roads engineer, or any other professional occupation that, so why do you feel it is appropriate to ask an ecologist?
Oh, that's right, you think that the environmental stuff is just red tape and bullshit, and tha no-one will take it seriously. Well, my friend, enjoy the months long delay until it's the correct season for those surveys, all because you are an idiot. Hope your client stays with you, because everyone else thinks you're an ass-hat. And shouting at me down the phone won't help, I don't make the laws. But this time, I will take great pleasure in informing you what they are. And now you've mentioned it to me (and I have the email) if any work gets carried out, get your bag packed for the Big House with the iron bar windows.
Today was not a good day.
Normal service will resume shortly.
That sounds pretty significant to me... ;)
--
Hopefully the next is significant and less aggravating.
Baked an angel food cake for the Opsalette's birthday. Not significant in a universal sense, only a personal one. Does that count?
Jeez, Pachy, sorry to hear you have the same client list as I do. Someone looking for a vernal pool survey in high summer? :aargh: We have a subdivision (approved by a deskbound office-haunter in Augusta who never saw the site and never asked us to look at it) with lovely building envelopes, appropriately sized and respecting such things as stream setbacks and whatnot. There's this one lot (all are on steep terrain, poorly drained soils, lots of rainfall) with a "linear wetland" running down the slope, with lovely uphill-pointing V-shaped contour lines and flowing water in the bottom, but no streams. Good thing, because if there was a stream, they would have lost the lot. [Pause for screaming and pounding head against wall. :headbang:]
Today I drove 200 miles to my brother's house, and tore his front stairs off! ;D
With his permission, I assume? ;D
I drove Lindorm to the train station, he left for a 3 week vacation at the summerhouse, I however will have to stay in the city this time.
I also drew a portrait of my aunt A.
Thinking about purchasing a mini camcorder (the price dropped significantly)
Said goodbye to Spike for the last time.
(http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp199/ETtheExtraTerrestrial/cats_0224.jpg)
Poor Spikie.
A :candle: to light his way to the fields of catnip!
And a :hug: to you, loosing a pet always hurt.
I finally went into the wine making establishment down the street and now I have five gallons of merlot and five gallons of something else ( I forgot what is was ) happily fermenting away .
I intend to give some out when they are done .
There are a few members that are a quick subway ride to my place , if ye be in my neighborhood in a months time , come on over a grab a bottle of each .
Cleaned the bathroom :o
Quote from: Bruder Cuzzen on July 25, 2009, 10:53:02 PM
I finally went into the wine making establishment down the street and now I have five gallons of merlot and five gallons of something else ( I forgot what is was ) happily fermenting away .
You are gonna LOVE that wine. We've been making wine that way for a year plus now, and have never been disappointed. Every batch has been delicious, inexpensive, and at least 17% alcohol, with a couple coming in well over 20%. No hangovers, either - I think it's because some kind of goop they put in at the big wineries gets left out. We've made merlot, barolo, chianti, cabernet/merlot, chocolate port (yum!), and a bunch of other stuff. Sooooooo goooood......
:clink:
CHOCOLATE PORT !?
Hmmmm I have a nefyu that will salivate at the sound of that .
What does it taste like ?
Could you describe the flavor of it for me (are you about to say " It tastes like chocolate and port " ) ?
Not too sweet is it ?
I just finished painting my house mate's room , well sort of , I ran out of paint and it was a mixture of six different partial cans .
I seriously doubt I will finish all the projects I started this year , I loaned out a bit of cash ( that wasn't even mine ) to family and friends to bail them out of the messes they got themselves into .
They agreed to give me token amount in return as compensation but it appears doubtful that they will honour the agreements .
One is already a month past our agreed upon date in returning $90,000 and the other group looks like they are going to leave me holding the bag on $22,500 .
I've been keeping up the payments for a year on the former and two years on the latter loan , at the moment I'm flying on one defeathered wing and I wonder how long I can keep my head above water .
I do not doubt that they will pay me back , but I set my agenda upon them behaving as I would , that is , a deal is a deal and I'd do what I must to honor my word even if I had to sell my house .
It's galling me to hear them speak about the many vacations they took , and all the fun they had going to this or that place , of all the great restaurants they just went to , or the latest high tech toys they bought .
They don't even offer to lend a hand with all I must do here so I needn't live in such squalid conditions !
It is a shame they would do this to me , I do hope they realize never to ask me again to lend them a hand next time they are desperate .
This experience has been quite rough on my stress levels and I don't believe I could go through this again * sigh * .
In the interest of accurate reporting, we've just opened a bottle. (It's OK, it's 2:39 in the PM, and the only activities on the list for the remainder of the day are cleaning the bathroom sink and perhaps changing some of the cardboard under the litterboxes.)
The wine has a strong chocolate flavor, but not a sweet chocolate - more like a dark chocolate. There is a lingering wine flavor, though I'm not sure lingering is the right term. After all, I'm not really a coniss commons concier I don't really know a whole lot about wines, except the drinking part. Boy is this stuff yummy. I think its flavor is enhanced by the high alcohol content - it's practically a brandy. I think the alcohol content came out around 24% in this batch if I remember correctly.
My significant accomplishment today: I rotorootered the shower drain. Yuck, but it runs smoothly now.
Installed my new wireless router modem. It's only been waiting to be installed for about 15 months.
Now I can try to install the piece of kit that came with it - although it is not clear that it would not have worked with my old existing modem but the instruction book was very fierce about it. Fierce instruction books are frightening; probably that is why most people don't read them.
In the process, I dismantled acres of cable that had generated under my desk for things I mainly no longer use.
I also now have a surfeit of modems and routers; I could possibly start a shop.
I am also now exhausted as it all involved lots of crawling.
Just the usual. Saving the animals... ;D
BC and Earthling: is there a particular brand of winemaking equipment/ mixture you buy? That sounds like fun.
BC: Sorry to hear that your generosity has been abused. For the record, I think you were very nice to have tried to help. Too bad that they have not risen to your level of kindness by paying you back before enjoying themselves.
I don't know how significant this is, but I have been helping with our town planning committee working on a celebration next month. I've been in charge of the arts and crafts fair, and it has been interesting trying to keep up with the details of the show, finding the vendors, creating application forms, parking passes, the mapping, insurance challenges, etc. It's all volunteer, but the money for vendor spaces goes to our local historical society to help run their library, so I feel good about it. (Still, I'll be glad when it's over- it takes a lot of time!)
Quote from: Bruder Cuzzen on July 26, 2009, 12:16:08 PMI loaned out a bit of cash ( that wasn't even mine ) to family and friends to bail them out of the messes they got themselves into .
They agreed to give me token amount in return as compensation but it appears doubtful that they will honour the agreements .
One is already a month past our agreed upon date in returning $90,000 and the other group looks like they are going to leave me holding the bag on $22,500 .
I've been keeping up the payments for a year on the former and two years on the latter loan , at the moment I'm flying on one defeathered wing and I wonder how long I can keep my head above water .
I do not doubt that they will pay me back , but I set my agenda upon them behaving as I would , that is , a deal is a deal and I'd do what I must to honor my word even if I had to sell my house .
It's galling me to hear them speak about the many vacations they took , and all the fun they had going to this or that place , of all the great restaurants they just went to , or the latest high tech toys they bought .
They don't even offer to lend a hand with all I must do here so I needn't live in such squalid conditions !
It is a shame they would do this to me , I do hope they realize never to ask me again to lend them a hand next time they are desperate .
This experience has been quite rough on my stress levels and I don't believe I could go through this again * sigh * .
Bah, that's hideously shameful - how can they be in personal debt and spend money on non-essentials? I can barely bring myself to spend on luxuries when I have cash in the bank. :P
I hope they are aware that you're paying loans on these amounts; is it possible to at least prompt them to keep up with the interest payments monthly? Which may remind them that it's not FREE money, and that it keeps costing you! (and maybe motivate them to pay back some of it). I've been burned by (certain) friends on small loans enough that I would personally never be able to lend out that kind of money unless said person had repaid me quickly and painlessly in the past for reasonable amounts, but I think you are a kinder person that I am, BC.
Maybe we could send a pirate goon squad to repossess some of the high-tech goodies. Vacations might be tough, and I'm not sure you want what's left of the meals back. ;)
Quote from: Pachyderm on August 06, 2009, 03:15:07 PM
Just the usual. Saving the animals... ;D
So today the missus went to get her oil changed, and had them do her air filter at the same time. Inside the old filter, they found two juvenile mice. Said mice (I have not yet been home to meet them) now reside in the terrarium that has been home to two previous mice. Cable TV for the cats. Saving the animals, as usual....
Opsa, I think we have used three or four different brands of winemaking kits. Vino del Vida is one that we have tried several different styles from - we go through Patty and John at Kennebec Home Brew (http://www.kennebechomebrew.com/) in Farmington. They have loads of kits to choose from, and are two of the nicest, fun-est people I know. We have never been disappointed in a wine we have made, not even a little bit. I don't think it makes any difference what brand you choose, as long as you follow the directions and pay attention to what the wine is doing you can't go wrong. Patty and John always let us use their equipment - buckets, vents, siphon, etc. - we just supply the bottles and buy the corks. And do the drinking part, that's very important. ;)
BC, I can't imagine being left holding the bag on that kind of $. I hope you are not put in a compromising position regarding your own day to day finances. That would be bad enough if it was due to your own poor habits, but if it happens as a result of family irresponsibility it's completely intolerable. I hope no burning bridges come from it, and your funds are restored promptly. I wish I could help.
BC Those family members needs a good kick in the a**!
Do you have any papers that verifies that you did lend them the money? If you have, you can go to court with it I think. You should not suffer because you where nice enough to try to help them when they where in trouble. :caveman:
They need to pay those money back to you and if they can afford hi-tech toys and vacations they can sure start to pay you back on a monthly basis!
:hug:
heer unkl Bc
i wull len ya sum big buttins ! :)
Got a permanent contract! Continued employment! Huzzah!
an i has sum noice pebbulls
ellybuddy kin has sum
thar is moor in me shup !
i has ta git dem owt cos etz ta heavey an sunkd et
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Quote from: Pachyderm on August 07, 2009, 07:52:09 PM
Got a permanent contract! Continued employment! Huzzah!
Congratulations!
:glomp:
:pinkelephant: :badger: :stars: :badger::pinkelephant:
i bin anna raidin parrdee in heer !
i go now
dunt cwy
i kum bak !
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I have delivered a bunch of biology illustrations I've been working on for about 3 weeks.
I'm happy with the results and happy that the commissioner is very pleased with them.
However it feels kind of empty now when I'm done and don't have another illustration job in line. :(
This job also reminded me about how much I love working with biology illustration (I've done mostly logos and decorative stuff for quite a while).
I changed the bedlinen. It took me an hour and a half. With breaks due to extreme exhaustion. I need a home help like my parents have.
I have signally failed to do anything of significance.
Sometimes silence speaks volumes. ;) :mrgreen:
I drove a trainload of containers destined for the Ikea shops in Stockholm. The populace can rest easy -there will be no shortage of bookshelves and tea candles for the upcoming week.
This morning I got a letter.
(For further information please see the Good News thread)
Quote from: Pachyderm on August 22, 2009, 05:52:35 PM
This morning I got a letter.
My irritating grammer checker always advises against the passive voice. ;)
This evening I sent 2 emails to possible master degree courses despite the prohibitive costs. (see good news thread). ;D
Went (after many years) to our local castle once again.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zitadelle_Spandau
L and I threw a party yesterday, which is something we haven't done in a couple of years.
:tequila: :clink:
Today we are sporting hangovers of the type we left behind in our mid twenties... we are also trying to tidy up the disaster zone that I think is our kitchen.
;D
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 23, 2009, 08:34:06 AM
Went (after many years) to our local castle once again.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zitadelle_Spandau
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Spandau_Zitadelle.png/270px-Spandau_Zitadelle.png) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/CastillodeSanMarcosNM.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
Architects reading from the same textbook? ;)
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on August 23, 2009, 04:00:41 PM
Architects reading from the same textbook? ;)
Quite possible.
The Spandau Citadel is one of the forts that come closest to the ideal and the landscape had to be changed significantly to get it built in that form (it's essentially floating on thousands of wooden poles in the mud). It's also quite large (several times the size of the Castillo).
Was Monsieur Vauban involved?
I think he came a few centuries later
Got my ex-tutors from the Diploma to agree to be referees fro the MSc I am applying for (which yesterday I got the message from the Director of the course that I am eligable for, and he "encourages" me to apply ;D).
I maintained a placid, congenial demeanor even as my supervisor issued another "but we can't do that" directive violating both industry standards in common usage since the 16th century and basic common sense.
Just returned from official trip to the BASF in Ludwigshafen where I visited the Chlor-Alkali plants and had discussions about the revision of the reference document for best available technologies (BREF) that will start end of September in Sevilla.
Can't say that I enjoy the prospects of visiting the hottest city in the whole of Europe (where currently the temperature drops to 35°C at night :help:).
Pressed the SUBMIT button on my online application for the MSc course I'd like to do.
<<**scary**>>
Wrote 4 job applications and e-mailed them.
Called up and barked at the support for my web hotel/domain since they haven't answered my e-mails...
Good fun and stress reliving... ::) ;D
Good typo Opsa !!
I made a batch of cinnamon buns! ;D
Sent in my second reference for the course application.
<<---more scary stuff-->>
I am half-way through creating a new, drawing-intensive desktop art from scratch.
Will post a linkie here when it is complete.
Smoked 30 saury (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cololabis_saira), a couple of salmon filets, a chicken and a lovingly seasoned piece of pastured side pork (mmmm.... homemade bacon).
My lungs feel terrible. :P
;)
Ahhh, finally completed a new desktop. I do not "cheat" and use thpse fancy-schmancy downloadable mapped figures, textures, etc., etc.
Oi draws me own wif a maus in Illustraytor an pennitenshully manipyoolaytes 'em in FotoChop.
Ruby Slippers (http://archaetypes.deviantart.com/art/Ruby-Slippers-1-136423644)
Pretty! :)
Today I boosted the Swedish economy. No, not the usual massive porn imports, but large quantitities of Akzo-Nobel wood preservative plastered all over my parents' house.
Quote from: beagle on September 12, 2009, 08:40:53 PM
Today I boosted the Swedish economy. No, not the usual massive porn imports, but large quantitities of Akzo-Nobel wood preservative plastered all over my parents' house.
I just yesterday had emission data of an Akzo Nobel Chlor-Alkali plant on my desk. Coincidence? :mrgreen:
And btw, I thought Sweden was a net exporter of porn.
---
Visited two museums today. One for the Berlin U-Bahn (underground railway, tube for the British) , the other the Museum der Dinge (museum of things/objects) wich currently has an exhibition on "evil things", i.e. objects that are crimes against good taste. There were also some machines such things can be destroyed with like a pressurized air driven hammer and axe, a stomper (with boot at lower end) and one machine that could roll over those things with something that looked like the undercarriage (and wheel) of a large airplane.
(http://www.museumderdinge.de/programm/ausstellungen/bilder/BoeseDinge_Ausstellung.jpg)
http://www.museumderdinge.de/programm/ausstellungen/bilder/BoeseDinge_Ausstellung.jpg
These were not the worst objects by far!!! :o
Btw, here is a picture of that hammer machine (without the compressor)
(http://www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de/pix/programm/2223.jpg)
http://www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de/pix/programm/2223.jpg
Actually, I don't mind that dust pan. Provided it wasn't used as a decorative piece, but just for sweeping up. ;)
If the salt & pepper thing were one piece I would think them wonderful for an experiment, see, if both are attached the user must cover the holes in one side to use the other. I can imagine the uncomfortable looks of the people at the dinner table first considering to use it and then having to grab a tit and shake in order to use it.
Why am I thinking this stuff? :mrgreen: :devil2: :o :P
I could live with the clock, but the mobile designer's imagination obviously ran out before he got to the keypad. I'm thinking gold leaf, with fur edging.
.
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on September 12, 2009, 09:59:41 PM
If the salt & pepper thing were one piece I would think them wonderful for an experiment, see, if both are attached the user must cover the holes in one side to use the other. I can imagine the uncomfortable looks of the people at the dinner table first considering to use it and then having to grab a tit and shake in order to use it.
Why am I thinking this stuff? :mrgreen: :devil2: :o :P
I don't know, any more than why I am also thinking the same stuff.
Quote from: beagle on September 12, 2009, 08:40:53 PM
Today I boosted the Swedish economy. No, not the usual massive porn imports, but large quantitities of Akzo-Nobel wood preservative plastered all over my parents' house.
Thank you!
for supporting our economy! ;D
Anything to get the name Nobel in the same context as mine.
Drank 4 litres of water (plus two cups of coffee and an energy drink) and peed only twice. It were HOT out today, and I was working outdoors for 10 hours out of the 14.
Quote from: beagle on September 14, 2009, 07:47:56 AM
Anything to get the name Nobel in the same context as mine.
Same context - you got plastered all over your parents' house? I usually save that for Christmastime. :mrgreen:
I've been on a committee for a year now, planning a town festival celebrating 250 years in our county. We're having a parade, music, food, historic exhibits, games, etc. Somehow I managed to get volunteered to create the arts and crafts show. I helped with one about 12 years ago and was the only one who admitted to knowing how to do it. It's been lots of work to find crafters and organize their information, collect money (it all goes to our local historical society), map out the area and be the go-to person for all questions and decisions about it.
Well, the thing is finally on for tomorrow, and I'll be so glad when it's over. Today I went out and made chalk outlines of all the crafter spaces with the most ungainly contraption in the world, a field liner from our local community center. I had assumed it was going to be one of those things that measures distances with a wheel, and that you can switch on and off easily, but lo, it was not. I had to measure each space with a blinkin' tape measure, and struggle with dispenser, which kept clogging with cement-like chalk because the grass was wet. Thought I'd have a heart attack pushing that bugger around, but I lived.
It took three hours, but it's done! Now all I have to do is wake up at dawn and go out with Vendor parking signs, park the vendor's cars, help them find their spaces, and man the information booth from 9 until 3. Then pick up any junk that people leave behind, and I'm through with this whole gig!
Luckily, the weather is supposed to be just lovely here tomorrow, so I am hoping it will be a terrific day for everyone and it'll all be worth it. Our little town so seldom has anything interesting happen in it, this is a big deal for us. So I am glad to help, if exhausted.
Good luck Opsa! But I don't think you need it it sounds like you are on top of this. :)
:claphands: Opsa! :claphands:
It must be nice to be so involved with your community.
Got a haircut and bought a suit. I have become all corporate and respectable....
Oh dear Pachy. what will you do next?
Found two missing bank statements. It's tax return time again.
Don't get too respectable, Pachy, we won't know what to do with you! ;)
UPDATE: Saturday went great! The weather was wonderful, and all the crafters were pleasant to one another, had no "issues", left no trash to clean up and were very happy!
Still coming down from it!
Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 20, 2009, 09:11:00 PM
Oh dear Pachy. what will you do next?
I think it's either the luxury imitation leatherette attache case or initialled cufflinks next.
Quote from: Pachyderm on September 19, 2009, 05:59:32 PM
Got a haircut and bought a suit. I have become all corporate and respectable....
LOL, I'm discorporating next week. I did get a haircut yesterday, but it was a free and not particularly good one.
I thought only the army and prison service gave free haircuts.
Wifes do it for 'free' at times.
YMMV though.
She had to fix it this morning "Wake up, I need your help, I'm having a hair emergency" - her friend inflicted it on me in the first place. The friend cuts her husband's hair, but he usually books a follow-up trip to the stylist from what I can gather. :P
Imitation leatherette?
Beagle, I am sorely dissapointed.
One would never stoop so low as to imitation leatherette. What would the chaps at the Drones say? You would never catch Oofy Prosser with an imitation leatherette case, despite his despicable trick with the swinging hoops over the pool.
I'm not so sure. Remember Bingo Little and the tie with little horseshoes on it? Or Bertie and the white dinner jacket from Cannes? It's incidents like that which remind one how fragile is the thin veneer of civilization which separates us from the apes.
Which is worse, imitation leatherette briefcases or imitation leatherette book covers?
Today I finished my accounts and discovered I have the wrong tax form.
Neither is in the same circle of taste Hell as devices to stamp your initials on golf balls, IMHO.
Quote from: beagle on September 26, 2009, 10:37:24 PM
Neither is in the same circle of taste Hell as devices to stamp your initials on golf balls, IMHO.
Provided you are tolerant of those who have such devices, you will not be banned.
I just came back from doing my duty as a citizen. No, not paying taxes or procreating. Voting in the federal elections.
The election campaign was the most boring in living memory which in a way is a good thing.
Quote from: Swatopluk on September 27, 2009, 08:41:07 AM
I just came back from doing my duty as a citizen. No, not paying taxes or procreating. Voting in the federal elections.
The election campaign was the most boring in living memory which in a way is a good thing.
Only one of the posters, emphasising Angela Merkel's assets, made it over here.
If she gets enough votes to form a different coalition she might transform into the Iron Lady. That might liven things up.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 26, 2009, 11:38:23 PM
Quote from: beagle on September 26, 2009, 10:37:24 PM
Neither is in the same circle of taste Hell as devices to stamp your initials on golf balls, IMHO.
Provided you are tolerant of those who have such devices, you will not be banned.
Thankee kindly maam. :forelocktuggingemoticon: .
I don't care what everybody else says, I think you're a wise and benevolent ruler, and hardly at all like Gengis Khan.
Quote from: beagle on September 27, 2009, 03:45:28 PM
Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 26, 2009, 11:38:23 PM
Quote from: beagle on September 26, 2009, 10:37:24 PM
Neither is in the same circle of taste Hell as devices to stamp your initials on golf balls, IMHO.
Provided you are tolerant of those who have such devices, you will not be banned.
Thankee kindly maam. :forelocktuggingemoticon: .
I don't care what everybody else says, I think you're a wise and benevolent ruler, and hardly at all like Gengis Khan.
I heard Gengis Khan was much misunderstood.
Yes, it was the lisp.
He was a really nice chap, all about the flower arranging and interior design, but his followers misheard his instructions concering doilies as "kill everyone between China and Poland who isn't one of us"
Yeah that happens a lot. I well remember the bloodshed at the Paris Fashion Show due to confusion between "Armani" and "an army". It took two weeks to get Dolce & Gabbana to withdraw their tanks from the Ardennes.
I blame over-zealous PAs.
Not to mention the fashion houses' war on size 14 models or the Christian modelling agency preaching spiritual fulfilment to the fashion world (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/27/christianity-models-agency-fashion).
Got a cell phone for the first time in years (have a work phone, but switching jobs so now I must get my own - they pay a daily cell allowance for field work but do not provide). :P
Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 28, 2009, 02:52:40 AM
Not to mention the fashion houses' war on size 14 models or the Christian modelling agency preaching spiritual fulfilment to the fashion world (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/27/christianity-models-agency-fashion).
Quote from: Guardian
The organisation's attempt to bring a spiritual element to the world of modelling may seem baffling: as Matthew 5:28 observes: "Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Is that where the expression "Might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb originates"?
Quote from: Swatopluk on September 27, 2009, 08:41:07 AM
I just came back from doing my duty as a citizen. No, not paying taxes or procreating. Voting in the federal elections.
The election campaign was the most boring in living memory which in a way is a good thing.
Good for you. Voting is always a significant thing, even when you're voting more "against" than "for". It shows those running that someone out there is still bothering to exercise their freedom to vote.
I got up at 4 am (instead of the already horrible 5am I usually do). To-morrow it will be even earlier to catch the flight to Seville.
It is still morning here so I haven't accomplished much yet, but I did re-order cyan and black ink cartridges (accursed HP printer that won't let me print orders because I'm out of CYAN! I don't need cyan! I only need to print in black! Plus I can tell there's ink in that cartridge) and made soup. Right now, any minute now, I will be using the internet do do something productive by way of looking at what colors and styles are selling these days.
Oh, and then I shall go for a run.
Just don't mix your ink with your soup. That'd be something I'd do.
That would make me very sad. Fortunately, I have already eaten the soup. :)
I got tired of the expiring ink cartridges from HP & all and now I own a cheap laser (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828112055)* (besides, I don't print in color).
* although nowadays you can get them even cheaper.
Started reading course material (online). Found I couldn't concentrate and take stuff in. Just too tired. Worrying I may have to ditch the course and it's only two days in.
Today I went to the doctor.
He told me that I have haemochromatosis. (Iron Overload Disorder). My body squirrels away far more iron than it needs to, (apparently, there is going to be an iron shortage) and stores it in all sorts of places such as joints, my pancreas, liver and heart. These are places where iron is not supposed to be stored...
The treatment is simple. I will have to have a pint of blood removed, once a week. For, possibly, two years. And then, once levels of stored iron are slightly lower than in normal people, I will be bled only every few months.
And I have bad veins to get blood out of. Very deep, apparently.
Hooray, life as a human pin-cushion beckons.
That blows. :(
Oh augh, Pachyderm, that sounds terrible! I'm sorry! I once went through a rather unpleasant period of life wherein I was being diagnosed with my brain tumor, and I was having something either removed from me or injected into me so frequently that it started to feel normal. The once-glorious vein in my right arm retreated so deeply that it's pretty much inaccessible and the left one's not so far behind it.
I just had a bunch of blood drawn last week, in fact. I feel for you. Now is a good time to practice thinking really hard about unrelated things.
I drove 500 kilometres today, from the summerhouse back home with L snoozing in the seat beside me for most of the time.
:drive:
Quote from: Darlica on October 01, 2009, 10:28:51 PM
I drove 500 kilometres today, from the summerhouse back home with L snoozing in the seat beside me for most of the time.
:drive:
That's a good long drive.
You know, a friend of mine in Belgium once said "Americans think a 100 year old building is old, and Europeans think a 100 miles is a long way".
All the same, that's about what, a 5 hour drive?
The time it takes depend on several things...
The speed limits; I started out on gravel roads and smaller asphalt roads with 50 to 70 km/h speed limits and the top speed limit around there is 120 km/h on some part of the biggest motorways.
It depends on the road conditions: which can shift dramatically over theses 50 km as I travel straight North to South or South to North (the summerhouse is in the south).
The condition of the driver (me); if I'm tired I tend to drive slower and make more stops to rest, drink coffe etc.
The drive today was almost as good as it gets, it took about 5 1/2 h plus the time it took having dinner and coffee as well as fill up fuel tank halfway, in really foul weather the same drive can take +11h which isn't fun at all...
100 miles might be a long way in mainland Europe or at the British Isles... Here in the North, at the outer rims of Europe it ain't. ;D
Quote from: Pachyderm on October 01, 2009, 08:40:30 PM
The treatment is simple. I will have to have a pint of blood removed, once a week. For, possibly, two years. And then, once levels of stored iron are slightly lower than in normal people, I will be bled only every few months.
And I have bad veins to get blood out of. Very deep, apparently.
Hooray, life as a human pin-cushion beckons.
Sorry to hear this Pachy. I've decided bad health is part of growing up :'(
Re the veins, a good trick is to immerse the arm (or hand or whatever) in very hot water for a few minutes. It brings the veins up. I always insist on doing it or they would never get anything out of me. I wont even let them try without doiing it as they just wreck me otherwise. Another trick is to ask for a chemotherapy nurse to take the bloods; they are always top notch and could get blood out of a stone.
Another more drastic method is to have a port fitted but I somehow doubt you want to go that far.
Maybe find a young lady with vampiristic tendencies to assist you? ;)
The thought of taking up rugby or moving to Glasgow occurred to me, but I didn't want to be first to lower the tone.
Nice to know there is a disease for which the medieval bloodletting techniques actually work. They didn't mention leeches at all I suppose?
Hope the treatment gets things back to normal pronto. I expect the evil socialist/nazi NHS have already suggested you have any siblings checked over for it too.
Quote from: Agujjim on October 02, 2009, 04:28:54 AM
Maybe find a young lady with vampiristic tendencies to assist you? ;)
I like this idea.
And the leeches, if only for the revulsion you could cause walking down the street...
Yes, the doc suggested my brother gets checked out. Seems reasonable, it's a recessive genetic condition, so he has a 1 in 4 chance of having it.
Nevertheless leaches are actually better with your veins than the regular hypodermic needle, sounds creepy but wait 'till that vein stops cooperating and it may sound more agreeable.
Today leeches aren't used for letting blood, the amount one leach can drink is pretty small and once used that leech is considered contaminated an can't be used again. The main use is to prevent clogging in the finer vessels after reattaching a limb or transplantation of a limb as the leeches saliva contain an natural anti clogging agent as well as the leech suck away unwanted blood.
I which you al the luck Pachy, I'm happy they caught this before it got really bad even if it means a lot of displeasure for you.
:hug:
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on September 29, 2009, 06:35:17 PM
I got tired of the expiring ink cartridges from HP & all and now I own a cheap laser (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828112055)* (besides, I don't print in color).
* although nowadays you can get them even cheaper.
I missed this post somehow. I think that is exactly what I need to do, once my finances are caught up.
I recommend both the printer and the site to buy it, BTW.
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on October 03, 2009, 02:22:23 AM
I recommend both the printer and the site to buy it, BTW.
Thank you! I bookmarked it.
Went to see the giants in Berlin
(http://static.ngz-online.de/layout/fotos/DEU_BB_Einheit_Feier_MSC1024ac733430970.jpg)
http://static.ngz-online.de/layout/fotos/DEU_BB_Einheit_Feier_MSC1024ac733430970.jpg
(http://www.koeln.de/files/afp/journal/eins/photo_1254485114840-2-0.jpg)
http://www.koeln.de/files/afp/journal/eins/photo_1254485114840-2-0.jpg
[youtube=425,350]Ru3Ug4u4YVI[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru3Ug4u4YVI
[youtube=425,350]ZceFbxHz7ok[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZceFbxHz7ok
Finished this week's assignments for my MSc.
Mind, it was sheer hell, and I only got 60.6% on the quiz, although according to the blurb over 59% in marked work is a merit but I don't somehow think that applies to quizes.
I keep thinking about giving up. Very tired and depressed which is taking all the enjoyment out of it and making it next to impossible.
Never mind this unit is on well-being which is less than funny as I don't have any well-being.
Keep going, Griffin! You're getting there!
:hug:
Thinking about dark rituals aimed at the Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railway Corp.)
Quote from: Swatopluk on October 06, 2009, 08:48:43 AM
Thinking about dark rituals aimed at the Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railway Corp.)
It might be safer to go and rant in the rant forum. ;)
And here I thought German trains were the only ones on time... ;)
Tiling my parents' kitchen.
I babysat my closest friend's little 1 1/2 year old boy last night!
I was prepared for the worst, a evening filled with screaming and crying but everything went as easy as it possibly could! Not a tear or even a dissatisfied sound, putting him to bed and get him to sleep soundly took less than 10 minutes... :o
I'm happy it went so well, I guess I'll be babysitting more in the future... :D
Heading off soon to a Rotary Club dinner where Mrs H will give a talk on the charity for which she works and I am a volunteer. We are hoping the reason the Rotarians have invited us is to give us some money. ;) Fingers crossed for us! Anyway, we'll get a free dinner. I'll try and get some photos to post here.
My brother-in-law joined the Rotary Club to help drum up business for his business. Instead he ended up taking hours off work endlessly to do Rotarian stuff....... sort of backfired. But now he is well stuck in and has never looked back. Constant dinners.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~#
Wrote a nice letter to the Revenue folk and a stonking letter to my heart consultant who has got my diagnosis wrong AGAIN.
Sorry to hear about the heart thing, Griffin.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I shall shortly have a rant about last night in the ranting thread. :fit:
Managed to do some coursework.
I obtained, from three individuals who all claimed to be knowledgeable and authoritative in the matter, in-depth and extensive explanations on the inner workings of a heating/AC unit at work that somehow managed to contradict each other on almost every single point.
At home, I completed some chores that my wife normally does ... in addition to my own! (And she's not even sick or anything!)
Last and most selfishly gratifying, I fulfilled a promise to myself to be more active online, here and elsewhere (see: this post).
Got all three letters for my internship application lined up (and one already in my inbox), taught debate, talked about what needs to be done to better the team with my boss, researched my great great uncle (police chief of Chicago from 1911 to 1913 and a former Pinkerton man), decided a wikipedia article on my great grandfather needs to be expanded and that I should talk to my grandmother about it as well as dig up other information on the man here at home, narrowed down the potential topics for my history paper (labor rights, I think, or possibly Stetson Kennedy and his adventures in destroying the KKK).
I shall write my essay for the internship and research my memo for it, too before the night ends. In reverse order.
Just the usual, saving the planet..... ::)
Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on February 03, 2010, 05:52:19 AM
Got all three letters for my internship application lined up ...
Where are you applying to (if you don't mind me asking, and bearing in mind in your reply that big corporations often have at least one person who can work a computer and see what people say about them. You might want to be vague, to the level of industry sector only ;D ).
Quote from: Agujjim on February 03, 2010, 03:13:26 PM
Quote from: Pachyderm on February 03, 2010, 11:47:00 AM
Just the usual, saving the planet..... ::)
:mrgreen:
It's a common delusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPaiylUYW0) North of the border.
But it's what I do! I even have a cape and wear my underpants on the outside and everything!
Taaa-taa-daaah! SuperPachy to the rescue!
"Fear not little badger, I shall not let that naughty developer build a condominium on your sett!"
*lifts ear*
"Must fly, an otter needs me..."
You might want to consider taking a few days holiday.
Managed to wake up three time this morning for three events (unavoidable) after being awake all night. Now I feel like s*it.
Quote from: beagle on February 04, 2010, 07:46:17 AM
You might want to consider taking a few days holiday.
Might be unfortunately common in the industry (then again, I'm north of the border). My undies stay on the inside, but I wear a fire-proof super suit, blue dishwashing gloves, and carry a electronic fart sniffer.
Where do I get me an electronic fart-sniffer?
I have to rely on the old Mk I nasal protuberance....
http://www.canarysense.com
Monitors H2S, CO, %LEL (explosiveness) and O2 (or lack thereof).
Drove 1010 km today, and 455 yesterday, which means my butt is significantly numb. All for about 1/2 hour of on-site time. ::)
Good grief! ???
So you've significantly numbed your buns? ;D
Too bad it's not closer to Easter, as they were certainly hot and cross after that long in the driver's seat. :mrgreen:
Just spent a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours catching up with an ex from Uni. While it was great to find out what she's been doing, and getting all the gossip on mutual friends I haven't heard of for years, it has made me realise what an absolute bastard I was to her, and that while I have very few regrets about my life, how I treated her is the top of that list. I was young, arrogant and drunk a lot of the time. I am surprised she put up with me for as long as she did, and extremely grateful that she is still willing to talk to me, let alone be as friendly as she is.
And, yes, I'm more than a little bit drunk, but that doesn't make my feelings any less genuine. I think it was a bit of a surprise how well we seemed to get on, it certainly was to me, at least. And she is happy enough to meet me the next time I'm back in Aberdeen, so I might not be beyond redemption after all. We seem to have a lot of interests in common. I just wish I'd realised what I was fucking up when we were together. Hindsight is a bitch, and karma will always bite you in the ass. Lesson learned, and tomorrow, when i'm hungover and feeling sorry for myself, lesson to be digested.
On a less self-pitying mode, I'm off to Gibraltar in a week. Sun, sailing and sangria. Hallelujah!
Significant? PWUI, like Patchy. ;)
Did ya tell her you know you were a bastard? Might be a good thing, if it ain't too painful...
but my digestion is not that good when hung over
PWUI? wassat mean? Not down with the jargon, me.
Yes, I made a full and frank confession. Wasn't particularly pleasant to do, but long overdue. I hurt her badly. (Not physically, I hasten to add. I wasn't that much of a bastard..) And now she's had a chance to rip me a well-deserved new one. Which, I have to confess, she has a certain talent for. Never piss off someone whose hobby is story-telling and singing at festivals. They tend to have a very good vocabulary, and impressive vocal range.
Like a DUI, for posting (the 'w' is for 'while' ;)). :toasted:
Ahh, I see. Yes, guilty of PWUI then. ;D
Went to a Christy Moore concert last night. It was awesome. today went to watch a Gaelic football match with my housemate, who knows how to play it. Much better when you understand what the hell's going on....
The most significant thing I did today was to have a grandchild. ;D (Do I win?)
^ :beer:
Quote from: Griffin NoName on March 07, 2010, 07:39:50 PM
The most significant thing I did today was to have a grandchild. ;D (Do I win?)
Yes m'am!
You win hands down, Gram!
:glommp:
Ok I got another winner.
Yes, you can all laugh heartily.
<< I fell out of bed. >>
I was in this really deep sleep dreaming about being in a swimming pool where the only way out was to leap for a bar just across from where I was swimming. So I leapt.
I have flesh scraped off one side of my face and bruising, and a cut across my nose, bleeding inside and out.
Given I have a bad head cold and keep needing to blow the nose, I am in a sorry state.
Yet another reason to ask for an essay extension, but will they believe it?
Sorry to hear that Griff, has anyone looked at you yet? :-[
Poor Griffin. :(
I went to work again for the first time in over a week as I've been home sick due to that pesky sinus infection I managed to catch.
When I came home there where trucks from the Fire Department all over our street. It turns out a fire started in a restaurant kitchen in a building down the road and then spread though the ventilation system to the attic.
Our house is safe, even from the smoke as it is blowing in the opposite direction to where I live, but it's still a bit scary.
If you like big red trucks and fire-fighters you would have had a field day looking out our living-room window. ;)
Me, I'm more interesting in sleep and have been so all day. ::)
Exciting, Darlica! The grandson would have loved it.
Griffin, that's really tough. That kind of injury can hurt miserably. You really are in the wars, as my mother used to say.
I've had a bit more luck. We were asked to talk about the charity at Leominster Conservative Association, to their lunch club. It sounded ghastly, but in fact they were a nice bunch of people, the lunch was good and the talk went down well. And the projector even worked! We got a donation, sold some handicrafts and some of them say they will drop in at the charity. Definitely a good day.
Aw, Grif. I hope you're healing up. Poor thing.
Darlica- Too exciting for me! I'm getting over my sinus infection, too. I'll bet that smoke is all you need.
David- sounds like a very successful meeting. Congratulations!
I've been unusually productive today, beside my usual 4 hours of work I:
Went shopping for groceries
Re-potted some plants and cuttings and gave them a long due shower
Cleaned the kitchen and bathroom (well I bloody had to after the re-potting business ::) :D )
Vacuum cleaned the kitchen hallway and bedroom
and last but not least made an illustration for work (the ones they have are completely wrong and since it is my real line of work I thought might as well make one and show them what they could get if they asked me as a illustrator to do it for them. ;D
Yup. I've been hyperactive today. :bouncing:
I better try to wind-down and get to sleep before I crash and burn.
Partied all night and watched the sun come up.
Wait, did I say 'partied'? I meant 'worked'.... got back to the hotel at 11 AM and need to crash before the next shift.
I finished filling in my latest overtime report (3 pages again!). I have done so much overtime this winter that I actually haven't had the energy to write up the reports for a while, so it was a bit of a mess to take care of. :-\
Found out I'm getting a 10% raise. :)
Excellent! ;D You can stand us a Barfer beer apiece! :mrgreen:
Came home from hospital with a normal heart beat. ;D
Good for you! ♥
Quote from: GriffinCame home from hospital with a normal heart beat. ;D
HOORAY! :hug:
Drove myself home after the shift. The previous two days my blood-workohol content had been such that I needed a designated driver. ::)
Re-discovered the finest opening sentence of any book ever written.
It's from The Great White South, by Herbert G Ponting.
"Before going to the Far South with Captain Scott's South Pole Expedition, my life - save for six years' ranching and mining in Western America; a couple of voyages round the world; three years of travel in Japan; some months as war correspondent with the First Japanese Army during the war with Russia; and in the Philippines during the American war with Spain; and save too, for several years of travel in a score of other lands - had been comparatively uneventful."
::)
Pachy- LOL!
Aggie- I hope you get some rest!
Rest? Why bother, I aten't dead yet. :mrgreen:
Depending on the weather it's likely to be one more weekend (the third consecutively, started this field run on the 15th) on this job, then should switch out on Monday / Tues. I'm hoping to cut the daily hours down from 13 (average) to a more reasonable 10 or 12 starting today, but if the weather gets nice there will be more work to do (wet conditions are hampering access at the moment).
Did loads of studying.
now have a migraine, no justice
I have done some preparation work for next week -a group of trainee train drivers are coming on a study visit to us on tuesday, and I am in charge of arrangements for the day. I think I have everything sorted, but as usual, nothing works according to plan A on the railways.
Later tonight, I will make my way down to Södertälje Harbour and work a train from there (biofuel empties) down to Nässjö in southern Sweden, spend May Day in the lodging quarters (I was actually supposed to be a standard bearer at one of my union's events on May Day, but have to scratch that) and then work the loaded return working with a couple of thousand tons of woodchips back to Södertälje, finishing on saturday evening.
Nässjö on a public holiday is about as active as a sleeping pill test site - a small bible belt railway town where everything closes at 18:00 sharp an ordinary weekday, so I suppose I'll have to bring lots of reading materials with me.
Nässjö sounds pretty good to me! Just lead me there and give me a duvet.
I put a post in here about a charity activity but on second thoughts I moved it to the Tide Pool for privacy.
1. Got up at 5:00 a.m. [that's FIVE AM] to get V to airport.
2. Took H for breakfast on way home from airport.
3. Grabbed a couple hour's cat-nap while dog-sitting 2 [that's TWO] hyperactive "small, yappy-type dogs".
4. Completed a reasonable amount of housework.
5. Took H to Ironman 2, only to discover that *he* was treating *me*. (http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/gambit91smiley/ironman.gif)
6. Took H for a nice, healthy supper.
7. Called me mum and wished her a Happy Mum's Day.
8. Am now attempting to convince dogs that they are tired, too...
I had my first day at my new full time position at work.
I also managed not to strangle or otherwise maim the colleague I had to spend the day with...
This is a real accomplishment believe me!
I really like most of my colleagues but this one, his a pathetic macho "boy" who suffers from short-man-syndrome and ain't even a third as charming as he think he is...
I respect your self-control!
:fishslap:
She did need a bit of aged gruyere cheese when she came home, though. ;)
Well, who wouldn't? ;)
How'd she do on day two?
Wrote a big chunk of essay. Yesterday. In the small hours. Result: felt like shit all day/evening. Still, a chunk is a chunk.
I did well. I'm still learning and I was tired as !"#¤ when I finally came home.
New day to day with new challenges. ;)
I am busy preparing some lecture notes, since I am doing some teaching of student drivers in the coming week. The UIC classification scheme for goods wagons is such a breeze. I mean, the difference between a Hbikks and a Hbins class wagon is obvious, isn't it? *
I'll be teaching them for a few days about the different classes of wagons, what they are used for and their special characteristics, basic components of a freight vehicle and how they work, how wagons and cargos ought to be loaded and secured, as well as how to inspect a wagon and perform a brake test. This is just a basic introduction -if and when they get employed by a freight operator, they will recieve a much more thorough training, especially if they sign on with my employer.
* The UIC classification codes are a sort of international standard taxonomy of wagons, a Linneaus-turned-trainspotter description of a wagon through an alphabetical code. Thus, in my example, both wagons have a main classification of "H". This means that they are both two-axle covered wagons with opening sides. The various sub-classifications mean that they both have a volume capacity of more than 70 cubic metres (b), and can run at 100 km/h when loaded (s). However, the Hbikks has a slightly smaller loading capacity, weight-wise, than the Hbins (kk= 2axles, load limit within the 20-25 ton range, n = if 2-axled wagon, load limit of more than 28 tons, or more than 60 tons if a bogie wagon)
It is important to remember that the UIC code is a description of function, not form. In the example above, we know that the Hbikks is a two-axle wagon, since it carries the "kk" sub-classification. But we do not know if the Hbins is a two-axle wagon or a bogie wagon until we either look at it physically, or look up the individual wagon in the mainframe database.
Best of luck with the lectures, Lindorm. I like your train of thought. :mrgreen:
I expect Swato will agree: es ist ein netter Zug von Dir.
I've been a good friend. ;)
I helped my friend L move from the outskirts of civilisation back to Stockholm this weekend, by renting a van and drive 300 kilometres to where she lived, help her load it, drive her and her stuff back to Stockholm and help her unload before returning the van to the leasing company, all in all 600 km mostly in pouring rain. Good thing I like to drive. :D
A good deed - I trust she bought you a few pints (or litres or whatever you lot drink). ;D
Nah. No need for that, she's been there for me so many times over the years. By now I just cover her back when needed, I'll know she'll cover mine next time I need it. :)
IMHO, among good friends there is no need to count the favours. :)
Quote from: Darlica on May 23, 2010, 11:01:54 PM
Nah. No need for that, she's been there for me so many times over the years. By now I just cover her back when needed, I'll know she'll cover mine next time I need it. :)
IMHO, among good friends there is no need to count the favours. :)
Yeah, but only seriously deep friendship can survive being asked to help you move.....
:D
Agreed, Darli, I was only joking. I work on the same principle.
My younger niece got baptized yesterday. That provided the occasion for a (though limited) family reunion. I was surprised to learn just how long I had not seen some people.
It's good to reconnect. Family is important.
I've got three out of ten days worth of lesson plans written for my theater workshop this July. It's really nerve wracking getting started, but I think they're pretty good and the kids will have a blast.
I have written so much my essay needs cutting. It is significant in that if I go away I will not have to take hundreds of heavy text books, as they are not needed in a slashing exercize. The other significant thing is that I was able to bully myself into finishing the first complete draft by making it the highest priority for the day, which is rarely possible.
I do however question whether one should go in for self-bullying?
Well, it got results! But I'd draw the line at flagellation. :mrgreen:
Anyway, well done for actually getting the essay to where it needs pruning. I don't think I ever managed that.
I voted in Colombia's presidential election. For the very first time in our history there is a chance that a palpable honest man gets the job and as a green party no less. Quite likely the election will require a runoff but the chances of my man Antanas Mockus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antanas_Mockus) are as good as they get.
Finished a fourth consecutive day of cold-turkey caffeine withdrawal (save a cup of green tea or decaf coffee in the morning). This while working 13+ hour field days, mind.
We'll keep our fingers crossed for Mockus and for Aggie's heroic caffeine withdrawal! ;D
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on May 30, 2010, 08:41:56 PM
I voted in Colombia's presidential election. For the very first time in our history there is a chance that a palpable honest man gets the job and as a green party no less. Quite likely the election will require a runoff but the chances of my man Antanas Mockus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antanas_Mockus) are as good as they get.
I can't dislike a politician that is willing to don a superhero costume, or moon students (IIRC) to make his point. ;D
That's the man. He changed the face of Bogotá when he was the major, but more importantly he changed the attitude of the citizens towards the city making it more livable, under him there were significantly less violent deaths, a diminution of drunk driving, very few burned children (due to misuse of pyrotechnics), and balanced the budget among other things. Now he has three weeks to convince the rest of the country (who didn't vote for the supposed heir of Uribe).
I hiked the Harney Peak Trail (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Harney+Peak,+Hill+City,+SD&sll=43.855945,-103.560905&sspn=0.056073,0.110378&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Harney+Peak,+Hill+City,+Pennington,+South+Dakota+57745&t=h&ll=43.856378,-103.540564&spn=0.028036,0.087891&z=14)* with Hasan on Sunday.
None of my so-called friends told me what the trail is *really* like, nor did they know that recent treefalls -- especially across the trail -- (from invasive beetles, serious logging to fight the beetles, washouts from tree loss, ankle-deep brackish ponds studded with heavy vehicle tracks where trail used to be but is no more, and loss of anything even remotely resembling a trail in places) made the long-way-option leg back *down* a Truly Bad Idea.
Of course, he is 17 and was still bounding around like a mountain sheep while I plotted creative excuses to sink onto handy boulders and catch my breath now and then. :giggle:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*Note: "easy" trail head starts at Sylvan Lake, 2-3 hours southwest from the tower (doesn't look like much until you enlarge it, but quite a pretty and popular spot). You can see bits of the "easy" trail snaking up (and up, and up, and up, and up...) northeast of the lake, appearing at intervals in the trees. Now see the godforsaken mountainous landscape due east of the lake, and winding up? The one with no visiable path, even on this satellite photo?
Yeah, that was the path he wanted to take back... :P
click "start slideshow" (http://www.summitpost.org/object_list.php?parent_id=160382&object_type=3) to see more area photos.
Well done you for tackling that!
Wrote a chunk of essay, small but a chunk. The days are slipping away, speeding towards the deadline.
I have again shown my inhumane self-control by not committing the great innocent railway employee massacre or sending mail bombs to their superiors for the utter incompetence in coming up with a working rail replacement bus service. They way it is handled currently costs me 2.5 hours of my precious overtime per week and cuts into my life expectancy in a significant way through induced stress. What should take just ten minutes takes half an hour due to the road parallel to the railway being renewed at the same time => stop and go. But the timetable assumes that this is not the case, the buses depart late (if they are there at all) and the trains do not wait. Don't hand me a bazooka.
Good Swato!
Now if someone should hand you a bazooka please go for the suits at planning not the uniforms at the floor level, actually while you're at it why not give the weapons to the uniforms instead, out of experience I'm pretty sure they know who to aim them at... ;)
:halo:
I have thaught someone the sequence of events needed to get the line breaker of an Rc class locomotive to close and energize the main transformer. Want me to repeat it for you? Air pressure in pantograph riser piston >380 kPa, No Earth Fault relays for traction motor Field, Rotor 3+4, Rotor 1+2 all energized, transformer cooling oil circuit low pressure or thermal overload relays not energized.... I'll spare you the rest! ;)
Right now I am acting as a minder driver to a trainee driver from the training centre I have done some work with previously. The trainee driver follows the minder driver's roster and performs all the duties of a train driver under the supervision of the minder, learning on the job. The student I have at the moment is one of those students that makes teaching a pleasure. The student in question, Caroline, is a young woman about three apples high, with a very good understanding of not just the letter of the rules, but also the intentions and the wider implications, and considering her very limited experience of train driving (a four week practice session on the Stockholm commuter trains), very good indeed at operating freight. She also has a talent for asking the sort of questions that you really have to think through before you answer, which is if nothing else is a good refresher for me.
Another positive note is that the big green freight (fright?) company I work for is heading for a big reorganization right now. This will be the third one in about as many years, but this one is actually making a lot of sense. Our former managing director was essentially sacked by the board of directors for his way of handling the economic slump, and an interim MD was brought in untli a permanent replacement could be found. The interim MD started looking long and hard at the comapny and it's organization, and poked very hard at some holy cows and entrenched coteries. The new permanent MD recently launched his plan for a complete reorganizastion fo the company, with a focus on simplification, slashing of excessive administrative functions, re-focussing the administrative side to act as a support for the production side and not as an empire on it's own, and more or less a bloodbath at headquarters. 8 divisions are being reduced to 2, for example, and there will be very strict and clear lines of responsibility drawn up between the various sub-divisions. I have no idea if it is going to work, but I do hope so.
Best of luck to you.
I just finished a script adaptation of "Heidi" for my little theater company. I hope to produce it later this fall.
Quote from: Darlica on September 09, 2010, 08:53:06 PM
Good Swato!
Now if someone should hand you a bazooka please go for the suits at planning not the uniforms at the floor level, actually while you're at it why not give the weapons to the uniforms instead, out of experience I'm pretty sure they know who to aim them at... ;)
:halo:
Hmmm...
Armed trade union representatives might be an effective, if slightly novel, way of facilitating and expediting negotiations between the unions and the employer organizations. Perhaps we should write a book about it and try to become rich by flogging it as some sort of new, trendy, management philosophy. "The web 2.0 guide to the Zen of workplace negotiations the CNT-FAI way", perhaps?
:smite:
Swato: You poor bastard. Sounds a bit like my experince trying to commute between Eskilstuna and Hallsberg some years ago. When you are gone for 12-or-so hours each day if everything goes according to schedule, any further delay really starts to grate. Especially when it is such a senseless one. Arrgh!
And we have tube strikes over here. Perhaps Swato, you could pop over when you have dealt with your problems.
Wrote a couple of sentences of my essay today.
Acquisitioned a new cutlass...
(http://www.armynnavy.com/catalog/catalog/images/gerber_gator_machete.jpg)
(for brushcutting, not buccaneering)
EDIT: Hides it from Swato during commute hours :axe:
Also the buses are full of mosquitos. I wonder how they manage to bite one in the face without one noticing their approach.
Set up auditions for this coming weekend for "Heidi", which will be our first community theater production. I've never done this before, but I figure I ought to go ahead and do it while I'm still under the impression that I can. ;D
For the first time I acted as teacher and held the first day of a two day course educating other customer service attendants in the use of the new programs and applications for our hand-held computers with 2 assistants of my own (I've only done the assistant bit before). I think I did OK. :)
Well done!
Completed day two of two. :)
It seems like I did well, my pupils where happy and so was my assistants. It was interesting and fun and I expect it to work even better next time since I hopefully will be more relaxed as I know the material better.
Now I have a day off then it's back to supporting for two days before I have the week end free.
:)
Go Darl!
If you taught, and think you did okay, you were probably very good.
Today, I have dug out a stand of the Evil Plant of Death, Japanese Knotweed.
Well, supervised the digging out, anyway. I don't have a ticket to drive a digger.
I'd love to drive a digger. Another thing to put on my Before I Die list. (Bucket List - great film).
I got the offer to try it, a time or two, but can't be arsed, generally. I'm sure it's fun, but I'm usually too busy getting the job done to take the controls.
On a related note:
(http://www.project183.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cant-be-arsed.jpg) (http://books.google.ca/books?id=KsDIZ8B_M7oC&dq=can%27t+be+arsed&source=bl&ots=XLSGHBNHGQ&sig=LrThk5lCEQtLD7VWA9KH4dfwqqs&hl=en&ei=T9mSTIL6DIWNnQfY9dzaCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAw)
Got my essay into shape - not finished but I can see the end coming along. Have to write intro and conclusion and verging on word count limit already, so may be hard. Also some major stuff missing and no idea how to fit them in given the word count. Why does this always happen?
Have been slave to this essay since I got back from my trip in July so pretty pleased the end is nigh.
More power to you, Griffin! :-*
Hmmm. I'll need a lot of that Opsa. I just lookedd up the assignment details and I've missed a major part of it............ I have no idea why I didn't read it before starting the essay. I think I have several screws loose.
I'd offer a screwdriver, but so do I...
Cremated a pot of beans today by leaving the house for two hours with the burner turned to MAX. I knew it was a risk, and realized while out and about that I hadn't turned 'em down - PANIC, HORROR, VISIONS OF FIRETRUCKS - but luckily came home only to a house full of bean-smoke, which smells nasty.
Makes me wonder about the building fire alarms, unless they are heat-sensors only.
Next time restrict your arsonic impulses to scented candles.
You're talking to a man with 5 bbq's/smokers - I know how to smoke the place out, but beans aren't my preferred flavour element. :P
It still smells terrible in here.
Well, look at it this way: maybe you smoked out the mealybugs.
I've tried (without much follow-up observation) fumigating with N. rustica smudges. Might work for the aphids, but they seem to tolerate (if not thrive on) the rustica.
The worst part is I went to a bank appointment after dealing with the smokehouse, and had to apologize because I smelled distinctly of burnt beans!
I have a day off, which is very much needed and what do I do? I work... Unpaid overtime... Why? Because I need to prepare for the course I hold tomorrow and yesterday was chaotic and left no time for preparations and I don't do half assed, it's not my style.
What else can I do.
:dontknow: :-\
Sounds somewhat familiar - I took the day off yesterday and got caught up with some important divorce-related paperwork (in between bean emergencies ::)), but have been subsidizing my productivity with banked overtime a bit lately.
Darlica forgot to mention that later in the evening, she drove down to the depot where I am based and picked up not just me, but my trainee driver and her newly found loot: A Neutral section sign, used when there is a neutral section in the catenary, over a metre on each side and reflective. My trainee is going to hang it on the wall of her flat after a bit of cleaning. It actually does look like something Peter Saville could have made for Factory Records in the early eighties.
Trainee + sign safely delivered to her home, after which Darlica got us home, and I made a nice onglet steak with a marchand du vin sauce for dinner. All in all, not a bad ending to the day.
Bah! Not very significant at all, but I screwed my essay up today. I need to cut out chunks to get the word count down, without losing stuff they will mark me down on not including it. And rewrite the intro and conclusion. No real progress and the deadline is whizzing towards me.
:goodvibes:
and
:hug:
Griffin
I had several :panic: and :hairpull: moments today.
Hope things calm down, Darl.
Essay back on course. Think I've finished it. Except need to get it through the anti-plagiarizer.
Got through my first blocking rehearsal last night as a director. Blocking is weird! A director has to figure out the action, and then ask the actors to go through their lines while interrupting them constantly to instruct them as to where to go and what to do. And if it doesn't work in real space, you have to alter the plan... very challenging on everyone's part, but we did scene one, and it looked good by the end of the evening.
I find it tough enough directing equipment - this sounds like it takes some real skill. Good work, Ops, and bravo to the cast!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11447399
Now, I wonder who could have told them about "newts and badgers".... ::) ;D
Admittedly, Poots is a clown, but the Environment Minister bitching about a "sudden interest"?. Both protected by the Wildlife Order from 1985 onwards.
Couldn't give a toss whether the store is built or not, but this time they got caught out not playing by the rules, and are desperately trying to cover their own arses.
Bravo Patchy!
Don't you love (>:(!) Environment Ministers who don't give a poot about the environment? Ours sees eye to eye with Sarah Palin on the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. ::)
.........and John Lewis are supposed to be the good guys !
I spent the afternoon in the forest picking mushrooms. :)
On Saturday night we had the charity's 20th anniversary dinner dance. Over 100 people came, mostly our participants, and we had a really good time.
In preparation, I spent 4 days last week in the office making 100 place-cards like this
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/RamblingSyd/Michelle.jpg)
which were to let the waiters see what people had ordered, plus all manner of other graphic items like the free drink vouchers of which each diner was given one.
On our table were me, Mrs H, one girl with Downs, 2 men and 1 girl with learning difficulties plus A, a very severely handicapped woman in a motorised wheelchair, and A's carer. What touched me was that when A was wheeled in, a little after the rest, all the participants at our table immediately demanded we have A and her carer to sit with us.
The girl with LD used my spare camera all evening and took some lovely shots, including this one of A and her carer:
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/RamblingSyd/DSCF0007.jpg)
So sweet! It looks like a lovely party, and the guests sound very nice, as well.
Looks like a really nice party!
It was! That last shot was taken before it really started. How about this?
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/RamblingSyd/DSCF0099.jpg)
A happy soul, I feel.
People on the dance floor make it a successful party. And that lady in the satin dress- whoot!
Today I'm playing in a charity golf tournament. The basic decision was along the lines of "You're Scottish, you invented the damn game, so it's all your fault."
I have attempted to play a round of golf once in my life. My uncle took me to the club he's a member of. The first hole had a water hazard. After I successfully managed to hit six balls in a row into it, it was decided I should just drive the buggy.
Went to a driving range to "practice" last weekend. Managed to hit the wall behind me. This bodes well....
You hit the wall? You're a lot better than me, then. :mrgreen:
My son was always planning a career as a CEO when he was a teenager. So he went and had some pot shots at a local golf course to practice, seeing it as a requirement for the job. He also practiced smoking cigars! His progresss up the slippery path to CEO is going well (more news of that later) but so far he hasn't had to fall back on golf or cigars.
As to significant things, I bought a winter coat recently and have been fretting I may have bought the wrong one. I only buy winter coats once in 20 years or more (cost), so it damn well has to fit the bill. Today I went back to the shop as I couldn't stand the worry any longer. Of course, I had bought the right one. The others were all wrong. Sort of a wasted journey.
The problem arises partly because this years fashion is too silly for words. All outer garments (coats, jackets, etc) have large padded lumps fixed to the back of the collar, sticking up at the back of one's head. This pushes one's head forwards so one looks very odd walking along, and it is very irritating feeling like one has a cushion attached - horrid. And they mostly don't have any use (ie. some outdoor jackets store hoods away in roll up lump around the collar, but this is completely different). Anyway, the one I've bought does have a hood (most don't) so because of the bulk of that and the large padded lump I have to walk with my head bent forward almost reaching my navel. You can see why I am worrying about the coat being the right one. Fashion! bagh! humbug! And I'll have to cut the lump off when next years stupid fashion replaces padded neck lumps so no one will know how old my coat gets (I should be rising 80 by the time I need another one).
I (hope) I managed to successfully order a DVD from Iceland.
This is significant for the following reasons
1.The website is pure Icelandic*
2.The few available dictionaries are at best mediocre as far as tech vocabulary goes (and Iceland emphatically does not use English terms)
3.Orders from abroad are seemingly uncommon enough that the address masks etc. are 100% tailored to Icelandic customers and highly intolerant of deviation
3a. e.g. I had to press country and city into the street name (without using a comma) and could be happy that the postal code accepted more than 3 digits
4.I hope the German mail service is able to make sense of the garbled address
*which may sound like ordinary Scandinavian but is so archaic that deciphering it is like Old High German to a beginner in present day German.
(http://www.venganza.org/forum/images/smilies/worship.gif)
I hope it arrives.
Chucked out some cupborad/shelve contents, threw out a bin bag of them. Shifted artcles needing storing into gap provided. Since this has hadly made a dent in the mess on the floors, surfaces, bed, the signifcance is merely in making a start. My sense of achievement is greatly exaggerated.
I power-napped.
It was great!
Quote from: GriffinMy sense of achievement is greatly exaggerated.
Don't knock yourself, Griffin! You did some useful things and you deserve to feel good about it. OK, there's more to do, that doesn't lessen what you've done.
On Saturday we found that a garden shed had a leak in the roof. Just what I needed when my ME was pretty bad! A quick look revealed that the only proper cure was to strip all the felt off and start again. Well, it was pleasantly sunny and if I'd left it it would have been hanging over me, so I did the whole job properly. Two hours of unpleasant exhaustion and an evening of quite nasty pain in my limbs - but what a sense of achievement! I went upstairs to change and looked down on a really neat roof: satisfaction!
Of course there are a million jobs I do put off and this one kind of forced itself on me, so I'm not boasting about my resolution. Just saying what it did for my morale.
Well with ME you have succeeded magnificently, i only hope it is not boom and bust.
During the night I threw out a folder full of old redundant notes and freed up a small space in another cupboard by moving another boxfolder into the space left by the one I chucked out. This clearing up the rooms is all about shifting rubbish to make room to store stuff laying around on the floor in order to recalaim the footpaths. At present I am hanging my clothes up on the floor which is getting more difficult as floorspace receeds. it's like a shunting system. Of course, it would be easier to move to a bigger home, but finance precludes it.
:( Each bit is a step.
Finished my UC application and an essay.
What Scriblerus said. Each little step helps!
Rome wasn't burnt in a day, you know! ;)
I've been pushing for a community theater for my area for about a decade. I knew that sooner or later it would be up to me to make it happen.
Just before the start of this year I finally got an offer of some space at an old schoolhouse. The first part of the year we worked on developing the space. In the summer we held youth acting workshops (which Qwerty helped teach). This fall we've been rehearsing our first show, "Heidi", which opens tonight. It is just a little show with amateur actors and what scenery and costumes we could make or dig up from attics and thrift stores, but it's a dream a long time in the making that is coming true this evening, so I am excited and happy.
Now the trick will be keeping it up!
Good luck, Opsa! The first fruit of all that work. :claphands:
Bravo, Ops! Break a leg!
(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:mkJqdQTRRcywKM:http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/shoefiend_2007/tophatbettybreakaleg.jpg&t=1)
Checked that the absence assistant and forwarding function on my agency mail work properly.
Otherwise there could be some nasty surprises for I will not return before 10th January.
:YaY: Vacation :YaY:
Great job, Opsa!
And congrautulations on the vacation, Swato? Do you have anything special planned, or are you just going to take it easy, drink tea and write cthuloid christmas carols?
The latter is on the menu definitely.
I also intend to do extensive museum visits on weekdays when the crowding is not that bad.
Also there are about a 1000 DVDs still to watch (the stack growing daily).
I also should start with my Icelandic lessons.
Maybe the day will come that I can do some chtulhufications in Icelandic :mrgreen:
As long as the chtulhus don't use banking, you should be fine.
I bought a new cellphone.
I've been on my way to do so for the last year at least but always ended up looking for something better or cheaper or whatever. ::)
However last week my trusty old Ericsson K750i showed alarming signs that its end is nigh, not much time to ponder about what things now...
I ended up chucking all ideas about a smart phone specifically an HTC overboard and went with a Sony Ericsson Zylo because. How that turned out I guess I'll tell you about later. :o ;)
Not actually today but I use my vacations to tour the local museums.
'Local' in this context sounds os provincial ;) Berlin has 'some' museums of a certain 'reputation'
Well, there is also a museum of 'certain' reputation, if you know what I mean ;) (not visited it yet, just walked by numerous times)
Meant to do that this summer, but never did - the plan was to hit the Torrington Gopher Hole Museum, the Big Valley Creation Science Museum and the (world class, I think) Drumheller Museum of Paleontology in the same day.
I may get around to the two latter at some point soonish (have been working near Big Valley), but the one with the prairie dog taxidermy is closed in the winter.
I love museums! You should rush over and visit all the free museums on the Washington DC National mall quick before they decide to start charging for them. We have a free history museum, nature museum, technology museum, space museum, several art museums, native american museum, african museum, asian museum, indoor botanical garden and a zoo (uptown) to name but a few. Th'Opsalette has seen more world culture here than many kids in cities with expensive museums.
The community theater I founded this year finished our first run this past weekend. I'm bushed! But now I have a break and the community has a theater, so that's good.
I worked in a museum for seven years. I got to go on "conferences" at lots of other museums so saw behind the scenes of many. It's a fascinating world, which I miss.
Quote from: OpsaThe community theater I founded this year finished our first run this past weekend. I'm bushed! But now I have a break and the community has a theater, so that's good.
Well done, that lady! That is a significant and lasting achievement. :wiz:
Yesterday a colleague and I stopped a man from jumping down on the underground tracks to get his dropped wallet. Today he sent us flowers! :)
(He did get his wallet back too, but only after they had stopped the traffic, cut the power and sent a person with track clearance to pick it up).
OMG- Darlica, you saved somebody's life- I'm so proud of you!!!!
:kisshands: :kisshands: :kisshands:
Today we did a good deed at very little trouble to ourselves, though it made us feel sad.
Just as the family were leaving for home, we got a call from a lady we know who has a miserable life at the best of times. She's divorced, has one 'adult' son who is an irresponsible idiot, cannot find work and lives in a rented house with no heating at all, except electric fan heaters which she can't afford to use much. Her solid-fuel stove has been condemned and the landlord won't pay for any replacement.
Now here it's been well below freezing for a week so finally her pipes have frozen up and she has no water. So we put 10 gallons of water in the car, and one of those electric heat guns you use for stripping paint. Also a load of festive food, which we can well spare. I tried to thaw out the water main, with no luck. Mainly we just sat and chatted in the one room she's heating. That is still pretty chilly although she spent £20 on electricity in the last two days.
After 2 hours she was much more cheerful and we went home after telling her to call us if she needs anything. At least she's now got 10 gallons of drinking water, and the weather is set to get a lot warmer from tonight. So we were able to help her a bit, but we feel so sad for her. We'll ring her tomorrow.
How wonderful of you. :-* You warmed my heart!
David, that's terrbile. Can she get winter fuel allowance?
I fear I shall go the same way as time moves on. Hoping it is merely fear and does not come true.
No, you won't, Griffin - you're too good at plumbing! And too canny.
The lady's house is now unfrozen and she's much happier. We'll go and see her again when we get back from Exeter, where we are now.
I don't know about fuel allowance. She's nowhere near pension age. I know that an organisation is bending the rules to help her, but I can say no more! :mrgreen:
I think fuel allowance is only post-pension age. You can freeze if young and poor apparently.
I am glad she is unfrozen and hope the rules bend.
Quote from: Sibling DavidH on December 26, 2010, 06:00:04 PM
T Her solid-fuel stove has been condemned and the landlord won't pay for any replacement.
Unless she's behind on rent? Her landlord does not seriously have a choice, here-- unless that stove was a portable one.
In that case? Her landlord is obligated to keep the house livable, which includes both running water and heat.
At least, that's the rule here in the USA... you could call the local social worker in your area, who might be able to assist.
In any case? Woop! for you, for being willing to go out on a limb-at least a little bit.
Quote from: BobAt least, that's the rule here in the USA...
It's the rule here, too, but enforcing it is another matter! All kinds of people and agencies have tried with no result. It's not uncommon; I knew of a far worse case here in the village which dragged on until the tenants finally moved out.
Not all landlords will even take on DSS tenants (those whose rent is paid direct by the government) and those who do can afford to be pretty awkward.
That's too bad, David.
Here in Oklahoma? In an odd turn-on-the-head against the landlord, if it's a private residency? The tenant has the right to effect repairs, and automatically deduct that from the rent.
The only real rule, here, is that the landlord has the right to first try (to fix). But in the case of heat? 24 hours is all he gets, then the renter can hire his own repairs, at whatever cost they may be--and deduct said repairs from the rent. All he needs is proper receipts.
Even if the landlord >is< claiming to be repairing things? If they are not timely, the renter can purchase supplementary heating devices (so long as they are properly rated for indoors) and still take these off the rent-- it behooves a savvy landlord to maintain temporary heaters, lest the renter purchase deluxe models on his dime. And the renter gets to keep them, for afters.
You could check into this-- if your freezing friend can happen into a propane, indoor-rated heater? Propane is much cheaper than electricity, if you buy it in bulk... but she'd likely need help investing in the heating system. Just make certain it's properly indoor-rated, carbon monoxide is serious, even if her creaky house >>does<< leak like sieve.
A call to the local renters association might give you info-- or barring that, the local Better Business Bureau often has the local renter's rights (codes) on hand.
Sometimes people are simply afraid of being evicted, and refuse to stand on their rights-- even if those rights exist.
In Oklahoma, it's difficult, but not impossible, to evict a non-paying renter-- but it has to go past 90 days >>after<< being warned...
... as I said? In this most red of the reddest states? Our rent laws are oddly protective of the renters-- unless you're commercial. Then it's all bets are off....
Thanks for the ideas - we'll keep trying.
Cycled 80+ km. Commando. ;D
No wonder you're having trouble sitting at your computer! :mrgreen:
Went to the (un)employment agency to get an update on foreign work opportunities
So, when you comin' over to the States? ;D
Not before sanity becomes an acceptable state of mind (at least in Congress and WH).
Since it will take a major catastrophe, this is unlikely to happen.
I might make an exception if the fraction of Congress bought and owned sinks below 1/3 in both houses.
OK, that is even more unlikely than the first condition absent a revolution.
Job opportunities for my profession in Canada seems to be almost exclusively connected to Tar Sands (i.e. the dirtiest natural oil known to man). Also the madness from South of the 49th parallel is too close for comfort (and iirc has partially infected the government too).
I'll stay in Europe. Maybe one day Scandinavia has use for my modest (professional) (cap)abilities.
You are good at languages which should help............
Started writing my essay. Not much of a start, but a start nonetheless. Whether I continue remains to be seen.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on July 06, 2011, 04:37:18 PM
You are good at languages which should help............
No, I am not. English is the only foreign language I am able to communicate in. And even that took many a year.
My tentative attempts at Norwegian and Icelandic are not overly promising. If my experience with English is repeated, ask me when I am 50 about my progress there. :(
Nobody sane ever migrates to the United States, darn it. C'mon, we the nearly-sane need you guys here to help balance out FOX News!
I think we already reached the point where nothing can balance the guys behind the faux cartel. Wealth has been transferred so successfully to the rich and corporations that everybody else would have to agree on a counterweight and loose everything in the process.
---
But this is the significant things thread! Griff, you can continue, have some positive thinking (ie: don't be like me... ::))
Quote from: Swatopluk on July 06, 2011, 08:59:06 AMJob opportunities for my profession in Canada seems to be almost exclusively connected to Tar Sands (i.e. the dirtiest natural oil known to man). Also the madness from South of the 49th parallel is too close for comfort (and iirc has partially infected the government too).
Politically, Alberta is the closest in spirit to the US, but with 0.01% of the rabidity. I'm actually now longing for the good ol' incompetent, incorrigible, right-wing, blatantly-in-the-pocket-of-Big-Oil government of Alberta; at least they were relatively honest about how business was being conducted*.
I am not surprised that most of the available work is related to bitumen extraction / upgrading. With natural gas prices low and oil prices high, that will be a major resource play in Alberta for a while. IMHO, the modern subsurface methods of production are much less destructive in terms of releasing contaminants to the environment (i.e. land, surface water and - if properly monitored - groundwater), although terrible in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and nonsensical if you consider how many units of energy are used to net a single barrel-equivalent of heavy oil.
OTOH, working conditions for professionals are quite good, and Calgary in particular is a nice, clean little city by Canadian standards if you manage to live and work downtown.
*BC politics is disgustingly corrupt, dishonest and the politicians here (municipal through provincial) have zero respect for the will of the people. When the people oppose what the government wants, the government just finds another way to push it through and lies to our faces about it, tries to buy us off with hush money and/or throws millions into propaganda campaigns to confuse the issue. All of BC's elected Premiers since 1986 have resigned under dishonourable conditions. DO NOT let me get going about the HST saga here... I need to completely ignore the political situation lest I find myself running as an independent in the next provincial election. :barf:
The most significant thing I did today was take a nap. I never find time for those things.
Energy utilities are putting prices up by as much as 19% here - ouch! Choice between food and heat for many people.
Did another couple of sentences of my essay. At this rate it will take a year to write............... and miss the dealine in a few weeks time........ still, even one sentence is better than none I suppose.
Ahhh, Grasshopper. The Journey of a Thousand Paragraphs begins with a single sentence...
Sentence? How many years? ;) :P :mrgreen:
"You must understand, young Zono, it takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish."
:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:
I wrote another sentence. Can one really write a whole essay in single sentences? Or am I on a lost cause?
That's the *only* way it's done.
The space/time between the sentences can vary, however.
Keep writing, Grifhopper. :)
Ha! I have now written over 500 words of the 3,000 required.
Probably lots to be cut out in the final draft, but cutting is easy compared to writing.
I would not go so far as the essay has shape, but at least the volume has grown.
I just need to keep this up. But will I?
Yes, you will. (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b226/SunChild214/Web/u3mfd.gif)
... sometimes more ... sometimes less ... moving forward...
Quote from: pieces o nine on July 15, 2011, 07:22:55 AM
Yes, you will. (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b226/SunChild214/Web/u3mfd.gif)
Could someone please add that to the smilies list!
Edit: and/or create a cephalopod version :D
Quote from: Swatopluk on July 15, 2011, 09:05:30 AM
Edit: and/or create a cephalopod version :D
oooh! yes!
Darlica -- can you generate something like that? :)
Sorry, I don't think I'll be able do something like that in a while. :-[
Feel free to use my squidlings as base if you like to try something out. :)
I have a feeling a meditating one should be amethyst coloured (the chakra colour for the mind) well since radiating white light is a tad bit difficult to portray in a pic that small. :D
Today I listened as my teenaged improvisation group discussed existentialism at lunch time. They likely didn't know that's what they were doing. It started out as a conversation about The Twilight Zone early television series, and ended up being about perception, the afterlife, and the great whatever. Rod Serling would have been pleased. I was pleased that my students have developed such a good rapport with each other.
It's so cool to hear these people wondering the same wonders we had back then, and still have today.
More words of my essay done. Current score: 800 out of 3,000.
(http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif) (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif) (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif) (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif) (http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif)
I just worked out, at current rate it will take 22 days to finish the essay. I therefore need to write more than 100 words a day or I will risk missing the deadline. The real deadline is a week or so earlier than the actual due date as one has to fiddle around getting the essay through the plagiarism software which is a total pain (not because I plagiarise, I am not that dumb, but because the software is crap and one has to fiddle around). I reckon I need a few days writing big(er than 100 words) chunks, with a scattering of more relaxed days on the 100 word type effort. I think I can manage this.
I will post that middle cheerleader every day you make your goal.
She looks quite jazzed to be cheering for you!
I got a job in Dallas! Schweet!
CONGRATULATIONS!
:sportsred: :sportswoman: :sportsbrunette: (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif) :sportsred: :sportswoman: :sportsbrunette:
I thought you might prefer the more conventional cheerleaders... :)
Quote from: MentalBlock996 on July 28, 2011, 03:43:31 AM
I got a job in Dallas! Schweet!
:fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread:
Truly awesome news- good going, MB! Will you be moving, then?
Quote from: pieces o nine on July 28, 2011, 03:30:07 AM
I will post that middle cheerleader every day you make your goal.
She looks quite jazzed to be cheering for you!
Not today. No words. That means I have to spread today's minimum 100 across all the other days :-\
(http://www.phoenix92.nl/forum/Smileys/default/cheerleader-sad.gif)
That's the most glum cheerleader I've ever seen! :LOL:
Even her poms are drooping. ;)
Done another 100 words. Now 900/3000. Still not quite a third. But progress. And it's still only 8 a.m.
However, I have no idea how to make the leap to the next paragraph. I'm needing a bridge to the next chunk. I have lost my grip on the material.
Yeah, gonna move to Dallas in a while. I'll be doing contractor for the police. :D
Quote from: Griffin NoName on July 31, 2011, 08:13:34 AM
Done another 100 words. Now 900/3000. Still not quite a third. But progress. And it's still only 8 a.m.
However, I have no idea how to make the leap to the next paragraph. I'm needing a bridge to the next chunk. I have lost my grip on the material.
(http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif) (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif) (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif)
For the next paragraph: what would you say if you were telling this to one of us?
Jot down those thoughts and try working from there. Good luck!
Quote from: MentalBlock996Yeah, gonna move to Dallas in a while. I'll be doing contractor for the police. :D
Duje, you shoulda said so right up-front. I woulda picked cheerleaders what dint look like suspects to the vice squad...
(http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/8e/c/AAAADNPJ6L8AAAAAAI7LzA.jpg)
Quote from: pieces o nine on July 31, 2011, 09:07:40 PM
Duje, you shoulda said so right up-front. I woulda picked cheerleaders what dint look like suspects to the vice squad...
(http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/8e/c/AAAADNPJ6L8AAAAAAI7LzA.jpg)
Nothing personal but all women are suspects at this point. :mrgreen: Especially that one...
Another 120 words. 1120/3000 now.
Made the leap to new sub-topic!
But very short of material on this new topic and very concerned about how I can therefore write enough on it. I may need to be incredibly inventive and worried about how much time I have to do that. The actual writing time is held up by the need to do basic research and I feel a bit cross that material wasn't covered in depth by the actual coursework leaving me a bit high and dry with this essay. Need to regroup, come up with a plan. Panicing about deadline.
Keep up the momentum, baybay!
(I should talk. I've wasted this whole day websurfing. I've been very, very bad! :-[ )
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 01, 2011, 08:06:09 PM
Another 120 words. 1120/3000 now.
Made the leap to new sub-topic!
(http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif) (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif) (http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif)
Keep going! :)
495 words today (but none for the previous 3 days) making 1615/3000. So just over half way.
Trouble is I have now run out of material that answers the actual essay title. Feeling desperate.
EDIT advantages of not being able to sleep - have just discovered that two books I'd forgotten I have cover much needed material !!
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 05, 2011, 02:28:33 AM
495 words today (but none for the previous 3 days) making 1615/3000. So just over half way.
(http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif)100 WORDS! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif)95 WORDS! (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif)100 WORDS! (http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif)100 WORDS!
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 05, 2011, 02:28:33 AM
495 words today (but none for the previous 3 days) making 1615/3000. So just over half way.
Trouble is I have now run out of material that answers the actual essay title. Feeling desperate.
EDIT advantages of not being able to sleep - have just discovered that two books I'd forgotten I have cover much needed material !!
:woot:
In my experience, padding out is less agonizing than cutting down excess material. Good work and good luck!
Thanks P09. This is really helping !!!!
Aggie, I'd rather cut down than pad out - I've no ideas with which to pad. I'm going OK right now as I have found some new material.
204 words today. 1820/3000.
If I could just keep this up.....................
Hey, you're ahead now! Less stress if you produce less at some point.
I suffer from verbosity, so I always found padding to be a matter of taking more words to convey the same amount of info rather than adding any new ideas. Simple and to the point is best, but on the other hand, English is a wonderful language within which one can often increase the precision of the ideas presented via verbiage, albeit to the detriment of clarity and comprehensibility.
Simply put: If you can't blind 'em with logic, baffle 'em with bullshit. ;)
Go Griffin, go!
It's good to hear you managed something productive with insomnia. That's using your resources!
(http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif)4 WORDS! (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif)100 WORDS!
QuoteThanks P09. This is really helping !!!!
I would say, thank
you. It's not easy to overcome depressional inertia, and you are serving as a fine role model in this project! You are also giving me an opportunity to be creative, even if it's just playing around with someone else's smileys.
Keep going!
The depressional inertia won today. I had to sleep. Couldn't stay awake. So no words. That means more words needed on another day, which increases the depression. I don't know about role model. I feel useless. This is agony. I no longer even know why I am doing it.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 07, 2011, 01:50:54 AM
The depressional inertia won today. I had to sleep. Couldn't stay awake. So no words. That means more words needed on another day, which increases the depression. I don't know about role model. I feel useless. This is agony. I no longer even know why I am doing it.
:goodvibes:
hmmm... better make that a double:
:goodvibes::goodvibes:
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 07, 2011, 01:50:54 AM
The depressional inertia won today. I had to sleep. Couldn't stay awake. So no words. That means more words needed on another day, which increases the depression. I don't know about role model. I feel useless. This is agony. I no longer even know why I am doing it.
If you'd been laying around in the back yard, drinking margaritas and shouting insults at the neighbors then, yeah. But sleep is OK! Another day is another day, and you'll write again on that one.
(http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/cheerleader.gif)
See it from the positive side. If it allows you to overcome your insomnia at least part-time...
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 07, 2011, 08:10:09 AM
See it from the positive side. If it allows you to overcome your insomnia at least part-time...
:D
Quote from: pieces o nine on August 07, 2011, 06:57:33 AM
If you'd been laying around in the back yard, drinking margaritas and shouting insults at the neighbors then, yeah.
Now there's an idea. Why didn't I think of it?
Thanks for the vibes Bob.
124 words today, with my teeth gritted. I am so not writing anything of any interest. The person marking is going to be so bored. I just hope I get a pass. Anyway, total 1940/3000 so another 60 needed to hit the two thirds mark.
(http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif)1 WORD! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif)1 WORD! (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif)100 WORDS! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif)1 WORD! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif)1 WORD!
I so like the cheerleaders.............
Today's count: 175. Total 2121/3000. Over the two third's mark, just.
I'm on a bit that does not take too much thinking about.......... which probably means it'll be low on marks but I don't care. Another day or two and I'll hit another sticky patch. This continues to be a nightmare and I wish I was enjoying it. The whole idea was supposed to be fun and interesting, not feel like a punishment.
The others have tired arms and need a short rest. :)
(http://www.railbirds.com/gallery/2007/11/7598CheerleaderSmiley.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 25 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 25 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 25 WORDS!
186 words. 2308/3000. This feels like relentless torture. If it wasn't for the cheerleaders I'd give up.
The deadline is getting nearer and nearer, and I am beginning to worry I won't get the essay through the plagiarism software. Not that I have plagiarised, but it has to be only 10% quotes and the stuff I've been writing it's all but impossible not to use the same words as everyone else on the subject. For example, failing at generativity makes one self-centred (or failing maybe because one is self-centred), so say all the texts, and "self-centred" is difficult to find a synonym for, and anyway someone will already have used the synonym. What a stupid game !
self-absorbed, autocentric, centered on self, ego-centered. Would solipsist(ic) qualify in the context?
Selective use of hyphens may help. If all fails: spaillink ärohrs ;)
Yes, I've always hated that aspect of writing essays. It's somewhat easier when there's proper jargon involved, but it's seems so tedious. I understand not ripping off larger ideas and conclusions, but what's the point of a research essay if you're not to report what you've researched?
It seems to me that it is largely about demomstrating one has read stuff. Boring to mark I imagine. Putting in one's own ideas or challenging others' ideas leads to a distinction, but actually with the limited word count there is little room for this to occur and still demonstrate having read everything. As one becomes more experienced, it becomes less satisfactory. IMO.
112 words. 2422/3000.
By the skin of my teeth. Was too unwell to write today, but had a small revival late evening where I managed some.
Good work on repeatedly exceeding your 100-word target, Griffin!
Thanks Aggie. Actually I don't seem to have reduced the number of days by much - 2 so far - with the excess which is slightly puzzling. Maybe I got the calculations wrong - a fear which has impelled me to try to exceed the quota. I am just beginning to let myself look forward to finishing, but also feeling despondent at the quality of the essay. Still, at least there is an essay.
Quote from: Griffin NoName186 words. 2308/3000. This feels like relentless torture. If it wasn't for the cheerleaders I'd give up.
(http://www.railbirds.com/gallery/2007/11/7598CheerleaderSmiley.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 28.666667 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 28.666667 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 28.66667 WORDS!
Quote from: Griffin NoName112 words. 2422/3000.
(http://static.railbirds.com/gallery/2008/07/44969smiley__cheer_girl__374__green.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://i3.tinypic.com/11buc75.gif) DO NOT GIVE UP!!! 12 WORDS!
LoL! @ P09
Failed yesterday. Had to sleep.
Now I hit the hard part. I have to cram in some material which shows I've read the whole unit, but which is not what I am actually writing on. And pull the essay together to show I am making sense of it all. Not so much generating words, I have only 500 to play with, but more intelligence!
^ this calls for
drastic inspiration ^
(http://www.messentools.com/images/emoticones/frutas/www.MessenTools.com-Frutas-spak1.gif) (http://www.messentools.com/images/emoticones/frutas/www.MessenTools.com-Frutas-spak1.gif) (http://www.messentools.com/images/emoticones/frutas/www.MessenTools.com-Frutas-spak1.gif) (http://www.messentools.com/images/emoticones/frutas/www.MessenTools.com-Frutas-spak1.gif) (http://www.messentools.com/images/emoticones/frutas/www.MessenTools.com-Frutas-spak1.gif)
Significant in that it has taken me years to actually go through with this:
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh27/pieces_o_nine/th_tat.jpg)
A couple of Z's friends were up for the Rally and stayed with us. Isaac did this for me in exchange for a custom leather vest for his chihuahua. :)
It stung, but I can't say it actually hurt... I considered putting two kinds of dressing on it, observing times, and eating shellfish for supper. ;)
Wiill post a 'healed!' version in a few.
http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh27/pieces_o_nine/?action=view¤t=tat.jpg
LOL @ banana splits!
Today I went hiking, jumped off some cliffs into the lake, swam, beached it. Then we went cherry picking. It's hard..... not to pick too many cherries!
I like the tattoo.
Since my last reported words, I clocked up 281 (now 2703/3000) - less than the 100 a day but a miracle I did it at all. So, 300 to go and feeling as stuck as ever. I have to hit 3000 in a couple of days, so >100 per day needed (this is because I am so scared of the plagiarism software, I need to put it through well ahead of dealine as I think it is going to fail it).
(http://www.railbirds.com/gallery/2007/11/7598CheerleaderSmiley.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 40 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 41 WORDS! (http://www.railbirds.com/gallery/2007/11/7598CheerleaderSmiley.gif) 100 WORDS!
How does the plagiarism software distinguish 'legal' quotes from plagiarizing ones?
If I see this correctly, this is the 30000th view of this comparatively short thread. Impressive.
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 16, 2011, 08:45:33 AM
If I see this correctly, this is the 30000th view of this comparatively short thread. Impressive.
Well, it is about "significant" things ;D
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 16, 2011, 08:45:33 AM
How does the plagiarism software distinguish 'legal' quotes from plagiarizing ones?
It often doesn't. In fact I am not sure it does at all. You have to look through the report and see if a match has a citation following it. Then you can "discount" it. Except all matches count towards an overall match score. It even matches "snippets" so you might get "
Napoleon's ship went down in
battle". Which is what is worrying me.
You are allowed up to a 10% match score. If you get more than 10% then you can't submit it, or if you do it will be failed by the marker as plagiarised. The really stupid thing is it doesn't distinguish the title page or the bibliography and so it always matches the whole bibliography which sends the score into the high 20's - you can click "ignore bibliography" but this doesn't work properly. It's truly awful software and very stupid.
Evasion by spellink ährohrs possible?
:ROFL:
No but "Napolean's tub that floated on sea water went down when heavily engaged with another such tub belonging to a different protagenist" would do it. My essay is full of very convoluted sentences* where nothing is described as it should be. It makes a complete nonesense of essay writing and should be anathema to any decent university.** It's a gross lowering of standards IMO.
* it probably reads like the "two-word story" ;)
**which mine supposedly is - in top twenty
So today: 170 words. Now 2873/3000. I am scraping the barrel for sentences now. I want to push it well over the 3000 so it doesn't look as if I was desperate to stop writing. As for the conclusion, I can't think of anything sensible to say at all.
What you need is a synonym software to avoid detection, ie: ...Napoleon's vessel...
;)
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on August 16, 2011, 10:35:48 PM
What you need is a synonym software to avoid detection, ie: ...Napoleon's vessel...
;)
Every essay we write gets added into the database for the plagiarism software and they don't seem to change the essay titles, so pretty well every synonym will have been used by someone !! Napolean's floating armoury ?
Quote from: Griffin NoNameSo today: 170 words. Now 2873/3000. I am scraping the barrel for sentences now. I want to push it well over the 3000 so it doesn't look as if I was desperate to stop writing. As for the conclusion, I can't think of anything sensible to say at all.
(http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 35 WORDS! (http://static.railbirds.com/gallery/2008/07/44969smiley__cheer_girl__374__green.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/111/8/1/Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif) 35WORDS! (http://www.railbirds.com/gallery/2007/11/7598CheerleaderSmiley.gif)
How about, "So that about sums it up."
The Corsian's man-o-war got sent to the bottom by one of perfidious Albion's crafts after an extended exchange of broadsides.
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 17, 2011, 11:07:42 AM
The Corsian's man-o-war got sent to the bottom by one of perfidious Albion's crafts after an extended exchange of broadsides.
I'll hire you to rewrite my essay !
Quote from: pieces o nine on August 17, 2011, 07:49:25 AM
How about, "So that about sums it up."
Too short !!
No words today. Too tired. Slept.
Well I did get some stuff transferred from my living room to the storage building I hired for the express purpose of not having so much stuff in my living room. However I haven't written anything today (does this count).
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 18, 2011, 01:13:22 AM
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 17, 2011, 11:07:42 AM
The Corsian's man-o-war got sent to the bottom by one of perfidious Albion's crafts after an extended exchange of broadsides.
I'll hire you to rewrite my essay !
I guess the above is not impartial enough. And the bias would, I assume, be unwise to choose for a British target audience.
Quote from: anthrobabe on August 18, 2011, 01:28:02 AM
Well I did get some stuff transferred from my living room to the storage building I hired for the express purpose of not having so much stuff in my living room.
I just watched a documentary about a woman who hords and was using a storgae facility for he same purpose but also to have enough room to sort stuff to throw out - her house was so full of junk her 13 year old had no room to even sleep and had to live elsewhere.
Quote from: anthrobabe on August 18, 2011, 01:28:02 AM
However I haven't written anything today (does this count).
:ROFL:
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 18, 2011, 08:47:54 AM
I guess the above is not impartial enough. And the bias would, I assume, be unwise to choose for a British target audience.
Indeed. Bias is always suspect. I just decided not to put in my essay a claim that unsatisfactory resolution of the Oedipus crisis leads to homosexuality !!!!!! (I found this on a website................).
Today 214 words. Although I wrote much more and took most out again. I managed a conclusion ok. Count now 3087/3000 and tomorrow I attempt the anti-plagiariser. Scarey :o
(http://freeemoticonsandsmileys.com/animated%20emoticons/Cute%20Animated%20Emoticons/cheerleader.gif) 100 WORDS! (http://ersqclan.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cheerleader2.gif)100 WORDS! (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif)14 WORDS!
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 18, 2011, 10:21:05 PM
Today 214 words. Although I wrote much more and took most out again. I managed a conclusion ok. Count now 3087/3000 and tomorrow I attempt the anti-plagiariser. Scarey :o
:woot:
Since last post: Went mountain biking, hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing (nice dusky little rainbow trout), ate some bacon; today I tried downhilling (mountain bike) and nearly lost my junk on a poorly executed jump. :o
Ahhhhhh.... is there any fish more heavenly than fresh rainbow trout?
That one got put back to live another day; it was only about 7" but poissobly the largest fish in the little lake we were at. It's on Crown land but is a bit remote with a rough access so we had a campsite and lake to ourselves, with an old canoe to paddle around in. :)
Cleared the final papers in a huge pile that has existed on the floor for over two years. Now I can see a bit more of the carpet. I've been doing a few pages of paper a day, for ages, and it is amazing that I reached the end.
Not the whole story - unfortunately there are more piles everywhere. But at least I can now start on the next pile.
:woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot:
I got 11% on the plagiarism "originality" score, and told my tutor, and he said it was fine as the limit was 24% !!!!!!!!!!!!!
All my essays I've worked to 10% - I am sure I read it somewhere ------ no wonder I got "distinctions" --- I'm probably the only saddo in the class who is highly original due to their blasted software !!!!!!
:ROFL: :hairpull:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NB. I still have to get the essay in shape, check the biblio, and stuff, but unless I fall under a lorry, it will be in on time, and definitely by end of week, if not before, so an end to this agony is in sight.
:yar: :woot: :woohoo: :panic:
Best of luck, Griffin!
:fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread: :fireworks_spread:
Nice work, Griffin! Beat that bot!
-----------------------
Went for a 4+ hour mountain bike ride with Dad today; the first 3.5 hours were almost completely uphill, then we dropped approx. 2800 ft of elevation in 30 minutes or so (plus a short-ish ride back up to the car). I accidentally burned my leg on my brake rotor after the descent. :mrgreen:
Thanks guys.
Quote from: Aggie on August 23, 2011, 12:49:48 AM
I accidentally burned my leg on my brake rotor after the descent.
Was it roast well enough to eat? :mrgreen:
Yay, Griffin!:bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing:
Quote from: Griffin NoName on August 23, 2011, 03:32:12 AM
Was it roast well enough to eat? :mrgreen:
No, I did not quite get the St. Lawrence treatment.
btw, if anyone can track down the Latin original of his remark on the grill - "Turn me over, this side's done" from a reliable source, it would be much appreciated
Was it Latin? It may well have been Greek?
Edit:
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/prudentius/prud2.shtml
QuotePostquam uapor diutinus
decoxit exustum latus,
ultro e catasta iudicem
conpellat adfatu breui:
'Conuerte partem corporis
satis crematam iugiter
et fac periclum, quid tuus
Vulcanus ardens egerit.'
Praefectus inuerti iubet,
tunc ille: 'coctum est, deuora
et experimentum cape,
sit crudum an assum suauius!'
From the Peristephanon (http://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudentii_Peristephanon) of Prudentius (http://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurelius_Prudentius_Clemens)
Thank you Swato... I'm not satisfied with the Google's translation, but I think "coctum est, deuora et experimentum cape, sit crudum an assum suauius!" is the phrase I'm looking for.
There's a wide variety of English interpretations and renderings of the phrase out there.
Remember that u and v are the same in scholarly editions of Latin texts.
I'd render it (without looking for the dictionary, so I might be wrong in details) as: It's cooked. Devour and experience whether it's rare or well-done.
Have submitted what I hope will be the final version of the essay. It's scoring 7% match/originality now. I am satisfied.
however I have to wait for 24 hours to get the final submitted score back which will include the references
:goodvibes:
Hang in there, Baby!!!!
Good job Griffin and
What would it be called if one ate ones self
autobalism???
Got out of town yesterday (rare occurence) to visit the leadership bunker of the Eastern German navy.
I am member of the local section of the society for shipping and naval history.
I may post a few photos, if any of them are any good. Not much light down there and in my experience the flash has too short a range.
As a total amateur I have not yet mastered all (to be honest actually most) of the functions of my cheap digital camera, e.g. changing the exposure time.
I'd be interested in a write-up and a few photos of that relic of the Cold War days.
I'm quite old enough to remember the re-unification of the German peoples, and I, for one, celebrated it as a good thing.
I'd like to see your photos as well, Swato. This is a part of history I didn't know about.
This slideshow (http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-72123.html) was an interesting mental compare & contrast to the WWII Cabinet War Rooms in London.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I remember the images of people in Berlin reaching over the Wall to lift each other up -- not something I ever expected to see.
The pictures are a bit of a mixed bag and I think one or two are missing (which would mean that I pressed enough for autofocus but not actual exposure). I expected the flash not to have much effect but in most pictures it looks like everything was well lit, which it definitely wasn't. But there are some that give the right impression. A video would have been best but a) I forgot how to switch between the functions and did not have the manual with me and b) The video would have been totally dark.
I think I'll upload some in the morning. Not an easy choice given that it's about 75 of them.
Quote from: Swatopluk on August 28, 2011, 10:26:47 PM
The pictures are a bit of a mixed bag...
:offtopic: This phrase jumped out at me; is it just English slang, or does German have a close equivalent?
I am not aware of any direct German equivalent. The direct translation has a different meaning not carrying the negative connotations.
As I understand it 'mixed bag' in English is a slightly euphemistic term for 'there is also something really rotten in the mix' and generally describes something ambiguous. In German Gemischtwaren (mixed goods) carries the notion of mediocre, i.e. nothing really good and nothing really bad, not hot or cold but lukewarm.
I never thought of it as having a negative connotation. To me it just means that you don't know what you'll get.
"Life is like a box of chocolates..."
I'd say "mixed bag" implies a full spectrum, although perhaps a Gaussian distribution. Lots of Gemischtwaren with a few real gems and stinkers thrown in.
[still off-topic and shamelessly promoting thread drift]
Thanks, Swato.
I'm intrigued when an ESL [English as a Second Language] speaker uses American/English idioms, since few translate properly unless there's a strong common cultural/linguistic heritage. "Mixed bag" struck me as something distinctly Amerkin; if a German equivalent existed I expected it to be a much longer word -- and it is! :)
Zono: if you see this, what is the [South American] Spanish take on an idiom for "mixed bag"?
[/thread drift]
Quote from: pieces o nine on September 03, 2011, 07:07:16 PM
I'm intrigued when an ESL [English as a Second Language] speaker uses American/English idioms, since few translate properly unless there's a strong common cultural/linguistic heritage.
I think you'd be surprised how many parallels there are in idioms between non-related languages*, and at how much of the flavour carries over without there being a directly translated equivalent. Sometimes the wording is similar (accounting for grammatical differences) and sometimes it's worded completely different but means the same thing. I think we tend to use idioms to express concepts that can't be easily expressed in literal language, and that those concepts are archetypal enough to demand idioms in several languages.
It's the modern and sub-regional slang that tends to be mutually indecipherable unless explained. I know bits of British Columbian that produce blank looks on the face of any other Canadian;
the most powerful Quebecois swearwords (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_French_profanity) refer to Catholicism and are strange if you don't have the cultural background. Don't get me going on Newfie.... ::)
*my most extensive reference is Korean/English, which are not commonly rooted for the purpose of this discussion.
There are lots of parallel idioms in different languages that use the same structure/basic image but differ in detail.
There are lots of idioms involving animals that mean the same but use different critters: e.g. bull in a china store vs. Elefant im Porzellanladen (both depict destructive animals in the same fragile environment).
To put all eggs in one basket vs. alles auf eine Karte setzen (put=bet everything on single card)
Give him an inch, he takes a yard vs. Gib ihm den Finger, er nimmt die ganze Hand/denm ganzen Arm (give him a finger, he#Ll take the whole hand/arm).
This is a good discussion and should have it's own thread. Hint, hint.
Seems to me 'a mixed bag' is pretty close to eine bunte Mischung - what do you say, Swato?
I'd like your opinion on rendering the following:
Nu skal vi se wat Köh kann spring op dat Heck. (Kartoffeldänisch)
and
Aber trotzdem ist der Kopf dicker als der Hals,
Und die Beine so gestellt, daß der Arsch nicht runterfällt.
Significantly started work again today, for three months only. Mah nose was gettin' too big; best put it back to the grindstone. ;)
Probably will do wonders for your wallet, too. Good luck!
Went to a job exchange in Bremen (distance by train about 150 miles/240 km) today. I may have gotten some useful contacts.
I think 'bunte Mischung' carries no negative connotation at all. It either signifies diversity in a positive way or it says that the valuable parts are difficult to separate from the shiny but useless. Variety shows were also known as "Kessel Buntes", originally meaning a large cooking pot/cauldron with a brew containing many different vegetables. (bunt = colourful, divers)
----
Jetzt wollen wir doch mal sehn, ob die Kuh über die(se) Hecke springen kann = Now let's see whether the cow can jump over that hedge. If that's a common phrase (quite possible) it has not yet crossed my path (and it's not in my phrase/proverb/idiom dictionary).
But there are numerous phrases expressing the same. Often seen form the other side = who would have thought that this is possible/impossible. Wer sagt denn, daß der Hund kein Schmalz frißt = Who says that dogs don't eat lard. Typically used after an implausible feat has been achieved.
The head's still thicker than the neck
and the legs are put there so the arse does not drop (to the ground)
That one is close to a number of common sayings I know. For example it is said about really stupid people that they have their heads only to prevent the rain from falling down into the neck (damit's nicht reinregnet) and that otherwise they would have to carry all the straw under theri arms (Strohkopf/Stroh im Kopf = head filled with straw = stupid).
A significant Thing I just did was to start a new thread called "Mixed Bag", in which to continue this interesting thread drift about curious phrases from around the world.
Here's a shortcut to Mixed Bag. (http://toadfishmonastery.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=32&topic=2667.new#new)
I better not take it because they tend to lead to an automatic logout.
Found it even before coming here anyway :mrgreen:
Arranged to me a friend tomorrow at a time I am usually awake. V. excited.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 11, 2011, 03:00:42 AM
Arranged to me a friend tomorrow at a time I am usually awake. V. excited.
:stars:
Ordered two of the canonically worst books ever written (deliberately written as such): 'Naked Came the Stranger' and 'Atlanta Nights'
Had my teeth cleaned.
Cleared and put away a load of stuff that has been crowding my sofa bed for the last three years. (I have someone coming to stay). I have had a total block on being able to do this clear up - it has been really upsetting me all this time - so I can't quite believe I have done it.
The arm chair next to the sofa bed has an even bigger, messier pile, which must be cleared to give my visitor space, so I hope I can find the willpower - and energy - to do that this week too. It's a bigger challenge as the drawers and cupboards in which all the stuff should go are absolutely full to bursting and I don't know what to do about that. I need inspiration.
You've got the momentum now; you'll do it. Hope your friend appreciates all you've done.
You should see my messy office! I'm going to have to get tough and throw a bunch of stuff away after this show is over.
Deep breaths...
You too...
Hacked away at a cover letter.
I'm apparently dismal at unemployment. ::)
Quote from: Aggie on January 03, 2012, 05:18:26 AM
Hacked away at a cover letter.
I'm apparently dismal at unemployment. ::)
Ditto
Six months and three days by now
Hack away, me hearty. You're awesome.
I gots to hack away at me next script. Scene one was fairly easy, but I'm stuck at the beginning of scene two. Must break through.
Quote from: OpsaI gots to hack away at me next script. Scene one was fairly easy, but I'm stuck at the beginning of scene two. Must break on through to the other side! Break on through to the other side! Break on through, oww! Oh, yeah!
FTFY. ;)
[youtube=425,350]6BIjCW2_Uik[/youtube]
[edit] fingers crossed for both aggie & Swato [/edit]
Thank you (and Mister Jimmy)!
I got another six pages written today! Had to force myself not to go online until I wrote. This is my reward. ;D But I aint done, yet. Gotta keep on keepin' on.
Whatsitabout?
It's the second half of Wind in the Willows, "The Adventures of Mr. Toad". The challenge is to find some sort of moral outcome and still have it be fun, but I'm about halfway through now and have a handle on it.
Keep us posted...
Well, it was already yesterday but I enrolled in a (basic) course of Icelandic starting to-morrow.
I simply realized that attempts to start learning that language without help were futile (I still hope to manage Norwegian one day just from books and audio files). I hope the course will give me the basis from where I can expand on my own.
And it is rather cheap too. 12 sessions á 2.5 hours for mere 45€ and a few cents (half the normal rate since I am currently unemployed). So even if it turns out to be a dud, I will not lose much.
Wow, that's really cool, Swato.
I finished the play, have scheduled the rehearsals and notified the cast. We start up in two weeks.
Put myself on an NHS dentist waiting list. Can't afford private dentistry any more. However 9 month waiting list. My lovely wonderful private dentist is brillaint and nice and I know the NHS won't be nearly as good. Another thing pensioners are doomed to - bad teeth.
Hey- I have bad teeth, and I have a private dentist. Just no extra cash to fix them.
I comfort myself with the memory of how disappointed I was when Bowie had his teeth fixed. I like his bad teeth better. Made him more human.
Started maintaining my own truck today. :)
I've always done engine oil changes, but I was due for a transmission fluid change, so I did that myself. Actually easier than the oil change. :D
I need to do the transfer case next, then I will probably replace the spark plugs (will inspect first). The timing belt needs to be inspected, but hopefully not replaced. I don't think I'm up to that one yet, not unless I have a backup set of wheels.
I stepped on a snake in my living room today.
The cat was meowing weirdly, so I followed her into the living room and before I knew it, there was a cool vinyl feeling under my bare foot, and there was a small snake, all in a knot. I guess the cat must have brought it in to play with. It looked like a garter snake, and was a little injured. I wasn't sure if it was alive, but I covered it with a plastic lid (in case it was cranky), scooped it onto a piece of cardboard and carried it to the far corner of the yard. As soon as I took the lid off, it turned into a straight line and headed for some tree roots. Quite alive, I'd say.
Oo..er..... brave Opsa.
Quote from: Opsa on March 20, 2012, 07:19:55 PM
I stepped on a snake in my living room today.
Good karma points for 'saving' it. (http://www.thefrilleddragon.com/images/smilies/snake.gif)
You fared better than my aunt, who once jumped into her boots to run outside and help with something on their farm. The boot felt ... odd ... but she was more than occupied with the task at hand and didn't find out until after that an ex-snake was within. Screaming ensued.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on January 19, 2012, 04:14:21 AM
Put myself on an NHS dentist waiting list. Can't afford private dentistry any more. However 9 month waiting list. My lovely wonderful private dentist is brillaint and nice and I know the NHS won't be nearly as good. Another thing pensioners are doomed to - bad teeth.
Well that was a waste of time. See Mouth thread. :'(
Just a haircut after more than two months (last time was January 4th).
And I passed 145 days logging time here yesterday.
A time-compression of 14.5:1. You must have been going really fast! :mrgreen:
Well done Swato!
It's not what I've done, it's what I've not done :giggle: 2 months not smoking. :)
:fireworks_fire: (http://rlv.zcache.com/2_month_anniversary_card-p137521309150687458z85g9_400.jpg) :fireworks_spread:
Well done, that lady! :stars:
:woot: :glommp: :clink:
Izzit getting any easier yet?
Congratulations, Griffin. Nasty habit, and difficult to kick. 2 months is impressive! :D
Quote from: Opsa on April 06, 2012, 02:41:57 PM
Izzit getting any easier yet?
Thanks guys.
Yes it is easier, but not yet easiest ;)
I still yearn when doing certain activities, and when stopping certain activities. But mostly I don't think about it.
The real risk will arise if I ever meet another smoker. But as mostly I see no one, it is not likely.
You'll know how well you've quit when you can hang out with smokers and not be at all attracted to their habit.
I managed to empty two large raised beds (for plants), and sieve their entire contents. The first had around 4 wheelbarrow loads of soil come out of it, and the second had closer to 7. I also fully reassembled the birdtable after its first long overdue refresh.
Nice work! I need a compost sieve to tackle the old legacy pile that's at the back of the yard. Just need to find some cheap heavy mesh, or alternatively some old fridge shelves/bbq grates to build one.
Today (and really all week until and including Saturday) I worked on preparations for a fundraiser for our little theater. We're having a festival this weekend, with some vendors, kid's craft tables, white elephant, raffles, entertainment and food. I've run craft fairs before, but this time I'm basically running the whole affair, small though it might be.
It is amazing how generous people can be with their time and materials. I have people offering things for our raffle without being asked. I have moms with four kids offering to help out at the event.
It is also amazing how differently people communicate. I have a habit of telling everyone what's going on as often as possible. This comes from my graphic artist days, when you had to be sure to spell out everything very clearly and redundantly to the clients, the printers, and the co-workers. It's very easy for people to assume it should be done "the way they've always done it" or "the way we did it last time".
I know that we'll get through Saturday and it will be a good day for us. Just gotta keep trying to stay a step ahead, and remembering to breathe!
Yay Sibling Opsa!
:high5:
Good luck with that, Opsa!
Yes, it's amazing how generous people are to things like that.
Reiterating the good fortune wishes, Opsa. Working with other people can be quite the mission, especially when they act like people. ::) Good fortune again, and don't let up on making sure they know what they're doing. ;D
Cleaned the house, and tidied my bedroom. Been putting it off for quite a while now....
Thanks, Sibs. The fair went very well, and I'm exhausted!
However, like Pachy, I am spending the day tidying up the aftermath here in my office. I still have oodles of tiny notes all over my desk, though. Am taking it a step at a time.
I went out of town for a few hours (a rarety) to visit the archaeological museum in Brandenburg (the town the state is named after).
They currently have a special exhibition about the Battle of Wittstock (1636) due to a mass grave of casualties from that battle being found recently. It's essentially the only such site found yet.
If you have never heard of that battle, it resulted in the 30 Years War actually becoming a war lasting fully 3 decades. Had the battle turned out differently (which would have been far more likely given the circumstances), the war would have ended at that point (after 'mere' 18 years).
France would have stayed out completely and the protestant cause in Central Europe would have been essentially lost. No kingdom of Prussia either. World history would have looked very different.
Another interesting thing, there were many Scots figthing on the Swedish side.
www.1636.de
http://www.1636.de/?lang=en
I've managed to spend the whole day procrastinating. :-\
Quote from: Swatopluk on May 17, 2012, 08:36:37 PM
If you have never heard of that battle, it resulted in the 30 Years War
Never sure why they thought WWI would be over by Christmas.
Darlia, I've been procrastinating too.
QuoteAnother interesting thing, there were many Scots figthing on the Swedish side.
Including General Alexander Leslie, who besieged Hereford in 1645 when the Scots were allied to Parliament. He didn't get in, and Charles I later gave us our motto
Invictae fidelitatis Premium.
A lot of officers on both sides of our civil war got their only training from fighting in the 30 years war.
Plus, we Scots like a scrap. ;D :2guns: :tank: :stick: :caveman: :caveman:
This week, I have mostly been poisoning Japanese knotweed....
Urg, I need to go battle the bindweed again today (I am using strongarm tactics instead of chemical weapons). Yesterday, I had an epic lawn mowing experience (grass was taller than the mower; had to change the bag every 10 m or so), with several more to tackle in the near future.
Last night I went on a guided tour of the Wye Valley Brewery. A whole load of us went by coach; we had an hour drinking the product, about ¾ hour going round the brewery with the MD (Vernon is an old mate of ours), then back to the attached pub for more sampling until midnight.
Wendy drank twice as much as me!
You can drink a lot in an hour!
Becaused I did not want to waste tube ticket money for a potentially futile shopping excursion, I decided ro walk instead. Weather is good for a change, only slightly too warm for my taste (I sweat heavily).
About two miles in each direction (there is a bit of a difference depending on which side of the road one walks).
I notice my feet have grown a bit soft and I had removed a good deal of callus a few days before. In hindsight possibly not the best of ideas.
I should do this more often. Maybe I could get my weight back down to 200 metric pounds (avoirdupois is just a silly dream)
Quote from: GriffinYou can drink a lot in an hour!
Wendy certainly can! ;D
Quote from: Swatopluk on May 19, 2012, 06:50:46 PM
About two miles in each direction (there is a bit of a difference depending on which side of the road one walks).
I should do this more often. Maybe I could get my weight back down to 200 metric pounds (avoirdupois is just a silly dream)
Hey Swato, that is significant, and very inspiring. Smart Sibling! I need to get a lot more exercise as well, for my heart health. I need to work up a route and walk it regularly.
Go for it, Swato! I'm about 204 Pfund now, I bet you can get under that. ;D
About 104 kg with empty bowels (at 184-185 cm height).
Not as hemispherical as my father but it could come to that still.
Ah, I'm only 176 tall.
Just think - if I were one cm shorter, or my birthday were just 7 days later, I could be accused of ...
This is for Grif, whose ticker announces 3!Months - 2!Weeks - 1!Day today...
(http://c69282.r82.cf3.rackcdn.com/3-2-1-auguri_copia.JPG)
Oh, well done Griff!
Quote from: pieces o nine on May 21, 2012, 04:10:03 AM
This is for Grif, whose ticker announces 3!Months - 2!Weeks - 1!Day today...
Ta muchly DH and hey yes a nice number P09.
Just at present I am desperate for a cigarette* as I have had an issue with my finances which has been sorted out to my advantage but am supposed to be studying eek and instead am having a small glass of wine.
*
I don't have any so can't have any, this is the answer to my success
This is good to hear, Griff, and also sorry you are craving. This will pass soon enough, and get easier for you. Congrats!
:clink:
Last night we took part in a Relay for Life (http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12SA?fr_id=40798&pg=entry) in our area, and it was a most amazing thing. The event is an annual fundraiser for cancer research, and this year it took place at a local high school track. Groups set up tents around the inside lawn area of the track and participants could walk all night long. They could have pledges for miles walked, or simply come and walk and buy baubles and food, the sale of which went to battling cancer. There was lots of music, funky costumes, and really nice tributes.
The most moving part was a luminaria ceremony, which took place around 10pm. The stadium lights went down, and a woman with a gorgeous voice sang a song called "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" while the opposite bleachers spelled out "HOPE", and then "CURE" with luminaries, and the entire ring got lit with luminaria. Then they sent up four candled hot air balloons into the perfect, moonlit night, each one representing another aspect of people who have fought, are fighting, or have defeated cancer (parents, children, siblings and friends) and I had a thought go up for each of these, including some for our fellow Toadfish siblings. It was just beautiful.
If you get a chance to go to one of these things, do it. I know I will go again.
It sounds like a wonderful night you had. My friend's mother walks each year for one of the cancer charities in the UK, all dressed in pink and white (well mostly), walking through the night. I'm glad it went well. The fight never seems to end, but with every step we are closer to the end, which I think dovetails nicely with walking for the charities.
Adding just more stanzas to my Norse epic.
If I have not miscounted I am at 147 stanzas consisting of 4 long lines each currently.
Spent the day with my grandchildren, visiting from Canada. They are scrumptious.
My daughter and family were camping 30 miles from here with three friends (plus kids). As it was so wet, they came over here for the jubilee bash and enjoyed the pig roast and real ale. Then they all came back to our place for a meal and a shower before heading back to the tents. So we were 7 adults and 4 small kids. Just a bit noisy :mrgreen: but absolutely delightful.
I expect you had much the same, Griffin.
Not quite the same David. We went to the pub for lunch, then my daughter-in-law wanted to go shopping so we went to the local retail park which was almost empty cos everyone at the Jubilee - lots of really good bargains as everything on huge discounts for the Jubilee, and given it was pouring with rain, not such a bad decision. I recorded the Jubilee and watched it later in the dry.
That was (unintentionally?) genius, Griffin. Not only did you get to spend the day with your family, and members you don't see in person that often, but you went shopping only to find that not only were the things cheaper, but there was also hardly anyone there. The last item i'd say is nigh on torture, but that's me, lol.
Speaking of torture, we got a bunch of furniture delivered today from my late father-in-law's house. I thought it was going to be torture to fit it into our modest house, but it wasn't that bad. Never mind that we have about five pieces of going-out furniture parked on our front porch, but next week a friend is having a yard sale on the main street and said we could bring stuff to sell, so out it goes!
I was afraid of some of the pieces, as they are not exactly my taste, but now that they are here, I can see how much more well-made they are than the alley-find stuff that they replace. In a way, it's good to have this done, even though we'll have a few days worth of shuffling things around to make them work.
It is nice to have something to remember Mr. Ops' parents by, and to have something to pass on to Th'Opsalette one day.
Siblings may be amused by the names of the Shropshire villages we toured today:
Clungunford, Clunbury, Aston-on-Clun, Clunton and Clun. Guess the name of the river in whose valley they all lie.
I visited the Berlin Museum of Musical Instruments (second time this week).
I answered question 8.2 - has taken me three days to get up courage to attempt it.
Did it bite?
No. Yesterday I answered question 8.3 - this is incredibly slow. Today too poorly to do anything. But plumber fixed leak under sink.
I'm a couple days behind on posting this, but Sunday night I went out to the garden to fix up the hoop-house over the tomatoes (with a headlamp) and witnessed a swingin' earthworm party, with worms coupling up all over the place. ;D
Quote from: Aggie on June 26, 2012, 06:02:55 PM
I'm a couple days behind on posting this, but Sunday night I went out to the garden to fix up the hoop-house over the tomatoes (with a headlamp) and witnessed a swingin' earthworm party, with worms coupling up all over the place. ;D
There are specialist internet sites that will pay good money for worm orgy photos. :mrgreen:
My significant achievement for today is getting out of bed. ;D
Had a good day yesterday. Invited some (very taddy) friends over for dinner; I smoked a salmon and did a potato salad and a veggie dish straight from the garden, and we enjoyed some wildcrafted tea (http://www.wildcraftforest.com/)* from one of the guests and some homemade fruit & honey wine from another (both were delicious). The conversation was as stimulating as the beverages.
Afterwards, I went to see Oka perform live:
[youtube=425,350]WkKNgNCaKgY[/youtube]
Yes, I danced shoeless and shirtless. :mrgreen:
*Don recently did an interview with a company that produces content for BBC Radio, which should hit the airwaves sometime in the near future. Keep an ear out for it.
Sounds like fun. ;)
Is that bloke with the long tube smoking a salmon?
I assembled my new throne...eh...office chair
(http://bilder.universal.at/pool/formata/4382432.jpg)
http://bilder.universal.at/pool/formata/4382432.jpg
That one can endure 25% more weight than the usual ones, which seems a wise precaution to me.
Apart from that, I visited the museum of East Asian art again. Currently a nice exhibition of naturalist drawings/paintings like this
(http://www.umweltkalender-berlin.de/picture/normal/5182_06_Oki_Kangaku_Affen_Familie.jpg)
http://www.umweltkalender-berlin.de/picture/normal/5182_06_Oki_Kangaku_Affen_Familie.jpg
I don't have a larger image at hand but when you stand before the real thing, you can see that each hair is painted individually.
3½ weeks after he started, the workman has finally finished our new path and patio. He should easily have done it in 5 days if it hadn't been raining all the time.
My office chair, has soft stuffing to sink into, and rocks backwards so one can recline in comfort with feet on the desk, otherwise it is identical to yours Swato. It was a cheap impulse buy, probably the best I ever made.
Today I had a meal at the pub with a friend visiting the UK from Montgomery (Alabama). Even a bit of sun.
I'd say it was the rocking function that got the old one in the end by breaking the support ring that keeps the gas-spring upright.
Buy one with a horizontal gas-spring ? :mrgreen:
I guess office chairs, esp. for higher ranks, need a gas vent.
Go on a welding course and you can get a small, basic arc-welder for under £50. Far less than an office chair. At the end you have your chair, a new skill and a handy piece of kit.
Given how many parts are plastic these days, this kind of DIY repair might not be advisable.
True, stripping all the plastic bits off is a pain. I've more than once melted or set fire to a plastic part I forgot about. :mrgreen: All part of life's rich tapestry.
Today, I have mostly been killing Japanese Knotweed... :D
Writing down the first* chapter of my saga.
*the first to be written down, not as far as plot is concerned
Had musicians (Buckman Coe (http://www.buckmancoe.com/fr_home.cfm) and co) crash at the house last night, so we cooked up some late-night eats from the garden.
That sounds like fun, Aggie my dear chap.
Yesterday I finished coaching this year's 2 week/4 hour a day summer theatrical improvisation workshops. Really fun, creative bunch of kids, aged 9-14. I like that age group. They come up with some interesting solutions.
Next week I'm trying my hand at teaching Theater Basics class to 7-8 year olds. This is an experiment, brought on by parents who want their littler kids to get into theater. Hope it works!
Good luck with that.
Today I finished week 9 of the ghastly research methods. Each week gets nastier, although week 10 is Ethics which is a favourite topic of mine so maybe there's hope.
I hopeth you enyoyth your trip to Ethics. Can't stand the place, myself.
Now, now, David. The food is the best you'll find! ;D
My thing is finishing cleaning the garage out, and taking most of the rubbish up the top of the garden. How my dad accumulates all this carp, i'll never know.
When you clear up the end of the garden, do you take the rubbish down to the garage?
That would be the logical thing to do, yes, as it fulfills The Rubbish Law of Carp, in which carp must be never thrown away, but moved diligently from place to place every few years in order to increase entropy in random places. Unfortunately, all the carp is being removed by some nice men from the local council, hence increasing the already infinite entropy in the local council offices.
Seems like my garage contains several buckets of entropy.
The local council here will only pick up from the roadside. No way can I get contents (many and varied) from the garage to roadside. Also, there's a height issue with lorries/vans too tall to go under an archway to get to the garage. It will become an issue if I ever want to move (fairly likely). Until then, I try not to think about it.
A lot of Echo workers are on holiday, so Wendy and I ran the craft area and shop all of yesterday and this morning. I've often been slotted in for an odd session, but this was exhausting - keeping the participants organised and busy all day. They are lovely, but some can be so demanding. Like kids, when they want to talk to you it has to be now and they don't see that you're dealing with someone else.
I'm happy but totally knackered. I was not at my best ME-wise before I started. >:(
Here, have a hug from your Auntie Opsa.
:kisshands:
Those folks are so lucky to have you and Mrs. H.
Sounds as if you did really well, David. I hope they appreciated it. :)
Even fit healthy people find such exhausting at an advancing age....................... I am sure they do appreciate it.
Quote from: Opsa on June 03, 2012, 05:04:46 PM
Last night we took part in a Relay for Life (http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12SA?fr_id=40798&pg=entry) in our area, and it was a most amazing thing. The event is an annual fundraiser for cancer research, and this year it took place at a local high school track. Groups set up tents around the inside lawn area of the track and participants could walk all night long. They could have pledges for miles walked, or simply come and walk and buy baubles and food, the sale of which went to battling cancer. There was lots of music, funky costumes, and really nice tributes.
The most moving part was a luminaria ceremony, which took place around 10pm. The stadium lights went down, and a woman with a gorgeous voice sang a song called "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" while the opposite bleachers spelled out "HOPE", and then "CURE" with luminaries, and the entire ring got lit with luminaria. Then they sent up four candled hot air balloons into the perfect, moonlit night, each one representing another aspect of people who have fought, are fighting, or have defeated cancer (parents, children, siblings and friends) and I had a thought go up for each of these, including some for our fellow Toadfish siblings. It was just beautiful Peimar led (http://www.niceledlights.com).
If you get a chance to go to one of these things, do it. I know I will go again.
Great event. We need to appreciate such events to fight cancer
Quote from: Ranchao on November 09, 2012, 09:24:16 AM
Quote from: Opsa on June 03, 2012, 05:04:46 PM
Last night we took part in a Relay for Life (http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12SA?fr_id=40798&pg=entry) in our area, and it was a most amazing thing. The event is an annual fundraiser for cancer research, and this year it took place at a local high school track. Groups set up tents around the inside lawn area of the track and participants could walk all night long. They could have pledges for miles walked, or simply come and walk and buy baubles and food, the sale of which went to battling cancer. There was lots of music, funky costumes, and really nice tributes.
The most moving part was a luminaria ceremony, which took place around 10pm. The stadium lights went down, and a woman with a gorgeous voice sang a song called "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" while the opposite bleachers spelled out "HOPE", and then "CURE" with luminaries, and the entire ring got lit with luminaria. Then they sent up four candled hot air balloons into the perfect, moonlit night, each one representing another aspect of people who have fought, are fighting, or have defeated cancer (parents, children, siblings and friends) and I had a thought go up for each of these, including some for our fellow Toadfish siblings. It was just beautiful.
If you get a chance to go to one of these things, do it. I know I will go again.
Great event. We need to appreciate such events to fight cancer
Ahoy there, Ranchao! Welcome to the Toadfish Monastery! Won't you please say hello in our Start Here (http://toadfishmonastery.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=32&board=15.0) area, perhaps in the Hello! (http://toadfishmonastery.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=32&topic=2824.30) thread, or in one of your own? I think the others would like to meet you.
We decided at Echo that we will organise our own Christmas dinner this year. Local firms have already promised us turkeys, sausages and bacon; now we're cadging the vegetables.
Today at Friday Club we made the puddings. The participants peeled and squeezed the oranges and lemons, grated apples and suchlike, then everyone put some ingredients in the bowl and had a stir. Even the very seriously disabled people helped, with a bit of hand-holding. It was happy chaos but the stuff has come out OK - now we have to put it in bowls and boil it.
I'm absolutely exhausted.
Great pity - no photos, as one chap is terrified of flashes. Even if you promise there'll be no flash, he's shivering with fear, so we just don't take any these days.
Shame about the fear.
I received notification of a tax rebate.
No actual refund yet, just notification. Usual disclaimer, if their calculationi is wrong, I have to give the money back.
Midway through writing a cookbook for the restaurant. I was given a target of one week to re-scale, test-kitchen, develop and write recipes for about 30 or 40 dishes. Thankfully, formatting, style and photography are not on my to-do list.
Whoa! Good luck on that.
My children's theater has been asked to become an affiliate of the local community center, which I hope will help us out. Filled out forms in September. Affiliation was approved. Now, more forms to fill out on Thursday.
The community center is run by Parks and Recreation, which is government-run. I am a little wary of this, since I worked at the library as a clerk years ago and there was a silly amount of red tape for that part-time job, for instance I couldn't leave the building for my lunch break. But, I think that we might be able to swing some storage space there and make a better theater of ourselves, so I'm going for it.
Go for it, Opsa! But red tape - yes, we know about that where Echo interfaces with local government. :o
Good luck!
Perhaps not actually 'significant' but I got caught up on all outstanding posts here and at TOP last night, while feasting my eyeballs upon *TWO* news programs on the television (after two months of Vast Wasteland fasting -- yays!), then checking for what has happened in the last couple months with my favorite YouTube channels. I will not say when I pried my cold, crazed hands from the keyboard, but it was late...
My big plans for achievement *today* are to get a good night's sleep. :)
Yay, Pieces!!! :crabbie:
Today I had a meeting at the community center with a retired drama teacher who wants to help with the theater program! I have been looking for someone who could seriously help for a while now. I hope he'll do! It would take a lot of pressure off me.
Oh, good luck!
Hope you got a good kip, Pieces, and that this bloke turns out OK, Opsa.
Been to the dental hygenist with my bleeding gums.
Got out of bed and ate something. I was able to do neither of those things yesterday due to a high fever (probable flu).
Glad it's clearing up, Aggie.
Quote from: GriffinBeen to the dental hygenist with my bleeding gums.
What happened?
Quote from: Sibling DavidH on January 11, 2013, 09:46:22 AM
Quote from: GriffinBeen to the dental hygenist with my bleeding gums.
What happened?
At the hygenist? She cleaned my teeth which meant the gums hurt more afterwards. Or about the bleeding? - that's due to the CFS - general ill health; lots of my body bits don't work properly.
Oh, dear.
Wendy and I are in charge of Friday Club for the next several months. We had a good session today. Young B- can only interact with others by clapping her hands while you clap yours. Today we had a breakthrough: she clapped one of my hands with one of hers.
Dragged my sorry arse out of bed. Was at the rugby last night, and very enjoyable it was too. Spent today loafing on the sofa, watching lots more rugby. This has been a Good Day.
A brilliant Friday Club today - it was packed out and everyone was in a good mood. One lot played pool, with much cheating from certain persons; the rest played board-games and mainly socialised. When the atmosphere is like that it really melts your heart.
Sounds like a lovely time. :)
A rapper gave me bacon.
I suppose that could be significant.
"A rapper gave me bacon" sounds like some sort of speaking vowel exercise.
They were shooting a hip-hop video in the restaurant yesterday, and brought some food as props, which they left.
I had said bacon for breakfast.
That sounds like fun. If you ever see the video on YouTube, please let us know. I'd love to see it.
I just selected a number of pictures (about 1200) and compressed them to place them in one of those electronic picture frames. Looking good.
I do that, too. I use Irfan View for batch resizing; what do you use?
My last picture frame got increasingly erratic and crashy as the number of pics on the card approached 2,000, even though there was room for far more.
I use FastStone (http://www.faststone.org/) image viewer, which is freeware and quite handy BTW.
My old Sony eReader choked a bit if I placed too much manga in it (more than 1000 pages/images), or if I had too many book files. So far the frame is working fine (its a 10" Phillips) although the effects are a bit choppy (even before I loaded the pictures so it is a sub par graphic processor).
Spent 8 hours working on designs for the sauna-on-wheels. The interior will be tounge-in-groove cedar with an arched ceiling. The sauna benches will convert to a double bed and single bunk for sleeping, and there will be a heated vestibule for gear and firewood storage. We plan to use a wood-fired sauna stove to make it the ultimate cold-weather camping machine. :D
That should be fun!
I just got asked to be my sister's Man of Honour for her wedding later this year. ;D
Wahey! You'll have some fun there.
-----------------------------------------
Wendy and I finished our long run of being in charge of Friday Club; the usual lady is now coming back. We shall still go, of course.
On Friday a friend who happens to be in an official position told us that they had trimmed some trees in the play area and we could take some logs. It turned out they had felled a couple of large poplars and trimmed several more. So over the weekend we took five carloads of exactly the right kind of log - 3" to 6" diameter hardwood. 'Carload' here means full until the tyres almost touched the wheel-arches and the car wallowed alarmingly. It was only ½ mile along village roads, or we'd never have dared overload it like that.
Now we have a huge pile to stack away and I am suffering the payback that you get with M.E. - I ache in every muscle and feel like crap. Worth it, though. :D
Fantastic, both of you!
This past weekend Mr. Ops hit his head on the basement door frame and cut it bad enough to require a visit to the emergency room. He wound up getting fifteen staples in his scalp, the poor thing. Luckily he's pretty thin up top, so they didn't have to shave his head! I am happy to report I kept my head (ooh, bad pun) and handled things and he's okay. He had a CAT scan and was fine. He made it to work today. Poor Frankenduje.
Yesterday he took it easy and I went out front and did spring cleaning in the front flower beds. I can relate to David's aching back, but now it's done, so I'm pleased.
Quote from: Sibling DavidH on February 25, 2013, 09:46:32 AM
Now we have a huge pile to stack away and I am suffering the payback that you get with M.E. - I ache in every muscle and feel like crap. Worth it, though. :D
A friend took me out to dinner tonight. We always go to the same place as they have basket chairs with cushions (I take my own as well) so I can recline. Only lasted about an hour before feeling exhausted/ill. But sometimes it is worth it. Rare treats.
Congratulations, Aggie!
Well done, DavidAitches.
Sounds like a close shave, Opsa... f/x: rimshot
Good to see you getting out, Grif!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dom thee Danger Catte has a barnacle on his hip; I took him in to the shippe's catte chirurgeon for prelim exam and blood workup this afternoon. Tomorrow morning he goes in for barnacle removal and biopsy. He fought free of the carrier on the way home tonight to escape to the back seat where he loudly yowled his outrage.
OI DUZZINT LOIKE BEIN ROWED IN THEE DINGHY T'THEE CHIRURGEON!
OI BE 'APPY WIF ME HIPPE BARRRGHNICKEL!!
ARRRGH YE LISSENIN T'ME!!!
He tried farting in my general direction to emphasize his outrage, which just made me laugh (and roll down a window). He glared and lay down on the arm rest, pitifully, in defeat. Currently he is sitting close to my chair, but with his back pointedly turned.
Poor Dom - but as a non-catty Brit, I don't know exactly what a barnacle is. Sounds nasty, though.
Best wished to poor Mr Opsa and his staples - Frankenduje indeed. But I expect he's got a hat. :D
Griffin - you obviously have a far worse case of ME than I do. When I need to, I can usually do quite a lot of physical work for an hour or two; I just pay the price afterwards, that's all.
I think Pieces means that Dom has some kinda bump that needs seeing to. My old cat Mr. Pooh used to get warbles! Literally, he would get these bumps that were actually botfly larva. Sounds awful, but it was only slightly icky. Luckily he only got a few in his life. He think it was from going into the neighbor's shed and sleeping on the horse blankets.
A hat covers Mr. Opsa's frankenduje staples quite efficiently.
Quote from: Sibling DavidH on February 26, 2013, 10:02:33 AM
Griffin - you obviously have a far worse case of ME than I do. When I need to, I can usually do quite a lot of physical work for an hour or two; I just pay the price afterwards, that's all.
I'm mostly bed bound, mostly house bound. I get the "post exertion malaise" as they call it. Therefore not good today after last night's little frolc.
Dom is resting somewhat comfortably after getting his 'barnacle' [possibly a small wart, possibly a skin tumor] removed. I heard what sounded like a tropical bird back there, trying out new registers, when I went to get him. No, they said, that's a cat. I chuckled sympathetically until they admitted it was *my* cat.
The significant accomplishment for him was enduring the procedure, the recovery, and the trip home. The significant accomplishment for me was getting him home -- it took four vets & technicians to get him out of the kennel, as he was acting feral. They let me try, but this was the first time I was actually afraid to help a groggy, disgruntled cat out of the recovery room! The comfy blanket wrap was out, as was the soft side tote and a cat carrier they were going to lend him to go home in. Finally, after some really dramatic shrieking, they appeared in the recovery room with a cardboard box -- taped shut. The vet apologized and said they didn't want him leaping out in the car and attacking while I was driving.
He was so silent on the drive I was afraid he'd had a heart attack and died, but kept talking to him soothingly until we got home. I deposited box, large flat water dish, and his favorite blankets in the bathroom, carefully cut the tape, and opened the flaps. He tried to charge around but the Cone of Silence (the other fury trigger, as he *hates* things around his neck) was interfering. I went back to work; he was calm and almost normal tonight. I trimmed back the CoS enough that he can drink without tipping his bowl and rest his head on his paws, but still long enough to keep him from worrying at the stitch on his flank.
He has to go back in 10 days to get the stitch removed and results of biopsy. Poor Dom.
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh27/pieces_o_nine/ConeOfSilence_zps54c25e5c.jpg)
Poor kitteh.... best wishes for a swift recovery and a less-stressful return visit.
:goodvibes:
The worst cat-packing job I've seen was when I offered to cat-sit for an acquaintance. She showed up at the apartment to drop off the cat with some cat related items and a backpack on her shoulder, but no visible cat carrier. I said something to the effect of "why don't you go back to your car and bring the cat up", to which the reply was "Oh, she's here..." bagged up in the fully zipped backpack. :o
The cat was covered in foamy drool, completely freaked out and crawled directly under the sink, refusing to emerge for hours after her owner left. After that, she (teh kitteh) immensely enjoyed her vacation chez moi and was very happy and sociable. When the owner returned to pick her up (this time with a proper carrier or semblance thereof), she hid immediately. I think she'd have rather stayed.
Maybe Mr. Ops needs a Cone of Silence. He keeps trying to comb his staples.
The worst cat shipping I ever heard of was the departure of the notorious Bebe Rebozo. My brother had brought Bebe Rebozo to my Mom's house, where he conducted many antics, including eating a tunnel through an entire loaf of bread. The last time Mom saw Bebe Rebozo, he was being taken away in a paper bag, stapled at the top. Poor Bebe.
I am glad Dom's at home safe and sound.
Quote from: Opsa on February 27, 2013, 04:17:33 PM
he conducted many antics, including eating a tunnel through an entire loaf of bread.
:ROFL:
Fingers crossed for Dom's biopsy, also for everyone else within 100 yards when the stitches are taken out. :mrgreen:
Quote from: Opsa on February 27, 2013, 04:17:33 PM
Maybe Mr. Ops needs a Cone of Silence. He keeps trying to comb his staples.
Pet him soothingly and he will do better. :catroll:
What kind of cat was Bebe Rebozo? Sounds like he was a lot of fun.
He was a big tiger boy. I adored him, but he just couldn't help but get into mischief. He was a pirate of a cat, like Dom.
Oh joy , I found someone who is willing to take my cat !
You found him a good home?
At 5:30 pm tonight I changed my clock forward. ::)
Fortunately, my boss has a sense of humor...
Quote from: Opsa on March 07, 2013, 09:10:21 PM
You found him a good home?
An admirer of cat is willing to look after him . I hope it will be a good home .
Great you got that sorted.
I had coffee with a friend and her 8 months old son. :)
Quote from: Darlica on March 13, 2013, 09:06:35 PM
I had coffee with a friend and her 8 months old son. :)
I hope no direct coffee for the latter (he will get it indirectly anyway, if the mother is breastfeeding) :mrgreen:
A banana, a coffee with milk and a cup of a flowery tea was consumed.
I'm allergic to bananas and like my tea smoky, guess who had what. ;D
Good luck for both you and cat, BC.
Thank you PoN.
I might have developed a peanut allergy out of thin air.
As a hypochondriac I (as usual) expected to drop dead within minutes when the first (totally unexpected) symptoms showed.
But apart from reactions in the mouth (and maybe the stomach but that could have other reasons) the standard symptoms indicating real danger did not come.
Quote from: Swato... the standard symptoms indicating real danger did not come.
Good!
This morning we went to a workshop on Iron-age and Roman pottery in Herefordshire. I learned more than I have ever learned in one morning.
Quote from: Swatopluk on March 19, 2013, 10:34:48 AM
I might have developed a peanut allergy out of thin air.
As a hypochondriac I (as usual) expected to drop dead within minutes when the first (totally unexpected) symptoms showed.
But apart from reactions in the mouth (and maybe the stomach but that could have other reasons) the standard symptoms indicating real danger did not come.
Remember the reaction gets worse each time.......... if indeed you are allergic.
That's the reason why I did not test the hypothesis today
:o Step away from the peanut butter, Professor! :o
No peanut butter involved. This is not Ameica.
(http://www.supermarktcheck.de/img/product/picture/medium_0ef57f370a4f3510e0b6a917bf548dbf.jpg)
http://www.supermarktcheck.de/img/product/picture/medium_0ef57f370a4f3510e0b6a917bf548dbf.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamba_%28snack%29
I harvested the first stinging nettles of the season today. :meal:
Yerrgh! I spose you'll be hunting for some nice juicy beetles to eat with them. ???
Don't forget the guava pits! ;)
Quote from: Sibling DavidH on March 20, 2013, 10:28:08 AM
Yerrgh! I spose you'll be hunting for some nice juicy beetles to eat with them. ???
Later in the season the beetles tend to come included with the nettles, but there are none this early. :mrgreen:
They're quite good cooked like spinach (the flavour is similar, but IMHO more buttery). I'd not recommend them for salad, but provided you cook or dry them prior to consumption, they can't sting.
Anything that goes to that much trouble to prevent being eaten tends to be quite tasty. If it was nasty to eat, it wouldn't need to be covered in hypodermic needles. ;)
Went to optometrist today , I'm getting Nikon lenses . I paid for the use of this phone for another month . It was uplifting to have sunshine today, it lit up my day . I also spoke a bit . Chatting with friends certainly helped lift my spirit as well. :)
Quote from: Sibling DavidH on March 20, 2013, 10:28:08 AM
Yerrgh! I spose you'll be hunting for some nice juicy beetles to eat with them. ???
Oooh!
Nettle soup?
:meal:
Quote from: Bruder Cuzzen link=topic=1265.msg159529#msg159529 d
Went to optometrist today , I'm getting Nikon lenses . I paid for the use of this phone for another month . It was uplifting to have sunshine today, it lit up my day . I also spoke a bit . Chatting with friends certainly helped lift my spirit as well. :)
Glad to hear things are a bit better, BC.
Argh this itty bitty phone is not a very convenient laptop . I can barely see what I'm typing in . Sorry for all the typos and incomprehensibility .
Quote from: Darlica on March 20, 2013, 07:41:07 PM
Oooh!
Nettle soup?
:meal:
I made it last year. So far this year, the nettles have found their way into various dishes instead of being a main focus. There's probably a few weeks left of the season, so some may find their way into a nettle soup.
Do you have a recipe? (general instructions or a rough ingredient list will do)
Quote from: Bruder Cuzzen on March 20, 2013, 09:31:11 PM
Argh this itty bitty phone is not a very convenient laptop . I can barely see what I'm typing in . Sorry for all the typos and incomprehensibility .
You're typing very clearly here, BC.
(I suppose that's cause for alarm, actually.) :giggle: :hug:
^^ I find my virtual keyboard too small, even turned sideways. It's as if I have fat fingers, but I don't. How do others manage?
I was going to put something significant that I had done today but I can't remember what so it can't have been significant.
You're here. That is significant enough.
Today is Mr. Ops and my 25th wedding anniversary. It's awful cold outside, but we're going out to dinner with Th'Opsalette, just a local Mexican restaurant that we like. Nice margaritas!
It's not easy staying married this long, it's been lots of work and I can't say I've never thought of ending it from time to time, I have. But the longer we're close, the closer we get in some sort of cosmic bonding. We've tiptoed through the carp and the roses together, after all. So if you're having a beverage tonight, raise one for your pals the Opses. We may just make it yet!
I haven't been doing too much . I've just recovered from a horrible depression . At the moment I've been contacting as many close friends as possible because it helps a great deal in keeping my spirit up . I'm thankful that you guys are here .
I'm thankful you're here, too. :-*
25 years? Wow! I will mark my 18 in about 10 days... congratulations? ;) :P
:ROFL:
Did you get married on April Fools Day? ;D
Indeed I did, now, we married in Colombia where the equivalent for April fools is December 28th or the day for the Holy Innocents, but later when I realized that it was April fools (a few months after I arrived to the States) it seemed incredibly appropriate...
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on March 21, 2013, 08:32:53 PM
Indeed I did, now, we married in Colombia where the equivalent for April fools is December 28th or the day for the Holy Innocents, but later when I realized that it was April fools (a few months after I arrived to the States) it seemed incredibly appropriate...
Beautiful! Wish I'd thought of it!
When we got married March 21st was the first day of spring. Then they changed the first day of spring to March 20! Who's the fool, now?
Me...
^^ When did they change it? I was puzzled all day yesterday. And who said it could be changed?
An amazing thing has happened to me. A friend I made through the local ME/CFS group has got me fixed up with her cleaner/helper. She came to see me today. She is going to clean my grotesquely filthy flat, and she will help me sort out all the heaps all over the floors and surfaces and chuck half my cupboardfuls out (charity shop) so I can put things I actually need in the cupboards, and I think all sorts of other help. She is a "professional" carer for the elderly, and she knows all about ME/CFS from my friend so understands why I have been/am so feeble. This could be life-changing........ doesn't come cheap but will be well worth it.
That sounds great!
Happy Anniversary, Opsa & hubby!
:clink:
Sounds like something good for you, Grif!
:)
Quote from: Swatopluk on March 19, 2013, 08:20:49 PM
No peanut butter involved. This is not Ameica.
(http://www.supermarktcheck.de/img/product/picture/medium_0ef57f370a4f3510e0b6a917bf548dbf.jpg)
http://www.supermarktcheck.de/img/product/picture/medium_0ef57f370a4f3510e0b6a917bf548dbf.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamba_%28snack%29
I want some of those-- they sound delicious. :)
Quote from: Griffin NoName on March 21, 2013, 09:49:13 PM
^^ When did they change it? I was puzzled all day yesterday. And who said it could be changed?
An amazing thing has happened to me. A friend I made through the local ME/CFS group has got me fixed up with her cleaner/helper. She came to see me today. She is going to clean my grotesquely filthy flat, and she will help me sort out all the heaps all over the floors and surfaces and chuck half my cupboardfuls out (charity shop) so I can put things I actually need in the cupboards, and I think all sorts of other help. She is a "professional" carer for the elderly, and she knows all about ME/CFS from my friend so understands why I have been/am so feeble. This could be life-changing........ doesn't come cheap but will be well worth it.
That's fantastic news, Griff! Happy for you.
That's good news, Griffin, I hope it goes well.
Opsa, I missed your post yesterday so I didn't drink to you, but we will tonight. Seems to me when you've chalked up 25 years you're through most of the highs and lows and onto the smooth(er) parts.
One can only hope, good Sibling! ;)
Griffin, I'm glad you've found some help!
Congrats Opsa. Manny more years to come.......
We all made hot cross buns at Friday Club, which was a huge success.
Yummy too, I'll bet.
Dragged my self out of bed and went to work. :-\ ;)
Quote from: Aggie on March 20, 2013, 10:47:01 PM
Quote from: Darlica on March 20, 2013, 07:41:07 PM
Oooh!
Nettle soup?
:meal:
I made it last year. So far this year, the nettles have found their way into various dishes instead of being a main focus. There's probably a few weeks left of the season, so some may find their way into a nettle soup.
Do you have a recipe? (general instructions or a rough ingredient list will do)
I'll see what I can find. I might need L's help with translations.
Pie with Feta cheese and nettles instead of spinach or mangold is also a hit. Just replace the blanched spinach/mangold with blanched nettles and maybe tweak the saltiness and you are golden.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on March 21, 2013, 09:49:13 PM
An amazing thing has happened to me. A friend I made through the local ME/CFS group has got me fixed up with her cleaner/helper. She came to see me today. She is going to clean my grotesquely filthy flat, and she will help me sort out all the heaps all over the floors and surfaces and chuck half my cupboardfuls out (charity shop) so I can put things I actually need in the cupboards, and I think all sorts of other help. She is a "professional" carer for the elderly, and she knows all about ME/CFS from my friend so understands why I have been/am so feeble. This could be life-changing........ doesn't come cheap but will be well worth it.
damn she hasn't phoned to confirm first visit tomorrow, as she said she would. signifcant thing not by me.
Dusted off and donned the Easter headdress and updated my sigline.
Noticed(!) and fixed the size of the sig: point sizes are designated differently here than on other boards and when I changed my default notes for this board I forgot to add "pt".
So a sweet little note like this
appeared like this:
Yea, the Various Peeps appear on the Earth
I scared the soon-to-be-risen-bejesus out of myself when I saw my entire sigline SCREAMING at me! :aargh!:
I feel the urgent need to go shop for chocolate bunnies to recover from the shock...
There's no rule about how big one's sig. can be, though it probably relates to the size of one's ego :D
The darn helping lady still hasn't got back in touch to say which days she is coming :(
^ Hoping you hear from her soon.
Possible evidence for demon possession: cannot account any other way for thinking it would be a good idea to nip out this afternoon for a few things (and maybe a chocolate bunny). Every single man, woman, and child from the Sand Hills, Black Hills, Badlands --the Greater Ocean o'Sand Region, really -- and their extended families, was milling (4 or 5 abreast) through the store. Children let off-leash were pelting up and down the congested aisles, careening off displays of plastic eggs and passing carts. I was gut-punched -- hard -- by one youngster who decided to extend her arms and begin flailing like a washing machine agitator. She gave me a look that set *me* straight.
:EasterBunnyEat:
Happy Chocolate Day!
Changed my profile picture, using a custom made icon (by me-- see the original underlying the new marriage-equality one?)
Did this in support of marriage equality. It's about time the US started getting over it's religious bigotry, don'cha think?
I support polygamy, polyandry and group marriage* also, who's with me? ;) :P
*Actually I do, I don't see what's the big deal provided that all parties involved do so without coercion as consenting adults.
From a 'moral' standpoint I agree but I think it would require some changes to tax law etc. or it would become too easy to exploit as a mere financial scheme.
Btw, polygamy includes polyandry. What you are looking for is polgyny.
Swept the lounge chimney this morning, aided by Cap'n B in his oldest clothes - but he still got very black, not surprisingly. ;)
Vast quantities of soot reminded me that I hadn't swept it for far too long.
Went to see Chas 'n' Dave in concert.
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on March 31, 2013, 06:42:26 PM
I support polygamy, polyandry and group marriage* also, who's with me? ;) :P
*Actually I do, I don't see what's the big deal provided that all parties involved do so without coercion as consenting adults.
I got no quarrel in the slightest if adults wish to engage in group marriages. There are any number of logical reasons why that model would be superior in all ways, to just two people-- for one thing, there'd always be multiple points of view to expose the kids to many different ways of looking at the world.
For another, pooling the financial resources makes for more luxuries all around; which is what can help to make life sweet.
And still another-- if the group is careful of each other's needs? There's always a babysitter available--one familiar to the kiddies too, and no worries about stranger-danger.
Quote from: Swatopluk on March 31, 2013, 06:59:28 PM
From a 'moral' standpoint I agree but I think it would require some changes to tax law etc. or it would become too easy to exploit as a mere financial scheme.
Btw, polygamy includes polyandry. What you are looking for is polgyny.
My comment to the "financial exploit" is... so?
:)
I was all prepared for door-to-door evangelists today.
The bastards didn't even have the decency to show up.
:EasterBunnyEat:
Quote from: royWent to see Chas 'n' Dave in concert.
Hi, Roy! Come and see us more often. I'd almost forgotten about Chas 'n' Dave - they're good fun.
Quote from: pieces o nine on April 01, 2013, 01:35:39 AM
I was all prepared for door-to-door evangelists today.
The bastards didn't even have the decency to show up.
:EasterBunnyEat:
They had the day off. Surprisingly my local Chinese carry-out did, too.
Hi roystonoboogie!
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on April 01, 2013, 01:32:04 AM
I got no quarrel in the slightest if adults wish to engage in group marriages. There are any number of logical reasons why that model would be superior in all ways, to just two people-- for one thing, there'd always be multiple points of view to expose the kids to many different ways of looking at the world.
For another, pooling the financial resources makes for more luxuries all around; which is what can help to make life sweet.
And still another-- if the group is careful of each other's needs? There's always a babysitter available--one familiar to the kiddies too, and no worries about stranger-danger.
The way things are going, it makes quite a bit of sense to have families composed of two wage earners + one child-raiser. Of course, if that became a usual state of affairs, I'm sure they'd find a way to make three-income families a necessity. The Powers That Be prefer that all able hands be employed to help boost GDP. :P
Quote from: Aggie on April 02, 2013, 07:15:37 AM
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on April 01, 2013, 01:32:04 AM
I got no quarrel in the slightest if adults wish to engage in group marriages. There are any number of logical reasons why that model would be superior in all ways, to just two people-- for one thing, there'd always be multiple points of view to expose the kids to many different ways of looking at the world.
For another, pooling the financial resources makes for more luxuries all around; which is what can help to make life sweet.
And still another-- if the group is careful of each other's needs? There's always a babysitter available--one familiar to the kiddies too, and no worries about stranger-danger.
The way things are going, it makes quite a bit of sense to have families composed of two wage earners + one child-raiser. Of course, if that became a usual state of affairs, I'm sure they'd find a way to make three-income families a necessity. The Powers That Be prefer that all able hands be employed to help boost GDP. :P
Yep. If they could, the GOP would go back to slavery.
No, from their POV slavery is backwards because it still implies some (if even tiny) obligations of the owner. The modern hire and fire gets rid of that completely. A slave owner who let his slaves starve when their working days were over was still frowned upon (even if it was legal). A company firing invalid workers without compensation? No problem, a corporation may be people but is has no shame and it is (usually) totally legal. And 'tort reform' guarantees that even valid complaints have no chance. Wage slavery beats the old-fashioned one in all conceivable ways.
Some industries/workplaces use quite a bit of unpaid 'intern' labour, with no obligations whatsoever. Even better than wage-slavery. :P
That's why this gets ever more popular.
In the UK they force people who are out of work to work free for various organisations and companies and retailers. If they refuse or fail to keep up attendance etc, they lose their unemployment benefit. There is so much wrong with this I cannot even begin to describe it.
They have discussed doing similar in the USA.
Significant Thing: I made appointments for several overdue medical screenings.
I've been discussing buying a vacation property on the island . Ye all welcome to sail on over when and if I get the deal done :)
Nifty, BC! Ahem, I mean- Y'arrrggghhh!
You gonna build there, or what?
As long it isn't a time share...
Toadfish sharing time is better than real estate timeshares. :)
That sounds like a fine endeavor, BC!
Quote from: Opsa on May 21, 2013, 02:36:38 PM
Nifty, BC! Ahem, I mean- Y'arrrggghhh!
You gonna build there, or what?
It hasn't been decided yet , I have to get a passport and discuss the details with the people who will steward the place , once I decide on a place .
Sounds very exciting!
I'm having second thoughts about Cuba though . What do you guys think about buying something in Cuba ?
Apart from rum, you mean? ;) :P
---
I know they're trying to open the country to business but you should figure out what the taxes would be (they may be high) and what other specifics are relevant there.
Again, if we're talking about a timeshare, avoid like the plague, regardless of the location in the world.
Failed to find a new hanndbag.
I know how you feel. I haven't found one that's quite right for quite some time.
Our children's theater previewed its improvisational show yesterday. We survived! (But my back is killin' me today!)
Yay, Ops!
[edit] Yays! Griffin has coached me into the 21st century world of Skype. I still have some work to figure out why the factory-installed camera I've always kept a Chinese fortune cookie tag over *can* see me but my new little one can't...
Thanks![/edit] :typing:
My sister set up Skype for me a few months ago, but I haven't used it yet.
Mr. Ops and I have been painting our re-done front two rooms of our house. Everything is covered in plastic right now. Can't wait to get the plastic off, the light fixtures up, and the furniture back in (somehow!).
Created 2 leather dog vests for the Rally. Finally figured out the magic combo of thread+tension for my machine. :)
today i completed the giant crayon gateway to the reading glade at a primary school and made great progress on the school allotment with my 6 volunteers.
Yeay, Goat! I'll bet the kids will love it.
mmmm nice - a reading glade :D
Today I lost a fight with the bottom of the lake. :P
No, it wasn't due to diving (I shallow dive quite well if needed), but rather from swimming underwater with my eyes closed. ::)
Oh dear! What happened?
Oops!
All I have achieved today is watching Andy Murray win the quarter final of Wimbledon 2013, which had me on the edge of my seat - or rather my bed. Oh and I ordered a baking tin online.
Go nuts, Wild Woman! ;)
I hung art in my apartment this long weekend. I don't know why I left most of it in the back of the closet for so long, but I finally hung it up, and it's had quite a positive effect on my mood. I have also discovered that I have lost interest in the PreRaphaelites, and am thinking of something comic to vandalize efface properly update Waterhouse's Lady of Shallott (I greatly enjoyed seeing the original at the Tate), which has been up all these months. I'm considering collaging in a smile-on-a-stick -- maybe a tiger! -- maybe a margarita lab in the front of the boat...
any artful suggestions? :)
I also solved another challenge -- skipped stitches when starting or stopping tabs (lots of layers) with the thread sometimes fuzzing up around the leather needle and breaking on the dog gear. I tested denim/upholstery needles as the eyes are visibly bigger -- success. I can use my heaviest thread with no friction from the eye, and the needle channel is deeper to protect the thread when powering through multiple layers -- maintaining a regulated stitch. I used denim needles exclusively this weekend with no broken threads (or needles!). Yays -- no more hand-work to make tabs look perfect!
I'm surprised that the eyes and channels aren't larger than standard on the leather needles since you're supposed to use a heavier thread, but they are not!
Personally I'd rather add some tentacles to the boating scene.
Quote from: pieces o nine on July 07, 2013, 08:41:06 PM
I'm surprised that the eyes and channels aren't larger than standard on the leather needles since you're supposed to use a heavier thread, but they are not!
You can take a camel to an eye but you can't make him drink.
Quote from: Swatopluk on July 07, 2013, 08:56:33 PM
Personally I'd rather add some tentacles to the boating scene.
Excellent suggestion!
I'll remove the glass this week and post an updated image as it becomes...interesting...
Quote from: Opsa on July 03, 2013, 03:47:05 PM
Oh dear! What happened?
Fins are stronger than my swim bladder. :P
Are you saying you have a weak bladder? ::)
Pieces, maybe she needs a doggie with her in the boat, one who is decked out in a Legendary Leathers fashion that would look good for the Romantic period.
And I hope you'll post your results!
I posted some letters and parcels. This may not sound much, but for me it is taxing work, especially in the heat. Even though it was only 25 C which I don't regard as hot, I got bright red-faced and sweat dripping off my nose. The effort of doing anything at all these days is constantly, slowly, causing erosion of almost all activities. It's quite scary.
Griffith, you are an amazon. It's one thing to perform feats of strength at your physical peak, but doing what needs to be done when you are not so strong is a real triumph.
EDIT:
The most significant thing I did today, I did with the help of three of the families that helped with my children's theater these past three years: We moved all of the theater things out of both locations where we had lost storage. One was at the local community center, where the county had decided to charge us for rehearsals as well as storage, even though they also took all the ticket sales for our shows, and the other was the old church, where we started, but they got a new pastor who wanted to use the space we had occupied. I had to be out of both places by the end of July, but we got it done today.
I didn't know how I was going to clear out both spaces in the month I was given to move them, but with the help of these good friends we got it all out of both places today. I then took them out for pizza and ice cream. I gave away a lot of stuff, but we wound up having fun and everyone is walking away happy. I am pleased.
So the theater-running part of my life is over for now, at least. I don't know what the future holds, but at least this part is cleaned up tidily. It could have been a lot worse!
I'm sure that is a weight off your shoulders, and a well deserved peace and quiet. Congrats!
I hope your next curtain rises on a better gig! :hug:
All fresh and ready for more adventures,, I hope.
Thanks, my friends.
I'm physically exhausted and mentally relieved.
The 8 or so kids that were there to help were sort of hanging around up in the old performance area after we had cleared it out, as if they weren't ready to go. So I gathered them together in a circle and we put our arms on each other's shoulders and closed our eyes and said goodbye to the space. Then we breathed in through our noses and out through our mouths and were done.
Sometimes a little ritualistic exercise helps.
Today I signed up for a local Celtic choir, directed by the lead singer of my favorite band. They've been around a couple of years, but it's been female-only until now.
Happy hunting, erm, singing. ;)
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't trying to get to know the fiddler of the band a little better, but I've already set the groundwork for that on the dance floor. ;) The choir apparently opens up for the band on occasion.
Sounds like fun.
Had my first choir practice today. I'm the youngest member, I think, but it sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun.
I came to the realization that I can follow notes pretty well, but octaves... not so much. It's a bad habit from switching octaves when singing along to bands with higher-pitched singers (most mainstream rock, for example).
Got the OK on both storyboard layouts for the "haunted history" exhibit at a local museum. Will posts pics later this week in the gallery...these are so great it's scary!!!
:scared:
Ooh! Can't wait... spooky storyboards!
Wow, that really sounds cool, Pieces.
Aggie, another challenging part of singing is when you have to change voices in mid-song. It takes practice, but you can do it.
Quote from: Opsa on September 12, 2013, 04:06:39 PM
Aggie, another challenging part of singing is when you have to change voices in mid-song. It takes practice, but you can do it.
Ayuh, I've played around enough to run into that one. I'm looking forward to having a little bit of formal direction from the choir director and probably from some of the other guys in the choir. There's only 5 male members, but at least 3 of them are experienced musicians, and one of those has significant choir experience. There are probably about 30 people total, and more than half are new this year. It's a pretty fun and casual atmosphere.
I might even manage to learn to sight-read music; I can (slowly) work my way through music and sort the notes out, but don't have a clue what different notes sound like. I learned to read music back when I took piano lessons as a kid, and tend to think of things spatially (i.e. what key on the keyboard does this mark indicate) rather than by sound. I never really associated the mark on the page with the sound of the note, and since voice is a fretless instrument, I'm clueless as to what the sounds mean in terms of notes on the page.
That takes tonal tensions for tonal (and to a degree modal) music, and requires some training, fundamentally teaching your brain where the stable notes of the scale are, and the tension created by the remaining ones (2nd to 1st, 4th to 3rd, 6th to 5th and 7th to 8th[1st]). There are some sites (http://thesightreadingproject.com/) that can help but the basic principle needs a bit of practice.
Let me know if you need some help with that.
Thank you... once I get accustomed to singing to music, I will likely take you up on some more detailed advice.
In the meantime, I have a pretty good 'music memory' (I can play songs I know well back in my head, and often even pick out from memory certain instruments, such as a bassline) and seem to pick up new songs fairly quickly. I think the fact that I re-discovered my voice while listening (and singing along) heavily to Tom Waits (especially Bone Machine and Brawlers) gives me a little.... flexibility. ::)
As long you're not using his technique...
I can do the growl, but only for about half a song before I go into coughing fits. ;) I adapt his stuff to my voice, but I appreciate his range and the way he uses his voice as an instrument to produce sounds rather than just singing words.
I voted
Today there are parliamentary elections over here.
I was the first in the polling place (apart from the election helpers of course) and voted (in theory) one minute before the official start (7:59 AM; polling places are offcially open from 8AM to 6PM).
It was the most boring election campaign in living memory.
Won or lost an Iron Chef competition. The outcome is yet to be determined; I just wanna make some good food that the judges haven't tasted before.
If I was a man I wouldn't vote as nothing to vote for, but as a woman I feel I have to use the hard won right. This is a dilemma.
Looks like Merkl's won.
Quote from: Aggie on September 22, 2013, 05:14:25 PM
Won or lost an Iron Chef competition. The outcome is yet to be determined; I just wanna make some good food that the judges haven't tasted before.
When do you find out?
I think that everyone who has a right to vote should exercise that right. Good for you, Swato.
Where was this Iron Chef competition, Aggie?
They held the event at a small local winery (not sure they really make wine, so it's more like a venue in a vineyard, IMHO). I posted in the morning before the competition.
We went in as the underdogs, and I was happy with the results. The judging was done by a panel of 4, plus one audience member as a 5th judge on a course-by-course basis. The official scores were based on only the 4 regular judges, who had sampled all the courses. Our competition won, at 307 to 302 points. We lost it mostly on the first dish, which turned out pretty much how I intended it, but was perhaps a bit simple for the contest. We scored well on the salad, but could have done better; we had that dish fully tuned in based on radicchio, but had to modify it for endive (and ended up changing it significantly) due to the food supplier failing to provide the pantry list as previously issued. The two main dishes that I put extra effort into turned out fantastic and were very well received; we ran out of time to make crepes for the dessert, but it actually proved to be a lucky thing as we were forced to re-jig the fillings and cream into goat cheese and fresh strawberry parfaits with hibiscus-basil syrup and some local blackcurrant liqueur (won double gold at the World Spirit Awards; the producer was named Distillery of the Year for 2013, by the World Spirits Organization).
I got to take a look at the guest judges' scorecards after the competition was complete; we scored 5 points higher in total over 5 courses from that one scorecard, which did not count in the official scoring. ;)
Everyone involved had a lot of fun, and there is some talk of collaborating with our competition on some bigger regional events (i.e. regional competitive cooking teams facing off against chefs from other nearby areas, or perhaps some sort of show-cooking event).
Wow! Those parfaits sound out of this world!
They were the last dish of the evening, so they were a nice light finish. The other team did a fresh donut hole, which was tasty but would not have favoured us if we'd had a heavy dessert to present.
Dried hibiscus and fresh basil makes an incredible tea that can't really be described, but it turned out well in syrup form, too.
Sorted out my contents insurance with new insurer......... been a bit of a saga getting the cover right........ worth it as paying half as much as last year for better cover............but oh dear it completely does me in, I'm utterly exhausted from one phone call.
Why oh Why are these tasks such hard work? They are almost all my life consists of nowadays as there's always something to be sorted out, and that always does me in. I am getting more and more scared because my health is deteriorating quite badly, that soon I won't be able to do such stuff. How is one supposed to funcction then? Whoever said wealth does not make one happy was nuts. I'd be ecstatic if I could just renew everything every year whatever the price, so no work involved.
You and me too, Sibling. But good for you that you got it done. I hope you gave yourself a good rest when it was over.
Wealth would be nice , I could accept being miserable in outrageous comfort . ;D
Exactly. :D
Hi BC! Long time no C!
I am wrapping up a spontaneous 3-day weekend -- woohoo.
I'm adding some mittens, gloves & scarves to the line for winter, with and without leather accents. I've been invited to participate in the "good" holiday show in October. I have perpetrated two dozen fingerless gloves, but it has taken some re-thinking about 2D/3D shapes! The next group should go faster, I hope.
;)
Way to be productive, Pieces!
Today I went to the follow-up from the mammogram I had six months ago which discovered a mass in the left girl. At that time they did an ultrasound and decided it was not cancer, but that I should come back in six months for another look. So I did and- nothing detected! So I think I'll try breathing again, here.
I also had a pelvic ultrasound as a follow-up from an endometrial ablation I had several years ago. I think it went well, but I guess I have to wait and get the official results. One odd thing though, apparently I still have an ovary on duty! What?! Gee- what is the female equivalent of "virile"- 'cos I suddenly feel that way today! Owarrrgggh!
Had my eyes tested, ordered new glasses and lenses etc (=costa-lotta), paid a cheque into the bank, posted off my tax return. Big day for me. Shattered.
Yay, Opsa!
Yay, Grif!
I can't believe how much I spent on spectacles yesterday. I must be mad. I included updating my prescription sunglasses to the new prescription when I never go out anywhere and have not worrn them for years.
Quote from: Opsa on October 01, 2013, 05:30:44 PM
Way to be productive, Pieces!
Today I went to the follow-up from the mammogram I had six months ago which discovered a mass in the left girl. At that time they did an ultrasound and decided it was not cancer, but that I should come back in six months for another look. So I did and- nothing detected! So I think I'll try breathing again, here.
I also had a pelvic ultrasound as a follow-up from an endometrial ablation I had several years ago. I think it went well, but I guess I have to wait and get the official results. One odd thing though, apparently I still have an ovary on duty! What?! Gee- what is the female equivalent of "virile"- 'cos I suddenly feel that way today! Owarrrgggh!
:thumbsup:
Making a spectacle of yourself, Griffin? :mrgreen:
Hope you get un-shattered soon. The sunglasses will come in handy for making the odd excursion on a sunny day more comfortable.
Hee hee.
Glasses are outrageously priced. We've been buying our frames online through Zenni Optical (http://www.zennioptical.com/?prescription_type=single&nav_cat_id=2&navused=0) recently, and they've been very good and very reasonable. Haven't rtied to buy lenses through them yet, but would consider it, since their service has been excellent so far.
I guess that doesn't help you now, but maybe you can keep them in mind for next time.
Actually not today but yesterday, I was too busy, I finally transferred my old Toyota Echo to my father (who has been driving the car for more than 18 months now). The thing has 200K miles and still running strong.
I wrote a couple of sentences of my dissertation..... Haven't written anything since June so need an extension which even then may not be long enough at two sentences per three months.
Progress is progress. Good show.
I don't know about progress, unless you call whipping out a load of rubbish progress. Now the dissertation is even smaller.
Sometimes whipping out garbage is progress, if it's what you have to do to get the job done. It is moving forward, after all.
:goodvibes:
I translated Little Red Riding Hood from German into Icelandic as part of my language course homework.
Did you have to make any interesting creative reaches?
I stayed as close to the story as language allowed. It forced me to add one sentence to the answer about where granny lives ('one can see the chimney fro here'). I cut out verbose parts from the Grimm version and kept to the basics, i.e. no talk about the origin of the hood, no discussion why the hunter* does not use a firearm or why he thinks that there is a chance of rescue in the first place. The soliloquy on the wolf's sinfulness also did not make it. And I ended it with the dance. Nothing is said about Red getting home and having a similar encounter not long after where another wolf besieges granny's cottage and is in the end drowned by Red and granny in a tub of sausage water (that is in the last version the Grimms published).
*the woodcutter did not enter the story before it became English. Btw, why is it a riding hood with no horse in sight?
This should be in the did you know..... thread, but it fits here as good topic drift.
"''Organsprache'' literally means organ-speech (1925). But a twit called Van Teslaar translated it by inventing a word : Somatisation in 1935. This then got into the lingo by psychiatrists using it, with a meaning of manifesting mental issues as symptoms of the body.......... of course Soma has NOTHING to do with mental issues, it means body from the Greek. Somatising a virus may make your nose runny, but oh no, you must have a personality Disorder if your nose is runny. This is how language gets adulterated by idiots and psychiatrists who want to be more important than anyone else. Oh and blame Freud too.
I blame Freud for everything. ;D
Specially the slip[er]s?
The Freud with slippers I use as an avatar on some sites?
My carer came and we sorted out a half wardrobe (rubbish/chairty/re-house) and emptied a suitcase with stuff from a trip 2 years ago. It takes around 2 hours to do this. Which is my limit. Loads still to do, but have liberated all floorspace of clothes in bedroom now so beginning to feel a sense of achievement. Not there quite yet. Also there are other piles of stuff on floor, just not clothes any more.
Excellent!
Today I have (almost) done laundry, sorted out the makeup for the Haunted House tours I'm leading tonight and tomorrow night (as Prunella Mangelwurzel), and made brownies for the kids who are volunteering as ghouls. This will be my last act as children's theater director. Thank the Great Whatever!
I'm also painting faces tomorrow at a town fair, and I made a sign for that and got the materials ready.
*virtually sneaks virtual brownie in reocgnition of your achievement *
*That's okay, we sneaked a few ourselves!* ;)
I'm exhausted!
The face painting was supposed to last three hours, from noon until 3pm. I had designed some Dias de la Muertos (http://www.demilked.com/dia-de-los-muertos-make-up-art/) make-up ideas and it was so popular that finally at 4pm we had to turn people away. I had been standing and painting faces for four hours, practically oblivious to everything else. I found that I enjoyed it. This may be where I'm heading next, as far as freelance work. I have all ready been asked to paint faces at the Christmas parade.
Cool! Low overhead, easy to maintain equipment (or discard some brushes between customers for some events?), and a product/service which is affordable, fun, does not require storage, has a repeat clientele, and lets you be creative even within a client's requests.
Can you post photos from your next event?
I'll see what I can do. I was so busy at the last one I couldn't barely pause between customers. I would have loved to have some photos of the faces I painted.
See if you can enlist a volunteer photographer to work the camera while you're busy. :)
Good idea!
See if you can charge them for copies of the photos of their painted face! :D
I passed the exam for eingeschränkte Sachkunde (Chemikalien) nach §5 ChemVerbV.
In common language: Now I can (leaglly) hand out/sell nasty chemicals (except agricultural pesticides) for a licenced company to private users. Without it I could only do so to professionals and on order by someone who has passed the exam.
I left all the pieces ready for my Philippine developers so that they can finish the project faster than it would have been possible otherwise.
I'll miss this country, but I also miss my bed, my family and my regular EST time zone, and in about 24 hours I should be at home.
Congratulations, Swato!
Bon Voyage, Zone! Welcome home!
Quote from: Swatopluk on October 31, 2013, 10:16:08 AMNow I can (leaglly) hand out/sell nasty chemicals (except agricultural pesticides) for a licenced company to private users.
Well done!! Send some over !!!
for my plannned exit plan for when I get a nasty wasting disease Hope you have a good flight Zono.
Well, first you have to get me a job with access to the stuff :mrgreen:
And you have to sign the receipt and name a legitimate purpose ;)
Well I paid through the nose to fly business from Manila to LA, but still had to fly economy from LA to MIA for 6 wonderful hours in a mid seat, and to top it off, half way I wanted to relieve my bladder but the guy besides me was deep asleep, therefore I wasn't able to sleep at all.
Now I'm home and I'll wait until the sun goes out before going to bed to try to re-arrange my hours.
:krabbie: You made it safely home! Yeay! :krabbie:
Why not stay awake with some Morning Glory Espresso Stout (http://www.middletowntranscript.com/storyimage/DE/20121112/NEWS/121119971/AR/0/Bomber-Girl,-Fordham,-Dominion,-Fordham-and-Dominion,-Dover-brewing-company,-beer,-Morning-Glory,-espresso,-coffee-.jpg)?
Wow, coffee beans, 9% alcohol and morning glory seeds? ;D That'd get you sideways...
(nice pinup on the label too ;))
Welcome back, Zono!
Started installing the heat shields / wall protectors in the sauna today. Still need to wire up the lights and finish the fenders to get it road worthy, but I'm going to work on the interior for a bit. Hopefully it'll be ready to lounge in by the time I get it on the road. I need some serious sauna time.
Quote from: Opsa on November 01, 2013, 06:49:39 PM
Why not stay awake with some Morning Glory Espresso Stout (http://www.middletowntranscript.com/storyimage/DE/20121112/NEWS/121119971/AR/0/Bomber-Girl,-Fordham,-Dominion,-Fordham-and-Dominion,-Dover-brewing-company,-beer,-Morning-Glory,-espresso,-coffee-.jpg)?
Just the pinup will keep many awake... ;)
Quote from: Opsa on November 01, 2013, 06:49:39 PM
:krabbie: You made it safely home! Yeay! :krabbie:
Why not stay awake with some Morning Glory Espresso Stout (http://www.middletowntranscript.com/storyimage/DE/20121112/NEWS/121119971/AR/0/Bomber-Girl,-Fordham,-Dominion,-Fordham-and-Dominion,-Dover-brewing-company,-beer,-Morning-Glory,-espresso,-coffee-.jpg)?
Wide awake **and** relaxed at the same time? :)
I have just finished translating The Paper Bag Princess into Icelandic
Tons of errors made, I am sure.
^ That is a great book to give kids, in any language. :)
Sounds like quite an accomplishment, Swato. What's next? A break?
Barely one page in print (the book spreads it over twelve). Still took several hours.
The text is simple enough but Icelandic preposition can be tricky and the dictionaries are very short as far as this info is concerned. As a result I had to look for phrase samples where I could deduce the case from the object. Unfortunately some sadist seems to have taken an effort to only use objects in those phrases where this is not possible (by choosing words where the case ending is identical and no definite article or useful adjective is in sight).
No rest though. I have (temporarily I hope) ceased working on my saga and am doing a parallel retelling In Nibelung stanzas (count has reached 115 by now unless I made an error).
Holy Valkyries, Batman! But you do enjoy this work, don't you?
Paid work would be nice too. And I see no market for my type of writing. I just try new styles now and then and abandon them again. I think I haven't written a sonnet in years.
Paid work? I think I put every penny of my paid work this year into my non-paid work. ::)
I certainly understand the idea of taking on new challenges just to see if one can meet them.
I half-suspect you're trying to woo an Icelandic maiden with your recent writing efforts. :mrgreen:
Perhaps that's more my style than yours...
When it's time to try a new style, perhaps you need to start writing songs, and start an international pop career, even if it's behind the scenes.
Quote from: Aggie on November 26, 2013, 08:37:25 PM
When it's time to try a new style, perhaps you need to start writing songs, and start an international pop career, even if it's behind the scenes.
My complete lack of sincerity* (as far as my writing is concerned) would certainly help.
Writing on order unfortunately leads to almost instant writer's block.
As you should know I retexted about 150 songs (see Choral Squids)
In general my way is to use a strict given form traing to fill it. Freestyle rarely works (same btw with drawing and music)
*even my 'serious' poems are pure stylistic excercises and do not come from the heart.
I think the only piece of truly heartfelt art I have produced was a fugue like piece of music in February 2000.
Sincerity is overrated, ever saw the Dexter episode when a crazy woman describes her link to her victim and how Dexter uses her verbatim to propose?
;) :P :mrgreen:
Ayuh, sounds like you'd be perfect for writing pop songs. One could also quite easily translate and re-interpret pop from different languages into hit songs, I'm sure.
Had a blood test. To be more precise, had lot of blood removed from my hand (no other veins) to be sent for a variety of tests, having had to fast before-hand. My hand is now empty (ref. Tony Hancock, The Blood Donor).
We have to hand it to you for getting that done...
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/theogrit/bth_1sm083Pudum.gif)
Packed the Dark Tower hardcover comic adaptations for Roland . I am waiting for the requested address confirmation before walking to the post office tommorrow to have measured and weighed and stamped over.
^ put a note sum ware on thee package that we sais, "hey Roland, how thee heck arrrgh ye?"
Roland disappeared. He exists in another reality. Does the postal service reach there?
He sends his greetings and tells me via Facebook that he shall return shortly , but he posted that missive about weeks ago and i havent seen him here nor there .
Should we spread a rumour that he has been imprisoned in Russia with the Greenpeace people?
Today I saw lions doin' it. :mrgreen:
^ :D
Cool!
Just wanna say I've rung bells for The Salvation Army twice this month. Yeah, they're basically a Xtian organization, but they are a legit charity for the needy. Mr. Ops is in a service club and got us roped into it. It was quite fun to do both times. The time flew by, and the people donating were so happy.
I went beyond 300 stanzas on my current project the Gerdalied
Now 386 stanzas. I hope to reach 400 before this day (and year) is ended.
Edit: I fell short by 5 stanzas due to feeling very unwell (headache, slight vertigo; I suspect the sinuses)
I am cleaning up my space. This used to be my art studio, but over the years it has been overrun with papers and theatrical supplies. I have costumes and props and makeup all over the place, but I have made a vow to do at least one thing per day to clean it up, even if it is just deciding to throw away one piece of paper. Little by little I am making progress.
This is helping me clear my head, too. Today I found a pile of printed correspondence from a crummy boss I had a few years ago. I held on to it because she was so vindictive I was afraid that she would sue me, but I got out of there as cleanly as possible, and now that it's been over five years I think I can let it go. Re-reading the missives (only to a point- to see what they were) was mildly upsetting, but tossing them in the trash felt freeing. I am out of that grip of grief.
I am putting away the theater stuff that I had worked so hard to collect. I have been holding on to it out of sheer stubbornness. It was mine! But yesterday the Community Center sent me an email asking me to teach theater there again this year (they would have total control of days and hours, I would have crummy pay and I'd have to take the county orientation all over again) and do the Halloween Haunted House. Last year I would have felt that I must answer right away, and would have given a vague answer because I was not sure- an answer that could have been twisted to their favor. This year I plan to stop and wait and think before answering. I gave myself time to realize that I was killing myself for the theater and that heck no, I didn't want to do it again. Not even a little bit, sometimes. So just now I respectfully declined their offers. I am cutting myself free of something in which I had entangled myself.
I want this to be an art studio again. It will take me a while to get rid of all the distractions and focus on exploring art again, but if I chip away a little each day I will get there.
I have done so much wrong, but it's all in the past where I can no longer reach. So, it's time to go forward again. The first step is letting go.
I am pressing the " Like" button repeatedly Opsa . The past number of years have been a nightmare and it is not ending . I am trying cast off the so called friends as well the needy dishonest family members .
I am learning harsh lessons and hope i can pass furture tests . I do not remember the last time i felt happy .
That's so sad BC. But I can understand. Life does not always take us where we want to go. When I got ill, I learnt to cast off those who drained me.
Hi Griff !
I am beginning to cast away the toxic people that plague me , it has not been as easy as i hoped but i feel i am making some progress .
I hope tomorrow brings better things .
I have moved into a new flat , i don't know if i can afford to keep it , unless i rent out the other rooms , which i want to do because it is lonely .
Hugging you back, BC!
You and Griffin are right about letting the bad stuff go.
I've been thinking about it, and I think that certain people like us tend to think there's something wrong with us when people are not so nice to us. First we blame them and then we flog ourselves. We can waste a lot of life suffering over toxic relationships. They really demand (suck) a lot energy from us, and we have so many other things that are quite clearly better for us to do.
:goodvibes:
POSITIVE ENERGY HUG!!!
Letting go of the carp to welcome the worthwhile!
Quote from: Bruder Cuzzen on January 22, 2014, 01:34:38 AM
I have moved into a new flat , i don't know if i can afford to keep it , unless i rent out the other rooms , which i want to do because it is lonely .
Good housemates are a treasure. I wish you great luck in finding good people to share your space with.
I did two things today:
I sacked a sound engineer. He is supposed to be editing, mixing and mastering twelve tracks for my band. Today he sent me the first three, and they were rubbish. Drums too big and boomy (he's a drummer), no noticeable equalisation to separate the instruments, no use of stereo whatsoever ("But mono was good enough for The Beatles", "This is not 1963, you are not George Martin"), and Whit-Nae-Talent levels of reverb plastered all over it. He's never going to get this right, so he's getting his books.
I also applied for a job with Citizens Advice Bireau. Cut in pay, not such a good 'package' all in, but it's a 20 minute commute each way, not a 90 minute commute each way. Subtract the cost of diesel and wear-and-tear on both car and sanity, I think it works out...
Both seem like sound (ho ho) decisions!
Yegads. I once had a bass player mix for a band I was in. Same problem- all bass! Hope the new job works out well for you, Roy.
The most significant thing I did today was to Skype for the very first time with Griffin! It was really neat to finally be able to do so.
I'm not a big phone talker (so don't worry- I won't bombard you by any means if you join the Skype Rocks group), but to see and hear my good Sibling was great. We chatted a little, showed off our earrings to each other, it was nice. Thanks, Griffin!
Just introduced my dad to Skype at the age of 79. We have family in Australia, and other family and friends in remote parts of Highland Scotland. You get a better connection to Melbourne than you do to Mallaig. :censored:
Got my (soon to be ex-) boss to agree to sign my resignation agreement, got a full-time bartending job at the best pub in town, and got waved at by the fiddler I had a crush on last year. Not in that order.
Oooh! May the year of the horse be sweet for you!
Had my car airbag sensor replaced (it was faulty). Something tells me that it isn't fully right but I'll have to monitor it for a bit before I go back to the dealer.
That's one piece of the car you don't want faulty... especially a false positive!
Quote from: Opsa on February 04, 2014, 03:37:08 PM
Oooh! May the year of the horse be sweet for you!
Almost everyone I know got bucked hard over the transition. It's been a strange, difficult little week. Some are crediting the fact that there were two new moons in January - the black and blue moon.
Is that why we're feeling so black and blue?
It's one explanation. We're not alone... there's lots of work stress, relationship breakups, dying pets, bank accounts emptied by fraud, and so on among my real-life circle.
I hope this will be a kinder year for all of us.
I just took down all the cast photos from my children's theater (that ended last year) which were still hanging up on a wall in the lobby of the Community Center. It was a final silent act of acceptance on my part.
I lit the blue touchpaper of a small legal firework today. It may be a damp squib, it may catch fire and provide some entertainment, or it may spiral out of control, with screaming and running and distressed children, and burn the whole edifice down. It depends on the lawyers, it depends on the Sheriff.
Unfortunately it involves client confidentiality, so I cannot divulge more, other than to say I am sat in the bath alternately grinning and going "Oh shit! What did I do?"
Well done Opsa.
Legal firework? How mysterious.
Graded 30 140-point tests for my wee darlings. And then mailed the results to them, so they wouldn't have to wait until monday to find out the results (we have no lessons tomorrow). My writing hand is now somewhat sore, and I have emptied one red biro of ink. And I hope to God it's a long time before I have to go through the four occassions when a shunting movement may pass a main signal without authority from the signaller again...
Quote from: Griffin NoName on February 20, 2014, 04:15:53 PM
Legal firework? How mysterious.
There have been a lot of changes to the law around benefits, payments, service delivery etc. in the last couple of years. There have also been changes in the way that these things are delivered, eligibility criteria, what can be charged for, what cannot be charged for. We are challenging one little corner of the reforms at a very local level.
I firmly expect the solicitor that has taken it on to return from court with what we call in Glasgow "A well-skelped arse". But he might not: we might win. We might set a precedent. We might overthrow the forces of evil and darkness. Or not, more likely...
Quote from: roystonoboogie on February 20, 2014, 08:14:21 PM
Quote from: Griffin NoName on February 20, 2014, 04:15:53 PM
Legal firework? How mysterious.
There have been a lot of changes to the law around benefits, payments, service delivery etc. in the last couple of years.
I am only too aware of this. I moderate a forum on a ME/CFS website; people are dropping like flies. Soon the graveyards will be filled with skeletons from the starving masses. Perhaps they'll being back the tumbrils. Maybe IDS is planning that even now as I write.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on February 20, 2014, 08:18:52 PM
I am only too aware of this. I moderate a forum on a ME/CFS website; people are dropping like flies. Soon the graveyards will be filled with skeletons from the starving masses. Perhaps they'll being back the tumbrils. Maybe IDS is planning that even now as I write.
The local food bank warehouse is right across the road from my office. People go to the church at the end of the road to ask for food, and a volunteer will cycle up the road with some carrier bags in the front basket (while they are waiting, some one from Citizens Advice will ask them about Income Maximisation). Those volunteers just never stop cycling past my office window.
Another cycle journey, another family in distress.
And another...
And another...
Every couple of weeks we get a referral from someone who has been sanctioned for thirteen weeks, can't pay the rent and feed the kids, and Social Work want to slap a supervision order on them. While they're in the office pouring out their heart and using up the tissues, another cycle journey goes past the window...
That's so grim.
I don't know what to say, except that this is very sad.
The Church (several denominations) have all ganged up against the govt. on Welfare - signed letter http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/27-bishops-slam-david-camerons-3164033 actual letter half way down page
Also leaked doc. shows govt. idea maybe to charge for benefit appeals - this would pretty much end appeals as the people who need to appeal HAVE NO INCOME so could not pay DOH!.......... http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/20/people-stripped-benefits-charged-decision A large number of appeals win as DWP assessments are crazy.
I suppose I was naive thinking there's nothing worse than Thatcher (apologies to Beagle).
Yet another blood test today . I ve had so many and more to come . I should be used to them by now but i still flinch at the needle .
I don't know how some people can
inject themselves .
Sorry BC. It's tough.
Poor BC, but I hope you can stand what's necessary for your health.
I always look away when they take blood from my arm. It never hurts much, but I don't like the sight of it.
This last one actually hurt for a sec , the nurse pushed it in so quickly , Felt faint for about 5 seconds afterwards . I don' t remember that happening for just a small sample . The previous nurses were very good , i barely felt a thing , and yes not looking helps a lot .
They are keeping an eye on my liver function due to the prednisone .
Good for you to keep up with that, even though it's a pain in the ..er... arm.
After a year and a half trying to find a GP i finally found an excellent one through a good friend.
Gave me a shot for pneumonia , i barely felt it .
But i have to go for more blood tests on tuesday after a visit with the neuro opthamogist and my regular vision field test .
My prognosis over the spinal problem is not good am i am depressed about my future of pain and further degeneration , i inherited some lousy genes as well as my poor younger brother who is approaching the final stage of the ataxia .
It always breaks my heart to see him but he soldiers on with great spirit . I think his faith keeps him going , something i lost long ago and really dont see any point of striving to attain .... but part three of The Hobbit is just nine months away , so things could be worse !
It's good to have a GP that you like, especially if you are going to need a lot of help.
I don't know how to live with the knowledge that it will all get worse. I am so sorry.
I am sorry, BC. I hope that things will turn around for you as medicine improves. Hang onto the better days. We're thinking about you.
Hugs BC!
We are all thinking about you.
:hug:
Not that significant in the great shape of things but my epic now exceeds 700 stanzas (á 4 lines each). I aim for 1000 in the final version.
That sounds significant to me. :)
Epic poems are not that popular these days compared to 800 years ago. And me having enough time on my hands for doing stuff like this means that I am still unemployed. I am even seriously considering to apply to become a teacher. Berlin is now so desperate that they will try almost anyone provided they went to and finished the university. This could mean me turning into a school teacher of chemistry and maybe Latin as second. Not really a happy thought.
I suppose it's which is worse. Being unemployed, or being a teacher. :(
Quote from: Swatopluk on February 25, 2014, 04:34:21 PM
Epic poems are not that popular these days compared to 800 years ago. And me having enough time on my hands for doing stuff like this means that I am still unemployed. I am even seriously considering to apply to become a teacher. Berlin is now so desperate that they will try almost anyone provided they went to and finished the university. This could mean me turning into a school teacher of chemistry and maybe Latin as second. Not really a happy thought.
I had originally thought to go into teaching after finishing a degree (plus the education tack-on). My aim was high school sciences, but I guess I did enough biology to have a passing acquaintance with Latin (which is rarely/never taught in secondary schools here, in any case).
At least I've got a job that utilizes my chemistry skills, although I really could use some proper volumetric glassware at the bar. ;)
What you got in that flask?
Swato, what if you taught something you are really passionate about, like epic poetry or something having to do with battle axes? History of ancient wars? Can you specialize? Your enthusiasm on subjects you love might make a difference to both you and the students.
Or teaching at the university?
--
I don't mind teaching provided the students actually want to learn (which was my experience doing it at the uni). Highschool can be a bit more challenging.
Only schools in Berlin (due to planning incompetence) are so short on teachers that 'side-entries' are even considered. Universities have far to many interested in a teaching position for me to have any chance. And history is one of the few subjects with enough teachers available (one other is geography).
I had 9 years of Latin at school and also took a few courses at the university as a time filler, so I have some qualifications there. Plus Latin at school serves also as an introduction to grammar and parts of history.
I have a good friend who teaches Latin at a private school and even though music is his forte (he came in as music teacher, but had to fill in for a missing Latin teacher) he is enjoying it. The introductory course is challenging for him because some students are being "made" to take Latin, but the higher classes are smaller and much more fun because the kids have a knack for it and want to learn more. PLUS- he can choose what they translate. (He chose Harry Potter.) So maybe you can choose something that you like for them to translate -like epic poetry!- and bring it to life for them.
Th'Opsalette took Latin I last year and liked it so much that she's gone on to Latin 2. Her teacher is really creative and wonderful.
Currently posting from a tablet, which makes creating links virtually impossible, but when I get back to some vintage 20C hardware with a mouse and a keyboard, I'll post you a YouTube of some Public School Peer of the Realm singing Beatles songs in Latin in the House of Lords, and being told to sit down because you can only use English in the Chamber.
Android or iOS?
Normally in Android you can keep a link or portion of text pressed for a few seconds which will allow you to copy or cut the text in question.
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1moat0) on February 27, 2014, 12:06:24 AM
Normally in Android you can keep a link or portion of text pressed for a few seconds which will allow you to copy or cut the text in question.
How do you select the text?
How do you tell it to copy?
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on February 27, 2014, 12:06:24 AM
Android or iOS?
Normally in Android you can keep a link or portion of text pressed for a few seconds which will allow you to copy or cut the text in question.
If I go to YouTube on my Android, it opens using the YouTube app, so the url is not visible or copyable.
Anyway, it was Derek Enright, I am afraid he was just an MP and not a Lord. He was challenged by Nicholas Fairbairn MP to sing a Beatles song in Latin, so he sang Yellow Submarine. I can't find the video any more, will the page from Hansard do (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199293/cmhansrd/1993-03-02/Debate-4.html)?
Hah! I just sang "Habitamus sub vitreo, sub vitreo, sub vitreo" to th'Opsalette and she got it right away. Love it!
Why are you living under glass? ???
Or did you misunderstand it as 'we are the living underclass' ;)
What the f* has it to do with running this country? I might just have tolerated it if it was Michael Gove who was challenged.
Quote from: roystonoboogie on February 27, 2014, 02:16:16 PM
If I go to YouTube on my Android, it opens using the YouTube app, so the url is not visible or copyable.
Actually you can copy it, click on the share button and one of the options is copy to clipboard, it will give you the full youtube URL and from that you can take the code.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on February 27, 2014, 04:13:00 PM
What the f* has it to do with running this country? I might just have tolerated it if it was Michael Gove who was challenged.
Nicholas Fairbairn (pictured) would not take seriously anyone who did not have a decent Classical education. How can you be the right sort of chap to run the country if you can't speak Latin and if you don't wear a cravat.
(http://www.oxforddnb.com/images/article-imgs/58/58533_1_300px.jpg)
Quote from: roystonoboogie on February 27, 2014, 07:46:28 PM
Quote from: Griffin NoName on February 27, 2014, 04:13:00 PM
What the f* has it to do with running this country? I might just have tolerated it if it was Michael Gove who was challenged.
Nicholas Fairbairn (pictured) would not take seriously anyone who did not have a decent Classical education. How can you be the right sort of chap to run the country if you can't speak Latin and if you don't wear a cravat.
Oh right. Silly me. How about means testing prospective MPs?
I passed the 750 stanza mark on my epic (753.5 at the moment)
All right Swato! So where are you percentage-wise?
Did you wave as you went by?
Well done.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on March 13, 2014, 01:49:47 AM
Did you wave as you went by?
Hm, maybe I wavered a bit ;)
Quote from: Opsa on March 12, 2014, 05:57:05 PM
All right Swato! So where are you percentage-wise?
No idea actually. Especially close to 'round' numbers I tend to produce a lot of filler material (dialogue) to get there quickly.
I hope it'll get to 1000 but I do not know, whether that would require more empty filling or will get passed easily before the last gap* is closed.
*I do not write it chronologically or even chapterwise. It's a few stanzas here, a few stanzas there slowly growing together.
Survived my first public solo with the choir. ;D
Wow! well done. hope you got lots of clapping.
Quote from: Aggie on March 17, 2014, 04:35:42 AM
Survived my first public solo with the choir. ;D
Did you get an aha breakthrough moment, where you knew you could do it?
I didn't doubt that I could do it, once I threw myself into it. I just had to practice lots, and be confident that I could handle the part (only a verse in a song, so it was probably ~30 seconds of actual singing).
That being said, it was still SCARY to anticipate it. In retrospect, it was actually more frightening to sing it for the first time in choir than to perform it on stage. The house lights were down enough that I couldn't really see the crowd, and just kept focused on the choir director.
I'm glad I got through it, though... the big show's tonight and I'm not nearly as nervous, because I know I can do it for sure. I hope the house lights are down again, though... there will be family and friends present.
I hope you did smashingly!
The choir set was our best effort to date, and went well. Made it just fine through the solo, too.
A splendid time was had by all, and a splendid bit of Irish whiskey and Guinness was had by most. ;)
Well Done!
I made a hospital appointment. Made 3 different complaints to my bank. May sound daft, but stuff like that is hard for me these days. Completely exhausted by it.
Went on a date today, albeit quite a casual one. We went hiking for about 4 hours. :)
The Gerdalied has now reached 900 stanzas (á 4 verses => 3600 verses).
The goal is still to reach or surpass 1000 stanzas.
Quote from: Swatopluk on May 28, 2014, 12:55:36 AM
The Gerdalied has now reached 900 stanzas (á 4 verses => 3600 verses).
The goal is still to reach or surpass 1000 stanzas.
Shouldn't you be working on it instead of posting here? ;)
(then I get the last post.........)
Quote from: Swatopluk on May 28, 2014, 12:55:36 AM
The Gerdalied has now reached 900 stanzas (á 4 verses => 3600 verses).
The goal is still to reach or surpass 1000 stanzas.
First goal achieved, One Thousand Stanzas!
Work remains unfinished.
So this work is going to be more than 1,000 stanzas?
Looks like it but I have no idea when (or whether) it will get finished.
I started it as a diversion from the saga (prose, also unfinished) and now I won't exclude the possibility of starting another diversion to keep me for finishing the first diversion. Next step in Latin? Legenda Sancti Uluferi de rubro bove martyrioque apud Oxanfordam?
I already started a song (based on Hiemali tempore from the Carmina Burana)
Proximis sub tenebris
Britannia in vinculis
Diaboli captata
Usque advenit Ulufer
Omnipotentis armiger
deinde liberata
Ipse olim paganus
Serviens ululae
Cepit coronam martyrum
Aemulans Ursulae
Misit bovem sub iugum
Qui fefellit longe totum populum
...
Edit: just noticed that I posted a bit of that already in the arts thread
I watched the arrival of 'Havhingsten fra Glendalough' in Berlin.
It's the largest Viking ship yet reconstructed and on visit here in preparation for the large Viking exhibition starting next week.
Currently trying to upload my video attempts from the event to youtube. Will take a while.
Given that it's primarily a photo camera and I have little to no experience recording, the results could have been far worse. Maybe I should one day invest in a cheap camcorder.
I have one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/flip/b?ie=UTF8&node=405705031 and I love it. It is amazingly easy to use and transfer stuff and gives good results.
The one I have has a flaw in that the battery (rechargeable) cannot be replaced so eventually mine will pack up but after I bought mine versions came out where the battery was removable, so if interested, that's something to check.
I think I'll go with the same label as my photocamera. Nothing fancy and enough for my rather modest needs and expectations. I do not use more than a tiny fraction of the inbuilt functions. I grew up with a (crappy) camera that had only two parts to deal with, a lever to transport the film and a button to take a picture. Flash was still single-use, I guess magnesium based.
The Flip Video doesn't have any functions at all. It's just point and shoot and just works. Doesn't have a flash. Shoots fine in poor light or good light.
OK, here is the first video
[youtube=425,350]F3JQ5MADaDQ[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3JQ5MADaDQ
If you ask me, I sound like an idiot and/or a kid playing reporter
Edit: And here is the second one
(I will not upload another one preceding this where nothing much happens but maybe a later one from the other side of the river)
[youtube=425,350]7NN0HWW06O8[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NN0HWW06O8
Quote from: Swatopluk on September 07, 2014, 08:24:32 AM
If you ask me, I sound like an idiot and/or a kid playing reporter
Here is a river. Or canal. In the river - or canal - there are some boats. Can you see the people on the boats, children?
You sound fine, given there's not a lot of action.
Very clear shooting! :)
I agree that you sound fine.
Were they rowing with or against the current?
In theory with the current but there is essentially none. The Spree river has been observed to flow backwards in hot summers (that is not a joke but a result of very peculiar geographical conditions up-river). To keep up shipping all year long the river is also controlled by several locks otherwise it would get too shallow.
Yesterday I learned how to use a jackhammer for the first time, and did a little more work this morning.
For a guy with no job, I sure get called in to work a lot. ::)
Presumably it helps with the finances?
I went out with my cousin for a pub meal today and now I am feeling very ill (totally predictable, it's what happens, no alcohol involved). CFS means always paying the price for attempting to do nice things (or I suppose nasty ones like hospital visits). Because there's obviously a pull to do nice things, one does every so often, but it's not really advised.
It's worth it to get out and have some face-to-face time with people you care about. It's presumably tougher feeling especially ill when a 'normal' day doesn't really involve feeling totally well, but I suppose it can be comparable to a hangover. I've been off the hooch since Halloween, but have learned as I've gotten older that a night of drinking is only feasible if I am prepared for the following day to be more-or-less a writeoff. If I'm up until the wee hours of the morning, I can't count on wanting to get out of bed or leave the house for most of the next day. It can be worth it every so often, but not really advised.
Quote from: Griffin NoName on November 25, 2014, 09:06:44 PM
Presumably it helps with the finances?
Ayuh, month-to-month cash flow is not a worry, but the overall financial picture demands constant input. I also found out today that I'm getting a slightly larger-than-expected payout for the fencing job I did earlier this month, which helps (also got offered the opportunity an electrical apprenticeship out of that, based on work ethic and attitude). I'm aiming for a potential dream job (in terms of job satisfaction, not pay) in the new year, and would rather hold out for that than take on full-time work in a less desirable job. So, for the moment I'm just going to be a work slut and have casual short-term or ongoing occasional encounters with a variety of employers, instead of making a commitment. I like being in the position where I more or less have my schedule open and can turn down offered shifts if I have an important previous commitment. The juxtaposition of doing both blue-collar and pink-collar work has a certain satisfaction, as well.
(I don't take this approach to my romantic life, but that's looking rosy at the moment, too... moved on from my online dating 'training wheels' phase and met someone the old-fashioned way).
One of the advantages I found in being a casual worker was I didn't get drawn into office politics.
Even my fantasy romantic life is non-existant!!
:flyingpig:
Finished cutting up a pig for buddy today (buddy is in Sweden so he handed me full control); the pork odyssey started on Sunday when the pig was slaughtered and I went to grab the head and caul fat (I skinned out the head and took the jowls off at the farm). The first run at the cut and wrap was a little shaky yesterday, as I haven't butchered a pig before and it took a while to figure out the cuts. Today was smoother. It was also a little warmer today; we were butchering outdoors under cover, so it was a little easier on the fingers. I kept a charcoal brazier going for warmth, and for grilling a few snacks. ;)
I got a 10% cut of the meat and lard, which I'll share with the friend who helped me cut and wrap... about 8 lbs of meat, 1-2 lbs bone and 3.5 lbs of freakin' awesome leaf lard (plus the head meat). I'm going to render the lard and give it away as gifts. The meat doesn't even pay the gas money, let alone my time, but was worth the experience. I'm probably going to raise my own pig next year, and possibly a lamb and/or a couple of geese.
We also saw another pig killed today, so pretty much got the full hoof-to-table experience. .22 to the head to stun, followed by a scimitar stick to the aorta, so it was over pretty quick.
:flyingpig:
Goodness. I could no way do that.
I'm sure the pig was ethically raised and humanely put down, but since I became [mostly] vegetarian I wouldn't be able to do that either. I mentally considered if I could get involved in wild hog hunting (those are environmentally problematic in several places) but I can't see my self pulling the trigger, much less disassembling the animal.
Heck, the last two BBQs I did the grilling and felt some guilt dealing with the meat regardless of how good it was. :-\
I'd met this pig at some point, and knew that it had a good life.
My stance on eating meat is that if you choose to do so, you should be willing to face up to the fact that you're eating an animal*. Therefore, being directly involved in the process for at least some of the meat I eat is important. I'd like to start raising animals for meat in order to get free of factory farmed meats.
*including its face. :o
If I had space I would consider having a gen or two for the eggs and theoretically for the meat once the cycle is over but I still would have trouble killing the animal. I imagine that forced to it I would but it still bothers me.
I agree with you on the face of the animal, but that is what makes it difficult to kill it... :-\
78 pages of significant things!
Aggi! Next time your buddy goes to Sweden, go with him! ;D
We have pigs here too, plenty of them as a matter of fact... ;)
When I was a child our family bought half a pig in the late autumn and half a ox in the spring for many years.
I was in the kitchen with the rest of the family, trimming, grinding and packing meat.
I doubt I could pull the trigger my self (not allowed here any way one has to be either a veterinarian or a butcher and hunters are only allowed to kill game) but the cutting up, sure, give me some sharpened knifes and bring it on! ;)
I went to work despite having no desire what so ever to do so... I'd much rather stayed in bed with the duvet up to my ears.
Just this minute I finished the Medea song (64 stanzas).
Unfortunately, I wrote it in German and I doubt that an English translation would carry even half the jokes, allusions etc.
Will take your word that it's brilliant Swato.
Well done Darlica. Sounds like me getting up with the alarm today and hustling myself to the shops. Good days are when I can sleep til I wake naturally.
Just in case anyone wants to check. Here's the Medea.
It's only 62 stanzas though.
Would be easy to add some more but (for a song) it's already quite long (and thus quite prone to bore)
@ Zono: Killing bothers me, too. I think it always should. The farmer who did the kill on Wednesday was pretty shook up by it; those who care, don't want to kill but will make that trade-off to see that the animals are taken care of properly. I admire that you're sticking by your beliefs by moving to a vegetarian lifestyle.
Quote from: Darlica on December 18, 2014, 11:02:43 PM
Aggi! Next time your buddy goes to Sweden, go with him! ;D
We have pigs here too, plenty of them as a matter of fact... ;)
Heh, he's there with his (Swedish) wife and new baby; I'm not sure where, but it's a small village. If you meet any shaggy farmers from Canada, say hi for me. ;)
Rendering leaf lard and grinding the leftover bits of pig at the moment... well tired of processing pork!
Quote from: Aggie on December 20, 2014, 02:53:52 AM
Heh, he's there with his (Swedish) wife and new baby; I'm not sure where, but it's a small village. If you meet any shaggy farmers from Canada, say hi for me. ;)
I'll be on the look out for a family of Canadian farmers! ;)
Seriously you should come here some time.
It's somewhere I'd definitely like to go, and I have some amazing Swedish-born friends. Actually, my parents have been to Sweden; they were over there in April of 1986.
Too much world, not enough time! ;)
Eating venison burritos with local jalapeno gouda. A buddy got the deer with a crossbow. I signed up for a mandatory gun safety program today to get my non-restricted (i.e. hunting weapons only) possession and acquisition licence. I'll probably hunt again this fall, after a ~14 year hiatus. Going to be a legally-registered gun nut. ;)
I was vegetarian for years-- fell off the wagon with a ham. I still do not have meat every meal or day. I like the idea of being involved with our food-- no I could not kill the animal and am not a hunter-- but the butchering and processing of that meat would be good, if intense, way to be a more aware consumer.
I hate the kill... it shouldn't be fun to kill. The rest of the hoof-to-table process has a certain satisfaction to it (see previous page of this thread for Aggie Butchers a Pig). I guess I look at all of this (gardening included) as the cooking process taken to its full extent. I'll go through it in order to put a good, fresh meal that feels ethically permissible on the table, as it's expensive/hard to do so otherwise.
I purchase meat for my wife (who tends to have anaemia) but as I'm sure that the animals served in the local supermarkets have been mistreated I avoid meats as much as possible. I still buy cheese and eggs (those are cage free, organic in the hopes the hens aren't treated as bad).
---
Harmonizing church hymns now that my only job is singing at a catholic church on Sundays. I don't remember if mentioned this before but the more masses I hear (four each Sunday >_<) the more BSy the stuff sounds. Fortunately these guys haven't been too ideological so far (let's hope when the presidential elections come that doesn't change).
Spent ages fiddling with a picture of my new MSc certificate in order to put it on Facebook.
Burping, feeding, playing, basking in the glow of a smile...
(https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10947271_10152610858277050_168878600342438445_n.jpg?oh=ad19226053c6644dd4323c065cae2a7c&oe=556C6262&dl=1)
What a great pic. And of course the baby.
That's a 100,000 watt smile, that one. :D
Gets bigger every day... Had the first definite giggle today
Giggles are so sweet. I've got a great video of my grandson ~ 5 months giggling for about 10 minutes solid while his mother made funny faces and funny noises.......... it's always good to know they have a sense of humour (odd though how some lose it as an adult ;)).
Beautiful glorious 'KID' you have there!
Congratulations!
Said her first word today...
NUBWUH
As good a word as any.
My one year old grandson doesn't use words. He has perfected a series of grunts accompanied by various gestures that demonstrate what he wants. For example, to be picked up, he thumps my son's stomach with flat hands. He has been using gesture more or less since he was born. Throwing himself backwards meant put me to bed.
My son is concerned that when he goes to work, people won't understand him.
Today the last bits and pieces with the bank, the loan, mortgage and a few other things finally fell into place and Lindorm and I now have a new home, with room for a family, to move in to come the last week in April.
:bouncing:
Exciting Darlica. Hope the new home will be a very happy place to be.
Quote from: Darlica on February 19, 2015, 07:21:13 PM
Today the last bits and pieces with the bank, the loan, mortgage and a few other things finally fell into place and Lindorm and I now have a new home, with room for a family, to move in to come the last week in April.
:bouncing:
Huzzah! Very good news, Darlica!
Quote from: Aggie on February 20, 2015, 05:25:42 PM
Quote from: Darlica on February 19, 2015, 07:21:13 PM
Today the last bits and pieces with the bank, the loan, mortgage and a few other things finally fell into place and Lindorm and I now have a new home, with room for a family, to move in to come the last week in April.
:bouncing:
Huzzah! Very good news, Darlica!
Lovely
Congratulations!
Thank you!
It's a bit scary (it's our first loan except for student loans)...
The flat has 3 bedrooms (one will be a study for me and L), a living room and a big newly renovated kitchen with room for a dinner table.
The bath room has a tub. washing machine and dryer! :)
We are both pretty exited about the move, and the baby of cause, there will be a lot of changes in our life's this spring and summer :)
-------
More surreal than significant maybe....
-------
Yesterday I had a black man yell "Pick that cotton, boy!" at me from the balcony as I was digging holes in the potato patch and singing gospel... :o
Race relations are a little more irreverent here than some places. :mrgreen:
[youtube=425,350]CIhyQPixAsc[/youtube]
This sounds more appropriate in that case:
[youtube=425,350]qe1ScoePqVA[/youtube]
;) :P :mrgreen:
Ayuh, but I was actually singing Tom. ;)
Hey, the white Chri$tian dollar is pretty big in the US.... maybe I should start doing blue-eyed gospel. Selling black music to white people is usually good business; ask Elvis or Eminiem. ;) ;)