Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Topic started by: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2020, 07:45:42 pm

Title: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2020, 07:45:42 pm
In the midst of a sea of shite, death, boredom and horror, this is a thread for the surprising and unexpected bonuses of the current viral fuckfest. I'll start...

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2020, 07:48:07 pm
Ooooh the discordant clanging dirge of the local campanologist twats who disturb every friday evening until 9pm (9pm!!!) seems to not be happening tonight

Result
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 20 March, 2020, 07:50:10 pm
Much less noisy traffic past our bedroom window.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 20 March, 2020, 07:52:35 pm
I get to sleep in my own bed far more often
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 20 March, 2020, 07:55:34 pm
Decently busy at work.
I expect this to change...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hubner on 20 March, 2020, 07:56:10 pm
I can get a seat on the train, with either side of me empty as well (continuous row of seats along the carriage facing inwards).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Canardly on 20 March, 2020, 07:56:59 pm
No aircraft noise.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2020, 07:58:52 pm
Except Stealth bombers, if you live here
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Auntie Helen on 20 March, 2020, 07:59:50 pm
Possible delaying of Brexit - if it happens after 01.04.2021 I can get dual British/German citizenship.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ian H on 20 March, 2020, 08:05:21 pm
Ooooh the discordant clanging dirge of the local campanologist twats who disturb every friday evening until 9pm (9pm!!!) seems to not be happening tonight

Result

I like bells.  When I lived within earshot I would open the windows to listen.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: canny colin on 20 March, 2020, 08:11:19 pm
Working men's club shut .No karaoke , No pissheads shouting good night at midnight . No fucking droning bingo calling on sunday afternoon . No auld biddys blocking the street waiting to pick up the old man . No abandoned taxis ( the club gets used as an unofficial taxi office ). I can get a parking spot outside my house . The club sold their car park because it was not kneaded . My arse     
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: offcumden on 20 March, 2020, 08:12:23 pm
The probable cancellation of our holiday in France late May to mid-June will mean veggie sowing and planting can proceed uninterrupted. And our chances of a varied diet of fresh fruit and veg is improved.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: offcumden on 20 March, 2020, 08:17:30 pm
Ooooh the discordant clanging dirge of the local campanologist twats who disturb every friday evening until 9pm (9pm!!!) seems to not be happening tonight

Result

By government decree the sound of hand bells will henceforth be accompanied by cries of "Unclean, unclean!"
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 March, 2020, 08:17:44 pm
The cough I developed 4 days ago persuaded my dear wife to move into the spare room.

My cough got better.  :demon:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: canny colin on 20 March, 2020, 08:18:35 pm
Folks  Agreeing about the use E-bikes on Audax events . Agreement about Audax matters  on this forum  !!!! I Feel a bit faint  .
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 March, 2020, 08:20:17 pm
Ooooh the discordant clanging dirge of the local campanologist twats who disturb every friday evening until 9pm (9pm!!!) seems to not be happening tonight

Result

By government decree the sound of hand bells will henceforth be accompanied by cries of "Unclean, unclean!"

We have a "rag & bone man" who patrols the streets whilst his sidekick rings a handbell out of the pickup truck's passenger window. It was a sufficiently sunny morning that we had the patio doors open.

I shouted (and I am very good at shouting) "Bring out your dead! Bring out your dead!"

I hope he heard me.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 20 March, 2020, 08:20:56 pm
Except Stealth bombers, if you live here

Or ospreys and F15s if you live here,
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 20 March, 2020, 08:23:09 pm
No football.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 20 March, 2020, 08:23:14 pm
Except Stealth bombers, if you live here

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 20 March, 2020, 08:23:45 pm
They're not very stealthy if you can hear them.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rob on 20 March, 2020, 08:24:22 pm
Backing training off has meant that I have been able to visit an osteopath and a physio and address some niggles.  Working from home means I can do this during the day.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 20 March, 2020, 08:24:34 pm
Have we had that Weatherspoons C*nt yet?  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2020, 08:38:51 pm

The cough I developed 4 days ago persuaded my dear wife to move into the spare room.

My cough got better.  :demon:


Meanwhile, elsewhere...


The cough he developed 4 days ago 'persuaded' me to move into the spare room.

His cough got better.  :demon:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Morat on 20 March, 2020, 08:51:49 pm
After three years of feeling guilty for imposing 3 years of after school club on my 8yo son, I get to spend lots of time with him before he grows up.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 March, 2020, 08:59:12 pm
The Railway Hotel (anag: Hot Willy Area), run by socially responsible Green Party chaps, closed a few night ago. However, they have been busy.

https://www.facebook.com/RailwayHotelSouthend/

They have started to broadcast lives streams of bands playing to an empty bar.

They have started to sell beer online, delivered to your door, Southend area only.

I have just ordered 4 pints of Ghost Ship for £10.

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 March, 2020, 09:29:36 pm
Question from Cdzzmc Jnr: Have there been any cases in space? Is the ISS the only place in the world where there is absolutely no coronavirus?
Which of course leads to the question, is a space station part of the world?
And then: will the return to Earth of the astronauts currently up there be delayed in case they catch it back here? And what steps will they take to make sure the next crew, and everything they take with the, are absolutely 100% virus-free?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Phil W on 20 March, 2020, 09:43:51 pm
The CoronaVirus isn’t everywhere. A number of  island nations are currently virus free. So no, ISS isn’t the only place currently free of it.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Adam on 20 March, 2020, 10:00:38 pm
My bike shop is suddenly very busy, with people dragging in their rusty heaps of bikes which have sat untouched in their garages for several years, and asking for them to be serviced so that they can go out for a bike ride, whilst social distancing themselves.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Canardly on 20 March, 2020, 10:15:36 pm
I have noticed neighbours riding BSOs in increasing numbers.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Phil W on 20 March, 2020, 10:22:23 pm
It’s also a way of saving money as money will get increasingly tight for many.  A bike is a cheap way of getting around.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Davef on 20 March, 2020, 10:31:03 pm
Based on an advisory video I just watched called “the walking dead” (I feel “coping with corona” would be a more upbeat title) the main things seems to be possessing firearms, preferably automatic ones.


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Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 20 March, 2020, 10:42:58 pm
Question from Cdzzmc Jnr: Have there been any cases in space? Is the ISS the only place in the world where there is absolutely no coronavirus?

I know this one:  The astronauts spend a couple of weeks in quarantine, undergoing plenty of Tedious Medical Tests before launch, because nobody wants them getting sick (of anything) in space.

There will be plenty of places on earth that won't have any coronavirus, because they're inhospitable to the animals that carry it.


Quote

Which of course leads to the question, is a space station part of the world?

I suspect you'll get different answers depending on whether you ask passport control, the tax man, or the people responsible for shooting at interlopers in their nation's airspace.  I believe the general consensus is that orbiting objects aren't 'in' the country they're flying over at the time.

Ob-xkcd: https://xkcd.com/713/
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 March, 2020, 10:51:06 pm
That's more or less what I said to him. The ascending astronauts and everything they take them with them will tested and then quarantined for 14 days (or whatever the time is).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 20 March, 2020, 10:59:03 pm
I think more importantly, have there been any cases in Germany's Big Brother?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2020, 11:42:31 pm
Nothing else matters once you start watching this :

https://twitter.com/Barcajim3/status/1241145092125196293?s=20
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 20 March, 2020, 11:57:58 pm
Except Stealth bombers, if you live here
Hrm, we had them too...
Theres some sort of exercise going on, arbroath was flooder with marines who promptly go on an ark ad disappeared out into the North sea the other day.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Andy64 on 21 March, 2020, 01:21:29 am
That'll be this
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/operations/united-kingdom/exercise-joint-warrior

Typically, there were the doomsayers and retards on FB claiming the army were coming, martial law etc  ::-)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Basil on 21 March, 2020, 01:33:19 am
Instead of having to have inane 'chats' with other dog emptiers in the park, we now wave as we pass at a safe distance.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 21 March, 2020, 05:32:39 am
Eastenders stopped.

Just need to deal with the Archers now...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Fast Bill on 21 March, 2020, 05:47:45 am
Eastenders stopped.

Just need to deal with the Archers now...

If only .... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 21 March, 2020, 07:38:54 am
I claimed a £180 refund on the season ticket I no longer need the other day. If this goes on long enough, I might be able to afford to buy a new bike.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 21 March, 2020, 08:01:37 am
Possible delaying of Brexit - if it happens after 01.04.2021 I can get dual British/German citizenship.

I press me the thumbs.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Beardy on 21 March, 2020, 12:32:55 pm
Ooooh the discordant clanging dirge of the local campanologist twats who disturb every friday evening until 9pm (9pm!!!) seems to not be happening tonight

Result
The church wasn’t there when you moved in?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 21 March, 2020, 12:42:19 pm
Yes it was, but I dont know if you've noticed this but times change.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 21 March, 2020, 01:24:51 pm
The church bells here chime every 15 min, but we're usually too far away to hear them unless the wind is right.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: PeteB99 on 21 March, 2020, 01:31:37 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 March, 2020, 01:53:08 pm
Yes it was, but I dont know if you've noticed this but times change.
Ringing the changes. And the peals.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hubner on 21 March, 2020, 02:33:13 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.

Let's hope the Olympics get the chop as well.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 21 March, 2020, 02:34:37 pm
My garden should look pretty cool this year  :thumbsup:

<looks over to wife>
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 21 March, 2020, 02:40:01 pm
All this WFH means I can order loads of bulky shit off the Internet, and I'll be in for delivery.

Saving a fortune on the rapacious shop prices at work, too.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Polar Bear on 21 March, 2020, 03:29:00 pm
Let's hope WFH is seen as viable thus reducing travel, congestion and pollution longer term.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 21 March, 2020, 03:35:02 pm
All this WFH means I can order loads of bulky shit off the Internet, and I'll be in for delivery.

Saving a fortune on the rapacious shop prices at work, too.

Yebbut will they deliver?  Deliverypersons here are beginning to get stroppy about Covid-19 exposure.  Also, stuff I ordered with delivery due on Thursday has yet to appear.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2020, 05:44:58 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.

Let's hope the Olympics get the chop as well.

I know someone who was first reserve on the US pursuit team for Montreal, then was selected for the Moscow games.  This is why he has been a Яepublican for the past forty years.  Be careful what you wish for ;)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 21 March, 2020, 08:46:19 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.

Bollocks.  They’re STILL writing about football and footballers with none being played  >:(
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tiermat on 21 March, 2020, 09:43:59 pm
The major upside for me is that work sent us all to work from home a week Thursday gone. I'm going to be here for the foreseeable. Saves me somewhere in the region of £800 a month (travel, digs, food) with the bonus that I get to spend more time with the family.

Oh and the mysogenist git that I used to report to has handed his notice in. Bonus!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hubner on 21 March, 2020, 10:14:47 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.

Bollocks.  They’re STILL writing about football and footballers with none being played  >:(

You can easily ignore writing as almost all of it is confined to the back pages, but with shit like the Olympics/Wimbledon etc, they're regarded as main news by TV and radio.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: barakta on 21 March, 2020, 10:15:09 pm
Let's hope WFH is seen as viable thus reducing travel, congestion and pollution longer term.

And is reasonable as an adjustment for those people who have been asking for WFH for years and years and told it was impossible!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hubner on 21 March, 2020, 10:17:19 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.

Let's hope the Olympics get the chop as well.

I know someone who was first reserve on the US pursuit team for Montreal, then was selected for the Moscow games.  This is why he has been a Яepublican for the past forty years.  Be careful what you wish for ;)

Who gives a...really? Hadn't they heard of the World's?

 ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Davef on 21 March, 2020, 10:19:47 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.
The Most Popular Sports in the World
Association Football (Soccer) - 4 Billion Fans. Association football,
Cricket - 2.5 Billion Fans. ...
Field Hockey - 2 Billion Fans. ...
Tennis - 1 Billion Fans. ...
Volleyball - 900 Million Fans. ...
Table Tennis - 875 Million Fans. ...
Basketball - 825 Million Fans. ...
Baseball - 500 Million Fans. ...


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Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Andy64 on 22 March, 2020, 01:03:13 am
My colonoscopy appointment has been cancelled  :thumbsup:




They're sending out a new one in a few weeks :'(

(probably more fitting in the "Good news/Bad news " thread)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tiermat on 22 March, 2020, 06:06:18 am
Let's hope WFH is seen as viable thus reducing travel, congestion and pollution longer term.

And is reasonable as an adjustment for those people who have been asking for WFH for years and years and told it was impossible!

My thoughts / hopes exactly. Should be assisted by the last part of my previous post (he was the one blocking my working from home quote"you can apply for agile working but it would be a waste of your time ")
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 March, 2020, 08:31:34 am
I'm really getting jobs done in the house and garden.

Social distancing is great if you're vaguely misanthropic  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: De Sisti on 22 March, 2020, 08:34:29 am

Let's hope WFH is seen as viable thus reducing travel, congestion and pollution longer term.

What is WFH?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 22 March, 2020, 08:38:20 am
Work From Home
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hubner on 22 March, 2020, 09:00:39 am
Let's hope WFH is seen as viable thus reducing travel, congestion and pollution longer term.

I'd prefer LNW (live near work) as some work/jobs cannot be done at home.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 22 March, 2020, 09:28:40 am
Let's hope WFH is seen as viable thus reducing travel, congestion and pollution longer term.

I'd prefer LNW (live near work) as some work/jobs cannot be done at home.

True
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPG0UVdX0AAp7KL?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 22 March, 2020, 09:42:49 am
All this WFH means I can order loads of bulky shit off the Internet, and I'll be in for delivery.

Saving a fortune on the rapacious shop prices at work, too.
Hah.  A couple of weeks ago, before all this got really serious, I bought a thing off phil w. Being clever, I thought I'd get it delivered to work, as it's not going to fit through my letter box. Then I get told I'm WFH. Some days pass. Parcel gets delivered to work, where I am not.
My teenaged boss says no bother he'll bring it home and leave it in his garage.  Yesterday I took a nice ride over to his place to find the box wasn't there. Arse.
Phone calls ensue later in the day. He's put it in his Monster Truck but hadn't taken it out. More messaging today. It's still in his Monster Truck and not made it into the garage.
Never mind, I had a nice pootle.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Polar Bear on 22 March, 2020, 09:46:27 am
Working from home is massively under utilised in the UK simpky because management don't trust people to actually do the work.  Office culture is one of slacking, surfing, chatting, pointless meetings and generally not getting things done.  I suspect that productivity will not nosedive during this WFH phase yet back to the office, congestion and pollution we will inevitably go.

I agree that many jobs cannot be done from home but also that many can and now we have the opportunity to embrace this.

I am sure that some reading this will think that I am accusing all office workers of swinging the lead but this is not what I am saying.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hubner on 22 March, 2020, 09:56:24 am
Fewer people commuting can only be a good thing, less crowded public transport for a start.

But it seems quieter roads mean people are driving in a even more shit manner than usual.

Good for getting a seat on the train/bus but worse for cycling.

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 March, 2020, 10:57:31 am
Just managed to find actual toilet paper in Tesco (rationed to 1 pack per person, quite sensibly). Hopefully the people with hundreds of rolls stockpiled are now starting to leave some for the rest of us. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 22 March, 2020, 11:10:35 am
I would think that the stress applied to the social welfare system and in particular by the increase of the number of people who become reliant upon Universal Credit, just might result in an improved system.

Not only will the numbers increase, but the profile of the people having to use it I suspect are more adept at raising concerns in the media (I'm thinking of the entertainment industry).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 22 March, 2020, 11:34:57 am
Working from home is massively under utilised in the UK simpky because management don't trust people to actually do the work.

There's certainly an element of that at the company I currently work for. The MD is known for her micro-managing style - she has even been known to wait by the front door, taking a register, as a means of discouraging lateness.

However, much of the reluctance to allow working from home has been because we currently don't have the infrastructure to make it work easily. From what I understand, our servers are working on fairly old tech and remote connections are slow at the best of times - even when it's only a small number of people trying to access them. There's also a sense of paranoia about the nature of the work we do, which requires watertight practices to ensure confidentiality (hence even within the office there are very tight restrictions on who can access which servers).

Once it became apparent that it was likely to be a necessity for everyone to work from home, they started putting measures in place to ensure business could carry on as usual. Then it became apparent that it was going to come in sooner rather than later, so they accelerated the implementation, but with limited IT resources could hardly keep up with demand. Then last Monday the lockdown was imposed, and it has been clear this week that despite these efforts, we were not fully prepared as a company, with numerous glitches still to be ironed out.

After speaking to our main client this week, I do feel we're somewhat better prepared than them, though.

As a result of all this, I feel somewhat better disposed towards our company's stance on WFH as a general principle. The CEO said on our last day in the office that she didn't intend WFH to become the norm after this is all over, but she has already had her mind changed on a number of things, and she may have to face the reality of it becoming a necessity in future.

However, while the tech already exists to make WFH a practical possibility, many companies are in the same boat as mine, being reliant on out-of-date infrastructure, and transitioning may not be as straightforward as some imagine (see the ongoing AUK upgrade debacle for an example of some of the problems many organisations face).

Another reason for the reluctance to make WFH the norm is that the nature of the business we do relies on face-to-face communication. Even with all the tech in the world, collaborative working is still most efficient when everyone is in the same room. I know this from having spent four years working from home in my previous job. So again, I'm more or less on the bosses' side on this one.

So people being slackers who will bunk off at any opportunity is only a small part of the problem - that happens in any working environment, and being able to identify weak links and deal with them appropriately is down to good hands-on management.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 March, 2020, 01:56:56 pm
After three years of feeling guilty for imposing 3 years of after school club on my 8yo son, I get to spend lots of time with him before he grows up.
My two teenagers are positively social (compared to normal). Poor sods, but nice for us.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 22 March, 2020, 02:18:43 pm
I reckon all the gardens along my road, well as far as I can see will be immaculate or very productive
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 March, 2020, 04:05:21 pm
I went on a mission to get SO more Lucozade and orange juice.  I thought I'd go to Tesco in Ciren since it's usually a better bet than any of the Swindon shops.  The A419 was like a road from a car advert - almost completely empty!  I put the car into cruise control and it just stayed there from joining the road until the exit.

And Tesco had the stuff too.  There was even gin and tonic-flavoured liquid handwash, if I'd been desperate.  But I'm not that desperate and I have bars of soap.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 22 March, 2020, 04:12:36 pm
Currently listening to my wife and a dozen others testing out a Zoom virtual Pilates class!  Chaos.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 22 March, 2020, 04:35:21 pm
^ ^ Snap (sort of, not Pilates) ^ ^
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Pingu on 22 March, 2020, 04:40:10 pm
With any luck this summers 2 week tennis fest will be cancelled. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against tennis as such, if people want to get together in private and play tennis I'm cool with that. I'm just not interested myself and don't see why it should be the lead item in every news bulletin. Even football doesn't get that kind of concentrated coverage.

Bollocks.  They’re STILL writing about football and footballers with none being played  >:(

You can easily ignore writing as almost all of it is confined to the back pages, but with shit like the Olympics/Wimbledon etc, they're regarded as main news by TV and radio.

Record the news and fast-forward through the sportsball, Iain Duncan Sith, the shitverts, etc.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rob on 22 March, 2020, 04:44:56 pm
In my 20 odd year career I have rarely worked from home.  I’m a little old fashioned and prefer to walk round the room and talk to people as things need doing.  We did do a test about 3 weeks ago and it went fine, which is good as we were told not to come back in last Sunday night. 

There’s about 90 people in the London office so the network has not been particularly stretched.  I do miss talking to people and already hate Slack.  I do find a few things a little less efficient as I have missed a few prices when trying to deal on behalf of a client.  It hasn’t helped that the markets I work in have gone a little thin in the last week.

We are trying to exchange on the house, move out and relocate at the moment.   There is a small chance that the schools being shut will make this a bit more efficient and, possibly, cheaper.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 March, 2020, 08:35:51 pm
https://analogafrica.bandcamp.com/album/stay-safe-sound-ranil-selection-share-it
Music to stay safe and sound with.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 March, 2020, 09:36:15 pm
This year's Bank of England stress test has been canned.  If you work in the banking industry this is like being given three months of your life back.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 22 March, 2020, 09:50:47 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 March, 2020, 09:52:33 pm
Quote
McDonald's employs around 120,000 people in the UK, the majority of which are on zero-hours contracts.

The chain did not say whether its staff would continue to be paid

Hmmm....
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Davef on 22 March, 2020, 09:56:18 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604)
That is a big shock. It was bound to happen I suppose once the audaxes were cancelled. That has scuppered my “don’t worry about empty supermarkets eat McDonald’s” strategy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 22 March, 2020, 09:57:42 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604)
That is a big shock. It was bound to happen I suppose once the audaxes were cancelled. That has scuppered my “don’t worry about empty supermarkets eat McDonald’s” strategy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
.

IMO you shouldn’t be out anyway. YMMV.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 22 March, 2020, 10:10:36 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604)
That is a big shock. It was bound to happen I suppose once the audaxes were cancelled. That has scuppered my “don’t worry about empty supermarkets eat McDonald’s” strategy
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
.
IMO you shouldn’t be out anyway. YMMV.

^^^^ This
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Davef on 22 March, 2020, 10:11:08 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604)
That is a big shock. It was bound to happen I suppose once the audaxes were cancelled. That has scuppered my “don’t worry about empty supermarkets eat McDonald’s” strategy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
.

IMO you shouldn’t be out anyway. YMMV.
I am working hard on my photosynthesis techniques. Until I succeed I need to consume food. I thought drive through McDonald’s less interactive than Tesco’s.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 22 March, 2020, 10:13:30 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51999604)
That is a big shock. It was bound to happen I suppose once the audaxes were cancelled. That has scuppered my “don’t worry about empty supermarkets eat McDonald’s” strategy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

There goes my plan A for when all the local food merchants are shut and my lunch times are impossible to predict.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 22 March, 2020, 10:24:37 pm
I read that 30% of our food is bought in restaurants and take-aways.

So the supermarkets and food shops will have to ramp up a bit. Companies supplying to restaurants will suffer.

Click and collect: labour intensive
Home delivery: labour intensive
Customers pick stock and deliver it: the most efficient way of getting food to customers houses.

We wanted cheap and we've got it.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tonycollinet on 22 March, 2020, 10:29:10 pm
When out on (socially distanced) walks and rides over the weekend people have been very friendly. (From a distance :-) )

Local facebook groups are full of people offereing to help others out.

I'm genuinely hopeful that a positive outcome from this shitfest will be a kinder more caring society.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: L CC on 22 March, 2020, 10:49:45 pm
I went on a mission to get SO more Lucozade and orange juice.  I thought I'd go to Tesco in Ciren since it's usually a better bet than any of the Swindon shops. 

The list of things they did not have at Tescos Ciren from No2Daughter was such that she actually said "if your co-op has loo roll, post it. I'm not even joking" and "it's a good job we live off chocolate because there IS NOTHING ELSE"
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: andrewc on 22 March, 2020, 11:24:16 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/mar/22/coronavirus-free-how-to-clean-your-mobile-phone


If only the Golgafrinchans had read the Guardian....      and a sensible reminder not to put it under running water  :facepalm:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: PaulF on 23 March, 2020, 09:03:12 am
It's actually got my son out riding his bike.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Redlight on 23 March, 2020, 10:14:38 am
This year's Bank of England stress test has been canned.  If you work in the banking industry this is like being given three months of your life back.

It hasn't really been canned - it's happening in real time.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 23 March, 2020, 10:16:55 am
The view from my soon-to-be office last evening.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49689387188_ea053c6ccb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iGT6Ed)The view from my “office” (https://flic.kr/p/2iGT6Ed) by Richard Fletcher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156993878@N08/), on Flickr

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 23 March, 2020, 11:08:44 am
This year's Bank of England stress test has been canned.  If you work in the banking industry this is like being given three months of your life back.

It hasn't really been canned - it's happening in real time.

Seems kind of like celebrating the routine fire drill being called off while your office burns down around you.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 23 March, 2020, 12:46:12 pm
We're to treat everyone we come across as if they have it, it's like a game of the floor is lava except its people are lava...

The bonus in that is I've got an office to myself, the bonus isn't to me though it's to the colleagues who no longer have to cope with me in their office.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: davelodwig on 23 March, 2020, 03:20:43 pm
I went on a mission to get SO more Lucozade and orange juice.  I thought I'd go to Tesco in Ciren since it's usually a better bet than any of the Swindon shops. 

The list of things they did not have at Tescos Ciren from No2Daughter was such that she actually said "if your co-op has loo roll, post it. I'm not even joking" and "it's a good job we live off chocolate because there IS NOTHING ELSE"

If she's in Ciren, Jolly nice on the road to Stroud has seasonal fruit and veg, eggs, milk and pheasant burgers.  It's farm shop prices though.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 23 March, 2020, 07:54:26 pm
Ssshh. It's a secret.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: L CC on 23 March, 2020, 07:57:35 pm
Kemble. I'll let her know.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 23 March, 2020, 07:58:27 pm
Wouldnt go there myself.

Or Ciren.

Too many second-homers from London and skiers.

I drive around with a pitchfork in the boot now
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: L CC on 23 March, 2020, 07:59:51 pm
She has black labs she can set on them.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Davef on 23 March, 2020, 08:00:15 pm
Our shops seem back to normal today.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 23 March, 2020, 08:01:22 pm
She has black labs she can set on them.

I've got a home-made flamethrower
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: L CC on 23 March, 2020, 08:03:37 pm
Daughter says still no toilet roll, have you any knowledge on supply of that?


Speaking of toilet roll supplies, I've had to complain to one of our glass suppliers about a succession of late deliveries. When my rep investigated her transport department said the fleet was also used by a paper supplier and the trucks had been broken into. A whole new raft of excuses are becoming possible.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 23 March, 2020, 08:05:15 pm
Daughter says still no toilet roll, have you any knowledge on supply of that?

My fault.

I hijacked the Andrex lorry. Driver cooperated, so I didnt need to flame him.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Phil W on 23 March, 2020, 08:18:12 pm
All this WFH means I can order loads of bulky shit off the Internet, and I'll be in for delivery.

Saving a fortune on the rapacious shop prices at work, too.
Hah.  A couple of weeks ago, before all this got really serious, I bought a thing off phil w. Being clever, I thought I'd get it delivered to work, as it's not going to fit through my letter box. Then I get told I'm WFH. Some days pass. Parcel gets delivered to work, where I am not.
My teenaged boss says no bother he'll bring it home and leave it in his garage.  Yesterday I took a nice ride over to his place to find the box wasn't there. Arse.
Phone calls ensue later in the day. He's put it in his Monster Truck but hadn't taken it out. More messaging today. It's still in his Monster Truck and not made it into the garage.
Never mind, I had a nice pootle.

Ha ha ha... Good to know it arrived anyway!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 23 March, 2020, 09:59:03 pm
Air pollution is right down all around the world.  I expect it'll be back to "normal" all too soon though.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 23 March, 2020, 10:06:36 pm
Air pollution is right down all around the world.  I expect it'll be back to "normal" all too soon though.

Funnily enough, that is the one comment my mate in Bologna makes every time I phone him "The air here is really good"
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 23 March, 2020, 10:20:34 pm
My alarm will be set back by 45 minutes, as I’ve no need to commute tomorrow. As long as my laptop is functional on the vpn by 08:30 I’m good.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 23 March, 2020, 10:57:52 pm
All my alarms are off

I have kids but the last thing they will want to do is wake me up
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 23 March, 2020, 11:03:12 pm
No clouds today.

That's because the planes aren't making them.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 24 March, 2020, 06:08:49 am
Air pollution is right down all around the world.  I expect it'll be back to "normal" all too soon though.

The cost of EU carbon allowances is down to €14 per tonne, it had been double that. Same thing happened during the credit crunch, only for a rebound.

Whilst this will have a big effect on both local air quality pollutants and GHG in the short term, one to two years, who thinks it will stay that way? This could be an opportunity to restructure how we go about some of our activities, but personally I think its likely to end up with a big rebound as people try to return to normal asap.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 24 March, 2020, 07:30:18 am
I am hoping we will change but I am not holding my breath.

Personally we are saying no more long haul holidays but that does mean we do not hug our so. In. Radio again.

I think it will. E interesting to see who comes out of this thinner with a better diet and who comes out fatter.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 24 March, 2020, 09:12:20 am
My neighbour has a property development business. He's been saying for the last two years that he's going to take down the eyesore of a leylandii hedge aroun dmost of his property.  This year it might actually happen
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tiermat on 24 March, 2020, 10:27:47 am
My neighbour has a property development business. He's been saying for the last two years that he's going to take down the eyesore of a leylandii hedge aroun dmost of his property.  This year it might actually happen

That'll be interesting as most councils have closed their hwrcs.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: PeteB99 on 24 March, 2020, 11:06:12 am
Day one of lockdown and I'm already browsing electric guitars.

Get thee behind me online shopping.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 24 March, 2020, 11:19:56 am
I might actually get around to sanding and painting the spare room door, rather than just looking at it thinking how grotty it looks every time I walk past.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 24 March, 2020, 11:50:46 am
My neighbour has a property development business. He's been saying for the last two years that he's going to take down the eyesore of a leylandii hedge aroun dmost of his property.  This year it might actually happen

That'll be interesting as most councils have closed their hwrcs.

Big bonfire
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: matthew on 24 March, 2020, 12:12:57 pm
No clouds today.

That's because the planes aren't making them.

Looks out window at sky where the only clouds I see are contrails.

Though the sky 20miles west of heathrow is strangely almost empty.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: telstarbox on 24 March, 2020, 12:25:58 pm
I've lost a bit of weight.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 24 March, 2020, 01:12:58 pm
I seem to be living off chocolate
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: vorsprung on 24 March, 2020, 01:50:27 pm
I'm making a chocolate chip banana bread cake
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 March, 2020, 02:11:15 pm
No clouds today.

That's because the planes aren't making them.

Looks out window at sky where the only clouds I see are contrails.

Though the sky 20miles west of heathrow is strangely almost empty.

Good view of the ISS down my last night. I emailed my scouts to get them to have a look and set them a couple of questions (height of orbit, crew members). I had a shaky hand held phone video of a dot in the sky sent in by one of them as part of their answer. 
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 24 March, 2020, 02:38:05 pm
We have brighter sun light.  (Less global dimming)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 March, 2020, 02:43:11 pm
I am told that the air in Maidstone actually smells clean.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 24 March, 2020, 02:49:38 pm
Almost complete absence of the sound of twos-and-blues.  Especially in the rush hours they were so common that I didn't realise how frequent they were until now when there aren't any.  None yesterday, nor today. 

I guess with so  little traffic there's no need.

On my trip to the chemist I saw this ped going to cross at the pelican.  Without looking he pressed the button; the road was completely empty but for the single car who was obliged to stop and wait for him.  He didn't seem to have any sensory problems otherwise.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jurek on 24 March, 2020, 03:27:52 pm
No clouds today.

That's because the planes aren't making them.

Looks out window at sky where the only clouds I see are contrails.

Though the sky 20miles west of heathrow is strangely almost empty.

Good view of the ISS down my last night. I emailed my scouts to get them to have a look and set them a couple of questions (height of orbit, crew members). I had a shaky hand held phone video of a dot in the sky sent in by one of them as part of their answer.
I might have to have a gander at that myself this evening.
Heavens Above is predicting a favourable trajectory over Londres Sud
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wombat on 24 March, 2020, 03:33:09 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/mar/22/coronavirus-free-how-to-clean-your-mobile-phone


If only the Golgafrinchans had read the Guardian....      and a sensible reminder not to put it under running water  :facepalm:

I usually wash mine under the tap!  It does it no harm, as its more than sufficiently water resistant.  When its time to replace it (luckily its still holding out after 3 years) I may have to remember that not all phones are water resistant...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2020, 05:08:04 pm
Almost complete absence of the sound of twos-and-blues.  Especially in the rush hours they were so common that I didn't realise how frequent they were until now when there aren't any.  None yesterday, nor today. 
Interesting. Heard a rapid drop in the first couple of days here but since then a major increase. Haven't been out to see any so don't know if police or ambulance.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 24 March, 2020, 05:13:33 pm
Surrey is only policed on Wednesdays between 2pm and 4pm, so I'll let you know if they get the county's police car out.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Paul H on 24 March, 2020, 05:15:09 pm
My neighbor with a noisy motorbike is no longer leaving for work at 5am, I thought I'd been sleeping well but it wasn't till he started it just now that I realised why. 
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: JennyB on 24 March, 2020, 05:30:55 pm
No clouds today.

That's because the planes aren't making them.


So what will happen when there’s no more  chemtrails?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 24 March, 2020, 06:02:13 pm
Almost complete absence of the sound of twos-and-blues.  Especially in the rush hours they were so common that I didn't realise how frequent they were until now when there aren't any.  None yesterday, nor today. 
Interesting. Heard a rapid drop in the first couple of days here but since then a major increase. Haven't been out to see any so don't know if police or ambulance.

Normal amount here, but we're round the corner from a fire station and between a major hospital and the centre of town.

There has been notable a reduction in car horn use, I think I've only heard one today (a 'no, you reverse' stand-off outside our house, not from the main road).

<fx: emergency siren in distance>

Still plenty of people driving around in cars, though traffic is lighter than the average Sunday.  Students appear to have mostly gone home (though the ones on the other side of my wall are still giggling), as evidenced by a reduction in parked cars, overflowing wheeliebins and That Fucking Burglar Alarm On $adjacent_road going off...

<fx: emergency siren in distance>

...repeatedly at antisocial hours.

I've just realised:  The sirens are passing quickly.  There's a doppler shift and everything.  Normally (during the day time) they have to squeeze their way through stationary traffic at the bottom of Silly Oak.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 24 March, 2020, 06:15:34 pm
No clouds today.

That's because the planes aren't making them.


So what will happen when there’s no more  chemtrails?

Ours are all coal-fired clouds, courtesy of Drax.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Northeast_of_Drax_-_geograph.org.uk_-_581958.jpg/300px-Northeast_of_Drax_-_geograph.org.uk_-_581958.jpg)

Hopefully they will be nicer when they get rid of coal soon.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Pingu on 24 March, 2020, 06:31:35 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/24/uk-bicycle-shops-and-repairers-see-a-surge-in-business-during-coronavirus-lockdown
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 24 March, 2020, 06:48:38 pm
No clouds today.

That's because the planes aren't making them.


So what will happen when there’s no more  chemtrails?

Ours are all coal-fired clouds, courtesy of Drax.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Northeast_of_Drax_-_geograph.org.uk_-_581958.jpg/300px-Northeast_of_Drax_-_geograph.org.uk_-_581958.jpg)

Hopefully they will be nicer when they get rid of coal soon.

Coal fired water vapour of course - although weren’t Drax playing with pellet power?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 24 March, 2020, 07:14:31 pm
DRAX was accelerating it's move to 100% biomass firing, existential threats tend to do that.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2020, 07:22:35 pm
A bloke I know, or rather "know" online (have met him once), who has been unemployed for several years with various mental health issues, during which time he's made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to return to work, has just got himself employed as a delivery driver for one of the supermarkets. He's optimistic about it and it's useful for him, useful at this time for others.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 25 March, 2020, 12:27:37 am
Almost complete absence of the sound of twos-and-blues.  Especially in the rush hours they were so common that I didn't realise how frequent they were until now when there aren't any.  None yesterday, nor today. 
Interesting. Heard a rapid drop in the first couple of days here but since then a major increase. Haven't been out to see any so don't know if police or ambulance.


Roughly the same number here...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 25 March, 2020, 08:02:21 am
No junk mail in the letter-box.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rob on 25 March, 2020, 08:13:07 am
DRAX was accelerating it's move to 100% biomass firing, existential threats tend to do that.

4 out of 6 units running on 100% biomass (wood pellets).   There was about 300MW of coal running yesterday.   Peak demand looked like about 37/38GW.   Less than 1%.

I was showing the charts to my teenager last night, trying to demonstrate that I do something of use.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: nicknack on 25 March, 2020, 09:35:19 am
No junk mail in the letter-box.
We got a flier from some local funeral service yesterday.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Giraffe on 25 March, 2020, 09:50:48 am
With a Loyalty Card?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: orienteer on 25 March, 2020, 11:30:05 am
Don't be silly!

3 for the price of 2.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: nicknack on 25 March, 2020, 12:01:38 pm
Don't be silly!

3 for the price of 2.
There's only 2 of us here so a bogof would be better.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 March, 2020, 12:31:49 pm
Went out for supplies, exercise and sunshine. Impressed by signs limiting entry on many shops. And some "socially responsible" pavement graffiit: "This is 2m". Elemental Bakery (yes, that's its name, but everyone calls it Esme's or – even though it's been open about five years – the pop-up bakery) had brownies.  :thumbsup: And saw a neighbour's child practising unicycling – difficult on a steep hill – and an elderly neighbour post-knee replacement enjoying the freedom to stick-stick her way up the empty road.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 25 March, 2020, 05:11:28 pm
Birds watched from my Home Office:

Loads of blue tits.
Ditto starlings
A pair of buzzards
A red kite
An unknown raptor, smaller than a buzzard and wrong wing shape, being taunted by a crow. I'm suspecting either a kestrel or a sparrow hawk.

Bonus things to make me smile:
The noise of squealing kids playing in the neighbouring garden
The rainbow things the kids downstair havestuck to the window.
People smiling and saying hello (from a safe distance) when I nipped out for shopping.

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 25 March, 2020, 05:23:08 pm
I'd forgotten that back when I was WFH regularly, I used to see marsh harriers* from my office window, mostly floating over the woods. Spotted them again yesterday afternoon.

Been hearing a lot of woodpeckers but haven't spotted any yet, greater or lesser.


*unconfirmed, and I'm no ornithologist, but after much detective work, I'm pretty sure that's what they are.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Pingu on 25 March, 2020, 06:30:16 pm
It's really quiet outside  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Andy64 on 25 March, 2020, 08:03:11 pm
It's really quiet outside  :thumbsup:
And it's starting to smell better
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 25 March, 2020, 08:24:11 pm
It's really quiet outside  :thumbsup:
And it's starting to smell better

I'm not.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 25 March, 2020, 08:32:29 pm
I'd forgotten that back when I was WFH regularly, I used to see marsh harriers* from my office window, mostly floating over the woods. Spotted them again yesterday afternoon.

Been hearing a lot of woodpeckers but haven't spotted any yet, greater or lesser.


*unconfirmed, and I'm no ornithologist, but after much detective work, I'm pretty sure that's what they are.
havent seen "my" woodpeckers for a few days.  I'v watched a pair chasing each other round a telegraph pole for hours on end
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 25 March, 2020, 09:08:50 pm
And some "socially responsible" pavement graffiit: "This is 2m".

Ooh - I like that idea and may have to steal it! (People round here apparently have no idea what 2m is... >:()
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Martin on 25 March, 2020, 10:04:38 pm
anyone else having trouble convincing parents to stay in? My mum is getting the bus into the large town to buy food for the wild birds  :-\

I don't see how that is a "bonus". Good news only pleeeeaaasseee

sorry misread the title I though the main CV thread had moved here  :-[

fwiw now I've chanced upon it I think this is a pretty sick (and publicly viewable) thread as for millions around the world and many thousands dead there is NO bonus but keep posting if it makes you all feel better
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jurek on 25 March, 2020, 10:37:25 pm
Birds watched from my Home Office:

Loads of blue tits.
Ditto starlings
A pair of buzzards
A red kite
An unknown raptor, smaller than a buzzard and wrong wing shape, being taunted by a crow. I'm suspecting either a kestrel or a sparrow hawk.

Bonus things to make me smile:
The noise of squealing kids playing in the neighbouring garden
The rainbow things the kids downstair havestuck to the window.
People smiling and saying hello (from a safe distance) when I nipped out for shopping.

Wossat, then?
There's at least a couple in my street.
Rainbow things.
Not kids downstairs - although tbf, there's probably a few of those as well.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 25 March, 2020, 11:31:49 pm
It's really quiet outside 
I've seen more people going about the village on foot recently, usually heading for the spar, possibly normal office dwellers who would usually stop on their way home, or maybe furtive 2nd walks, who knows.

Moved into a side room on the outside of the building the other day, yesterday I could hear normal levels of traffic on one of the busiest roads in town, today it was definitley quieter.

Going down the Forfar road and Albert Street and onto the road bridge was weird, didn't even need to dodge the usual junkies and gadgies who stagger across the road in front of the town bound traffic from Aberdeen, Forfar etcm

This being a key worker thing's going to be bloody weird.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Greenbank on 25 March, 2020, 11:40:05 pm
5th day in a row of making my steps goal (I rarely make it more than 3 in a row).

Also, sat at my desk at home I heard some woodpeckers in the nearby estate.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 26 March, 2020, 12:15:04 am
Birds watched from my Home Office:

Loads of blue tits.
Ditto starlings
A pair of buzzards
A red kite
An unknown raptor, smaller than a buzzard and wrong wing shape, being taunted by a crow. I'm suspecting either a kestrel or a sparrow hawk.

Bonus things to make me smile:
The noise of squealing kids playing in the neighbouring garden
The rainbow things the kids downstair havestuck to the window.
People smiling and saying hello (from a safe distance) when I nipped out for shopping.

Wossat, then?
There's at least a couple in my street.
Rainbow things.
Not kids downstairs - although tbf, there's probably a few of those as well.
It's a social meeja thing. Kids stuck at home, as the schools are closed. Get them to draw rainbows and stick them in the window to brighten the place up.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 March, 2020, 08:45:33 am
It's that what it is? One's appeared in a window opposite sometime between yesterday and this morning.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 March, 2020, 08:49:31 am
anyone else having trouble convincing parents to stay in? My mum is getting the bus into the large town to buy food for the wild birds  :-\

I don't see how that is a "bonus". Good news only pleeeeaaasseee

sorry misread the title I though the main CV thread had moved here  :-[

fwiw now I've chanced upon it I think this is a pretty sick (and publicly viewable) thread as for millions around the world and many thousands dead there is NO bonus but keep posting if it makes you all feel better
I see Martin has gone, which is a shame. He has a point, yes, this is a global plague which will kill probably millions worldwide and blight the lives of hundreds of millions. But those are precisely the circumstances in which we need to look all the more closely for the good things. To do otherwise would be to despair.

I've been thinking that this thread is a little being the parent of a toddler. It's not so much that the things you suddenly see are new, it's that you're being enabled to look at them as if they were.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 March, 2020, 09:07:18 am
Perhaps Martin should have read the OP...


In the midst of a sea of shite, death, boredom and horror, this is a thread for the surprising and unexpected bonuses of the current viral fuckfest. I'll start...

It isnt flippant at all, despite the thread title. It's a thread for noticing change in our lives.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: nicknack on 26 March, 2020, 09:09:10 am
But those are precisely the circumstances in which we need to look all the more closely for the good things. To do otherwise would be to despair.
Absolutely.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 26 March, 2020, 09:32:39 am
Life goes on. People die all the time. Sometimes we can do something about it, sometimes we do, sometimes we can't do either.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 26 March, 2020, 11:04:50 am
My junk mail folder is noticeably thinner the last few days.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 March, 2020, 11:06:25 am
I don't need to look at a pikey white van out of my front window every night because its driver has stopped bringing it home.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: telstarbox on 26 March, 2020, 12:08:44 pm
Strava says for the April challenges:

Quote
No month is truly complete without a long ride. Complete this Challenge simply by riding at least 100 km in one activity - as fast or slow as you like. Whether you ride for the badge or just ride for yourself, enjoy a big day out.

We expect all athletes to honor the Strava Strava Community Standards, which includes abiding by all health advisements and restrictions in your area prior to undertaking any physical activity.

With this in mind, GPS, manual entries, virtual activities and trainer workouts will count toward this challenge. Many of you take a lot of well-deserved pride in your challenge accomplishments, and we want to help you stay motivated even if you aren't able to get outside as you normally would. There's never been a better time for us to make indoor activities count toward challenges, and so we're happy to respond to this long-standing request.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Peter on 26 March, 2020, 12:16:24 pm
"There's never been a better time for us to make indoor activities count toward challenges,"

Have people really just been waiting for a time to make indoor activities count towartds challenges?  That's just pathetic.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 26 March, 2020, 12:23:40 pm
There's a wanking challenge? I suppose it counts as exercise.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 26 March, 2020, 12:30:25 pm
I am getting paid a bonus... not as much as it could have been but - despite the potential impact of Covid19 on 2020 EBITDA - it's still a bonus.

And, due to Covid19 it will be paid this week rather than at the end of April as per usual.  If I kark it because of Covid at least Jon will have enough to pay for my funeral.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 March, 2020, 01:01:11 pm
There's a wanking challenge? I suppose it counts as exercise.
Are points awarded for frequency, volume, distance, speed, or all four?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 26 March, 2020, 01:08:29 pm
There's a wanking challenge? I suppose it counts as exercise.
Are points awarded for frequency, volume, distance, speed, or all four?

There's also need to be categories for the different strokes. Why did they postpone the Olympics when we could have simply reverted to 'home sports' like this? I fear some people lack imagination (which you probably need for wanking, either that or a stable high bandwidth broadband connection).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 March, 2020, 01:36:44 pm
Look, it would be subjectively judged, just like gymnastics, dressage and diving. To be a champion youd have to show panache.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 26 March, 2020, 01:43:42 pm
There's a wanking challenge? I suppose it counts as exercise.
Are points awarded for frequency, volume, distance, speed, or all four?

Accuracy?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 26 March, 2020, 01:44:45 pm
Need a judge?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 26 March, 2020, 01:47:06 pm
Open to all comers?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 March, 2020, 01:52:14 pm
Would it be like diving where you get marked down for a splash?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 March, 2020, 01:52:32 pm
The first qualifying round has already taken place: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=114653.msg2478894#msg2478894
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 26 March, 2020, 06:07:03 pm
My junk mail folder is noticeably thinner the last few days.

My xkcd://1279 doppelgangers have been having an online shopping fest.  One of them appears to be attempting to fight the virus with essential oils.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 26 March, 2020, 06:13:12 pm
xkcd://1279 doppelgangers

Had to look that up... oh yes, you've mentioned it before.

I don't have any of those. Kind of glad, though it does sound like a good source of amusement.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 March, 2020, 08:16:44 pm
I am getting paid a bonus... not as much as it could have been but - despite the potential impact of Covid19 on 2020 EBITDA - it's still a bonus.

And, due to Covid19 it will be paid this week rather than at the end of April as per usual.  If I kark it because of Covid at least Jon will have enough to pay for my funeral.   :thumbsup:
The word is that we won't, but there is a sweetener in terms of job security.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Efrogwr on 26 March, 2020, 08:18:30 pm
Perhaps Martin should have read the OP...


In the midst of a sea of shite, death, boredom and horror, this is a thread for the surprising and unexpected bonuses of the current viral fuckfest. I'll start...

It isnt flippant at all, despite the thread title. It's a thread for noticing change in our lives.

Although you appear to be somewhat abrasive at times, it seems to me that your motive in starting this thread was entirely reasonable.

It is a total fuckfest of a type that used to be confined to distopian fiction. Now it's upon us and forcing changes to all our lives. We have anumber of choices; we can give in and curl up and die, we can bumble towards the conclusion (like HMG), or we can make the best of a very bad job. My incilnstion is towards the last....
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 March, 2020, 08:22:01 pm
It seems to be dawning on management that people can actually work from home long term.  Mind you, when we get to next winter, those whose homes are normally empty during the day will flood back to get free heating  :)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Efrogwr on 26 March, 2020, 08:22:30 pm
There's a wanking challenge? I suppose it counts as exercise.
Are points awarded for frequency, volume, distance, speed, or all four?

There's also need to be categories for the different strokes. Why did they postpone the Olympics when we could have simply reverted to 'home sports' like this? I fear some people lack imagination (which you probably need for wanking, either that or a stable high bandwidth broadband connection).


What would the Republikkkans make of the men's doubles?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 March, 2020, 08:35:33 pm
The tug of war would be spunktacular.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Pingu on 26 March, 2020, 08:38:58 pm
The Fosbury Flop would probably not be a winning technique.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 March, 2020, 08:53:09 pm
Sting must have a real chance of winning the marathon.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 March, 2020, 09:15:19 pm
Perhaps Martin should have read the OP...


In the midst of a sea of shite, death, boredom and horror, this is a thread for the surprising and unexpected bonuses of the current viral fuckfest. I'll start...

It isnt flippant at all, despite the thread title. It's a thread for noticing change in our lives.

Although you appear to be somewhat abrasive at times.

Why, thankyou. I do try. 

In the spirit of abrasiveness, might I suggest that Martin has Coronabonused himself. Though I understand his point, a superficial reading and it seems ghoulish and making light of the crisis. But it isnt. He got it wrong.

He will come back from his flounce.

He always does.



Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 26 March, 2020, 09:28:52 pm
York Ring Road at 06:20:15 this morning.

Even at that early hour it would normally be busy with considerable traffic noise. 

(https://i.ibb.co/zXDNnxH/IMG-20200326-062050.jpg)

In the afternoon I took a video from the garden panning the clear sky without a single contrail.  There were none all afternoon. 

They could make those films about the olden days with no worries about including the evidence of anachronistic passenger airlines.  Except they aren't allowed to make films, I guess.



Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 March, 2020, 09:41:40 pm
Went for a ride this afternoon, HUUUGE numbers of cyclists out, many looking like they are novices. Runners too.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 March, 2020, 10:20:38 pm
Substantially cleaner air in just three days.

Quote
Air pollution levels have dropped since restrictions on movement were put in place, according to data collated by the BBC

In the two Bristol sites analysed, both St Paul’s and Temple Way have recorded significant decreases in nitrogen dioxide levels.

St Paul’s has seen a decrease from 21.5 micrograms per cubic metre in March 2019 to 16.1 during the same eight-day period in 2020.

Temple Way has seen a drop from 45.3 to 29.8 for the same periods.
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/coronavirus-live-updates-march-26-2020-stay-inside-and-save-lives/
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 26 March, 2020, 10:33:59 pm
I'm surprised the pollutant reductions aren't more than that, given the dearth of vehicles around.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 26 March, 2020, 10:50:28 pm
Went for a ride this afternoon, HUUUGE numbers of cyclists out, many looking like they are novices. Runners too.

went to Jolly Nice this afternoon. They could do with some customer, so although I've done a Shhhhh before, all you South Cotswolders - fresh veg, fruit, stuff!

As for cyclists, I'd say in numbers terms, equal to cars. All in lycra though.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 March, 2020, 10:54:40 pm
I'm surprised the pollutant reductions aren't more than that, given the dearth of vehicles around.
Nitrogen dioxide is mostly from diesels, isn't it? The buses are still running their normal service here – switching to Sunday service next week – and delivery vans are still driving around in similar numbers, so that could be a factor. Lots of buses go down Temple Way. I'm not sure exactly where in St Paul's that site is so can't say for that one.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 27 March, 2020, 06:55:22 am
I filled up my car last night (prepping for potential redeployment).  Diesel appears to be down 10p a litre from about 2 weeks ago.  Not quite sure if that qualifies as a 'bonus'...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 27 March, 2020, 07:11:48 am
Looked for the ISS last night, and realised that I'd actually seen it several times, just not looked FOR it.  I'd just thought it was AN Other satellite
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 March, 2020, 07:26:47 am
Just saw a very sweet slice of quarantine life. Two young lovers in jogging gear in the park, clearly pretending to be doing their exercise for the day so they could steal a moment together. Not ashamed to say I had a slight catch in my throat as I called the police.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 27 March, 2020, 07:37:44 am
Just saw a very sweet slice of quarantine life. Two young lovers in jogging gear in the park, clearly pretending to be doing their exercise for the day so they could steal a moment together. Not ashamed to say I had a slight catch in my throat as I called the police.

;D

Were they called Winston and Julia?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 March, 2020, 08:36:19 am
Flatus you sick bastard, I was drinking tea!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 27 March, 2020, 08:47:25 am
Maybe Adam and Eve, starting the repopulation
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: sam on 27 March, 2020, 09:05:09 am
In the midst of a sea of shite, death, boredom and horror,

Thanks for reminding me we need to get our septic tank emptied. The guy who dives in looking for corn to feed his itinerant children is a key worker, right?

Quote
this is a thread for the surprising and unexpected bonuses of the current viral fuckfest.

This thread, for a start.*

Walking the lanes the middle of last night, one ear sucking up Dire Straits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHXK9glwFBg), the other hearing my heels clocking the pavement like the Walkin’ Dude in Stephen King’s primer, I felt strangely calm, like I’ve been expecting this all my life. The fact that I put bin bags over the seats of my car before handing it over to Mr MOT the other day just shows that I was prepared.

As I went by Anthony Burgess’s old semi-domi (no, really: it’s also on my Hastings to the Sea (https://medium.com/@jollygoodthen_75205/america-ground-c622a6884802) tour), I considered all things dystopia: the pensioners in the nursing home I had also passed being hooked into the matrix to power Netflix servers; toilet paper doused in cheap kerosene and lobbed at armed policemen; even my recently diagnosed intestinal malrotation, which if I’m lucky will confuse the fuck out the little lipid coated fuckers.

When I arrived at the level crossing the arms went down and a ghost train flew by, filled with panic buyers sentenced to Hastings, now a concentration camp straight out of Children of Men. The engineer was Mark Carnage, dressed to the nines in his birthday suit, freshly retired from his job at the Bank of England making money worthless and now forever condemned to shuttle back and forth between hell and perdition. The station car park was empty as the BBC Director-General’s soul.

On the way back home I spied a turbo trainer through a first floor window. If there’s a better definition of purgatory, I have yet to know of it.

Bad to the Bone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqgUG_JVzCs) shuffled into my ears, Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4yXBIigZbg) goaded me to scratch previously innocent itches on my nose, and I smiled.

Bonus? It’s all a bonus, grist for the mill.

(https://i.imgur.com/fZlpY1o.jpg)
Loveseat in the time of Corona

*You had me at this (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=115151.msg2480657#msg2480657)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 March, 2020, 10:55:02 am
 :) :P ;) :D ;D :-\ >:( :( :( :o 8) ??? : :demon: :hand: ::-)  :-X
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 March, 2020, 11:08:21 am
This is a news website (https://www.positive.news) I heard of ages ago but have only got around to looking at today.
Coincidentally, I know someone who works for the Chippenham company featured in the current lead story.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: sam on 27 March, 2020, 12:53:21 pm
:) :P ;) :D ;D :-\ >:( :( :( :o 8) ??? : :demon: :hand: ::-)  :-X

(https://i.imgur.com/kcYhuFQ.gif)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 March, 2020, 01:00:29 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 March, 2020, 01:02:20 pm
You have to admit, Flatus, he's got you there  ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 March, 2020, 01:43:04 pm
He has, indeed
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: sam on 27 March, 2020, 02:15:42 pm
You’re trying to lull me into a false sense of security. I must think this through and prepare. Could you please help by answering the following?

1. What would Jesus do?
2. What kind of chocolate?
3. Heads or tails?

Almost forgot the classic:
4. Have you now or ever been?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jurek on 27 March, 2020, 03:33:24 pm
You’re trying to lull me into a false sense of security. I must think this through and prepare. Could you please help by answering the following?

1. What would Jesus do?
2. What kind of chocolate?
3. Heads or tails?

Almost forgot the classic:
4. Have you now or ever been?
'Ver good.
 ;)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 March, 2020, 03:41:19 pm
Bright House is about to go bust.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 March, 2020, 03:52:16 pm
Ah ha ha ha ha haaa

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 March, 2020, 03:53:43 pm
While I'm WFH, my Teenaged Boss has been in the office where things have been mostly quiet. He's been making good use of his time by tidying up the contents of the three or four 40' shipping containers we use for long term storage.

This resulted in him unearthing a pile of bicycyles which were once someone elses's Arthur Daley/eBay plan but now destined for the tip "unless anyone wants them". I had to go to the office today, maintaining a good 2m gap, and cast a lazy eye over the bikes. Three were on the BSO end of the scale but the fourth is a Marin Mount Vision, vintage unknown.  It's now at my flat, awaiting closer inspection (and some air in the tyres)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Greenbank on 27 March, 2020, 04:36:59 pm
With regular daily exercise (either a run or a long walk with wife+daughter), more sensible meals (now we're all cooking and eating together), and less booze (no couple of evenings in the pub) I seem to be slowly losing weight (0.5kg/week so far).

Should also be starting skipping this week as daughter wants to use the time to become a skipping demon. Just off to mow the grass in the garden for the first time in a long time, might actually use it more often now that we're at home so much.

That is all a bonus.

(To get to my "ideal"weight I just need the lockdown to continue to the end of the year. Oh.)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 March, 2020, 04:50:33 pm
After my run today my Vo2 max went up a notch, according to my Garmin watch, putting me into top 5% of age/gender, and into 'superior' category. Fitness age of 20.

I have quite literally been sat on my arse for the last 3 weeks.

 ;D ??? ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: orienteer on 27 March, 2020, 05:41:08 pm
The garden's getting a lot of attention. Mowed the lawns and pressure washed the patio.

This morning I walked up to Lidl and expected a long queue, but there was hardly anyone there! Stocked up with chocolate and muesli, there was even bread flour (only white tho) and longlife milk (semi skimmed). Plus I picked up a pair of spiked sandals for aerating the lawn.

Unfortunately the saturated ground is so sticky I couldn't move! Just remained rooted to the spot. Hopefully they'll work more effectively when the ground has dried out a bit.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 March, 2020, 06:26:53 pm
I don't need to look at a pikey white van out of my front window every night because its driver has stopped bringing it home.
Arsebuckets.  It's back.  He has sort of cleaned it though.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 27 March, 2020, 07:00:44 pm
After my run today my Vo2 max went up a notch, according to my Garmin watch, putting me into top 5% of age/gender, and into 'superior' category. Fitness age of 20.

I have quite literally been sat on my arse for the last 3 weeks.

 ;D ??? ;D

From what I can tell, everyone's fitness age is 20 according to Garmin! ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 27 March, 2020, 07:10:44 pm
I don't need to look at a pikey white van out of my front window every night because its driver has stopped bringing it home.
Arsebuckets.  It's back.  He has sort of cleaned it though.

Probably to stop people writing 'no toilet paper left in this van overnight' in the dirt.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 27 March, 2020, 09:25:52 pm
Local council has stopped recyling collections and told us to stuff it all in the black bags, It don' arf feel NORTY.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 27 March, 2020, 09:57:41 pm
Not sure where to put this. Paul Simon recording an ever so slightly modified "American Tune"

Quote
And I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
or driven to its knees

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYPVvS-mI4

He's 78 if you wondered.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 27 March, 2020, 10:06:12 pm
It looks like very many rough sleepers are going to have somewhere warm, dry and (I hope) safe to sleep within a day or two.  Let's hope that people aren't just turfed out onto the streets again when this blows over. 
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 28 March, 2020, 09:32:25 am
Lots of wholesale grocery businesses are turning to consumers to keep their business afloat.
If this disrupts the hegemony of supermarket home delivery systems then it seems good to me.
Equally the number of pubs expanding into  home delivery and collection seems to introduce more variety and quality.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 28 March, 2020, 12:21:38 pm
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200326-saudi-arabia-agrees-to-yemen-ceasefire-to-fight-coronavirus/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: spesh on 28 March, 2020, 12:37:45 pm
https://twitter.com/SoVeryFinnish/status/1243517408242995201
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 March, 2020, 01:01:36 pm
More time to make stuff that takes ages to cook.
Did pork cheeks last night.
Would have fired up a sourdough by now had the last one not been a disaster and being not exactly awash with flour.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 28 March, 2020, 01:10:28 pm
https://twitter.com/SoVeryFinnish/status/1243517408242995201

From what I've read it looks like a condition that starts in Finland (or maybe Norway) and doesn't stop before Vladivostok.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 28 March, 2020, 01:13:57 pm
Is there a Finnish word for the same thing, but with crisps.

If there is, that is me now.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 28 March, 2020, 01:17:05 pm
...on which note, I have just successfully had crisps for breakfast without the kids noticing

https://tenor.com/OGTC.gif
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2020, 01:18:01 pm
More time to make stuff that takes ages to cook.

I’m totally embracing the slow cooking philosophy right now - made lasagne from scratch yesterday, including the pasta.

Not only delicious but also very therapeutic. I’ve not used my pasta machine for a very long time and I’d forgotten how much fun it is - not to mention how much tastier than shop-bought.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 March, 2020, 02:48:23 pm
More time to make stuff that takes ages to cook.

I’m totally embracing the slow cooking philosophy right now - made lasagne from scratch yesterday, including the pasta.

Not only delicious but also very therapeutic. I’ve not used my pasta machine for a very long time and I’d forgotten how much fun it is - not to mention how much tastier than shop-bought.
Impressed. The only other person I've ever heard of who made pasta from scratch was Mrs Cudzo's grandmother, whose background, I think it's safe to say, was different from yours!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 March, 2020, 02:48:45 pm
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200326-saudi-arabia-agrees-to-yemen-ceasefire-to-fight-coronavirus/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Bledlow on 28 March, 2020, 03:52:26 pm
...

I usually wash mine under the tap!  It does it no harm, as its more than sufficiently water resistant.  When its time to replace it (luckily its still holding out after 3 years) I may have to remember that not all phones are water resistant...
Mrs B's phone started getting erratic & refusing to do data (email & maps, basically), so she replaced it. Only 8 years old. ;) She's keeping the old one for emergency backup, with the SIM from the new (prepay - they didn't do the one she wanted as a bare phone) one. Well, it still works for speech calls & SMS.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 28 March, 2020, 04:35:08 pm
Work has cancelled our annual reviews this year. Hurrah! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 28 March, 2020, 05:42:32 pm
More time to make stuff that takes ages to cook.

I’m totally embracing the slow cooking philosophy right now - made lasagne from scratch yesterday, including the pasta.

Not only delicious but also very therapeutic. I’ve not used my pasta machine for a very long time and I’d forgotten how much fun it is - not to mention how much tastier than shop-bought.
Impressed. The only other person I've ever heard of who made pasta from scratch was Mrs Cudzo's grandmother, whose background, I think it's safe to say, was different from yours!

While everyone else was panic buying pasta, Mr Phantasmagoriana bought...a pasta machine.

We've just been having a go with it and it's surprisingly fun (and the sample pasta we just ate tasted fine!). I now want to brave the shops to get beetroot (because purple pasta, and beetroot's tasty) and chocolate (sweet pasta is difficult to find in the shops!).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 March, 2020, 06:12:22 pm
Is it really that easy?
Guess the next problem is getting enough flour. I had a look on the internet and it seems to be like hen's teeth.
Title: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2020, 06:29:20 pm
Is it really that easy?

If I can do it...

Making the dough takes 30 seconds in the food processor. Using a pasta machine is pretty straightforward too. There are probably videos on YouTube.

I remember home pasta making being quite the foodie fashion some years ago (late 80s?), but then I guess it became too easy to buy fresh pasta in supermarkets.

We successfully got flour in our Tesco delivery today. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 28 March, 2020, 06:31:35 pm
Flour is 100g per portion, + 1 egg. The egg may be the harder item to source.

And yes, it is easy, although you may have to get the consistency wrong once or twice.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Morat on 28 March, 2020, 09:04:41 pm
So far we've baked 3 really stunning white loaves, 2 fantastic wholemeal loaves and I've done a Fruit Cake.
There's bread flour around if you go to the little shops. It's hardly necessary as there's bread on the shelves but honestly even the expensive bread can't touch a freshly made home baked loaf. So far, anyway :)
I wish we had time to make it when not WFH

I've done two 12 mile rides with my 8yo. Islabikes are NOT a middle class affectation, they're AMAZING little bikes!

I got to the plant centre and bought some compost, scored some of last years seeds for nothing and scrounged some of the crappy pots that plants are delivered in before they're planted out into the posh ones for sale.  So, we'll be growing our own salad, herbs and some veg if all goes to plan.

And I finally managed to land an F-14 on the Theodore Roosevelt in https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/world/ , not the world's most vital skill now that the F-14 has been retired from the US Navy but I've got some idea of how amazing the people are who can do it for real, everytime - even at night!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 28 March, 2020, 09:09:38 pm
I'm mighty glad to have chickens right now.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 28 March, 2020, 09:17:33 pm
Being housebound and fairly immobile, the entertainments on social media seem vastly improved...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 28 March, 2020, 09:30:24 pm
Byronius maximus juggling loo rolls whilst working out on rollers, for example...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 28 March, 2020, 10:04:30 pm
More time to make stuff that takes ages to cook.

I’m totally embracing the slow cooking philosophy right now - made lasagne from scratch yesterday, including the pasta.

Not only delicious but also very therapeutic. I’ve not used my pasta machine for a very long time and I’d forgotten how much fun it is - not to mention how much tastier than shop-bought.
Impressed. The only other person I've ever heard of who made pasta from scratch was Mrs Cudzo's grandmother, whose background, I think it's safe to say, was different from yours!

Pasta is very easy to make, with or without the machine. I used to do it regularly even from my student days. Becoming type 1 diabetic about 7 years ago put paid to tucking into a bowl of penne al amatriciana.  I still do the amatriciana bit, but with a few veg on the side.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Polar Bear on 29 March, 2020, 08:32:23 am
I have a regular production line of sourdough loaves, baguettes and NOT cross buns.

We have always cooked mainly from ingredients so the lockdown is having little effect upon our usual culinary offerings.  Finding decent fruit and veg is a slightly bigger chore now though.

And yeast:  seems like everybody wants it even if they don't know what to do with it.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 March, 2020, 09:19:44 am
And yeast:  seems like everybody wants it even if they don't know what to do with it.

Judging by my hygiene recently, I reckon I could probably meet  the national need.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2020, 11:22:53 am
Judging by my hygiene recently, I reckon I could probably meet  the national need.
Sterling work. I’ve just gone out into the street to give you a round of applause.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 March, 2020, 01:08:56 pm
Yes, we should...  :D
https://twitter.com/molyneux_msj/status/1243883162586972160?s=19
Quote
Scotland should totally just sneak off while they are all self isolating.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 March, 2020, 01:12:40 pm
Is it really that easy?

If I can do it...

Making the dough takes 30 seconds in the food processor. Using a pasta machine is pretty straightforward too. There are probably videos on YouTube.

I remember home pasta making being quite the foodie fashion some years ago (late 80s?), but then I guess it became too easy to buy fresh pasta in supermarkets.

We successfully got flour in our Tesco delivery today. :thumbsup:

While looking on Kenwoodfoodrestore for some seals for the geriatric piña colada maker liquidiser I saw that I could get a pasta maker part for the Chef. Bit of an expensive experiment at £120 plus 35 quid for each pasta shape die, however.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 March, 2020, 01:21:16 pm
More time to make stuff that takes ages to cook.
Did pork cheeks last night.
Would have fired up a sourdough by now had the last one not been a disaster and being not exactly awash with flour.

This morning I found that this little boy scout had already bought some new rye flour to replace the 4 year old stuff that didn't work, so I shall attempt a new starter this week. :)

Is there anything I can do with the 4 year old stuff rather than just chucking it out? (It's dark rye)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2020, 02:17:51 pm
While looking on Kenwoodfoodrestore for some seals for the geriatric piña colada maker liquidiser I saw that I could get a pasta maker part for the Chef. Bit of an expensive experiment at £120 plus 35 quid for each pasta shape die, however.

Yeah, I don’t want to make my own macaroni that badly.

I have a manual roller, which is fine for lasagne, tagliatelle and fettuccine. And ravioli.

Don’t know how much rollers cost these days but probably a lot less than £120.

Mmmm, piña colada....
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Greenbank on 29 March, 2020, 02:50:37 pm
I don't need to look at a pikey white van out of my front window every night because its driver has stopped bringing it home.
Arsebuckets.  It's back.  He has sort of cleaned it though.

Probably to stop people writing 'no toilet paper left in this van overnight' in the dirt.

My favourite has always been "TEST DIRT - DO NOT REMOVE".

Wrote that on a BT van when I was doing work experience there back in, er, 1992. Used to check up on it every time we parked at the nearby car park (Lion Yard, Cambridge) that overlooked the depot and it was the only one of the fleet that didn't get washed for 6 months.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 29 March, 2020, 02:57:28 pm
"I WISH MY WIFE WERE* AS DIRTY AS MY VAN" is the best I've seen, although "THIS IS AN ANTI-GLARE COATING FOR NIGHT DRIVING" was also good.

*use of the subjunctive probably not universal for this one
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Greenbank on 29 March, 2020, 03:10:52 pm
"I WISH MY WIFE WERE* AS DIRTY AS MY VAN" is the best I've seen

Especially when someone adds "SHE IS" underneath.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FatBloke on 29 March, 2020, 05:56:23 pm
Except Stealth bombers, if you live here
How would you know?   ::-)

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FatBloke on 29 March, 2020, 05:57:43 pm
The cough I developed 4 days ago persuaded my dear wife to move into the spare room.

My cough got better.  :demon:
Have you told her?   ;)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 March, 2020, 06:28:10 pm
Except Stealth bombers, if you live here
How would you know?   ::-)

Because you hear them first, and then if you look for where the noise is coming from you can see a little man in a sitting position at 3000ft.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 30 March, 2020, 07:25:12 am
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/30/astrophysicist-gets-magnets-stuck-up-nose-while-inventing-coronavirus-device (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/30/astrophysicist-gets-magnets-stuck-up-nose-while-inventing-coronavirus-device)

Doesn't make it into the Darwin thread, but you should had seen my wife's face when I read the headline
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 30 March, 2020, 09:09:51 am
Had a good cackle at that this morning.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 March, 2020, 09:26:21 am
Just wonderful!

https://slippedisc.com/2020/03/believe-it-orchestra-plays-beethoven-9th-from-their-homes/?fbclid=IwAR0WNbuu76gIYAnXRmieiWnr1Y3gOrD5qIQ3aV97s_jZe0G1wQjz6Hm0c00
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rr on 30 March, 2020, 04:38:19 pm
Bright House is about to go bust.

And it's gone  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52090976)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 March, 2020, 06:31:29 pm
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 March, 2020, 06:33:25 pm
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?
Plenty round here.

Plus some bold-as-brass thefts of vehicles from farms during the day.

Thefts from gardens and houses at night.

People are desperate. Desperate people take risks.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 30 March, 2020, 06:39:22 pm
No road kill.  Normally see quite a few of the crepuscular creatures flattened on the roads as dawn and the early morning commute coincide.  Not this year.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 March, 2020, 06:58:53 pm
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?
Plenty round here.

Plus some bold-as-brass thefts of vehicles from farms during the day.

Thefts from gardens and houses at night.

People are desperate. Desperate people take risks.
I wonder if it's a rural v urban thing? In a city (we're quite central here) there's more chance of being seen by cops or someone, which wouldn't normally matter but now looks immediately suspicious, and there are perhaps more alternative illicit income opportunities (drugs I suppose). I remember staying on a farm campsite about ten miles north of Gloucester last year and the farmer said he hoped I wasn't planning to leave before about 7a.m. (!) as he'd have the gate locked to keep his Land Rover safe. A problem that doesn't seem to bother people here (scooters on the other hand seem as permanent as soap bubbles).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 30 March, 2020, 07:02:14 pm
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?
Plenty round here.

Plus some bold-as-brass thefts of vehicles from farms during the day.

Thefts from gardens and houses at night.

People are desperate. Desperate people take risks.

Plenty of crime still happening round here, too. I've even seen more stolen bike alerts than usual. :(
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 30 March, 2020, 08:38:14 pm
The Wizzair flight that just passed overhead is early! 
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: vorsprung on 31 March, 2020, 11:51:28 am
the kitchen smells of cake
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 31 March, 2020, 01:59:28 pm
Is that cake? Or Caaaaaake?

We know what you've been doing  ;)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 31 March, 2020, 02:24:00 pm
The Google 3D animals. Search for one of them (on your phone) eg penguin, bear, duck, under the Wikipedia article, choose "View in 3d". Enjoy.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 31 March, 2020, 08:13:49 pm
I work on an ex-RAF base; like most, the layout is basically 2 runways, joined up with a few newer roads, plus a few extra side-roads, etc etc. Normally you can't walk down the pavements at lunchtime without stepping round people every few yards.

Today I went full Cillian Murphy, walking the length of both runways in the middle of the road. Not a single car. Just saw the one pedestrian in the distance. Just me, the rabbits, pigeons and a few kites. Fuckin brilliant (if a little eerie).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: madcow on 31 March, 2020, 08:52:55 pm
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?
Plenty round here.

Plus some bold-as-brass thefts of vehicles from farms during the day.

Thefts from gardens and houses at night.
People are desperate. Desperate people take risks.

North Yorkshire police caught 2  persons trying to pinch a quad bike from a farm near Skipton.
Pointed out that going out when no-one else was made you more visible than normal.

Local coronabonus-no tolls on Aldwark toll bridge. Not much of a bonus as it was always free for cyclists.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 31 March, 2020, 09:30:17 pm
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?

Not a window, but my neighbour had his number plates stolen a couple of days ago.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 March, 2020, 10:30:22 pm
Fans of Taskmaster may be amused by visiting the TM You Tube channel to see what Hometasking tasks Alex Horne has been setting the populace and which ones Greg liked best.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 31 March, 2020, 10:59:44 pm
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?

Not a window, but my neighbour had his number plates stolen a couple of days ago.

Apparently the advice now is to have a star put in the corner of the new ones so they can be identified against the stolen ones. Take a photo to show where the star is, I guess.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 April, 2020, 08:58:47 am
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?

Not a window, but my neighbour had his number plates stolen a couple of days ago.

Apparently the advice now is to have a star put in the corner of the new ones so they can be identified against the stolen ones. Take a photo to show where the star is, I guess.
Hopefully he's only going to get speeding and parking tickets not nicked for bank robbery etc.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jasmine on 01 April, 2020, 11:10:19 am
My junk mail folder is noticeably thinner the last few days.

My xkcd://1279 doppelgangers have been having an online shopping fest.  One of them appears to be attempting to fight the virus with essential oils.

Mine has signed up to the Daily Wire this week. The daily email is like peering into a festering sewer

(note - this is not a bonus)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 01 April, 2020, 12:20:22 pm
Germany has cancelled April Fools Day.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 01 April, 2020, 12:26:05 pm
Germany has cancelled April Fools Day.

Is this retrospective?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2020, 06:59:02 pm
Germany has cancelled April Fools Day.
Well it seems that everyone except Ribble (!) cancelled it, given the silence on my (diverse yet comprehensive) media feed :(

Oh well , this cheered me up a little:
https://twitter.com/putasinghonit/status/1244680124278001665
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 April, 2020, 09:43:06 pm
Harry's Garage on youtube did an excellent April Fools featuring an MGB GT.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 April, 2020, 11:12:27 am
I haven't seen a single smashed car window since the lockdown started. I don't know if the normal thieves of things in cars are scared of catching coronavirus or more likely feel they stand out too much now everything's closed and there's not a soul out (car break-ins are a nocturnal pastime round here). Or perhaps bigger opportunities have opened up for them?
Plenty round here.

Plus some bold-as-brass thefts of vehicles from farms during the day.

Thefts from gardens and houses at night.
People are desperate. Desperate people take risks.

North Yorkshire police caught 2  persons trying to pinch a quad bike from a farm near Skipton.
Pointed out that going out when no-one else was made you more visible than normal.

Local coronabonus-no tolls on Aldwark toll bridge. Not much of a bonus as it was always free for cyclists.
There is still lots of farmwork going on here. So we get battered rusty vehicles going in and out (dead-end road, 5km long).

As it is a rural road, quite a few people assume it is quiet and use it for jogging, dog emptying and 'cycle commuting'. Been busier last few weeks than every before.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: matthew on 02 April, 2020, 12:40:13 pm
Working from home means I can have soup followed by crumble and custard for lunch. A luxury not practical in the office.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Giraffe on 02 April, 2020, 01:25:09 pm
Got to Waitrose at 08:15, no queue so straight in. Usually use Morrisons as it's opposite The Malt Shovel but, of course, TMS is shut (end of days?).
I spend a lot more in Waitrose - the prices aren't too much higher on the usual items but there are so many tempting goodies... Still, TMS' loss is W's gain (Third World Problem?).
BN: buses change next week so might not be able to carry on.
Given my age and other issues it might be better if I didn't go to shops (except local offie for BEERS).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 02 April, 2020, 01:42:33 pm
On a serious note, I wonder if the unintentional benefit in knife crime reduction might be embedded, somehow.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 02 April, 2020, 01:57:28 pm
I've been pondering the effect of lockdown on drug dealing. But I daresay the police have other priorities now.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 02 April, 2020, 02:02:51 pm
I've been pondering the effect of lockdown on drug dealing. But I daresay the police have other priorities now.

I did see somewhere that the Mexican cartels are suffering under coronavirus border regs, and that prices are soaring.

André's shoe-shop chain has gone belly-up.  Now that's a shame.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: geraldc on 02 April, 2020, 02:12:53 pm
I know the whole thing with ventilators is very serious, but I do like the way all the universities have had a crack at coming up with them.
Cambridge uni via their TTP branch teamed up with Dyson, only Dyson seemed to decided to run it as kind of a publicity barrage, and you see very little mention of Cambridge Uni,  but as it's Dyson the govt have put in an order, even before it being approved.
UCL teamed up with Mercedes and created some kind of valve for CPAP machines that actually works and is going into production.
Oxford and KCL teamed up and created something out of the Great Egg Race, but it works and after lobbying,the govt have ordered it. After watching the video it genuinely seems so simple.
https://twitter.com/QueensCollegeOx/status/1243551706698453002?s=09
Bonus points for Open University throwback presentation




Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 April, 2020, 08:55:52 pm
I've been pondering the effect of lockdown on drug dealing. But I daresay the police have other priorities now.

Chorley Police posted on social media yesterday morning that they are issuing a limited number of drug dealing licences and encouraged would-be licensees to come to their local police station, bringing samples of their products for assessment ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: spesh on 02 April, 2020, 09:06:45 pm
I've been pondering the effect of lockdown on drug dealing. But I daresay the police have other priorities now.

Chorley Police posted on social media yesterday morning that they are issuing a limited number of drug dealing licences and encouraged would-be licensees to come to their local police station, bringing samples of their products for assessment ;D

I'm quite amused by today's BBC Essex post about the county's fuzz saying that going out to pick up drugs isn't classed as "essential" travel.

Mainly because of the number of people in the replies who thought the cops meant collecting granny's prescription was verboten, as opposed to scoring an eighth of skunk or getting sorted for Es and whizz.  ;D :facepalm:

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 04 April, 2020, 05:47:27 am
The Earth no longer moves:
 
The coronavirus pandemic is making Earth vibrate less (https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/02/world/coronavirus-earth-seismic-noise-scn-trnd/index.html)

Quote
Thomas Lecocq, a geologist and seismologist at the Royal Observatory in Belgium, first pointed out this phenomenon in Brussels.

The reduction in noise has had a particularly interesting effect in Brussels: Lecocq and other seismologists are able to detect smaller earthquakes and other seismic events that certain seismic stations wouldn't have registered.

Lecocq said the graphs charting human noise are evidence that people are listening to authorities' warnings to stay inside and minimize outside activity as much as possible.

The data can also be used to identify where containment measures might not be as effective, said Raphael De Plaen, a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
"That could be used in the future by decision makers to figure out, 'OK, we're not doing things right. We need to work on that and make sure that people respect that because this is in the interest of everyone.'"

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 04 April, 2020, 10:55:19 am
Frankie Boyle has put pen to paper

https://theovertake.com/~beta/frankie-boyle-did-you-ever-wonder-what-youd-be-doing-during-an-apocalypse/

"The Prime Minister has written to every household in the UK. As that letter lands on the doormat, I won’t be the only one who’ll be picking it up with a couple of snooker cues, like a contestant on a Japanese game show. I’m assuming these letters are being sent directly from Whitehall – ground zero of our nations complete failure to comply with social distancing rules. Instead of posting the letter I’m surprised Johnson hasn’t committed to coughing his filthy news through our letterboxes in person. He also sent a text message to every mobile phone in the UK. For a handful of children in Britain that’ll have been the first contact they’ve had from their dad. I suspect Johnson’s baby will be exhausted when it comes out. Having spent months evading his cock like a magician’s assistant dodging swords in a box."

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 04 April, 2020, 11:08:11 am
The Earth no longer moves:
 
The coronavirus pandemic is making Earth vibrate less (https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/02/world/coronavirus-earth-seismic-noise-scn-trnd/index.html)

Quote
Thomas Lecocq, a geologist and seismologist at the Royal Observatory in Belgium, first pointed out this phenomenon in Brussels.

The reduction in noise has had a particularly interesting effect in Brussels: Lecocq and other seismologists are able to detect smaller earthquakes and other seismic events that certain seismic stations wouldn't have registered.

Lecocq said the graphs charting human noise are evidence that people are listening to authorities' warnings to stay inside and minimize outside activity as much as possible.

The data can also be used to identify where containment measures might not be as effective, said Raphael De Plaen, a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
"That could be used in the future by decision makers to figure out, 'OK, we're not doing things right. We need to work on that and make sure that people respect that because this is in the interest of everyone.'"
Brilliant! But I think you missed the key message:
Quote
Brussels is seeing about a 30% to 50% reduction in ambient seismic noise since mid-March, around the time the country started implementing school and business closures and other social distancing measures, according to Lecocq. That noise level is on par with what seismologists would see on Christmas Day, he said.

It's Christmas Every Day, people!!!

now where have I heard that before ...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 April, 2020, 12:23:07 pm
I'm now wondering whether Roy Wood still wishes it could be Christmas every day :demon:

Following the news that Missis Kwin is to address the nation tomorrow, confused gam-gams are reportedly panic-buying turkeys and Baileys.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 04 April, 2020, 12:48:39 pm
Given the free rein that wild life will suddenly experience in living their normal lives free from human interference, I wonder if there will be a population explosion for all kinds of species.

Sadly, if there is then there is likely to be a lot of road kill once human activity returns to its own version of normal.

And are we still genocidal about badgers?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: vorsprung on 05 April, 2020, 02:58:17 pm
Chocolate brownies today
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 05 April, 2020, 03:00:05 pm
Rhubarb tea cake yesterday. Yum.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 05 April, 2020, 03:36:21 pm
Given the free rein that wild life will suddenly experience in living their normal lives free from human interference, I wonder if there will be a population explosion for all kinds of species.

Sadly, if there is then there is likely to be a lot of road kill once human activity returns to its own version of normal.

And are we still genocidal about badgers?

According to a chum who likes to get angry about such things, while we mortals are currently banned from the forests, hunters have free rein.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 05 April, 2020, 03:50:12 pm
Given the free rein that wild life will suddenly experience in living their normal lives free from human interference, I wonder if there will be a population explosion for all kinds of species.

Sadly, if there is then there is likely to be a lot of road kill once human activity returns to its own version of normal.

And are we still genocidal about badgers?

According to a chum who likes to get angry about such things, while we mortals are currently banned from the forests, hunters have free rein.

In the Limousin wildlife seemed plentiful compared to the UK in spite of hunters.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 April, 2020, 05:25:53 pm
Quote
Thousands of British homes will be paid to use electricity during the day for the first time, as wind and solar projects produce a surge in clean energy during the coronavirus lockdown.

On Sunday morning, windfarms contributed almost 40% of the UK’s electricity, while solar power made up almost a fifth of the power system. Fossil fuels made up less than 15% of electricity, of which only 1.1% came from coal plants.

That's rather interesting.

From https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/05/thousands-to-be-paid-for-daytime-green-electricity-use-during-lockdown
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 April, 2020, 10:43:35 pm
My mum seems to have taken up covid conspiracy theories. This is going to be fun.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 06 April, 2020, 01:36:59 am
 ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 06 April, 2020, 09:15:30 am
Bored Russians in lockdown recreating famous paintings

https://www.facebook.com/groups/izoizolyacia/permalink/2542865082629427/

Best facebook group ever
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 06 April, 2020, 09:17:03 am
Bored Russians in lockdown recreating famous paintings

https://www.facebook.com/groups/izoizolyacia/permalink/2542865082629427/

Best facebook group ever

Great use for stockpiled bog rolls!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 06 April, 2020, 09:18:09 am
On Twitter there was a woman whose parents were doing the same thing and sending her the pictures.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 06 April, 2020, 09:37:09 am
Bored Russians in lockdown recreating famous paintings

https://www.facebook.com/groups/izoizolyacia/permalink/2542865082629427/

Best facebook group ever

Great use for stockpiled bog rolls!

Loads of them have toilet rolls in the picture somewhere.

Typical crass Russian behaviour. Always going for the ostentatious display of wealth.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 06 April, 2020, 10:07:32 am
Quote
Thousands of British homes will be paid to use electricity during the day for the first time, as wind and solar projects produce a surge in clean energy during the coronavirus lockdown.

On Sunday morning, windfarms contributed almost 40% of the UK’s electricity, while solar power made up almost a fifth of the power system. Fossil fuels made up less than 15% of electricity, of which only 1.1% came from coal plants.

That's rather interesting.

From https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/05/thousands-to-be-paid-for-daytime-green-electricity-use-during-lockdown

All that tells you is that industrial consumption is temporarily reduced and that entirely as expected, gas fired power stations have been turned off, temporarily.

This coming week is likely to be sunny, but less windy,   
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: andrewc on 06 April, 2020, 12:26:42 pm
https://twitter.com/jamesrbuk/status/1247105883131305986?s=20


Cats vs Toddlers.    :thumbsup:         Look at the first one, and be glad house cats are not a bit bigger...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: De Sisti on 06 April, 2020, 01:31:08 pm
Just had an emergency food/provisons box delivered. I honestly wasn't expecting it.
This followed a recent phone call from my GP surgery asking if I was ok, and one from
the Council enquiring about my wellbeing*.

*(A long term asthma sufferer, who has been told to stay in isolation for 12 weeks.
Start of week 3 today).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rob on 06 April, 2020, 01:51:28 pm
Quote
Thousands of British homes will be paid to use electricity during the day for the first time, as wind and solar projects produce a surge in clean energy during the coronavirus lockdown.

On Sunday morning, windfarms contributed almost 40% of the UK’s electricity, while solar power made up almost a fifth of the power system. Fossil fuels made up less than 15% of electricity, of which only 1.1% came from coal plants.

That's rather interesting.

From https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/05/thousands-to-be-paid-for-daytime-green-electricity-use-during-lockdown

All that tells you is that industrial consumption is temporarily reduced and that entirely as expected, gas fired power stations have been turned off, temporarily.

This coming week is likely to be sunny, but less windy,

Prices dipped negative for a few hours yesterday.   Demand is very low and there was loads of wind and sun.   There will be more of this over the Summer if demand stays as is.

Of course, pretty much no households were paid to use power during this time as they are on fixed tariffs *.


* I know of 2 suppliers that offer this and only if you are on a smart meter with half-hourly settlement.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 April, 2020, 02:41:11 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-52184743

Provocative racist marches banned  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 April, 2020, 04:15:27 pm
Bored Russians in lockdown recreating famous paintings

https://www.facebook.com/groups/izoizolyacia/permalink/2542865082629427/

Best facebook group ever
I think we should recreate famous internet shock sites. Lemonparty is easy, Tubgirl probably feasible if you have enough orange juice and a funnel, Goatse is a bit more challenging.  I might have a wedding ring somewhere to get the ball rolling.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 April, 2020, 06:01:43 pm
Getty Twitter thread on the recreating paintings
https://twitter.com/GettyMuseum/status/1242845952974544896?s=19
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ginger Cat on 06 April, 2020, 06:17:34 pm
Some of the big AirBNB landlords (of the type who have driven up rents in city centres due to their large portfolios) are finding that contrary to their belief, their business wasn't risk-free easy money after all.

GC
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 06 April, 2020, 07:44:23 pm
https://twitter.com/DanielRosney/status/1247085420296450049

I sincerely hope that UKGov follows the NZ lead on this important matter.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 April, 2020, 08:37:11 pm
The dark soot that normally settles on our window sill has vanished. I don't know if this is due to the general drop in traffic or just because the bloke who normally parks his rattly old Peugeot diesel underneath our window and likes to "warm it up" in the morning has buggered off somewhere. Or maybe he's just moved his parking spot, I don't know.

Of course it could be another reason altogether but it has coincided with lockdown.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 06 April, 2020, 09:13:05 pm
The dark soot that normally settles on our window sill has vanished. I don't know if this is due to the general drop in traffic or just because the bloke who normally parks his rattly old Peugeot diesel underneath our window and likes to "warm it up" in the morning has buggered off somewhere. Or maybe he's just moved his parking spot, I don't know.

Of course it could be another reason altogether but it has coincided with lockdown.

Probably tyre rubber. I used to work on Felixstowe docks in a portakabjn doing IT. Our temp accommodation was right in the middle of the container handling area and our desks used to be covered in tiny rubber particles from the tyres of tugs, HGVs and straddle carriers.  Just like soot.

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: orienteer on 06 April, 2020, 10:40:13 pm
In the 1950s, in London, my bike used to collect black soot on the steering tube.

During the 1958 bus strike, which lasted six weeks, it stayed clean. There weren't any light diesel vehicles then, just buses and heavy lorries.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 07 April, 2020, 07:43:56 am
A relative suffered a cytokine storm during which his life was seriously at risk and although he recovered he is on a lot of pills and has to be very careful. In effect he takes each day as it comes and of course is on the 12 weeks at home list.

One problem is that due to the rarity of the condition it hasn't merited much research. Due to cytokine storms being a feature of CV19 attacks such research should get more priority.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 07 April, 2020, 09:15:17 am
Some of the big AirBNB landlords (of the type who have driven up rents in city centres due to their large portfolios) are finding that contrary to their belief, their business wasn't risk-free easy money after all.

GC

To be fair, it was risk-free, just isn't now!

Gongi to be interesting. I think the whole question of refunds is an interesting one - whether it be airlines, Air-BNB etc.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 07 April, 2020, 09:23:11 am
Some of the big AirBNB landlords (of the type who have driven up rents in city centres due to their large portfolios) are finding that contrary to their belief, their business wasn't risk-free easy money after all.

GC

To be fair, it was risk-free, just isn't now!

Gongi to be interesting. I think the whole question of refunds is an interesting one - whether it be airlines, Air-BNB etc.

It'll be more interesting when the company doesn't exist. I don't think the average ticket buyer will be the top of the creditor list.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 07 April, 2020, 09:51:23 am
In the 1950s, in London, my bike used to collect black soot on the steering tube.

During the 1958 bus strike, which lasted six weeks, it stayed clean. There weren't any light diesel vehicles then, just buses and heavy lorries.
The stuff on the Tube is supposed to be from the brake linings, isn't it?  Gives you black snot.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 07 April, 2020, 09:51:47 am
Some of the big AirBNB landlords (of the type who have driven up rents in city centres due to their large portfolios) are finding that contrary to their belief, their business wasn't risk-free easy money after all.

GC

To be fair, it was risk-free, just isn't now!

Gongi to be interesting. I think the whole question of refunds is an interesting one - whether it be airlines, Air-BNB etc.

It'll be more interesting when the company doesn't exist. I don't think the average ticket buyer will be the top of the creditor list.

I think you are right. I still haven't heard from my small tour company - I think they hope I'll pay anyway.  I think I might sacrifice the deposit.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 07 April, 2020, 09:52:33 am
In the 1950s, in London, my bike used to collect black soot on the steering tube.

During the 1958 bus strike, which lasted six weeks, it stayed clean. There weren't any light diesel vehicles then, just buses and heavy lorries.
The stuff on the Tube is supposed to be from the brake linings, isn't it?  Gives you black snot.

And used to contain asbestos.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 April, 2020, 10:46:52 am
The dark soot that normally settles on our window sill has vanished. I don't know if this is due to the general drop in traffic or just because the bloke who normally parks his rattly old Peugeot diesel underneath our window and likes to "warm it up" in the morning has buggered off somewhere. Or maybe he's just moved his parking spot, I don't know.

Of course it could be another reason altogether but it has coincided with lockdown.

Probably tyre rubber. I used to work on Felixstowe docks in a portakabjn doing IT. Our temp accommodation was right in the middle of the container handling area and our desks used to be covered in tiny rubber particles from the tyres of tugs, HGVs and straddle carriers.  Just like soot.
I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense. Combustion particulates would presumably be finer. We're not even on a main road...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Canardly on 07 April, 2020, 11:11:44 am
Years ago used to live in a house with the rear facing the Marlow Bypass. Window cills were constantly being coated in black dust. Lord knows what it will be like now.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: De Sisti on 07 April, 2020, 11:32:41 am
With the recent reductions in the Bank of England base rate down to 0.1%, my mortgage rate
went from 1.34% to 0.84% and now 0.69%. I am now only paying 90p per day in interest. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Davef on 07 April, 2020, 12:21:21 pm
With the recent reductions in the Bank of England base rate down to 0.1%, my mortgage rate
went from 1.34% to 0.84% and now 0.69%. I am now only paying 90p per day in interest. :thumbsup:
I am paying 0.18 over base, so 0.28%, unfortunately more than 90p per day.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: De Sisti on 07 April, 2020, 01:22:25 pm
I am paying 0.18 over base, so 0.28%, unfortunately more than 90p per day.
I think your mortgage balance is more than mine. The actions of those naughty irresponsible
investment bankers (from 2008) have had some influence on current rates.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 07 April, 2020, 05:33:21 pm
Brompton are selling bikes online again.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: andrewc on 07 April, 2020, 08:29:19 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/07/air-pollution-linked-to-far-higher-covid-19-death-rates-study-finds


The reduced air pollution may indeed be a bonus.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 09 April, 2020, 10:22:06 am
My employer is sending all staff an Easter gift from Hotel Chocolat as a little thank you for the extra work we're doing as a result of Covid19...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 09 April, 2020, 10:25:08 am
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 09 April, 2020, 10:35:09 am
I've been to Hotel Chocolat. It's not made out of chocolate, which is a bit disappointing. Though it's not far from a volcano, so perhaps they erred on the side of caution.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 09 April, 2020, 10:56:10 am
Brompton are selling bikes online again.

That's good news. I was afraid they might fold.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 09 April, 2020, 12:09:45 pm
I'm about to go an eat my lunch in the garden. A definite bonus of WFH.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 09 April, 2020, 12:19:02 pm
I'm about to go an eat my lunch in the garden. A definite bonus of WFH.

Hold on, let me go get my mower and chainsaw.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2020, 12:24:01 pm
Brompton are selling bikes online again.

That's good news. I was afraid they might fold.

Badum, and indeed, tish.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 09 April, 2020, 12:27:05 pm
I've been to Hotel Chocolat. It's not made out of chocolate, which is a bit disappointing. Though it's not far from a volcano, so perhaps they erred on the side of caution.

Its in Huntington, there are no volcanoes in Huntington, it is though, the land that time forgot
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 09 April, 2020, 12:43:48 pm
I've been to Hotel Chocolat. It's not made out of chocolate, which is a bit disappointing. Though it's not far from a volcano, so perhaps they erred on the side of caution.

Its in Huntington, there are no volcanoes in Huntington, it is though, the land that time forgot

Fewer coconuts too.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 09 April, 2020, 02:48:05 pm
I've been to Hotel Chocolat. It's not made out of chocolate, which is a bit disappointing. Though it's not far from a volcano, so perhaps they erred on the side of caution.

The Boucan in St Lucia...  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 09 April, 2020, 03:16:46 pm
I'm about to go an eat my lunch in the garden. A definite bonus of WFH.

I've relocated my whole office to the garden. How on earth did people ever manage before laptops and wifi were invented?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 April, 2020, 03:42:12 pm
I'm about to go an eat my lunch in the garden. A definite bonus of WFH.

I've relocated my whole office to the garden. How on earth did people ever manage before laptops and wifi were invented?
They spent a lot of time in their gardens training their carrier pigeons.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 09 April, 2020, 04:09:17 pm
I'm about to go an eat my lunch in the garden. A definite bonus of WFH.

I've relocated my whole office to the garden. How on earth did people ever manage before laptops and wifi were invented?

That's fine... if you don't suffer from hayfever.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 09 April, 2020, 04:14:51 pm
I'm about to go an eat my lunch in the garden. A definite bonus of WFH.

I've relocated my whole office to the garden. How on earth did people ever manage before laptops and wifi were invented?

Long telephone extension cables for their fax machines.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 09 April, 2020, 04:31:10 pm
Pre-wifi that's what I used.  To untangle it after one trip I wound it round our soiled-clothes basket.  I didn't have any more such trips, so that's where it has stayed for the last 15+ years.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Greenbank on 09 April, 2020, 04:34:40 pm
A 30m network cable worked for me many years ago.

Also a 30m power cable, 4 way extension block, kettle and big bottle of water.

Would be harder now if anything as I've got so used to having 2 x 23" monitors on my WFH desk. Find it really odd moving back to a single 15" laptop screen on the rare occasions I have to do that.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 09 April, 2020, 11:10:28 pm
The entire lockdown is worth it, just for this:

https://twitter.com/MrAndrewCotter/status/1248313303270596610?s=20
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2020, 11:38:15 pm
I'm about to go an eat my lunch in the garden. A definite bonus of WFH.

I've relocated my whole office to the garden. How on earth did people ever manage before laptops and wifi were invented?

Desktops and Ethernet: Better computers, without having to worry about the rain/sun/pollen/bees.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: andrewc on 11 April, 2020, 11:18:08 am
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVOSjPmU8AAAiE7?format=jpg&name=small)


https://twitter.com/carysevans55/status/1248502665136369664?s=20        https://twitter.com/carysevans55


What to do with the cardboard tubes from your bog roll stash.  That's rather lovely  :D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: madcow on 11 April, 2020, 03:08:07 pm
I've been to Hotel Chocolat. It's not made out of chocolate, which is a bit disappointing. Though it's not far from a volcano, so perhaps they erred on the side of caution.

Its in Huntington, there are no volcanoes in Huntington, it is though, the land that time forgot

Pedant alert. Don’t you mean Huntingdon ? Huntington is near York.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: yorkie on 11 April, 2020, 04:39:09 pm
I've been to Hotel Chocolat. It's not made out of chocolate, which is a bit disappointing. Though it's not far from a volcano, so perhaps they erred on the side of caution.

Its in Huntington, there are no volcanoes in Huntington, it is though, the land that time forgot

Pedant alert. Don’t you mean Huntingdon ? Huntington is near York.


He's right about Huntington being the land that time forgot though!  ;)  At least it isn't Haxby!  :-D :-D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 11 April, 2020, 04:50:19 pm
I've been to Hotel Chocolat. It's not made out of chocolate, which is a bit disappointing. Though it's not far from a volcano, so perhaps they erred on the side of caution.

Its in Huntington, there are no volcanoes in Huntington, it is though, the land that time forgot

Pedant alert. Don’t you mean Huntingdon ? Huntington is near York.

I stand corrected, as do you, according to a well known search engine, Huntington is near Cannock.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: vorsprung on 11 April, 2020, 08:05:38 pm
The entire lockdown is worth it, just for this:

https://twitter.com/MrAndrewCotter/status/1248313303270596610?s=20

Alternatively, watch this film
https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/579dd9c72c92b
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 11 April, 2020, 08:53:01 pm
Three days ago, I rode towards a Peugeot 205 parked on a country lane. It contained an unkempt lady in her 60s and a large amount of cardboard. I gave her a wave and a grin and she absolutely beamed at me.

Today, I rode past it and I think she was in there but completely obscured by cardboard.

Tomorrow I'm going to ride out there and give her some flowers from the garden and an easter egg.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 11 April, 2020, 09:03:38 pm
Stroud's no.1 fly-tipper?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 13 April, 2020, 07:26:26 am
My local bluebell wood is the best I can remember it, probably because the restrictrictions and one way paths mean that it hasn't got trampled. I (& Mrs Ham) had to go out at 06:00 to avoid the crowds that come later, but it was worth it.

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rK2mp2HA9sE/XpQFZKVoWlI/AAAAAAADN1Q/eUb3Cmddd_8vBC-QSuQ-r7gqiS9624NhQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200413_063450.jpg)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 13 April, 2020, 08:49:26 am
Three days ago, I rode towards a Peugeot 205 parked on a country lane. It contained an unkempt lady in her 60s and a large amount of cardboard. I gave her a wave and a grin and she absolutely beamed at me.

Today, I rode past it and I think she was in there but completely obscured by cardboard.

Tomorrow I'm going to ride out there and give her some flowers from the garden and an easter egg.
Read somewhere there's a  cardboard shortage (https://www.waste360.com/recycling/coronavirus-could-spark-cardboard-shortage-uk). She'll be one of those eco-warriors in disguise. May even like cyclists..

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 13 April, 2020, 11:07:21 am
As I'm not commuting by bike, I don't need to ride in the rain, so my bikes will all stay clean!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 April, 2020, 11:45:13 am
I've been able to ride down Park Street without touching the brakes at all. Unfortunately I've no idea what speed I reached cos I've taken the computer off that bike.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Bristol._Park_Street._From_College_Green.jpg/800px-Bristol._Park_Street._From_College_Green.jpg)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 13 April, 2020, 01:04:53 pm
I remember riding up a hill like that on a 600 and then finding that the left turn I wanted at the top was No Entry.  Had to go all the way down again and navigate round by back streets.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 13 April, 2020, 01:29:17 pm
My local bluebell wood is the best I can remember it...

I imagine the King's Wood near Ashford looks similarly spectacular at the moment - it's always a prime bluebell spot - but alas it's a bit too far from home to justify a trip right now. Chiz. However, my local woods are looking pretty good too. Here's the dog doing his audition for the April page of the Parson Russell Terriers of Whitstable Calendar 2020:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49767990606_d08b136c2d.jpg)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 13 April, 2020, 10:01:36 pm
 :thumbsup:

When I say local, mine is within 500m
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TimC on 13 April, 2020, 10:11:12 pm
We're obviously a little behind you here in the Far East, but the bluebells in my garden (of which there seem to be many, none of which were planted by me) are just beginning to poke their heads out. However, a couple of woods near me are starting to take on a blue tinge, and I'd guess by the end of the week will be spectacular.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2020, 09:32:01 am
The woods were already very blue (not hedge grumbly blue) on our wanders at the weekend.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 14 April, 2020, 10:44:35 am
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 14 April, 2020, 12:38:05 pm
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

My free one from work hasn't arrived yet...  :(
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 14 April, 2020, 01:00:31 pm
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Ours had loads on Friday, all gone yesterday. I think they packed them up and delivered them to Front-Line workers.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TimC on 14 April, 2020, 02:17:50 pm
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Ours had loads on Friday, all gone yesterday. I think they packed them up and delivered them to Front-Line workers.

My bit of Suffolk has just realised they missed out on the panic-buying fad of a month or so ago, and so they've started today. The Co-op looked like it had been looted by the entire cast of Mad Max. I wonder if that means we'll get some more modern products in?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 14 April, 2020, 03:27:16 pm
All the Fray Bentos pies, Smash and tinned spotted dick have gone?  Good Brexit food.  Even if one of them is named after a foreign place in You-Are-Gay.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 14 April, 2020, 07:10:12 pm
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Partner got a fancy Heston one from Waitrose reduced from £20(!!!) to £4 today. Still no flour, though!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 14 April, 2020, 08:17:49 pm
If your air pollution gets REALLY low ...

https://twitter.com/romainrevert/status/1249798306454212610
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 14 April, 2020, 09:13:51 pm
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Sainsbury's seems to be flogging Lindt Gold Bunnies...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 15 April, 2020, 06:29:00 am
Shopping day today :o :hand: >:( :hand: :thumbsdown:

Bet the bargain Easter eggs are all gone O:-)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2020, 09:59:05 am
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Sainsbury's seems to be flogging Lindt Gold Bunnies...
Aren't they always?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 15 April, 2020, 10:54:45 am
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Sainsbury's seems to be flogging Lindt Gold Bunnies...
Aren't they always?

They re-package them as reindeer in August.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2020, 11:11:04 am
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Sainsbury's seems to be flogging Lindt Gold Bunnies...
Aren't they always?

They re-package them as reindeer in August.
They go through an intermediate pumpkin stage.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jasmine on 15 April, 2020, 01:54:49 pm
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Sainsbury's seems to be flogging Lindt Gold Bunnies...
Aren't they always?

They re-package them as reindeer in August.
They go through an intermediate pumpkin stage.

I think Jaded's point is that the reindeer & bunnies are literally the same product, with a slightly different foil wrap.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 15 April, 2020, 01:55:21 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2020, 02:02:58 pm
I didn't know that! TBH I don't recall having seen chocolate reindeer so wasn't quite treating them as a literal product. Still, you don't get to be as big as Lindt without taking advantage of economies of scale.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 15 April, 2020, 02:06:07 pm
Aldi definitely do suspiciously bunny-shaped chocolate reindeer.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2020, 02:09:39 pm
Just googled it. They are not quite identical. Or at least, not the year this photo was taken.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/5169/5360101826_b10693840d_4k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/9aDVwJ)Reindeer and Bunnies aren&#x27;t the same thing (https://flic.kr/p/9aDVwJ) by Neil Crosby (https://www.flickr.com/photos/thevoicewithin/), on Flickr

Also, they're not copyrighted: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2011/01/more-on-lindt-bunny-reindeer-ribbon-and.html
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 15 April, 2020, 04:25:33 pm
That's the mega-shop over.  Or at least as much as a smallish bike trailer and saddle bag can carry. 

Tesco had stacks of Easter eggs so I got a couple after all.  Lindt ones.  Didn't see any Easter bunnies..  Or reindeer, which should be for Christmas, anyway. 
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ham on 15 April, 2020, 07:45:04 pm
More of a "random corona thingy" than anything else, on Stratford School twitter feed, a year 8 student's work

https://twitter.com/StratfordSch/status/1247798571983765506
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 16 April, 2020, 08:51:37 am
https://twitter.com/EmmetSeanKelly/status/1248914214439264256?s=20
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 16 April, 2020, 09:37:38 am
 ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Nuncio on 16 April, 2020, 02:58:35 pm
Our language is blooming in the time of Miley Cyrus.

https://language-and-innovation.com/2020/04/15/coronaspeak-part-2-the-language-of-covid-19-goes-viral/ (https://language-and-innovation.com/2020/04/15/coronaspeak-part-2-the-language-of-covid-19-goes-viral/)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 16 April, 2020, 04:57:16 pm
I've delivered an HSE Management System Audit this week wearing shorts (and a t-shaped shirt bfore you ask).  I've also seen the inside of several of the client folk's kitchens, spare rooms, garden hidey holes etc
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 April, 2020, 05:17:40 pm
Have you been missold PPE?
https://twitter.com/Scotpol1314/status/1250721473435766785?s=19
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 May, 2020, 09:44:38 pm
These Andrew Cotter videos are funny :)
https://twitter.com/MrAndrewCotter/status/1259931151403290624?s=19
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Giraffe on 13 May, 2020, 04:38:09 pm
The Bonus is fading. Garden Centre next to Waitrose has re-opened, lots more cretin cans around so had to wait to cross the road.
Pantechnicon parked on a bend in the village, boxes being loaded - that was quick!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: vorsprung on 19 May, 2020, 07:47:47 pm
It's gin o'clock
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 19 May, 2020, 07:54:27 pm
I confess that in a paean to middling middle-class alcoholism, we've been self-medicating with a daily G&T since this began. Only posh gin though. If the crisis lasts until late summer, we'll be on the Thunderbird and MD20-20 cocktails.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 19 May, 2020, 11:15:07 pm
I am reliably informed that our local supermarket has a superabundance of Easter eggs, going cheep.

Sainsbury's seems to be flogging Lindt Gold Bunnies...
Aren't they always?

They re-package them as reindeer in August.
They go through an intermediate pumpkin stage.

I think Jaded's point is that the reindeer & bunnies are literally the same product, with a slightly different foil wrap.

Chocolate santas from Christmas also seem to gain different foil at easter.
In both cases the chocolate seems to have a bishop carved into it.


I confess that in a paean to middling middle-class alcoholism, we've been self-medicating with a daily G&T since this began. Only posh gin though. If the crisis lasts until late summer, we'll be on the Thunderbird and MD20-20 cocktails.

Roads are still near deserted in the evening round here.
Does make me wonder what people used to do after work:
Tesco currently shuts at 10, usually 24hrs
Forest gates shut at 8pm
Pubs open at... ah!!!!!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Morat on 21 May, 2020, 11:44:06 am
My speed awareness course (80 in a 70, I'm a real felon) has been turned into an online course/zoom meeting.

That saves two hours of needless driving. Hurrah!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 21 May, 2020, 12:07:11 pm
My speed awareness course (80 in a 70, I'm a real felon) has been turned into an online course/zoom meeting.

That saves two hours of needless driving. Hurrah!

Plus you avoid the opening question "What's the speed limit on the road outside?"  ;)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 21 May, 2020, 09:00:04 pm
ON LEAVING THE HOUSE AND ENCOUNTERING ANOTHER HUMAN BEING

I’m sorry I dived into the bushes.
It’s not personal, you understand.
You happened to walk in my direction
and my nerves got the upper hand.

I’m sorry I screamed when you came near me.
Don’t take my angry shrieks to heart.
Idiomatically, let’s stay in touch –
and physically, six feet apart.

Apologies if it seems like you repulse me,
that I recoil when you come near.
In other times, we might have spoken,
shared a joke or had a beer,

or waltzed together down the footpath,
perhaps we may yet still one day.
But just for now, embrace the margins
and wave to me from far away.

https://brianbilston.com/2020/04/12/on-leaving-the-house-and-encountering-another-human-being/
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2020, 09:20:52 pm
Ha! Recently I've met a guy called Martin, who is atoning for a lifetime of IT by writing poetry. He read me a set of six (short) lockdown poems, none of which was anything like that! I'd write one out for you here but as he told me he doesn't want to be published, and/although he's put a copyright notice on them, so I won't. Or maybe I'll ask him next time I see him.  ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: barakta on 22 May, 2020, 07:36:55 pm
What few video events/things I am attending are BSL interpreted (and some have captions). My BSL reception skills are improving hugely through practice of watching the terps which are often more interesting than captions.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: robgul on 22 May, 2020, 07:55:15 pm
The Thursday night clapping has enabled us to meet our neighbours . . . we moved house on 24 Feb, went on holiday on 29 Feb for what should have been 6 weeks but turned out to be 4 weeks with a sharp exit from New Zealand - first Thursday back was , I think, the second week of clapping . . . we got out there and hey, aren't the neighbours great. 

Clapping on Thursdays since then and socially distanced drinks in the street on VE day and Weds this week when the hot weather was the excuse.  AND I 've now joined the beer delivery syndicate.   So a sort of Covid benefit.

... not sure what the neighbours will say next week when we have men here with a BIG machine digging out the driveway to pave it??

Rob
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 22 May, 2020, 08:03:15 pm
"Ohdear, that's where they buried the bodies..."
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Morat on 22 May, 2020, 10:32:39 pm
My speed awareness course (80 in a 70, I'm a real felon) has been turned into an online course/zoom meeting.

That saves two hours of needless driving. Hurrah!

Plus you avoid the opening question "What's the speed limit on the road outside?"  ;)

150 miles per hour - on my driveway!
(They don't need to know it's 3m long)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: spesh on 22 May, 2020, 11:23:18 pm
"Ohdear, that's where they buried the bodies..."

I thought it was customary to use organic material as a sub-foundation round the back of the house...

https://twitter.com/forest_fr1ends/status/1263907007427424257
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: robgul on 23 May, 2020, 08:29:28 am
"Ohdear, that's where they buried the bodies..."

Nah, that's next year when we get the patio round the back of the house sorted. 

Bigger worry (though a problem for the digger men) is whether when pulling out some large tree-stumps along one side they also pull out next door's wall and half of their paving!

Rob
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 May, 2020, 09:53:47 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/23/author-michael-rosen-out-of-intensive-care-after-47-days?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3D1098nHsP2IVHJ5oKbwXPDBAqG1YTbabK9IGHgBvYzIzsx2otHjbAmxk#Echobox=1590234293

This!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 24 May, 2020, 07:55:27 am
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/23/author-michael-rosen-out-of-intensive-care-after-47-days?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3D1098nHsP2IVHJ5oKbwXPDBAqG1YTbabK9IGHgBvYzIzsx2otHjbAmxk#Echobox=1590234293

This!
+1

(He's so full of enthusiasm on the radio that I forget he's 74. )
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: canny colin on 24 May, 2020, 10:39:29 am
Cracked open 3 Eggs this morning  to make scrambled eggs ,  all double yolked . Obtained from a coworker , at my only working here because of corona job .
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: geraldc on 26 May, 2020, 10:53:24 pm
My audax career helped me understand the news better this week.

LEL introduced me to Barnard Castle.
Audax helped me understand what an incredible feat this was
 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-india-52795732/india-coronavirus-the-girl-who-cycled-to-save-her-father
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Efrogwr on 27 May, 2020, 12:22:00 am
My audax career helped me understand the news better this week.

LEL introduced me to Barnard Castle.
Audax helped me understand what an incredible feat this was
 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-india-52795732/india-coronavirus-the-girl-who-cycled-to-save-her-father

That's a wonderful story.       
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Nuncio on 27 May, 2020, 08:28:45 am
LEL introduced me to Barnard Castle.
Audax helped me understand what an incredible feat this was
 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-india-52795732/india-coronavirus-the-girl-who-cycled-to-save-her-father
Are you saying you 'carried' Greenbank for 1200km?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: vorsprung on 01 June, 2020, 02:25:56 pm
The May with no cars on the road has ended now and traffic is back to normal(ish).  But how great it was to go for a sunny ride and see more bikes about than cars
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Morat on 04 June, 2020, 10:05:58 am
Supermarket packs of Chicken Drumsticks and Thigh Joints are down to £1.10 per Kg from about £1.80 before lockdown.
Is this because all the Fried Chicken places are shut?

Our dogs are raw-fed and this is now cheaper than dog food  :o
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2020, 02:32:12 pm
Eh? KFC has reopened, Miss Millie's never shut. (Arguably it never sold chicken either, but... )
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Morat on 04 June, 2020, 03:42:29 pm
Maybe it's just restaurants in general  ???
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 06 June, 2020, 05:15:11 pm
One good thing of this situation is that I get to wear a mask when I go into a bank.

Another, similar one happened today. I was in a garden centre. My hair hasn't seen a barber for ages and is looking somewhat scruffy, so I tend to hide it under a hat. Today's hat was my Amazon tarp hat. This, for those that don't know, has an air of the wild west about it.  As a makeshift face covering I wore a black buff, folded double and pulled up over my mouth and nose.

I was in the queueueue for the checkout. A Small Boy in front of me turned round. His eyes went wide.
"Are you a cowboy?"
I nodded. 
"Dad, dad, that man's a cowboy!"

It was all Mildly Exciting. 
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 06 June, 2020, 05:37:27 pm
I’m not sure if this is really a coronabonus, but it’s mildly amusing and a useful little run through the events of the past few months. He’s fortunate to have got through it.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/06/ive-been-ill-for-months-but-i-still-dont-know-if-it-is-covid-19

False negative would be my bet.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 06 June, 2020, 05:41:08 pm
Wildly tangential, but prompted by Tim's post.

We anchored in the lee of Gribbin Head (https://www.google.com/maps/@50.31786,-4.6843685,1179m/data=!3m1!1e3), late one evening in preparation for coming into Charlestown onboard the brig Maria Asumpta.

I was on anchor watch the following morning and as dawn slowly broke a couple of other yachts sharing the anchorage came to life. We were close enough (and it was still enough) that I was able to clearly hear the sound of incredulity and wonderment in the little boy's voice as he proclaimed "Dad, Dad, there's a pirate ship next to us!!"
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 June, 2020, 06:31:57 pm
Guild Street, Aberdeen, this Saturday afternoon. Usually nose to tail traffic, polluted and ped unfriendly.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49977518891_988c72b84d.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2j9kRbc)IMG_6157_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9kRbc) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 06 June, 2020, 06:49:14 pm
Wildly tangential, but prompted by Tim's post.

We anchored in the lee of Gribbin Head (https://www.google.com/maps/@50.31786,-4.6843685,1179m/data=!3m1!1e3), late one evening in preparation for coming into Charlestown onboard the brig Maria Asumpta.

I was on anchor watch the following morning and as dawn slowly broke a couple of other yachts sharing the anchorage came to life. We were close enough (and it was still enough) that I was able to clearly hear the sound of incredulity and wonderment in the little boy's voice as he proclaimed "Dad, Dad, there's a pirate ship next to us!!"
Making children bewildered. It's all good. The same Amazon tarp hat had a Small Girl think I was Baden Powell once. We were on the ferry to Brownsea Island at the time and there is a statue of B-P on the quay with a wide brimmed hat, so it's an easy mistake.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 June, 2020, 07:47:27 pm
I’m not sure if this is really a coronabonus, but it’s mildly amusing and a useful little run through the events of the past few months. He’s fortunate to have got through it.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/06/ive-been-ill-for-months-but-i-still-dont-know-if-it-is-covid-19

False negative would be my bet.
Respiratory physio. I didn't know that was a thing.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 June, 2020, 07:49:59 pm
Wildly tangential, but prompted by Tim's post.

We anchored in the lee of Gribbin Head (https://www.google.com/maps/@50.31786,-4.6843685,1179m/data=!3m1!1e3), late one evening in preparation for coming into Charlestown onboard the brig Maria Asumpta.

I was on anchor watch the following morning and as dawn slowly broke a couple of other yachts sharing the anchorage came to life. We were close enough (and it was still enough) that I was able to clearly hear the sound of incredulity and wonderment in the little boy's voice as he proclaimed "Dad, Dad, there's a pirate ship next to us!!"
Making children bewildered. It's all good. The same Amazon tarp hat had a Small Girl think I was Baden Powell once. We were on the ferry to Brownsea Island at the time and there is a statue of B-P on the quay with a wide brimmed hat, so it's an easy mistake.
I'm not quite sure what this Amazon tarp hat looks like nor am I familiar with the appearance of B-P but the words 'wide brimmed hat' make me think of Paddington Bear. Whether Paddington was modelled on Baden-Powell or Lord Tim of Hall, I could't say.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 06 June, 2020, 08:30:58 pm
One good thing of this situation is that I get to wear a mask when I go into a bank.

Another, similar one happened today. I was in a garden centre. My hair hasn't seen a barber for ages and is looking somewhat scruffy, so I tend to hide it under a hat. Today's hat was my Amazon tarp hat. This, for those that don't know, has an air of the wild west about it.  As a makeshift face covering I wore a black buff, folded double and pulled up over my mouth and nose.

I was in the queueueue for the checkout. A Small Boy in front of me turned round. His eyes went wide.
"Are you a cowboy?"
I nodded. 
"Dad, dad, that man's a cowboy!"

It was all Mildly Exciting.

I got halfway through this post and wondered if you were going to get arrested.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2020, 08:42:09 pm
https://www.sporcle.com/games/continuity/coronavirus-cases-timeline
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 11 June, 2020, 04:59:42 pm
There's a marmite shortage. Huzzah!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 June, 2020, 05:23:04 pm
Caused by people drinking less beer, I understand. Which is both huzzah and boo!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: pcolbeck on 11 June, 2020, 05:34:29 pm
There's a marmite shortage. Huzzah!

Should I put my spare jar on eBay for £££s ?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 11 June, 2020, 05:40:20 pm
I'm eating Marmite again, after nearly 20 years of not doing so.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Basil on 11 June, 2020, 05:43:05 pm
There's a marmite shortage. Huzzah!

OMG. Panic!
*drinks bottles of Old Speckled Hen as quickly as possible *

 No bog roll I can deal with,  but marmite? 
Wibble.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 June, 2020, 05:54:36 pm
IanN otp informed a day or two ago that he was reduced to buying
(click to show/hide)
But it's not all bad, it makes a decent chain lube.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Salvatore on 11 June, 2020, 06:06:32 pm
There's a marmite shortage. Huzzah!

Whereas in 1918  (The Globe - Tuesday 26 November 1918)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49691026007_c1a0e3a324_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iH2uPH)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: SteveC on 11 June, 2020, 07:36:45 pm
I noticed that Tesco had unbranded (or at least a brand you've never heard of) pasta on special offer today. Presumably they over panic-bought when everyone else did.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tonycollinet on 11 June, 2020, 08:10:52 pm
Approaching retirement - and we've found out just how little we can spend in a month. :D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tonycollinet on 11 June, 2020, 08:12:07 pm
Approaching retirement and I'll probably spend about 3 to 4 months of the last 6 working from home.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tonycollinet on 11 June, 2020, 08:13:17 pm
Approaching retirement, and we've found we can spend 24 hours a day on our own, together, for an extended period, and we still actually like each other.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: robgul on 11 June, 2020, 08:13:33 pm
There's a marmite shortage. Huzzah!

OMG. Panic!
*drinks bottles of Old Speckled Hen as quickly as possible *

 No bog roll I can deal with,  but marmite? 
Wibble.

Indeed, a potentially serious issue - checking our inventory we have about 2/3 of a large jar of regular and about 7/8 of a large jar of the "extra strong original"   (although even that doesn't have the tongue-twisting characteristics of Marmite when I was young)    I shall be checking that management has added a jar to the Ocado order for next week.

Rob
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 11 June, 2020, 08:46:14 pm
There's a marmite shortage. Huzzah!

Have the Canal and River Trust been resurfacing towpaths again?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Giraffe on 12 June, 2020, 08:54:33 am
I usually get Meridian YE from a whole-food co-operative - better consistency and taste than Smarmite. Just bought a couple of jars of Mighty from Aldi and anticipating/dreading tasting it. Still, half the price of Marmite.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 13 June, 2020, 07:37:28 pm
There's a marmite shortage. Huzzah!

Whereas in 1918  (The Globe - Tuesday 26 November 1918)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49691026007_c1a0e3a324_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iH2uPH)
:thumbsup: I say!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 19 June, 2020, 03:09:03 pm
No office Xmas parties and their attendant enforced participation & "jollity" this year.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 19 June, 2020, 04:22:50 pm
Oh god. Of course. How brilliant. Perhaps they could convert the saved spend into a bonus.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 19 June, 2020, 07:23:18 pm
No office Xmas parties and their attendant enforced participation & "jollity" this year.

Please let it be so.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 19 June, 2020, 07:40:20 pm
Bah. I like the mothership Christmas party. We'd better had ours. Or send lots of booze around my house.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mattc on 19 June, 2020, 07:48:51 pm
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/katie-hopkins-account-permanently-suspended_uk_5eece139c5b6e9623c8179bf?ncid=tweetlnkukhpmg00000001&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLzZlYXVUbGVkT1Q_YW1wPTE&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF3x_oclDBAWhJMDCzF3zP4DzB1rjSOkEk06qqQWVHG1qOlJ8dUubcxGIp1ihKilTS1jZQMFfbkpLznD_mhYtVf5ikrga0HWF5imsB9OBU7MzbRek-hZiVCRsuEu6Ag2nYCrFxdctqib9t9lNsY4sC84O4tLt_HRPOWR3_zjTqRf

(sorry for the absurd URL!)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 19 June, 2020, 10:04:25 pm
Quote from: ian
Bah. I like the mothership Christmas party. We'd better had ours. Or send lots of booze around my house.
It's not the event that one objects to.  It's the borg-like insistence that everyone wants to go and that everyone must have fun that pisses me off and, it has to be said, I'm not that impressed by management's tendency to drop the thankless task of organising the damn thing on some poor overworked admin. bod.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 24 June, 2020, 04:25:55 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53164226

It jumped the shark many years ago.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Canardly on 24 June, 2020, 09:22:15 pm
I may be wrong, but for a  short while, when there was no traffic, no aircraft noise and no associated stress or polution, a lot of people seemed to be much happier.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 25 June, 2020, 12:39:33 pm
Anyone use the Village Hotels group?  They're reopening and offering rooms from £25 a night!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Giraffe on 25 June, 2020, 02:54:13 pm
At least most people are still being friendlier and more co-operative than before Covid, note: this is in villages and fields - I don't go into town.
One sign that's not good is that the level of cretin cans is getting back to sub-normality.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 June, 2020, 06:01:58 pm
Scrutiny of the weather forecast is making me less disappointed not to be in Stornoway.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2020, 12:29:28 pm
This amused me, even though I haven't been involved in corporate bollocks for over a quarter of a century.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 11 July, 2020, 12:18:43 am
I didn't appreciate that unsolicited doorbell pushers had been absent for the last three months.

They have returned.

David is Not Pleased.

Some of these callers don't do masks or social distancing.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 11 July, 2020, 05:40:35 am
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/new-app-launched-help-drinkers-18567494


Quote
The app was created by two Manchester-based developers and follows a controversial few months for the billion-dollar pub chain.

The company's outspoken chairman Tim Martin has faced criticism for downplaying the risks involved in visiting pubs at the start of the pandemic.

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 22 July, 2020, 02:29:16 pm
Result!

Local B&Q sold out of paint brushes, none due in the foreseeable future and cannot place customer orders for paint until end August.

"Decorating? Yes dear I'd love to, but, *sucks teeth* , you just can't get the parts."  :D


Actually it's not that great.   I'd dropped in to get some new brushes after the last round of (much needed) painting because mine (despite cleaning and cosseting over the years) really are past their best.

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: robgul on 22 July, 2020, 05:05:43 pm
Result!

Local B&Q sold out of paint brushes, none due in the foreseeable future and cannot place customer orders for paint until end August.

"Decorating? Yes dear I'd love to, but, *sucks teeth* , you just can't get the parts."  :D


Actually it's not that great.   I'd dropped in to get some new brushes after the last round of (much needed) painting because mine (despite cleaning and cosseting over the years) really are past their best.

Have you got a branch of Brewers near you? - our local one seems to be well-stocked . . . but process is arcane with "phone and collect" for non-trade account punters.  You could also try Screwfix (B&Q in another hat) for brushes.

Rob
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 22 July, 2020, 05:18:18 pm
I bought some brushes from Screwfix during the lockdown, and their stock was very patchy.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 22 July, 2020, 09:05:13 pm
Tried to buy a blow-torch head from Screwfix the other day.  It's gone all, "Have to order it on the web." to which my reply was, "No thanks. Good-bye."

I can eke a few more uses out of those I have so I daresay by the time I absolutely need new brushes they'll be back in stock. 

I'll have a dekko in one of the independent(ish) hardware shops tomorrow, see if they've got any.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 23 July, 2020, 10:17:54 am
Our independent hardware shop had brushes, and probably still does. Not too far from you, I think?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 23 July, 2020, 06:11:57 pm
Needed to go this afternoon. It still has brushes  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2020, 08:44:10 pm
It seems there have been FAR fewer extremely premature babies born during lockdown, leaving the neonatologists who weren't redeployed on COVID duties happily yet bemusedly twiddling their thumbs, internationally.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 23 July, 2020, 08:46:36 pm
It seems there have been FAR fewer extremely premature babies born during lockdown, leaving the neonatologists who weren't redeployed on COVID duties happily yet bemusedly twiddling their thumbs, internationally.

I blame the comet :)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 July, 2020, 09:06:21 pm
I blame 5G. Now we know it stands for 5th gestation.

(No, this doesn't really make sense, but don't think about it too hard. Just get me my fluorescent yellow racing facemask!)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2020, 10:52:09 pm
It seems there have been FAR fewer extremely premature babies born during lockdown, leaving the neonatologists who weren't redeployed on COVID duties happily yet bemusedly twiddling their thumbs, internationally.

I blame the comet :)

I have already blamed the comets for both Facebook friend's eye trouble (NEOWISE) and mine (Hale-Bopp)...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: tonycollinet on 24 July, 2020, 06:44:49 am
Tried to buy a blow-torch head from Screwfix the other day.  It's gone all, "Have to order it on the web." to which my reply was, "No thanks. Good-bye."

I think that is a brialliant system. Order online, get a text within a few minutes saying it is ready to collect, walk in, walk away with stuff. I've ordered a couple of times while sitting in the car park, and it's taken no longer than going in opening the catalog, and writing numbers on bits of paper.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: robgul on 24 July, 2020, 07:54:31 am
Tried to buy a blow-torch head from Screwfix the other day.  It's gone all, "Have to order it on the web." to which my reply was, "No thanks. Good-bye."

I think that is a brialliant system. Order online, get a text within a few minutes saying it is ready to collect, walk in, walk away with stuff. I've ordered a couple of times while sitting in the car park, and it's taken no longer than going in opening the catalog, and writing numbers on bits of paper.

Agreed - I can order from home - get on the bike/in the car depending on goods to be collected and 10 minutes to Screwfix (2/3 of that downhill  :thumbsup:) and ready for collection.  BUT some quite surprising items aren't in stock and are 2/3 days from the warehouse - wanted a box of "trade rated" i.e. big seller screws yesterday and have to wait until Monday for them.

Rob
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 24 July, 2020, 08:33:22 am
Quote from: tonycollinet
Quote from: TheLurker
Tried to buy a blow-torch head from Screwfix the other day.  It's gone all, "Have to order it on the web." to which my reply was, "No thanks. Good-bye."
I think that is a brialliant system....
Fair enough, you like it.  I don't and until and unless Screwfix go back to their old system (highly unlikely) they won't be getting my custom.  I have no intention of giving companies my telephone number, e-mail address and inside leg measurement when all I want from them is a bag of nuts and bolts.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 July, 2020, 10:51:20 am
For the first time in living memory the man at #22 Fort Larrington Road has all three of his household's vehicles parked on his drive instead of leaving his Mitsubishi Wankpanzer on the verge/pavement.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 30 July, 2020, 12:14:47 am
Quote from: tonycollinet
Quote from: TheLurker
Tried to buy a blow-torch head from Screwfix the other day.  It's gone all, "Have to order it on the web." to which my reply was, "No thanks. Good-bye."
I think that is a brialliant system....
Fair enough, you like it.  I don't and until and unless Screwfix go back to their old system (highly unlikely) they won't be getting my custom.  I have no intention of giving companies my telephone number, e-mail address and inside leg measurement when all I want from them is a bag of nuts and bolts.

It works well as a way to mitigate the risk of spreading coronavirus, as it means people aren't hanging around in the shop fondling things.  I find it useful, because  - Screwfix's stock control being what it is - you can tell that they haven't got the bag of bolts you want before you leave the house.

When I was in the queueueue at ours during the lockdown, the guy on door duty was saying that they'd had some aggro from people who thought they'd get served without ordering online if they threatened him with violence.  You have to wonder about some people ...if you don't like it, go elsewhere.  It's not like the underpaid shop staff get to make these decisions.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 30 July, 2020, 05:20:02 am
Quote from: Kim
...if you don't like it, go elsewhere.  It's not like the underpaid shop staff get to make these decisions.
Aye.  The counter staff do have my sympathy.  They get grouchy old blokes (Me? Never :) ) turning up and they're the poor buggers who have to deal with it.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 31 July, 2020, 09:24:21 pm
Updated my washing machine app for the first time in a while. It's gained not one, but two new programmes!

(https://i.ibb.co/FXTzDQR/IMG-2369.png) (https://ibb.co/dtYD5N8)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 July, 2020, 09:27:35 pm
Your washer has an app?
WTTF...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: giropaul on 01 August, 2020, 08:24:22 am
If I’ve missed this above, apologies.

I just had a letter from Direct Line offering me some money back if, due to Coronavirus, my mileage since March has been significant less. The evidence required is very sensible and easy.

I’d say that’s very decent of them.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 August, 2020, 02:33:05 pm
10kg is an awful lot of masks. Is this a commercial laundry? Hospital?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 01 August, 2020, 03:11:55 pm
Your washer has an app?
WTTF...

It can even be controlled by Alexa (though I don't bother with that)! :o TBH, all I ever use the app for is to access a bigger range of programmes that can't be accessed via the actual machine, for washing waterproof stuff or down or whatever.

10kg is an awful lot of masks. Is this a commercial laundry? Hospital?

I wondered that! Given that out of two people in this household, only one uses reusable masks is me (partner finds disposables easier to breathe in, apparently), I can't see myself using it very often. ???
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Basil on 22 October, 2020, 12:02:46 pm
Welsh government to nationalise railways in Wales.

https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-government-confirms-nationalisation-of-wales-railway-services/
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 October, 2020, 09:00:06 pm
SO and I are hoping to get out of the annual trip to Bolton to see her (adoptive) father.  It is always as grim as the first four letters of Grimsby.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 24 October, 2020, 09:50:27 am
Got out of driving 50km to return a router to Orange by explaining on phone that we are old and frail and Haguenau teems with SARS-CoV-2. They're sending us a list of local drop-off points and return slip.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 24 October, 2020, 10:03:25 am
Got out of driving 50km to return a router to Orange by explaining on phone that we are old and frail and Haguenau teems with SARS-CoV-2. They're sending us a list of local drop-off points and return slip.

Gotta say I found the Limousin 'Boutique'* extremely helpful when returning my router last year.  They gave me a time-stamped letter confirming receipt and termination.

Orange then continued to bill me as if nothing happened despite phoning them.  Then they sold the debt to a debt collector!  I told them they had been duped and would get nothing out of me.  It was nearly as bad as checking out of the Hotel California.

My neighbours whose French is worse than mine failed to get a receipt for some reason and Orange pursued them for payment in England. 

* more local agents had ceased to work for Orange - I wonder why?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 October, 2020, 07:02:37 pm
To avoid being the victim of junior extortionists tomorrow evening, just stick a note reading “Sorry — Self-isolating” in your front window.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 October, 2020, 07:27:55 pm
Or simply don't answer the door.  We're in that habit anyway.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 30 October, 2020, 08:21:02 pm
Turns the light off...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 October, 2020, 08:22:22 pm
They're not supposed to be guising up here, is it not the same in England?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 30 October, 2020, 08:47:44 pm
They're not supposed to be guising up here, is it not the same in England?

Who knows?  It's not like there are competent authorities widly publicising clear rules.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 October, 2020, 08:53:16 pm
Haven't heard anything either way. But it's not as if they're enforcing the rules they do have anyway.  My son went to a halloween party at a friend's yesterday, left just after ten and said all the restaurants and pubs were still serving. And this is on the main road, not tucked away in some obscure place. So it's all going really well...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: orienteer on 30 October, 2020, 08:53:51 pm
They're not supposed to be guising up here, is it not the same in England?

It's part of BJ's youth training and employment plan.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 30 October, 2020, 08:59:19 pm
Like every year, if they make it across the shark moat, I'll be generous with the servings of boiling oil.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 October, 2020, 09:05:13 pm
They're not supposed to be guising up here, is it not the same in England?

The BBC Londonton News had a five minute feature on “Safe Extortion For Kiddiwinks Inna Time Ov Pandemic”, so it would appear not, at least in Tier 2 areas.  Unless Bloody Stupid Johnson changes Teh Roolz again tomorrow.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TheLurker on 31 October, 2020, 08:06:54 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington
To avoid being the victim of junior extortionists tomorrow evening, just stick a note reading “Sorry — Self-isolating” in your front window.
And waste all those Claymore mines that I bought especially for the occasion?  Where's the fun in that?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 31 October, 2020, 09:41:28 am
Amazon have pulled the Hallowe'en coronavirus mask from sale, which is a shame.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/amazon-coronavirus-halloween-masks-a4560901.html
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 03 November, 2020, 10:24:47 am
I'm not wearing my smart shirts, shoes and trousers out. Mind you, I haven't got a pair of jeans left without at least one hole in them.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2020, 12:00:33 pm
I'm not wearing my smart shirts, shoes and trousers out. Mind you, I haven't got a pair of jeans left without at least one hole in them.

I had to buy new jeans, as mine were at least three sizes too big.  On the basis of least shopping effort I bought some of those posh Alpkit ones.  Waist is still too big and not high enough because it's modern trousers, but they have *pockets*.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Greenbank on 03 November, 2020, 12:12:38 pm
Amazon have pulled the Hallowe'en coronavirus mask from sale, which is a shame.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/amazon-coronavirus-halloween-masks-a4560901.html

Cue Streisand Effect and them being stocked at other less rapacious websites.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2020, 12:19:58 pm
I'm not wearing my smart shirts, shoes and trousers out. Mind you, I haven't got a pair of jeans left without at least one hole in them.

I had to buy new jeans, as mine were at least three sizes too big.  On the basis of least shopping effort I bought some of those posh Alpkit ones.  Waist is still too big and not high enough because it's modern trousers, but they have *pockets*.   :thumbsup:
Alpkit do jeans? Are they just jeans or is there anything Alpkity about them? Presumably the waist is still at least 4 inches more in reality than the marked size?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2020, 12:22:54 pm
I'm not wearing my smart shirts, shoes and trousers out. Mind you, I haven't got a pair of jeans left without at least one hole in them.

I had to buy new jeans, as mine were at least three sizes too big.  On the basis of least shopping effort I bought some of those posh Alpkit ones.  Waist is still too big and not high enough because it's modern trousers, but they have *pockets*.   :thumbsup:
Alpkit do jeans? Are they just jeans or is there anything Alpkity about them? Presumably the waist is still at least 4 inches more in reality than the marked size?

https://alpkit.com/collections/womens-trousers-and-shorts/products/sequence-technical-jeans-womens

They're specially shaped to be better at scrambling over rocks (I haven't tested this).  And did I mention they have real pockets?  There's also an extra one on the side of the leg that you can fit a smartphone in *and* sit down.

Main gotcha from the comments seems to be short legs, but they come in three lengths, so I just ordered the long version.  Also, because it's an outdoor shop, they have a size guide in actual measurement units, rather than leaving you to guess the vanity size fudge factor.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2020, 12:26:16 pm
I'm not wearing my smart shirts, shoes and trousers out. Mind you, I haven't got a pair of jeans left without at least one hole in them.

I had to buy new jeans, as mine were at least three sizes too big.  On the basis of least shopping effort I bought some of those posh Alpkit ones.  Waist is still too big and not high enough because it's modern trousers, but they have *pockets*.   :thumbsup:
Alpkit do jeans? Are they just jeans or is there anything Alpkity about them? Presumably the waist is still at least 4 inches more in reality than the marked size?

They're specially shaped to be better at scrambling over rocks.  And did I mention they have *pockets*?

Main gotcha from the comments seems to be short legs, but they come in three lengths, so I just ordered the long version.  Also, because it's an outdoor shop, they have a size guide in actual measurement units, rather than leaving you to guess the vanity size fudge factor.
I thought jeans were usually an exception to the general rule that women's clothes don't have pockets anyway? And does rock scrambling shape mean they're any good for cycling?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2020, 12:31:56 pm
I thought jeans were usually an exception to the general rule that women's clothes don't have pockets anyway?

Women's jeans have pockets, but the front ones are usually superficial.  You might get an AA battery lipstick or two in them.  Certainly not deep enough to warm your hands with when you're cold.


Quote
And does rock scrambling shape mean they're any good for cycling?

I doubt it.  There's a lot of extra seams going on in the crotch area.  I have a strict no cycling in jeans policy anyway, after riding in wet civvies caused an abscess that took months to heal (and left scarring that threatens a repeat performance).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 November, 2020, 12:33:07 pm
I'm not wearing my smart shirts, shoes and trousers out. Mind you, I haven't got a pair of jeans left without at least one hole in them.

I had to buy new jeans, as mine were at least three sizes too big.  On the basis of least shopping effort I bought some of those posh Alpkit ones.  Waist is still too big and not high enough because it's modern trousers, but they have *pockets*.   :thumbsup:
Alpkit do jeans? Are they just jeans or is there anything Alpkity about them? Presumably the waist is still at least 4 inches more in reality than the marked size?

https://alpkit.com/collections/womens-trousers-and-shorts/products/sequence-technical-jeans-womens

They're specially shaped to be better at scrambling over rocks (I haven't tested this).  And did I mention they have real pockets?  There's also an extra one on the side of the leg that you can fit a smartphone in *and* sit down.

Main gotcha from the comments seems to be short legs, but they come in three lengths, so I just ordered the long version.  Also, because it's an outdoor shop, they have a size guide in actual measurement units, rather than leaving you to guess the vanity size fudge factor.

It's a pity they only come in a bit of meh shade of blue. :(
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2020, 12:35:29 pm
It's a pity they only come in a bit of meh shade of blue. :(

Yes, I angsted over that for a while, generally preferring my jeans to be BLACK.

The skinny ones are a better shade, but I'm the wrong shape for skinny jeans, and their waist doesn't come up to the waist either: https://alpkit.com/collections/womens-trousers-and-shorts/products/jeanius-technical-performance-jeans-womens
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 November, 2020, 12:39:59 pm
On a clothes-related note, I'm having to do a lot less washing: previously, I'd have work clothes, non-work clothes, and gym clothes. Now that gym classes are off again (and I'm not particularly keen on going to the gym anyhow, it being a university one), a single pair of Craghoppers trousers and a merino top lasts me a full week. :-X I do change underwear daily, for the record.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2020, 12:52:31 pm
I thought jeans were usually an exception to the general rule that women's clothes don't have pockets anyway?

Women's jeans have pockets, but the front ones are usually superficial.  You might get an AA battery lipstick or two in them.  Certainly not deep enough to warm your hands with when you're cold.
Whereas men's jeans can combine main pockets too small to warm your hands with a coin pocket too deep to be able to get coins out of. Come to think of it, they're probably better shaped to an AA battery or lipstick than coins.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2020, 12:54:04 pm
I do change underwear daily, for the record.
This seems to combine "reassuring to know" with "too much information"!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2020, 12:54:49 pm
Now that gym classes are off again (and I'm not particularly keen on going to the gym anyhow, it being a university one), a single pair of Craghoppers trousers and a merino top lasts me a full week.

You're evidently better at not spilling chocolate/flour/schmoo on your trousers than me.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 03 November, 2020, 12:57:02 pm
I'm not wearing my smart shirts, shoes and trousers out. Mind you, I haven't got a pair of jeans left without at least one hole in them.

I had to buy new jeans, as mine were at least three sizes too big.  On the basis of least shopping effort I bought some of those posh Alpkit ones.  Waist is still too big and not high enough because it's modern trousers, but they have *pockets*.   :thumbsup:
Alpkit do jeans? Are they just jeans or is there anything Alpkity about them? Presumably the waist is still at least 4 inches more in reality than the marked size?

https://alpkit.com/collections/womens-trousers-and-shorts/products/sequence-technical-jeans-womens

They're specially shaped to be better at scrambling over rocks (I haven't tested this).  And did I mention they have real pockets?  There's also an extra one on the side of the leg that you can fit a smartphone in *and* sit down.

Main gotcha from the comments seems to be short legs, but they come in three lengths, so I just ordered the long version.  Also, because it's an outdoor shop, they have a size guide in actual measurement units, rather than leaving you to guess the vanity size fudge factor.

It's a pity they only come in a bit of meh shade of blue. :(


And they don't come in 'Fat Bastard' sizes either....    :(
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 03 November, 2020, 02:27:37 pm
There seem to be far fewer extraneous pieces of advertising being included with out weekend newspapers.  Good for us, not so much for the publication I suspect.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: robgul on 03 November, 2020, 03:45:40 pm
There seem to be far fewer extraneous pieces of advertising being included with out weekend newspapers.  Good for us, not so much for the publication I suspect.

I noticed that with the STimes this week - pity the company with the "November offers" flyer - can't remember who but certainly "non-essential"
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 November, 2020, 03:51:07 pm
Now that gym classes are off again (and I'm not particularly keen on going to the gym anyhow, it being a university one), a single pair of Craghoppers trousers and a merino top lasts me a full week.

You're evidently better at not spilling chocolate/flour/schmoo on your trousers than me.

No one can see my trousers on Zoom... :-X
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 November, 2020, 08:34:24 pm
On a clothes-related note, I'm having to do a lot less washing: previously, I'd have work clothes, non-work clothes, and gym clothes. Now that gym classes are off again (and I'm not particularly keen on going to the gym anyhow, it being a university one), a single pair of Craghoppers trousers and a merino top lasts me a full week.

This. But all my civilian clothes are getting worn out from the extra wear.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2020, 08:38:38 pm
On a clothes-related note, I'm having to do a lot less washing: previously, I'd have work clothes, non-work clothes, and gym clothes. Now that gym classes are off again (and I'm not particularly keen on going to the gym anyhow, it being a university one), a single pair of Craghoppers trousers and a merino top lasts me a full week.

This. But all my civilian clothes are getting worn out from the extra wear.
For trousers, the wear can be reduced by only wearing them if you plan to stand up. Though admittedly this works better in summer.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2020, 08:43:27 pm
I'm still wearing my three-sizes-too-big jeans when I know I'm likely to be doing something mucky or not going anywhere they might fall down.

Barakta, meanwhile, is doing the same with jeans that are still the right size[1], but have holes in unfashionable places.  She's in advanced stages of denial over her remaining pair of comfortable shoes.


[1] Quite possibly the right size for me?  Haven't tried...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 03 November, 2020, 08:54:57 pm
I've taken to wearing lingerie all day in the hope a plumber will come to, erm, unblock my radiator.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 03 November, 2020, 09:22:07 pm
On a clothes-related note, I'm having to do a lot less washing: previously, I'd have work clothes, non-work clothes, and gym clothes. Now that gym classes are off again (and I'm not particularly keen on going to the gym anyhow, it being a university one), a single pair of Craghoppers trousers and a merino top lasts me a full week.

This. But all my civilian clothes are getting worn out from the extra wear.

I stopped giving a shit about the dress code norm at work when they decided we should be in needlessly.
Unfortunately it doesn't really have much effect as
a) no one really cares anyway
b) if anyone tried enforcing it half of management would have to go home and get changed
c) I wear polo shirts normally anyway and they're allowed so it's only the cords, which unless I've been pissing around with bikes, cars or mud pass the acceptability test normally anyway.

I've also forgotten how to tie a tie again.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: geraldc on 03 November, 2020, 09:40:31 pm
Daughters' nursery class has split into 2 bubbles. Each bubble puts on a nativity play, it will be videoed and distributed online, no need to attend with dozens of other parents. With the smaller bubble, every child gets a decent speaking part if they want it.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 03 November, 2020, 09:48:55 pm
Double coronabonus!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 November, 2020, 12:09:40 am
I'd say this is a bonus

BBC News - Covid: Small shops 'more agile' than big ones in pandemic

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54795486

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 08 November, 2020, 06:44:16 pm
More turkeys will survive.

..until they get avian flu.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 16 November, 2020, 10:09:13 am
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/16/half-of-schools-in-england-drop-nativity-plays-because-of-covid?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 November, 2020, 11:55:50 am
It's the internet, so there are cats.
https://youtu.be/y5Z9jg6SrZo
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2020, 12:33:51 pm
Three bonuses today:
1. Didn't have to traipse round school for parents evening. It only took ten minutes over Zoom.
2. No drunks vomiting in the street on Friday night.
3. I've discovered that a facemask in cold weather is good for my sinus.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: mllePB on 30 November, 2020, 05:23:39 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).  Lunchtime drinking hasn't been a thing in engineering for decades but now it was general advice that you were running a risk if you had more than a single drink the night before a day in the office.

There hasn't been a whisper of random testing for work-at-home...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jurek on 30 November, 2020, 05:28:39 pm
I confess to being curious as to being curious as to the line of business you are in.
I'm assuming that it doesn't include getting something made by Boeing airborne.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 30 November, 2020, 05:34:44 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).  Lunchtime drinking hasn't been a thing in engineering for decades but now it was general advice that you were running a risk if you had more than a single drink the night before a day in the office.

There hasn't been a whisper of random testing for work-at-home...

I think that current H&S law for the workplace is suspended with regard to WFH. So no need for workplace assessments etc.

Will be interesting to see what happens After Pandemic.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: davelodwig on 30 November, 2020, 06:39:06 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).  Lunchtime drinking hasn't been a thing in engineering for decades but now it was general advice that you were running a risk if you had more than a single drink the night before a day in the office.

There hasn't been a whisper of random testing for work-at-home...

I think that current H&S law for the workplace is suspended with regard to WFH. So no need for workplace assessments etc.

Will be interesting to see what happens After Pandemic.

Depends on the Engineering, occasional lunchtime drinking is still a thing in software engineering.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jurek on 30 November, 2020, 06:46:03 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).  Lunchtime drinking hasn't been a thing in engineering for decades but now it was general advice that you were running a risk if you had more than a single drink the night before a day in the office.

There hasn't been a whisper of random testing for work-at-home...

I think that current H&S law for the workplace is suspended with regard to WFH. So no need for workplace assessments etc.

Will be interesting to see what happens After Pandemic.

Depends on the Engineering, occasional lunchtime drinking is still a thing in software engineering.
Boeing 737.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2020, 06:48:26 pm
Depends on the Engineering, occasional lunchtime drinking is still a thing in software engineering.

ob-xkcd:

(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/ballmer_peak.png) (https://xkcd.com/323/)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: SteveC on 30 November, 2020, 06:54:01 pm
Depends on the Engineering, occasional lunchtime drinking is still a thing in software engineering.

...but very much less than it used to be. When I started with my current employer, you were taken to the pub for lunch on your first day and quarterly reviews always ended with free beer. Some people were in the pub every lunchtime. Many people were in the pub Friday lunchtime. Now it's very much a special occasion thing.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 30 November, 2020, 09:23:48 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).  Lunchtime drinking hasn't been a thing in engineering for decades but now it was general advice that you were running a risk if you had more than a single drink the night before a day in the office.

There hasn't been a whisper of random testing for work-at-home...

I think that current H&S law for the workplace is suspended with regard to WFH. So no need for workplace assessments etc.

Will be interesting to see what happens After Pandemic.

We’ve all had to complete DSE and workplace assessments, as a result of working from home during Covid.   They kind of missed that some of us have been WFH for years without it being thought necessary...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2020, 09:25:18 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).  Lunchtime drinking hasn't been a thing in engineering for decades but now it was general advice that you were running a risk if you had more than a single drink the night before a day in the office.

There hasn't been a whisper of random testing for work-at-home...

I think that current H&S law for the workplace is suspended with regard to WFH. So no need for workplace assessments etc.

Will be interesting to see what happens After Pandemic.

We’ve all had to complete DSE and workplace assessments, as a result of working from home during Covid.   They kind of missed that some of us have been WFH for years without it being thought necessary...
So what happened if your home workplace 'failed' the assessment?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 30 November, 2020, 09:44:11 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).  Lunchtime drinking hasn't been a thing in engineering for decades but now it was general advice that you were running a risk if you had more than a single drink the night before a day in the office.

There hasn't been a whisper of random testing for work-at-home...

I think that current H&S law for the workplace is suspended with regard to WFH. So no need for workplace assessments etc.

Will be interesting to see what happens After Pandemic.

We’ve all had to complete DSE and workplace assessments, as a result of working from home during Covid.   They kind of missed that some of us have been WFH for years without it being thought necessary...

The assessment is standard for WFH for us, except they don't do them just now because that would mean a non-virtual meeting.
Not that anyone is officially allowed to WFH anyway becase the board are ---
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: L CC on 30 November, 2020, 10:35:14 pm
We're having our WFH arrangements assessed by the HR/occ health team via teams to see if there's anything they can do to improve things.

Alcohol at work is pretty acceptable for us, though. I'm in the office one day this week and will be requesting a care package.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: quixoticgeek on 30 November, 2020, 10:38:00 pm
Depends on the Engineering, occasional lunchtime drinking is still a thing in software engineering.

...but very much less than it used to be. When I started with my current employer, you were taken to the pub for lunch on your first day and quarterly reviews always ended with free beer. Some people were in the pub every lunchtime. Many people were in the pub Friday lunchtime. Now it's very much a special occasion thing.

On my 18th Birthday our team went to the pub at lunch time, my boss bought me some beers. Later that afternoon he tried to reprimand me for being drunk at work. He stopped the process when i mentioned it was him who had bought me the beer...

A lot of tech firms here do drinks on Fridays. I have mixed feelings about it, the whole drinky techbro culture is not exactly welcoming to many of us, and when you turn down a beer, they people ask awkward questions, or assume your pregnant. It's most infuriating. See also tech conferences.

J
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 30 November, 2020, 11:36:54 pm
Never had this alcohol at work thing, not sure if NCR had restrictions but we were nowhere near a pub anyway.
By the time I started at the health board the alcohol ban was in place which included being under the influence at work not just consumption. Although the doctors mess was a well known exception to that rule.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 01 December, 2020, 07:43:31 am
I did get work to pay for an electric sit/stand desk, as a result of my WFH assessment.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: robgul on 01 December, 2020, 08:03:58 am
I did get work to pay for an electric sit/stand desk, as a result of my WFH assessment.   :thumbsup:

One of my sons-in-law got, along with everyone from his organisation, an automatic allowance (I think it was bout £400) towards desk and chair etc for WFH . . . he's a public sector employee with an HQ in Liverpool.  He's been at home since March and has been told it'll be next March at the earliest to be back in an office.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 December, 2020, 09:32:35 am
Trying to square all this WFH assessment with some people's home realities. If you're living in a bedsit, working from a laptop balanced on your knees with no space for a desk, does a WFH assessment get you a pay rise to move to better accommodation or get you fired for being unable to work efficiently?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 01 December, 2020, 09:46:52 am
As a perpetual (mostly) WFH, I have to periodically sign a form to say I'm happy with my workspace. If not, I presume they would (in normal times) come and do an assessment. I can expense anything* that makes me happy, though less booze, as it's hard to justify the 'entertainment' if it's just me (ah client lunches, fond fond memories).

The mothership did announce they'll be paying a not-unreasonable stipend to people who will continue to WFH (and it will become the new norm) and who are not already trousering a big salary.

*ok, I have to go through procurement hell for desks and chairs and anything that ticks the capex box. If you've used anything based on SAP, you'll know this particular and peculiar hell.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rafletcher on 01 December, 2020, 10:44:42 am
Trying to square all this WFH assessment with some people's home realities. If you're living in a bedsit, working from a laptop balanced on your knees with no space for a desk, does a WFH assessment get you a pay rise to move to better accommodation or get you fired for being unable to work efficiently?

No. which is why most of my stepsons staff (mainly in their 20's and early 30's) have decamped from that there London back to parents wherever possible.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 01 December, 2020, 11:15:33 am
Trying to square all this WFH assessment with some people's home realities. If you're living in a bedsit, working from a laptop balanced on your knees with no space for a desk, does a WFH assessment get you a pay rise to move to better accommodation or get you fired for being unable to work efficiently?

Same problem with DSA.  I recall barakta having students with allowances for ergonomic kit they simply couldn't use due to their living conditions.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 01 December, 2020, 11:44:48 am
As a perpetual (mostly) WFH, I have to periodically sign a form to say I'm happy with my workspace. If not, I presume they would (in normal times) come and do an assessment. I can expense anything* that makes me happy, though less booze, as it's hard to justify the 'entertainment' if it's just me (ah client lunches, fond fond memories).

The mothership did announce they'll be paying a not-unreasonable stipend to people who will continue to WFH (and it will become the new norm) and who are not already trousering a big salary.

*ok, I have to go through procurement hell for desks and chairs and anything that ticks the capex box. If you've used anything based on SAP, you'll know this particular and peculiar hell.


Work will pay the tax exempt £6 per week to staff WFH who are earning less than £50k a year.  Those of us above that have to make do with claim the tax rebate...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: citoyen on 01 December, 2020, 12:03:39 pm
Re alcohol at work, we actually have a well stocked bar in our office, which was installed during the first lockdown (the work had been scheduled since last year). Drinks are free, but it's only 'open' between 5.30 and 6pm for those who want a glass of something at the end of the working day. It's also open late on the last Friday of every month for those who want to hang around in the office boozing with their colleagues.

Drinks are also made available for the quarterly company meetings, and since the last couple of these have been via Zoom, we've all been given a £10 allowance to provide ourselves with our tipple of choice.

So yeah, drinking is not just allowed but positively encouraged.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 December, 2020, 12:26:41 pm
I think I vaguely agree with QG on disliking drinking at work or work-related events culture. Don't know about 'techbro culture' though, my impression of techies has not generally been that they're particularly heavy drinkers.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 01 December, 2020, 12:53:24 pm
I think I vaguely agree with QG on disliking drinking at work or work-related events culture. Don't know about 'techbro culture' though, my impression of techies has not generally been that they're particularly heavy drinkers.
Think it varies heavily, places I've worked have had next to no social culture. But I've inadvertently managed to find myself on other companies weekly piss ups with mates in the past.

Quitting the demon drink put a stop to that though.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 01 December, 2020, 01:29:54 pm
Re alcohol at work, we actually have a well stocked bar in our office, which was installed during the first lockdown (the work had been scheduled since last year). Drinks are free, but it's only 'open' between 5.30 and 6pm for those who want a glass of something at the end of the working day. It's also open late on the last Friday of every month for those who want to hang around in the office boozing with their colleagues.

Drinks are also made available for the quarterly company meetings, and since the last couple of these have been via Zoom, we've all been given a £10 allowance to provide ourselves with our tipple of choice.

So yeah, drinking is not just allowed but positively encouraged.

My wife used to work at a PR agency on Soho square, they had a splendid and cheap bar, and would even deliver booze to your desk or someone else's (they had an app). It didn't open till mid-day though. You could pay directly from your salary.

I used to nick beer from the advertising agency opposite our office, they had a big fridge and I have receptionist-deflecting smile.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 December, 2020, 01:35:32 pm
I think I vaguely agree with QG on disliking drinking at work or work-related events culture. Don't know about 'techbro culture' though, my impression of techies has not generally been that they're particularly heavy drinkers.
Think it varies heavily, places I've worked have had next to no social culture. But I've inadvertently managed to find myself on other companies weekly piss ups with mates in the past.

Quitting the demon drink put a stop to that though.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
It's the automatic connection of social with alcohol, in all circumstances, that can be a problem.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: bhoot on 01 December, 2020, 01:43:11 pm
I work in a business with very strict drinks & drugs rules, even for office staff, which normally included random unannounced testing (based on desk no).
Me too for the strict rules, even though I only drive a pc in the IT department (railway industry), although I am unaware of any random testing in office only locations.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 01 December, 2020, 01:57:28 pm
I think I vaguely agree with QG on disliking drinking at work or work-related events culture. Don't know about 'techbro culture' though, my impression of techies has not generally been that they're particularly heavy drinkers.
Think it varies heavily, places I've worked have had next to no social culture. But I've inadvertently managed to find myself on other companies weekly piss ups with mates in the past.

Quitting the demon drink put a stop to that though.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
It's the automatic connection of social with alcohol, in all circumstances, that can be a problem.
Yes, it killed my grandad and his brother.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Legs on 01 December, 2020, 02:09:43 pm
I'm not WFH at the moment, but needed to finish off writing a structural report last night so that we could invoice it for month-end.  Had a few glasses of ginger wine and the words flowed much better...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: cygnet on 01 December, 2020, 09:06:11 pm
DSE assessment for WFH  >:(
It took over 5 years of filling in my DSE assessment in the office, annually, with "suffers from wrist pain while using workstation"
The  eventual solution: two bits of 1by4 added to lift the desktop up. Wrist pain gone in a couple of months.

Post Lockdown 1: come back into the office, you can book a desk.
"OReally" I says.
"Which desks can I book given you have declared mine off limits?"
"Um" says work co. "Let us think about that. A lot. Really hard thinking. Maybe another 3 months worth of thinking"

Just before lockdown 2 (England) they'd acquired 2 varidesks. For an office of precovid occupancy 500+. I got to use it once.

Chances of them doing a homeworking assessment. 0

[Looks at thread title]

I've been able to raise my work table at home (through judicious placement of pterry dead tree books initially) to avoid re-infliction of wrist injury.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ashaman42 on 01 December, 2020, 10:25:54 pm
Trying to square all this WFH assessment with some people's home realities. If you're living in a bedsit, working from a laptop balanced on your knees with no space for a desk, does a WFH assessment get you a pay rise to move to better accommodation or get you fired for being unable to work efficiently?
I've got a friend (well friend of a friend) who whilst working from home has been doing whatever practical elements are required by soldering with their own iron on their kitchen table.

So she asked for work to supply a soldering station with extraction fan and filter and whatnot.

But no, her flat hasn't got sufficient space/airflow for that so she can't have one. Even if she promises to only use it on the balcony. But she still needs to do tasks x, y & z.

So she's stuck using her own iron with no filtration, etc.

What's that phrase about enemies and perfect and good? :facepalm:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 02 December, 2020, 05:57:02 am
As a perpetual (mostly) WFH, I have to periodically sign a form to say I'm happy with my workspace. If not, I presume they would (in normal times) come and do an assessment. I can expense anything* that makes me happy, though less booze, as it's hard to justify the 'entertainment' if it's just me (ah client lunches, fond fond memories).

The mothership did announce they'll be paying a not-unreasonable stipend to people who will continue to WFH (and it will become the new norm) and who are not already trousering a big salary.

*ok, I have to go through procurement hell for desks and chairs and anything that ticks the capex box. If you've used anything based on SAP, you'll know this particular and peculiar hell.

They announced a similar one off payment from our mob, and made it tax free as well. If I were a young up and coming consultant in a shared house or bedsit I'm sure it would come in very handy. In my case having wfh for the last 13 years, I can't see where I'd spend it other than on some very nice wine to improve the ambience (my office is also the booze store). I took the option of donating it to our charitable foundation.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 02 December, 2020, 10:09:48 am
Though I like to gripe about corporate motherships, ours had been relatively good throughout – they've basically given everyone under a certain salary cap a monthly top-up going forward (which apparently covers 40% of the company and isn't time-limited). Doesn't apply to those us on the higher subdecks, of course.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 03 December, 2020, 09:17:19 am
Bike sales still way above normal levels. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54970008)

Interesting snippet (albeit from the US) from there : -

Quote
"At first [during the pandemic] the entry-level price point bikes were what sold the fastest, but over time we ended up selling almost every bike we had, which included e-bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes," says company spokeswoman Jill Nazeer.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: TimC on 03 December, 2020, 01:53:21 pm
Bike sales still way above normal levels. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54970008)


Probably closely followed by shed sales in order to store the unused bikes for the next 20 years!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 03 December, 2020, 02:15:18 pm
Bike sales still way above normal levels. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54970008)


Probably closely followed by shed sales in order to store the unused bikes for the next 20 years!
[Rubs hands together in gleeful expectation]


ETA. I've just realised my interpretation error there. I read 'shed sales' as 'garage sales'.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ruthie on 05 December, 2020, 09:03:19 pm
Blimey, is this what life’s like in the real world?

We’re using Windows7, on computers that can’t cope. I’ve taken to reporting every single slow-running or malfunctioning computer to IT every time, after hunting down a working computer so I can actually do my job. I fully expect them to hunt me down and stage an intervention before long but I don’t care. The whole thing’s ridiculous.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2020, 12:44:21 am
Oh yes.  Back when I toiled in the Tower of Barad-Dûr I complained bitterly to The Mgt about the (lack of) speed of my wanky desktop Dell, and was ignored right up until I was supposed to join a half-hour video conference starting at 11:00.  I started the appropriate app at 10:50 and managed to make contact with the other participants at 11:25.  Git Boss got stroppy and came to peer over my shoulder while I repeated the process.

“Is it always like this?”

“Why, yes!  Yes, it is.  Why do you think I've been complaining bitterly for the last Several of months, you hairless twat*?”

I got a new PC the next day :thumbsup:

* crib to reel thorts
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ruthie on 06 December, 2020, 08:18:31 am
Yeah you’re driven to whole new levels of frustration when your patient’s in pain and you can’t access their electronic prescription because the little thingy is going round and round and round and you then get an error message.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: matthew on 06 December, 2020, 09:41:46 am
We've been complaining to client corporate IT since lockdown 1 that autosave doesn't work on the virtual machines that us consultant plebs have to use because we don't rate a corporate laptop and the vpn.

Last Sunday it cost me 10 hours work  :facepalm: this motivated me to find out why. Turns out the vm environment has no access to c drive and office is configured to the default c user...

I have now been told that the change panel has approved to reconfigure the vm to move the autosave to the network user folder that makes my docs transfer between sessions so if the connection to the vm drops we shouldn't loose our expensive work.

Commendably quick but why did I have to identify the configuration fault rather than report the bug symptoms ???
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2020, 12:46:27 pm
Blimey, is this what life’s like in the real world?
Category error. No world is real if it supports life.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 06 December, 2020, 04:55:52 pm
We've been complaining to client corporate IT since lockdown 1 that autosave doesn't work on the virtual machines that us consultant plebs have to use because we don't rate a corporate laptop and the vpn.

Last Sunday it cost me 10 hours work  :facepalm: this motivated me to find out why. Turns out the vm environment has no access to c drive and office is configured to the default c user...

I have now been told that the change panel has approved to reconfigure the vm to move the autosave to the network user folder that makes my docs transfer between sessions so if the connection to the vm drops we shouldn't loose our expensive work.

Commendably quick but why did I have to identify the configuration fault rather than report the bug symptoms ???

Presumably you can't just junction some folders into the appropriate space on the C drive?

This is how my one drive actually points to various bits of my read drives while maintaining autosave in them
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ruthie on 06 December, 2020, 05:23:55 pm
Well I totally lost it today and contacted the on-call IT people. Tools are just supposed to work.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: matthew on 06 December, 2020, 05:32:06 pm
We've been complaining to client corporate IT since lockdown 1 that autosave doesn't work on the virtual machines that us consultant plebs have to use because we don't rate a corporate laptop and the vpn.

Last Sunday it cost me 10 hours work  :facepalm: this motivated me to find out why. Turns out the vm environment has no access to c drive and office is configured to the default c user...

I have now been told that the change panel has approved to reconfigure the vm to move the autosave to the network user folder that makes my docs transfer between sessions so if the connection to the vm drops we shouldn't loose our expensive work.

Commendably quick but why did I have to identify the configuration fault rather than report the bug symptoms ???

Presumably you can't just junction some folders into the appropriate space on the C drive?

This is how my one drive actually points to various bits of my read drives while maintaining autosave in them

The VM is being served by a number of servers and has been very carefully constrained to disallow all access to anything on C:\ We have a different network drive that holds all the my docs etc that all the desktops and the VMs are configured to use so that it doesn't matter which desktop you are hot desking at your desktop and other links are maintained. It seems like it is a simple change to the way they configure the office set up on the VM and desktops so that they point to the network drive rather than the local disk.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2020, 06:33:40 pm
Has anyone tried cycling with a mask on? I couldn't be bothered to take mine off the other day so rode home with it on. No problem on the flat, but as soon as I got to the 'hill' – and it's a hill in name only, more of a small slope really – I was in danger of suffocation. Not because I couldn't get enough oxygen but because breathing more deeply meant the inner fabric of the mask was being pulled in and out with my breathing. Of course it would help if I wasn't so unfit, but...

(not sure of the bonus in this, but all experiences are an addition to life's rich tapestry, blah blah,  :sick:)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: quixoticgeek on 06 December, 2020, 07:15:46 pm
Has anyone tried cycling with a mask on? I couldn't be bothered to take mine off the other day so rode home with it on. No problem on the flat, but as soon as I got to the 'hill' – and it's a hill in name only, more of a small slope really – I was in danger of suffocation. Not because I couldn't get enough oxygen but because breathing more deeply meant the inner fabric of the mask was being pulled in and out with my breathing. Of course it would help if I wasn't so unfit, but...

(not sure of the bonus in this, but all experiences are an addition to life's rich tapestry, blah blah,  :sick:)

Yes, I've cycled in a selection of different masks, from my cold avenger face mask (no use for infection prevention, but helps with cold), simple cloth masks (various types), and a 3M respirator with the full filters for both gas and particles. No issues at my exertion levels in any of them.

J
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 06 December, 2020, 09:01:46 pm
Yeah you’re driven to whole new levels of frustration when your patient’s in pain and you can’t access their electronic prescription because the little thingy is going round and round and round and you then get an error message.

Out of interest what system is this?
/me prepares to run if required... (don't think the particular system I have involvement with that fits that description is anywhere else in the world...)

Although it sounds like your IT kit or dept is shit if it's still on Win 7 (we're mostly up to 10 now with a few stragglers for 3rd party system compatibility reasons...) but a fair whack of systems are web based, which means it's also possible that it's the software running on the server or network that's being shit than the actual Win7 desktop machine...

The VM is being served by a number of servers and has been very carefully constrained to disallow all access to anything on C:\ We have a different network drive that holds all the my docs etc that all the desktops and the VMs are configured to use so that it doesn't matter which desktop you are hot desking at your desktop and other links are maintained. It seems like it is a simple change to the way they configure the office set up on the VM and desktops so that they point to the network drive rather than the local disk.

Ah I missed that you're on a locked down VM

Has anyone tried cycling with a mask on? I couldn't be bothered to take mine off the other day so rode home with it on. No problem on the flat, but as soon as I got to the 'hill' – and it's a hill in name only, more of a small slope really – I was in danger of suffocation. Not because I couldn't get enough oxygen but because breathing more deeply meant the inner fabric of the mask was being pulled in and out with my breathing. Of course it would help if I wasn't so unfit, but...

(not sure of the bonus in this, but all experiences are an addition to life's rich tapestry, blah blah,  :sick:)

Sounds like me going up the stairs at work, never remember to nose breathe.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ruthie on 06 December, 2020, 09:26:49 pm
Yeah you’re driven to whole new levels of frustration when your patient’s in pain and you can’t access their electronic prescription because the little thingy is going round and round and round and you then get an error message.

Out of interest what system is this?
/me prepares to run if required... (don't think the particular system I have involvement with that fits that description is anywhere else in the world...)


I-Soft
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2020, 09:32:24 pm
Has anyone tried cycling with a mask on?

Barakta's got a posh mask originally intended to filter particulates from cycle commuters' lungs[1], because it has a proper silicone seal so it doesn't steam up your glasses[2].  The effect on one's breathing is similar to a 3M respirator: there's noticeable resistance, but not a problem at normal levels of exertion.  I haven't tried cycling in it, but I expect the experience could best be described as 'moist'.

Much like a cycle helmet it's more practical for, and more likely to be of benefit to, car occupants.


[1] I've knobbled the exhalation valves for COVID-19 purposes, so it now filters in both directions.
[2] She can't hear with steamed up glasses.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 06 December, 2020, 09:37:13 pm
Ah, is that the apparently incredibly crap offshoot of NPfIT "Lorenzo"?

I vaguely remember iSoft Torex had NHSS NSS accreditation for GP usage but no one bought it.
Although the PAS system we've got is a bit shit according to the new tester we've got in (and everyone else).

Just glad it's not the Discharge system (pharmacy processes in that are critical to safe prescribing) we're nursing to survive until the one we're trying to build is ready
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: quixoticgeek on 06 December, 2020, 09:40:44 pm
Has anyone tried cycling with a mask on?

Barakta's got a posh mask originally intended to filter particulates from cycle commuters' lungs[1], because it has a proper silicone seal so it doesn't steam up your glasses[2].  The effect on one's breathing is similar to a 3M respirator: there's noticeable resistance, but not a problem at normal levels of exertion.  I haven't tried cycling in it, but I expect the experience could best be described as 'moist'.

Much like a cycle helmet it's more practical for, and more likely to be of benefit to, car occupants.


[1] I've knobbled the exhalation valves for COVID-19 purposes, so it now filters in both directions.
[2] She can't hear with steamed up glasses.


A very very rare photo of me.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkSSgkOXYAIpOZj?format=jpg&name=large)

Wore this to ride home from the supermarket on the Brompton. It's the only mask I've had that doesn't fog up my glasses. The black fabric is a reusable fabric mask over the outflow so it affords the same outflow protection as a fabric mask would.

I got it for when using Epoxy, but it's worked surprisingly well for other purposes.

J
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2020, 10:02:05 pm
It's a bit less industrial than that.  I think it's one of these: https://o2industries.com/products/o2-curve-1-2
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2020, 10:48:25 pm
That's a lot less floppy than my fabric mask. Also, I expect QG fitness is somewhat greater than mine right now.

[2] She can't hear with steamed up glasses.[/sub]
On which topic, today I learned the BSL for reindeer (walked past a nursery school which has 'sign of the week' pinned to its gate). i like the way you can indicate the size of the animal by spreading your hands wider, incorporating adjective and noun in one in a way which English doesn't do (though many spoken languages do do).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: barakta on 06 December, 2020, 11:44:48 pm
Yes, BSL is fantastic for being able to modify a sign to indicate direction, size, speed and other attributes. It's also why the facial expression is so vital to understanding, cos it also contributes to modulations of things like how big, or how angry/happy someone is.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2020, 11:52:40 pm
I think I'd like to actually learn it, not so much in anticipation of using it, but just to get to grips with such a different language structure.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: barakta on 06 December, 2020, 11:53:55 pm
I think people who have learned other spoken languages to fluency before either find it really easy or really hard depending on their shyness about feeling-silly around flapping their hands and faces around.

Go for it, let us know how you get on as I'd love to see a newbie's perspective, especially from someone who knows lots about linguistics and languages in general.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: andrewc on 07 December, 2020, 12:03:38 am
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50688295801_c277d5bd04.jpg)


That's me wearing a Totobobo mask, which also doesn't fog my glasses up & is less industrial than the 3M type.  The filters while supposed to be N95 equivalent are fairly small so you can feel it when trying something energetic like going up 8 flights of stairs.  They offer a larger filter for athletic use.  I've not used it for cycling.  I get a decently tight seal (you can dunk it in hot water & shape the plastic a bit) but it does get moist inside & needs to be swabbed every few hours. 


https://totobobo.co.uk (https://flic.kr/p/2ke9Lov)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2020, 12:04:43 am
Yes, BSL is fantastic for being able to modify a sign to indicate direction, size, speed and other attributes. It's also why the facial expression is so vital to understanding, cos it also contributes to modulations of things like how big, or how angry/happy someone is.

Going even further off-topic, facial expression is the thing that hearing people tend to consistently get wrong.

I was watching a German TV series recently which happened to have some (relatively minor) deaf characters.  In the first series, I (with my almost complete lack of understanding of DGS) was mostly annoyed with the director for not framing the sign space properly.  But in the second series, where the character had more, less emotional, dialogue that didn't warrant a close-up, it broke my suspension of disbelief to see her face being completely wooden.  Turns out that the actor is hearing[1], and her facial expression in the previous scenes had in fact been Acting.


[1] Borderline acceptable in this instance, because the story involves a parallel universe where the character isn't deaf.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2020, 01:00:27 am
But you're getting into all sorts of TV conventions there. German TV conventions at that. The inclusion of a character 'speaking' DGS doesn't necessarily mean that character's speech is intended to be understood by sign-speakers, any more than the inclusion of a German-speaking character in English TV means that character is intended to be understood by German speakers. As I watch very little TV, I can't think of an English-language example, but I know of a Polish series in which one of the major characters is meant to be American. The actor is of course Polish and watching it, you would laugh at her English, full of inaccuracies and weirdly accented. You'd also notice that the 'errors' in her Polish were never enough to inhibit understanding by Poles and tend not to be ones actually made by English speakers attempting Polish (or at least you would notice this if you also spoke Polish!). But as the intended audience isn't English speaking, it doesn't matter. Similarly, the Germans in any British or American war film, whose German is Englisch schpoken leik zat. So with these deaf characters, quite likely. After all, if the series was to be aimed at speakers of DGS, every character would have to be signed. Or more likely, there would be captions (what's the German for SDH?)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 07 December, 2020, 10:48:48 am
Just had a chap from the council at the door to explain that since Covid has kyboshed the over-70s knees-up in the town hall* this year would we like them to deliver a 4-course meal and a bottle of wine gratis in early January instead?  Well, we never go to the knees-up (can't speak Alsacien and MrsT shrivels up in crowds) but oo rather yes please. So we're on the list.

Our taxe d'habitation at work. Innit nice?

* salle des fêtes aka dirty defeat
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 07 December, 2020, 01:15:14 pm
But you're getting into all sorts of TV conventions there. German TV conventions at that. The inclusion of a character 'speaking' DGS doesn't necessarily mean that character's speech is intended to be understood by sign-speakers, any more than the inclusion of a German-speaking character in English TV means that character is intended to be understood by German speakers. As I watch very little TV, I can't think of an English-language example, but I know of a Polish series in which one of the major characters is meant to be American. The actor is of course Polish and watching it, you would laugh at her English, full of inaccuracies and weirdly accented. You'd also notice that the 'errors' in her Polish were never enough to inhibit understanding by Poles and tend not to be ones actually made by English speakers attempting Polish (or at least you would notice this if you also spoke Polish!). But as the intended audience isn't English speaking, it doesn't matter. Similarly, the Germans in any British or American war film, whose German is Englisch schpoken leik zat. So with these deaf characters, quite likely. After all, if the series was to be aimed at speakers of DGS, every character would have to be signed. Or more likely, there would be captions (what's the German for SDH?)

Until you mentioned English language war films Vith Ze Germans, I was thinking Allo Allo.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2020, 01:50:01 pm
Allo Allo would probably fit the same category, broadly speaking.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ElyDave on 07 December, 2020, 02:46:27 pm
Just had a chap from the council at the door to explain that since Covid has kyboshed the over-70s knees-up in the town hall* this year would we like them to deliver a 4-course meal and a bottle of wine gratis in early January instead?  Well, we never go to the knees-up (can't speak Alsacien and MrsT shrivels up in crowds) but oo rather yes please. So we're on the list.

Our taxe d'habitation at work. Innit nice?

* salle des fêtes aka dirty defeat

This reminds me of the time I got stuck in Toulouse airport for 12 hours (2" of snow!) and instead of the voucher for a shrivelled sandwich and coffee, I was fed a superb three course affair with wine, only quiche I've ever enjoyed.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2020, 07:53:23 pm
Allo Allo would probably fit the same category, broadly speaking.

After some confusion about pissing by the door or Powerful Gestapo Binoculars or similar, I had to explain Allo Allo to barakta, who had - understandably - missed out on the subtlety of how it handled people speaking different languages with varying degrees of competence by portraying them all as cheesily-accented English.

She's now suitably informed, if not actually educated.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2020, 08:08:57 pm
''Informed but not enlightened.''

There must be a doctorate in it: From 'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' to 'Deaf Funny' via 'Mind Your Language' and 'Allo Allo': The portrayal of non-English speaking characters in British film and television.

(yes, I found 'Deaf Funny' by the power of google and no, I've never seen it)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2020, 08:11:32 pm
Indeed.  She started to glaze over at Ze Fallen Madonna With Ze Big Boobies.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: barakta on 07 December, 2020, 11:03:26 pm
Cudzo, I highly recommend Deaf Funny, it's all captioned in English and covers a wide range of random Deaf Cultureisms which are as important as the language.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2020, 11:26:11 pm
Laughing at the 2,000 salad increase now!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 December, 2020, 08:54:16 pm
As part of my Scout leading thing, I have to attend the Group Executive committee meeting. This features an agenda typed in Comic Sans. FFS.

Corona Bonus: The meetings are currently held via Zoom, with an emailed version of the agenda. LibreOffice Writer know not of Comic Sans and renders it in a soothing cursive script style type face.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 18 December, 2020, 08:22:49 am
I don't have to endure Christmas drinks with the neighbours


(https://i.ibb.co/NxRY160/christmas-drinks.jpg) (https://ibb.co/H7ZgNDc)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ginger Cat on 10 January, 2021, 07:22:14 pm
Todays Coronabonus:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55610328

Thanks to the North Wales Police turning them away at the border, 4 ill-equipped youngsters were stopped from something which could well have been fatal. When I was a bairn and my dad was in a MRT in the North Pennines, this was exactly the sort of "walker" who ended up with exhaustion/hyperthermia and didn't come back.

GC
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 January, 2021, 10:58:12 pm
Has anyone else found that they do a lot more shitting than they used to before lockdowns?

This is what my laptop sees when I'm on the throne...

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EssMpEWW8AE1rvT?format=jpg&name=small)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 February, 2021, 09:54:36 pm
CoronaBonus sculpture:
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Luke-Jerrams-glass-sculpture-of-the-Oxford-AstraZeneca-vaccine-photo-courtesy-of-Luke-Jerram-Spirit-PR-2-1536x1100.jpg)

https://www.bristol247.com/culture/art/luke-jerram-unveils-astrazeneca-vaccine-sculpture/
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Regulator on 12 February, 2021, 09:21:47 am
Got a letter from work this morning, confirming that I'll be getting a bonus this year... which was something of a surprise, as I thought bonuses were only going to paid to staff earning less than £50k.  And we're getting it paid this month.

Only problem is, I've got nothing to spend it on.  It's usually my 'Holiday Fund'.  I'll stick it into my savings for now.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 February, 2021, 11:00:57 am
Has anyone else found that they do a lot more shitting than they used to before lockdowns?

This is what my laptop sees when I'm on the throne...

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EssMpEWW8AE1rvT?format=jpg&name=small)
Does Mrs Flatus sit in a chair opposite the chodbin?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Hot Flatus on 12 February, 2021, 11:13:55 am
You always take it just that one step too far, Roger

 ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 12 February, 2021, 12:10:24 pm
Flatus wears a tie when dumping. There should be an option in this thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=118360.0).
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 February, 2021, 05:21:44 pm
Got a letter from work this morning, confirming that I'll be getting a bonus this year... which was something of a surprise, as I thought bonuses were only going to paid to staff earning less than £50k.  And we're getting it paid this month.

Only problem is, I've got nothing to spend it on.  It's usually my 'Holiday Fund'.  I'll stick it into my savings for now.

We got a similar email overnight saying we were getting a special bonus cos 2020.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 February, 2021, 06:50:31 pm
We ended up with four extra days leave in 2020. A couple in August and a couple on the front end of the Christmas shutdown.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 13 February, 2021, 01:48:57 pm
We keep a squeezy bottle of hand satanizer in the kitchen. Good accelerant for the lousy firelighters we have just now.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 13 February, 2021, 02:30:40 pm
We ended up with four extra days leave in 2020.
Which is a bit like giving Majestic Wine vouchers to all your Muslim staff.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 13 February, 2021, 03:13:47 pm
We ended up with four extra days leave in 2020. A couple in August and a couple on the front end of the Christmas shutdown.

We had a few extra days, too - can't remember how many exactly. I think I ended up spending them working.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Ashaman42 on 13 February, 2021, 06:34:31 pm
Eh I was happy with them, but then my workload is such that I didn't need to work during them and could sleep in.

Which if there's anything I need at the moment it is more sleep.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 March, 2021, 12:15:18 pm
24 hours on from AstralZenith, the stars look very different today and I'm floating in a 0.5G way. I haven't had this much fun since those experimental raves of the early 90s!

(Seriously, I can't be the only one who perversely enjoys that wooziness. Glad it's the weekend though! No other effects apart from a slightly sore arm.)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: arabella on 20 March, 2021, 08:19:06 pm
You must've had yours at the same time I did.
Sadly, no effect on me whatsoever apart from a slightly sore arm which is largely identical to the soreness after blood donation.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: geraldc on 23 April, 2021, 01:20:52 am
School applications are down 7% in London. Pretty sure that this meant that my 4 yr old got offered a place at her first choice school. Last year the catchment area was 0.18 of a mile if you didn't believe in God, and 0.25 miles if you did (and had attended church for 2 years at least twice a month and had the certificate to prove it). We are godless and live 0.25 miles from the school and got in. Woot!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 April, 2021, 08:23:23 pm
The pandemic has legitimized a generally felt desire for al fresco dining and drinking even when the weather is fresh, which in turn has provided the impetus to enable a minor redistribution of street space from parking to those activities.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: perpetual dan on 03 May, 2021, 11:00:32 pm
I had the pleasure of paying Gatwick airport £5 for the privilege of dropping Mrs Dan and her case off earlier.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2021, 10:09:56 am
Taking the cover off the parrot's cage every morning invariably set me snuffling and sneezing for half an hour.  Nowadays we have an argosy of masks swanning about the place, and MrsT gets her brecky without a sniffling ogre blowing hectolitres of snot and grousing on t'other side of the table.

Ditto, just now I've been catching up on filing prior to doing my revenue declaration for 2020, and now just have a sore back instead of a sore back and the sniffles.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: BrianI on 27 May, 2021, 09:17:16 am
The pandemic has legitimized a generally felt desire for al fresco dining and drinking even when the weather is fresh, which in turn has provided the impetus to enable a minor redistribution of street space from parking to those activities.

So assistant dog users, pram pushers, wheelchair users etc will have to navigate tables and chairs cluttering up the pavements rather than cars park on pavements...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 May, 2021, 09:23:39 am
No. I'm talking about on-street parking in marked RPZ boxes, not random paveparking. The tables are taking the official parking places, just like they're sometimes taken by those bike-locker things.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Jaded on 27 May, 2021, 09:49:25 am
Like these (I'm not sure if these are still there, this was 1 Oct last year)

(http://www.alfiecat.co.uk/yetacf/IMG_7059%202%20copy.jpg)

(http://www.alfiecat.co.uk/yetacf/IMG_7063%202%20copy.jpg)
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 May, 2021, 10:58:23 am
Just like those, and many others similar.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 May, 2021, 04:39:24 pm
I had the pleasure of paying Gatwick airport £5 for the privilege of dropping Mrs Dan and her case off earlier.
I imagine the shuttle bus costs the same, or you could have dropped her at the Travelodge (other stops are available) for nothing.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: perpetual dan on 27 May, 2021, 04:51:12 pm
I had the pleasure of paying Gatwick airport £5 for the privilege of dropping Mrs Dan and her case off earlier.
I imagine the shuttle bus costs the same, or you could have dropped her at the Travelodge (other stops are available) for nothing.

The train usually works, though it's a bit crap on a Sunday. By the time I'd realised we'd have been in the ANPR system and in any case trying to dodge the charge with alternative places wasn't going to make the trip any less stressful for her.

I'm not altogether against making car journeys less desirable, but it smelt a lot like a way of generating some revenue outside the ticket price rather than a way to recoup costs, manage demand, or be green.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 June, 2021, 07:22:05 pm
Crime fell in most places during lockdowns.
Quote
An analysis of crime reports from 27 cities in Europe, Asia and the Americas found overall urban crime fell by more than a third while lockdowns were in place and then steadily climbed back up when restrictions were lifted.

Robberies fell on average by 46%, and vehicle theft and daily assaults were down 39% and 35% respectively. Burglaries dropped by 28% overall, while more minor crimes such as pickpocketing and shoplifting fell by about 47% across the countries studied.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jun/02/urban-crime-plummets-during-lockdowns-cities-around-world
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 02 June, 2021, 09:34:22 pm
That's because all the burglars were furloughed.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 19 June, 2021, 06:26:09 pm
Bonanza for British cottage owners, hotels, campsites and Airbnb hosts as holiday travel restrictions bite (https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/19/prices-are-ridiculous-uk-holiday-costs-more-than-europe-as-demand-grows)

Quote
Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, says there are UK holidays to be had if you avoid the coast and the other most popular destinations
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 October, 2021, 09:12:02 pm
A classic Grauniadism:
Latvia closes schools and venus as curfew introduced (https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/oct/18/coronavirus-live-auckland-lockdown-extended-psychosis-cases-soar-in-england)

Whether that refers to an unexpected Baltic space programme or an equally unexpected Roman deity...
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: grams on 18 October, 2021, 10:02:26 pm
She’s got it?
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 November, 2021, 11:25:32 am
If the side-effects of the Pfizer Coronalurgi booster are a slightly achey arm and having the best night's zeds in years then this Unit says “Please Sir, can I have some MOAR?” :thumbsup:
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 December, 2021, 02:21:18 pm
What vaccine did Santa have?

Mince Pfizer!
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 09 January, 2022, 10:59:41 am
The village's Christmas lunch & knees-up for the aged - which, not feeling particularly aged* and not much liking the creaky-knees-up bit, we never go to - being cancelled due to Covid, we have just had the following delivered to our door: onion soup with croutons, turkey with spuds, mixed salad, cheese, 6" pretzels, some other kind of bread, a galette des rois (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=galette+des+rois) each**, and a bottle of the local Pinot Gris (Cleebourg vineyard, one-time property of the Swedish crown, ye gods).

One will not be active this afternoon.

* unless physical labour is involved. Meh.
** and the bloody GP wants an HbA1c this week, the absolute bounder.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 09 January, 2022, 12:55:08 pm
And once we took the covers off it turned out not to be turkey but boiled ox-tongue with puréed horseradish, which I greatly prefer. Not so great for MrsT, who is vegetarian, so I have the same to look forward to tomorrow.

One is pogged.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: ian on 10 January, 2022, 10:01:14 am
Probably less of a shock than being pegged.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 10 January, 2022, 10:56:09 am
'Pogged' ?  That's a term I've only ever heard from one other source.

As it was poorly defined we took it upon ourselves to do so. Being 'pogged' we decided was a measure of overeating, where 1 = full and 10 = throwing up.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Nuncio on 10 January, 2022, 11:29:17 am
It would need to go all the way up to 11 for a Mr Creosoting.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 10 January, 2022, 11:30:08 am
It would need to go all the way up to 11 for a Mr Creosoting.
;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Beardy on 10 January, 2022, 11:46:39 am
While I don’t claim it as a Yorkshireism, pogged is certainly a word that is well rooted in my vocabulary and oft used for the describing of a state of inactivity brought on by the over indulgence in the consumption of noms.  ;D
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: T42 on 10 January, 2022, 11:56:35 am
'Pogged' ?  That's a term I've only ever heard from one other source.

As it was poorly defined we took it upon ourselves to do so. Being 'pogged' we decided was a measure of overeating, where 1 = full and 10 = throwing up.

Yorkshire originally, I believe.  I first heard it from one of MrsT's numerous aunts and/or cousins.

On your poggitation scale I was about a 4.5 yesterday - nothing tectonic but definitely siestal.

Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: hatler on 10 January, 2022, 12:06:20 pm
Ah, that all hangs together, my source was from Darrington, near Ponte.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Efrogwr on 10 January, 2022, 12:41:15 pm
I first heard it at school, in Wakefield.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 January, 2022, 12:42:51 pm
Doesn’t seem to have made it to the East Riding thobut.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2022, 01:20:11 pm
Pogs were something very different when I was at school.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: FifeingEejit on 10 January, 2022, 01:38:23 pm
I have a tube of Tazzos somewhere, I also had pogs.
Title: Re: ***CoronaBonus***
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 April, 2022, 04:45:22 pm
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-street-still-meeting-up-6899146
People being sociable.